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1 – 10 of over 23000
Article
Publication date: 5 September 2023

Hoàng Long Phan and Ralf Zurbruegg

This paper examines how a firm's hierarchical complexity, which is determined by the way it organizes its subsidiaries across the hierarchical levels, can impact its stock price…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper examines how a firm's hierarchical complexity, which is determined by the way it organizes its subsidiaries across the hierarchical levels, can impact its stock price crash risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a measure of hierarchical complexity that captures the depth and breadth of how subsidiaries are organized within a firm. This measure is calculated using information about firms' subsidiaries extracted from the Bureau van Dijk (BvD) database that allows the authors to construct each firm's hierarchical structure. The data sample includes 2,461 USA firms for the period from 2012 to 2017 (11,006 firm-year observations). Univariate tests and panel regression are used for the main analysis. Two-stage-least-squares (2SLS) instrumental variable regression and various other tests are employed for robustness check.

Findings

The results show a positive relationship between hierarchical complexity and stock price crash risk. This relationship is amplified in firms with a greater number of subsidiaries that are hierarchically distanced from the parent company as well as in firms with a greater number of foreign subsidiaries in countries with weaker rule of law.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to investigate the impact hierarchical complexity has on crash risk. The results highlight the role that a firm's organizational structure can have on asset pricing behavior.

Details

International Journal of Managerial Finance, vol. 20 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1743-9132

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2003

Jeremy M. Wilson

Aside from a few groundbreaking studies, there has been little empirical exploration into the structure of American police organizations. Traditional organizational inquiries have…

1339

Abstract

Aside from a few groundbreaking studies, there has been little empirical exploration into the structure of American police organizations. Traditional organizational inquiries have suggested that structural characteristics can be differentiated between those that represent complexity or differentiation within the organization and those that represent control mechanisms to coordinate and manage the complexity. This research investigates whether these various structural elements are indicative of two latent constructs by developing and testing measurement models representing structural complexity and control. Organizational scholars have also argued that structural complexity increases the demand for structural control. Maguire investigated this issue in the context of police organizations and found little support for the hypothesis. The paper reexamines this relationship by extending and replicating Maguire’s analysis to ascertain if a different specification and sample sustain his conclusion. Utilizing data from the 1997 Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics survey and a survey conducted by Edward Maguire, the paper explores these issues using a sample of 401 large, municipal police organizations in the USA. The results indicate that structural control is unidimensional, while structural complexity is not. This study also provides modest evidence supporting an association between structural complexity and control.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 September 2023

Suraj Goala and Prabir Sarkar

One of the critical reasons for the nonacceptance of additive manufacturing (AM) processes is the lack of understanding and structured knowledge of design for additive…

Abstract

Purpose

One of the critical reasons for the nonacceptance of additive manufacturing (AM) processes is the lack of understanding and structured knowledge of design for additive manufacturing (DfAM). This paper aims to assist designers to select the appropriate AM technology for product development or redesign. Using the suggestion provided by the design assist tool, the user’s design alterations depend on their ability to interpret the suggestion into the design without affecting the design’s primary objective.

Design/methodology/approach

This research reports the development of a tool that evaluates the efficacy values for all seven major standard AM processes by considering design parameters, benchmark standards within the processes and their material efficacies. In this research, the tool provides analytical and visual approaches to suggestion and assistance. Seventeen design parameters and seven benchmarking standards are used to evaluate the proposed product and design quality value. The full factorial design approach has been used to evaluate the DfAM aspects, design quality and design complexity.

Findings

The outcome is evaluated by the product and design quality value, material suit and material-product-design (MPD) value proposed in this work for a comparative assessment of the AM processes for a design. The higher the MPD value, the better the process. The visual aspect of the evaluation uses spider diagrams, which are evaluated analytically to confirm the results’ appropriateness with the proposed methodology.

Originality/value

The data used in the database is assumed to make the study comprehensive. The output aims to help opt for the best process out of the seven AM techniques for better and optimized manufacturing. This, as per the authors’ knowledge, is not available yet.

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2008

Adisak Theeranuphattana and John C.S. Tang

This paper revisits the recent work of Chan and Qi which proposed an innovative performance measurement method for supply chain management. While the measurement method has many…

5896

Abstract

Purpose

This paper revisits the recent work of Chan and Qi which proposed an innovative performance measurement method for supply chain management. While the measurement method has many advantages, it can be unwieldy in practice. This paper aims to address these limitations and to propose a more user‐friendly alternative performance measurement model.

