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11 – 20 of 35Alan Fish, Xianglin (Shirley) Ma and Jack Wood
Issues, which have negatively impacted a diversity of business stakeholders, suggest that business thinking and leadership behaviors surrounding a desired strategic business focus…
Abstract
Issues, which have negatively impacted a diversity of business stakeholders, suggest that business thinking and leadership behaviors surrounding a desired strategic business focus appear increasingly inadequate. For example, that integration strategies and differentiation strategies are mutually exclusive. Three issues appear to contribute to such circumstances.
First, Western strategic business frameworks are largely based on quantitative foci, and remain largely unchallenged. Second, balance between key leadership team agendas and external stakeholder expectations is usually absent. Third, there is minimal connection between what organizational cultures reward, and how human resource management prescriptions provide support.
To address such concerns and implant a renewed strategic business focus, Porter and Kramer (2006, 2011) have identified the notion of shared value, which seems an appealing means to redress business problems represented by negative multistakeholder relations; moreover, an absence of any contemporary acknowledgment of the social contract. Nevertheless, a number of elements appear to be missing from the how shared value is portrayed by Porter and Kramer (2006, 2011).
Based on Maslow’s notion of Eupsychia, and employing an Ideation approach, a renewed strategic business focus supporting the notion of shared value is presented. The renewed focus seeks to enhance Porter and Kramer’s (2011) framework, by including key features to enhance shared value, including elements of Eastern and Western philosophy, and Western organization theory.
Problematic examples, identifying the absence of shared value, and including research propositions are identified.
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Christopher Adam Bagley and Nader Al-Refai
The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize published studies and practice in the “integration” of ethnic and religious minorities in Britain and The Netherlands…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize published studies and practice in the “integration” of ethnic and religious minorities in Britain and The Netherlands, 1965-2015, drawing out implications for current policy and practice.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is an evaluative review and report of results of work on citizenship education for young Muslims and their peers in English schools.
Findings
Young Muslims have positive attitudes to “good citizenship”, as Islamic socialization makes them particularly responsive to citizenship messages. But there is hard-core racial prejudice and Islamophobia in about 25 per cent of adults. In The Netherlands, this xenophobia has supported far-right politicians who are strongly anti-Muslim. This paper cites evidence that continued prejudice may lead to alienation and radicalization of some minorities.
Research limitations/implications
Unchecked prejudice concerning minorities can have negative implications for both majority and minority groups – this broad hypothesis deserves further research in both Dutch and British societies.
Practical implications
In Britain, success in Muslim schools in fostering positive citizenship implies that Muslim groups can maintain “quiet dignity” in following Islamic pathways to good citizenship.
Social implications
State support for religious-foundation schools should be offered to all religious groups and should not be withheld from Muslim minorities for “security” reasons.
Originality/value
This overview by two Muslim educators offers new insights and proposals in the acceptance of Muslim minorities in Europe.
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ANYBODY whoses daily work involves the planning and spending of money must at all times be concerned by efforts to ensure that value is being obtained for the money spent. Those…
Abstract
ANYBODY whoses daily work involves the planning and spending of money must at all times be concerned by efforts to ensure that value is being obtained for the money spent. Those of us who, as librarians, are spending the money of fellow tax‐payers, are naturally doubly concerned about this problem. In addition, the very phrase “value for money” to a Yorkshireman is a continual challenge, and a point on which he instinctively feels, rightly or wrongly, that he has some secret inborn knowledge.
Examines issues within sales training and stresses the importance of work experience as part of undergraduate business degree programmes, both for those individuals wanting to…
Abstract
Examines issues within sales training and stresses the importance of work experience as part of undergraduate business degree programmes, both for those individuals wanting to develop many of the key capabilities of sales professionals and for companies seeking sales recruits. Issues of recruitment are addressed and an explanation is offered of how student placements can benefit organisations in their search for and development of sales professionals. Observations are drawn from an extensive review of selling and placement literature, and from data gathered via the author’s substantial experience as a placement manager for a large UK university’s business school. In the light of comments in the wide‐ranging evaluation of higher education in the UK conducted by Dearing, the article stresses the need for careful management of work placement programmes, and makes suggestions for improved employer and education links in order to optimise skills and knowledge development.
