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Article
Publication date: 8 November 2019

Supriti Mishra

This study aims to advance two sets of explanation on the evolution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) – one set of explanation in the context of a developed country, USA…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to advance two sets of explanation on the evolution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) – one set of explanation in the context of a developed country, USA, and another in the context of a developing country, India. The discussion includes the period after mandatory CSR rules were implemented in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper on the historical evolution of CSR in the USA and India. It reviews the chronological evolution of CSR. It compares the phases of CSR evolution between the two countries by tracking their CSR growth curves.

Findings

This study divides the evolution of CSR in the USA into four phases – conceptualization, introduction, growth and consolidation. In the first two phases, the rate of growth in CSR increases at a decreasing rate; in the growth phase, it increases at an increasing rate which stabilizes in the consolidation phase. In the Indian context, the study considers a three phase growth – conceptualization, introduction and growth. In the first two phases, the growth in CSR curve is inelastic. In the third phase, the growth rate increases but at a rate less than that in the USA.

Originality/value

Though past research has examined historical evolution of CSR in the US context, scant research has tracked CSR evolution in India. Not many studies have compared the growth of CSR between developed and developing countries. This study also contributes the concept of CSR growth curves to the extant literature on CSR.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 16 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 January 2018

Yannick Dillen, Eddy Laveren, Rudy Martens, Sven De Vocht and Eric Van Imschoot

Few high-growth firms (HGFs) are able to maintain high-growth over time. The purpose of this paper is to find out why only a small number of firms become persistent HGFs…

1471

Abstract

Purpose

Few high-growth firms (HGFs) are able to maintain high-growth over time. The purpose of this paper is to find out why only a small number of firms become persistent HGFs, explicitly focusing on the role of the founding entrepreneur in this process.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, 28 semi-structured interviews were performed with high-growth entrepreneurs to discover why so few founders could become persistent high-growth entrepreneurs. In a second phase, four case studies were conducted to uncover the factors that facilitate a swift evolution from the “managerial” role to the “strategic” role.

Findings

High-growth entrepreneurs, who quickly make a transition from a managerial role into a strategic role are more likely to keep their firm on its high-growth trajectory. This transition is made possible by: the early development of strategic skills; the presence of a high quality human capital base; and an organizational structure with characteristics from Mintzberg’s “machine bureaucracy.”

Practical implications

The results are vital for entrepreneurs of “one-shot” HGFs with the ambition to make their firm a “persistent” HGF. If high-growth rates are to be sustained, the three factors that emerged from the authors’ analysis should foster the delegation of managerial tasks, resulting in an easier transition toward a “strategic role.”

Originality/value

Insights are valuable as both founders and governmental institutions can benefit from knowing which factors contribute to a successful phase transition from “manager” to “strategist.”

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 25 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 February 2014

Rajendra Prasad Mohanty and Prince Augustin

This paper traces the historical evolution and growth trajectory of the automotive and farm equipment sector, which is a very significant entity of the Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M…

1365

Abstract

Purpose

This paper traces the historical evolution and growth trajectory of the automotive and farm equipment sector, which is a very significant entity of the Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) group. The purpose of this paper is to understand and provide a pragmatic framework through which the authors can see what were the internal and external factors and the spirit of the contemporary times that led to the changes in the nature of the group.

Design/methodology/approach

The “Greiner curve” model has been applied to interpret the evolutionary growth of the group and strategic trajectory explaining characteristics in its different phases.

Findings

M&M initially went through its share of learning and grew through pragmatic and, orchestrated entrepreneurial risk. The group made a very successful transition from a proprietorship model to a professionally managed group. It is found that rapid growth has been possible through innovation led collaboration. The group is increasingly organizing its innovation activities around the development of responses to specific challenges.

Research limitations/implications

This study suffers from methodological limitations associated with a stage model that the estimated length of the time the organizations will stay in a phase is not known. It is unclear whether passage through all stages is necessary; or whether, in some circumstances, one or more stages may be omitted, and if variations in sequencing can occur. The data for the initial years was not available in primary form and the paper had to depend entirely on the secondary sources.

Practical implications

Various strategies adopted by the group from time to time have practical implications for Indian economy. The group has faced many challenges, but challenge-led collaboration-driven approach represents a new type of innovation process that contrasts with other methods of business strategies and provides a sharper focus for managerial and technical issues and brings together stakeholders with diverse interests, expertise and perspectives.

Originality/value

This study is a unique attempt in India to trace the evolution of the strategic interventions in the context of a major business group, which is considered to be a symbolic representation of Indian economic history. The paper has got both academic as well as managerial utility.

