bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why do some companies adopt advanced management systems? The Spanish case
Authors: Garcia‐Olaverri Carmen , Huerta Emilio 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the organisational innovation effort that is being carried out by Spanish industrial companies through the implementation of advanced management systems.Design/methodology/approachTaking into account the results of two surveys conducted with Spanish companies (in 1996 and 2007), the authors study the implementation of innovative practices in the organisation of work and describe different typologies of companies, in agreement with how widespread these practices are. In addition, the authors study the determining factors that drive companies to use well‐developed management systems. In order to carry out these analyses use is made of two statistical techniques: cluster analysis and estimation of discrete choice models.FindingsThe study of the company typology reveals that there are industrial companies in Spain competing with three different profiles which are described in the paper. There are differences in some human resource management aspects. The greatest differences are seen in the way the information is shared. The results obtained through the estimation of discrete choice models determine that the main factors that explain the implementation of developed management systems in Spanish companies are: market competition; the development of positioning strategies; the existence of a participatory attitude in management; and the participation in networks along the value chain.Practical implicationsAfter acknowledging the variety of business typologies, the management recommendations suggested in this paper insist on making coordinated progress in decision making on strategies, resources, internal organisation of companies and human resources management policies.Originality/valueThis is the first comprehensive survey about how widespread organisational innovative practices are in Spanish industrial companies.
Nike Davies-Okundaye: building a family social enterprise
Authors: Onwuegbuzie Henrietta N. , Adomdza Gordon N. , Ogola Fredrick O. 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Entrepreneurship.

Study level/applicability
This case is intended for teaching entrepreneurship in any tertiary institution including graduate business schools where the case study method is used. It can also add value to groups interested in creating social value such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It can be taught in a 60-90 minute class depending on the size of the class and type of audience.

Case overview
The case highlights features of indigenous entrepreneurship in a traditional African setting and showcases the merits of traditional training methods. An intriguing case of a social enterprise, inspired by the difficult experiences of an entrepreneur, who grew up in dire poverty. The polygamous family situation she was in led to establishing an enterprise that ensured her livelihood and a means to lift others from poverty. The case provides a unique model of a hybrid family business and social enterprise and illustrates that businesses can do good and still do well financially.

Expected learning outcomes
Learning points include: appreciation of the socio-cultural and economic context of indigenous entrepreneurs; entrepreneurial motivations and their impact on society; how traditional societies transmit entrepreneurial skills; illustration of how theoretical frameworks like network theory and effectuation impact on entrepreneurial ventures; and how challenges of family businesses such as leadership and succession may be overcome through timely planning.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available, consult your librarian for access.
Financial turnaround of Indian Railways (B)
Authors: Singhania Monica , Sharma Sanjeev 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Financial management, strategic management.

Study level/applicability
The study can be used by business schools, companies/organizations, individuals, students of business management, in the area of financial and strategic management to study and analyse management strategies by a Government organization that has to balance social objectives and commercial viability.

Case overview
Indian Railways (IR) has mixed operations – passenger and freight – that generate resources for its development expenditure, as well as fully covering its operational costs. This is in sharp contrast to most world railways that depend on a subsidy for operations and development expenditure. While IR would strive to increase earnings through higher throughput levels and generate more funds through its own resources, the constraints of fixed expenditure, largely comprising staff related expenses and fuel costs make it difficult to achieve the target. Operational and safety considerations dictate the need to ensure adequate provision for working expenses. Global developments significantly influenced the Indian economy after 2008-2009 and resulted in moderation in growth compared with the robust growth in preceding years. IR is presently passing through a difficult phase which began with the slowdown in the economy and implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission's recommendations. While earnings continue to grow both in the passenger and goods segments, the expenditure on account of increases in salaries, allowances and pensions has been much higher than after previous Pay Commissions. This case explores this difficult period for IR when there was a major increase in operating expenditure largely due to the implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission and because of the global economic slowdown.

Expected learning outcomes
These include: being able to analyse whether the turnaround phase of IR is over; and discussing the strategies to return IR to the path of growth.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available; please consult your librarian for access.
Lubrax by Petrobras
Authors: Silva Javier Jorge O. , Zerboni Fernando , Prado Maricruz 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
The case focuses on brief elaboration, importance, objectives and components. While there are many ways to elaborate a brief, the overriding goal is to outline the most relevant guidelines for campaign design, and the decisions required to launch an advertising campaign.

