bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Making sense of blended learning
Authors: Sloman Martyn
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper has the aim of considering blended learning in the global context.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to use research surveys supplemented by extensive case study interviews involving 19 countries

Findings

The paper finds that it seems beyond doubt that the concept of blended learning has arrived and is here to stay. However, if it is to add value to our understanding of effective training and learning the term needs to be considered in a broader context. It is not simply about delivery and technology. If the term blended learning is to have longevity in our trainer vocabulary we must extend its use beyond technology. It must be as much about varying learning methodology as it is about training delivery. We must understand more about what motivates learners, what support they need and how these supportive interventions can take place in practice. Only with this understanding can we get the “blend” right.

Practical implications

Emphasis needs to be shifted from technology to learning.

Originality/value

The paper includes a case study based on language training in India using a blended approach.
What makes a career barrier a barrier?
Authors: Murtagh Niamh , Lopes Paulo , Lyons Evanthia
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present research findings on the experience of career barriers by women who have changed career, and to suggest the practical implications of these findings for career management.

Design/methodology/approach

An established, qualitative methodology, interpretative phenomenological analysis, was used to explore participants' experiences. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight women who had changed careers and were analysed to identify the salient themes.

Findings

Participants experienced career barriers, but their subjective experience did not necessarily match objectively defined barriers. One participant, for example, experienced redundancy not as a barrier to her career path but as an opportunity. It was only when situations or events threatened the self‐concept that problems were experienced as barriers. These barriers were not insurmountable and participants used a number of strategies to overcome potential barriers.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that career management or counselling should acknowledge and explore the client's subjective experience of career barriers. Strategies such as challenging or reframing potential barriers can be effective methods for helping clients to dismantle them.

Originality/value

This research points to the gap in career theory and research on the experience of barriers in adult careers. It presents evidence on the subjective nature of barriers and on strategies used to overcome them.
Exploring innovative apprenticeship: quality and costs
Authors: Grollmann Philipp , Rauner Felix
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that the quality of learning in German apprenticeships can be increased without raising costs under certain conditions. It starts with a contextual description of apprenticeship in the dual system, showing that this insight is of central importance, since employers in Germany are increasingly withdrawing from apprenticeship provision.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a case study‐methodology and shows one selected case out of 24 presented. The selected case is then related to the findings of the other cases explored.

Findings

The findings in the paper imply that quality of apprenticeships can be improved without an increase in costs, challenge the classical economics of apprenticeship. “Grounded” indicators of quality in apprenticeship are formulated: learning in productive work processes is a core characteristic of apprenticeships; the productive work apprentices engage in needs to follow a well thought through sequential logic; learning is based on a high degree of autonomy; learning is embedded into the business process; client satisfaction provides an important quality benchmark; commitment to occupation and the company can provide a source of responsibility and quality; and professional competence is the ultimate goal of learning.

Research limitations/implications

The results in the paper were further processed into a self‐evaluation tool assisting companies in their cost‐benefit calculation. The developed standardised instrument was not tested in an international context. Both instruments presented could be further validated by taking up the view of multiple stakeholders and comparing results with alternative methodologies of assessing the learning quality.

Practical implications

The paper suggests an intensified integration of apprenticeship training into productive work processes. In order to turn this into quality learning the complexity of tasks needs to be increased over the course of apprenticeship.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new look at the costs of apprenticeships. Therefore, it is of interest to researchers and managers with an interest in apprenticeship training.
Vocational training in Australia: is there a link between attrition and quality?
Authors: Snell Darryn , Hart Alison
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the debate surrounding quality of training as it has unfolded in Australia and how concerns about high non‐completion rates have entered the debate.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper bases its discussion of quality in VET training on analysis of qualitative data collected from focus groups and one‐on‐one interviews conducted with employers, Institutes of Tertiary and Further Education, registered training organisations, trade unions and local, State and Commonwealth government representatives located in the southeastern part of Victoria, Australia.

