Search

The case study evidence in this paper suggests that management of technological change is more complicated than the existing literature has acknowledged. Rather than merely introduce or not introduce new technology, managers have to choose between more or less advanced technologies whose implications are difficult to assess. Moreover, the choice between advanced and conventional production technologies seems to be influenced more by situational determinants than by the habitual actions of managers or changes in management characters. Taking these situational determinants and firm-specific critical incidents seriously is essential, especially for an understanding of why managerial actors alter their approach to managing technological change. By adopting a longitudinal firm-in-sector perspective to technological change this paper demonstrates how coinciding increases in material resources and competitive pressures encourage management to adopt advanced instead of conventional technology. To justify this argument, the paper compares two consecutive technological change projects in the same firm and describes the background of their profoundly different degrees of sophistication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Swiss Journal of Sociology / Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Soziologie is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between corporate and supply chain strategy, as well as its implementation in a multinational paper producing company. Traditionally paper producing companies have had a strong interest in developing a physical infrastructure for their customer deliveries. However, supply chain thinking is still an unstructured issue in the case company. Design/methodology/approach - This research work is mainly based on the, case company's strategy material and interviews with senior management, is mainly qualitative and is based on a constructive research approach aimed at trying to find a workable and forward looking solution based on the three strategies. Findings - The core findings concern the individual business division strategies, which jointly comprise the corporate strategy. Some of the business divisions do have a certain amount of supply chain management aims in their strategies. Furthermore, there is no real corporate supply chain strategy. Research limitations/implications - The research was conducted at a company with strong presence in Northern Europe, which limits its applicability. Thus, the research results mainly reflect a Northern European business environment and cannot be generalized on a global level. Practical implications - The conclusions of the research work include a recommendation for a new management model for the corporate supply chain strategy, which is based on cooperation between the business divisions and logistics organization. Originality/value - The value of this paper is based on the practical analysis of the case company's business divisions' strategies and interactivity between the logistics organization and the implementation of its strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The RFID is a useful tool for effective management of organisations’ supply chain activities and competitive competencies. So, as the efficient functioning of the supply chain in any company contributes to the growth of its competitiveness and profitability, the meaning of supply chains takes on a new connotation in the changed conditions for managing business processes. The RFID system, as a technology that is implemented by more and more companies, today occupies a significant place in the agenda of every competitive company. Although this means that companies follow technological innovations, one of the reasons why this technology penetrates increasingly, mainly, is that these labels are becoming cheaper and cheaper, but the implementation of this type of technology is simpler, faster and easier to use, which, of course, is an advantage compared to other technological inventions. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize how the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) technology can improve business processes in the Supply Chain Management (SCM). Business processes, through digitalization, acquire a completely different dimension in the new virtual world, following the new conditions from a completely different perspective. This paper presents a brief explanation of Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) integration in Supply Chain Management using literature review and analytical research approach. For the purposes of this paper, a review was made and secondary data was found in order to identify the benefits of this type of technology and to emphasize the need for its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section presents a list of books received by the Journal of Human Resources.

Purpose: The paper aims to present factors that contribute to successful IT integration into an organization's culture, and to explain how such integration impacts the business and its leadership. These effects, which can have either a positive or a negative impact, are examined using First City Monument Bank (FCMB), which is located in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: The objective is achieved by investigating how the implementation of information technology effects organizational culture and management. The particular focus of the study is restricted to aspects and facets of organizational culture, such as: communication, training, working time and job delivery, business development, motivation of employees, sectorial and productivity development of the banking sector in Nigeria. The data were gathered in 2021-23. Findings: The results of the research show that technological progress has had the positive and negative impact on FCMB’s corporate culture and management. Originality/value: Until now, little research has been done about the effect of IT on organizational culture and management in Nigerian banking sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to identify the contemporary research themes published in IJOPM in order to contribute to current debates about the future directions of operations management (OM) research. Design/methodology/approach -- All 310 articles published in IJOPM from volume 24 issue 9 in 2004 through volume 29, issue 12 in 2009 are analysed using content analysis methods. This period of analysis is chosen because it represents all the articles published in issues for which the authors are able to have full control, during their period of tenure as Editors of the journal. This analysis is supplemented by data on all 1,853 manuscripts submitted to the journal during the same time period and further, by analysis of reviews and feedback sent to all authors after review. Findings -- The paper reports the main research themes and research methods inherent in the 310 published papers. Statistics on the countries represented by these papers and the size and international composition of author teams are provided, together with the publication success rates of the countries that submit in the highest volumes, and the success rates associated with the size of the author team. Finally, data on the reasons for rejection of manuscripts are presented. Research limitations/implications -- There is some residual inaccuracy in content analysis methods, whereby, in extracting research themes there is often more than one topic covered. In the same vein, as regards categorisation of the causes of rejection of manuscripts during the review process, there is frequently more than one reason for rejection, so perhaps a weighted scoring system would have been more insightful. In