Search results
1 – 10 of 209T. Mezher, M.A. Abdul‐Malak, S. Arnaout and Z. Bassil
Public investment programming is a complex exercise and involves a number of factors. These include social, economical, environmental, technological and political factors. In…
Abstract
Public investment programming is a complex exercise and involves a number of factors. These include social, economical, environmental, technological and political factors. In addition, each of the factors depends on many subfactors. For example, the economic factor depends on project impact on local and national economy, number of beneficiaries, and opportunity cost of work lost. The Public Projects Programming System (3PS) is mainly a decision support system aimed at helping senior decision makers in the public sector to program the implementation of public investment projects. A multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) approach was used based on the weighted average multi‐criteria analysis (WAMA) model. The structure (database, model base, and user interface) of the 3PS is presented. A case study, in the northern suburbs of Beirut, shows the implementation of the system in a real post conflict reconstruction environment in Lebanon.
Details
Keywords
Kung Wong Lau, Pui Yuen Lee and Yan Yi Chung
Organizational learning is traditionally structured with conventional in-house learning models aiming to equip employees with practical skills for operational needs. In contrast…
Abstract
Purpose
Organizational learning is traditionally structured with conventional in-house learning models aiming to equip employees with practical skills for operational needs. In contrast, contemporary goals emphasize unstructured organizational learning provided with learning environments to facilitate employees’ formal and informal knowledge creation. Therefore, the conventional organizational learning models are facing tremendous challenges, and it is crucial to change the traditional modes of practice into a new approach of collective learning and knowledge transfer. As well, the emergence of innovative business environments and tacit knowledge-based society urges a new form of organizational learning model to cope with employees’ learning, knowledge transfer and even knowledge management. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the authors’ team applied a typological review for systematically analyzing current organizational learning models aiming to modify and create a new collective model.
Findings
The new model covers the strengths of existing approaches from which the fundamental 3Ps (i.e. principles, purposes and processes of organizational learning) concept is derived from incorporating a development perspective of organizational trajectories and technological innovations.
Originality/value
The authors envisage that the new model can facilitate organizations to assess and adapt their organizational learning needs and orientations by applying this organic and dynamic model which emphasizes assessment in relation to the competitive environment, technological trends and organizational growth.
Details
Keywords
Yukti Sharma and Saravana Jaikumar
Subsistence marketplace can be characterized as a marketplace with widespread cognitive and social vulnerabilities, due to low income and low literacy levels. This may result in…
Abstract
Purpose
Subsistence marketplace can be characterized as a marketplace with widespread cognitive and social vulnerabilities, due to low income and low literacy levels. This may result in retailers exploiting the consumers. The purpose of this research paper is to develop a holistic learning program to impart marketplace intelligence to overcome these vulnerabilities of subsistence consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
Using vicious cycle approach, the authors illustrate the self-perpetuating nature of consumer vulnerabilities. The authors argue that retailers behave in an opportunistic manner and exploit the consumers. This further reinforces the vulnerabilities of subsistence consumers resulting in a vicious cycle. The authors draw insights from Sen’s capability approach and propose marketplace intelligence as a potential solution to eradicate consumers’ vulnerabilities. The authors apply Biggs’s 3Ps model to design a learning program to impart two types of marketplace intelligence – marketplace metacognition and marketplace social intelligence.
Findings
Based on a review of literature on subsistence marketplace initiatives, persuasive knowledge management and education research, the authors have devised a holistic learning program comprising an integrated learning environment (presage), problem-based approach (process) and assessment strategies for learning outcomes (product).
Originality/value
This study marks a pioneering effort toward liberating subsistence consumers from the vicious cycle of retailers’ exploitation by empowering them with marketplace intelligence. This study’s novelty lies in conceptualizing consumer vulnerabilities in the subsistence marketplace as a self-perpetuating phenomenon and subsequently designing a holistic learning program to impart intelligence toward alleviating these vulnerabilities.