Details

Journal of Strategy and Management, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-425X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 November 2015

Erno Vanhala, Jussi Kasurinen and Kari Smolander

The purpose of this paper is to identify the peculiarity of computer game organizations and their human resources. It presents a stage model including four phases covering the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the peculiarity of computer game organizations and their human resources. It presents a stage model including four phases covering the growth from demo group to full business. This study extends the research on how computer game organizations are formed and what it takes them to grow to financially self-sufficient. The study also broadens the understanding of the beginning phase of an organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes the grounded theory research method with 34 interview sessions among 11 computer game organizations. The interviewed persons include chief executive officers, designers and developers.

Findings

This paper presents empirical findings on what a computer game organization go through when they evolve from demo group phase, which is not discussed in existing literature, to full business. The authors observed that the core team is formed over a game designer and one or more developers. The team fortifies as the organization moves onwards to next phases. At the same time its reliance on partners and outsourcing changes to need based.

Research limitations/implications

As this is a qualitative study the observations are directly applicable only in the context of observed organizations. In the other context they are merely suggestions.

Practical implications

The study presents concrete growth model that can be utilized when building a computer game organization.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates the specialty of computer game organizations and their growth process. It also presents discussion of the beginning phase of organizations.

Details

Journal of Advances in Management Research, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0972-7981

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2007

Hao Li, Guozhong Xie and Alan Edmondson

Traditional microbiological methods to monitor the growth or survival of microbes are very labour‐intensive and rather expensive and the knowledge acquired is not cumulative…

1589

Abstract

Purpose

Traditional microbiological methods to monitor the growth or survival of microbes are very labour‐intensive and rather expensive and the knowledge acquired is not cumulative. Predictive microbiology as an alternative approach has been developed utilizing mathematical models to predict the microbial inactivation, survival or growth during food processing. The purpose of this paper is to review the evolutions and limitations of primary mathematical models in predictive microbiology.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary models deal with the variation of microbial populations against time under particular environmental and cultural conditions. According to the behaviour of micro organisms during food processing and storage, primary models can be divided into inactivation/survival models and growth models. Literature is reviewed to assess the performance of these mathematical models.

Findings

In order to predict microbial survival or growth curves, some empirical mathematical models have been used. Most of them have no or little microbiological or physiological basis, which make the interpretation of some model parameters difficult and their performances do not match observed microbiological outcomes. To produce a more accurate mathematical model, more mechanisms are necessary to interpret model parameters with a biological basis.

Originality/value

The paper reviews the evolution and limitations of primary mathematical models, which may help future model development.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 109 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 23 May 2023

Ramesh Chandra Das

Like the cross-country convergence or divergence analysis in incomes to address the global phenomenon, the same analysis is also required to be done in the case of a group of

Abstract

Like the cross-country convergence or divergence analysis in incomes to address the global phenomenon, the same analysis is also required to be done in the case of a group of states within a national territory. Further, it is also required to see whether convergence or divergence in incomes of the states is attributable to the convergence or divergence in their allocations of bank credits. Thus, this chapter aims at examining whether the selected major states in India are converging or diverging in the allocations of bank credit, and if so, what will be the magnitudes of decreases or increases in the level of disparities and inequalities in credit allocations. This study concludes that there is a clear diverging tendency of credit allocations of the states of India during the post-reform period so far as the absolute convergence hypothesis of the neoclassical theory is concerned. Further, in terms of the framework of σ convergence, the study observes that all phases of the Indian economy have produced converging paths of the inter-state credit allocations, and the path becomes diverging during the post-reform phase. Based on the quantifications of the magnitudes of disparities and inequalities in terms of CV, C4 concentration, HHI and Gini values, this study thus reveals that there are significant increases in the levels of disparities and inequalities in the allocations of credit to the states from the pre-reform to the post-reform phases. Therefore, the persistence of divergence in income or rising income inequality during the phase of the major reform program in India may be due to the persistence of divergence and rising inequality in the allocation of bank credit.

Details

Growth and Developmental Aspects of Credit Allocation: An inquiry for Leading Countries and the Indian States
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-612-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2006

Avvari V. Mohan and K.N. Krishnaswamy

This paper seeks to report the findings of a survey aimed at understanding the marketing programmes (MP) for industrial products in different phases of the product life cycle…

5764

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to report the findings of a survey aimed at understanding the marketing programmes (MP) for industrial products in different phases of the product life cycle (PLC).

Design/methodology/approach

The study is an exploratory one, conducted in a sample of 63 Indian organisations manufacturing general‐purpose machinery. Data pertaining to a total of 191 product lines in four phases of the PLC (42 in introduction, 59 in growth, 53 in maturity and 37 in decline phase) were collected using a specially developed questionnaire.

