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Competitive success is governed by an organisation’s ability to develop new knowledge assets that create core competences. While these exist in many forms, organisational learning is an integral feature of any learning organisation that exploits its knowledge resources to generate superior performance. This paper explores the ideas and links between organisational learning and knowledge management, making reference to a number of sectors and companies, and specifically the airline industry, arguing that the culture, structure and infrastructure of an organisation are essential elements that facilitate and nurture learning. As a consequence, core competences are built and developed within the learning organisation which, in turn, contribute to its competitive success.

Reports on the rationale used in the selection of a spreadsheet for use in information management and planning operations. Surveys business users and software suppliers to shed light on the criteria adopted in the selection process. Suggests that perceived market leaders and the procurement behaviour of competing organizations have greater influence than a rigorous IT selection strategy.

Core competences, emanating from an organisation and that provide distinctive benefits to customers, are commonly viewed as the basis of competitive advantage. While these exist in many forms, the role of individual and organisational knowledge is increasingly important in the formation of knowledge‐based core competences. This paper explores the ideas of knowledge management, making reference to a number of sectors and companies, and specifically the airline industry, arguing that the culture, structure and infrastructure of an organisation are integral elements that facilitate and nurture learning. As a consequence, competences are built and developed within the “intelligent” organisation, which in turn, contribute to its competitive success.

As a business tool, the spreadsheet is cited as a valuable decision‐making aid, but despite its apparent widespread use, its scope and potential, both with respect to areas of application and features offered, are barely exploited by the general user. Discusses and investigates these issues by examining the level of skills present amongst a group of spreadsheet users and the vehicles used in acquiring them. Argues that, in a general business environment, a lack of training in this area is, in many cases, confining the spreadsheet to little more than an electronic filing cabinet.

Strategic frameworks and tools of analysis have been the subject of much academic debate over the last 20 years. This paper reviews the main approaches to strategic management and, by presenting the results of a survey of 159 small and medium sized enterprises selected from both the service and manufacturing sectors, demonstrates a divide between the theoretical concepts and the practical realities of strategic planning. While there are strong indications of business planning among the organisations surveyed, there is less evidence of strategic thinking except among larger businesses. Even in this latter group there are only a few instances where the recognised tools of strategic management appear to play a role in planning, the exception being internal financial analysis, which is widely undertaken.

Looks at the 2000 Employment Research Unit Annual Conference held at the University of Cardiff in Wales on 6/7 September 2000. Spotlights the 76 or so presentations within and shows that these are in many, differing, areas across management research from: retail finance; precarious jobs and decisions; methodological lessons from feminism; call centre experience and disability discrimination. These and all points east and west are covered and laid out in a simple, abstract style, including, where applicable, references, endnotes and bibliography in an easy‐to‐follow manner. Summarizes each paper and also gives conclusions where needed, in a comfortable modern format.

A number of governments are making building information modeling (BIM) a mandatory requirement for all public works construction projects. While main contractors may be ready to comply with such requirements, the supply chain as whole may be vulnerable as lower-tier suppliers may not be able to adopt BIM. There is currently no objective approach to assessing BIM maturity; hence, this paper aims to develop a new approach to determine suppliers’ current vision and execution-based capabilities to exploit BIM and their capacity to reach a higher maturity level.

Based on UK Government BIM maturity levels, the authors exploit a unique data set made available by a main contractor, to determine a data-driven approach, using K-means, to assess the capabilities and vision of its supply base.

The authors find a direct comparison between our suggested K-means clusters and the UK Government’s BIM maturity levels. However, in interrogating specific cases, the authors find that using a subjective approach would have wrongly categorized certain companies. The authors also determine what capability and strategic developments are required for companies to move to a higher level.

The method aligns with the existing UK BIM maturity model and enhances the model by determining the likelihood of a supplier in progressing to a higher level of maturity. The research was with a single case company, exploiting their existing survey instrument and data. A more comprehensive study could be adopted with a generic survey questionnaire.

The research may be exploited by companies to take a strategic approach to assess suppliers in BIM adoption and to establish supplier development mechanisms.

The data-driven approach avoids ambiguity of categories and mis-categorizing suppliers.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.