bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship maintenance strategies onFortune500 company web sites
Authors: Ki Eyun‐Jung , Childers Hon Linda
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how organizations enact positivity, openness, access, sharing of tasks, and networking through their web sites. The paper also aims to investigate whether, different types of industries display different levels of relationship strategy.

Designs/methodology/approach

A content analysis of 286 web sites was conducted to determine how corporations use their site as a communication medium for building and nurturing relationships with publics. Company web sites were selected from theFortune 500list according to industry type. The sites were analyzed for the presence and quality of variables identified in the public relations literature as measures of relationship maintenance strategies.

Findings

The study's first research question addressed how the sampled organizations display use of relationship maintenance strategies through their web sites. The results revealed that openness was the strategy used most frequently. The quality of the openness dimension also was rated more highly than it was for any of the other strategies. The second research question explored whether industry type made a difference in organizations' use of the relationship maintenance strategies. A statistically significant difference among industry type was found for three of the strategies – positivity, openness, and access.

Originality/value

This study gives guidelines as to how companies can use their web sites more proactively to build and maintain relationships with their publics. The study also provides some insights into why some types of organizations might be more likely than others to use web sites for relationship maintenance. This study's primary contribution to public relations theory is its original focus on strategies for organization‐public relationship maintenance and this study also sought to identify and measure the quality of maintenance strategies.
Defining realities
Authors: Barbaro Geoff
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how organisations generate the additional value from community consultation and take advantage of the opportunities that engagement with the community can present.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper derives from the author's experiences as a public relations officer. In 2000, he experienced two consultations on the same topic while working for the City of Melbourne. The first was a consultation imposed by the State Government on whether supervised injecting facilities should be introduced in Victoria to deal with the growing heroin problem. The second was the development of the City's Drug Action Plan. The contrast between these two consultations was stark and motivated the author to share his thoughts on community consultation.

Findings

More successful community consultations, and more creative results, are achieved by consulting about the problem, allowing the community and organisation to come up with solutions together. This approach was particularly successful in the development and implementation of the City of Melbourne Drug Action Plan in 2000. Community consultation can be a very effective tool when used appropriately by organisations that are prepared to utilise the knowledge and expertise of the communities they deal with.

Originality/value

While this paper deals predominantly with community relations in the organisational operations context, the techniques described are valid and useful for all community relations projects regardless of definition, and indeed can be used in other forms of public relations and public affairs.
What should public relations theory do, practically speaking?
Authors: Cheney George , Thøger Christensen Lars
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss issues of PR theory and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents seven questions that are crucial to the conversation between PR theory and practice. The questions center on these concepts, in turn: identity/image, organizational culture, modes of representation, advocacy, audiences (including “the self”), dialogue in idealism and practice, and social engagement.

Findings

The persistent, negative reputation of PR has to be of concern to theorists as well as practitioners. PR has tended to ignore, hold static, or even render invisible the internal affairs of organizations, including the values, opinions and preferences of employees. The idea of representation, with its epistemological, political, and linguistic senses, can help to inform PR theory through a full‐blown consideration of what it means to “stand for” an organization or a cause or an industry. Advocates of PR practice who essentially argue that “the wrangle of the marketplace of ideas” will yield some kind of truth, or at least a high‐quality debate, fail to acknowledge that the quantity of views expressed and the quantity of organizations engaged may no more bring us toward genuine deliberative democracy than 500 TV channels make us better informed. In PR practice, as well as in marketing and other communication functions of the organization, a great deal of the symbols organizations produce are both shaped by and tailored to self‐consumption. Rather than assuming that the procedural correctness of symmetrical communication systems is necessarily to the same as dialogue, PR scholars and practitioners need to come to terms with the more subtle forms of power at play when organizations engage in talks and negotiations with their stakeholders. The paper advocates a perspective that takes into account the full “pragmatic” possibilities of persuasive campaigns – viewed not only in isolation but also in terms of their broader and cumulative effects.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the debate on PR theory and practice.
What is the role of public relation theory?
Authors: Watts Reginald
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To discuss the role of public relations theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the importance of public relations theory.

