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Article
Publication date: 6 February 2024

Aboobucker Ilmudeen and Alaa A. Qaffas

Although information technology (IT) governance and IT capability have been extensively examined, the impact of IT governance mechanisms on IT-enabled dynamic capability (ITDC…

Abstract

Purpose

Although information technology (IT) governance and IT capability have been extensively examined, the impact of IT governance mechanisms on IT-enabled dynamic capability (ITDC) with moderators has received less attention. This study investigates how the impact of IT governance mechanisms on firm performance is achieved through an ITDC through the moderating role of IT governance decentralization and a turbulent environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study extends from the traditional view of IT capabilities and integrates dynamic capability theory to propose that IT governance is vital for the ITDC. Path analysis, hierarchical regression analysis and moderation analysis were performed using partial least squares (Smart PLS 3.0) as the data analysis methods. This study empirically tests the proposed mediated moderation model by using data collected from 254 firms in China to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Significant and impactful relationships are found in the model that includes turbulent environment moderating effects. Contrary to expectations, IT governance decentralization is also significant but not very strong.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s findings have implications for investigating IT governance, IT-enabled capabilities and moderators. Accordingly, this study has implications for board and executive management to capitalize on dynamic IT capability, to keep pace with the challenges and turbulent conditions associated with business needs and for the productivity paradox in the context of Chinese firms.

Originality/value

This country-specific research study theoretically contributes to the IT governance, dynamic capabilities and turbulent environment in the information systems literature and proposes many practical guides to the board and executive management of companies in the Chinese context.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2012

Nory B. Jones and John F. Mahon

This paper aims to clarify the relationship between explicit and tacit knowledge in specific organizational environments. It seeks to explore processes and strategies currently

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the relationship between explicit and tacit knowledge in specific organizational environments. It seeks to explore processes and strategies currently being deployed as best practices in the military to see what can be learnt from them and to improve the use of knowledge assets in large‐scale organizations in high‐velocity and/or turbulent environments.

Design/methodology/approach

High velocity/turbulent environments are defined. The paper uses examples from the public sector and the private sector and provides a model for knowledge management in high velocity/turbulent environments (HVTE) and offers several propositions for further exploration.

Findings

The paper provides insights into how and why tacit knowledge is more important to decision making and strategic positioning in high velocity/turbulent environments. The complexity of knowledge management is enormous.

Practical implications

What the authors learned from the military can serve as lessons for businesses to improve their agility in high velocity/turbulent environments. Businesses can apply this knowledge in considering the types of environments they operate in and which methods of knowledge transfer would serve them best to remain competitive.

Originality/value

This paper addresses what the authors believe is missing in knowledge management research to date – how and when tacit knowledge is more critical to organizational success than the use of explicit knowledge. The analysis also provides an environmental framework that distinguishes the use of tacit and explicit knowledge.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 16 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 3 May 2022

Twaha Kigongo Kaawaase

The purpose of the study is to examine how small and medium audit practices (SMPs) in emerging economies build and anchor on dynamic auditing capability to operate in a turbulent

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to examine how small and medium audit practices (SMPs) in emerging economies build and anchor on dynamic auditing capability to operate in a turbulent business environment occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts an exploratory qualitative methodology using qualitative data collected with the aid of an open-ended instrument. With the help of a qualitative data analysis software QSR NVivo9, data were analyzed following Gioia's methodology with a four-stage coding process that combines both a deductive and an inductive approach.

Findings

The findings of the study show that to manage operations during the Covid-19 pandemic, SMPs developed and anchored on dynamic auditing capabilities. Specifically, the findings show that this required transformation of existing operational capabilities, shiftiness, flexibility and innovativeness of the SMPs as well as leveraging networking and adaptive sub-capabilities.

Originality/value

The study produces a pioneer result of how to develop and anchor on the dynamic auditing capability by the SMP subsector of the audit industry to continue operations in a turbulent business environment the magnitude of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2008

Steven Ward and Aleksandra Lewandowska

The purpose of this paper is to examine which particular marketing strategies will work best in which particular business environments. It also aims to test a series of…

13640

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine which particular marketing strategies will work best in which particular business environments. It also aims to test a series of propositions that the choice of marketing strategy needs to be carefully considered so that it is appropriate for a set of environmental conditions, or business conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs survey research, structural equation modelling and t‐tests.

Findings

Results in this study of 217 companies from Australia, Singapore, The Netherlands and China finds general support for the hypotheses that different environmental situations provide the suitable conditions for a customer, competitor or societal orientated strategy. In particular, customer‐oriented strategies are most effective in placid clustered and turbulent environments, while competitor orientated strategies work best in a placid‐clustered environment. Societal marketing based strategies were shown to be most effective in placid random and placid clustered environments. This suggests that firms may use social marketing strategies in a pre‐emptive manner to maintain favourable environmental conditions for the organisation.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited somewhat by the size and nature of the sample, although this compares well to other studies in the area of marketing orientation. The research shows the importance of the match of the environment type with the business strategy, as certain strategies are most effective in particular environmental conditions.

