bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Step‐in or step‐out: supporting innovation through communities of practice
Authors: Borzillo Stefano , Kaminska‐Labbé Renata
Published: November 2014

Purpose

To provide managers, researchers, and consultants with practical insights on using Communities of Practice to support innovation in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is based on a four‐year longitudinal case study of five Communities of Practice (CoPs) within a Specialty Chemicals division of a multinational company Alpha. Primary (interviews, direct observation) and secondary (internal documents) data were collected and analysed resulting in several conclusions about the role of Communities of Practice in supporting organizational innovation.

Findings

The main conclusion drawn from the study is that supporting innovation involves switching between different degrees of managerial involvement in Communities of Practice, namely step‐in and step‐out modes. The step‐in mode results in knowledge expansion, which supports incremental innovation while the step‐out mode leads to knowledge probing which supports radical innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a single case study of a firm which successfully used CoPs to support innovation across its R&D teams; generalizing these results would require the analysis of additional cases.

Practical implications

The paper provides managers with practical recommendations on how to align CoP dynamics with the specific innovation needs of an organization. On the one hand, CoPs require a great deal of autonomy if they are to generate radical innovation. On the other, when incremental innovation is needed managers can and should steer CoP activities.

Originality/value

The data, approach, and analysis are all original. This paper enriches the existing theory on the role of CoPs in supporting innovation by highlighting the need to adapt the degree of managerial involvement. The findings resolve the existing tension between two opposing streams of research – that which considers CoPs as self‐organized, emergent and fully autonomous systems and the other, which advocates that CoPs require managerial guidance.
Outside director experience, compensation, and performance
Authors: Shiah‐Hou Shin‐Rong , Cheng Chin‐Wei
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how outside directors' experience and their compensation affect firm performance through the quality of their monitoring and advising, when traditional board structure devices do not seem to work well.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors use a two‐way fixed effects (FE) regression model to explore the effects of outside director experience and compensation on firm performance. Second, in order to address the potential endogeneity problem of outside director compensation, the authors adopt two‐stage least squares regression (2SLS).

Findings

Controlling for other potentially influential variables, it is found that outside director experience and outside director compensation have an economically positive impact on a firm's accounting and market performance. Even when taking into account the endogeneity problem of outside director compensation, outside director compensation and experience still have positive effects on firm performance, consistent with the authors' predictions.

Practical implications

It is inferred that regulators are able to ask publicly owned firms to provide outside director's experience and compensation in detail. In addition, future research should investigate the social relationships between outside directors, which also affect the functions of monitoring and advising.

Originality/value

First, this paper contributes to this area of the extant literature by simultaneously considering the direct impacts arising from the outside director's experience and compensation. Second, the paper highlights the importance of considering multiple dimensions of director's experience in assessing its effects on firm performance.
Boopsie and librarians: connecting mobile learners and the library
Authors: Johnstone Brian T.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview of the Boopsie product for creation of a mobile device application for deployment on all major mobile devices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the experience of implementing this mobile app product at Bucks County Community College Library, including interfacing with the integrated library system and preexisting web‐based services.

Findings

Implementation of this product was done with ease, a minimum of staff time and was affordable. Usage is dispersed across a variety of mobile device networks.

Practical implications

Readers will understand how this product is utilized at Bucks and will see how this fits into an overall strategy of creating a sense of place for the mobile learner.

Originality/value

Libraries will be able to determine whether this service will be of benefit to their users.
The organizational performance of learning companies
Authors: Goh Swee C. , Ryan Peter J.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

A growing body of literature on organizational learning suggests that companies or organizations with a learning capability can gain a competitive advantage. The argument is that learning organizations are better at knowledge transfer and generating new knowledge to solve problems. The objective of this study is to examine empirically if learning companies are more competitive and better performers than their competitors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines a portfolio of learning companies and a set of their competitors, looking at their financial performance over a significant period. Learning companies were selected based on content analysis of the published literature. Competitors were selected from an existing top 500 companies listing matched to the learning company's business domain. This study compares their performance using both market and accounting financial data.

Findings

The data show that learning companies demonstrate strong performance in financial markets over time, beating the traditional market indexes in both bull and bear markets. The accounting data show similar results. On a majority of the financial measures, the long‐term financial performance of learning companies is significantly superior to that of their closest competitors.

