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1 – 10 of 191
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2005

G.D. Karagiannopoulos, N. Georgopoulos and K. Nikolopoulos

To investigate the impact of the internet in “traditional” market rules.

80206

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the impact of the internet in “traditional” market rules.

Design/methodology/approach

An opinion piece based on Michael Porter's arguments for the new economy.

Finding

Michael Porter's arguments for the new economy provide a useful starting point in the analysis of the environment. His arguments are based on exaggerated phenomena. Factors that determine a sector's profitability could be enriched with the innovation that prevails in the particular sector.

Originality/value

An attempt to criticize Porter's thoughts regarding internet and industry structure and to enrich the Porter's five forces model with the “power of innovation”.

Details

info, vol. 7 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1997

Robert W. Hetherington

This study examines the impact of bureaucratic structure on morale among hospital staff. Hypotheses are drawn from Hage's axiomatic theory of organizations, including the…

524

Abstract

This study examines the impact of bureaucratic structure on morale among hospital staff. Hypotheses are drawn from Hage's axiomatic theory of organizations, including the predicted negative impact on morale of formalization, centralization and stratification, and the positive impact on morale of task complexity. Contingency hypotheses involving structure and task complexity are also examined. Results indicate morale is either positively affected or unaffected by structure, and negatively affected by process. Some evidence of contingent effects are found. The findings are discussed within the broader context of Weber's theory of bureaucracy. This paper addresses the relationship between several structural features of bureaucracy and workers' morale in a hospital setting. It examines these relationships from broadly defined theoretical perspectives. In this connection, Weber's theory of bureaucracy is treated, as was the case in his original, as part of his general theory of rationalization in modern western society. The study considers the relationship between: 1) Formalization and morale, 2) Centralization and morale, 3) Stratification and morale, 4) Complexity and morale. These structural features of bureaucracy—formalization, centralization, stratification and complexity‐are treated as the means at the command of management for attaining organizational objectives. Worker morale is often referred to as the “level of feeling” about themselves among workers or about the work they perform (Revans, 1964; Veninga, 1982; Simendinger and Moore, 1985; Zucker, 1988). In effect, the term is used in stating that morale is high or low to suggest that something is right or wrong about the organization. Surprisingly, many of these studies do not explain why they are suggesting a particular state of morale, but only that the state of morale is crucial to the performance of the organization. In essence, morale is the level of confidence of the employees. It can vary from one department to the other due to specific or overall structural conditions of the organizations; without giving it routine consideration, performance will degenerate (Nelson, 1989).

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 17 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Book part
Publication date: 29 January 2024

AlaEldin Awawdeh, Ahmad Al-Hiyari and Abdussalaam Iyanda Ismail

The transition in the Nigerian financial environment can be directly linked to digitalization as banks are racing to digital complexity. Historically in Nigeria, the utilization…

Abstract

The transition in the Nigerian financial environment can be directly linked to digitalization as banks are racing to digital complexity. Historically in Nigeria, the utilization of digital operations by financial institutions is to reduce the burden of long queues in the banking hall and the pressure of carrying cash all the time. The goal of financial technology was to enable bank customers to use digitalized banking services. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to establish an empirical analysis evaluating the effect of service digitalization (internet banking, mobile banking, and automated teller machine) on bank competitiveness. Survey data were collected from 118 banks employees and hypothesized relationships were assessed through SMART-PLS structural equation modeling tool version 3.3.3. The study found a positive and significant impact of internet banking and automated machines on bank competitiveness. The findings also revealed that mobile banking has an insignificant effect on bank competition, although the outcome was positive. Overall, both the regulators and bankers should formulate and integrate their digitalized banking system by focusing on the attributes that are required for effective and safe digital-based banking.

