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21 – 30 of over 37000
Article
Publication date: 22 March 2019

Nguyen Dinh Tho

The purpose of this paper is to decipher the levels of three strategic orientations – learning orientation, entrepreneurial orientation (proactiveness and risk taking) and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to decipher the levels of three strategic orientations – learning orientation, entrepreneurial orientation (proactiveness and risk taking) and marketing orientation (responsiveness to customers, responsiveness to competitors, responsiveness to the macro-environment and business relationship quality) – that are necessary for firm innovativeness.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 316 firms in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was employed to examine the net effects of seven factors (learning orientation, proactiveness, risk taking, responsiveness to customers, responsiveness to competitors, responsiveness to changes in the macro-environment and business relationship quality) on firm innovativeness. Necessary condition analysis (NCA) was then employed to discover the level of these factors as necessary conditions for firm innovativeness.

Findings

The results produced by MRA show that learning orientation, proactiveness, responsiveness to customers and responsiveness to competitors have positive effects on firm innovativeness. The results from the NCA reveal that six out of seven conditions exhibit varying necessary levels for firm innovativeness.

Practical implications

The findings are relevant to senior managers and suggest that the levels of strategic orientations necessary for firm innovativeness vary. Firms therefore should pay attention not only to the net effects (beta weights) but also to their necessary levels. Based on their resources and capabilities, firms should take into account the necessary level of each strategic orientation in order to achieve their innovativeness goal.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to decipher the levels of three strategic orientations (learning orientation, entrepreneurial orientation and marketing orientation) that are necessary for firm innovativeness.

Details

Baltic Journal of Management, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5265

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 January 2009

Birdogan Baki, Cigdem Sahin Basfirinci, Ilker Murat AR and Zuhal Cilingir

This paper seeks to provide new solutions to cargo companies’ service quality efforts by integrating different scientific methodologies.

6098

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide new solutions to cargo companies’ service quality efforts by integrating different scientific methodologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Strengths and weaknesses of logistics services of a well known cargo company in Turkey are defined by using a service quality scale (SERVQUAL), service quality attributes are categorized using the Kano model in order to see how well these attributes are able to satisfy customer needs, and findings are transferred to quality function deployment (QFD).

Findings

The findings of the Kano model show that ten of the 27 service quality attributes can be categorized as “attractive”, implying the maximum effect on consumer satisfaction. Through the customer priority level of QFD, the three most important service quality attributes are found to be: VIP Service, informing customers about delivery time before sending, and taking deliveries from customers’ addresses. Also, strengthening information technology infrastructure is the most important technical requirement to focus with the highest technical importance level.

Research limitations/implications

The study involves only one cargo company, it concerns just Trabzon city center branch offices and its sample includes only individual customers instead of individual and institutional customers together.

Practical implications

Offering a case study, the paper presents a guide for cargo companies to employ different scientific methodologies in their service quality development efforts.

Originality/value

Intending to offer scientific approaches to cargo companies as a tool of development in their practical procedures, the paper tries to bridge the current gap between academicians and practitioners and adds to the relatively limited theoretical literature.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Cultural Rhythmics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-823-7

Book part
Publication date: 4 December 2012

Noralene Uy and Rajib Shaw

The unsustainable management of ecosystem services often arises as a result of the non-recognition of the multiple benefits or under-valuation of ecosystem services. The chapter…

Abstract

The unsustainable management of ecosystem services often arises as a result of the non-recognition of the multiple benefits or under-valuation of ecosystem services. The chapter looks at economic valuation as an essential tool in ecosystem management decision-making and policy. It discusses the economics of ecosystem services, explains the motivations for economic valuation, describes economic valuation methods, and examines the limitations of economic valuation. It emphasizes that economic valuation can be a powerful and convincing tool for placing ecosystems on the agenda of planners and decision-makers.

Details

Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-691-1

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 February 2014

Nirodha Gayani Fernando, Dilanthi Amaratunga and Richard Haigh

– This paper aims to explore and investigate the career success of professional women in the UK construction industry.

