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1 – 10 of over 5000
Article
Publication date: 12 June 2017

Paul J. Davis

The paper aims to provide practical suggestions to practitioners of human resources (HR) that show how employees can be a source of competitive advantage for the firm.

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to provide practical suggestions to practitioners of human resources (HR) that show how employees can be a source of competitive advantage for the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on earlier research and practical experience.

Findings

That resource-based theory can be practically applied to HR management to develop employees to be a source of competitive advantage.

Practical implications

This paper provides HR practitioners with concrete examples to improve practice and work strategically for the benefit of employees and the wider firm.

Originality/value

This paper shows how a theory of strategy translates into everyday practice for HR practitioners.

Details

Human Resource Management International Digest, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0967-0734

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 March 2017

Paul J. Davis

This paper aims to demonstrate the practical application of resource-based theory to the work of HR practitioners and to show how employees can be a direct source of competitive…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate the practical application of resource-based theory to the work of HR practitioners and to show how employees can be a direct source of competitive advantage for the firm.

Findings

The popular models of competitive strategy seem to reduce employees to invisible units of production – an inconsequential, undifferentiated mass. Even criticisms of Porter’s model do not appear to notice that he forgot about the workers. The idea that a firm’s internal resources, especially its employees, could play a part in generating competitive advantage is not considered. This is despite a great deal of scholarly research demonstrating that employees do not just contribute to competitive advantage; they can themselves be a direct source of competitive advantage.

Originality/value

This paper is valuable to HR practitioners, HR consultants, organizational development specialists and strategic planners.

Details

Human Resource Management International Digest, vol. 25 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0967-0734

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 October 2018

Paul J. Davis

This paper aims to demonstrate how appreciative inquiry methods can be applied by managers to developing and reviewing business strategy as an alternative, more inclusive and…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate how appreciative inquiry methods can be applied by managers to developing and reviewing business strategy as an alternative, more inclusive and positive approach than is traditionally adopted.

Design/methodology/approach

Two cases are presented emanating from consulting projects undertaken by the author.

Findings

The cases highlight that appreciative inquiry methods can be applied practically to matters of strategy in different types of organizations.

Practical implications

The practical implications are far reaching. Appreciative inquiry is a fully inclusive method of organizational research. It can be easily and inexpensively adopted and run by management teams, and all employees can be active participants in the process.

Originality/value

The paper is the first that specifically marries appreciative inquiry with business strategy development and review for practitioners and that presents practitioner-oriented cases.

Details

Journal of Business Strategy, vol. 41 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0275-6668

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 June 2018

Paul J. Davis

The purpose of this paper is to provide HR practitioners with a model to engage employees in organizational improvement initiatives, which is positive, creative, and inclusive.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide HR practitioners with a model to engage employees in organizational improvement initiatives, which is positive, creative, and inclusive.

Design/methodology/approach

The design for this paper is based upon the author’s experience and reading, and the approach is to provide and explain a model with practical examples.

Findings

The author found that the appreciative inquiry method has wide applications with regard to improving organizations of all sizes and industries.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper are valuable to HR, organizational development, change managers, practitioners, and consultants. The model is easy to apply and inexpensive.

Details

Human Resource Management International Digest, vol. 26 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0967-0734

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 August 2012

Paul J. Davis

The purpose of this paper is to describe how the under‐developed state of human resource management (HRM) seems likely to thwart the economic and social development behind

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how the under‐developed state of human resource management (HRM) seems likely to thwart the economic and social development behind Kazakhstan's ambition to be a top 50 nation by 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains the background to Kazakhstan's Vision 2020, the current state of HRM in the country and the progress HRM specialists need to make if they are to be able to support the nation's rapid economic and social development.

Findings

The paper reveals that Kazakhstan needs quickly to develop a labor force with the skills and knowledge capable of delivering Vision 2020 while at the same time radically accelerating the competence, connectedness and co‐ordination of HRM specialists across the nation so that they can develop a shared practice.

Practical implications

The paper urges the need for these specialists to implement the modern policies and practices that organizations rely on to maximize and strategically deploy their human capital.

Social implications

The paper highlights how HRM can support a nation's entire economic and social development.

Originality/value

The paper describes the state of HRM in a little‐discussed country.

Details

Human Resource Management International Digest, vol. 20 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0967-0734

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 June 2015

Paul J Davis

– Demonstrates how to build commitment and retain employees through a career-development strategy.

