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11 – 20 of over 17000Mauro Sciarelli, Silvia Cosimato, Giovanni Landi and Francesca Iandolo
Recently, socially and responsible investments (SRI) have constantly grown becoming a highly discussed issue. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to better understand if…
Abstract
Purpose
Recently, socially and responsible investments (SRI) have constantly grown becoming a highly discussed issue. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to better understand if environmental social governance (ESG) criteria integration in investment strategies can support the transition of finance toward a more sustainable growth.
Design/methodology/approach
An explorative analysis based on a multiple case study has been conducted and addressed by a content analysis on the Key Investors Information Documents (KIIDs) that the sample companies published for 2020.
Findings
The achieved results demonstrated that the case companies differently integrated ESG into their SRI; thus, if some of them are quite near to a full integration, the others demonstrated less than a full commitment with ESG. This seems to be mainly due to the different approach that asset management companies (AMCs) and/or managers have adopted for integrating ESG criteria.
Research limitations/implications
Even though the achieved results offered some interesting insights for asset managers, the explorative and qualitative nature of this study and the small sample investigated somewhat limits it.
Practical implications
AMCs, consultants and managers in developing and implementing their SRI strategy could be much more focused on the importance of ESG integration for the transition toward a more responsible and sustainable finance (micro-level) as well as a more sustainable development (macro-level).
Originality/value
The paper provides new insights into the essence of SRI strategies and their potential to contribute to sustainable development. Thus, it tries to shed new lights on the role that ESG can have to stimulate and support investment decisions and, in so doing, contributing to make finance grow more sustainable.
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In recent years, Marks and Spencer has chosen to bring in more senior personnel from “the outside”. In order to ensure that they succeeded within their new environment, and that…
Abstract
In recent years, Marks and Spencer has chosen to bring in more senior personnel from “the outside”. In order to ensure that they succeeded within their new environment, and that the organisation likewise gained from any particular expertise they might be able to bring to their new “home”, a programme was devised to bring these benefits about. The programme is described, and how the consultant involved internal trainers to run it and future events is set out.
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Patrick McNamee, Dolores O’Reilly and Brendan McFerran
Often businesses fail, or fail to reach their true potential, for strategic rather than operational reasons. This type of failure may be caused because the key decision makers in…
Abstract
Often businesses fail, or fail to reach their true potential, for strategic rather than operational reasons. This type of failure may be caused because the key decision makers in such firms are not well informed about the strategic landscape in which their firm operates. A military analogy is used to show that successful military campaigns are often predicated upon having accurate maps. Similarly, competitive strategies followed by firms are likely to be more successful if key decision makers possess accurate strategic maps which display the location of their own and rival firms. In other words, those firms which have detailed knowledge of their strategic landscapes are likely to enjoy significant competitive advantage, while firms which are in ignorance of their strategic landscape are less likely to be able to navigate a route that will confer sustained competitive advantage. A firm’s strategic landscape is analysed in terms of: the firm’s true competitive position, the industry conditions under which the firm and its competitors operate and the core strategies that firms in the industry are following. This paper analyses an approach to strategic mapping developed by a major new independent strategic database called CAM (Competitive Analysis Model). This database has been built to aid small firms improve their results through generating accurate strategic maps. These maps enable client firms to assess their strategic locations and performances longitudinally, sectorally and cross‐sectionally. Finally, CAM clients appear to have outperformed similarly structured non‐CAM firms.
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Seyedhabibollah Sadrinooshabadi, Afshin Taheri, Ibrahim Yitmen and Rogier Jongeling
Each building project demands an integrated method for information and requirement management in its life cycle. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the major obstacles…
Abstract
Purpose
Each building project demands an integrated method for information and requirement management in its life cycle. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the major obstacles in integrated life cycle information management and recognize the potentials of CoClass as the new Swedish digital classification system to tackle them throughout asset life cycle.