Findings

The paper shows that throughout many parts of the world a growing concern has emerged about the quality of training for apprentices and trainees in what has become an increasingly deregulated environment dominated by private interests. In Australia, where non‐completion rates can be as high as 50 percent of those who commence training, government leaders at both State and Federal levels are taking a renewed interested in understanding the relationship between quality of training and non‐completion rates. The paper finds that data suggesting training quality in Australia is being threatened by fully on‐the‐job training, the narrowing of training skills, the loss of transferable skills and a lack of training. It argues that these factors have contributed to high rates of non‐completions among apprentices and trainees and that poor regulation of quality standards, government subsidies to employers and training organisations and abuse are contributing to these quality problems.

Originality/value

The paper presents useful insights into the relationship between quality in training and attrition among apprentices and trainees in regional Australia.
Where has all the synergy gone? The M&A puzzle
Authors: Ficery Kristin , Herd Tom , Pursche Bill
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to understand synergies in merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides excerpts from the forthcoming book Synergies: The Art and Science of Making 2+2=5 by Bill Pursche.

Findings

The six most common mistakes that acquiring executives make are: defining synergies too narrowly or broadly; missing the window of opportunity; incorrect or insufficient use of incentives; not having the right people involved in synergy capture; mismatch between culture and systems; and using the wrong process.

Original/value

This paper is a new approach to capturing the value of synergies in M&A, aimed at executives throughout the M&A process.
Complex venture acquisition: going beyond the traditional systems engineering paradigm
Authors: Vandergriff Linda J.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore new complex venture approaches needed because the classical twentieth century system engineering model does not accommodate the complexities of twenty‐first century ventures, especially those with significant knowledge management components.

Design/methodology/approach

A complexity literature review was performed to identify the attributes of complex ventures. Then the fundamental differences in defining, developing, and implementing complicated traditional systems and complex ventures were explored. The resultant complex venture model builds on the insights derived from chaos and complexity theories; observations of several acquisition successes and failures; and doctoral research on agile enterprise decision support.

Findings

Successful traditional systems engineering complicated systems models' built‐in assumptions do not scale to the needed twenty‐first century complex solutions. It is necessary to develop a complex venture model that guides the engineering solutions that: describe complex ventures as flows of intelligence, energy and matter provide value in a dynamic co‐evolving context; provide leadership, not control, with clear and consistent venture‐wide vision that guides empowered individual agent decision making; institute tiered situationally‐aware decision making in both time and place; address factors (material and non‐material) contributing to solution success; provide for rapidly changing context and the co‐evolutionary ventures, including unexpected users, uses, and implementations.

Originality/value

A complex venture conceptual model informs the architecting and systems engineering acquisition practices for this new solution category.
The use of knowledge management in software acquisition
Authors: Haddad Maliha , Ribière Vincent
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of knowledge management (KM) principles and technologies to improve the outcomes of software acquisition projects. Software acquisition organizations typically contract‐out their software projects to reduce the risks associated with developing the software internally and to control their cost.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a study of contracted software projects. Research results by the authors emphasize the need for institutionalizing processes for the collection of data about contracting costs within an organization so that databases of metrics about completed projects can be built and later used to forecast costs for future projects to improve the decision‐making processes about outsourcing.

Findings

A study of two‐dozen contracted projects indicates that such organizations face unique risks and hidden costs that are particular to software acquisitions. KM models, practices, and tools are potentially valuable for improving software outsourcing activities.

Originality/value

KM can be useful for identifying the organizational structures, processes and informational technologies for measuring, collecting, and analyzing costs and risks incurred before, during and after the contract award. The same framework can also be used to collect data on the acquisition activities and processes such as writing requests for proposals, contractor evaluation and selection, predicting needed resources, and identifying risks. Such knowledge can be used on future projects to improve the acquisition processes by allocating adequate resources and identifying risks to improve the likelihood of project success.
Explaining buyers' responses to sellers' violation of trust
Authors: Wang Sijun , Huff Lenard C.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to explain a buyer's response to a seller's violation of trust. Four negative responses (decline in trust, negative emotions, negative word‐of‐mouth (WOM) and reduction in repurchase intentions) and four explanatory variables (magnitude of violation, integrity versus capability‐based cause of failure, perceived likelihood of repeated violations and stage of trust prior to the violation) were identified. The study develops and tests hypotheses regarding the possible influence of the explanatory variables on each of the four negative responses.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment was conducted in which business professionals were given one of 16 scenarios, varied by levels of the four explanatory variables, describing a violation of trust in a business‐to‐business service situation. Respondents were asked questions regarding their probable response. Four‐way ANCOVA was used to analyze the results.

