bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Managerial challenges in South Africa
Authors: Mayer Claude‐Hélene , Louw Lynette 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate insights into cross‐cultural conflict, identity and values amongst selected managers within a South African management context. It aims to increase the understanding of these complexities from an academic managerial perspective, thereby providing in‐depth information which can lead to the development of managerial training tools for improving diversity and conflict management in the described context.Design/methodology/approachThe authors selected qualitative data from a case study that was conducted in the international South African automotive industry. The case study was based on the post‐modernist premise by considering phenomenological and interpretative paradigms most relevant.FindingsFindings show conflicts in managerial communication and treatment, position and competition, organisation, race and gender and are often defined as “cross‐racial” conflict fuelled by the society's past.Research limitations/implicationsThe generalisability is limited to this specific context and needs to be proven by follow‐up studies which expand the context and the methodological approach of the study.Practical implicationsPractical suggestions address the implementation of training tools, coaching and counselling in cross‐cultural conflict management. They are anticipated to create awareness on managing the present challenges and are aimed at managers and international organisations investing in South Africa.Originality/valueThe paper provides new insights into the discussion on human resource management in a specific South African management context by referring to the highly important topics of cross‐cultural conflict, values and identities.
A study of strategic intelligence as a strategic management tool in the long‐term insurance industry in South Africa
Authors: Pellissier René , Kruger J.‐P. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which strategic intelligence is utilised within the South African long‐term insurance industry and whether it could be used to identify opportunities or threats within the global environment to remain competitive, create greater innovation, and corporate advantage.Design/methodology/approachThe approach of this paper is to obtain the qualitative views and opinions of strategic decision makers, on an executive managerial level within the South African long‐term insurance industry, on their organizations' use of strategic intelligence.FindingsThere are marked differences in the conformity and usage of strategic intelligence and its components between the organizations surveyed, with a measurable difference between large and small organizations, however, it is generally viewed that the use of a strategic intelligence framework could greatly enhance decision making.Research limitations/implicationsData collection was limited to the 82 long‐term insurance companies which were registered with the South African Financial Services Board, with a focus on the organizations listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange within the Life Assurance Sector, within which a final response rate of 36.1 per cent was achieved, including the 100 per cent response rate from the six listed organizations.Practical implicationsThe paper identifies the extent to which strategic intelligence is utilised in the South African long‐term insurance industry, and identifies the benefits or problems that are experienced by implementing and using strategic intelligence as an input to the strategic management process and what value strategic intelligence adds in the decision‐making process.Originality/valueThe identification and utilisation of the most important factors of a strategic intelligence framework will greatly enhance global corporate decision making and result in competitive advantage and constant innovation within the South African business environment.
Discerning the unique in the universal: the notion of organisation identity
Authors: van Tonder Christian L. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of the organisation identity construct by briefly considering the intellectual development of the organisation identity research field since “emergence”, and introducing previously unreported empirical studies pursued from within the framework provided by organisation identity theory (OIT).Design/methodology/approachMixed methods, qualitative and quantitative designs characterise the seven empirical (field) studies that explored the definitional parameters, existential nature and relevance of organisation identity. Observations are bolstered through conceptual and methodological triangulation across studies.FindingsOrganisation identity (OI) is usually articulated in fairly general terms and empirical research is scarce. In the seven studies reported here, OI is substantially reified and operationalised as the sense of organisational identity (SoI) and the fact of organisational identity (FoI). The studies consistently affirm the existential nature of OI as defined and demonstrate the relevance of OI for contemporary scholars and managers in the relationship of OI with organisational performance.Practical implicationsApart from being a source of stability for organisations during transition and change, organisation identity will increasingly become a significant consideration in performance, competitive strategy, talent attraction and retention, and organisational sustainability. An identity‐centric managerial approach that suggests that management consciously address OI, is proposed.Originality/valueOver the past two decades, conceptual contributions on OI proliferated while empirical studies were rare and generally lacked theoretical coherence. The paper reports on one of the few coherent and systematic approaches to researching OI. It offers a brief account of a series of purposeful, theory‐informed studies since 1999. Unlike previous research, these studies are all empirical in nature and pursued from within the same theory frame (OIT). The studies consistently reveal organisation identity as a significant multifunctional organisational construct.