Design/methodology/approach
The industry viewpoint toward the current status of asset information management considering ISO 19650-1 principles and the existing obstacles and the industry practitioners' ideas regarding CoClass capabilities and applicability were captured and analyzed. A total of 13 semistructured interviews were conducted with the AECO industry professionals to have an understanding of information requirement management. Then the results were analyzed qualitatively, using the NVivo 12 software. Different attributes of a component (heating panel) in a meeting room according to CoClass and data deviations throughout the asset life cycle were elaborated.
Findings
This study reveals some obstacles in information management process in seven categories in relation to: (1) the need to employ information exchange platforms as common data environments (CDEs) by all actors from early stages; (2) the communication issues caused by lack of utilizing common languages; (3) the costly and time-consuming implementation process; (4) the misunderstandings in terms of data communication between service providers and owners; (5) the definition and fulfillment of information requirements as well as keeping track of data deviations throughout asset life cycle; (6) the information update difficulty; and (7) the need for training practitioners dealing with new systems such as CoClass.
Originality/value
The research explores the major obstacles in information requirement management concerning the practical implementation of the new Swedish classification system, CoClass, supporting the asset life cycle.
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Examines the respective concepts of collateral warranties andlatent defects insurance, and the strengths and weaknesses of eacharrangement. Discusses the objective or protecting…
Abstract
Examines the respective concepts of collateral warranties and latent defects insurance, and the strengths and weaknesses of each arrangement. Discusses the objective or protecting owner and occupier, the collateral warranty matrix, building‐specific advantages of LDI, and recent events in the LDI market. Concludes that the inherent uncertainties in collateral warranties are likely to result in increased appreciation and demand for latent defects insurance.
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Maude Brunet, Ali Motamedi, Louis-Martin Guénette and Daniel Forgues
Given the ongoing digital transformation, building information modeling (BIM) has great potential to create a collaborative environment in the whole lifecycle of the built asset…
Abstract
Purpose
Given the ongoing digital transformation, building information modeling (BIM) has great potential to create a collaborative environment in the whole lifecycle of the built asset, from inception to decommissioning. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper relates current developments in Québec with regard to the use of BIM for asset management (AM). The steps taken by three public organizations to develop their capabilities and take advantage of new possibilities are presented. The main methodological approach is based on participant observation, through case studies complemented by a questionnaire.
Findings
This paper reports on results and analysis of an important module of a broader research project on the impact of new technologies and collaborative methods for projects and AM. The results of this first research module points to the importance of using pilot projects to develop a continuous improvement approach, where feedback loops from projects support the development of AM capabilities and culture. Another important finding is the importance of sharing experience for the three public organizations involved.
Originality/value
The main contributions of this paper are to document this overarching research program and to gain deeper insights by reflexively considering the steps taken and the ones ahead for the quest to enhance the transfer of information for built assets at the end of projects to the operations and maintenance phase and to use BIM for operation.
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– The paper aims to describe the behind-the-scenes strategy and processes that fund managers use to make investment decisions.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to describe the behind-the-scenes strategy and processes that fund managers use to make investment decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
The research involved semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 34 fund managers in Istanbul, London, Melbourne and New York during 2012. Results describe their approach, and tie it back to theoretical explanations.
Findings
Large investors make limited use of neoclassical finance theory. They believe that securities markets trend over the short term, mean revert over the long term, and have upward sloping demand curves. They rely on qualitative techniques, think of security prices rather than returns, acknowledge constraints by their employer and clients, are heavily socialised and see no limitation from using similar approaches to competitors.
Originality/value
This is the first interview-based evaluation of global manager techniques since the market crash after 2008, and provides an innovative depiction of actual processes followed by institutional investors.
