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Article
Publication date: 9 July 2020

Bernard Cova, Robert Spencer, Fabiana Ferreira and João Proença

Solutions are here approached from the focal net point of view i.e. the collaborative arrangements through which firms combine their individual offerings into a coherent…

Abstract

Purpose

Solutions are here approached from the focal net point of view i.e. the collaborative arrangements through which firms combine their individual offerings into a coherent, customer-facing solution. Focal nets are seen as an effective way to organize for value-system and solution development. However, a precise understanding as to how inter-firm dynamics support the morphing of a focal net to develop a customer’s solution is still not clear. This paper aims to provide an improved understanding of the dynamics at play between firms for providing a solution.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative and exploratory research approach is adopted, exploring the relationships at play within a focal net dedicated to providing a solution in the aerospace industry: a total of four triads are selected and analyzed, all of them involving the same buyer (the aircraft manufacturer) the same buyer’s customer (the airline) and a different service provider. Interviews with top managers in each company forming the triads have been carried out, with subsequent analysis, on the relational dynamics at play at the level of each triad and in-between triads within the focal net.

Findings

The study shows the handling by a solution provider of the transition from a program focal net to a customer-specific solution focal net. The four triads presented, taken individually, highlight four different component devices each of which contributes toward handling this transition. The four triads taken together along with their interactions (inter-triad) denote the capability of the solution provider to manage the morphing of the focal net.

Originality/value

The paper mobilizes a focal net perspective for the understanding of solution provision while combining this with a triadic perspective to demonstrate the inter-firm dynamics at play.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 36 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2001

Gregoris Mentzas, Dimitris Apostolou, Ronald Young and Andreas Abecker

Two main approaches to knowledge management (KM) have been followed by early adopters of the principle: the process‐centred approach, that mainly treats KM as a social…

2924

Abstract

Two main approaches to knowledge management (KM) have been followed by early adopters of the principle: the process‐centred approach, that mainly treats KM as a social communication process; and the product‐centred approach, that focuses on knowledge artefacts, their creation, storage and reuse in computer‐based corporate memories. This distinction is evident not only in KM implementations in companies, but also in supporting methodologies and tools. This paper presents the Know‐Net solution that aims to innovatively fuse the process‐centred approach with the product‐centred approach by developing a knowledge asset‐centric design. The Know‐Net solution includes a theoretical framework, a corporate transformation and measurement method and a software tool.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2020

Mônica Cavalcanti Sá de Abreu, Fabiana Nogueira Holanda Ferreira, João F. Proença and Domenico Ceglia

This paper aims to investigate how sustainable solutions in the textiles and clothing industry are decided through business-to-business collaboration.

1862

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how sustainable solutions in the textiles and clothing industry are decided through business-to-business collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative and inductive study of the Brazilian textiles and clothing industry is carried out, an industry in which sustainable denim products are increasingly being recognized as subject to competition. The paper adopts a focal net perspective to understand the collaborative arrangements through which firms combine the products they offer as a sustainable solution. Documentary data were collected and in-depth interviews conducted with the top managers of one of the world’s largest denim-manufacturing companies present in the Brazilian market, which is involved in providing sustainable solutions in cooperation with its partners.

Findings

The authors describe the factors that reflect the conditions for generating a sustainable business performance, including a corporate policy that assumes and articulates the responsibility for social interest, core-business stakeholders and regulatory requirements; a sustainable product-service system (S.PSS) based on innovative interactions between the stakeholders in the value production system; relations between stakeholders that promote business sustainability through a dependable value chain characterized by a sense of collaboration and collective actions; and a business model for sustainability that combines economic with social and ecological value creation. These factors help a business establish a more strategic position in the value network, enabling it to capture more value.

Practical implications

Sustainable solutions are developed dynamically and collaboratively within an S.PPS. Managers need to focus not only on tangible products but also on intangible services designed and combined so that they are jointly capable of fulfilling customer’s needs and creating social and ecological value. Managers within the solution provider must develop business models for sustainability that are continually evolving to satisfy the interest in resource-efficiency by actors in civil society, business and government.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the existing literature by applying approaches involving corporate social responsibility (CSR) and strategic nets to the study of the implementation of an S.PSS. Sustainable initiatives and offers developed by an S.PSS are not isolated phenomena but result from collaboration in finding solutions among different actors linked in a strategic net. In this sense, companies need to adjust their business models for sustainability to generate positive economic, social and ecological value and gain credibility for their missions.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 36 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 June 2007

David Sammon and Paul Hanley

The objective of this paper is to present a case study of an organisation in pursuit of becoming a 100 per cent e‐corporation.