determining the country of origin of papers, while the country of the corresponding author is used, it should be recognised that some studies originate from international collaborations so that this method may give a slightly distorted picture. Finally, in computing publication success rates by comparison of submissions and published papers there is a time delay between the two data sets within any defined period of analysis. Practical implications -- The analysis adds generally to debates about contemporary research themes; in particular it extends the work of Pilkington and Fitzgerald, which analyses all articles solely in IJOPM between 1994 and 2003. In addition, the findings suggest a need for more frequent exploitation of multiple research methods, for greater rigour in the planning and execution of fieldwork, for greater engagement with the world of OM practice and finally, consideration of how OM research can address wider social and political issues. Originality/value -- This paper represents an inside view of the publication process from a leading OM journal; this kind of insight is rarely available in the public domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is the job of corporate managers? Management research has offered various perspectives on managerial work and on what the priority of managers should be, related to different views of the corporation and its objective. In this paper, I adopt a historically contextualized view of the institution of the corporation and argue that the first responsibility of corporate managers is to search for God. I draw upon the work of Michael Thomas Black to develop two strands to this argument: first, the priority of searching for God corresponds to the way corporations operate. Second, managers' not searching for God results in their being directed by some form of ambition, which leads to corporate corruption. In corporate management, searching for God involves accounting for how the interests of the corporation as a distinct entity are embodied in what managers do. The paper offers a synthesis of Michael Black's work that focuses on the first responsibility of corporate managers. It contributes to four issues of a managerial theory of the firm related to managerial orientation: the inescapable conundrums of managing, the role of stock- and stakeholders, ownership, and value creation. It draws implications for accounting and corporate regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent of the continuing influence on project management (PM) research directions of rethinking project management over the last ten years.Design/methodology/approach The authors chose a qualitative research approach that involved reading all papers published in the International Journal of Managing Project in Business since its commencement in 2008. Content analysis was performed on these papers to allow axial coding of key article content influence themes.Findings The research identified the strength, over time, of the three research interest clusters on the PM research agenda and resultant changes in the PM paradigm. The five directions put forward by the rethinking PM agenda and other researchers ten years ago have continued to influence the PM research agenda.Originality/value Findings provide a better understanding the changes in PM research directions since rethinking PM, the increased breadth and sophistication of PM research in general, and future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the relationship between one form of manufacturing flexibility--process range--and structure, infrastructure, and managerial policy at the plant level. The paper provides evidence of the strength of the links between manufacturing flexibility and such factors as scale, technology vintage, computer integration, and workforce management. Data from 54 plants in the fine-paper industry are presented, and a model of the determinants of short-term flexibility is developed. The plants examined differed by a factor of 20 in their ability to accommodate large process variation. The evidence suggests that flexibility is strongly negatively related to scale and degree of computer integration, yet positively related to newer vintages of mechanical technology and workforce experience. Some results differ significantly from the prevailing view of the industry, in particular, that newer plants are less flexible. The paper shows that newer machine technology is more flexible once other factors are controlled for. In the longer term, the results show that management has a significant impact on the improvement of flexibility in operations, regardless of the technology and infrastructure in place. Plant network managers' views of flexibility are important. The data suggest that inflexible plants may be inflexible partly as a result of their being considered inflexible by network managers, and never being assigned the product range needed to improve the capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research studies of shopping with companions, or "co-shopping," have investigated different "types of companion" (e.g., children, spouses, parents, friends) and the nature of their influence on shoppers' retail experience. By means of a systematic literature review guided by the standard review protocol PRISMA and qualitative content analysis, this paper offers a state-of-the-art overview of 66 studies and their findings, through the middle of 2023. It finds that sparse attention has been paid to shopping companions' behaviors and personalities and that it is so far impossible to attribute their impacts on shoppers specifically to one or more types of companion. It also finds that the various factors that could facilitate understanding of how companions' influences work in practice remain largely unexplored. In short, too little is known about how companions exert their influence and how shoppers process it and there remains much to be investigated about the interplay between shoppers, their companions, and an interacting salesperson. Our detailed findings and their implications could therefore usefully shape the agenda for future research into accompanied shopping. Plain Language Summary: A systematic study of retail shopping companions and their various effects The purpose of this article is to explore the current state of research on the phenomenon of shoppers who visit retail environments with a designated companion. Through a systematic literature review following a standard review protocol (PRISMA) and subsequent qualitative content analysis, we summarize the findings of previous research on how companion shoppers have been studied and the effects of companions on the person they accompany. It becomes clear that while the general effects of companions on shoppers are well understood, there is a lack of understanding of how they generate their influence on shoppers and how shoppers go about the process of translating their influence into emotions and behaviors. Awareness of these processes can help retailers and their frontline employees better understand their customers and their companions, and thus shape the way they deliver their services at the point of sale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports developments related to the international pulp and paper industry. Acquisition of the assets of the packaging division of Dover Industries Ltd. by Canadian carton maker Cascades Inc.; Agreement between Rochester, New York-based Document Security Systems Inc. and Boise Paper Solutions to launch a new line of high-quality security papers; Plan of Japanese paper manufacturer Nippon Paper Industries Co. to equip its kraft pulp production facilities with an elemental chlorine bleaching process.