Research limitations/implications

This study discusses and explores the implications of these results in studying the link between learning companies and organizational performance. A limitation of the study is the small sample size of learning companies in the study. Also some potential alternative explanations for their performance cannot be completely ruled out due to the longitudinal nature of the study.

Originality/value

This study shows that there is a positive link between learning capability and competitive advantage, as measured by long‐term market financial performance of a group of learning companies.
Fatigue Properties of BGA Solder Joints: A Comparison of Thermal and Power Cycle Tests
Authors: Albrecht H.‐J. , Gamalski J.
Published: November 2014

To meet the state‐of‐the‐art requirements of BGA assemblies necessitates direct coupling
of field conditions, simulation tools for life‐time study and advanced experiments for the
assessment of physical degradation. For conventionally soldered SMD components, transformations
between test and field conditions are still not completely known. For new types of array components,
the answers critically depend upon ‘Component age’ and change in fatigue mechanisms.
The increasing complexity of microelectronic assemblies and the hidden joints of BGAs lead to an
increase in reliability problems in this field. Therefore, to describe failure‐free times for
different applications, fatigue relevant parameters of the ball solder joints need to be studied. With regard to the thermal coefficient of expansion, BGAs are mainly asymmetrical, consequently
residual strains and stresses are generated in the solder joint array. The level of strains and stresses
depends upon the global and local mismatch, the applied operating conditions and the temperature
distribution in the ball solder joint array (chip location, ambient and operating temperature).
For thermo‐mechanical cycling procedures, hold and ramp times at upper and lower
temperatures (e.g., −20°C/+100°C) are used to initiate strains in
materials and interfaces. BGAs and PCBs show comparable thermal levels with regards to the test
procedures mentioned before, and the resulting stress conditions in the ball solder joints are a function
of package size, DNP, etc. The test results with regard to the generation of cracks are not
directly comparable to the fatigue behaviour under operating conditions. Therefore, different types of
degradation tests were developed: thermo‐mechanical, mechanical, electrical
and/or corrosive procedures. Depending upon the chip location in the BGA package
(symmetrically: PBGA, TBGA, CBGA; asymmetrically
:MCM‐BGA) frequencies, lateral and vertical temperature distribution under
simulated power dissipations, and the internally generated heat will be used to induce stresses in the ball
solder joints. For different values of power dissipation and ambient conditions, thermal measurements
were performed, screening the top to the bottom side of the BGA and the array field. The resulting
information is a precondition in order to define power cycle parameters. For different test procedures,
locations of defects, crack initiation and growth in ball solder joints were studied by metallographic
analysis. The practical measurements serve as analytical input to compare thermal and power
cycle tests and they are a necessary step to perform a lifetime prediction.
The development of a sex offender assessment and treatment service within a community learning disability team (the SHEALD project): part 2
Authors: Olsen Angela , Ravey Michael
Published: November 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a commentary on the previous paper in this issue on “The development of a sex offender assessment and treatment service within a Community Learning Disability Team (the SHEALD project): part 2”.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors consider the nature of traditional service delivery for people with learning/intellectual disabilities and the potential that services have for the physical, emotional and sexual abuse of these vulnerable people.

Findings

The authors argue that effective community based treatment/support is best delivered in a way that acknowledges and employs the range of skills offered by practitioners from health and social care backgrounds.

Originality/value

Both SHEALD and HIST are examples of community treatment programmes which show that a person‐centred approach supported by a dedicated and consistent team of practitioners may be an effective way of addressing complex, high‐risk behaviours.
Enhancing mental health services through joint delivery with employment and other essential community services: early lessons from an innovative New Zealand program
Authors: Nepe Melanie , Pini Tyron , Waghorn Geoff
Published: November 2014

Purpose

Clients often report reluctance in attending publicly funded mental health services, particularly when those services are provided at segregated and stand‐alone locations well known to the wider community. One way to address this stigma‐driven reluctance to attend appointments is to deliver mental health services in combination with employment services, education and training, income support, housing, disability support, legal services, and other health services, as an essential suite of community services. This paper aims to research this possibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines the early planning and implementation phases of the Huntly Community Link project.

Findings

The paper finds that ongoing joint governance and management, clear on‐site leadership, and an evaluation strategy are needed to ensure joint service delivery goals are attained.