Details
Keywords
Describes a set of re‐engineering strategies that critically examine current business policies, practices and procedures (3Ps), rethink these 3Ps and then redesign some…
Abstract
Describes a set of re‐engineering strategies that critically examine current business policies, practices and procedures (3Ps), rethink these 3Ps and then redesign some mission‐critical “products, processes, and services.” The term process improvement implies that the change or effort is directed towards an array of re‐engineering strategies. Process improvement efforts are categorized into four primary re‐engineering strategies: a set of continuous process improvement (CPI) tactics, a set of restructuring tactics, a set of organizational traits, and a set of renovation tactics. Discusses how these four re‐engineering strategies can be logically combined in a concurrent fashion to achieve significant process improvements. Introduces two new hybrid re‐engineering strategies for process improvements that have been found quite useful at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) Accounts.
Details
Keywords
Fanny Adams Quagrainie, Alan Anis Mirhage Kabalan, Samuel Adams and Afia Dentaa Dankwa
The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which entrepreneurial resourcefulness and competencies theories and practice can be applied in small youth entrepreneurship…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which entrepreneurial resourcefulness and competencies theories and practice can be applied in small youth entrepreneurship in Ghana as well as develop an entrepreneurial resourcefulness model for youth entrepreneurs that incorporates their competencies.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative exploratory approach using semi-structured in-depth interviews amongst 32 youth entrepreneurs in Accra, Ghana was used.
Findings
Youth entrepreneurial resourcefulness embraces some relevant concepts of traditional entrepreneurial resourcefulness and competencies. It also emerged that there were other competencies including discipline, understanding business numbers and being empathic which are competencies associated with youth entrepreneurial resourcefulness.
Research limitations/implications
This paper was limited to a small sample of youth entrepreneurs in Ghana; thus, the generalisation of findings should be done with care.
Originality/value
A “3Ps” model for entrepreneurial resourcefulness in youth micro-entrepreneurship is proposed, which encompasses the attributes of personal, people and political competencies. This paper is one of the few attempts to study and explain the type of competencies and resources embedded in youth entrepreneurial resourcefulness.
Details
Keywords
This paper seeks to advance an approach to supporting instructors in adopting new models of teaching, particularly when new technology is involved. The approach comprises three…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to advance an approach to supporting instructors in adopting new models of teaching, particularly when new technology is involved. The approach comprises three components: conceptual principles underpinning new learning models; process by which instructors are supported in understanding and applying principles; and a technological platform which facilitates sharing of experiences and knowledge about the process and outcomes of innovation (3Ps approach).
Design/methodology/approach
The design research methodology involved joint identification of problems with practitioners (target users of the approach), iterative testing of solutions in real‐world settings and refining them based on practitioner input. Data collection methods involved walkthroughs, a questionnaire‐based survey, and semi‐structured interviews.
Findings
The 3P approach was evaluated in relation to the key requirements – validity, practicality, and systemic aspects. The findings show that the approach is valid and practical in terms of its purpose of enhancing knowledge sharing and peer learning within and across the subject disciplines, as well as in terms of enabling contextualised professional development. However, sustainability and ease of adoption of the approach were perceived by instructors as somewhat problematic. Organisational and cultural factors that could impact the sustainability of the approach were identified.
Practical implications
It is argued that the 3Ps approach could enable eliciting reflections on and instruments for successful practice and provide a forum for sharing, discussing or extending practice.
Originality/value
This generic approach could be adapted to support professional development of instructors in a range of different contexts, both in companies and in educational institutions.
Details
Keywords
Antigoni Papadimitriou and Sarah Maria Schiffecker
This study aimed to find possible answers to whether U.S. universities are merely looking good or doing good regarding their third mission using elements of the triple bottom line…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to find possible answers to whether U.S. universities are merely looking good or doing good regarding their third mission using elements of the triple bottom line (people, planet, prosperity) and the 2030 Agenda.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative exploratory empirical study based on an in-depth analysis of publicly available documents (i.e. mission statements and strategic planning) and information from the Impact Rankings 2020 edition (webpages). The study uses a multilevel analysis to capture the parameters “looking good” and “doing good.” The sample consists of 15 U.S. universities.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that universities are looking good in terms of their effort to support their third mission. Data show that all universities covered themes related to people and prosperity in their mission statements and strategic planning. However, when the authors dived into the managerial metrics, KPIs, benchmarks and other evidence to characterize them as doing good, the authors encountered some challenges in identifying evidence. The data suggest that universities most likely participated in the Impact Ranking act as “cherry pickers” and might participate in unproblematic goals for their organization.