Once upon a time, there was a group of management scholars. They spent their time in an ivory tower, thinking great thoughts. Sometimes, when the scholars had an especially exciting thought, they would try to share it with end users. The scholars would rush to the tower's windows and toss paper airplanes out into the air. But, alas, their thoughts were not relevant to the end users. The scholars' paper airplanes crashed to the ground, and so the scholars' work had very little impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper starts with a critique of the reductionist approach to control and performance measurement that emphasizes the parts of a system in isolation. The critique provides the basis for a shift in focus to a systems perspective that emphasizes the interactions between the parts of a system. It is argued that this shift is important because the behaviour of a system is a product of the interactions of the parts not the behaviour of the parts in isolation. Two systems approaches to control and performance management are compared and critiqued: Beer's viable system model and Seddon's lean systems. The paper concludes with the advancement of a model for control and performance measurement that not only integrates the work of Beer and Seddon but also compensates for the weaknesses in these approaches through the inclusion of a process of boundary critique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research aims: This study aims to analyse the published works of strategic decision in business and management which have had the greatest impact and evolutionary scientific trend within the intellectual sphere. Drawing from the integrative perspective, this study attempts to: (i) investigate the intellectual structure of earlier works so as to analyse the evolution of strategic decisions; (ii) examine the evolutionary scientific trends, and (iii) identify some implications for future research in this area. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study generates its analysis based on the following bibliometric tools: (i) multidimensional data analysis using the Sankey Diagram, (ii) visual network and heat map analysis using the VOSviewer, and (3) strategic diagrams and evolution maps using the SciMAT. The methodology is based on the bibliometric technique of citation and co-citation analyses which are scientifically applied to a sample of 1,218 articles published in leading management and business journals over a period of 48 years, from 1971 to 2018. Research findings: The findings of this study plots the intellectual structure of the strategic decision as well as the evolutionary themes of the strategic decisions, for instance, decision-making and intuition (2000-2004), bounded rationality and uncertainty (2005-2009), decision support system and artificial intelligence (2010-2014), and decisionmaking and intuition (2015-2019). Overall, the results demonstrate the top scientific themes that were prevalent over a period of 48 years. The themes include: decision-making, intuition, rationality, behavioural economics, bounded rationality and investment decision. Theoretical contribution/Originality: These findings provide valuable insights which demarcate the evolution of strategic decision as viewed through the synoptic-incremental continuum of rationality, intuition and political decision process. This study also contributes to the emerging role of behavioural economics on the strategic decisionmaking process in business and management. The results also highlight the role of the incremental decision process as an intuitive and political decision that can be interactively enhanced by decisionmakers while under increased risk and uncertainty. Practitioner/Policy implications: The results of this study suggest that decision-makers need to pay attention towards building and developing the incremental process such as intuitive and political decision along with rationality so as to optimise the decision outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a dynamic warehouse planning model incorporating demand forecast and contract flexibility, and addresses how demand forecast and contract flexibility affect warehouse size planning. In this model, a manager announces a nominal size of the warehouse space to rent before the planning horizon begins (strategic decision), and determines the ordering quantity and actual warehouse size during the horizon (operational decision). In particular, the manager can adjust the actual warehouse size within a range according to dynamically updating demand forecast during the horizon, which reflects the contract flexibility. We start with the characterisation of the operational decision. For any given nominal size, we show the monotonicity of optimal inventory replenishment and warehousing decisions w.r.t. demand forecast and contract flexibility. However, this monotonicity does not necessarily hold for the strategic choice of the nominal size. Finally, a case study is presented to investigate the interaction between demand forecast information and contract flexibility. We find that the value of demand forecast can be enhanced as the contract flexibility improves. However, more forecasted demands do not imply higher value of contract flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to analyze the methods of management in the case of engineering teams. Design/methodology/approach: Critical literature analysis. Analysis of international literature from main databases and polish literature and legal acts connecting with researched topic. Findings: The considerations presented in the publication made it possible to analyses the most important aspects of managing engineering teams. The publication draws attention to the specificity of managing engineering teams and the features that distinguish it from management in other types of organizations. In particular, it points out how to develop engineering teams in subsequent stages. The paper presents soft skills that should characterize people managing engineering teams, such as: dependability, work ethic, communication skills, community and teamwork, time management skills, goal setting, mental ability and takes direction well. The paper has a special focus on the best practices that should be followed to effectively manage engineering teams. Especially nowadays, in the era of Industry 4.0, there is a need for team management in industrial companies as well as more and more cooperation between people and machines. This kind of approach requires careful planning and management of engineering teams. The best practices presented in the publication can provide assistance to engineering teams in today's industrial enterprises