Practical implications

Several important practical issues emerge. For instance, differences in organisational culture take time to change towards greater support for the new joint service delivery goals.

Social implications

Early indicators suggest that the Huntly Community highly values the joint delivery of these essential services from a suitable purpose designed building.

Originality/value

This is an innovative New Zealand program that promises to reduce attendance stigma by nesting the delivery of publicly‐funded mental health services among a broad mix of other essential community services.
Learning opportunities for nurses working within home care
Authors: Lundgren Solveig
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore home care nurses' experience of learning in a multicultural environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on qualitative research design. Data were collected through repeated interviews with registered home care nurses working in a multicultural area. The data were analyzed through a qualitative content analysis with a direct approach.

Findings

Six categories describing nurses' experiences of learning were developed in order to define which components were determinative in facilitating or constraining home care in a multicultural environment. The findings show that home care demands high individual nursing skills and also offers many opportunities for further learning. The most important sources of learning were the challenges presented in the daily experience of encountering diversity of patients and families, by informal social interactions and exchange of knowledge with colleagues.

Research limitations/implications

The strength of this study is that data are collected by two different methods with time for reflection in between. Limitations are that only female nurses participate in the study and from one team of nurses.

Practical implications

The findings can be used by nurses to create an awareness of the opportunities that exist in everyday work. For managers, this study highlights learning and constraints that exist on the organisation level.

Originality/value

This article adds to existing research by describing the learning environment for home care nurses in relation to the theoretical framework that examines the factors which either facilitate or constrain learning at work.
Reflecting the experience of truth: issues of empathy in narrative inquiry
Authors: Çelik Servet
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to underscore the issues of empathy in narrative inquiry, particularly in cases where the researcher shares numerous characteristics in common with the research population. The author explores the use of narrative as a qualitative research tool, as well as a means for addressing the challenges of maintaining objectivity in circumstances where empathy and understanding may overpower the need for unbiased reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

This narrative case study, which is based on the author's doctoral research, was designed according to a framework of critical theory, as the original intent of the project was to expose the challenges and injustices faced by Turkish study‐abroad scholarship recipients who are required to serve as university faculty members in the Turkish university system upon completion of their graduate degrees.

Findings

The researcher found that, in opposition to his belief that government‐sponsored scholars were able to contribute significantly to higher education, the strict hierarchy and bureaucratic nature of the Turkish university system prevented them from accomplishing their objectives.

Originality/value

This study is unique in that it is the only qualitative investigation which relates the personal narratives of Turkish faculty members who, at the same time they are charged with bringing innovation to a stagnating system, are deterred by that same system from achieving this aim. As such, it serves to advocate for this marginalized group and to call attention to the need for meaningful and comprehensive reform.
Working in partnership with family carers: the importance of learning from carers' experiences
Authors: Watkins Joy , Stanton Lorely , Saunders Barry , Lasocki Gillian , Chung Pat , Hibberd Penny
Published: November 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss professionals working in partnership with family carers and the importance of learning from their experiences in designing and delivering support to themselves and people with dementia.

Design/methodology/approach

Working in partnership with carers is a key goal of policy and practice. This paper demonstrates how this can work in practice.

Findings

Key issues are synthesized, drawing on the stories of three carers who shared their stories as part of the original conference workshop on which the paper is based.

Originality/value

Lessons for professionals about the nature of the dementia caring journey and dimensions of good practice are highlighted.
HR’s role in implementing JTI’s global ERP system: How HR’s focus on change management was key to a successful ERP project
Authors: Cotran Khalil , Buchmeiser Ursula , Seguin Jean‐Luc , BillPelster
Published: November 2014

In 1999, JT International was comprised of over 100 disparate companies. A global ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system was vital to transform the company into a modern multinational. Find out how HR and the change management team focused on the “people” side of change to ensure the four‐year project came in on time and on budget.
An Examination of Cross‐cultural Differences in Attitudes Towards Risk: Testing Prospect Theory in the People’s Republic of China
Authors: Brumagim Alan L. , Xianhua Wu
Published: November 2014

A research stream known as prospect theory describes how decision biases lead to results that differ from those predicted by classical utility theory (Kahneman and Tversky, 1979). Prospect theory hypothesizes that individuals will experience potential losses more intensely than potential gains, and will be more risk‐seeking in loss situations, while more risk‐avoiding in gain situations. This study includes 948 participants from the PRC and 318 students from the USA. All of our attempts to replicate these findings in the Peoples’ Republic of China have revealed a different pattern. Chinese subjects consistently demonstrated risk‐seeking preferences, both in gain and loss situations.
Emerging determinants of firm performance
Authors: Ribeiro Serra Fernando , Portugal Ferreira Manuel
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study advance four factors – strategy pillars – that help explain firms' success: leader and top management team; strategic focus; trust in the future; and resources support.