3618

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore and investigate the career success of professional women in the UK construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of the research was set following the literature review and synthesis, after which a multiple case study approach is adopted to conduct exploratory case studies among professional women in the UK construction industry. A mixed method design was used for data collection, whereby qualitative data were collected in the first study and quantitative data were collected in the second study. The researcher adopted this sequence in order to gather qualitative data and analysis of a relatively unexplored area of career success factors of professional women in the UK construction industry. The results from the qualitative method were used, along with a relevant literature review, to develop the focus and questions in the quantitative phase of the study. The individuals in the first stage of data collection were not the same participants as those in the second stage, because the purpose of the quantitative study was to generalise the results to a population.

Findings

The results indicated that soft skills are very important for career success, while hard skills are essential thereafter for professional women in the UK construction industry. Accordingly, it is necessary to develop soft skills in order to advance the women's professional careers. Further, the results indicated that age and gender are the least important career success factors for women in construction. The ability to work with people, taking opportunities, confidence, adaptability, communication skills, dedication, competence, focus, supportive line management, integrity, leadership skills, ability to bring teams together, good mix of skills, honesty, networking, intelligence and logically approaching business problems identified as the critical career success factors.

Research limitations/implications

The construction industry is limited to organisations that construct buildings and infrastructure, and those involved in property development. These organisations comprise client, contractor and consultancy organisations.

Practical implications

The findings of the paper are useful to human resource development managers to understand and improve organisational training and development plans, which help to advance the career of professional women. By doing so, organisations could recruit and retain more professional women in the construction industry. Therefore, recruiting and retaining more professional women in the organisation helps to enhance productivity in the industry and to enhance their health and well being in society at large.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is twofold. First, this study contributes to fill the knowledge gap in career success factors of professional women in the UK construction industry. Second, this empirical research will have implications in the identification of different training and development activities to advance the careers of women in the UK construction industry.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2021

Chamila R. Perera and Chandana R. Hewege

Applying mainstream, Western-centric corporate social responsibility (CSR) theory to make sense of CSR practices of multinational firms of non-Western origin seems to be…

Abstract

Purpose

Applying mainstream, Western-centric corporate social responsibility (CSR) theory to make sense of CSR practices of multinational firms of non-Western origin seems to be problematic for CSR theory and practice. The purpose of this study is to critically analyse the CSR integration journey of a Japanese multinational firm with a view to understanding CSR integration in a global business context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative research method using a single case study approach to investigate a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context. A theoretical lens of seven patterns of CSR integration interwoven with Japanese and mainstream CSR discourses is used to make sense of internalisation and internationalisation process.

Findings

Main findings are presented under four themes: product harm crisis as a call for CSR, CSR governance and bottom up initiatives, recycling oriented CSR and product designing, co-existing Japanese CSR in the global marketplace. An external misfit of a firm’s practice in the domestic market can lead to internalising country-specific CSR through CSR integration resulting in successful internationalisation of country-specific CSR practices.

Research limitations/implications

Country-specific CSR integration follows context-specific routines and practices; this process can be shaped and reshaped by the prevailing international CSR discourse due to internationalisation of a firm’s operation.

Originality/value

Although CSR is viewed as a fundamental strategic priority driving firms to focus on shared value-creating products and services, how best a firm can integrate CSR into an existing business model is unclear. This gap is addressed in this current study.

Details

critical perspectives on international business, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-2043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2015

Luna Leoni

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how knowledge management systems can support the adoption of the servitization strategy in a manufacturing firm.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how knowledge management systems can support the adoption of the servitization strategy in a manufacturing firm.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to reach the paper aim, an inductive single-case study has been adopted. The analysis focuses on the IBM Corporation.

Findings

In spite of the paucity of studies that simultaneously address both servitization and knowledge management topics, the case study findings show five connections points between the two streams of research, proving not only that they are closely connected to each other, but also how the adoption of a good knowledge management system can facilitate the implementation of a servitization strategy.

Research limitations/implications

As far as the adoption of a single-case study is concerned, this could create biases that can affect the final product in terms of reliability, validity, and generalizability. However, as stated by Erickson (1986), the general lies in the particular and, as argued by Flyvbjerg (2006), the strength of a single example is underestimated in its contribution to scientific progress. Thus, even though this paper is based on a single-case study, it is reasonable to believe that it could be considered as a representative case of companies of the time and its findings sufficiently generalizable.