wherever teamwork is necessary. Originality/value: Detailed analysis of all subjects related to the problems connected with management of engineering teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to analyze the methods of management in the case of project management of engineering teams. Design/methodology/approach: Critical literature analysis. Analysis of international literature from main databases and polish literature and legal acts connecting with researched topic. Findings: The considerations presented in the publication made it possible to analyses the most important aspects of project management. The paper concentrate on the analysis of basic principles of project management especially in the condition of Industry 4.0. In the analysis we were concentrated on industrial organization and tried to characterize main benefits of using the project approach in those enterprises. We distinguished the main benefits of using project management in industrial enterprise in Industry 4.0 conditions. It is especially important to use this approach to handle complex, costly and risky projects which are not easy to manage in traditional way. In Industry 4.0 we can spot many those type indyscyplinary projects linking the technical and social knowledge. In those situation using of project management approach can lead to the success of organization activities. Originality/value: Detailed analysis of all subjects related to the problems connected with project management in engineering organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Editorial presents the papers submitted to the special issue 'Implementing pricing strategies.' The papers discuss a variety of topics, notably the implementation of revenue management and pricing in Disney, the implementation of value-based selling and pricing in industrial companies, the design of effective sales force compensation systems to facilitate the implementation of value-based pricing and issues related to price presentation. The papers in this special issue suggest that the ability to implement pricing strategies is a watermark separating high-performing from merely average companies. We need more research on this important topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many organizations have undertaken major business process change (BPC) initiatives over the past ten years. Earlier thinking on this topic indicated a significant role for information technology in these initiatives, while more recently the importance of change management has been emphasized. This paper examines a model that proposes various antecedents to successful BPC. Three case studies with varying degrees of BPC project success are described in the context of this model, with the specific goal of determining facilitators and inhibitors to the success of these change efforts. The results indicate that the successful project tended to have facilitators in all dimensions of the framework, including the change environment, process management, and change management. The least successful project exhibited inhibitors primarily in the area of cultural readiness and change management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Business Information Systems (BIS) is a professional discipline that combines Computer Science, Management, and Business Administration. In this article the researchers evaluate the evolution of BIS curriculum in terms of its past, present and future, considering its historical background, the existing strengths and weaknesses, and how it can be developed to meet market needs. The study reveals the skills required by a BIS graduate and highlights how the existing/existed BIS curricula have made their graduates weaker when compared with Computer Science and Business Administration specialists. The research further compares the existential crisis of BIS with Library and Information Science (LIS) discipline, which have also faced a similar controversial crisis concerning their disciplinary boundaries, whether it belong to Social and Behavioral Sciences or Computer Science and Engineering and yet succeeded in its growth and contributions. This research concludes that the BIS curriculum is still budding and needs to be re-evaluated and updated regularly to meet the changing demands of the market highlighting the need for collaboration between academia and industry to ensure that BIS graduates are equipped with the skills that employers require. The paper finally proposes a balanced model of BIS curriculum that incorporates the latest technology updates. The proposed curriculum model aims to address the current gaps in BIS education and meets the changing demands of the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapidly changing market requirements and shorter product lifecycles demand assembly systems that are able to cope with frequently changing resources, resource capabilities and product specifications. This paper presents a multi-agent framework that can adapt an assembly system in order to cope with such changes. The focus of this work is on the ability to plug resources (such as PLCs) into and out of the system, and dynamically aggregate resource capabilities to form more complex ones as resources are plugged in. In addition, an implementation of the framework on an industrial assembly system is discussed, and some insights are provided into some of the key features that product specification languages ought to have to be useful in real world assembly systems, and into the added value of using the proposed framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All products eventually reach a point intheir life cycle where they should beeliminated from the product line but thisdecision is generally ignored bymanagement for several reasons.However, current developments in newmanufacturing technology will forcemanagement to implement strategies foreliminating a product at an appropriatetime in its life cycle. A model is presentedbased on the Theory of Shock Modelswhich could help management decidewhen to terminate a product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Management Science. We take this opportunity to trace the history of the Marketing Department in Management Science, outline the role that the Marketing Department has played in supporting management science research in Marketing, its impact on the field, and its plans for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The papers selected for this issue were drawn from those presented at meetings of this research working group. The papers were chosen by an editorial team comprising the editors and Fabienne Fecher, regular editor of the "Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics".