Findings

The study finds that stage of trust and perceived likelihood of repeated violation had significant main effects on decline in trust, negative WOM and repurchase intentions. Integrity‐based attribution influenced decline in trust, but magnitude of violation had no main effects. Three significant interactions were found.

Research limitations/implications

Findings show the importance of first impressions and reputation. Care should be taken to assure customers that violations will not be repeated. A major limitation was that scenarios cannot induce the same intensity of thought and emotion that real situations do.

Originality/value

Despite extensive literature in service failure and recovery, this is perhaps the first study to rigorously examine and seek to explain a buyer's response to a seller's violation of trust.
Interpersonal trust between marketing and R&D during new product development projects
Authors: Massey Graham R. , Kyriazis Elias
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The primary objective of this research is to test a model examining interpersonal trust between marketing managers and R&D managers during new product development projects.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study interpersonal trust as a bi‐dimensional construct with cognitive and affective components is conceptualised. The authors' integrative structural model specifies Weber's structural/bureaucratic dimensions – formalisation and centralisation to predict three communication dimensions, communication frequency, quality, and bi‐directionality. In turn these communication dimensions are used to predict cognition‐based trust, and affect‐based trust. In addition, the paper models the direct effects of the three communication dimensions on a dependent variable – perceived relationship effectiveness. The hypothesised model consists of 16 hypotheses, seven of which relate to the two focal interpersonal trust constructs. The measures were tested and a structural model estimated by using PLS. Data were provided by 184 R&D managers in Australia, reporting on their working relationship with a counterpart marketing manager during a recent product development project.

Findings

The hypothesized model has high explanatory power and it was found that both trust dimensions strongly influenced the effectiveness of marketing/R&D relationships during new product development, with cognition‐based trust having the strongest impact. The results also reveal which forms of communication help to build interpersonal trust. The most powerful effect was from communication quality to cognition‐based trust. The next strongest effects were from bi‐directional communication, which was a strong predictor of affect‐based trust, and a somewhat weaker predictor of cognition‐based trust. Interestingly, the direct effects of our three communication behaviours on relationship effectiveness were modest, suggesting that their relationship building effects are largely indirect. Last, it is revealed that bureaucratic means of control on product development projects have mixed effects. As expected, centralisation reduces cross‐functional communication. In contrast, formalisation has a positive effect during product development, as it stimulates both the frequency and bi‐directionality of communication between marketing managers and R&D managers on these projects.

Originality/value

This is the first study to treat interpersonal trust as the focal construct in marketing/R&D relationships during new product development. Moreover, it is the only study of marketing/R&D relationships to conceptualise, measure, and model two underlying dimensions of interpersonal trust (cognition‐based trust, and affect‐based trust). Our study also integrates aspects of Weber's theory of bureaucracy, with interaction theory, and demonstrates the strong links between these theoretical frameworks.
Synthesis, purification and curing studies of vinyl ester network
Authors: Behera D. , Satapathy H. , Banthia A.K.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to prepare and characterise vinyl ester (bisphenol‐A‐glycidyldimethacrylate (BisGMA)) prepolymer via a new synthetic route by the esterification of methacrylic acid and epoxy resin

Design/methodology/approach

BisGMA prepolymer was synthesised from methacrylic acid and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (BPA) type epoxy resin. The synthesised compound was then purified and characterised.

Findings

BisGMA prepolymer was synthesised from methacrylic acid and diglycidyl ether of BPA‐type epoxy resin using triphenylphosphine as a catalyst and hydroxytoluene as a stabiliser. The synthesised compound was then purified by normal phase liquid chromatography and was analysed by proton NMR and reverse phase HPLC. The cure kinetics of the purified resin were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry using NETZSCH thermokinetics software.