2249

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to present a case study of an organisation in pursuit of becoming a 100 per cent e‐corporation.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory research case study documents the deployment of two e‐supply chain initiatives undertaken by the organisation, highlighting the benefits of these initiatives to the organisation.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that, while benefits can be realised from creating an e‐supply chain, an organisation needs to ensure a common understanding and definition of what it is striving to achieve in undertaking an e‐supply chain initiative in an effort to become a 100 per cent e‐corporation.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study relates to the fact that Intel's suppliers were not interviewed as part of this research, although available supplier‐related documentation was analysed.

Practical implications

Intel is identified as being quite a distance from achieving its ultimate goal of becoming a “100 per cent e‐corporation”. This paper highlights the fact that a shared understanding throughout the entire organisation of what a “100 per cent e‐corporation” means is a key requirement for any organisation undertaking such an initiative.

Originality/value

The principal contribution of this paper is the fact that it refers to a previously unused term – “100 per cent e‐corporation”. The exact meaning of this term has many interpretations within the case studied in this paper, and indeed this will also be true in all organisations pursuing such an e‐supply chain strategy.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 May 2020

Encarnación Martínez-Moreno, Gonzalo Garcia-Ros and Ivan Alhama

This study aims to present a new numerical model for the simulation of water flow through porous media of anisotropic character, based on the network simulation method and with…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to present a new numerical model for the simulation of water flow through porous media of anisotropic character, based on the network simulation method and with the use of the free code Ngspice.

Design/methodology/approach

For its design, it starts directly from the flow conservation equation, which presents several advantages in relation to the numerical simulation of the governing equation in terms of the potential head. The model provides very precise solutions of streamlines and potential patterns in all cases, with relatively small meshes and acceptable calculation times, both essential characteristics when developing a computational tool for engineering purposes. The model has been successfully verified with analytical results for non-penetrating dams in isotropic media.

Findings

Applications of the model are presented for the construction of the flow nets, calculation of uplift pressures, infiltrated flow and average exit gradient in anisotropic scenarios with penetrating dams with and without sheet piles, being all this output information part of the decision process in ground engineering problems involving these retaining structures.

Originality/value

This study presents, for the first time, a numerical network model for seepage problems that is not obtained from the Laplace's governing equation, but from the water flow conservation continuity equation.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 37 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2007

Gunnar Senneset, Eskil Forås and Kari M. Fremme

Increased focus on safe and healthy food has resulted in the need for implementing electronic chain traceability. This poses challenges both regarding technical solutions and…

1807

Abstract

Purpose

Increased focus on safe and healthy food has resulted in the need for implementing electronic chain traceability. This poses challenges both regarding technical solutions and business processes. The purpose of this paper is to report from a research project where implementation in a value chain for farmed salmon is used to investigate these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The first step in the project was to establish a complete value chain for farmed salmon as a basis for further study. The second step was to use theoretical concepts of internal traceability and chain traceability as a basis for analyzing the status of each company regarding readiness to implement electronic chain traceability. The third step was to compare the final level of implementation in each company with the level of implementation readiness at the start of the project.

Findings

Implementation of electronic chain traceability may involve changes both in work processes and software systems. This study shows that a set of criteria regarding implementation readiness can be used to assess the challenges and risks involved. Coherence between implementation readiness and the final level of implementation is indicated.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to companies in a specific food sector. The generalization of the results for use in other sectors needs to be investigated.

Practical implications

Because of the increasing demand for improving chain traceability, it can be expected that implementation readiness regarding electronic chain traceability solutions will be an important factor in selecting partners in food value chains.

Originality/value

The large number of companies involved in this study is a good basis for evaluating the complexity of implementing electronic chain traceability. This paper describes guidelines and assessment criteria for companies planning to implement such solutions.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 109 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 October 2018

Abdullah J. Sultan

This research aims to identify critical brand touchpoints that generate value for customers and brands and examine their effects on two relational outcomes: relationship quality…

1592

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to identify critical brand touchpoints that generate value for customers and brands and examine their effects on two relational outcomes: relationship quality and word of mouth (WOM).

Design/methodology/approach

Three studies combining qualitative and quantitative research provide evidence distinguishing four different stages of customer experience in the telecom industry and develop a research model of staged customer experience; structural equation modeling analyses are used to validate the proposed model and test for the examined effects.