Recent research indicates cost and schedule forecasting from EVM data is improved when the performance factor, PF = 1, is used. This paper uses a small set of real data to examine the research finding, to either confirm or refute. As well, the application of PF = 1 is employed in statistical forecasting; results are tested and compared to the index method. Observations from the research and this study are made referencing historical studies. Further research is encouraged on these topics, but with some precaution when real data is used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research literature of supply chain risk and resilience is at a critical developmental stage. Studies have established the importance of these topics both to researchers and practitioners. They also have identified factors contributing to risk, the impact of risk and disruptions on performance, and the strategies and tactics used to build the capacity for supply chain resilience. Although these efforts can provide support for constructing a theory of risk and resilience, researchers are currently restricted in their ability to build such a theory by the difficulty of collecting the necessary data. This paper contributes to this literature development effort by summarising prior research reviews and developing a three-component framework aimed at helping researchers to build better theories. This is accomplished through combining structured experimental design with discrete-event simulations of supply chains. The result is a methodology that allows researchers to develop better understanding of the factors that link a disruption to its impact on supply chain performance through both direct and interaction effects. Following the methodology development, the paper concludes with an example using the factors of shock interarrival time, supply chain connectivity and buffer stocks to illustrate the potential for contributing to the theory-building process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A properly planned and executed succession is the only way to ensure the sustainability of the company for future generations. Its incorrect implementation can cause a crisis within the company or family and can even cause its downfall. The aim of this article was to analyse how the succession process was conducted in selected family businesses - what advantages and disadvantages were indicated by both owners and successors. What does the succession process look like in the eyes of old-timers and young successors? Design/methodology/approach: The study focuses on the analysis of how the succession process is perceived by the older and younger generation of entrepreneurs. To achieve the study objectives an in-depth case study method, supported by a structured interview in selected family businesses operating in the local market has been used. Findings: there are few practised inheritance patterns. Therefore, it is often unduly postponed, or conducted in a quick, poorly-planned manner. Such inappropriate steps can lead to the disintegration of the company or even bankruptcy rather than growth and success in the years to come. By analysing the succession processes already conducted, good practices can be identified in this respect. By using them, both old-timers and successors could certainly avoid many mistakes. An important element is to make future old-timers aware that, when building a company and thinking about its development, they should think long-term, also taking into account the role of successors from the beginning. It is also very important that communication between incumbent owners and their successors is open and unambiguous from the outset. Analysing the possibilities for a smooth succession and helping each other to find suitable solutions is the key to the success of a well-run succession. It is also worth noting that the generation of owners will always look at the company's development from the perspective of the previous years of activity, while, according to the interviews conducted, the new generation looks at the company without analysing the past and thinks ahead, wanting to develop the company and implement innovations. Practical implications: By analysing succession processes that were already conducted, it is possible to identify good practices in this area. By using them, both incumbent owners and successors could certainly avoid many mistakes. Social implications: The research is addressed both to other researchers so they can analyse or elaborate the research presented here and to entrepreneurs in family businesses who are conducting the succession process in their companies. The analysis presented in this paper allows the succession process to be viewed through the eyes of both the younger generation (the successors) and the older generation (the owners). This is important for the succession process to be conducted properly so that it contributes to the success and development of family businesses. The research presented here will serve to broaden knowledge on succession in family businesses. Originality/value The research is addressed to both other researchers so they can analyse or deepen the research and to family business entrepreneurs who are conducting the succession process in their companies. The analysis allows the process to be viewed through the eyes of both the younger generation (successors) and the older generation (owners). With the information gained, entrepreneurs will be able to plan the succession process better and avoid certain mistakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the three areas in which human resource (HR) professionals can contribute to their companies' sustainability. These areas, accordingly, are buildings, travel and transportation and documents. It is claimed that HR professionals' operations, function and influence can help their companies by ensuring that the amount of electricity consumed by their buildings are considerable. HR professionals can also cut the carbon emissions by their company transportation by suggesting employees who will attend a certain conference to reduce long-haul air travel. Recycling paper and considering other factors before printing like the page count are also hinted.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relation of spirituality and creativity in business context.Design/methodology/approach The paper presents practical examples of spiritual-based creative business models in different faith traditions (Hinduism, Christianity and Anthroposophy).Findings Spirituality and a deep sense of connectedness are essential to enhance creativity and care in business. Spirituality creates free space and openness to allow the future to emerge organically. It creates a distance between the self and the pressures of the market and the routines of business and daily life. This distance is a necessary condition for developing creative, ethical and responsible solutions to the complex challenges around us.Originality/value Spiritually inspired creative business models overcome the instrumental rationality and materialistic orientation of today’s business management which produces large scale ecological, social and ethical “ills.” The paper shows that alternative business management practices need a spiritual foundation to be more creative and caring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic literature review to identify new avenues of research in line with the ongoing changes in quality and management required to firms, especially regarding customers.Design/methodology/approach This study uses a systematic review of the literature contained in