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1 – 10 of 12Saju Jose and Krishna Venkitachalam
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) research is often dominated in a western context. Perhaps, with the rapid expansion of organisations in the context of emerging…
Abstract
Purpose
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) research is often dominated in a western context. Perhaps, with the rapid expansion of organisations in the context of emerging economies, there is a pressing need for the development of a new dimension. Organisations operating in emerging markets must address the social challenges of serving low-income consumers and rural communities as part of their CSR strategy. The next era of CSR should look out for a period of experimentation and innovation as organisations advance their core business objectives by addressing existing social and environmental issues, which are dependent on market and industry settings. The purpose of this paper is the requirement of careful considerations when formulating the CSR framework for different industries and markets in the global business environment and this is the focus in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides a review and certain limitations of the literature on the highly cited works such as stakeholder theory and Carroll’s pyramid model. Following on, the proposed matrix model, related discussion of the four phases and associated propositions are explained in the paper. Finally, some concluding remarks on the need for a new look on CSR in the context of non-western markets are presented.
Findings
In this paper, the authors introduce “The matrix model of CSR” as a starting attempt and a guideline in formulating the CSR approach across industry and countries, particularly illustrating in the context of diverse organisations in different sectors. However, this model is at a conceptual level and future research could allow empirical testing and refinement of the “matrix model” in different market and industry conditions.
Originality/value
A CSR model for multiple organisational contexts would provide more insight for the relevant stakeholders regarding their CSR activities. Thus, this article attempts to suggest a CSR matrix model and it takes a phased approach by classifying the CSR activities based on the degrees of CSR and altruistic nature of activities that could be adapted for other industries as well as emerging economies.
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Chris Darling and Krishna Venkitachalam
Extant literature on strategic environment analysis confirm broad evidence of studies on competences in the context of private sector organizations. Nevertheless, there is…
Abstract
Purpose
Extant literature on strategic environment analysis confirm broad evidence of studies on competences in the context of private sector organizations. Nevertheless, there is a growing interest and evidence of strategic competence in public sector organizations seeking to deliver improved performance. This paper attempts to determine the strategic competences of a National Health Service (NHS) unit for better organizational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the qualitative analysis of empirical evidence collected in a UK based NHS case study organization, we arrive at a strategic competence performance framework for the health unit using research carried out through interviews with employees and partner organization members.
Findings
By examining a UK-based qualitative case study, the proposed framework puts forward four strategic competence pillars vital for delivering organizational performance and effectively managing the environment of NHS unit's operations. The four strategic competences that are identified to foster NHS unit's performance are strategic leadership, staff engagement, knowledge transfer and partnership working.
Originality/value
The study examines the environment in which a UK based NHS health unit operates and identify the different strategic competences to deliver organizational performance.
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Sayee Manohar Krishnamurthy and Krishna Venkitachalam
The purpose of this research is to portray the historical evolution of retailing from 1980 to 2020. The study considers India as the domain as it is one of the fastest…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to portray the historical evolution of retailing from 1980 to 2020. The study considers India as the domain as it is one of the fastest growing markets, and the retail growth is anticipated to reach more than one trillion dollars within this decade.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper captures the historical growth trajectory of retailing from the pre-online era to the online era and highlights how the retail environment has become modernized and sophisticated in the process in India.
Findings
The study traces the journey of retail from 1980 to the multi-billion-dollar sector it had become by 2020 in India. Furthermore, the article provides an overview of how the different retail forms and players in the Indian retail sector have been shaping the industry over the last four decades. During this period, there has been a transformational change in the format of Indian retailing. The Indian consumers' shopping mindset moved from physical in the 1980s to online, and now “Phygital” (Physical and Digital) in 2020s has become an omni-channel platform in Indian retail.
Originality/value
This paper aims to present a viewpoint of the evolutions of retailing from the unorganized to the organized form and from the physical to the online form over the last 40 years in the Indian retail sector landscape.