Practical implications

Case study findings could guide managers towards understanding if their knowledge management tools and practices are appropriate, or if they need to be modified in order to successfully implement the servitization strategy adopted.

Originality/value

This study represents the first attempt to fill the paucity of studies contemporaneously addressing both servitization and knowledge management topics, and could be used as a pilot case for future research works.

Details

Business Process Management Journal, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-7154

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 15 June 2010

Len Tiu Wright

341

Abstract

Details

Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-2752

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Mohammad A. Hassanain and Ali A. Mudhei

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of an indicative assessment of the major technical and functional elements of performance, carried out on the main academic…

2404

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of an indicative assessment of the major technical and functional elements of performance, carried out on the main academic and research library of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

Published literature has been analyzed to review knowledge areas pertaining to the performance requirements of academic and research library facilities. A questionnaire was developed to obtain the users' feedback on their experience with the built environment. The findings of the user satisfaction survey were analyzed and reported to describe the degree of compliance with the collected performance requirements. Finally, a plan of action was developed and recommended to improve the performance of the main academic and research library of KFUPM.

Findings

The study has determined the values of the satisfaction indices obtained for the 22 elements of performance, and identified the corresponding degree of satisfaction with each of the elements. The study also developed a plan of action to improve the performance of the library.

Originality/value

The main purpose of conducting the assessment was to determine whether or not design decisions made by design professionals are providing the performance needed by users who use the facility. The paper provides a systematic approach to evaluating the technical and functional performance of existing academic library facilities. It is of practical value to library administrators and facility managers responsible for day‐to‐day operations of such facilities.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 24 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 July 2020

Andrew Paul Clarke, Clare Cornes and Natalie Ferry

A case study was undertaken to evaluate the use of self-reflection in enterprise education in a UK university, where the taught content was tailored to ensure relevance to the…

Abstract

Purpose

A case study was undertaken to evaluate the use of self-reflection in enterprise education in a UK university, where the taught content was tailored to ensure relevance to the students who were from a variety of subject disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

Enterprise taught content was established in masters level 7 programmes across a range of subject disciplines. Taught content was designed using problem based learning, and evaluated using self-reflective methodologies. The paper reflects on the current position of enterprise education and asks the research question of whether the use of self-reflective teaching methodologies are valid for enterprise education.

Findings

Results suggest that the students appreciated the introduction of enterprise into their course and in the main did not view it as disjointed or irrelevant to their wider aims. More so, the students commented favourably towards the integration of enterprise into their primary discipline, and noted an enhanced learning experience because of this integration.

Research limitations/implications

For the University: A novel approach to enterprise teaching has been developed at a UK university, focusing on teaching non-business students how to be more valuable to a business within their degree subject context. This has empowered the students with an enhanced understanding of commercial issues and increased employability (Rae 2007; Huq and Gilbert 2017). This has also led to enhanced relationships with industry and given students a wider understanding of their degree area.

Practical implications

For the educator: The use of self-reflective teaching methodologies (Hayward 2000) are noted to be vital in order to deliver enterprise education in a way that is relevant to the student cohort body. By reflecting on one’s teaching style and delivery method, the authors were able to engage non-business students in enterprise education, and receive a high level of student satisfaction. It is noted that self-reflection was a valuable process for delivery to each degree discipline. By employing problem based learning and self-reflective teaching methodologies, an increased synergy between the business taught elements and the science subjects was created.

Originality/value

This approach is shown to empower the students with an enhanced understanding of commercial issues and an increased employability. This has led to enhanced relationships between academia and industry, and given students a wider understanding of their degree area; the enhanced relationships with industry offer students a wider commercial understanding of their degree area. A gap in the current knowledge base in enterprise education has been identified: enterprise education with the aim of educating the student to be more valuable to a business as opposed to starting a business. The use of self-reflective methodologies has offered a novel approach to enterprise teaching in a UK university.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 62 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

21 – 30 of over 37000