Details

Digital Technology and Changing Roles in Managerial and Financial Accounting: Theoretical Knowledge and Practical Application
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-973-4

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 September 2009

E. Loukis, K. Pazalos and St. Georgiou

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate and compare the moderating effects of the two basic business process change paradigms – business process reengineering…

1478

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate and compare the moderating effects of the two basic business process change paradigms – business process reengineering (BPR) and total quality management (TQM) – on the business value generated for firms by their information and communication technologies (ICT) investment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected through a survey of 271 Greek firms, moderated regression models founded on the Cobb‐Douglas production function are estimated, which have as the dependent variable the firm value added (objective measure of business performance), and as independent variables the yearly labour expenses, the value of the non‐computer capital, the value of the computer capital and BPR (TQM) measures.

Findings

From the above models it is concluded that both BPR and TQM have considerable positive moderating effects of a similar magnitude on the relationship between ICT investment and firm value added. Also, different BPR and TQM activities have different moderating effects on ICT business value; process simplification, process improvement and the creation of a horizontal interdepartmental process are the BPR activities with the largest moderating effects, while measurement of employee satisfaction and simplification of work methods for quality improvement are the TQM activities with the largest moderating effects.

Research limitations/applications

The basic limitation of this study is that it is based on data from Greek firms. Another limitation is that only one business performance measure, although quite important and theoretically fundamental (i.e. firm value added), is used.

Practical implications

Both BPR and TQM are important ICT “complementary factors”, which, if combined with ICT, can increase the business value it generates. Therefore ICT should not be used simply as a tool for automating existing business processes, but for creating and supporting new business processes and practices, such BPR and TQM.

Originality/value

This study investigates and compares the moderating effects of the two main business process paradigms – BPR and TQM – based on reliable measurement of both through validated multi‐item scales, and also on theoretically sound models, founded on the Cobb‐Douglas production function.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 22 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 24 May 2017

Alexandros Kakouris

Entrepreneurship education is observed as expanding in both academic and informal settings. Drawing on the Business Schools paradigm, relevant courses deliver contiguous knowledge…

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education is observed as expanding in both academic and informal settings. Drawing on the Business Schools paradigm, relevant courses deliver contiguous knowledge and competencies applicable to new business creation based on cognitive and experiential instruction. Germane studies explore the entrepreneurial intention of trainees as a consequence of the pursued instruction. This chapter follows a more student-centric perspective which supposes the underlying cognitive schemes of trainees and their evolution as primordial structures that are affected through learning. This focus turns the approach into pure constructivism where the Piagetian concepts of assimilation and accommodation underpin learning. Based on a coherent constructivist online environment, that is the TeleCC platform in Greece, evidence for reflection, critical thinking and meta-learning incidents is investigated amongst the trainees’ dialogues and comments. The appearance of these processes verifies the dynamics of constructivist learning and Piaget’s equilibration process. There has been minimal attention in research so far into genuine constructivist signatures relevant to entrepreneurial learning; a gap that motivated the research of this chapter. The features of the learning environment and the facilitating role for the educator are crucial presuppositions for deep constructivist learning processes to occur. Else, instructional interventions favour the customary guidance and knowledge or experience transfer. It is maintained that the constructivist approach is an underdeveloped yet innovative perspective for educational research in entrepreneurship that needs good examples and contextualisation of relevant concepts and processes. Its contribution will be especially important and inclusive for the lifelong learning domain where adult learners participate in with repositories of personal life experiences and crystallised and resistant conceptualisations for the phenomena under consideration.

Details

Entrepreneurship Education
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-280-0

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2016

Alexandros Kakouris

The purpose of this paper is to identify entrepreneurial conceptions and beliefs of Greek graduates, comparing science and economics graduates and nascent entrepreneurs to general…

1673

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify entrepreneurial conceptions and beliefs of Greek graduates, comparing science and economics graduates and nascent entrepreneurs to general population samples. Differences in conceptions are further examined as determinants of entrepreneurial intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes a 34-item questionnaire for a graduates’ survey in a science and an economics department (n=413). The questions concern five major subjects of entrepreneurial thinking: conceptualizing entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial success factors, motivation, risk management and business financing. Entrepreneurial intention is identified through a six-item scale. Structural equation model is used to retrieve an explanatory pattern for the present variables and data.