Research limitations/implications

The preparation, purification and kinetics study of the prepolymer described in the present investigation may be useful for preparation, purification and kinetics study of the other vinyl esters by a new synthetic route. Also, the polymers supports based on bisphenol‐A‐glycidyldimethacrylate have acceptable mechanical properties, chemical stability and are suitable for dental restoratives, fissure sealants, coatings, adhesives, moulding compounds, structural laminates, electrical applications and military/aerospace applications.

Practical implications

The method for the preparation, purification and kinetics study of the prepolymer is simple and the above method provides a simple and practical solution for some other vinyl esters.

Originality/value

This is a novel method for synthesis and purification of BisGMA and may be useful for the synthesis and purification of other vinyl esters.
Business and finance books showcased at Book Expo 2007
Authors: Mercado Marina I. , Cassell Kay A.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

To preview new titles showcased at Book Expo 2007 held in June in New York City.

Design/methodology/approach

The review is based on selecting for review that which was displayed by both mainstream and small presses.

Findings

Some predominant themes were leadership, management and business development.

Practical implications

These new titles provide a way to understand how the thinking in these areas is changing and how as a result the workplace is changing.

Originality/value

This is a tool that librarians can use to update their collections in these areas.
Communicating the value of your libraries
Authors: Holt Glen
Published: September 2007

Purpose

Aims to focus on the issue of value in libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Draws from research conducted to set up a conservative transportable cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) methodology that could be applied to public libraries. The paper discusses the CBA‐survey participant comments draws out the value themes that interviewees talked about as they answered various questions.

Findings

There is a huge tendency in North America to talk about libraries as if they are secular churches and to impute spiritual values to them. This paper suggests that while library users may hold such feelings, that is not the first line of reasons for why they use their library.

Originality/value

Shows how library communications needs to be framed in the practical as well as the ethereal, the practical along with the ideal.
Responding to change: the management of further education colleges in England
Authors: Hannagan Tim , Lawton Alan , Mallory Geoff
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine changes in the management of further education (FE) colleges in England following the Further and Higher Education Act (1992) and the removal of colleges from Local Education Authority control. These changes are mapped against developments in the management of public service organisations, more generally, labelled new public management (NPM), and the adoption of “business‐like” tools to support management responses to a new environment for colleges.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws upon a national survey of general FE colleges and four case studies, researched in depth through semi‐structured interviews and analysis of relevant documents. The research was carried out between 1997 and 2000. The case studies were revisited through recent Inspection reports.

Findings

The paper finds that colleges reacted differently to the imperatives of change and that the extent to which the prescriptions of NPM were acted out depended upon a range of factors that were not included in many configurations of NPM.

Research limitations/implications

The research was carried out in the 1990s and the original cases were revisited through Inspection reports post 2002. The inspectors had a different agenda than the original researchers and care needs to be taken in utilising the Inspectors' reports.

Practical implications

The implementation of a uniform public policy across a diverse and complex sector is not guaranteed to succeed. Policy‐makers need to be aware of the “one‐size‐fits‐all” tendency of public policy making.

Originality/value

The management of the FE sector is under researched. This paper researches key issues for practitioners following on from education reform and provides empirical evidence for academics of the extent to which NPM reforms take hold on the ground.
Radio frequency identification tagging
Authors: Hingley Martin , Taylor Susan , Ellis Charlotte
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The principal rationale for this study is to investigate the implications of the introduction of radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging on suppliers. Emphasis concerns the impact it is likely to have on suppliers to the UK grocery retail market.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary research focuses on UK grocery suppliers' perception, with two specific research questions: “What are the implications of the introduction of RFID on suppliers?” and “How will these implications impact on the success of RFID in the future?” In‐depth interviews were conducted with a selection of different suppliers to gather attitudes towards RFID technology.

Findings

RFID is highly topical, and currently at the forefront of many supply chain managers' minds. This study focuses on business‐to‐business implications of RFID to the FMCG/perishable food sectors, notably in comprehension of an under‐researched area of supplier perspective. This study concludes that in order to keep costs of application of RFID to a minimum, retailers and suppliers need to develop standardized but flexible systems. Implementation of RFID must take into account the context of supply chain power imbalance.