Design/methodology/approach

These factors were identified in five case studies of well‐known multinational corporations often referred to in the strategy literature and research.

Findings

The paper proposes the four pillars from a resource‐based view (RBV) as a departure point for the identification of strategic resources.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations derive from case study methodology, such as difficulty of generalization. The paper helps clarify how to look at the resources and how the strategy pillars may embody the four characteristics VRIN.

Practical implications

The role of the chief executive officer entrepreneur as a core strategic pillar.

Social implications

To deepen understanding of strategic leadership succession, namely to avoid firms' decline once the founding father retires.

Originality/value

The paper not only uses the RBV to help identify strategic resources and understand the major strategic pillars of competitive advantage, but it also contributes to the debate on where lies the source of competitive advantage.
HRM strength, situation strength and improvisation behavior
Authors: Rodrigues Ribeiro Tânia , Pinto Coelho Joaquim , Gomes Jorge F.S.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the connections between human resource (HR), situation strength and improvisation behavior. A high degree of “fit” among HR practices and between such practices and organizational strategy, is said to have an impact on organizational outcomes. How these fits are achieved is not fully understood in the literature. It has been proposed that horizontal fit is achieved when messages regarding HR matters are communicated to employees in a distinct, consensual, and consistent way. This will create a strong situation, which in turn will affect outcomes such as improvisation behavior. Situation strength is captured by the concepts of climate strength, and culture strength.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted at a call center of a company belonging to a Portuguese Telecommunications Group. In total, 91 questionnaires were collected. Scales in the questionnaire are based on existing indicators, but a new measure of HR strength (HRS) was also used. The data were analyzed with structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results show that HRS has a direct effect on improvisation behavior. Furthermore, culture is a mediator between HRS and climate. There was also a strong indication that culture may be a mediator between HRS and improvisation behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations concern the sample size and the fact that research was conducted in a call center. Implications for research include the need to introduce leadership into this type of studies, as well as model and scales validation.

Originality/value

The current research advances knowledge in the area in three ways. First, it presents a new instrument to measure HRS. Second, it introduces improvisation as an outcome of HR. And third, it tests a full model that links HR to social common structures (climate and culture) and performance outcomes (improvisation behavior in this work).
Family firms in Iberoamerican countries
Authors: Larraza‐Kintana Martin , Cruz Cristina , Belausteguigoitia Rius Imanol
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue on family firms in Iberoamerican countries. The special issue aims at enlarging our understanding of the uniqueness of family firms by providing new evidence from Iberoamerican countries about this widespread organizational type. The paper concludes by highlighting some areas in which the authors believe devoting more energy and resources, with new evidence from other samples, may be favourable to advancing the family business field.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors revise relevant literature on the subject and integrate with the content of the papers published in the special issue.

Findings

The paper introduces the articles in the special issue, places them in the current academic debate and highlights areas for future research.

Practical implications

Provides a view of research on family firms in Iberoamerica, with indications of relevant potential areas for future research.

Originality/value

The paper introduces four new articles on family firms in Iberoamerican countries and suggests areas for future research.
Waging Politics: A Case Study of Change in Incentive Compensation
Authors: Elvira Marta M.
Published: November 2014

This case study examines how incentive pay programs are designed and changed over time in a financial organization that has typically relied on fixed salary compensation. Once incentive programs are introduced, pay plans change frequently, and this process allows the study of assumptions embedded in various incentive theories. Economic theories tend to explain incentives from an agency perspective, which suggests that incentives satisfy elaborate contractual requirements and vary with the risk preferences and costs of managers versus employees. Power theories, by contrast, argue that the interests and resources of various firm groups determine incentive structures. For this case study, qualitative data describing a firm’s process of changing compensation were gathered from documents, personnel manuals, and interviews with company managers. The findings suggest that instead of following from complicated cost‐benefit analyses, pay plans are often implemented within short time frames and with scant performance/effectiveness information. This evidence highlights the influence of power in efforts to change compensation structures and the importance of a multidisciplinary understanding of rewards.
The Linkage Between Strategic Groups and Firm Performance: An Analysis of Intergroup and Intragroup Differences
Authors: Claver‐Cortés Enrique , Molina‐Azorín José F. , Quer‐Ramón Diego
Published: November 2014