Findings

Greek science and economics graduates typically exhibit differences in beliefs that downsize through entrepreneurship education. Entrepreneurial nascence is supported by personal competencies, self-confidence, planning capacities and adoption of an entrepreneurial style. Beyond expected dependencies on personal entrepreneurial competencies, motives, organizational skills and other subjective beliefs, possible misapprehension of entrepreneurial notions were found to reduce the entrepreneurial intention. The latter result differentiates nascent entrepreneurs from latent ones.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations concern the full representation of Greek universities, the representation of science disciplines and the exhaustive representation of the spectrum of beliefs associated with business venturing.

Practical implications

Findings have direct implications for entrepreneurship education and educational policies. This is because beliefs are cognitive structures which can be altered through effective education and counseling methods.

Social implications

Findings reflect socio-economic influences on young potential entrepreneurs in Greece during the debt crisis.

Originality/value

The paper originally contributes to the survey of entrepreneurial beliefs in Greece. Beliefs are thought culture and field of study specific, and thus, the paper not only covers a gap in literature for the Greek population, but also adds comparative analyses between: science/economics graduates and the nascent entrepreneurs/general population. In this way, it seeks the origin of different beliefs and also attempts a consistent examination of their relations into relevant conceptualizations as determinants of entrepreneurial intention. Comparisons between economics and science students are scarce in the literature offering insights toward the interdisciplinary fostering of entrepreneurial mindsets.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 22 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 January 2020

Gareth Earle Gates and Olufemi Adetunji

This study aims to develop an artifact to measure the level of manufacturing competitiveness of a country in the global context and provide a suitable interpretation mechanism for…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop an artifact to measure the level of manufacturing competitiveness of a country in the global context and provide a suitable interpretation mechanism for the measured values, and to provide prescriptive solution where necessary so that the country can develop an actionable plan of program to move from the current level of global competitiveness to another such that they could provide more economic opportunities for their citizenry.

Design/methodology/approach

A manufacturing competitive index (MCI) was developed which includes relevant variables to capture a country’s manufacturing activity level in an economy with a balanced perspective. Reliable international sources were used. Ward algorithm was used to identify clear clusters of performance upon which competitive gaps were measured and improvement projects were identified and prioritized to obtain the best value for cluster transitional plan.

Findings

This study shows that the case country is not doing as well as it wants to believe, even when the relevant technology import measures were included in the expanded metric, but also, the next level of competitiveness is achievable within the national budget if proper prioritization is done.

Originality/value

The paper presents a cocktail of indexes that is more exhaustive of MCI, including both research capacity and technology import variables. It also uses clustering mechanism to provide a proper context to interpret the MCI scores in the context of peer nations. It presents a gap determination methodology and shows how priority projects could be logically selected to close measured gaps based on anticipated value from budget expenses

Details

Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal , vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1059-5422

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2022

Benitha Mhoka Myamba and Winnie Samwel Nguni

The purpose of this study is to examine the alignment between the risk hedging strategy and supplier collaboration and its effect on manufacturing competitiveness.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the alignment between the risk hedging strategy and supplier collaboration and its effect on manufacturing competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the resource-based view (RBV) and contingency theory (CT), this study is guided by a positivist philosophy and employs a survey strategy to investigate both the direct relationship between the risk hedging strategy and manufacturing competitiveness and the moderating role of supplier collaboration using data collected from 397 respondents of manufacturing firms. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique is used to analyze collected data and to present the research findings.

Findings

Consistent with the RBV and CT, study findings indicate that a significant positive relationship exists between the risk hedging strategy and manufacturing competitiveness and that this relationship becomes stronger when supplier collaboration is interactively aligned. Study findings provide important insights on the role of the risk hedging strategy in promoting manufacturing competitiveness. Furthermore, supplier collaboration as a moderator accounts for a significant proportion of the relationship between the risk hedging strategy and manufacturing competitiveness.

