Abstract Purpose – The aim of this paper is to discuss the apparent paradox that multinational firms may and sometimes do pursue social benefits as their main objective. Design/methodology/approach – This paper explores the grey area that lays between some consolidated analytical concepts, namely: spillovers, corporate responsibility, social cooperation and non-governmental organizations.…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how a stakeholder approach based on a case-study research was used to define a method to be applied across the Portuguese seaport administrations (SA) in order to justify the tariffs to be charged for a variety of services provided by these entities. Design/methodology/approach – The study involved both the Portuguese maritime t…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine what types of shipping knowledge are crucial in order for shipping companies to survive in dynamic business environment, and to investigate how the shipping knowledge affects the company’s performance (i.e. organizational innovation and logistics value). This paper also diagnoses the moderating effect of absorptive capacity on the …
Here in the quiet hours of my life, I write this short story for which I give much credit to my wife Ying-Lun for this opportunity and for her advice, interpretations and giving me the understanding, time, patience, love and “quiet time” needed to accomplish this writing that I have longed to do for so many years. I dedicate this book to my wife Ying-Lun Ng Fletcher. and To Dr. David C. Wyl…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this research is to empirically develop a service-driven market orientation construct and test its relationships with service quality. Design/methodology/approach – The researcher employs Critical Incident Technique to generate items for the survey instrument. Then, the quantitative-based descriptive research uses structured questionnaires to capture the …
Abstract Purpose – When deploying a frigate to the Gulf of Aden as a part of the Operation Atalanta, the Norwegian Defence outsourced logistics to a TPL provider. The purpose of this paper is to explore the cooperation between the Defence and the TPL provider during the operation. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative design was chosen. Semi-structured interviews were combined with r…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need for an entity to manage airborne relief when a nation’s civil aviation authorities are overwhelmed or incapacitated due to a major rapid-onset disaster. Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines why relief airflow management was so vital during the 2010 Haiti earthquake and how this management was accomplished. …
Liberia is at the crossroads. Still recovering from a protracted civil war, there is inadequate education, high illiteracy rates particularly for women and where the population is 90 percent food insecure. Libraries are non-existent outside of universities at which libraries are woefully inadequate. Through various initiatives Rutgers University and others are working to help develop a twenty-f…
Abstract Purpose – To carry out a practical experiment into the feasibility of service orientation to achieve a dynamic, late-binding service architecture. Design/methodology/approach – Literature view to provide a foundation in standards and measure anecdotal opinion regarding service orientation. The review informed an architectural design based on real world requirements from a multinat…
abstract Energy use in the production of desirable output often results in the generation of undesirable emission with detrimental impact on the environment, and whose disposal is frequently monitored by public authorities. Previous studies, however, paid little attention to undesirable output and environmental regulation related to its disposal while estimating energy use efficiency. Analysis…
Kee-Hung Lai is an Associate Professor with research interest in logistics management in the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He has co-authored three books and his research papers have been accepted or published by various journals such as Industrial Marketing Management, Journal of Business Logistics, Omega and others. T.C. Edwin Cheng is Cha…
Abstrack The transition from direct service to management in human service organizations requires newly promoted managers to engage in significant role transformation that calls into question their self-concept and identity. This analysis draws upon the for-profit and nonprofit literature to construct a conceptual model of managerial identity formation. The model is then applied to a case vign…
Abstrack There has been a proliferation of studies on product perceptions based on the country of origin. Most of these studies were conducted in western or developed countries. Studies in the less developed nations are still scarce, especially research conducted in the former Soviet Union. With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the former Soviet republics offer vast new market opportu…
The Advanced Management Development Programme (AMDP) was introduced by West Sussex County Council, UK, in 1999. The programme runs in partnership with the University of Chichester, which offer a Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management on completion of the programme. Since the commencement of the programme, 134 West Sussex County Council Managers have taken part with a further 14 managers …
Abstract In this paper we use directional technology distance functions to evaluate the impact of environmental regulations on firms’ performance. Following Fa¨re et al. [Fa¨re, R., Grosskopf, S., Lovell, C.A.K., Pasurka, C., 1989. Multilateral productivity comparisons when some outputs are undesirable: a nonparametric approach. The Review of Economics and Statistics 71, 90–98.], we cons…
Abstract It is well known that within an economic region, shippers' practice of logistics is shaped significantly by various factors, such as transportation regulation. The precise purpose of this paper is to describe these factors and their influence on logistics practice in the New Zealand context. Discusses the various modes of domestic freight transport, as well as the deregulation and pr…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe in detail how “process knowledge worker” based task forces can enable effective business process improvement (BPI). This successful methodology involves innovation (I), action learning (AL), and extends throughout the organisation (O). The authors show that the resultant IALO is a repeatable and transferable approach to sustaina…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore effective dynamic capabilities for new product development project in complex product systems (CoPS) industries. This paper focuses on developing an exploratory framework for understanding dimensions of dynamic capabilities in CoPS distinguished from mass-produced goods.