Practical implications

Choice of an appropriate business strategy is moderated by the environment. Marketing‐based business strategies are not always the most effective. In turbulent environments, customer‐oriented strategies seem to be most effective. Societal marketing strategies seem to be used to manage and maintain placid environments or business conditions. Competitor‐based strategies are best suited to placid‐clustered environments, business conditions, which are favourable and therefore attract greater competition.

Originality/value

This study also introduces an important measure of the societal orientation of the firm. It provides empirical supports the thesis that marketing strategies need to be tailored for the environment and so adds to the understanding of the interplay between the effectiveness of business strategies in different business conditions. There is not a great deal of research which suggests what type of marketing strategy is best suited to what type of environment. This paper makes an important contribution to this area.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 42 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 August 2023

Anton Klarin and Rifat Sharmelly

This study aims to demonstrate the importance of organizational networks in organizational performance is relatively rich; less understood are processes in organizational…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to demonstrate the importance of organizational networks in organizational performance is relatively rich; less understood are processes in organizational networking that entrepreneurs and organizations use in making sense of rapidly changing contexts for organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts an exploratory organizational-level narrative analysis into firms’ experiences in two major emerging markets (EMs), namely, Russia and India – to identify organizational networking processes in the midst of institutional upheavals. The study is based on in-depth case studies of firms in EMs sourced from interview data from senior management and consolidated with secondary data.

Findings

The authors find that initially firms rely on informal networks (including blat/svyazi and jaan-pehchaan/jan-pehchan) and later formal (in the form of bureaucratic followed by proprietary) networks to make sense of the changes and uncertainties in turbulent environments. The authors also demonstrate the cyclical nature of strategic sensemaking in the process of developing organizational networks for performance.

Originality

The study has a number of theoretical and practical contributions. First, it extends the well-established business networking construct to a more inclusive organizational networking construct. Second, it demonstrates that sensemaking is dependent on interorganizational networking from the outset and throughout the growth of an organization in turbulent markets – from informal to formal bureaucratic and proprietary networks. Finally, this study is unique in documenting the entire process of sensemaking from scanning to performance as well as successfully demonstrating the cyclical nature of sensemaking.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2017

Peter Tatham, Yong Wu, Gyöngyi Kovács and Tim Butcher

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the supply chain management (SCM) skills that support the sensing and seizing of opportunities in a changing business environment.

2904

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the supply chain management (SCM) skills that support the sensing and seizing of opportunities in a changing business environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the previous literature on the T-shaped model of SCM skills, data were collected through a mail survey among Australian business executives. The resultant skill sets are grouped along factors that support the sensing vs seizing of opportunities.

Findings

Interestingly from an SCM perspective, functional logistics-related skills are important to maintain competitiveness but are not the ones contributing to a firm’s ability to sense opportunities and threats, and to seize opportunities in a changing business environment. The authors, therefore, support the notion that supply chain managers should be managers first. Factual SCM knowledge is the solid basis, but otherwise only an entry requirement in this field.

Research limitations/implications

Problem-solving skills, along with forecasting and customer/supplier relationship management, stand out as important components that support the ability of supply chain managers to sense and shape opportunities and threats in a turbulent business environment. This focus would tend to suggest the importance of supply chain integration and collaboration as management approaches. Other SCM skills from warehousing and inventory management to transportation and purchasing are more prevalent for maintaining competitiveness.

Practical implications

The results of the survey and the consequential analysis indicate that the content of tertiary-level educational programmes should be significantly reviewed to deliver two distinct (but partially overlapping) streams that focus on the generalist and functionalist managers who must work together in the management of the increasingly global and complex supply chains.

Social implications

Functional skills often form the basis of training and education programmes for supply chain managers. Whilst these form the solid foundation for their jobs, they are entry requirements at best. In a changing business environment, other skills are needed for success. Given that turbulence is becoming the norm rather than the exception, this finding necessitates rethinking in training and education programmes, as well as in the recruitment of supply chain managers.

Originality/value

Testing the T-shaped model of SCM skills from a dynamic capabilities perspective, the results of the factor analysis lead to a regrouping of skill sets in terms of sensing and seizing opportunities in a turbulent business environment.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 March 2009

Roger B. Mason and Gavin Staude

The purpose of this paper is to propose that the choice of marketing tactics is influenced by the company's external environment. It aims to illustrate the marketing tactics…

4430

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose that the choice of marketing tactics is influenced by the company's external environment. It aims to illustrate the marketing tactics suggested for a complex, turbulent environment, when marketing and the environment are viewed through a complexity lens.