Research limitations/implications

Internal resources provide an explanation of the competitive differences among firms employing the risk hedging strategy. However, the environment presents opportunities for firms to acquire additional resources to fulfil the unique collaborative requirements of the risk hedging strategy. This study has used the moderation perspective to explain the interaction between the risk hedging strategy and supplier collaboration and its effect on manufacturing competitiveness. Future studies could incorporate other alignment concepts such as mediation and systems approach and compare the results to improve the theory.

Originality/value

This study can be considered as its kind in the supply chain management literature and both practitioners and researchers can benefit from the experience of resource-based and contingency analysis research and the results of aligning the risk hedging strategy with supplier collaboration for higher levels of manufacturing competitiveness.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 72 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2007

Vasja Vehovar and Dušan Lesjak

The purpose of this paper is to study the characteristics and impacts of information‐communication technology (ICT) investments as perceived by ICT managers.

3869

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the characteristics and impacts of information‐communication technology (ICT) investments as perceived by ICT managers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts with an overview and a conceptualisation. The empirical part is based on a national RIS 2005 representative telephone survey (n=727) of companies in Slovenia. With respect to ICT developments the Republic of Slovenia, situated between Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, is a typical (median) country of the European Union.

Findings

The size of ICT investments strongly determined the perception of ICT investments, but it had surprisingly little impact on its structure (i.e. hardware, software, education …). Satisfaction with ICT investments was relatively low, particular in small companies. One reason for this was the suboptimal implementation, particularly the lack of accompanying measures (e.g. education, organisational changes). The ICT investments brought considerable changes for the internal organisation and communication, but much less for the management. The clearest effect of ICT investments was the greater need to educate the employees.

Practical implications

More attention is needed to the accompanying managerial, communication, education and organisational measures of ICT investments, particularly in small companies.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on the structure of seven components (hardware, software, telecommunications, education …) of an ICT investment (as perceived by ICT managers). Hardware is diminishing as a stand‐alone ICT component. The paper also exposes the problem of a relatively low level of satisfaction with ICT investments. It analysed the link between the size of ICT investments and the evaluation rating given by ICT managers.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 107 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 October 2015

Franco M. Battagello, Michele Grimaldi and Livio Cricelli

This study is intended to work out a bottleneck in the comprehension of the relational nexus which links the set of key strategic resources (SRs) of a company, represented by the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study is intended to work out a bottleneck in the comprehension of the relational nexus which links the set of key strategic resources (SRs) of a company, represented by the uncertain recognition and the ambiguous clustering of their intangible components. The purpose of this paper is to provide a candidate solution for a rational appraisal of the inventory of the knowledge-based resources held by a company, which synergically form its Intellectual Capital (IC).

Design/methodology/approach

This goal is achieved by the means of a qualitative/quantitative approach composed of sequential phases, intended to: atomize the value domain of the firm into its basic building blocks; gauge their mutual interactions and impacts; re-aggregate those involved entities accordingly; cluster them into a collection of identified and validated Intangible Assets (IAs). Never giving any direct judgment on the IAs themselves (whose extension can be fuzzy or unknown). But on the impacts between the value drivers they are built on.

Findings

The proposed procedure, step-by-step illustrated by means of a numerical simulation, out of the amorphous mass of the SRs, returns an analytic picture of its composing elements keeping track of their intertwined connections and mutual influence. Consequently, allowing the comprehension of the actual framing and of the relational positioning and magnitude of such entities.

Practical implications

This risk-mitigated rational identification of IAs allows the analyst to target a proper evaluation technique on them. And the management of the company to mindfully allocate/leverage on them to improve business performance and strategy alignment. The implementation returns some analytic tools which render a diagnostic snapshot of the composing elements of the IC, increasing the awareness of such entities and allowing internal/external benchmarking.

Originality/value

The suggested methodology mitigates the risk of discretionality in the definition of the perimeter of each target-entity, by avoiding any direct biased judgment on them. So that each asset gets unambiguously identified within a network-logic and the interlinked portfolio of knowledge-based resources can be assessed and managed in an rational and traceable way.

Details

Journal of Intellectual Capital, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1469-1930

Keywords

1 – 10 of 191