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Raghu Kumar BR, Ashish Agarwal and Milind Kumar Sharma
The purpose of this paper is to identify important factors which contribute to the evolution of Green Supply Chain (GSC) initiatives framework as a result of sustained lean…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify important factors which contribute to the evolution of Green Supply Chain (GSC) initiatives framework as a result of sustained lean strategies predominantly but not confined to aviation sector.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is exploratory in nature and studies lean management implementation environment with focus on developing a framework for a GSC established through a path of identifying waste minimization techniques which automatically contribute to green initiatives in supply chain design invariably qualifying an ordinary supply chain as GSC. The approach is of identifying the framework parameters for both carbon footprint analysis and lean management. The focus of study is cross-sectional, within and outside aviation industry based on the information collected through survey methodology.
Findings
The paper identifies the key factors that are responsible to make a “green” supply chain and presents a framework to establish the same through rigorous evaluation while not losing sight of lean management requirements so that operational management perspective is not lost.
Research limitations/implications
The target of the study is the aviation industry and its supportive upstream and downstream beneficiaries. The study has implications for managers in all types of industrial environment, especially in aviation, in the era of globalized lean supply chain establishment which helps them to convert their present lean management initiatives to GSC.
Practical implications
Inputs obtained are from both literary and industrial research in a live environment and hence impacts lean management outlook and its benefits to industries.
Social implications
This paper has vast impact on the social well being with the focus on techno – environmental green initiatives factor identification through simple implemented and available procedures with no additional cost implication.
Originality/value
This paper presents unique inputs regarding conversion of lean implementation scenario in aviation and other industries to a GSC model, with suitable incorporation of recognized factors which are outcome of complicated internal processes. It also tries to establish factors relevant for any organization in assessing lean initiatives.
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Andrew S. Humphries, John Towriss and Richard Wilding
Cluster analysis provides a statistical method whereby unknown groupings of similar attributes can be identified from a mass of data and is well‐known within marketing and a wide…
Abstract
Purpose
Cluster analysis provides a statistical method whereby unknown groupings of similar attributes can be identified from a mass of data and is well‐known within marketing and a wide range of other disciplines. This paper seeks to describe the use of cluster analysis in an unusual setting to classify a large sample of dyadic, highly interdependent, supply chain relationships based upon the quality of their interactions. This paper aims to show how careful attention to the detail of research design and the use of combined methods leads to results that both are useful to managers and make a contribution to knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
Data relating to 55 monopolistic relationships in the UK defence procurement sector were collected. Hierarchical cluster analysis using Wards method was undertaken on scores from five dimensions measuring relationship satisfaction. The resulting clusters are described in terms of the scores on the dimensions and also in terms of their relationships with data, quantitative and qualitative, exogenous to the clusters.
Findings
The analysis reveals five distinct clusters of relationships. Statistically significant differences are evident in the scores on the five dimensions of satisfaction with respect to these clusters. These scores lead to the labels “Poor 1” “Moderate 2” “Moderate 3” and “Good 4” being assigned to the clusters. The clusters display statistically significant relationships with a number of the exogenous variables including the value of the contract and the age of the technology involved. Relationships with the exogenous qualitative data are indicative of the validity of the clusters.
Originality/value
This paper takes a novel approach to gaining an understanding of relationships through the use of hierarchical cluster analysis. This provides an elegant way of exposing the influences on relationship satisfaction at a disaggregate level which are not possible by taking an aggregate approach. This will be of particular interest to researchers who are seeking patterns in large data sets and practitioners who can identify better practice guidelines when working within supply chain relationships. The disaggregate approach using cluster analysis provides extraordinarily detailed insights into relationship patterns.
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Gunjan Soni and Rambabu Kodali
The literature of supply chain management (SCM) is burgeoning with frameworks but there has been no attempt in extant literature to highlight the inconsistencies present in…
Abstract
Purpose
The literature of supply chain management (SCM) is burgeoning with frameworks but there has been no attempt in extant literature to highlight the inconsistencies present in existing SCM frameworks. The purpose of this paper is to identify these inconsistencies by critically reviewing 57 SCM framework articles. Based on the results of reviewing these articles, an attempt is made to propose a framework that possibly suggests a way to achieve coherency in use of SCM frameworks, and hence help researchers in reducing the inconsistencies that may occur in future frameworks.
Design/methodology/approach
Review of frameworks is based on certain criteria such as novelty of frameworks, participation of practitioners and consultants in making academic frameworks, verification of frameworks, modes of verification and degree of standardization of SCM elements (or constructs).
