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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2014

Osama Sam Al-Kwifi and Zafar U. Ahmed

The purpose of this study is to explore the strategies that companies could adopt to build a global brand during industry turbulence. CHALCO company was selected as a case study…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the strategies that companies could adopt to build a global brand during industry turbulence. CHALCO company was selected as a case study to conduct this research.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-faceted approach to data collection is used to demonstrate that a company strategy in the form of targeted global branding is the main factor behind success. CHALCO annual reports and public announcements were collected and analyzed. Different secondary sources are exploited to confirm the research results and explore industry structure.

Findings

Results show that CHALCO is building a global brand by adopting master brand Strategy, in which the company is focusing on a straightforward strategy with two components: develop CHALCO as a strong master brand and remain to support the sub-brands. To achieve this strategy, CHALCO were seeking more innovations to reach better quality and reliability.

Originality/value

The literature reports considerable research that investigates global branding. However, this case study presents practical example of how companies can build global branding in turbulent environment.

Details

Journal of Technology Management in China, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8779

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2011

Kasra Ferdows and Fritz Thurnheer

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the notion of fitness in production as something different from leanness and show that building fitness puts a factory on a course of…

2390

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the notion of fitness in production as something different from leanness and show that building fitness puts a factory on a course of developing cumulative capabilities and improving its ability to respond to changing market and business conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the process of design, launch, and management of a fitness program in 42 factories of the Hydro Aluminum Extrusion Group on five continents between 1986 and 2001. The design was based on the “sandcone model” proposed by Ferdows and DeMeyer but the sequence of capabilities was modified to improve safety, reduce process variability, codify and share tacit production know‐how, improve responsiveness, and improve labor and machine efficiency.

Findings

Most factories showed improvements higher than industry average in these capabilities during the 15 years. Moreover, they improved the capabilities listed earlier in the above sequence faster than those listed later, indicating that they were becoming more fit.

Research limitations/implications

Observations were in only one company and industry, which limits general applicability of the model. However, measurements were taken over a relatively long period, factories were spread on five continents, and the authors had access to the actual data during the 15 years, which together provided a unique opportunity to gain deep insights from this case. Future research should test the applicability of the model in other industries and companies.

Practical implications

A fitness regimen provides a roadmap for improving core capabilities in a factory. It is different from building leanness. Fitness helps the factory become leaner, but the opposite is not always true. A factory can become too lean but never too fit.

Originality/value

This paper is the first, to the authors' knowledge, to introduce the notion of fitness in production in the literature. Results observed in this case suggest that a better understanding of how factories become fitter provides insights into some of the deeply ingrained practices of superior manufacturers, especially those that stay competitive over long periods.

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 April 2003

65

Abstract

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 50 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Article
Publication date: 19 October 2018

Thomas Schneider and Michele Andreaus

In 1950, the Aluminum Company of Canada (Alcan) was given a perpetual water license for a large section of Northern British Columbia, Canada. The benefit to the original owner of…

Abstract

Purpose

In 1950, the Aluminum Company of Canada (Alcan) was given a perpetual water license for a large section of Northern British Columbia, Canada. The benefit to the original owner of the water rights, the Province of British Columbia, was economic and population growth. The purpose of this paper is to follow the contestation over these rights from 1948 to 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

An institutional logics perspective was taken to analyze the main actors and how their relative power (dominant versus fringe) changed in the institutional field. Archival data and selected interviews were mapped to institutional logics across three time periods.

Findings

In the inter-temporal setting, many of the actors that were fringe in 1950 became more dominant by 2016. For example, the local indigenous peoples, the Cheslatta Carrier First Nation, were flooded off their land to make way for Alcan’s dam. They ended up as very powerful players in the institutional field. The perpetual rights given to Alcan made it a dominant actor across all time periods, despite changes in the logics of the institutional field.

Research limitations/implications

A single case was studied; other comparative settings should be explored to contrast and compare. The data were primarily archival, supplemented by only three interviews of those related to the case study. This case study is also one where water rights were privatized in perpetuity, which may not be the case in other settings.

Practical implications

Current governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should use this case to understand the long-term effects of resource policy decisions.

Social implications

The building of large dams has been, and continues to be, used worldwide to provide power to create economic growth. Our setting provides insight into the long-term societal outcomes of using water rights in this way.

Originality/value

This is an original use of institutional logics around a natural resource-based institutional field. Using institutional logics in a multi-period setting, focusing on the power relations of the key actors, and how they can be constrained by historical forces, provides a contribution to the literature.

Details

Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, vol. 9 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8021

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1984

Roland L. Roehrich

In the competitive environment of the 1980s, business and technological innovation must be more closely linked than ever before. The author examines the reasons why and explores…

Abstract

In the competitive environment of the 1980s, business and technological innovation must be more closely linked than ever before. The author examines the reasons why and explores some ways to ensure closer coordination.

Details

Journal of Business Strategy, vol. 5 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0275-6668

Article
Publication date: 11 March 2014

Ioannis Tsolas

This paper aims to assess two distinct aspects of performance in terms of technical (sales) efficiency and efficiency in market value generation of a sample of Greek metallurgical…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess two distinct aspects of performance in terms of technical (sales) efficiency and efficiency in market value generation of a sample of Greek metallurgical firms listed on the Athens Exchange by using data envelopment analysis (DEA).

Design/methodology/approach

Both aspects of performance are measured by employing the DEA BCC model, combined with bootstrap and generalized proportional distance function (GPDF). Statistical analysis is performed to investigate whether there is a positive link between the two examined performance dimensions.

