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Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

The term “blogging” officially entered the English language when the Oxford English Dictionary endorsed the term in its 2003 edition. Derived from the phrase “web logging” or “weblogging”, a blog (also a verb, “to blog”) can best be described as an online journal that can be easily and regularly updated. In his article “Management 2.0: a primer on blogging for executives”, David C. Wyld provides some staggering statistics concerning the popularity and potential power of blogging as a management tool.

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

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.

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/EUM0000000002520. When citing the article, please cite: Robert W. Boozer, David C. Wyld, James Grant, (1990) “Using Metaphor to Create More Effective Sales Messages”, Journal of Services Marketing, Vol. 4 Iss: 3, pp. 63 - 71.

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/EUM0000000002520. When citing the article, please cite: Robert W. Boozer, David C. Wyld, James Grant, (1990) “Using Metaphor to Create More Effective Sales Messages”, Journal of Services Marketing, Vol. 4 Iss: 3, pp. 63 - 71.

In the late 1990’s, online B2B auctions were proliferating and were being adopted in a wide variety of circumstances. The reverse auction tool has evolved to take advantage of internet technology, and online auctions have been identified by many large organisations as a tool to achieve procurement savings. As companies adopt this technology, it is important for them to understand the implications of this type of procurement. This paper adopts a case study approach to identify the issues for both buyers and sellers using this type of B2B application. It describes the conduct of a reverse auction, from the preliminary steps all the way to the final awarding of the contract. The case study is viewed through the eyes of a supplier, undertaking a reverse auction for the first time. The main outcomes show that the auction vendor and buyer were major winners – with the supplier expending considerable time and effort to participate in the auction, only to realise that the auction places cost above all other factors in awarding the contract. The importance of cost over service delivery, customer support and buyer‐supplier relationship was the “bitter pill” the supplier had to swallow.

The Institute for Supply Management recently declared that the cost savings and efficiencies to be gained through e‐Sourcing can provide benefits not only to individual entities that use them for the acquisition of goods and services, but in the aggregate, to the economy as a whole (Davies, 2002). This study examines the potential impact of strategic implementation of e‐Sourcing in public procurement in Southeast Asia. The results of the study demonstrate that the use of competitive bidding events, popularly known as reverse auctions, when used as part of an overall e‐Sourcing program, can have demonstrable economic and budgetary benefits. Using governmental data supplied by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank and employing proven econometric methodologies, the study shows that their would be vast differences in Asian economies as a result of the effective use of competitive bidding events as part of an overall e‐Sourcing strategy. We conclude by presenting an action plan for implementing an e‐Sourcing strategy for acquisition practices.

This article presents an analysis of three years results from the quarterly Report on Technology in Supply Management, conducted through a joint effort of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) (formerly the National Association of Purchasing Managers) and Forrester Research. This report provides the best snapshot on the growth of e‐procurement in the United States. However, the sponsors do not publicly provide any analysis on the trends the data show from quarter‐to‐quarter. Now, with three years of available data from the twelve quarterly surveys conducted to date, there is an opportunity to analyze the adoption rates of e‐procurement tools, techniques and protocols in the American marketplace. The author of this study has conducted just such a longitudinal analysis of the ISM/Forrester data, examining the trends for organizations across the U.S. marketplace. What is demonstrated is that overall, both in manufacturing and service‐oriented firms and in large and small purchasing organizations, e‐procurement methods are rising and reaching “critical mass” in most areas with the “e‐way” fast becoming “the way”. However, important differences due exist between the groups and their specific needs, motivations, and results in their shift to an electronic acquisition environment. These are highlighted and discussed in this article.

The purpose of this paper it to examine the potential for radio frequency identification (RFID) to be used to tag packs, cartons and cases of cigarettes, both to combat the fast‐growing, global problem of cigarette smuggling and to provide tobacco companies and retailers with better inventory control and business intelligence.

The paper begins with an overview of RFID technology and its applicability to product identification. It then looks at the issues involved with contraband cigarettes, both in the USA and on a global scale, examining the impact of smuggled cigarettes on both tax revenues and public health. With the growth of online cigarette sales and sales by Native American tribes, the problem continues to escalate in scope. The paper then examines the technological and political issues involved – and potential benefits of – using RFID track and trace capabilities with cigarettes, looking at early efforts to accomplish just that goal.

It was found that RFID is an appropriate technological answer for the seemingly intractable problem of contraband cigarettes.

The paper highlights the importance of implementing a technological solution to the problem of cigarette smuggling. It provides a framework for the cost‐effective use of RFID in this area and the potential for reducing contraband cigarettes, increasing tax revenues, and decreasing youth smoking.

The paper is original in that it lays out a market‐based case for the use of RFID to combat cigarette smuggling, giving credence to the calls of governments around the world and the WHO to better use technology to reduce the smuggling problem.

Introduction‐Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Do you have trouble concentrating in meetings? Do you find yourself forgetting what you just read? Do you constantly fight a losing battle at “getting organised”? Do you become “depressed” too often?

This article examines the applications of RFID technology in the world of sport. It provides the reader with an overview of RFID and its uses in business. The article looks at how RFID can be employed in the games themselves, in sports venues and in sports memorabilia as a means of enhancing the value, enjoyment and security of sports. The author concludes by discussing the importance of this technology for sports marketing and research.

Documents a case study in the use of Shainin Design of Experiments in an industrial honing operation. Provides an overview of the process which attempts to reduce process variability by isolating the most influential factor (Red X). Shows the details of the week‐long experiment and gives some analysis of the data. Uses multiple statistical techniques to identify Red X and discusses corrective action. Suggests that this methodology is very practical and easily executable in many settings, making it one of the most approachable quality techniques available.