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Abstract

Purpose

Demonstrates how to build commitment and retain employees through a career-development strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Shows how organizations often mismanage career development and how they could do better.

Findings

Describes the five “Ps” of poor career development, the foundations of a career-development strategy and a number of career-development activities.

Practical implications

Highlights the importance of beginning early, communicating clearly, partnering employees, facilitating internal movements and taking action frequently.

Social implications

Advances the view that employee disengagement and high employee turnover are expensive and often avoidable.

Originality/value

Argues that the lack of career development continues to be a major cause of employee dissatisfaction and turnover and shows how this can be avoided.

Details

Human Resource Management International Digest, vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0967-0734

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 January 2012

Paul J. Davis and Yevgeniya Yugay

The aim of this viewpoint is to highlight the importance of corporate identity.

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this viewpoint is to highlight the importance of corporate identity.

Design/methodology/approach

The article lays out five key principles to shape a corporate image.

Findings

Corporate identity is the sum of all things that tell stakeholder groups what a company thinks of itself and how it aims to be perceived by others. It is the practice of fashioning an image that clearly represents where the business strives to position itself in the market place, an image that is consistent with, and supportive of its brands, products, and services.

Practical implications

Reference is drawn from post‐communist Kazakhstan serving to highlight how corporate image can be misjudged in smaller communities and the negative effects this can have on business.

Originality/value

The article provides sound practical advice on the need for organizations to develop a corporate image and how to achieve this.

Details

Strategic Direction, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0258-0543

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 August 2012

Paul J. Davis

This paper aims to explore the inherent tensions of the franchisor‐franchisee relationship from the viewpoint of business strategy. It also aims to highlight seven areas of the

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the inherent tensions of the franchisor‐franchisee relationship from the viewpoint of business strategy. It also aims to highlight seven areas of the partnership that can be developed to promote cooperation on a shared strategic direction that delivers improved business outcomes

Design/methodology/approach

The literature is reviewed and the author's extensive experience in franchising is drawn on. The Seven C Approach is discussed as a guide.

Findings

The paper finds that by adopting an approach based on communication, cooperation, consultation, collaboration, coordination, concession and competence franchisors and franchisees can work through their differences on strategy formulation and implementation.

Practical implications

The paper has real and immediate practical benefits for franchisors and franchisees in that it provides a seven‐step guide for improving the working relationship between the two. This will result in greater trust and better business outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper distills the theory into a compact, practical and easily implementable seven‐step process for improving the franchising relationship. The result is a useful guide for franchising businesses based on research and experience. A new strategy model is developed for practitioners and is presented here for the first time.

Details

Strategy & Leadership, vol. 40 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1087-8572

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2006

Paul J. Davis

This article promotes the versatility and usefulness of critical incident technique (CIT) as a method for addressing organizational problems and challenges.

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Abstract

Purpose

This article promotes the versatility and usefulness of critical incident technique (CIT) as a method for addressing organizational problems and challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief overview of CIT is provided and a worked example is given from the author's professional experience. A process map is outlined to assist organizations plan the course of a CIT intervention.

Practical implications

CIT is a practical tool that can be used by organizational members to resolve a diverse range of issues across any industry.

Originality/value

CIT has tended towards a three‐question approach to guide the intervention process and analyze the issue at hand. This paper proposes that practitioners need to address a fourth question. The fourth question is designed to help organizations prioritize a proposed CIT intervention.

Details

Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, vol. 20 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7282

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 January 2012

Paul J. Davis

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the global dearth of training options to support women entrepreneurs and to forward a set of recommendations to better meet the learning

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the global dearth of training options to support women entrepreneurs and to forward a set of recommendations to better meet the learning needs of women who own their businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a thorough literature review on the topic, which examines the learning and training experiences of female entrepreneurs in a wide range of disparate societies.

Findings

The absence of leaning, training and professional development opportunities for women entrepreneurs is found to be an almost universal phenomenon. In the few examples where training has been planned and provided, the results have been very significant. Further, women and their businesses are disadvantaged by the lack of training available and that this comes at a high cost to their businesses.

Research limitations/implications

The implications are that countries are hindering economic activity, growth and prosperity by ignoring the professional development needs of women business owners.

Originality/value

The topic of professional development opportunities for women entrepreneurs, especially a comprehensive international comparison, appears to be a first in the literature. The value of the piece is that agencies supporting small business and/or women can identify ways in which they can improve service delivery and outcomes.

Details

Industrial and Commercial Training, vol. 44 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0019-7858

Keywords

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