Research limitations/implications

Reviewed literature suggests existing focus has been on the operational benefits to be gained from implementation of RF‐technology, and a good deal of work conducted has concerned the issue of consumer privacy. There has been one major investigation (in the UK), conducted by the Institute of Grocery Distribution concerning implications for the retailing industry; however, there is still a gap in the literature concerning attitudes of suppliers (notably with regard to the grocery sector). This study redresses this balance by conducting field work with suppliers.

Practical implications

To prevent any future animosity retailers and suppliers must work together and costs need to be more equitably distributed. The FMCG/perishable food categories appear to offer a specific challenge to RFID introduction; however, future study is considered necessary to capture the diversity in these sectors.

Originality/value

The paper provides information of value to all those involved with methods of verification in the supply chain.
Analysis of factory gate pricing in the UK grocery supply chain
Authors: Potter Andrew , Mason Robert , Lalwani Chandra
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to analyse the reasons behind the leadership shown by a case study retailer through the introduction of factory gate pricing (FGP) within the grocery sector. Further, there is an evaluation of the transport management techniques used to support FGP and the operational benefits gained.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based around a single case study of a UK grocery retailer, which has adopted FGP. A range of data sources has been collected during a project with the retailer. Techniques used include process mapping, interviews, workshops and company presentations.

Findings

Strategically, the introduction of FGP has provided economies for the retailer strengthening its position in the market. Four main transport management techniques have been deployed to achieve this, generating reductions in transport and inventory costs while improving customer service levels. There are also some issues that need addressing, in relation to the need for a single point of control, who manages this point and the technological capabilities of transport providers.

Research limitations/implications

Only a single case study is presented, and the research was carried out during the early phase of implementation.

Practical implications

FGP requires a certain degree of scale to be effective, and should complement current processes within a business. There is a need to manage relationship issues with suppliers and transport providers.

Originality/value

The paper presents a detailed case study of FGP within the grocery sector, which is more complex than previous application of the concept. The strategic rationale for pioneering FGP is considered, along with its tactical deployment and operational benefits. Concerns are also highlighted, to provide a balanced evaluation.
Behavioral supply management: a taxonomy of judgment and decision‐making biases
Authors: Carter Craig R. , Kaufmann Lutz , Michel Alex
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and integrate the extensive literature base which examines judgment and decision‐making biases, to introduce this literature to the field of supply management, to create a valid, mutually exclusive, and exhaustive taxonomy of decision biases that can affect supply managers, and to provide guidance for future research and applications of this taxonomy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a qualitative cluster analysis, combined with a Q‐sort methodology, to develop a taxonomy of decision biases.

Findings

A mutually exclusive, and exhaustive taxonomy of nine decision biases is developed through a qualitative cluster analysis. The Q‐sort methodology provides initial confirmation of the reliability and validity of the cluster analysis results. The findings, along with numerous examples provided in the text, suggest that supply management decisions are vulnerable to the described biases.

Originality/value

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the judgment and decision bias literature, and creates a logical and manageable taxonomy of biases which can impact supply management decision making. The introduction and organization of this vast extant literature base provides a contrasting perspective to much of the existing supply management research, which has incorporated the assumption of the rational agent, or what is known in the economics literature as homo economicus. In addition, the authors describe the use of qualitative cluster analysis and the Q‐sort methodology, techniques which have been used rarely if at all in within the field of supply chain management.
Achieving long‐term customer satisfaction through organizational culture
Authors: Bellou Victoria
Published: September 2007

Purpose

Customer satisfaction is becoming increasingly important for organisational survival, let alone prosperity. In this context, this study seeks to examine the impact of cultural dimensions on the customer service orientation of employees and recognize potential variations between the perceptions of managerial and non‐managerial employees regarding the aforementioned relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study took place in 20 Greek public hospitals, where 749 usable questionnaires were gathered from front‐line employees. The questionnaire responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, t‐tests, and regression analyses.