Originality/value
The 3Ps and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals used in this study to examine the university public mission never used in other studies. The goal in this study was not to evaluate those universities in terms of looking good and doing good but rather to contribute to the gap in the literature and provide suggestions to university C-suite.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to present a strategic management framework for a successful digital transformation (DT) roll-out aimed at enabling organisational resilience. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a strategic management framework for a successful digital transformation (DT) roll-out aimed at enabling organisational resilience. The study aims to identify the critical areas of consideration for management to strategically approach DT in order to build resilience.
Design/methodology/approach
The research study is based on the 3Ps framework: (1) people (culture, capabilities, engagement and well-being), (2) processes (systems) and (3) plant (technological infrastructure and tools). The research methodology is a qualitative study comprising semi-structured in-depth interviews, conducted with industry experts in different sectors undergoing major digital disruptions such as financial services, mining, oil and gas, energy and retail.
Findings
The research findings show that the successful roll-out of an organisation’s DT is largely driven by the people elements incorporating organisational culture, workforce skills and training and employee well-being. It also highlights that it is critical for organisations to invest in technological infrastructure, once the people elements have been addressed, as they are the drivers of technology implementation.
Research limitations/implications
A bigger and broader sample size can validate the elements and structure of the DT framework in South Africa.
Practical implications
The study’s discussion unlocks understanding about: (1) what are the key enablers for successful DT; (2) what hinders organisations from realising the value of digital investments and (3) a strategic framework for the digital roll-out.
Social implications
Technology is impacting employees at both a personal and professional levels. Ensuring that DT rollouts are strategical implemented lowers the impact on technostress and strengthens resilience.
Originality/value
The value and practical implication of this study is that the developed strategic framework can be used by managements to enable the smooth adoption of DT toward building organisational resilience in developing countries such as South Africa with low digital maturity.
Details
Keywords
The paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
US author Brian Tracy believes that any problem can be overcome through learning and application of what has been learned. Such sentiments will no doubt be music to the ears of those companies whose biggest challenges include how to tackle the skills shortages that can blight their efforts to prosper and grow. In the UK, this has led to an increased focus on work‐based learning (WBL) and the establishment of links between individual business organizations and universities. One important outcome of this relationship is higher education (HE) support for innovative learning practices in the workplace. A core aim of WBL is to initiate development and change within the working environment. This covers a vast number of topics and issues, allowing considerable scope for various work‐based projects (WBP) to be undertaken at different HE levels.
Practical implications
The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
Details
Keywords
Rossella Moioli, Cristina Boniotti, Anthoula Konsta and Alessandra Pili
The paper will present the case study of preventive and planned conservation applied to the Royal Villa and Park of Monza, which is one of the pilot projects within the general…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper will present the case study of preventive and planned conservation applied to the Royal Villa and Park of Monza, which is one of the pilot projects within the general framework of Monza and Brianza Cultural District. Starting from an in-depth analysis of the Royal Villa, which represents a recent conservation and valorisation intervention developed by both public and private subjects, the purpose of this paper is to define an operative model for the management of complex properties, at communicating good practices for the maintenance of the built heritage and at identifying the priorities for the interventions.
Design/methodology/approach
The research project foresaw a first collection of data and information related to the previous conservation activities executed upon the case study, the design of a conservation plan in all its parts (technical handbook, conservation programme, economic budget, user handbook) through an information system dedicated to the conservation of built cultural heritage, and its fulfilment. In the meantime, a context analysis of the Royal Villa and Park of Monza was developed, with a specific attention to the diversified historical buildings located in the park.
Findings
The action research carried out has been evaluated in the framework of upstream perspective theories. This enabled to highlight the importance of an integrated approach; of the need of sharing the collection of data in order to set up evidence-based policies; and of the need to enhance the skills of involved professionals and decision makers.
Originality/value
A progress in protection measures, the understanding of conservation and valorisation as preventive activities, effectiveness of private business models for maintenance, dissemination of good practices, and creation of a network of local stakeholders.
Details