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Krishna Venkitachalam and Hugh Willmott
The purpose of this paper is to indicate that managers responsible for decision making often have a limited appreciation of strategic shifts between codification and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to indicate that managers responsible for decision making often have a limited appreciation of strategic shifts between codification and personalization of knowledge in different operational environments. This study is motivated by a concern to illuminate the influence of diverse business environments in the shift between strategies of knowledge in organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative multiple case-study method was adopted to research four case organizations drawn from multiple industries – manufacturing, research, education and consulting – that are positioned within contrasting operating environments (i.e. local, national, international and multinational, respectively).
Findings
Results from the case studies suggest that four factors condition shifts between codification and personalization strategies in different operational environments that are of critical significance for the effective use of knowledge in organizations. The authors have also found that strategic shifts between codification and personalization are continuous and emergent.
Originality/value
The study suggests that the combination of multi-operational types and four elements (i.e. competition, organizational size, organizational structure and information technology) are highly relevant for determining the shifts between codification and personalization strategies in organizations.
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Krishna Venkitachalam and Rachelle Bosua
Knowledge-based work is growing at a significant pace in the context of large organizations. As a consequence, use and transfer of knowledge are considered important…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge-based work is growing at a significant pace in the context of large organizations. As a consequence, use and transfer of knowledge are considered important activities of knowledge mobilization. Existing literature suggests that there is an increasing gap in the understanding of roles and typical responsibilities in knowledge mobilization. The purpose of this article is to examine how roles enable knowledge mobilization in large organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research design was used where three large organizations representing multiple sectors were selected to study roles that enable the mobilization of organizational knowledge.
Findings
This study explains the understanding of five roles and their typical responsibilities to enable the mobilization of knowledge in large organizations – knowledge mentor, broker, taxonomist, content editor, and gatekeeper. These roles foster collaboration and communication activities within and between teams enabling knowledge mobilization.
Research limitations/implications
The authors acknowledge the limitations of this paper. Although the recognized roles provide valuable insights with respect to mobility of knowledge, it does not specify how each role can be assessed in terms of performance. Another limitation is that these roles were studied in the context of large-scale organizations where knowledge work is central to their performance.
Originality/value
This study ' s findings suggest that there is a strong need for management to recognize and value roles and responsibilities to realize organizational knowledge mobilization.
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Rachelle Bosua and Krishna Venkitachalam
Knowledge management (KM) has become a key driver of organisational performance. The existing literature suggests that many organisations fail in their attempts to align…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge management (KM) has become a key driver of organisational performance. The existing literature suggests that many organisations fail in their attempts to align their KM strategies with knowledge processes within their organisation. Based on the management literature on alignment, there is a gap in the understanding of how an organisation's KM strategy and KM processes in workgroups can be aligned. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate that alignment in terms of KM is important and underpins the improvement of KM processes in organisations.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative case study research approach was used to examine alignment between strategy and processes of knowledge in organisations. In total, three case organisations representing different industry sectors were chosen to examine how organisations align their KM strategies with workgroup knowledge processes.
Findings
This study proposes a Strategic‐Workgroup Alignment Framework that explains the key alignment enablers and different alignment approaches required to align KM strategy with workgroup KM processes in organisations.
Research limitations/implications
The authors acknowledge the limitations of this paper. Although the proposed framework provides valuable insights with respect to different alignment approaches, it does not specify how each alignment approach can be assessed in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. As part of the alignment approaches, this study's focus was between strategy and processes of knowledge: further research could bring to light new alignment options of knowledge and the associated implications.
Originality/value
This study illustrates that organisations can improve the management of knowledge through alignment between KM strategies and KM processes. Such an improvement is also possible in the absence of a KM strategy emphasis, where alignment would require a deeper examination of workgroup knowledge processes. This study also identifies specific alignment enablers to align KM strategy and KM processes.