A central theme in the strategic groups literature is the theoretical relationship between groups and firm performance. The empirical evidence is conflicting, however. The aim of this research is to study this linkage through two analyses. Thus, the analysis that has been traditionally used – performance differences between groups – is complemented with an analysis of performance differences within each group. To set up strategic groups, we analyze firms operating in the construction industry, using specific variables associated with generic strategies.
Human Resource Management in Spain: Are Cultural Barriers Preventing the Adoption of Global Practices?
Authors: Cabrera Elizabeth F. , Carretero José M.
Published: November 2014

This paper addresses the extent to which culture is affecting the adoption of global human resource management (HRM) practices by Spanish organizations. One of our main objectives was to offer a thorough review of the recent empirical evidence regarding HRM practices in Spanish organizations. Another goal was to discuss these findings in light of the Spanish culture in order to identify possible cultural barriers to the adoption of global HRM practices. Our results suggest that Spanish organizations are slowly adopting global practices; however, many traditional practices remain. We suggest that the cultural variables of low future orientation, high power distance, and low institutional collectivism may exert continuing pressures that will hinder the adoption of certain global HRM practices.
The effect of thermal relaxation times on wave propagation of micropolar thermoelastic medium with voids due to various sources
Authors: Othman Mohamed I.A. , Lotfy Kh.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to formulate a model of the equations of a two‐dimensional problem with the deformation of micropolar generalized thermoelastic medium with voids under the influence of various sources in the context of the Lord‐Shulman, Green‐Lindsay theories, as well as the classical dynamical coupled theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The normal mode analysis was used to obtain the exact expressions of the displacement components, force stress, coupled stress, change in volume fraction field and temperature distribution. Numerical results were given and illustrated graphically when the volume source was applied.

Findings

The presence of voids plays a significant role on all the physical quantities. The value of normal displacement and normal force stress increases while the temperature, tangential force stress and the couple stress increase and then decrease due to the presence of voids. The value of all the physical quantities converges to zero with increase in distance z.

Originality/value

Comparisons are made with the results predicted by the three theories in the presence and the absence of material constants due to voids.
Optimal orbital transfer with finite thrust based on Gauss pseudospectral method
Authors: Yafeng Zhang , Xingsuo He
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study a finite‐thrust orbital transfer optimization problem via a new optimal control method‐Gauss pseudospectral method.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the dynamic equations with the pseudo‐equinoctial elements as state variable, optimality condition is derived and the optimization problem is converted into nonlinear programming problem. Gauss pseudospectral method is used to avoid the two‐point boundary value problem. The dynamic equations are converted into static parameter optimization problem. The state variables and control variables are selected as optimal parameters at all collocation nodes. Two numerical examples of orbital transfer with coplanar and different planes are analyzed, respectively.

Findings

The simulation results demonstrate that Gauss pseudospectral method is not sensitive to the initial conditions of orbital transfer. They also show good robustness and control facility.

Originality/value

The precision and efficiency of this trajectory optimization method are demonstrated by applying it to space vehicle orbital transfer with finite thrust optimization problem.
Multi‐Disciplinary Design Optimization of a Composite Car Door for Structural Performance, NVH, Crashworthiness, Durability and Manufacturability
Authors: Grujicic M. , Arakere G. , Sellappan V. , Ziegert J.C. , Schmueser D.
Published: November 2014