the three databases Ebsco, JSTOR, and Springerlink and on the search engine Google Scholar.Findings An analysis of the literature identifies three different clusters of papers: “identification” papers, which show that customer focus has gained importance in recent times; “implementation” papers, which highlight that a general or shared model or scale to successfully implement total quality management (TQM) does not yet exist; and “impact-on-performance” papers, which show that few studies have considered the relationship between TQM and the issues of both marketing and performance, underlining the most significant gap in the TQM literature.Research limitations/implications This study is limited by the small number of databases and search engines used and by the restricted number of keywords used in searching these sources.Practical implications This work highlights a gap in the existing research and thus an incomplete consideration of the interplay between management, marketing, and quality issues, all centered on customers and other stakeholders. Researchers and firms are thus advised to adopt a wider view that considers the role of the quality process to support the firm’s engagement of customers in activities that enhance both the customer role and customer satisfaction.Originality/value This study uses a systematic literature review to review all critical factors of TQM and identifies new research avenues and different approaches to implementing TQM, focusing on the central role that customers play in achieving firm success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study aims to review previously published issues of The Learning Organization (TLO) to assess what progress has been made since the journal started in terms of what is known about learning organizations. The author also aims to identify important gaps in what is still to be discovered about organizations that learn, partly to single out promising areas to be investigated.Design/methodology/approach The author reviews all the previously published articles in the first 20 volumes printed and reviews each issue in each volume. The author classifies the methodology undertaken by each published article as being one of the following: a conceptual study, a case study or the analysis of other data. Keywords are assessed to get insights into the shifts in research themes pursued over the years.Findings There has been a substantial increase in the number of published papers over time. The number and percentage of articles that are conceptual in nature has declined somewhat over the years. The number and percentage of articles that involve case studies has increased over the years. The number and percentage of articles that involve analyzing data has increased significantly over the years. There has been a significant shift in research focus away from topics such as management and organizational development to topics such as knowledge management and social networks. Three major areas of gaps in our knowledge of learning organizations are identified: what it means to be a learning organization, how effective are learning organizations and what contextual factors influence learning organizations.Research limitations/implications Although other journals occasionally publish research on learning organizations, attention in this paper is solely focused upon TLO.Practical implications Addressing some of the research questions identified should provide insights that will assist practicing managers.Originality/value Although not a meta analysis of this journal’s research, the author presents a “thematic analysis” of research published in this journal, and the results and insights should prove interesting and useful to scholars in the field seeking rich areas to study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to discuss challenges for management education and integrity capital promulgation in innovative ways in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and business practice. The authors present some examples of innovative strategies in the new educational era characterized by globalized AI. How will the AI co-instruction affect the acquisition of intellectual capital? Building on previously published articles and ongoing new research, and maintaining that lack of sustainable management practices, corruption in management leads to social exclusion. The paper presents innovative methods of organization's ethics and integrity branding management in diverse organizations focusing on intellectual capital management and sustainability. It proposes that the facilitation of social inclusion can be considered an innovative approach in both business management and management education. It is an opening and invitation to further exploration for finding better means for management education, integrity competencies and intellectual capital, teaching, sharing in business and society in the era of AI in educational institutions and business organizations. In addition, it seeks to build corruption-preventative contexts to construct corruption-free organizations that benefit their owners, shareholders, and community stakeholders. A particular focus is on higher educational institutions in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to explore the degree to which the editorial policies of business and management journals explicitly or implicitly discourage replication studies. Design/methodology/approach: The paper examines differences in editorial policy toward replication studies relative to journal quality, age and sub-discipline area. A total of 600 journals (listed as Q1 and Q2 in Scopus) were selected for the current study. Findings: The results reveal that out of 600 selected journals, only 28 (4.7%) were explicitly open to considering replication studies, while 331 (55.2%) were neutral, being neither explicitly nor implicitly dismissive of replication studies. A further 238 (39.7%) were implicitly dismissive of replication studies, and the remaining 3 (0.5%) journals were explicitly disinterested in considering replication studies for publication. CiteScore and Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP) of neutral journals were significantly lower than those of journals, which were implicitly discouraging replication research. With regard to the journals implicitly discouraging replications (238), journals in the subcategory of business and international management (51) had the highest percentage (21.4%) followed by strategy and management 30 (12.6%) and Organizational Behavior (OB) and Human Resource (HR) 25 (10.5%). Originality/value: The available literature does not explore the degree to which the editorial policies of business and management journals explicitly or implicitly discourage replication studies. The current study attempts to address this gap in the literature. Given the lack of support for replications among business and management journals, the current paper sets forth the suggested steps which are deemed crucial for moving beyond the replication crisis in the business and management field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of accounting through the information it provides to stakeholders, as well as the role of accounting in the development of our society. Accounting is vital for society, it is the main tool used to run businesses and state institutions, companies are decisive for defining culture, and culture is the basis of a developed society. Societies rely on its institutions, and the solution for a better world is found in the usage of reliable and independent data. It is well known the fact that subjective