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1 – 10 of 131Erik Flores-Garcia, Jessica Bruch, Magnus Wiktorsson and Mats Jackson
The purpose of this paper is to explore the selection of decision-making approaches at manufacturing companies when implementing process innovations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the selection of decision-making approaches at manufacturing companies when implementing process innovations.
Design/methodology/approach
This study reviews the current understanding of decision structuredness for determining a decision-making approach and conducts a case study based on an interactive research approach at a global manufacturer.
Findings
The findings show the correspondence of intuitive, normative and combined intuitive and normative decision-making approaches in relation to varying degrees of equivocality and analyzability. Accordingly, the conditions for determining a decision-making choice when implementing process innovations are revealed.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to increased understanding of the combined use of intuitive and normative decision making in production system design.
Practical implications
Empirical data are drawn from two projects in the heavy-vehicle industry. The study describes decisions, from start to finish, and the corresponding decision-making approaches when implementing process innovations. These findings are of value to staff responsible for the design of production systems.
Originality/value
Unlike prior conceptual studies, this study considers normative, intuitive and combined intuitive and normative decision making. In addition, this study extends the current understanding of decision structuredness and discloses the correspondence of decision-making approaches to varying degrees of equivocality and analyzability.
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Alba N. Nuñez, Ronald E. Giachetti and Giacomo Boria
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of coordination in business processes by quantifying how the coordination load is affected by changes in task…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of coordination in business processes by quantifying how the coordination load is affected by changes in task structure and task characteristics.
Design/methodology/approach
A model is presented that quantifies the amount of coordination work as a function of the task characteristics analyzability and variability and the task structure factor of interdependence. To test the model, a management simulation game is used with a full factorial design of experiments. Two replications are conducted for each treatment. Validated questionnaires and time studies are used to obtain the data.
Findings
Analyses of the experimental results indicate that as task analyzability decreases and task interdependence increases then the coordination load increases. The increase in coordination load is greater for changes in task interdependence than for changes in task analyzability.
Practical implications
The experimental results indicate the time savings from doing tasks in parallel versus sequential are less than what would expected due to the increased interdependence between tasks and the resulting requirements for coordination. These results can be used to understand the trade‐offs of different process configurations, primarily how coordination load changes when a process is changed from sequential to parallel.
Originality/value
This research deviates from previous research in that the coordination load difference is measured when going from a sequential process to a parallel process. Most previous studies have shown differences but not the magnitude of the difference. Moreover, most previous studies have been at the organization level, while this research focuses on the business process level.
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Serdar S. Durmusoglu, Kwaku Atuahene-Gima and Roger J. Calantone
Research on market information use in product innovation suggests that firms utilize two key strategic decision-making processes: incremental and comprehensive. Drawing from…
Abstract
Purpose
Research on market information use in product innovation suggests that firms utilize two key strategic decision-making processes: incremental and comprehensive. Drawing from organizational information processing theory, literature implies that these processes operate differently. However, this assumption remains untested. Moreover, the degree to which a comprehensive process affects the innovation strategy outcomes depends on market information time sensitivity (MITS) and analyzability. To-date, no study has tested these assertions, either. Finally, it is suggested that meaningful market strategy is a key driver of new product success and it is important to understand how decision-making processes influence it under differing time sensitivity and analyzability.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on survey data from 250 Chinese firms, authors use structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results generally support authors’ contentions. More specifically, marketing strategy outcomes are influenced by marketing strategy incrementality (MSI) and marketing strategy comprehensiveness (MSC) differently. Further, time sensitivity moderates the effect of both MSI and MSC on outcomes, except for the effect of MSI on decision quality. Finally, analyzability moderates the relationships between decision making processes and certain strategy outcomes such as between MSI and meaningfulness.
Originality/value
Drawing from information processing theory, authors argue that incremental and comprehensive marketing strategy decision making for new product operate differentially under the same conditions. Further, the effects of these decision processes on outcomes depend on time sensitivity and analyzability of market information. Finally, auhtors argue that meaningful market strategy is a driver of success. The authors find support for most of our hypotheses and provide directions for future research.