Among various efforts pursued to produce fuel efficient vehicles, light weight engineering (i.e. the use of low‐density structurally‐efficient materials, the application of advanced manufacturing and joining technologies and the design of highly‐integrated, multi‐functional components/sub‐assemblies) plays a prominent role. In the present work, a multi‐disciplinary design optimization methodology has been presented and subsequently applied to the development of a light composite vehicle door (more specifically, to an inner door panel). The door design has been optimized with respect to its weight while meeting the requirements /constraints pertaining to the structural and NVH performances, crashworthiness, durability and manufacturability. In the optimization procedure, the number and orientation of the composite plies, the local laminate thickness and the shape of different door panel segments (each characterized by a given composite‐lay‐up architecture and uniform ply thicknesses) are used as design variables. The methodology developed in the present work is subsequently used to carry out weight optimization of the front door on Ford Taurus, model year 2001. The emphasis in the present work is placed on highlighting the scientific and engineering issues accompanying multidisciplinary design optimization and less on the outcome of the optimization analysis and the computational resources/architecture needed to support such activity.
The mental health recovery star
Authors: Onifade Yetunde
Published: November 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the origin, development and increasing application of the Recovery Star within the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The mental health Recovery Star is an holistic and personalised outcomes measurement and recovery‐focused key working tool and it was designed primarily for people of working age. The author describes its origin, development, and increasing application within the UK.

Findings

The paper finds that the Recovery Star has been instrumental in promoting social inclusion for many service users, their carers and families.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the Recovery Star as an innovative tool developed by Triangle Consulting and the Mental Health Providers Forum, one which has rapidly established itself as the recovery tool of choice for many service users and providers and fits in well with the personalisation agenda.
Sinthu Creation
Authors: Walsh John
Published: November 2014

Subject area

Entrepreneurship.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate level courses on entrepreneurialism and possibly on business ethics; MBA classes at the beginning of their course of study. The case is intended to provide a way to encourage students to consider what the life of an entrepreneur is like, what qualities are needed to survive and what sacrifices are possible.

Case overview

This case follows the evolution of an entrepreneurial venture run by a young woman in Thailand. She reinvents herself as a social entrepreneur but faces ongoing revenue generation problems according to her business model. The case explores the interaction between commercial and social entrepreneurialism in the context of a rapidly changing business environment in a developing, middle-income country.

Expected learning outcomes

Students will have the opportunity to consider the extent to which they are personally cut out for the entrepreneurial life. As a secondary objective, students will be encouraged to think about their attitudes towards lifelong learning and the need to adapt to changing circumstances through their working careers.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available; please consult your librarian for access.
Uncertainties in business environment – political exigencies versus economic realities: the saga of Zimbabwe Iron & Steel Company (ZISCO)
Authors: Tripathi Gaurav , Durgamohan M.
Published: November 2014

Subject area

The political and economic environment of business.

Study level/applicability

The case is suitable for students of MBA and equivalent courses; courses on the international business environment, international marketing and related subjects.

Case overview

The case focuses on cross border acquisitions in the sub-Saharan economy of Zimbabwe. It discusses Essar Steel's attempt to acquire a stake in Zimbabwe Iron & Steel Company (ZISCO) with long term goals. However, recent political developments have led to the situation hanging by a thread. The case attempts to provide an overview of the complex business environment in Zimbabwe.

Expected learning outcomes

Students are expected to highlight the economic and political factors during the analysis of any country's business environment.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available; please contact your librarian for access.
Feeding the hungry surfers: www.justeat.in
Authors: Paul Rik , Purkayastha Debapratim
Published: November 2014

Subject area

Services marketing.

Study level/applicability

This case can be taught effectively to MBA/MS students. The case provides students with an opportunity to closely examine various marketing activities and to understand how problems associated with intangible services can be dealt with by using effective integrated marketing communications.

Case overview

On March 1, 2011, JustEat, the world's largest and premium online food ordering and table reservation portal, acquired a 60 per cent stake in India's premium online food ordering and table reservation portal – Hungryzone. Following this, Hungryzone was rebranded as www.justeat.in. Ritesh Kumar Dwivedy Founder and CEO of Hungryzone and now the CEO of www.justeat.in, soon faced some challenges that cropped up as a result of this new development. Rebranding and the scalability of operations with the existing resources were the major causes of concern. To overcome these problems, www.justeat.in undertook several marketing initiatives and in the process implemented innovative ideas like JustConnect Terminal; introduction of the global JustEast mascots Belly and Brain to replace the existing mascot Aloo Patel of Hungryzone; and various innovative promotional activities to promote www.justeat.in. The case highlights the issues and challenges faced by the management. Finally some significant challenges yet to be resolved are posed. What should be done to deal with the problem of poaching of customers by partnering restaurants? How should www.justeat.in ensure that the partnering restaurants do not perceive it as their competitor in spite of the fact that registering with www.justeat.in helps increase their revenues by 10-15 perx cent? How should www.justeat.in convince popular restaurant chains to register with it keeping in mind the fact that they are already facing excess demand situations?