Design/methodology/approach

The performance measurement model described in this paper is a combination of two existing methods: Chan and Qi's model and the supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model. To demonstrate the applicability of the combined approach, actual SCOR level 1 performance data and the measurement information from a case supply chain (SC) are collected and processed by Chan and Qi's measurement algorithm.

Findings

These two methods complement each other when measuring SC performance.

Originality/value

This paper develops a practical and efficient measurement model that can resolve SC performance problems by incorporating the strengths of two different measurement models to create a synergistic new model.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 14 July 2021

Luca Giorleo and Michele Bonaventi

The purpose of present paper is to enlarge the knowledge about the performance of gypsum powder to realize complex molds or cores for aluminum casting.

1661

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of present paper is to enlarge the knowledge about the performance of gypsum powder to realize complex molds or cores for aluminum casting.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was divided into two activities: simple; and complex-part production capability. In the simple-part step, the performance of gypsum powder and the minimum mold thickness that would withstand the casting process. In the complex-part step, the authors first investigated the powder removability as a function of geometry complexity and then binder jetting performance was evaluated for the case of lattice-structure fabrication.

Findings

All the geometries tested withstand the casting process demonstrating the benefits in terms of complexity part design; however, the process suffers of all the typical defect of casting as misrun, porosity and cold shut.

Originality/value

The results found in this research improve the benefits related to additive manufacturing application in industrial environment and in particular to the binder jetting technology and the rapid casting approach.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 27 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2010

Jane Chu, Sarah Engelbrecht, Gregory Graf and David W. Rosen

The purpose of this paper is to investigate design synthesis methods for designing lattice cellular structures to achieve desired stiffnesses. More generally, to find appropriate…

2475

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate design synthesis methods for designing lattice cellular structures to achieve desired stiffnesses. More generally, to find appropriate design problem formulations and solution algorithms for searching the large, complex design spaces associated with cellular structures.

Design/methodology/approach

Two optimization algorithms were tested: particle swarm optimization (PSO) and Levenburg‐Marquardt (LM), based on a least‐squares minimization formulation. Two example problems of limited complexity, specifically a two‐dimensional cantilever beam and a two‐dimensional simply‐supported plate, were investigated. Computational characteristics of the algorithms were reported for design problems with hundreds of variables. Constraints from additive manufacturing processes were incorporated to ensure that resulting designs are realizable.

Findings

Both PSO and LM succeeded in searching the design spaces and finding good designs. LM is one to two orders of magnitude more efficient for this class of problems.

Research limitations/implications

Three‐dimensional problems are not investigated in this paper.

Practical implications

LM appears to be a viable algorithm for optimizing structures of complex geometry for minimum weight and desired stiffness.

Originality/value

The testing of design synthesis methods (problem formulations and algorithms) for lattice cellular structures, and the testing of PSO and LM algorithms, are of particular value.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2024

Liang-Hung Lin and Yu-Ling Ho

This study aims to examine the effect of exploratory innovation offshoring on the level of hierarchical control and how this effect is moderated by transnational and dynamic…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of exploratory innovation offshoring on the level of hierarchical control and how this effect is moderated by transnational and dynamic environments.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on a sample of 148 Taiwanese multinational enterprises to examine their governance decisions on foreign investments.

Findings

Findings show that the more innovation offshoring is exploratory, the higher the level of hierarchical control will be used by multinational enterprises (MNEs) and that transnational and dynamic environments have different moderation effects on the positive exploratory innovation offshoring-hierarchical control relationship.

Research limitations/implications

This study has two theoretical implications. First, this study extends the concept of complexity from a transaction attribute level (problem) to an environmental level (transnational environment) and finds that exploratory innovation offshoring and transnational environments interactively impact governance choices. Second, this study distinguishes between two sources of technological uncertainty – uncertainty due to transaction-level attributes (exploratory innovation offshoring) and external environments (dynamic environments) and finds that exploratory innovation offshoring and dynamic environments interactively impact governance choices.

Practical implications

The practical implication of this study lies in the simultaneous consideration of exploratory innovation offshoring and transnational/dynamic environments, which will allow international decision-makers to adjust/select the governance forms most appropriate for speedy responding to and handling environmental changes.