Findings

Public relations spans many academic disciplines. Its role is to dissect and critically examine their relevant elements and apply them coherently to professional practice. Public relations needs to mobilise elements from the great body of academic work that already exists and translate that work into methodologies suitable for practitioner use. Unless public relations comes to terms with the dearth of knowledge concerning how people take meaning from the channels by which we communicate our work will not be advanced.

Originality/value

The paper stresses that the future rests within a theoretical diaspora, whereby if public relations can enter a new era of effectiveness invading disciplines can be repelled and true modernisation achieved.
Theory on strategic communication management is the key to unlocking the boardroom
Authors: Bütschi Gerhard , Steyn Benita
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that academics should have an intimate understanding of the practical problems facing the corporate communication/public relations profession.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses how good theory should guide research towards crucial questions and enlighten the profession.

Findings

Academics should build theory that guides research toward crucial questions to enlighten the profession. The research agenda should include macro issues such as the purpose of corporate communication in the new business paradigm; its contribution to organisational effectiveness; scope of delivery; strategy development and alignment; functional integration; return on investment; and the core competencies, processes and structures needed to enhance performance. This will create the knowledge to rectify current criticisms and fulfil top management expectations of the corporate communication function.

Originality/value

The paper highlights how theory on strategic communication management is the key to unlocking the boardroom.
On the challenge of practice informed by theory
Authors: Toth Elizabeth L.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the challenge of practice informed by theory in public relations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers a brief discussion of theoretical understanding in public relations.

Findings

The paper advocates that knowledge building must include theoretical research that explains and improves practice.

Originality/value

The paper stresses the importance of scholars integrating their theory making with practice.
Early intervention programs: an effective police accountability tool, or punishment of the productive?
Authors: Michelle Lersch Kim , Bazley Tom , Mieczkowski Tom
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine one agency's experience with their early intervention program (EIP), exploring the specifics of the program as well as the characteristics of the officers who were identified by their EIP criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from calendar year 2000 that were provided from the Internal Affairs Bureau of a large Southern police department, the characteristics of EIP and non‐EIP flagged officers, the classifying criteria examined, and the issue of productivity and opportunity investigated as they related to the classification criteria.

Findings

EIP officers were more likely to be younger, male, and have fewer years of experience. Additionally, these officers made more arrests, filed more use of force reports, and used higher levels of force. All qualifications were based on the use of force. The findings highlighted the importance of considering the productivity of an officer along with the EIP criteria: opportunity (defined as the number of use of force reports filed) and the use of high force were inversely related. Among officers with the highest proportion of high force usage, none was classified as an EIP officer.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are based on a single year from a single agency. No controls were able to be made for geographic assignment, potentially an important consideration.

Practical implications

A very useful source of information for agencies wishing to adopt or modify an EIP program.

Originality/value

As one of the first empirical analyses of EIPs, the research presented here sparks a debate on a number of issues, including the definition of “opportunity” and how agencies can improve their EIP systems.
Assessing the quality of police services using SERVQUAL
Authors: Donnelly Mike , Kerr Neil J. , Rimmer Russell , Shiu Edward M.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of the SERVQUAL approach to assess the quality of service of Strathclyde Police in Scotland. Measuring service quality in public services is fraught with difficulty – especially in public services where customers are vulnerable citizens whose contact with the service may be limited.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports on a SERVQUAL survey of elected representatives serving the area covered by Strathclyde Police Force. The survey captures respondents' expectations of an excellent police service and compares these with their perceptions of the service delivered by Strathclyde Police. The paper also reports on a parallel SERVQUAL survey of police officers in Strathclyde to examine how well the force understands its customers' expectations and how well its internal processes support the delivery of top quality policing services.

Findings

While there is a significant shortfall in meeting customer expectations, the police force appears to have a good understanding of what these expectations actually are. There also appear to be gaps in the formalisation of service quality standards, in the force's ability to meet established standards, and in its ability to deliver the level of service it promises to customers.

Research limitations/implications

A key technical result is that the primary SERVQUAL instrument appears to be internally consistent but lacks discriminatory validity between the five SERVQUAL dimensions in this service arena.

Practical implications

The paper will be of interest to strategic and operational police service managers and to academics investigating the reliability and value of service quality assessment tools.