Expected learning outcomes

The case is designed to enable students to understand: the concepts associated with delivering services through electronic channels; communications and the services marketing triangle; key serxvice communication challenges; the integrated services marketing communication mix; strategies to match service promises with delivery; and the services branding model.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available; please consult your librarian for access.
Growing pains: problems in the performance appraisal of China's state-owned enterprises transformed from governmental organizations
Authors: Gui Huang , Chunguang Fu , Jingli Chen , Minting Pan
Published: November 2014

Study level/applicability

This case is suitable for undergraduates, MBA students and students from business administration departments in the teaching of human resources management and performance management.

Case overview

Luodian Electric Power Construction Corporation Group (LEPCC Group) is a state owned enterprise transformed from a construction unit of Luopu Power Supply Bureau (LPSB), a governmental organization in charge of all the electricity supply in Luopu City. The general manager of LEPCC, Gu Ming tried to set up a modern market-oriented management system for LEPCC. Unfortunately the problems that had accumulated in the past two decades during which LEPCC was a governmental organization made his reforms very difficult. The first headache for Gu Ming was the performance appraisal reform in LEPCC. The existing performance appraisal system seemed to have at least three problems in practice: unclear appraisal objectives, an improper assessment system, a different appraisal standard for similar positions. What should Gu Ming do to build a proper performance appraisal system to help the fast-growing LEPCC Group to make LEPCC a competitive market-oriented player?

Expected learning outcomes

The first objective of this case is to enable students to understand that the issues of working performance are issues of people first, rather than issues of the management system. If the management focuses on the system instead of on the staff of the company to design the performance management system, the system will be fruitless and inefficient. The second objective is to cultivate students' capability to apply the basic theories of human resource management and the knowledge of performance appraisal in case analysis and practical management. This case, seemingly about performance appraisal, is in fact about the organizational structure and processes of the organization. Reform should start with organizational analysis, job analysis and job descriptions. Only when all these have been done correctly, can the performance management system be designed more reasonably, scientifically and efficiently.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available; please consult your librarian for access.
Should “Tbgo” be dropped from UCF's product portfolio?
Authors: Das Prafulla Kumar
Published: November 2014

Subject area

Business administration, brand management, marketing management, international marketing, strategic marketing.

Study level/applicability

This case is suitable for MBA students with exposure to marketing strategy and basic marketing. It may also be useful for junior and middle level marketing professionals during their training programs. This case-study may find its application while teaching strategic marketing, marketing management, international marketing and pharmaceutical management.

Case overview

Unicare Formulations was a reputable pharmaceutical company in India. It started small and with the growth of the industry it could capture significant market share in it chosen segments. It introduced brands in small and niche areas with low innovation and where bigger companies showed little interest. It also infused new blood through outside talent. It brought newer brands to its brand portfolio. A relatively new but promising brand – Tbgo – was struggling. Its marketing head was confused whether to continue with the brand. He needs advice based on management principles.

Expected learning outcomes

After covering this case study, a student should be able to: use SWOT and environmental analyses to solve complex business problems; explain segmentation, targeting and positioning (STP) and shall be able to use those for preparing marketing strategy; use 4Ps in different combinations in planning brand strategies; use Ansoff's model (product-market grid); use Porter's generic strategy to analyze brand performance and to take appropriate action for brand revival; and internalize the intricacies of brand-building and their impacts on the business performance of a firm.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
GranuLab (C): internationalizing GranuMaS
Authors: Adham Khairul Akmaliah , Said Mohd Fuaad , Muhamad Nur Sa'adah , Sarkam Saida Farhanah , Senik Zizah Che , Isa Rosmah Mat
Published: November 2014

Subject area

The area of focus is on internationalization strategies, specifically on developing suitable strategies to support an internationalization initiative of a new medical device company.

Study level/applicability

This case is designed for final year undergraduate and MBA students. It is suitable for courses of organizational management, organization theory and design, strategic management, and international business as well as international marketing.