Can the financialised atmosphere be effectively regulated and accounted for?
Authors: McNicholas Patty , Windsor Carolyn 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to carry out a critical analysis of the proposed Australian emissions trading scheme (ETS) as a complex market solution to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs). Specifically it seeks to examine the financial regulatory infrastructure that will more than likely oversee the Australian ETS, the same regulatory infrastructure which failed to prevent the global financial crisis.Design/methodology/approachA critical examination of the financialisation of the atmosphere that follows the growth of the financialisation of capitalism when economic activity shifted from production and service sectors to finance. Financialisation of capitalism is supported by capitalist regulation influenced by neo‐liberal doctrines of free markets and small government.FindingsTrillions of dollars of taxpayer funds bailed out large financial institutions that nearly collapsed after unregulated trading in complex financial products that were supposed to hedge future risk. Corporate emissions trading will involve similar financial products. The measurement and reporting of actual emissions to support the Australian ETS also creates challenges for the accountancy profession to provide a workable conceptual framework.Practical implicationsIf the currently flawed financial infrastructure required for the GHG emissions trading scheme, no amount of taxpayer funded bailouts will reverse the extreme climate change associated with an environmental catastrophe.Originality/valueThe application of financialisation of monopoly capitalism and capitalist regulation theories to the critical analysis of commoditised GHGs traded as financial products in the proposed Australian ETS.
Informal communication styles benefit McDonald's and Ford
Authors: Khan Anas , Khan Riad 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe article's aim is to outline the importance of fluid communication patterns that develop certain employee attributes and improve organizational performance. It seeks to focus on the examples of McDonald's and Ford.Design/methodology/approachThe article draws on work carried out by the authors, plus the HR literature.FindingsIt is argued that flexible, easy and team‐friendly communication styles, rather than the traditional system of bureaucratic communication, are the way forward. It reveals, through the examples of McDonald's and Ford, that informal communication protocols can mean better customer service and organizational performance.Practical implicationsThe article draws attention to a couple of the disadvantages of more open, informal communication styles – in particular that employees can originate incorrect information which nevertheless is absorbed by people around the world, and that employees who move to another company can take sensitive information about their original employer with them. It highlights the effects of modern social networking on traditional, top‐down styles or organizational communication.Originality/valueThe article questions whether top‐down styles can survive in an era of instant social networking.
Transformational public leadership is collaborative
Authors: Maddock Su 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThis article seeks to advance the view that collaborative leadership can generate the relationships necessary to resolve the tensions between rising expectations, smaller budgets and more innovative solutions.Design/methodology/approachThe article contends that, in the 1980s and 1990s, the public sector learned how to manage project and performance from the private sector, but more recently company executives have started to recognize that public‐sector leaders are more adept at managing complexity and broader governance than they are.FindingsIt is argued that many local public leaders are now more collaborative and much less insular and actively engaged in external partnerships as well as internal management.Practical implicationsThe article claims that the transformative capacity of collaborative leaders could forge the foundations of a new public eco‐system at the local level and create a foundation for both a healthier economy and society if given endorsement by central government.Social implicationsInnovative leaders could radically improve services and new models for service provision and governance if they have more confidence in collaborative practice.Originality/valueThe article offers a place‐based model of leadership that reconnects elected politicians, communities and executive leaders, who through partnership and active collaboration reframe local and regional priorities and strategies.