Study level/applicability
This case may be used for the first marketing course in MBA curricula, as well as in executive education programs addressing communications and advertising strategy issues.

Case overview
On a cold July afternoon in 2005, Matías Ruiz faced a difficult challenge. After months of long presentations and detailed discussions, the budget for a new advertising campaign had been finally approved. Ever since its arrival in Argentina, the company had concentrated all its efforts on positioning its corporate brand. Now with a firm standing in the domestic market, the time had come to advertise Lubrax, Petrobras' lubricant brand. Bearing in mind that the goal was to build a unique and independent brand identity for Lubrax while preserving its links to Petrobras, Ruiz's team, along with Diálogo Publicidad, a local advertising agency, had prepared three TV advertisements. Ruiz had to choose the most suitable campaign with an approved budget of US$ 3 million – 40 percent below the sum he had hoped to raise. At least one of those ads had to be launched in late October 2005, in time for the category's seasonal consumer sales peak. To do that, Ruiz needed to make a decision and to present a complete proposal to Lubrax's Marketing Director. This case study describes the questions confronting Ruiz at that time – Which ad should we pick? What brand image do we want for Lubrax? What is it that we wish to communicate? What is our goal? What segment are we addressing?

Expected learning outcomes
The case provides an insight into the use of advertising campaigns as a marketing tool, describing the company's competition, consumers, distribution channels and organizational hurdles. As a result, it may be used to help students: understand communications complexities, delving into each step in the process and taking stock of relevant decisions involved; learn about the research studies and data analyses required to build a communications plan that fits in with a company's strategy; manage a specific marketing budget; gain experience on advertising campaign development and subsequent evaluation; and survey the mix of marketing drivers needed to boost business sustainability. It will enable students to realize both the significance of thorough brief preparation to pursue a company's strategic goals and the importance of ensuring the ad chosen matches that brief.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available; please contact your librarian for access.
Strategic change for sustainability in Thai Commercial Bank
Authors: Pinprayong Boriboon , Wongsurawat Winai 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Strategic change for business sustainability.

Study level/applicability
The case is targeted at the BA level and MBA level, and strategic management courses.

Case overview
The case study focuses on strategic change for business sustainability in the commercial bank sector in Thailand. It describes how Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) developed and implemented strategic change to achieve business sustainability in the economic fluctuations, and the competition in the banking market. SCB is a very long established bank which held the highest market capitalization among Thai Financial Institutions, and it was on the verge of bankruptcy in the Asian financial crisis in 1997.

Expected learning outcomes
These include developing students' understanding of the context and practices of strategic change and the nature of theoretical traditions in the field of strategic change.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available; please consult your librarian for access.
Automating attendance recording of contingent labours at a large construction site
Authors: Koul Saroj 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Operations and human resourcing.

Study level/applicability
This case study is intended for use in graduate, executive level management and doctoral programs. The case study illustrates a combined IT and HR driven participative management control system in a flexible organization structure. It is intended for a class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation.

Case overview
The case describes the situation of managing unskilled workforces (≥14,000 workers) during the construction phase of the 4 × 250MW power plants both for purposes of turnout as well as due compensation, in the event of an accident. The approved labour forces appointed for 45 × 8 h. Man-days after a rigorous fitness test and approvals of the safety officer are allocated housing and other necessary amenities and a commensurate compensation system.

Expected learning outcomes
These include: illustrating typical organizational responsibility structure at a construction site of a large power plant; illustrating the planning and administrative control mechanism in implementing strategy at a construction site of a large power plant; offering students the opportunity to understand and view a typical operational (project) structure; allowing students to speculate adaptations in the wake of an ever-changing business and company environment; and providing an opportunity to introduce a power scenario in India, Indian labour laws and radio frequency identification technology and to relate this to the case in context.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available; please consult your librarian for access.
Fashioning corporate social responsibility
Authors: Jones Peter , Hillier David , Comfort Daphne 
Published: November 2014