Case overview

GranuLab, a medical device company that produced the synthetic bone graft substitute GranuMaS, aspired to be a high-growth company. To achieve this aspiration the company had made plans for internationalization, which include penetrating the ASEAN, Middle East, Latin American, and African markets within the next five years. By December 2010, GranuLab had completed the construction of its new manufacturing facility in Shah Alam, about 30km from Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur. This manufacturing facility had the capability to produce high volumes to support the company's high growth plan. However, the company's internationalization processes had taken longer than expected and this has led to a low business volume. By mid-2012, the company was forced to make a quick decision as it had suffered a year and a half of operations losses. GranuLab had to formulate a strategy as to how to position GranuMaS and penetrate the targeted markets. Failure to internationalize would incur even greater losses and might hinder the achievement of its high growth aspiration by 2015.

Expected learning outcomes

This case is designed to stimulate case analysts' thinking into providing recommendations for the appropriate internationalization strategies to be adopted by the management team to ensure that the company could succeed in achieving its goals. The case will expose students to the concepts and theories of strategic management, international business, international entrepreneurship; and facilitate the development of students' abilities to apply those concepts in managerial situations.

Supplementary materials

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“My actual mind and body is in a better place, I just feel better since coming here”: recovery and mental wellbeing
Authors: James Parkman Thomas
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– An increasing literature points to the efficacy and importance of mutual aid groups for people recovering from substance dependency. However, there is a paucity of qualitative evidence into the experiences and perceptions of service users attending UK-based mutual aid groups, and the implications they could have for recovery and mental wellbeing. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– A phenomenological approach was chosen to explore the experiences and perceptions of service users and mentors at a mutual aid group in Leeds. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with service users and mentors (ex-service users) involved with the project. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Findings

– This paper focuses on the influence of mutual aid attendance on mental wellbeing. It was found that attendance seemed to have positive influences on providing structure, reducing stress and boredom, “broadening the mind” and providing service users with a social network that supported their recovery and mental wellbeing. However, it was also found that for those that have little outside the project, dependency on the group could develop, resulting in negative consequences on mental wellbeing.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an increased understanding of why mutual attendance has influences on mental wellbeing, as well as the implications such impacts have on recovery trajectories.
The mirror trap
Authors: De Villa María Andrea , Rajwani Tazeeb
Published: November 2014

Purpose

This study aims to examine the influence of managerial perceptions on the strategic responses adopted by four Colombian organizations when facing a political crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

To address this research, face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with Colombian managers, consultants, journalists, government officials, and industry experts, and triangulated with documents and archival data.

Findings

The findings show that the response adopted by each organization was significantly influenced by their manager's perception of the crisis and, consequently, was prone to producing a particular performance outcome.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings constitute a strong warning call to managers and management teams about the possibility of falling into the “mirror trap”, through which their organizations will adopt strategic responses influenced by their own perceptions of crises.

Originality/value

These findings suggest that managers can affect performance through their individual assessment of a crisis as a threat, an opportunity, or neither one nor the other.
Spoleto: internationalizing a Brazilian franchise of Italian cuisine
Authors: Marx Andrade Olivia Vieira , Barreto Amorim Renata Pautasso , Cassilha Pires Fabiana , Wilcox Hemais Marcus
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show students the problems that a Brazilian franchise in the fast food sector faced while internationalizing its business to Mexico and Spain. Specifically, discuss how the entry mode of master franchise used by Spoleto presented problems to the company's managers.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a teaching case, designed to make students reflect on issues related to international business and international marketing. The primary data were collected through interviews with Edwin Junior, International Expansions Manager of Spoleto. The information gathered in the interviews was complemented by secondary data from newspapers, business magazines, internet sites and the Spoleto sites in Brazil and Mexico.

Findings

The choice to make partnerships with companies that already have experience in managing big multinational franchises might not be the best move for a brand that is unknown outside of its country. This aspect of master franchise partnerships is scarcely discussed in the literature, which instead tends to focus on other negative aspects of this kind of arrangement. It is also important to point out that close control over the master franchisees actions, especially in the initial phases of international expansions, is important to guarantee that operations will be up to standards in all countries.

Originality/value

The value of this study is in the discussion it raises about the mistakes, rather than the successes, made by a Brazilian franchise in its first attempts to expand internationally.