Insurer and intermediary perceptions on the response of Thai local non‐life insurance companies to deregulation
Authors: Vongsuraphichet Oran , Johri Lalit 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine insurers’ and intermediaries’ perceptions of the response to Thailand's non‐life insurance industry to deregulation.Design/methodology/approachThis research paper is based on existing literature and consultation with industry experts, resulting in the development of a 13‐variable questionnaire on perceptions of the local non‐life insurance industry's response to deregulation. A convenience sampling technique was used for the survey respondents, who comprised two groups (insurers and intermediaries), involved in the non‐life insurance industry in Thailand. Factor analysis was applied to the 246 responses to provide some exploratory analysis of underlying factors that account for the patterns among the variables.FindingsThe results of the factor analysis derived four factors that explain the perceptions of insurers and intermediaries to the response of local non‐life insurance industry to deregulation. The four factors include survival, alliance, local knowledge, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Furthermore, the findings indicate that whereas insurers perceived that survival would be the highest priority for local insurers, it was considered to be a secondary priority by the intermediaries. The latter group perceived that alliances and local knowledge were the most significant priorities for local insurance companies after deregulation.Research limitations/implicationsThe data gathered for the study are limited to the perceptions of two respondent groups from one industry. Moreover, this paper did not consider the views of policy makers or the variables that relate to or are caused by deregulation factors. Therefore, future research may extend these findings to other industries, countries, and respondents to provide a more general application.Practical implicationsThe research findings offer managerial implications for both insurers and intermediaries and also implications for researchers on refocusing their efforts in managing non‐life insurance companies. Local insurers should improve and generate factors such as financial strength, accurate pricing, innovative sale methods, an understanding of the local culture, and alliances with other industries.Originality/valueThe paper presents an original insight into an important element of insurers’ and intermediaries’ perspectives on response of local insurance companies after deregulation to the Thai non‐life insurance industry.
A case study on redesign of supply chain network of a manufacturing organization
Authors: Dev Navin K. , Caprihan Rahul , Swami Sanjeev 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the case of a manufacturing firm situated in an industrial city of India, focusing on supply chain management issues of the concerned organization from two operational perspectives: supply side (or the procurement side) and the distribution side of the system.Design/methodology/approachThe authors first considered the outsourcing decision‐making problem in a static environment using analytical expression by means of a variable fraction of demand. Next, the authors extended the scope of this problem by considering outsourcing decisions in a dynamic environment, using the sequential decision‐making approach with various operational and inventory factors. Finally, the authors carried out the study of the distribution side of the supply chain of industry using discrete event simulation.FindingsIt was observed that, in the case study organization, because of the rather unstructured approach in dealing with the outsourcing perspective, the authors suggested the adoption of a more scientific approach in computation of fraction of demand to be outsourced. Further, since the distribution network typically experienced high inventory levels throughout the supply chain, it was decided upfront to optimize this performance measure.Originality/valueThe primary objectives of this exercise are to: address the operational concerns of a real‐life manufacturing environment; apply the theoretical models in a realistic environment, and compare the results of theory with practice; and provide actionable managerial recommendations.
The perceived impact of JIT implementation on operations performance
Authors: Chen Zhi‐Xiang , Hua Tan Kim 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived impact of just‐in‐time (JIT) implementation on operations performance, identify the relationship between elements of JIT (integrated and individual) and performance metrics, and based on the results, present some helpful suggests for improving JIT implementation in manufacturing industry.Design/methodology/approachFramework and hypotheses based on literature review were first constructed, then a questionnaire was developed to collect data from mainland China; in total, 224 information responses were obtained, then statistical analysis was carried out to test the hypotheses. Based on the data analysis results, conclusion and managerial insight were summarized.FindingsResults show that, no matter what kind of industry or scale of sale of the firm, implementation of an aggregate bundle of JIT elements can improve production operations performance. However, for individual elements of JIT, their impacts are different; some basic elements of JIT like 5S, multiple‐skill employee and JIT purchasing can play a more remarkable role than other elements.Practical implicationsThe conclusions of this paper can benefit firms in improving implementation of JIT in practice, especially for those firms in developing countries.Originality/valueAlthough a number of studies on JIT implementation have been reported in developed countries, little attention has been paid to the status of Chinese firms; this paper has value for examining the practice of JIT in China and reference value for other developing countries’ firms.
Bio‐immune systems analogy for effective managerial decision making in conflicting environment
Authors: Padhi Sidhartha S. , Vrat Prem 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the analogy of the human immune system with the economic auction theory.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops an analogy of bio‐immune system with competitive bidding in auction, then develops a model of the situation and discusses its managerial implications.FindingsThe human immune system can be benchmarked to model decision making under competitive environment, such as biddings in auctions and obtains gainful insights.Practical implicationsVarious engineering, management, social science, and defense and security‐related applications of the model are suggested.Originality/valueThe paper presents a novel and innovative model with tremendous potential for varied applications.