management decisions based on creative accounting led to big crises with negative consequences for all. Accounting has been used as the main tool to assess performance, but in order to be even more useful for society, the accounting system needs to modernize and unite, be transparent and totally independent from management. And it should be even more connected to the business model and responsive to the needs of society, in order to be able to provide valuable, comparable and useful information for all parties involved. The paper advocates for independent and forward-looking accounting, by giving up the flexibility, creativity and influence of managers, for decisions based on detailed and concrete information, transferred and consolidated in real time with the help of technology. Now accounting has the capacity to control the business and bring value to society through real-time and high-quality business reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how consulting organizations create identity online. Using a sample of 50 consulting organizations in Australia, the research discusses the strategic implications of broadcasting multiple organizational identities online and the subsequent impact this has on legitimacy. Design/methodology/approach – The research paper engages content analysis across a broad sample to highlight common practices of online identity construction. Findings – The analysis of the sample highlights the creation and perpetuation of multiple, and sometimes contradictory, identities for consulting firms in the online sphere. Originality/value – This research paper highlights how consulting firms try to differentiate themselves in an industry that is both highly competitive and frequently changing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this issue Bauerschmidt critiques a recent Strategic Management Journal paper dealing with the absence of strategy. In this paper (Inkpen and Choudhury, 1995), we argued that strategy absence should be viewed as a legitimate phenomenon of interest. Bauerschmidt maintained that we failed to instill a new strategy paradigm and challenged our arguments as a rhetorical ploy. Unfortunately, Bauerschmidt misinterpreted our intended message. Although we challenged the conventional wisdom that every firm must have an articulated strategy, instilling a new paradigm was not our objective. Our main argument was that the concept of absence may help strategy researchers better understand existing paradigms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- Ambidexterity is the ability of an organization to balance exploitation and exploration. Ambidextrous organizations perform better in managing productivity-innovation dilemma. Although the literature on ambidexterity has expanded, much less attention has been paid to the antecedents of ambidexterity. The purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents of ambidexterity and develop a multi-level taxonomy of the antecedents. Design/methodology/approach -- Based on an extensive review of the literature, the paper develops criteria for categorizing the antecedents and then develops a taxonomy of the antecedents. Findings -- Two taxonomy frameworks have been developed: one is based on infrastructural elements, including organizational structures, processes, and context, while the other is based on different organizational levels (i.e. organizational, group, and individual) at which different antecedents exist. Most of the antecedents of ambidexterity reported in the literature fall in the category of "processes" -- both individual/social and technical/procedural. Practical implications -- The paper provides an enhanced understanding of the antecedents of ambidexterity, how they relate to each other, and how they can be grouped together. The framework can help managers to apply the antecedents at various organizational levels, resulting in a more structured approach to ambidexterity. Originality/value -- The key contribution of the paper is in providing a multi-level understanding of the antecedents of ambidexterity. To the best of the author's knowledge, such a taxonomy of the antecedents of ambidexterity has not been provided in previous publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Journal of Management Studies is the property of Czestochowa University of Technology, Faculty of Management and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper resulted from a doctoral dissertation, which had one of the goals to analyze empirical research and to determine which strategic objectives entrepreneurs and managers consider most famous for the success of the business. Moreover, the paper analyses strategic issues that entrepreneurs and managers are facing each day; the problem of creating long-term relationships with customers, concern of improving the quality of products and services, dispute how to increase consumer satisfaction, etc. In the current, challenging economic conditions, entrepreneurs and managers are forced to re-examine how they operate and to determine its strategic objectives and their importance to the survival of the business. Therefore, the paper aims to analyze empirical research and to determine which strategic objectives entrepreneurs and managers consider most famous for the success of the business. The research for this paper was conducted using a questionnaire on a sample of companies from Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to establish a typology of a profession and to then assess the circumstances under which management could be classified as a profession against such a typology. Design/methodology/approach: The current paper is conceptual. The research approach consists of formulating a typology of a profession based on the literature research methodology. The resulting typology is applied to assess management as a profession. Findings: Although there have been efforts in recent literature and media commentary to position management as a profession, no thorough conceptually based analysis to rigorously analyze nor test this claim against the dominant arguments in the literature has been undertaken. The typology presents comprehensive research and analysis across disciplines to identify the circumstances under which management could be considered a profession. Research limitations/implications: The paper offers a complete typology upon which to classify a profession. It provides highly supported arguments to discern elements of a profession. The key limitation lies in capturing and organizing extensive concepts and views across diverse literature disciplines to refine a holistic perspective (i.e. accountancy, business management, ethics, psychology and sociology). Practical implications: This conceptual typology enables the design of a highly operable assessment system. It considers requisite standards for professions. It also informs potential professional bodies of the obligations to which they and their members must adhere to achieve and retain the status of a profession. Originality/value: A comprehensive typology indicating the interdependent requirements and obligations required by a profession has not been espoused in either popular business journals or academic journals across the discipline areas now covered by this research investigation. The contribution provides a comprehensive academic argument to answer the question: can management be considered a profession? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between trust and control in managing organizational uncertainties, focusing on the significant role that the management accounting system can play in this relationship. While previous studies have often treated trust as part of the control system, this paper differentiates trust from control. However, the two remain closely related because information from the control system can also be used to assess levels of trust. Specifically, the paper examines the role that information from three types of control (output, behavioral, and social) plays in determining two types of trust (competency and goodwill). Competency trust and goodwill trust are examined at the operational and executive levels, respectively, and in terms of information that builds as well as destroys trust. The findings from a case study of a joint venture between two international airlines indicate that controls produce information that reinforces competency trust at an operational level, but leaves goodwill trust at an executive level relatively vulnerable to a betrayal of goodwill trust. The implications for the design of management accounting systems are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of the paper is to introduce the themed issue about qualitative research in the business and management field. Design/methodology/approach - The paper considers some issues about how to define the term ‘qualitative research’, and then introduces each of the papers in the themed issue. Findings - The contents of this themed issue demonstrate the insights that qualitative research can make into the management field. Originality/value - A large amount of interest was generated in the themed issue. As a consequence, Emerald Publishing Group are launching a new journal which specifically focuses on qualitative research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the application of frameworks in order to explain how key features of the intra-firm learning processes influence inter-firm differences in technological capability accumulation in the late-industrializing or latecomer context. This relationship is examined in two of the largest steel firms in Brazil over their lifetimes of 40 and 60 years. These issues have been addressed, individually or together, in different studies of 'technological capability' and 'learning' in industrialized and latecomer firms. However, there is a scarcity of analytical frameworks and supporting empirical evidence to explore the practical implications of the underlying learning processes for inter-firm differences in technological capability-accumulation paths, particularly within the latecomer context. The framework for capability accumulation identifies different types and levels of technological capabilities. The framework for learning identifies four processes: external and internal knowledge acquisition, knowledge socialization, and knowledge codification. These are examined on the basis of key features: variety, intensity and functioning. Drawing on in-depth comparative case study methodology, the study has found that: (i) the technological capability accumulation paths followed by the two firms diverged and have proceeded at differing rates over time, and (ii) key features of the intra-firm learning processes have played a substantial part in influencing these differences. The paper suggests that, at least within large latecomer steel firms, purposeful, continuous and effective efforts to improve on key features of the underlying learning processes are likely to generate positive implications for the manner and rate of technological capability accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forecasts the future of the pulp and paper industry in the U.S. Likelihood for a smaller number of suppliers to sell products and services to pulp and paper mills; Need for mill staff to enhance troubleshooting skills; Continuation in the incapability of new graduates to assume management responsibilities in the industry.

Copyright of Strategic Universe Journal / Univers Strategic is the property of Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University, Institute for Security Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Factor analysis is a standard statistical technique for reducing data dimensionality, which is widely used in sociology, psychology, and demography. Also, financial and insurance institutions commonly use such a technique for marketing research. In recent years, factor analysis has been used, at the beginning rather diffidently, to analyse selected problems of business management, e.g. to troubleshoot consumer and company communication. There are some literature reports about the successful use of factor analysis in managing a company area. Nevertheless, the literature seems to lack examples with successful use of the method with a clear explanation of its rather difficult application in the field of competitiveness or potential company boost. The modest popularity of such a powerful technique in this particular field seems to be attributed mainly to the complexity of the method and its requirements concerning the data quantity. Besides, the factor analysis technique has great potential and can be used as an efficient tool to reduce the complexity of observed phenomenon or verify the accuracy of theoretical models. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present a vast potential of factor analysis (both exploratory and confirmatory) applied to solve various problems in company management, especially related to competitiveness and market success. Two case studies covering the subject of business management are presented to illustrate the benefits of factor analysis application. The exploratory factor analysis is exemplified by the search of factors related to the commercial success of the company, while the confirmatory technique is illustrated by a case study of the intellectual capital of the company and its factors related to competitiveness. The paper also presents the essence of the factor analysis, types of analysis, subsequent procedures, purposes, and its specific features. Finally, the applicability of the factor analysis to solve management issues and possible gain in management are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Journal of Management Studies is the property of Czestochowa University of Technology, Faculty of Management and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses topics discussed at International Association for Management Development in Dynamic Societies that was held in Brdo pri Kranju, Slowenien from June 9-10, 2016. Topics discussed include corporate governance and related developmental challenges, socioeconomic system, and top management.

In the context of the new normal economy, the supply-side reform has become the main idea of a macroeconomic policy that stimulates economic growth. The economic development patterns of all enterprises need to be improved in the context of supply-side reform. One of the most important issues is the change in the supply chain of enterprises. In the supply chain, the integrated model problem of supply, manufacture, and sales is the most important research area in the supply chain. In this paper, an integrated model including suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors is established. This model contains linear equation of state and neural network nonlinear model. This paper presents the objective function and constraints of the supply chain, such as inventory cost, supply cost, production level and so on. For the integration model of supply chain, the simulated annealing method was used to optimize and the initial conditions were empirically analyzed on the background of Liaohua Company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]