Findings

Findings provide insight into the perceptions of front‐line employees regarding the effect that organisational culture dimensions have on customer service orientation. Some effects were uniform for all employees, while others varied depending upon the position occupied by the employee. Other than aggressiveness, decisiveness, and innovativeness that affect all employees, eagerness to identify and fulfil customer needs is influenced by age and tenure in the case of managers whereas it is affected by emphasis on rewards and outcome orientation in the case of non‐managers.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the fact that all variables depict employees' perceptions, common method variance is likely to exist. Moreover, the strength of cultural traits was not taken into consideration.

Practical implications

Developing a culture which fosters customer satisfaction can provide a competitive advantage to the organisation. It is, thus, critical for organisational agents not only to have a clear view of the existing culture but also to shape it in such a way that emphasizes customers' needs and priorities.

Originality/value

This is one of the first comparisons between managers and non‐managers, regarding customer service orientation antecedents, and it suggests that convincing all employees to put customer needs first requires different approaches in different segments of the workforce.
Determinants for effective performance of external project management consultants in Malaysia
Authors: Nitithamyong Pollaphat , Tan Zijin
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The use of external project management consulting firms (PMCs) in construction projects has not been widely accepted by practitioners in Malaysia because of several failed experiences in public projects. This study aims to investigate the important roles of PMCs, the key factors contributing to their effective performance, and the appropriate measurement criteria for assessing performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A list of potential PMC success factors and performance measurement criteria was initially obtained from a literature review and verified by a panel of selected experts. Opinions from the experts regarding the important roles of PMCs were also analysed. An industry‐wide survey questionnaire was then developed to collect data from industry practitioners who had recent hands‐on experience working with PMCs in construction projects. Finally, the PMC success model was formulated based on the responses of the industry‐wide survey.

Findings

Significant roles of PMCs were determined, as well as 12 underlying PMC success factors and five important criteria for assessing PMC performance. Practical applications of the PMC success model devised from the identified success factors and measurement criteria were also highlighted.

Originality/value

The findings of this study can help industry practitioners who are working or planning to work in projects implementing the PMC concept in Malaysia to gain an enhanced understanding of how to apply the concept effectively, leading to increased benefits of appointing PMCs and promoting the utilisation of the PMC concept in the Malaysian construction industry.
Bain's global 2007 management tools and trends survey
Authors: Rigby Darrell , Bilodeau Barbara
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to survey and analyze current patterns of use in corporate settings of strategic management tools and techniques. The authors interview hundreds of corporate leaders to ascertain which tools executives say they find most effective.

Design/methodology/approach

In 1993, Bain & Company launched a multiyear research project to get the facts about management tool use. Over 12 years Bain assembled a global database of more than 7,000 respondents, including 960 this year. They supplement the survey with follow‐up interviews to probe the specifics of tool use in individual companies.

Findings

Companies are employing more tools, but they appear to be finding them less effective. Usage increased, yet the average overall satisfaction rating dropped. Another finding was that successful use of tools – and executives' willingness to use them – is influenced by the ability to measure and communicate resulting benefits.

Research limitations/implications

This survey formerly was done annually and now is taken every other year.

Practical implications

Managers who promote tool fads undermine employees' confidence that they can create the change that is needed. Executives are better served by championing realistic strategic directions – and viewing the specific tools they use to get there as subordinate to the strategy.

Originality/value

Without satisfaction and usage data from companies that have adopted management tools, choosing and using them becomes a risky and potentially expensive gamble.
The corporate brand naming process in the net economy
Authors: Kollmann Tobias , Suckow Christina
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether classical brand naming concepts are sustainable for entrepreneurial firms in the net economy.

Design/methodology/approach

A prior study of Kohli and LaBahn covers the formal brand naming process and gives insights into brand name objectives and criteria. To follow the research purpose, their findings have been adapted for entrepreneurial firms in the net economy based on some prior interviews conducted with entrepreneurs for the present research. On basis of these results, a questionnaire was designed and sent to 319 e‐entrepreneurs located in German business incubators, of which 105 were fully completed.