Developing the relevance of the accounting academy
Authors: Broadbent Jane , Unerman Jeffrey 
Published: October 2011

PurposeOne of the most important considerations in any research project is a compelling research question, the addressing of which will produce socially and/or economically relevant and beneficial insights based on high‐quality evidence. The purpose of this paper is to explain that each possible research question requires use of the particular research methods that will produce the high‐quality evidence relevant to that question, with the nature of the evidence and the methods required varying from research question to research question.Design/methodology/approachThis discussion paper explores and explains the role and function of interpretive accounting research advocates its adoption.FindingsAs the research method needs to be suited to the research question, any restriction imposed on the credible research methods that are considered acceptable severely limits the ability of the accounting academy to serve the needs of society and the economy by addressing the broadest possible range of research questions. From this perspective it is vital for academics to recognize that both positivist/quantitative and interpretive/qualitative methods produce high‐quality credible research evidence.Research limitations/implicationsAny preconceptions within a nation's accounting academy over the unacceptability of either positivist or interpretive research will damage the health and relevance of that academy in the longer term.Originality/valueThe paper argues that both positivist and interpretivist research are needed, drawing on notions of subjectivity, objectivity and inter‐subjectivity in the context of the social construction of both accounting information and research data, and in the context of the socially constructing nature of research evidence.
The association between South African listed companies' BEE scores and market performance
Authors: Ferreira Petri , de Villiers Charl 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether an association exists between a firm's black economic empowerment (BEE) score and its share returns.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses linear regression that controls for the factors explaining share returns identified by Fama and French. The study includes the Top 200 BEE companies according to the Financial Mail/Empowerdex Top Empowerment Companies survey for 2005‐2008.FindingsThe regression analysis shows a significant, negative association between a firm's BEE score and its share returns.Research limitations/implicationsThe results suggest that managers may be over‐investing in activities to improve their firms' BEE scores. This result is surprising. The long‐term effect of BEE investment, the association between the different elements of the BEE score and share returns and the optimal BEE investment level are all fruitful avenues for future research.Originality/valueOne of the elements of the BEE score is the percentage of black ownership of the company. Various studies have found positive market reactions to BEE deal announcements, which relate to the percentage of black ownership of the company. By contrast, this study investigates the relationship between an entity's BEE score, as opposed to a BEE deal announcement, and this entity's market performance. The results would be of interest to government policy analysts, investors and managers.
Why some students choose to become chartered accountants (and others do not)
Authors: van Zyl Cilliers , de Villiers Charl 
Published: October 2011

PurposeSouth Africa, like many countries in the rest of the world, is currently facing a shortage of chartered accountants (CAs). The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing the career choice of accounting students in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was used to assist professional institutes of CAs, universities, audit practitioners and other interested parties to understand the factors that influence students' career choices. The respondents were first‐year business students at a leading South African university.FindingsThe results indicate that CA students' choice is driven mainly by job security, job satisfaction, aptitude for accounting and potential future earnings. Although a high percentage of non‐CA students have considered becoming a CA (61.6 per cent), they cite job satisfaction as one of the key reasons why they decided against a CA qualification. The two groups clearly have different views on job satisfaction. Another important reason the non‐CA group mentioned against CA studies, was the strenuous nature of this field, including the technical difficulty of the subjects and the lengthy period of study required. Significant differences between the CA and non‐CA group were evident when the means of the ratings of career choice factors were compared. All mean scores, for each of the 12 career choice factors, were higher for CA stream students, compared with the non‐CA stream students. A possible reason is that CA students are more career oriented than their non‐CA student counterparts.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature. It investigates and rates the career choice factors influencing accounting students to become a CA and the factors that influence business students not to pursue CA studies. These results could potentially be used to develop a strategy to influence students' career choice of the CA profession in an effort to increase the number of CAs in South Africa.