Findings

The results of the descriptive analysis revealed that the marketing programme variables emphasised in different PLC were different. In the Introduction phase decisions about product attributes, physical performance of the product, direct mail advertising, quality improvements and differentiation by design were emphasized. In Growth phase: feature additions, improvements in product styling, quality and service and market segmentation. In maturity and decline phases re‐tailoring products, sales force efforts were some of the marketing variables emphasised. The results support the views in literature about MP being different in different phases of the PLC. Based on a discriminant analysis, marketing variables that discriminate the different phases of the PLC were also obtained.

Research limitations/implications

The study is done in the machine‐building industry in one country (India) – this limits the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

The results can be useful to marketing managers to anticipate the type of strategic MP in future and this in turn can help in planning activities of other management functions like manufacturing and R&D.

Originality/value

This study adds to the body of literature, which proposes to plan marketing and business strategies differently at the different PLC phases.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 18 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 July 2017

Wen Chen, Roman Hohl and Lee Kong Tiong

The purpose of this paper is to present the development of cumulative rainfall deficit (CRD) indices for corn in Shandong Province, China, based on high-resolution weather…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the development of cumulative rainfall deficit (CRD) indices for corn in Shandong Province, China, based on high-resolution weather (county, 1980-2011) and yield data (township, 1989-2010) for five counties in Tai’an prefecture.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey with farming households is undertaken to obtain local corn prices and production costs to compute the sum insured. CRD indices are developed for five corn-growth phases. Rainfall is spatially interpolated to derive indices for areas that are outside a 25 km radius from weather stations. To lower basis risk, triggers and exits of the payout functions are statistically determined rather than relying on water requirement levels.

Findings

The results show that rainfall deficits in the main corn-growth phases explain yield reductions to a satisfying degree, except for the emergence phase. Correlation coefficients between payouts of the CRD indices and yield reductions reach 0.86-0.96 and underline the performance of the indices with low basis risk. The exception is SA-Xintai (correlation 0.71) where a total rainfall deficit index performs better (0.87). Risk premium rates range from 5.6 percent (Daiyue) to 12.2 percent (SA-Xintai) and adequately reflect the drought risk.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that rainfall deficit indices can be used in the future to complement existing indemnity-based insurance products that do not cover drought for corn in Shandong or for CRD indices to operate as a new insurance product.

Details

Agricultural Finance Review, vol. 77 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-1466

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2006

Paul Dettwiler

To discern patterns of property and facilities management (FM) evolution of the offices of growth firms.

1407

Abstract

Purpose

To discern patterns of property and facilities management (FM) evolution of the offices of growth firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistical analysis with ten variables which are analysed through four perspectives (clusters, industrial sectors, age and size).

Findings

The result consists of characteristic features of three clusters labelled as “low”, “high” and “moderate” FM firms with a ubiquity from all major industry sectors. The studied population reveals that various industry sectors expose more significant differences of FM variables than age and size. However, age is a background factor for discerning the three clusters and it reveals to be the youngest cluster that has the most intense FM activities, which argues for linkage between rapid growth and FM.

Research limitations/implications

Relevant study for predefined Swedish growth firms.

Practical implications

Reveals linkage between faster growth and FM.

Originality/value

Survey empery is collected in a primary database of FM variables and analysed.

Details

Facilities, vol. 24 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 October 2018

Emma Folmer, Corneel Nederveen and Veronique Schutjens

The purpose of this paper is to understand how important networks are for the emergence and growth of social enterprises as well as how social enterprises use their networks…

1080

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how important networks are for the emergence and growth of social enterprises as well as how social enterprises use their networks throughout the life course of their organisation. A comparative approach is used by contrasting social enterprises with traditional commercial enterprises along the dimensions of obtaining resources and legitimacy through their networks.

Design/methodology/approach

An abductive approach is used starting from existing knowledge on how commercial enterprises use networks during the start-up and growth of their enterprise. Qualitative interviews with 23 entrepreneurs were conducted. Using a matched-pairs design, the network importance and use of social and commercial enterprises is compared.

Findings

It is found that networks are highly important for both commercial and social enterprises throughout their life course. However, they substantially diverge in how they use their networks. Social enterprises tend to access more intangible resources through their networks than do commercial enterprises. Moreover, social enterprises rely more strongly on their networks for legitimacy in both the start-up and growth phase of the enterprise.

Originality/value

This paper takes a novel approach by empirically comparing the networks of social and commercial enterprises. New insights are offered in the resource flows within networks and how entrepreneurs use resources obtained from their networks.

Details

Social Enterprise Journal, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-8614

Keywords

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