Originality/value

The paper reports an original application of the SERVQUAL approach to police services.
Measuring police efficiency in India: an application of data envelopment analysis
Authors: Verma Arvind , Gavirneni Srinagesh
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to develop a method for measuring police efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of this paper is to apply the technique of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a comparative or relative efficiency measuring mechanism to police‐work‐related data from India. This application provides a rationale for identifying good performance practices. It helps in generating targets of performance, the optimum levels of operations, role models that inefficient departments can emulate and the extent to which improvements can be made over a period of time.

Findings

The paper measures the performances of State police units in India and the results suggest ways in which some State police departments can improve their overall efficiency.

Practical implications

The paper suggests ways in which the efficiency of any unit of criminal justice systems may be formulated and compared across different units of the system.

Originality/value

The value is that it introduces a new technique to police practitioners and researchers and demonstrates its efficacy by case analysis from India.
Community‐oriented policing in a retail shopping center
Authors: Jim Julia , Ngo Mitchell Fawn , Kent Douglas R.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report findings from the assessment of the Police/Business Empowerment Partnership (P/BEP), a community‐oriented policing program, implemented at a retail shopping center in the city of Westminster, California.

Design/methodology/approach

A quasi‐experimental design of pre‐ and post‐test was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of P/BEP. Participants' perceptions regarding various safety measures were gathered before and after the implementation of the program.

Findings

Pre‐post comparison revealed significant reduction in perceptions of gang activity, auto theft activity and fear of crime at the shopping center after program implementation. Though non‐significant, changes observed in other targeted constructs were also found to be in the desired direction. Overall, analysis indicated that the program helps promote a conducive business environment for the merchants and their customers.

Practical implications

Findings from this evaluation provided evidence that collaborative efforts between businesses and the police do have a positive effect in fighting and preventing crime.

Originality/value

P/BEP is one demonstration of a community's effort in utilizing police resources to target specific problems.
Public perceptions of the police in Mexico: a case study
Authors: Brown Ben , Reed Benedict Wm , Wilkinson William V.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to assess public perceptions of the police in Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys were administered to more than 300 law school students in Tampico, Tamaulipas.

Findings

Analyses of the data show that the majority of respondents view the municipal, state, and federal police forces negatively. The analyses also indicate that the federal police are viewed less negatively than the state police and the state police are viewed less negatively than the municipal police. Finally, the analyses show that there is a difference in diffuse and specific support for the police agencies, but there was not a consistent pattern of diffuse support being greater than specific support.

Research limitations/implications

Because the sample was composed of law school students, the results cannot be generalized to the Mexican populace. And the unusual findings pertaining to diffuse and specific support for the police indicate a need for additional research on this phenomenon.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the recent police reforms in Mexico have failed to instill public confidence in the police and that the Mexican government needs to increase police reform efforts. In addition, because of the large influx of immigration from Mexico into the USA, police agencies in the USA will need to increase efforts to work with Hispanic communities in order to gain the confidence of the Mexican immigrants.

Originality/value

To date, this is the most comprehensive empirical examination of perceptions of the police forces in Mexico.
Peer learning in construction work: virtuality and time in workplace learning
Authors: Styhre Alexander
Published: July 2006

Purpose

All workplace learning takes place under specific temporal conditions. In fact, one learns in order to be better equipped to deal with future challenges. At the same time, learning is always embedded in previous experiences. Thus, the notion of time needs to be theoretically integrated into organization and workplace learning. This paper seeks to investigate the temporal aspects of organization and workplace learning by discussing the notion of virtuality as examined by the French philosopher Henri Bergson.

Design/methodology/approach

A study of organization learning among construction workers is used as an empirical illustration of the virtual as a specific form of temporality inherent in all organization learning.

Findings

In construction work, learning takes place through practical engagements and through sharing know‐how and experiences with peers. In these interactions between peers, practical concerns are woven into a temporal texture integrating past, present and future. Learning thus draws on its virtuality in terms of binding temporality and practical undertakings together in a coherent, seamless framework.

Research limitations/implications

The paper seeks to bridge organization and workplace learning theory and temporality, here expressed in terms of theories of virtuality, and more specifically the philosophy of Henri Bergson. When examining workplace learning, temporality needs to be recognized, and therefore theories of virtuality are of relevance.