Subject areaCorporate social responsibility, sustainability and business ethics.Study level/applicabilityThis case has been designed for undergraduate students, with two target audiences. The first is business and management students following modules in corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability and business ethics. Here the accent is on allowing the students to explore and debate how CSR agendas are emerging within a specific sector of the retail economy. The second is students pursuing fashion, clothing, textile, retailing and consumer studies degrees and here the focus is on how some of the leading fashion goods retailers are addressing CSR. More generally the case can also be used on “Contemporary Issues” modules within general business and management programmes.Case overviewThis small case offers an exploratory review of the emerging CSR issues currently being publicly addressed by the world's leading fashion goods retailers. It includes a brief introduction to CSR; a brief thumbnail sketch of the fashion goods industry; details of the method of enquiry; a description of the CSR issues currently being publicly addressed by the top ten fashion good retailers on their corporate web sites; and some critical reflections on the CSR agendas being pursued by these retailers. The case study is novel in two ways. First, it focuses upon what is an emerging market issue rather than on emerging markets per se though a number of the issues raised in the case have major implications for emerging economies. Second, it addresses the CSR issues being addressed by a number of the leading fashion goods retailers and as such it a not a case which relates to individual decision making. While the case is principally focussed upon the retail sector it ranges across the whole of the supply chain.Expected learning outcomesThe paper provides an accessible review of the CSR issues and agendas currently being pursued by the leading fashion goods retailers and as such it will be of interest to academics, students and practitioners who are interested in both the fashion industry and corporate sustainability.Supplementary materialsTeaching notes are available, please consult your librarian for access.
McDonald's breakfast launch dilemma
Authors: Naz Baig Farah 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Marketing, retail management and new product launch.

Study level/applicability
BBA final year students, MBA first year students.

Case overview
The case is about the decision that needs to be taken for breakfast launch by McDonald's Pakistan. It was mid July 2011, when Jamil Husain, marketing manager, Atif Abbass and Ali Raza. Marketing executives were sitting in the meeting room of Lakson Square building, Karachi, in order to discuss the fate of breakfast menu. It was Jamil's idea to launch the breakfast menu in the Pakistani market. He, however, was unable to convince his team members who thought that the market was not ready to accept the breakfast option since there was a huge difference between Pakistani lifestyle and western lifestyle. Jamil presented his arguments before them but all in vain. Somehow he knew that the same arguments if presented in front of the top management would lead to a “No” situation. Just then the phone rang; it was Caroline, company secretary, confirming the meeting date and venue which was supposed to take place after two days.

Expected learning outcomes
The learning outcomes should be: organizations need to understand the cultural differences and decide about the product launches; based on the class discussion the instructor can conclude whether launching would be a good option or not – apart from culture what are the other important considerations; and preference of glocal vs global – in what situations might a glocal strategy be more suitable as compared with global.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available, please consult your librarian to access.
Delays in probing case irks workers, AMARA, Zimbabwe
Authors: Dandira Martin 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Business management, corporate ethics and management of change.

Study level/applicability
The case study is relevant for undergraduate and post-graduate management degrees. It includes courses such as Business Management, Corporate Ethics and Management of Change.

Case overview
AMARA, a leading parts dealer and a subsidiary company of MTD Holdings has been hit by allegations of corruption which involved a ring of senior employees who are said to have swindled the company out of spare parts worth millions of US dollars with the help of a few security guards who were authorising illegal movements at check points. The workers' committee who blew the whistle on the scandal were now impatient that the investigations ordered in December last year 2011 have not taken off as management appears not keen on them. Management was dragging its feet when it comes to dealing effectively with the allegations. There was no proper strategy on how the allegations were going to be dealt with. There was also victimisation of workers. Senior managers who have been tasked to investigate the issue were suspected to be involved in the scandal thus that is why they were dragging their feet in the investigation.

Expected learning outcomes
Students can focus on the importance of good corporate governance as a cornerstone of good business practice. The importance of an active board of directors is also vital for the smooth running of a business. Students will also appreciate the importance of making quality decisions by top management as an important ingredient for the success of an organisation. The issue of an effective control system in an organisation is also important to avoid leakages which will cost an organisation millions of dollars.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available, please contact your librarian to access.
The Indian television broadcasting industry 2012
Authors: Damodaran Suma , Damodaran Uday 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Business strategy and industrial economics.

Study level/applicability
This case may be used early on in a basic course on strategy in an MBA program or in a course in industrial economics. It can also be used in a session of an executive development program on strategy.