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Norliana Sarpin, Jay Yang and Bo Xia
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a research study that aims to establish a people capability framework to promote the sustainability agenda in facilities management (FM…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a research study that aims to establish a people capability framework to promote the sustainability agenda in facilities management (FM) practices.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a literature review, a range of factors relating to people capabilities in the context of sustainability endeavours is identified. A questionnaire survey of industry practitioners and statistical data analysis help prioritise these people capability factors and evaluate the role played by each factor in promoting sustainability in FM practices.
Findings
Twenty-three people capability factors are identified as significant to the promotion of sustainability measures in FM practices. Dealing with these factors effectively can provide a sound basis for equipping FM professionals with the necessary knowledge, information on training and educational needs and the right mindset to enhance the implementation of sustainability in FM practices.
Practical implications
The research shows the importance of capabilities and skills in the pursuit of sustainability in professional practice. In addition, it highlights specific areas for improvement in the FM sector.
Originality/value
The research links the importance of sustainability with the mindset and preparedness of FM practitioners. It emphasises people capabilities, in addition to technological advancement and financial implications, in the promotion of sustainability in the building industry.
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Daniel Ellström, Johan Holtström, Emma Berg and Cecilia Josefsson
The purpose of this paper is to identify sensing, seizing and reconfiguring routines of dynamic capabilities that enable digital transformation in firms.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify sensing, seizing and reconfiguring routines of dynamic capabilities that enable digital transformation in firms.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach is used. Representatives from a firm going through digital transformations are interviewed, and focus groups have been carried out with a consultancy firm experienced in giving advice to firms going through digital transformation.
Findings
Six routines identified as relevant specifically for digital transformation are identified. These are cross-industrial digital sensing, inside-out digital infrastructure sensing, digital strategy development, determination of enterprise boundaries, decomposition of digital transformation into specified projects and creation of a unified digital infrastructure.
Practical implications
The authors provide direction for managers on how to approach digital transformation. In relation to previous research, the authors provide more specific guidance regarding how to reconfigure the organization in digital transformation.
Originality/value
The paper uses a novel context for digital transformation and complements the very few studies available using dynamic capabilities to understand digital transformation.
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Louise Scholes, Paul Westhead and Andrew Burrows
This exploratory study aims to provide fresh insights into the ownership transfer of private family firms through internal management buy‐out (MBO) and external management buy‐in…
Abstract
Purpose
This exploratory study aims to provide fresh insights into the ownership transfer of private family firms through internal management buy‐out (MBO) and external management buy‐in (MBI) succession routes. The paper aims to explore if flows of information impact the succession planning process and if the nature of succession planning impacts the business sale negotiation process relating to family firms that select MBO/MBI succession routes.
Design/methodology/approach
Guided by insights from agency theory and theories relating to information asymmetries and negotiation behaviour six hypotheses were derived. Private family firms that had received venture capital and the MBO/I deals had been completed between 1994 and 2003 were identified. A structured survey was administered to 117 senior members of acquiring MBO/I management teams after the deal had been completed in several European countries. Non‐parametric chi‐square tests and Mann‐Whitney “U” tests were used to test the presented hypotheses.
Findings
Evidence highlights the importance of information sharing and that the family owner(s) may not always be in the strongest position. MBOs reported lower information asymmetry. Also, lower information asymmetry was reported when vendors and management were involved in succession planning. Internal managers with greater access to information were found to influence the negotiation process and determine who is more likely to benefit from the price to be paid for the firm. A mutually agreed price was less likely when management controlled information and when personal equity providers (PEP) were involved in the process supporting the interests of the MBO/I team.
Practical implications
Family firm owners need to plan for succession planning. Vendors of family firms need to leverage external professional advice when negotiating the sale of their ventures to ensure “family agendas” are protected.
Originality/value
This study has extended the conceptual work of Howorth et al. surrounding the succession of family firms through MBOs and MBIs. Rather than relying on case study evidence alone, cross‐sectional survey evidence was explored within a univariate statistical framework to explore gaps in the knowledge base relating to succession planning and business sale negotiation behaviour.
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