Originality/value

The paper provides a review of the writing on virtuality in Bergson's work, to date little exploited in the workplace learning literature, and offers an empirical illustration of the conceptual thinking.
HRD: the shapes and things to come
Authors: Simmonds David , Pedersen Cec
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To redefine contemporary HRD through a discussion of its conceptual development from “training and development” to a holistic “orchestra”.

Design/methodology/approach

HRD is often defined as being merely the training and development aspect of human resource management and this form of definition is commonly associated with “hard” forms of HRD which focus on the practical and strategic or “structured” elements of organisational functioning. However, it is change, and especially the rate at which change occurs, that largely influences the HRD hybrid that any organisation adopts. This paper systematically considers the professional discussions in a number of countries to trace HRD through four key phases: the “Duet”, the “Trio”, the “Quartet”, and concluding with the “Orchestra” and a holistic definition of HRD.

Findings

HRD is a combination of structured and unstructured learning and performance‐based activities which develop individual and organisational competency, capability and capacity to cope with and successfully manage change. The future of HRD now lies squarely in the need for the profession to consider and embrace the inextricably interrelated paradigms of movement (where people have developed from); change (and especially the rate of change); dynamism (provided from leadership); harmony and unity (resulting from cohesive partnerships) – the “Orchestra”.

Originality/value

There has been limited critical review and development of Human Resource Development (HRD) theory in the past two decades. This paper presents a sequential discussion of the chronological development of HRD and concludes that contemporary HRD involves a holistic approach involving both hard and soft elements – an “Orchestra”.
Tacit knowledge transfer and the knowledge disconnect
Authors: Foos Ted , Schum Gary , Rothenberg Sandra
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at some of the factors that influence the transfer of tacit knowledge between two product development partners.

Design/methodology/approach

Research involved the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data was based on 13 interviews with various individuals, representing three companies, charged with integrating external technology. The quantitative portion of the data was collected through an online survey. The survey was executed by soliciting responses from managers of 39 discreet projects involving various types of external technology integration, representing five different companies.

Findings

The paper provides evidence that trust, early involvement, and due diligence influence the extent of meeting technology transfer expectations and tacit knowledge transfer expectations. It also finds that the subject of tacit knowledge transfer, content and process, is poorly understood. While managers and project leaders saw the value of tacit knowledge, there were different perceptions of the goals successful knowledge transfer and a lack of processes to manage its process. While project managers may feel that they have tacit knowledge transfer in hand, they have not managed to transfer the knowledge needed for long‐term product management.

Research limitations/implications

There are a number of limitations affecting the scope of these findings. For one, our survey respondents were all project or product managers. Future research should include a broader base of participants, both horizontally and vertically. Second, interviews and surveys were confined to a total of five US companies in three industries. Future research would benefit from a larger sample size, as well as greater sample diversity in terms of firm size, industry, and cultural context. Lastly, the measure of tacit knowledge transfer needs additional validation.

Practical implications

The paper offers several recommendations to help managers begin to think of tacit knowledge as an independent entity and manage it accordingly.

Originality/value

This paper offers empirical support for some of the factors that influence the extent of meeting technology and tacit knowledge transfer expectations. Moreover, it offers a unique model that highlights how different levels of an organizational hierarchy are governed by significantly different goals and expectations with regard to tacit knowledge transfer.
The five‐tier knowledge management hierarchy
Authors: Hicks Richard C. , Dattero Ronald , Galup Stuart D.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Many terms commonly used in the field of knowledge management (KM) have multiple uses and sometimes conflicting definitions because they are adapted from other research streams. Discussions of the various hierarchies of data, information, knowledge, and other related terms, although of value, are limited in providing support for KM. The purpose of this this paper is to define a new set of terminology and develop a five‐tier knowledge management hierarchy (5TKMH) that can provide guidance to managers involved in KM efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

The 5TKMH is developed by extending the knowledge hierarchy to include an individual and an innovation tier.

Findings

The 5TKMH includes all of the types of KM identified in the literature, provides a tool for evaluating the KM effort in a firm, identifies the relationships between knowledge sources, and provides an evolutionary path for KM efforts within the firm.