Abstract Purpose – The arrival of global manufacturers has brought about new challenges such as environmental concerns and sustainability of supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to identify implementation level, major drivers, various practices and performance of environmentally and socially-conscious supply chain management (SCM) in the context of the automobile industry in India.
Abstract Purpose – This paper presents a method for estimating the macro-economic cost of a firm-level information system disruption within a supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – The authors combine field study estimates with a Leontief-based input-output model to estimate the macro-economic costs of a targeted internet outage that disrupts the supply chain.
Abstract Purpose – Many service providers feel confident about their service quality and thus offer service guarantees to their customers. Yet service failures are inevitable. As guarantees can only be invoked when customers report service failures, firms are given the opportunity to redress the original failure potentially influencing customer outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to prov…
Abstract The decision on which countries will participate in European Monetary Union (EMU) is to take place as early as possible in 1998, with the final run-in, regarding the technicalities of introducing a single currency, starting on 1 January 1999. With this timetable in mind, examines some of the major issues which will have to be confronted by UK retailers. Even if the UK Government decid…
Abstract Purpose – This paper aims to examine the impact of oil prices on trade’s sensitivity to distance. Furthermore, it seeks to investigate if the nature of trade and the type of goods have a mediating role on the oil prices’ impact on trade. Design/methodology/approach – A set of gravity models are estimated on a unique panel dataset from China Customs Statistics that reports tra…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the link between efficiency and profitability in the US specialty retailers and food consumer stores using cross-sectional data for the year 2007. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach to measure the relative efficiency of 45 retailers in the USA. The study also qu…
Abstract Purpose – Among emerging countries’ foreign direct investment (FDI) in Europe, the Chinese and the Indian ones are the more relevant. Therefore, the paper focuses on Chinese and Indian affiliates in Europe, with a twofold purpose: to shed light on their characteristics and behaviour and to analyse some policy issues in the EU stemming from their arrival to Europe. Design/methodol…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedents and consequences of consumer satisfaction with the use of self-service technology (SST) in a retail setting. Design/methodology/approach – In cooperation with a survey firm, a total of 424 respondents were collected from among consumers who had experience of using multimedia kiosks at convenience stores in Tai…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reveal how the prices, costs, and logistics develop in the case mill and how these variables correlate with profits, and finally to give suggestions for improvements. Design/methodology/approach – A typical Finnish paper mill is selected for the basis of the case study. The complete data for the mill for the years 2001 to 2007 at a monthly…
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this manuscript is to quantify exactly how much information and/or predictive content is contained in business sentiment surveys. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses techniques drawn from information theory econometrics, and more specifically the theory of information entropy, to characterize the predictive content of business sentiment surveys. …
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how to achieve business improvement using clear organisational goals and well-communicated vision, together with a powerful process modelling technique and an analysis of the adopted e-business development stages
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the process, network, skills and practices of service parts logistics organizations in the Asia Pacific region. Specifically, it attempts to propose a new framework for service parts logistics management based on interview inputs from several leading automotive and aerospace companies. This paper also seeks to identify the trends and …
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the production processes utilized by the Malaysian construction industry (MCI). Design/methodology/approach – The paper follows an earlier work published in this journal in which the authors analyze the global construction industry focusing on the evolution of lean production systems. Findings – The future of construction is …
Abstract Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to study the development and implementation of metadata schemes in Swedish governmental agencies, in order to gain a better understanding of recordkeeping practices in contemporary organisations and of the use of metadata and practical implementation of metadata schemes. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on two case studies. Th…
The purpose of this study is to examine the use of the strategic management tool, Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats or SWOT analysis, and to assess how the methodology has been used as well as changes to the methodology. The findings both for and against SWOTanalysis should lead to a balanced view of the technique as well as yield ideas for needed theory building.