Design/methodology/approach

A marketing mix model, derived from complexity literature, was assessed via a multiple case study to identify the type of marketing mix suggested for a complex, turbulent environment. The study was exploratory, using in‐depth interviews with two companies in the IT industry.

Findings

The results tentatively confirmed that the more successful company used a destabilizing marketing mix, and suggest that using complexity theory to develop marketing tactics could be helpful in turbulent environments.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited by the study's exploratory, qualitative nature and the small sample. Generalizing should be done with care and therefore further research with larger samples and in different environments is recommended.

Practical implications

The paper will benefit marketers by emphasizing a new way to consider future marketing activities of their companies. The model can assist marketers to identify the tactics to use, dependent on the nature of their environment.

Originality/value

Most work on complexity in marketing has concentrated on strategy, with little emphasis on tactics and the marketing mix. Therefore, the paper is an important contribution to the understanding of marketing mix choices, of interest to both practising marketers and marketing academics.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 109 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 September 2016

Sanna Pekkola, Minna Saunila and Hannu Rantanen

The purpose of this paper is to examine how a performance measurement system (PMS) can be designed for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in a turbulent

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how a performance measurement system (PMS) can be designed for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in a turbulent environment. The current models and frameworks for the design and implementation of a PMS are for large companies; these traditional design and implementation processes are too multi-stage and long term for SMEs operating in a rapidly changing environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study constructs a conceptual framework based on the performance measurement and management literature and empirical evidence from a longitudinal case study. Interviews, an analysis of strategic documents and documentation of the prevailing measurement system were conducted.

Findings

The study results reveal the framework for a flexible PMS design. In the framework, the PMS consists of core permanent measures that control the profitability of the company and supportive measures of the realisation of strategic targets. The supportive measures change and develop along with the strategy.

Originality/value

The study provides new understanding about the performance measurement design process in SMEs operating in a turbulent environment. The existing literature presents performance measurement design and implementation process models for large organisations, but these frameworks are too multi-stage and long term for SMEs.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 65 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 November 2007

Daniel Vázquez‐Bustelo, Lucía Avella and Esteban Fernández

Despite the fact that agile manufacturing has been frequently promoted as a means of improving business competitiveness, little empirical evidence exists in the literature…

8433

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the fact that agile manufacturing has been frequently promoted as a means of improving business competitiveness, little empirical evidence exists in the literature validating its positive link with business performance. The purpose of this research paper is to analyse agile manufacturing in Spain and study whether it is a critical factor for success in different industries.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is drawn up, based on the literature and a previous case study, to relate turbulence in the environment with agile manufacturing practices and business performance. The model is tested on a large sample of Spanish manufacturers using a survey methodology to obtain information and a structural equation model to analyse the data.

Findings

The results obtained show that, in turbulent environments, the integrated use of agile manufacturing practices promotes manufacturing competitive strength, leading to better operational, market and financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study has two main limitations. First, it is difficult to determine the most suitable unit of analysis when studying agile manufacturing. Second, single respondent bias may be considered a limitation.

Practical implications

Managers should consider the integrated implementation of agile manufacturing practices in order to develop manufacturing strength and to outperform competitors in turbulent business environments.

Originality/value

This study adopts a systematic approach to the analysis of agile manufacturing, considering various agility practices or enablers in an integrated way and relating them not only to environmental characteristics but also to business performance. This approach is especially interesting because most of the literature on agile manufacturing deals with agility strategies or techniques in an isolated way. The study also tests the suitability of agile manufacturing in real organisations – for the first time in the Spanish context.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 27 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1993

Maris G. Martinsons

Reminds us that strategic planning has been widely advocated in themanagement literature but points out that studies of its actual effecton performance have been sparesely and…

Abstract

Reminds us that strategic planning has been widely advocated in the management literature but points out that studies of its actual effect on performance have been sparesely and selectively reported. Reconsiders the question of whether strategic planning really does contribute to business success in today′s dynamic and turbulent environments. Highlights the adversarial positions in this debate, as personified by management writers Michael Porter and Tom Peters. Finds the results of a meta‐analysis of empirical evidence to be inconsistent and confusing and, as a result, proposes the use of a contingency approach for modelling the planning‐performance relationship. Illustrates the growing importance of technological sophistication as a contingency factor by considering the author′s own research. Considers that a strategic innovation paradigm, which creates a synergy between formal planning and action‐based learning, is appropriate for surviving and navigating increasingly turbulent waters. Uses this new paradigm as the basis for offering practical guidance to general managers.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 31 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

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