Case overview
The TV Broadcasting industry, worldwide, has been moulded by frequent changes in technology and by regulatory interventions. So has been the case of India. The case begins with a general introduction to the technology of TV broadcasting and distribution and then moves on to a discussion of the technological changes in the Indian context. The evolving structure of the industry in India over three distinct periods is then described. The Industry consists of content producers, broadcasters, aggregators, direct-to-home distributors, multi-system operators and local cable operators. Over the three periods of time, changes in technology and regulation constantly impacted on the structure, the conduct and the performance of players in each segment.

Expected learning outcomes
The analysis of the case is expected to demonstrate the use of theoretical frameworks like the structure-conduct-performance model and Porter's five-force model in arriving at a prognosis of the structure of an industry in general, and that of the Indian TV broadcasting industry in particular.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available, please consult your Librarian for access.
Never innovate to compete rather innovate to change the rules of the game
Authors: Victor Rajeshwari 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
New product development and introduction, Marketing.

Study level/applicability
The case is suitable for post-graduate students in management, or in their final year. The case is intended for those business school students who are familiar with the basics of marketing management and are going through a course on new product development. The level of difficulty for post-graduate management students as far as this case is concerned is medium to high. The case can be a part of the following courses in marketing; new product marketing; technology marketing; brand management (how to build a technology brand).

Case overview
The case concerns a computing technology company – Novatium Solutions – that has developed a new product, an affordable computing system, and is looking at ways of marketing it. The product offering in the initial stages is just hardware with limited local processing abilities that needs to be connected through a wire to a telecom broadband player to provide the internet browsing facility. As the case progresses, the product evolves into upgraded and newer formats. The theme of the case is intended to be new product marketing in a technology sector.

Expected learning outcomes
The following will be the learning outcomes for this case; new product process and marketing in a technology company (compared to non technology consumer product company); bringing customer orientation to a product technology company; the role of a marketing head in a new product company; and building a retail brand for an affordable technology product.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available; please consult your Librarian for access. The teaching notes provide adequate questions and answers (four assignment questions and three class discussion questions) so that faculty members need not look beyond these to give student projects or assignments.
Daiichi Sankyo's generic (mis) adventure: the Ranbaxy takeover
Authors: Chadha Alka 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
The case offers a study of change management in the pharmaceutical industry in India.

Study level/applicability
The case is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students to examine strategic decisionmaking in the context of mergers and acquisitions (M&As), firm capabilities and management practices. In particular, it has important pedagogical lessons for businesses eager to start operations in emerging countries. Students learn to recognize the unique nature of the pharmaceutical market and the factors affecting the demand and supply of drugs, including the economics of generics. The case can be discussed in one class session of approximately one-and-a-half to two hours duration.

Case overview
In 2012, the pharmaceutical industry in India was undergoing dynamic changes. There was keen interest among MNC pharmaceutical giants to buy up Indian generic manufacturing companies since their revenues were drying up with the impending patent expirations of many blockbuster brand name drugs. Japan's Daiichi Sankyo's had taken over the largest Indian pharmaceutical company, Ranbaxy Laboratories, known for its heritage of process innovations and market leadership. However, after the acquisition, Ranbaxy slipped to third position in the domestic market and was facing multiple problems including net losses and falling share prices, cultural differences in management practices, recall of drugs from foreign markets and a US FDA ban on its manufacturing plants. Further, Ranbaxy had always been viewed as a national champion and a customer-friendly company but drug prices had increased after the merger causing problems of affordability. The new CEO of Ranbaxy was facing a dilemma: how to regain the company's position as the market leader. Students are asked to advise the CEO of Ranbaxy how to tackle the challenges arising from the integration of an Indian company with a Japanese company. More specifically, the case focuses on M&A as a strategy for growth and also touches on issues related to competition, regulation, innovation and corporate governance.

Expected learning outcomes
The case discusses the different motives behind the deal for Daiichi Sankyo and Ranbaxy and why it was a strategic move by both the alliance partners. The case also raises issues of corporate governance for the management of Ranbaxy and the need for a proactive corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. The case provides students with the opportunity to develop their analytical skills in a real-life setting and apply theoretical concepts to the consideration of the various issues raised by the acquisition deal.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available; please consult your librarian for access.