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Krishna Venkitachalam and Peter Busch
Tacit knowledge is often difficult to define, given its inexpressible characteristics. Literature review highlights the impact of tacit knowledge on certain knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
Tacit knowledge is often difficult to define, given its inexpressible characteristics. Literature review highlights the impact of tacit knowledge on certain knowledge management topics and these include organizational learning, intellectual capital, knowledge management strategy and so forth, but some research gaps remain. The paper aims to propose directions for future research in this domain of discourse.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of existing studies highlights some gaps in the literature on the role of tacit knowledge, which is followed by questions for future research.
Findings
Given the richness of tacit knowledge discourse, the authors believe that the proposed questions offer avenues for scholars to explore and develop greater understanding of the role of tacit know‐how in certain knowledge management topics.
Research limitations/implications
The authors acknowledge that there are certain limitations to this paper, namely, focusing on the review of tacit knowledge and not on other forms of knowledge. The review presents the role of tacit knowledge and its use in the context of knowledge management related topics. Finally this study proposes only future research directions that are far from being exhaustive, rather than presenting field study results.
Originality/value
This paper reviews the existing literature on how tacit knowledge is perceived and used in certain knowledge management areas. Reviewing the current literature uncovers a number of gaps regarding the role of tacit knowledge.
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Rajiv Dahiya, Son Le, John Kirk Ring and Kevin Watson
While advances in big data analytics (BDA) provide valuable business insights and immense business value, many firms find it difficult to gain advantage from their BDA…
Abstract
Purpose
While advances in big data analytics (BDA) provide valuable business insights and immense business value, many firms find it difficult to gain advantage from their BDA initiatives. Noting the strategic role of firm-specific knowledge, we develop a framework examining the relation between firm specificity of BDA knowledge and competitive advantage. We also examine the dynamic evolution of BDA capabilities and the associated knowledge management strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
We review the resource-based view (RBV), capabilities life cycles and absorptive capacity perspectives along with the literature on BDA competitive advantage. Identifying two key BDA factors, application customization and data proprietorship, we develop a BDA competitive advantage framework. We also investigate the absorptive capacities employed by firms to advance their BDA capabilities. We use anecdotal cases to support our theoretical arguments.
Findings
We propose that BDA solutions with vendor-based applications (noncustomized) and public data will not generate firm-specific knowledge and therefore not provide competitive advantage. In contrast, BDA solutions with custom applications and proprietary data will provide high-level firm-specific knowledge and potentially result in sustained competitive advantage. We further suggest the relevant absorptive capacities and the knowledge management strategies for BDA capability development.
Practical implications
Our framework provides managers with insights into how to develop and enhance firm-specific knowledge from their BDA solutions to gain competitive advantage.
Originality/value
Our study offers a new BDA firm-specific knowledge framework for competitive advantage.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore how military strategic knowledge managers consider and respond to digitalization of operational processes in their revision of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how military strategic knowledge managers consider and respond to digitalization of operational processes in their revision of military knowledge management technologies. The research question is: which strategic considerations and professional concerns impact decisions about how far digitalization should be incorporated into Army planning doctrine?
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents material from a qualitative research study which observed the process of revising Danish Army Field Manual III. The empirical data include 12 in-depth interviews as well as documents related to the revision process. Data were analysed using a thematic approach.
Findings
The paper identifies and discusses strategic dilemmas arising from incorporating digitalization into planning doctrine. Two major areas of concern are addressed. The first involves considerations about the extent of digitalization, including concerns about risk and issues of timing regarding choices of specific digital solutions. The second involves potential limits of digitalization in relation to military notions of the role and identity of the commander. The article suggests that digitalization may impact on professional roles and identities and that strategic knowledge management developers need to be cognizant of this.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the literature in two ways. First, the paper draws attention to the notions of risk and timing in relation to strategic decisions on how far knowledge management technologies should make use of possibilities brought about by digitalization. Second, the paper provides insight into how digitalization may profoundly alter professional roles and identities.
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