Findings

Customer experience in the telecom industry consists of four related but distinct stages (i.e. pre-touch, in-touch, post-touch and service failure) and these stages have direct and indirect effects on WOM. Furthermore, the effects of customer experience stages on WOM are partially mediated by relationship quality.

Research limitations/implications

The research model introduced here will allow academics and practitioners to focus their efforts on important touchpoints that influence relationship quality and WOM. Future research should examine the proposed model of staged customer experience in different applications and industries.

Practical implications

A common myth among marketers is that firms should design a painless experience if they want a superior market position. While avoiding a drain on financial resources, the prime objective should be to provide a holistic customer experience that is valuable to customers and the brand alike. Marketers should disregard touchpoints and stages that do not provide noticeable value.

Originality/value

This research answers the call for a more appropriate model to elucidate the factors that link customer experience with relational outcomes.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 32 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2003

Dimitris Apostolou and Gregoris Mentzas

The Know‐Net knowledge management solution, that includes a theoretical framework, a consulting method and a software tool, is based on a knowledge asset‐centric design that…

2214

Abstract

The Know‐Net knowledge management solution, that includes a theoretical framework, a consulting method and a software tool, is based on a knowledge asset‐centric design that innovatively fuses the process or human approach with the product or content approach of knowledge management. This paper describes how Know‐Net was applied in four companies of the software sector. It outlines how specific business areas such as an R&D unit, the bid management process and collaboration between geographically‐dispersed teams can benefit from knowledge management. It outlines the role specific Know‐Net components played within the transformation of existing business processes and structures, and provides key recommendations based on this experience.

Details

Business Process Management Journal, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-7154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2006

Joseph R. Sasson and Ian Douglas

The current paper seeks to describe a conceptual integration of the fields of performance analysis, knowledge management (KM), and technology to create a net‐centric knowledge

2865

Abstract

Purpose

The current paper seeks to describe a conceptual integration of the fields of performance analysis, knowledge management (KM), and technology to create a net‐centric knowledge management system (KMS).

Design/methodology/approach

The design methodology incorporates an interdisciplinary approach and the involvement of various government agencies that provides a basis for creating a process‐centered KMS.

Findings

Three prototypes that integrate the aforementioned fields have been created and demonstrate the viability and value of this type of KMS.

Originality/value

The authors know of no other system that is as integrative, interdisciplinary, comprehensive, and effective at taking a process‐centered view of KM. This paper provides an example of how such a system can be built and implemented to meet KM needs in a complex environment with knowledge accessibility challenges.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 10 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 October 2023

Huaxiang Song

Classification of remote sensing images (RSI) is a challenging task in computer vision. Recently, researchers have proposed a variety of creative methods for automatic recognition…

Abstract

Purpose

Classification of remote sensing images (RSI) is a challenging task in computer vision. Recently, researchers have proposed a variety of creative methods for automatic recognition of RSI, and feature fusion is a research hotspot for its great potential to boost performance. However, RSI has a unique imaging condition and cluttered scenes with complicated backgrounds. This larger difference from nature images has made the previous feature fusion methods present insignificant performance improvements.

Design/methodology/approach

This work proposed a two-convolutional neural network (CNN) fusion method named main and branch CNN fusion network (MBC-Net) as an improved solution for classifying RSI. In detail, the MBC-Net employs an EfficientNet-B3 as its main CNN stream and an EfficientNet-B0 as a branch, named MC-B3 and BC-B0, respectively. In particular, MBC-Net includes a long-range derivation (LRD) module, which is specially designed to learn the dependence of different features. Meanwhile, MBC-Net also uses some unique ideas to tackle the problems coming from the two-CNN fusion and the inherent nature of RSI.

Findings

Extensive experiments on three RSI sets prove that MBC-Net outperforms the other 38 state-of-the-art (STOA) methods published from 2020 to 2023, with a noticeable increase in overall accuracy (OA) values. MBC-Net not only presents a 0.7% increased OA value on the most confusing NWPU set but also has 62% fewer parameters compared to the leading approach that ranks first in the literature.

Originality/value

MBC-Net is a more effective and efficient feature fusion approach compared to other STOA methods in the literature. Given the visualizations of grad class activation mapping (Grad-CAM), it reveals that MBC-Net can learn the long-range dependence of features that a single CNN cannot. Based on the tendency stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) results, it demonstrates that the feature representation of MBC-Net is more effective than other methods. In addition, the ablation tests indicate that MBC-Net is effective and efficient for fusing features from two CNNs.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Cybernetics, vol. 17 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-378X

Keywords

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