Findings

The availability of an appropriate domain name is found to be a basic driver for deciding on a brand name. The domain name influences the course of action during the naming process. Two groups were found that significantly differ in proceeding with the naming process. One group of e‐entrepreneurs follows the traditional process of Kohli and LaBahn, whereas the other group follows a new approach giving more emphasis on the domain name. Here, the process shows to be iterative in nature instead of a step‐by‐step procedure.

Originality/value

The value of this paper lies in the application of the traditional brand naming process to entrepreneurial firms in the net economy and its partial validation and revision based on the authors results from an empirical research.
A resource‐based view of the small firm
Authors: Runyan Rodney C. , Huddleston Patricia , Swinney Jane L.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a qualitative study of small retailers, designed to uncover perceptions of resources which may be utilized to create competitive advantages and improve performance. The resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm has focused on large firms, and this study extends RBV to the small firm.

Design/methodology/approach

Using focus groups of small retailers within four communities in the USA, open‐ended questioning and discussions were utilized to help elicit responses about owner's resources.

Findings

The concepts of community brand identity, local social capital and environmental hostility (though not part of the original discussion guide), emerged as important constructs. Both community brand identity and social capital were articulated by focus group participants as resources which helped them to be successful. Brand identity was seen as important regardless of environment, while social capital emerged as a resource used more in hostile environments.

Research limitations/implications

Brand identity and social capital are non‐economic resources which may help small retailers to compete in increasingly competitive environments. The RBV holds that to provide a competitive advantage, a firm's resources must be valuable, rare, imperfectly mobile and non‐substitutable. This qualitative study supports the conceptualization of brand identity and social capital as such resources.

Practical implications

Small business owners need to recognize the value of non‐monetary resources. Once these are recognized they can then be leveraged by the business owner to improve performance.

Originality/value

Few studies exist which apply the RBV to small firms. Only recently have scholars begun to operationalize constructs of the RBV. Researchers have not investigated social capital or brand identity as mitigators of environmental hostility. This study addresses each of these issues.
A theory of brand‐led SME new venture development
Authors: Merrilees Bill
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how branding can facilitate small business development of new ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual approach was used for understanding branding in new ventures. A model with eight propositions has been developed and then validated using ten existing case studies of exceptional entrepreneurs.

Findings

The key mechanisms proposed for branding to assist small business create new ventures include opportunity recognition, innovation, business model development, capital acquisition, supplier acquisition, customer acquisition, and success harvesting.

Originality/value

The paper helps redress a relatively lack of research into small business branding. Previous research has mainly focused on small business brand management of existing ventures. The findings are readily translatable to small businesses launching new ventures. The paper extends the existing small business branding literature into a new domain, having a strong entrepreneurial character.
Brand, organization identity and reputation: SMEs as expressive organizations
Authors: Abimbola Temi , Kocak Akin
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to identify non‐sector‐specific brand and reputation‐based factors that distinguish successful entrepreneurs and small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from their larger counterparts. These distinguishing factors provide the building blocks for a theoretical (resource‐based view) model for demonstrating the pivotal role of brand, organizational identity (OI), and reputation building for large enterprises and small businesses in knowledge economies.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore (theoretically) and explain (empirically) observed reality through qualitative investigation. This approach conceptualises and explains reality, and puts forward empirical findings as representations of theoretically postulated relationships between entrepreneurial success and brand/OI/reputation. The primary data are from in‐depth interviews with a sample of firms located in Staffordshire/West‐Midlands/regions, UK.

Findings

Suggest that branding and reputation building are key resources, which allow an organization to be successful over an extended period of time. In terms of research design and methods, we found that an interdisciplinary approach is important in further exploration of the nexus between brand/organization identity/reputation and entrepreneurship. Because they are fuzzy concepts loaded with meaning and interpretations, they are explored better through qualitative data in the first instance. These findings are germane for paradigmatic development to distil the ideas, explanations and the reality that binds the concepts (brand/organization identity/reputation).