Findings

Inefficiency is uncovered in both performance dimensions, but there is a lower level of performance in market value generation than in technical efficiency. Correlation analysis results do not point out positive links between performance measures for the sample firms.

Research limitations/implications

The derived performance measures allow firm managers to set their own priorities and to seek out improvements along the two dimensions of performance; moreover, they may contribute to the reduction of information asymmetry among investors.

Originality/value

This paper is one of a few that investigate the link between DEA-based sales performance and performance in market value generation. It contributes methodologically through the adoption of fundamental analysis principles in estimating efficiency in the two performance dimensions and the development of a DEA efficiency model in the presence of negative data.

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 31 January 2024

Maha AlSabbagh

This study aims to quantify sectoral energy and carbon intensity, revisit the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) and explore the relationship between economic…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to quantify sectoral energy and carbon intensity, revisit the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) and explore the relationship between economic diversification and CO2 emissions in Bahrain.

Design/methodology/approach

Three stages were followed to understand the linkages between sectoral economic growth, energy consumption and CO2 emissions in Bahrain. Sectoral energy and carbon intensity were calculated, time series data trends were analyzed and two econometric models were built and analyzed using the autoregressive distributed lag method and time series data for the period 1980–2019.

Findings

The results of the analysis suggest that energy and carbon intensity in Bahrain’s industrial sector is higher than those of its services and agricultural sectors. The EKC was found to be invalid for Bahrain, where economic growth is still coupled with CO2 emissions. Whereas CO2 emissions have increased with growth in the manufacturing, and real estate subsectors, the emissions have decreased with growth in the hospitability, transportation and communications subsectors. These results indicate that economic diversification, specifically of the services sector, is aligned with Bahrain’s carbon neutrality target. However, less energy-intensive industries, such as recycling-based industries, are needed to counter the environmental impacts of economic growth.

Originality/value

The impacts of economic diversification on energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the Gulf Cooperation Council petroleum countries have rarely been explored. Findings from this study contribute to informing economic and environment-related policymaking in Bahrain.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2003

Amjed Al‐Ghanim

This research has addressed a quantitative approach for improving energy management through applying statistical techniques aimed at identifying and controlling factors linked to…

1741

Abstract

This research has addressed a quantitative approach for improving energy management through applying statistical techniques aimed at identifying and controlling factors linked to energy consumption rates at manufacturing plants. The paper presents analysis and results of multiple linear regression models used to establish the significance of a number of energy related management factors in controlling energy usage. Regression models constructed for this purpose proved the existence of statistically valid relationships between electrical energy consumption and maintenance and production management factors, namely, failure rate and production rate, where R2 values of the magnitude of 65 per cent were obtained. Furthermore, an economical treatment based on the derived regression models was formulated and demonstrated that effective management practices associated with proper maintenance, cost accounting and reporting systems can result in highly significant savings in energy usage.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2002

George K. Chacko

Develops an original 12‐step management of technology protocol and applies it to 51 applications which range from Du Pont’s failure in Nylon to the Single Online Trade Exchange…

3764

Abstract

Develops an original 12‐step management of technology protocol and applies it to 51 applications which range from Du Pont’s failure in Nylon to the Single Online Trade Exchange for Auto Parts procurement by GM, Ford, Daimler‐Chrysler and Renault‐Nissan. Provides many case studies with regards to the adoption of technology and describes seven chief technology officer characteristics. Discusses common errors when companies invest in technology and considers the probabilities of success. Provides 175 questions and answers to reinforce the concepts introduced. States that this substantial journal is aimed primarily at the present and potential chief technology officer to assist their survival and success in national and international markets.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 14 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2012

Tamer A. Awad and Suhaila E. Alhashemi

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between employees' motives for communicating with superiors and coworkers, their commitment to their organizations…

5705

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between employees' motives for communicating with superiors and coworkers, their commitment to their organizations, satisfaction with jobs, and with superiors.

Design/methodology/approach

This article makes use of survey research, using quantitative research methodology investigating employees' motives for communicating with their superiors and co‐workers, their satisfaction and commitment towards their organization. The research identifies pleasure, escape, relaxation, control and inclusion as motives explaining why people communicate with each other and how they relate to each other.

Findings

The findings revealed a relationship between the motives along with satisfaction and commitment. Employees report a moderate commitment with their coworkers as well as superiors. Furthermore, the results showed strong relationships between the control, affection, inclusion, escape and relaxation motives.

Research limitations/implications

The research showed strengthening communication ties from a need to encourage more healthy interpersonal relationships by using jointly constructed reality. This approach was more effective because it goes beyond information process and it involves the process of people together creating what will be the mission and vision of the organization and developing corporate values. In addition, the organization's commitment can be enhanced through job enrichment together with matching the individual's values to those of the organization besides, finding ways and means of improving job satisfaction through different strategies such as improving the quality of the supervision, decentralization of power and counselling. Finally, the investigation serves as a context for evaluating the applicability of previous studies to the manufacturing, oil and petrochemical industries in Bahrain, focusing on Bapco (Bahrain Petroleum Company), GPIC (Gulf Petrochemicals Industries) and ALBA (Aluminum Bahrain ).

Originality/value

The study is the first thorough study conducted in the three above‐mentioned organizations. Therefore, it would be of great value to understand their employees better and improving their communication ties as well as motivation.

Details

International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, vol. 5 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8394

Keywords

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