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To contribute to current debate concerning approaches to teaching and learning for researching complex work-based problems, we focus on the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) programme. We examine the development of an integrated action learning approach as part of a part-time DBA offered by a university in the UK. In adopting the lens of socio-technical systems (STS) theory we address two important questions; how can action learning be adapted on a DBA programme to enhance students' learning together and learning apart? And, what insights can be drawn from conceptualising DBA learning as a socio-technical system? Through the collection of natural data from student feedback, meeting notes, action logs and the facilitators reflections, we develop a framework of integrated action learning as a socio-technical system. Through this framework we propose a model of action learning that enhances the ability of students to learn together and learn whilst apart. We also reflect on how technology has enabled distance learners to interrogate their complex work-based problems through collaborative questioning, focused on research-based inquiry, both together, and apart on their own learning journey.

Professional Doctorates have similar attributes of a PhD, but are arguably not as universally known. Moreover, professional doctorates have an added level of complexity, as students become scholar-practitioners by ensuring that they make a significant contribution to professional practice. However, professional doctorate education is often challenging due to the lack of research preparedness of professional doctorate students, who typically have been away from higher education for a number of years. Although these students may have built astute business mind sets, it could be argued that their approach to scholarly research is less so. So to achieve engaged scholarship that enables professional doctorate students to become scholar practitioners, it is crucial to create the correct learning environment. Using the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at Liverpool Business School, UK, as a case study, the ability to deliver professional doctorate education is explored, and pertinently the challenge and experience of how the teaching and learning environment has transitioned since the COVID-10 pandemic is evaluated. Finally, key lessons are outlined as to how to design professional doctorate programmes that are resilient to disruptions to conventional teaching and learning practices.

Despite redundancies having far reaching consequences for organisations, relatively limited attention has been paid to the conflicting experiences of those implementing the redundancy process; the redundancy envoys. By drawing on theories of cognitive dissonance and 'dirty work' we explain how individuals implementing redundancies can experience a disconnect between their outward and inner emotions. We reconceptualise redundancy envoys as quasi-dirty workers as they intermittently perform 'dirty work' tasks that may be perceived as morally tainted, whilst recognising their conventional role incorporates tasks perceived as contrary to that of 'dirty work'. Our study draws on insider research access to redundancy envoys over a five-year period during the implementation of four consecutive redundancy programmes, providing the opportunity to observe decisions and actions in 'real time.' We offer a contemporary reconceptualisation of the redundancy envoywhich permits a deeper understanding of the negative impact on redundancy envoys and offers opportunities to examine how this can be reduced. In addition, it is anticipated that the results of this study will offer support to HR functions in reducing the stigma of 'dirty work' for redundancy envoys with the intention of enhancing the management of redundancy implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global supply chains feature multi-tier systems encompassing many geographically dispersed and sequential partners operating across diversified product chains. This research attempts to examine the different mechanisms that reinforce the management of sustainability throughout complex multi-tier supply chain. Using a multi-case study of a sample of eight firms and relying on the foundations of complexity theory, this research recognises the complex operating environment of global multi-tier supply chains and reveals various mechanisms to effectively manage and facilitate the relationships with first- and lower-tier suppliers. Although institutional controls are important to manage the sustainability of first-tier suppliers, the findings posit that due to the inherent complexities of global multi-tier supply chains, duplicating institutional controls to lower-tier suppliers might not be effective. Therefore, firms should attempt to foster modest mechanisms that reinforce adaptation and self-organisation, for example, collaboration and guiding mechanisms, to effectively manage the sustainability of lower-tier suppliers. The research contributes to multi-tier sustainable supply chain management literature by exploring the different mechanisms to manage multi-tier supply chains and the inherent complexities that may impact on firms' endeavours in achieving their sustainability goals. Managers can utilise different contingent mechanisms to effectively manage the relationships with suppliers that are beyond their immediate visibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global sourcing and increased interdependencies between organisations have created more complex multi-tier supply chains. While these supply chains have been