Originality/value

This study employs the theoretical perspectives of transaction cost economics (TCE) and resource-based view (RBV) to analyze and discuss the impact of operational environments – transnational and dynamic environments – on MNEs’ decisions on the governance structure for a given innovation offshoring.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 62 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 September 2011

Iris Koall

The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss complexity approaches of management theory, by focusing on their capacity to use efficiently contingence in organizations. As…

3013

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss complexity approaches of management theory, by focusing on their capacity to use efficiently contingence in organizations. As a theoretical framework the theory of social systems (Luhmann) is used, where a difference is made between complexity reduction and condensation. Complexity reduction is related to certain functional needs to control a hierarchical system. Complexity condensation redesigns communicative structures towards participative norm development, offering discursive connectivity, and decision making in networks. It is described how heterogeneous cultures in organizations have the chance to be successful by focusing their functional needs to include, to orient, and to motivate.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for discussing theoretical frameworks to reconstruct management approaches to develop towards more diversity capacity in organizations. Theory of social systems is employed as basic methodology.

Findings

The chosen research reconstructs management approaches to focus on functional imperatives of organizational systems as well as the development of functional equivalents. The logic figure of functional equivalents describes alternatives of exclusive organizational cultures. Heterogeneity in organizations is based on the redesign of communicative procedures, structures and cultures.

Research limitations/implications

The aim of the paper is diversity theory development. It offers heuristic moments which might be useful in empirical research, too. Following the suggestion homogeneity is just an outcome of certain organizational decisions to deal with contingency and complexity, it might offer practical relevance by testing the capacity to change communication and interaction patterns. The culture‐function matrix also might offer an opportunity to discuss the paradigms of organizational development towards more diversity.

Practical implications

There might be the possibility to enhance conditions of observing organizations, but the practical implications might be rather limited.

Originality/value

Using theory of social systems (Luhmann) as theory which focuses complexity traits is rather undeveloped. It could offer insights in the capacity to deal with contingency, and the attempts to suppress it. Complexity in social systems could offer a prerequisite to support the interdisciplinary research in diversity studies.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 30 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 April 2007

A. Espinosa, R. Harnden and J. Walker

This paper aims to contribute to current research on complexity management by re‐visiting Beer's paradigm on control and self‐organization and explaining its usefulness to support…

2671

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to current research on complexity management by re‐visiting Beer's paradigm on control and self‐organization and explaining its usefulness to support non‐hierarchical organizations and networks and its complementarities to new development in complexity sciences.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains the current crisis of hierarchical structures and then summarises new proposals on non‐hierarchical organizations from the perspective of complexity sciences. It then summarises Beer's provenance of control and, in particular, the ideas of requisite variety and meta‐systemic management. It explains how these ideas transform the way of approaching management and presents examples of real‐life businesses transformed by following this approach.

Findings

The analysis highlights limitations in current management theory and practice that can be overcome by embracing the paradigm of control suggested by some of the pioneer cybernetitians. It shows that the model has unprecedented powers to describe and analyse the network characteristics of contemporary social organizations from the perspective of effective management and lays down a new and democratic paradigm of control.

Research limitations/implications

This paper concentrates on explaining the main arguments of meta‐systemic management suggested originally by Beer and exploring its implications for managing complex networked organizations; more applied research would be convenient to experiment the suggested model.

Originality/value

This study hopefully has shown that core ideas from the tradition of cybernetics add diagnostic and design power to the other tools of complexity management, giving rise to new insights into how learning, networked structures can be brought to reality.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 36 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 August 2020

Sebastian Jilke

Technological uncertainty and technological complexity are key characteristics of new product development (NPD) projects that impose significant information processing…

Abstract

Purpose

Technological uncertainty and technological complexity are key characteristics of new product development (NPD) projects that impose significant information processing requirements on organizations. This paper examines the direct influence of technological uncertainty and technological complexity as well as the indirect influence of work experience on organizational information processing capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The author used a sample of 166 respondents from the German automotive industry and applied linear hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

The results confirm a negative influence of technological uncertainty and technological complexity on organizational information processing capability. This research also supports a moderating influence of work experience on these relationships.

Originality/value

This research helps to understand the relationship between technological uncertainty, technological complexity and OIPC. It represents a first and different approach to measure these constructs for further empirical studies and provides interesting managerial implications.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. 24 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

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