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M. P. Ganesh and Meenakshi Gupta
The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of procedural justice on team members’ commitment and the role of task routineness and participatory safety in this…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of procedural justice on team members’ commitment and the role of task routineness and participatory safety in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey method was used to collect data from 177 respondents from 33 software development teams. Participatory Safety Scale from Anderson and West’s Team Climate Inventory, Colquitt’s Procedural Justice Scale, a modified version of Mowday et al.’s Organizational Commitment Scale and Daft and Macintosh’s Task Routineness Scale were used to measure the variables studied. Regression analysis was used to test the main, mediating and moderating effects.
Findings
Results showed a significant positive impact of procedural justice perception on participatory safety dimensions and team commitment. Task routineness did not show any significant moderation effect. Perception of participatory safety had a partial mediation effect.
Research limitations/implications
A relatively smaller sample size, purposive sampling technique and absence of relevant control variables are the key limitations of this study.
Practical implications
The findings will provide managers insights on designing the team tasks and procedures to nurture participatory safety and commitment in teams.
Originality/value
The study is unique in terms of selection of variables, design (moderation and mediating effects) and the context (software development teams). The study provides a holistic picture of team dynamics by studying variables related to procedures, task and psychological states of the individual.
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Sarah Zelt, Theresa Schmiedel and Jan vom Brocke
While researchers and practitioners agree on the importance to adapt business process management (BPM) practices to the nature of processes, the authors observe a lack of research…
Abstract
Purpose
While researchers and practitioners agree on the importance to adapt business process management (BPM) practices to the nature of processes, the authors observe a lack of research on how to most meaningfully distinguish processes in order to apply context-specific BPM practices that increase process efficiency and effectiveness. The purpose of this paper is to systematically analyze the nature of processes as one contextual factor for BPM.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a literature review, the authors systematically derive process dimensions that describe the nature of processes and apply an information-processing perspective to the process level as a theoretical lens through which to analyze and structure these process dimensions.
Findings
The authors identified 36 dimensions used to describe process differences that can be consolidated into five generic dimensions based on an information-processing perspective: interdependence of process participants, differentiation of process participants, process analyzability, variability, and importance.
Research limitations/implications
The paper derives process dimensions from the literature and links them to extant theories as a foundation for context-sensitive BPM. The findings serve as a basis for further conceptualizing BPM and for explaining seemingly contradicting findings about whether management practices increase or decrease organizational performance.
Practical implications
While the paper focuses on understanding and explaining process differences, the authors also demonstrate how these dimensions can be used to make strategic management decisions in order to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of processes.
Originality/value
The authors systematically conceptualize process differences as a foundation for contingent process management. In addition, the authors demonstrate that organizational processes provide a new field of application for information-processing theory.
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This paper aims to explore the potential contribution of inter-unit network structure and intra-unit task environment to the overall knowledge management (KM) effectiveness of an…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the potential contribution of inter-unit network structure and intra-unit task environment to the overall knowledge management (KM) effectiveness of an organization through different KM strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
The survey method was used to empirically test the hypotheses. The authors administered two survey forms: a member-survey form that obtained responses from members of each work unit and a leader-survey form issued only to the leader of each unit to obtain his/her perception on inter-unit communications.
Findings
The findings indicate that both a unit’s boundary-spanning role and its extensive interaction with other units help promote the unit’s overall KM effectiveness. In addition, the authors found that task variety was significantly related to the use of both personalization and codification of KM strategies in the unit, and that a unit’s KM strategy played a mediating role between intra-unit task characteristics and KM effectiveness.
Originality/value
Few studies have attempted to address what makes some work units within an organization more effective in their use of knowledge than others. This study provides an understanding of the influence of inter-unit social network structure on KM effectiveness, as well as the influence of intra-unit task environment and KM strategies on KM effectiveness. The findings suggest that inter-unit knowledge exchange and a unit’s brokering role can be a vital component of a work unit’s KM strategy, and that for successful KM in a work unit, an organization should not only establish appropriate inter-unit relationship but also develop the unit’s own KM strategies.