Research limitations/implications

The 5TKMH has not been formally tested.

Practical implications

The 5TKMH supports a KM life‐cycle that provides guidance to the chief knowledge officer and can be employed to inventory knowledge assets, evaluate KM strategy, and plan and manage the evolution of knowledge assets in the firm.

Originality/value

In this paper, a new set of terminology is defined and a 5TKMH is developed that can provide guidance to managers involved in KM efforts and determining the future path of KM in the firm.
Knowledge management at SMEs: five peculiarities
Authors: Desouza Kevin C. , Awazu Yukika
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Managing knowledge is a critical capability for small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) to master because it helps them leverage their most critical resource. Organizational knowledge is the most salient resource at the disposal of SMEs in terms of availability, access, and depth. Successful SMEs are those who can leverage their knowledge in an effective and efficient manner, so as to make up for deficiencies in traditional resources, like land, labor, and capital. The purpose of this article to to discuss five peculiarities about knowledge management practices at SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The article draws findings from a nine‐month investigation of knowledge management practices at 25 SMEs.

Findings

The research discovered that SMEs do not manage knowledge the same way as larger organizations. Viewing SME knowledge management practices as scaled down versions of the practices found in larger organizations is incorrect. SMEs have understandable resource constraints, and hence have to be creative in working around these limitations in order to manage knowledge.

Originality/value

The paper sheds some light on peculiarities in SME knowledge management practices, which will hopefully entice scholars and practitioners to follow‐up with more detailed research undertakings.
Collective intelligence: a keystone in knowledge management
Authors: Boder André
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide a new paradigm and a practical model whereby knowledge management may reunify the founding principles of knowledge with business challenges in organizations, such as innovation or yet customer's needs.

Design/methodology/approach

The new paradigm revolves around the concept of collective intelligence. It is broken down into three blocks, each of which constitutes an aspect that needs to be taken into account while addressing a business challenge. In each case presented, these aspects have been exemplified, so as to show how they participate to the problem solving process.

Findings

The paper provides practical methods. The paper also provides information about how the approach can be applied in a great variety of domains, such as electrical engineering, health care or yet information technology.

Research limitations/implications

Opens a new field of reflection whereby the organization's knowledge, seen as representing its uniqueness, internal coherence and ability to solve everyday problems, can play a strategic role. Also, it is a reference for co‐innovation between partners, as the reciprocal integration between two sources of knowledge may be seen as a co‐adaptation between the organization's value chain and the partner's one.

Practical implications

Constitutes a real potential to develop a variety of new approaches in knowledge management, based on the concept of collective intelligence.

Originality/value

The paper brings together issues that are usually dealt with in separate domains, such as customer relationships, analysis of competencies and know how or yet innovation processes and value chains.
ActKM: the story of a community
Authors: Milne Patricia , Callahan Shawn
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a research project that sought to discover the value of the online KM discussion list, ActKM, to its members; how members manage the postings, the degree of off‐list activity generated through the list; and the impact of the list on KM practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through the use of web‐based questionnaires to the full list membership and a second questionnaire to members of the list's core management team. Telephone interviews were conducted with a sample drawn from the frequent contributors to the list. A basic assumption of the research was that the discussion list ActKM is a community of practice.

Findings

The results indicated that ActKM is indeed a community of practice and that off‐list activity is considered a valuable extension of community life. Other finings are that ActKM is a significant tool that facilitates learning for members and there is strong agreement about the type of postings that are preferred.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides useful insights into the value of list membership for individuals. However, while the results suggest that there has been an impact on the practice of KM more generally, this research is not able to identify the degree to which this has occurred.

Originality/value

Online discussion lists proliferate. This paper provides useful guidance for list managers and for those wanting to support and nurture online communities of practice.
Creating architectural approaches to knowledge management: an example from the space industry
Authors: Holm J. , Olla Phillip , Moura Denis , Warhaut Manfred
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This article aims to provide an insight into the work carried out by a consortium of organizations that have an interest in space activities and to provide a focus on the knowledge architecture that is needed to ensure a viable short‐ and long‐term plan for implementing a successful knowledge management program.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the study were collected by analyzing documents, interviews, group discussions, reviewing technical specifications, and by participating in online group discussions via a dedicated knowledge management portal created for the group

Findings

Generating and maintaining organizational knowledge and identifying lessons learned from space project management activities is a crucial activity for planning future projects. One of the most important elements in transferring knowledge is creating a knowledge management system that supports the organizational processes and is based on a sound technical foundation.