Findings
The analysis of selected frameworks reveals major inconsistencies, such as negligence of researchers towards adapting existing frameworks, lack of significant participation of practitioners/consultants in development of SCM frameworks and highly incoherent use of elements (or constructs) in development of SCM frameworks. The findings of this paper also establish that further research in SCM should be directed towards finding a “unified theory of SCM” which must lead to a set of coherent elements (or constructs).
Originality/value
The framework articles are selected from a large population of 1,807 articles. These frameworks are critically reviewed in this paper and a debate is initiated on what is a framework and what constitutes a framework in SCM.
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Teresa Heath and Caroline Tynan
The purpose of this study is to examine the potential of integrating material from the arts into postgraduate curricula to deepen students’ engagement with marketing phenomena…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the potential of integrating material from the arts into postgraduate curricula to deepen students’ engagement with marketing phenomena. The authors assess the use of arts-based activities, within a broader critical pedagogy, for encouraging imaginative and analytical thinking.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors devised two learning activities and an interpretive method for studying their value. The activities were an individual essay connecting themes in song lyrics to marketing, and a group photography project. These were applied, within a broader, critical approach, in postgraduate modules on sustainability, ethics and critical marketing. Data collection comprised diaries kept by the teachers, open-ended feedback from students and students’ assignments.
Findings
Students showed high levels of engagement, reflexivity and depth of thought, in felt experiences of learning. Their ability to make connections not explicitly in the materials, and requiring imaginative jumps, was notable. Several reported lasting changes to their behaviour. Some found the tasks initially intimidating or, once they were more engaged, stressful or saddening.
Research limitations/implications
This adds to scholarship on management education by showing the usefulness of an arts-based approach towards a transformative agenda.
Practical implications
It offers a template of how to draw from the arts to strengthen critical engagement upon which marketing teachers can build. It also contains practical advice on the challenges and benefits of doing so.
Social implications
The authors provide evidence that this approach can enhance sensitivity and reflexivity in students, potentially producing more ethical and sustainable decisions in future.
Originality/value
The pedagogical interventions are novel and of value to lecturers seeking to enhance critical engagement with theory. An empirical study of an attempt to integrate arts into teaching marketing represents a promising direction, given the discipline’s creative nature.
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AT the present time leisure is a subject which does not attract much serious attention. Sporadic discussions break out now and again among small groups; or it provides a topic for…
Abstract
AT the present time leisure is a subject which does not attract much serious attention. Sporadic discussions break out now and again among small groups; or it provides a topic for the popular press during the ‘silly season’. There is, however, a distinct possibility that in the measurable future an Institute of Leisure Study will be needed.
Naga Vamsi Krishna Jasti, Srinivas Kota and Samir Ramdas Kale
Lean enterprise (LE) is one of the emerging fields because of its impact across industry sectors. There were many LE framework articles published in the past without reviewing or…
Abstract
Purpose
Lean enterprise (LE) is one of the emerging fields because of its impact across industry sectors. There were many LE framework articles published in the past without reviewing or considering the already published literature which lead to lots of inconsistencies in the existing frameworks of LE. This study aims to critically review the existing frameworks to identify inconsistencies and propose a new LE framework to overcome limitations of the existing LE frameworks.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted to identify the existing LE frameworks. All these identified frameworks were classified based on the following criteria: novelty of the framework; based on participation of academicians/practitioners/consultants; whether the proposed frameworks were verified; type of verification methodology used; and the degree of standardization of LE elements. A comprehensive LE framework was proposed after a thorough review of the existing LE frameworks which has been validated through reliability analysis and validity analysis.
Findings
The analysis revealed major inconsistencies such as lack of adaptation of existing frameworks in literature which lead to incoherent elements in LE frameworks. The study also found shortage of significant participation of academicians and practitioners in LE frameworks development compared to consultants. The present work established a road map to find a “cohesive theory of LE”, which resulted in the development of a set of coherent elements. Finally, a comprehensive LE framework was proposed with the help of extensive literature review. The initially proposed 106 elements were condensed to 50 after the validation to increase the focus and relevance.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed LE framework needs to be validated via an empirical approach or clinical approach such as a case study which will be the future work.
Originality/value
The present study performed extensive literature review to identify LE-related articles, corresponding elements and established coherency among them. A new comprehensive framework was proposed.
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