instrumental in keeping the world moving, they equally pose sustainability issues. In the extant literature, there is a growing number of studies on sustainable multi-tier supply chains. However, there has been limited effort to take stock of existing research to set an agenda for future studies. To address this gap, this study reviews 64 articles through the lens of the triple bottom line theory. Based on the findings, the study develops a framework for sustainable multi-tier supply chains and provides direction for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplier selection is crucial decision for buying companies to develop sustainable supply chain strategy. Not only first-tier suppliers but also lower-tier suppliers would influence the buyer's sustainability performance. Thus, buying companies need to consider extending their sustainable supply chain plan to multitier suppliers, and develop multitier sustainable supply chain management (MT-SSCM). Sustainable supplier selection (SSS), as an important SSCM practice, can effectively enhance the sustainable competitiveness of supply chains. However, there are few theoretical studies on SSS under MT-SSCM, which affects the decision-making efficiency of organisations. In general, there are three multitier supply chain (MTSC) structures: open MTSC, closed MTSC and transitional MTSC structures. Because some traditional decision models cannot deal with a variety of structures at the same time, this study proposes a hybrid model that integrates fuzzy set theory, stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis and a Bayesian network to evaluate the critical SSS criteria in three MTSC structures. Finally, a case of a Chinese buying company is used to verify the flexibility and applicability of the proposed model, and some suggestions are provided for the practitioners to select sustainable suppliers in different MTSC structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Theoretically rooted in public service logic (PSL), this article explores managers' experiences constructing value propositions and facilitating the value creation process in a public sector environment. It reports on a qualitative study from a Norwegian municipal setting based on individual and focus group interviews supported by participant observations and relevant documents. The data were analyzed according to the guidelines of stepwise-deductive inductive analysis (SDI). The findings substantiate changes in the utilized supported housing forms and highlight urgency's pervasive effect on transition processes to supported housing for individuals with intellectual disabilities and the need for around-the-clock support. This study contributes to public management research by examining the process of constructing value propositions and the managers' efforts to contribute to the formation of more realistic expectations towards the municipality's scope and level of service among prospective service users and their families. The article contributes to the PSL discourse by providing the complementary concept of expectation–reality mitigation as a particular form of expectation management suited for the complexities and constraints of value creation in public service settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global supply networks encompass many inter-connected suppliers. Many of these suppliers are unpredictable and beyond the direct realm of the company, making the management of sustainability a difficult task. This research attempts to put forth a profound exploration of the integration of sustainability across complex multi-tier supply networks through the utilization of blockchain technology. The research includes a selected literature review compromising well-cited research that focuses on multi-tier supply networks and blockchain technology. The findings suggest that blockchain can enhance suppliers' visibility. Managers will have increased transparency and traceability of their global supply networks, which will eventually reduce information asymmetry and limit opportunistic behaviors. Furthermore, the connectivity and rapid/immutable sustainable information sharing features associated with blockchain increase suppliers' predictability and create robust sustainable supply networks. Despite the potential benefits enabled by the technology, the research highlights some vital complexities that may obstruct the adoption of the technology across multi-tier supply networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article utilizes input from service scholars, practitioners, reviews of published literature, and influential policy documents to identify service research priorities that push the boundaries of extant research. In a companion piece, we focused on four service research priorities related to managing and delivering service in turbulent times. Further, we identified a set of stakeholder-wants from the literature and included research questions that tie key stakeholder-wants to each of the three priorities in this article and the four priorities in the companion article. Here, we highlight the critical importance of scholarship and practice related to the design of sustainable service ecosystems and discuss three key service research priorities: large-scale and complex service ecosystems for transformative impact (SRP5), platform ecosystems and marketplaces (SRP6), and services for disadvantaged consumers and communities (SRP7). We call for an engaged service scholarship that considers the interrelationships among consumers, organizations, employees, platforms, and societal institutions and pursues transformative goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]