Practical implications

This article has resulted from the sharing of knowledge, procedures, and details of technical systems between space organizations from around the world. This approach should be considered by other sectors.

Originality/value

The article describes an architectural approach to creating a knowledge management system.
Facing knowledge evolution in space project: a multi‐viewpoint approach
Authors: Rothenburger Bernard , Galarreta Daniel
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide a conceptual and methodological framework in order to prevent knowledge loss in a long duration space project.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from risk management, the paper considers existing factors that contribute to the success of the mission, such as dependability and safety, and then argues, using a multi‐viewpoint approach, that risk analysis produces knowledge (not simply information or data). Then, the paper describes how the filtering of risky components of a technical documentation is performed. It is based on the confrontation of the vocabulary of the different documents to an ontology of “criticality” built by the authors. The paper also describes how the knowledge evolutions are detected and how the interpretation of these evolutions is carried out.

Findings

On a conceptual side, a general model of the design process is presented based on a multi‐viewpoints approach and characterised by a value system. On the practical side, an ontology of risk, used as a reference system in order to compare knowledge at different stages of a project, is described.

Research limitations/implications

Some difficulty arises when a very huge documentation is addressed. Among all evolution clues a lot of them could be well‐known by everybody or could be of little importance.

Practical implications

The paper intends to have a preventive strategy for knowledge loss in a long duration project. Reaching the ultimate stage of a mission, project management should be able to identify the main knowledge differences between technical culture of new incomers and the one of the early designer that can be found in the project documents.

Originality/value

The paper carries a multi‐discipline approach, putting together different domains: space activity, statistic specialist, knowledge managements, and linguistics.
Using a “balanced approach” to measure merchandising supplier performance
Authors: Knotts Tami L. , Jones Stephen C. , Udell Gerald G.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Aims to verify the usefulness of a “balanced approach”.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined 236 small manufacturers that had attempted to become suppliers to the mass merchandiser market. Each firm was asked to complete a self‐assessment instrument and allow its product to be independently evaluated by a trained marketing professional.

Findings

The results suggest that, while the balanced approach is useful in evaluating small suppliers, the reliance on only firm‐related items is not as effective as an approach using an instrument that also includes product‐specific measures. Firms with superior management and products were more successful in reaching a merchandiser's shelves than those with poor ratings in each area.

Originality/value

This study not only evaluated management areas similar to the ones recommended by Kaplan, Norton, and Kanji, but also included an assessment of product attributes. The study suggests that a balanced approach to performance assessment includes both firm and product measures. Buyers and suppliers in the mass merchandising industry could use this approach to more accurately assess the strengths and weaknesses of a potential relationship.
An analysis of European textile sector competitiveness
Authors: Bilalis Nicholas , Van Wassenhove Luk N. , Maravelakis Emmanuel , Enders Andreas , Moustakis Vassilis , Antoniadis Aristomenis
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The European Union (EU) clothing and textile industries are characterized by very intense international competition. EU producers face fierce competition from exports of new industrialized countries whose low wages and social charges give them a considerable competitive advantage. This paper seeks to present the results of an analysis of the European textile sector competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on an industrial excellence (IE) model developed by INSEAD. This model has been used for the last ten years in an annual award (IEA), given out in France and Germany. This time the model was used not for giving an award, but for assessing and analyzing the current status of industrial excellence in the textile sector. For this reason a sample of textile companies from three European countries was used and results of the analysis are presented. The textile companies that participated in the analysis were benchmarked against the technologically advanced IEA sample consisting of companies from various industries, which participated in the competition during the last three years.

Findings

Key performance indicators of the textile sector are analyzed, including quality, flexibility, supply chain management, strategy formulation and strategy implementation. Significant improvement potential, especially in the areas of human resource management and knowledge management, is indicated.

Research limitations/implications

Provides a methodology for employing the IE approach in their operation. Also provides a methodology for analyzing sector performance and new areas of differentiation in the European textile sector.