"This definitive work on HR competencies provides ideas and tools that help HR professionals develop their career and make their organization effective. -Edward E. Lawler III, Professor, University of Southern California "This book is a crucial blueprint of what it takes to succeed. A must have for every HR professional." -Lynda Gratton, Professor, London Business School "One single concept…
In a world of stiffening competition, business strategy is more crucial than ever. Yet most organizations struggle in this area--not with formulating strategy but with executing it, or putting their strategy into action. Owing to execution failures, companies realize just a fraction of the financial performance promised in their strategic plans.
It doe…
Jugaad innovation : a frugal and flexible approach to innovation for the 21st century
Jaman berubah demikian pula lingkungan hidup sebuah organisasi atau perusahaan berubah, seperti perubahan dalam batasan-batasan industri, globalisasi serta munculnya teknologi-teknologi baru dan semakin canggih. Perubahan-perubahan yang terjadi tersebut memaksa para manajer perusahaan untuk menyesuaikan strategi-strategi mengelola perusahaan mereka. Untuk memilih strategi yang tepat dan yang ak…
Despite the prevalence of its use, very little is understood about the role of electronic commerce (EC) practice on the strategic management of container shipping companies. Four case studies were undertaken to assess the main uses, motivations, barriers and strategic relevance of EC in the container shipping industry between 1992 and 2002. The cases studies included one large, one medium and o…
Knowledge is a resource that is valuable to an organization's ability to innovate and compete. It exists within the individual employees, and also in a composite sense within the organization. According to the resourcebased view of the firm (RBV), strategic assets are the critical determinants of an organization's ability to maintain a sustainable competitive advantage. This paper will combine …
In recent years, ports have experienced a period of significant growth and development along with intense inter-port rivalry as a consequence of intermodality and hinterland development. It is therefore vital that port management bodies define and implement suitable strategies. This paper aims to adapt the benchmarking technique to the sphere of ports. Compares the activity of a port with tha…
In recent years, ports have experienced a period of significant growth and development along with intense inter-port rivalry as a consequence of intermodality and hinterland development. It is therefore vital that port management bodies define and implement suitable strategies. This paper aims to adapt the benchmarking technique to the sphere of ports. Compares the activity of a port with that …
This study serve aims to fill a gap in the supply management literature with respect to supply management contribution to channel members’ performance and its antecedents: strategic supply management skills and supplier integration. The resource-based theory of the firm is used to establish the tested theoretical framework.
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the intersection of two literature streams: that of strategy and supply chain management (SCM). This review should create a better understanding of “strategic SCM” by focussing on relevant theories in the strategic management field and their intersection with SCM to develop a joint research agenda.
The paper extends a central paradigm of the strategy literature to the supply chain environment to foster a better understanding of the elements characterizing strategic decisions that lead to supply chain structural development and performance.
Based on a literature review of terrorism and global business literature, this paper addresses those conditions that may lead to new considerations about risk and its management at policy and the MNE (multinational enterprise) level. How do MNEs adapt to the 09/11 ‐ type risk in strategic management that shapes choices made for internationalization and for international business operations? I…
Reports the results of an empirical study investigating the key factors that affected the survival of large manufacturing organizations between 1982 and 1993 in Australia. Four broad categories of variables were examined: environmental variables, organizational variables, company strategies and ownership characteristics. Using logistic regression analysis, it was found that the following variab…
The development of strategic supply chain mapping techniques has been slowed by four critical issues. The purpose of this paper is to answer a call to address supply chain mapping techniques and issues. It offers recommendations for more readable and useful strategic supply chain maps .
An e-fulfillment system is designed to meet the high order volume and stringent customer service requirements of global business-to-consumer e-commerce. The system converts the traditional warehouse into a multi-channel e-fulfillment center. In the e-commerce environment, some of the toughest decisions must be made on little or no hard information. In this study, the nature of e-business and th…