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Qingyu Zhang, Mei Cao and William Doll
The uncertainties, ambiguities and unknown issues that characterize the beginning of a new product development project have led practitioners and scholars to coin the term “fuzzy…
Abstract
Purpose
The uncertainties, ambiguities and unknown issues that characterize the beginning of a new product development project have led practitioners and scholars to coin the term “fuzzy front end” to refer to this seminal stage. The causes of many product failures can be traced back to this fuzzy front end. Despite a growing realization of its importance, the meaning of the term “front-end fuzziness” itself remains vague. A theory-based framework is not available to guide thinking and research on this important topic. The purpose of this paper is to create a conceptual framework for fuzzy front end.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper applies Daft and Lengel’s (1986) theory of organizational information processing to create a framework for research on the fuzzy front end of product innovation. This framework is used to clarify the concept of front-end fuzziness and identify three sources of fuzziness in the project team’s task environment.
Findings
Contrary to the current literature, the authors argue that equivocality rather than uncertainty is the dominant cause of front-end fuzziness. This new conceptualization: appropriately broadens the concept of front-end fuzziness; identifies new problem areas; highlights the need for new solutions; and suggests the need to focus on team vision as a front-end deliverable.
Practical implications
The previous literature used a single uncertainty reduction rationale for integrative mechanisms. Thus, it did not consider that the implementation might change from front end to downstream. The dual theoretical rationale suggests that integrative mechanisms can be implemented differently to focus either on uncertainty or equivocality reduction. In the front end, equivocality is the dominant issue and mechanisms should be implemented in ways that create a rich channel to identify issues and share perspectives. In downstream activities where the dominant issue is uncertainty reduction, mechanisms might be implemented in ways that provide greater quantities of information on known issues.
Originality/value
This new conceptualization of front-end fuzziness provides a better theoretical rationale for how integrative mechanisms enable a project team to work through the fuzziness it faces, creating a clear team vision that guides its downstream efforts.
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This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
This 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
Firms aiming to develop and execute effective marketing strategies for new products have the option to adopt an incremental or more comprehensive approach to their examination of key market information. When determining the action to take, decision-makers should also consider the degree to which the information can be accurately analyzed and how time-sensitive it is.
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.
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Moronke Idiagbon-Oke and Adegoke Oke
In contrast to the vertical supply chain structure, firms are increasingly engaging in horizontal inter-firm collaborations to develop new technologies, products and services…
Abstract
Purpose
In contrast to the vertical supply chain structure, firms are increasingly engaging in horizontal inter-firm collaborations to develop new technologies, products and services, yet, little is known about factors that influence the governance mechanism and performance of such collaborative projects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how different factors affect the role or the centrality of the governing mechanism (the broker) in inter-firm collaborative networks.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a case study method approach, this paper studies three dynamic networks comprising firms that are not in a traditional supply chain relationship. The networks comprised firms engaged in the development of different aspects of an innovative automotive technology.
Findings
The study finds that broker’s centrality varies over time and is directly related to project performance; network structure and perceived broker power are related to broker centrality in dynamic networks. The more loosely connected a network is (open network), the more the degree of broker centrality. The higher the degree of expert power that a broker is perceived to possess, the higher is the degree of broker centrality.
Originality/value
Investigating governance mechanism and determinants of network outcomes in inter-firm collaboration for new product development represents a departure from the traditional studies on similar phenomena in vertically structured supply chain arrangements; thus, contributes to the literature on innovation in inter-firm arrangements. Understanding how the salient factors contribute to performance at the network level builds on firm level and dyadic level of analysis or focus of previous studies.
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Marco Giovanni Mariani, Matteo Curcuruto and Ivan Gaetani
The purpose of this research is to study the role of the opportunity to receive job training in enhancing people's willingness to accept information technologies (IT) and in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to study the role of the opportunity to receive job training in enhancing people's willingness to accept information technologies (IT) and in achieving employee satisfaction. The study aims to consider training opportunities as a predictor of IT self-competence, TAM model constructs and job satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Structural equation models are used with a sample of 497 Italian workers who filled in a questionnaire.
Findings
The results show a good fit between hypothesis and empirical data. Moderator roles of individual and contextual variables on training opportunities effects were studied.
Practical implications
The practical implications of this study relate to the role played by training opportunities in the IT acceptance process and in creating job satisfaction.
Originality/value
The most innovative finding pertains to moderator roles of individual and contextual variables on training opportunities effects.
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