Practical implications

The results of the analysis were used to define customized IE training in order to promote expertise in IE in textiles and improve competitiveness of the sector.

Originality/value

The IEA model is used for the first time, not for giving an award, but as an IE assessment tool which can assist managers both of textile companies and intermediary bodies.
Autonomy as a start‐up motive
Authors: van Gelderen Marco , Jansen Paul
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Autonomy is a primary motive for a large majority of small business starters. As an explanation of why people want their own (autonomous) business it is tautological. This study sets out to focus on an explanation of the autonomy motive itself: why small business starters want autonomy.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews with a sample of 167 nascent entrepreneurs.

Findings

There are two types of autonomy motives: a proximal motive which is associated with task characteristics of being self‐employed (decisional freedom), and distal motives for which autonomy is instrumental (to avoid a boss or restrictions; to act in a self‐endorsed and self‐congruent manner; and to be in charge).

Research limitations/implications

Autonomy measures should either operationalise autonomy only in a proximal sense without regard to underlying motive sources, or take distal motives into account and offer items that reflect these autonomy motive sources.

Practical implications

Persons who resist bosses and rules now must be a boss and set rules themselves. People who want to express their personality and creativity in their work might be so busy and occupied that there will be little space left for personality and creativity expression. People who want autonomy because of the power and control it brings them may find that as a small business owner they have to deal with several types of uncertainty. Practitioners must resolve these tensions.

Originality/value

In spite of the intimate relationship between freedom and entrepreneurial motivation, this is perhaps the first paper to focus exclusively on autonomy as a start‐up motive.
Localised strategies for supporting incubation
Authors: Atherton Andrew , Hannon Paul D.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To generate and test a coherent framework of incubation strategies and interventions that can be deployed to encourage enterprise development through new venture creation in local economies.

Design/methodology/approach

Postal questionnaire to new ventures, combined with ongoing engagement of and consultation with incubation practitioners and local economic development professionals.

Findings

Seven generic incubation strategies were identified and developed. Four focus on a premises‐driven approach to incubation, and three on a more process‐based approach. All seven strategies represent opportunities for tailored and hence targeted approaches to the development of incubators and incubation services.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused on one rural county in England. There is a need to test the strategies in other contexts, to determine their wider relevance.

Practical implications

The seven incubation strategies can be used to develop tailored approaches to incubation, within a comprehensive framework of incubation “options”. The authors suggest that a combination of approaches is developed as the basis for effective local incubation practice.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework for developing incubation strategies that offers coherence and the opportunity for “bottom‐up” yet integrated approaches.
Drivers and dynamic processes for SMEs going global
Authors: Winch Graham W. , Bianchi Carmine
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Many, if not most, small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are subject to the impacts of globalisation. This article seeks to explore the extra dimension of challenge to their already difficult environments when they have to venture into the world‐trade system.

Design/methodology/approach

Recent research undertaken separately by Polish, Italian, Norwegian and UK collaborators examined eight case studies of disparate smaller companies with international operations. This article brings together the common features found, and discusses them in terms of structural drivers and dynamic implications.

Findings

Research findings include the stretching of capabilities in supporting customers in unfamiliar markets, the internal competition for funds in pursuing multiple international markets, the importance of word‐of‐mouth marketing, and the pressures on R&D functions.

Practical implications

The critical importance of balance in smaller enterprises where resources are likely to be tightly constrained is highlighted, and the article observes that, while some of the challenges apply to many firms and other contexts, they are especially critical in SMEs.

Originality/value

This article identifies common pressures and challenges facing SMEs when going global, and uses causal loop diagramming to capture the drivers and consider longer‐term dynamic implications.
Performance measures in English small and medium enterprises: survey results
Authors: Sousa Sérgio D. , Aspinwall Elaine M. , Guimarães Rodrigues A.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To determine the current state of knowledge related to performance measures and their degree of implementation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in England.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts with a literature review and then goes on to discuss the methodology used. The survey is briefly presented together with the analysis of the resultant data. General opinions regarding performance measurement in English SMEs are described, including the most important measures and the biggest obstacles to the adoption of new ones. Hypotheses about differences between groups are tested and discussed.