Originality/value

This work is original and innovative because it goes beyond inductively derived “theory” to an unswerving location of brand, OI, and reputation within commensurable theory at the heart of successful market strategy for SME organizations. Supporting empirical observations, development of coherent conceptual framework and theoretical rigour mark out this work as beyond those identified within previous studies.
The proactive alignment of sourcing with marketing and branding strategies: a food service case
Authors: Cox Andrew , Chicksand Daniel , Yang Tong
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that a proactive sourcing strategy can be just as important as a proactive marketing strategy in achieving sustainable competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports on action research carried out in the UK beef industry, with a focus on the food service supply chain. The methodology is inductive and qualitative, using a multi‐case, multi‐site approach. The supply chains presented in the case were analysed from farm gate to consumer, interviewing multiple participants at each stage of the supply chain.

Findings

This study offers some partial support for configuration‐based approaches. However, the case also raises some doubts about the validity of configuration thinking, as it is not the complexity or ambiguity of the relationships that is key in the case, but the fact that brand ownership and contracts create property rights for their owner that create a relatively permanent power resource for Pioneer, the case study company, in its market struggle with its customers and competitors. This interpretation supports the power and property rights views of strategic management rather than the configuration approach.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based upon in‐depth knowledge of the UK beef and red meat industry. It would be beneficial if further in‐depth studies could be undertaken in other agri‐food supply chains to further validate the findings.

Practical implications

Although the focus of this article has been upon choosing appropriate sourcing strategies, the case study has also illustrated the importance for business managers of linking this sourcing strategy with a firm's marketing, and more specifically its branding strategy.

Originality/value

The paper analyses the key differences in demand, supply and power and leverage characteristics in the food service beef supply chain to highlight the need for government agencies, think‐tanks and industry participants to have a more robust understanding of industries before advocating the adoption of any one approach for all UK agri‐food supply chains. This paper should be of value to researchers in this area and to managers responsible for strategy formation in UK agri‐food supply chains.
Employee perceptions of their workplaces as learning environments
Authors: Coetzer Alan
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to contribute to an understanding of how diverse groups of employees perceive their workplaces as learning environments, and to cast light on the learning processes of these diverse groups of employees.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was designed to examine employee perceptions of: the extent to which their managers create conditions in the work environments favourable to learning and enact behaviours in one‐on‐one settings that are likely to foster learning; and their sources and methods of learning. Data were gathered from 464 employees in 31 small manufacturing firms through self‐completion questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and t‐tests.

Findings

Results for six demographic groups are presented to provide a comparative view of employee perceptions. The research found that the two comparison groups within three demographic variables (tenure, age, education) differed markedly in how they perceived their workplaces as learning environments. However, the various comparison groups seemed to agree that workmates and observational processes were central to learning.

Research limitations/implications

The research reveals demographic variables that appear to be important in studies of employee learning in small firms. These variables are: tenure, education, and age. Future research should examine owner‐managers' perceptions of the workplace learning environments and employee learning processes.

Practical implications

Managers may need practical help in managing the learning of diverse groups of employees, and in understanding the potential differences in employee learning processes.

Originality/value

Departs from small business research practice by providing an employee perspective and examining informal learning processes, as opposed to training practices.
Adapting in practice: what questions might we ask?
Authors: Williams Trevor
Published: September 2007

Purpose

Via philosophy of science, the paper seeks to identify the role of trial and error in business and other managed activities, including economic development.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing first on Karl Popper's view of trial and error as essential to the evolution of all life, including all human activity, the paper asks what we mean by science, and how distinctive is the scientific mode of enquiry. It goes on to look at, in particular, the treatment of trial and error, and of evolution, in two best‐selling management books of the last 25 years, and at the relevance of this treatment to some recent discussions of economic development.

Findings

Popper's distinction between science and various types of non‐science is not as clear‐cut as is sometimes portrayed. Moreover, there are significant variants to Popper's view of scientific method. But accepting Popper's view of the centrality of trial and error for problem solving the paper finds significant echoes in some management thinking. Related questions occur, also, in some recent discussions of economic development.

Practical implications

The paper argues that trial and error is a well‐established approach in business and other managed activities, and that there is potential to learn from many examples of success and disappointment.

Originality/value

The paper questions whether some views of science, and of the demarcation between science and non‐science, are as clear‐cut as is sometimes assumed. It argues against claimed novelty in some recent discussion of evolutionary process in business and elsewhere.