Findings

This work concludes that there is a gap between the theory/knowledge of performance measures and the practice in English SMEs. Training of employees and difficulty in defining new performance measures were highlighted as the major obstacles to the adoption of new performance measures.

Research limitations/implications

The low response rate of the survey precludes the generalisation of the findings.

Practical implications

Innovation and learning measures should be applied more widely.

Originality/value

This paper is relevant to academics and SME managers because it supports the existence of a gap between the theory of performance measurement and its degree of implementation. In addition, it introduces both theoretical information on performance measurement, including that based on the balanced scorecard perspectives, and practical information from a survey conducted in English SMEs.
B2B international internet marketing
Authors: Eid R. , Trueman M. , Ahmed A.M.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To provide the foundation for further research and good practice in benchmarking since it combines the best aspects of traditional and new internet marketing activities.

Design/methodology/approach

A methodological triangulation approach has been adopted that uses secondary data, a mail questionnaire survey, and case studies, to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The answers of each respondent were coded into the statistical package for social science (SPSS). Frequency analysis was used for data reduction purposes and to develop an overall understanding of the survey responses and a general picture of how the sample group has responded. The initial analysis used descriptive analysis for the whole sample. Furthermore, factor, regression and path analysis were used to study the research variables and their relationships.

Findings

Identification of business‐to‐business international internet marketing (B2B IIM) critical success factors (CSF) by a holistic literature review and a series of statistical and qualitative analysis of the relevant data. Provides information and valuable insights into the marketers' acceptance of the internet for B2B marketing activities. It has also tested the validity of the TAM and IDT in the domain of internet environment.

Research limitations/implications

B2B IIM is an area of research where theory is still inadequate. This study is limited by its cross sectional nature. An additional limitation of the study is the reliance on the subjective, self‐report indicators to measure the research constructs in the survey questionnaire. Another limitation to this study is in representativeness and generlisability issues.

Practical implications

In terms of academic implications, it proposes factors that affect the adoption of the internet for B2B international marketing activities. A key managerial implication is the effect of internet usage on B2B IIM efficiency. Notably, it was found that the use of the internet affects B2B IIM efficiency not directly, but indirectly, through B2B marketing and customer relations activities, international marketing targeting activities and marketing performance. This means that the competitive advantage of marketing efficiency is not automatically achieved with the adoption of the internet.

Originality/value

This paper offers several avenues for investigating individual factors that have a direct impact on the use of internet for international marketing purpose.
Comparative evaluation of practices: lessons from R&D organizations
Authors: Mrinalini N. , Nath Pradosh
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To highlight a few critical issues related to indicators that are used to compare organizational practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is as follows: to compare the efficacy of qualitative and quantitative indicators; objectivity in identification of processes and practices; and make a distinction between essence and logistics of benchmarking.

Findings

For any benchmarking exercise the most important job is objectivity in identification of processes and practices. The distinction between the two is not always apparent. Qualitative evaluation of practices is as important as quantitative evaluation. The quantitative performance indicators for evaluation of best practices come only at the end of a series of critical qualitative analysis of the organizational processes and practices.

Research limitations/implications

The subject of the paper has been the enhancement of the effectiveness of R&D organizations. Such organizations form an important part of the innovation system of a nation, generally known as national innovation system (NIS). NISs of more successful countries are being continuously evaluated and emulated by other countries for attaining respective technological aspirations. This leaves a wide scope for application of benchmarking methodology. The dynamics of networks like NIS being different from that of a business organization, the methodology for best practices has to be refined. The present paper has addressed only the R&D organization part of NIS. Much of the validity of the conclusions will depend upon studies on NIS in particular and organizations not driven by profit motive in general.

Practical implications

The exact definition of the organization in terms of its mandate, long‐term vision and source of competence is the critical task. This is an important lesson for extending benchmarking exercise beyond business enterprises. The study envisages that the methodology would have wide scope of application for organizational restructuring of R&D organizations. However, methodology has to be refined depending on the specificity of the problem of R&D organizations.

Originality/value

It is in presenting the comparative efficacy of qualitative and quantitative indicators for R&D organizations and also in highlighting the importance of benchmarking, the essence of organizational practices, to arrive at the logistics.