bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Four decades of research on product diversification: a literature review
Authors: Benito‐Osorio Diana , Ángel Guerras‐Martín Luis , Ángel Zuñiga‐Vicente José 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to gain new insight into the true nature of the relationship between product diversification and performance, as well as to explore the roles the home country environment and time can play on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe study reviews a large part of the research that has addressed the relationship between product diversification and performance over the last four decades.FindingsThis study identifies the main views (models) that can help scholars to adequately understand, both theoretically and empirically, the potential effect of product diversification on performance: the premium diversification model; the discount diversification model; and the U‐inverted model. The study confirms a wide diversity of results. Drawing from the institutional‐based view, it is argued that a significant part of this heterogeneity stems from the effect of two factors that have often been ignored: the home country environment and time period. The review of recent empirical research seems to provide some support for the central argument that the value firms achieve through product diversification may be contingent both on the specific home country environment (environmental dependency) and time period (time dependency) under study.Originality/valueThis study yields an alternative explanation to the inconsistency in findings that goes beyond strictly theoretical and methodological reasons. It shows that the arguments related to different views (or models) need to be considered “environment‐dependent” and “time‐dependent”. It concludes by proposing a framework to guide future research.
Expanded strategy simulations: developing better managers
Authors: Poisson‐de Haro Serge , Turgut Gokhan 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the use of simulations in strategy teaching. The authors’ conceptualization is built upon the benefits and limitations of simulations by establishing a link between the skills required to be a competent manager and the capacity of simulations to develop them.Design/methodology/approachUsing deductive theory building, the authors pinpoint the shortcomings of simulations, and offer a framework categorizing managerial skill development using simulations to teach strategic management.FindingsThe authors propose a new perspective on the use of simulations to teach strategic management by elaborating on their effectiveness in developing soft skills related to social issues often overlooked in simulations’ learning outcomes. The framework provides propositions concerning the ability of simulations to develop both soft (societal and human) and hard skills (technical and conceptual) needed by managers.Research limitations/implicationsLiterature shows that computer‐based platforms significantly increase the learning process. While such tools are widely used in teaching hard skills for decision making, they are relatively absent from teaching soft skills for decision making. Future studies should empirically explore the extent to which computer‐based platforms help cultivate soft skills.Practical implicationsSimulations are one of the most praised learning tools by management students. MBA administrators and strategy instructors would benefit from improved simulations that take into account the social environment surrounding managers. Expanded simulations, then, might lead to better preparation of management candidates for their tasks. In addition, simulation developers may find guidance in the authors’ conceptualizations to construct more effective teaching aids.Originality/valueContrary to the mainstream literature that focuses on hard‐skill development through simulations, this study calls attention to simulations’ capacity to foster the soft‐skills required to be a competent manager.
Stepping into the unknown: dialogical experiential learning
Authors: Desmond Billy , Jowitt Angela 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to bring attention to a more embodied, holistic way of working which acknowledges not only the mind, but also the body and emotions, of learners and facilitators as they work together in a co‐created relationship to experience a different way of learning and relating. The authors suggest that practitioners step away from the traditional boundaries of reflecting on experiential learning activities post action. They propose a stronger emphasis on working in relationship with clients in the here and now, to support novel ways of relating and learning to emerge.Design/methodology/approachAdapting a reflective inquiry approach, the authors engaged in reflective and reflexive practice to offer a conceptual paper on a dialogical and embodied orientation to experiential learning.FindingsLearning within Outdoor Management Development (OMD) activities can be enriched within the context of a dialogical relationship where participants are invited to attend to their embodied experience and trust different ways of knowing. This requires a shift from the more individualist to a relational paradigm of relating and learning.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors acknowledge the inter‐subjective nature of learning that emerges from within the relationship. So, while a model is proposed to support meaning making, it is not prescribed and in fact the authors realise that it is paradoxical to the emergent nature of learning within relationships.Practical implicationsThe authors seek an alternative approach to Kolb when facilitating experiential learning. They propose the Dialogical Experiential Learning Model, inviting facilitators and participants to be more curious about the experience of working in a specific context, while recognising it will be subject to change.Originality/valueThe dialogical orientation of practitioners and the use of a model does, however, offer guiding principles to support facilitation of experiential learning, while challenging current practitioner knowledge.
Towards whole person learning through sustainable executive performance
Authors: MacGregor Steven P. , Semler Katherine 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the authors’ approach to managerial experiential learning, sustainable executive performance (SEP) and attempt to situate the concept within the business, societal, and managerial development context. SEP focuses on whole person mastery, particularly physiological and physiological‐psychological elements which are largely ignored in management education.Design/methodology/approachThe narrative is based on several custom and executive MBA program implementations over the past 18 months within a leading global business school. In total, SEP has been delivered to over 500 senior managers in leading multinational companies. Such program experiences are backed up by the relevant literature in the field and wider executive education experiences over the past ten years.FindingsThe authors present SEP in the form of the experiential action learning cycle employed during its delivery. The stages of awareness, legitimacy and action provide insight to the evolution, supporting literature and content of the program.Originality/valueAlthough the core content of the SEP program builds on existing work, the authors believe the trans‐disciplinary and integrative approach taken to be highly unique in management education on a global scale.
Intellectual competition as technology for professional training of managers
Authors: Minina Vera , Nikitina Irina 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss educational technologies that meet modern requirements for training and retraining managers. The authors demonstrate the potential of interactive learning technologies in the development of independent thinking of graduates as an example of implementation of Graduate School of Management (GSOM), St Petersburg University, educational programs.Design/methodology/approachThe data in this paper are drawn from a survey by the authors in 2010 of students attending the programs for executives in GSOM (n=49).FindingsThe survey reported that intellectual competitions contribute to achieving independence of participants thinking. The most popular intellectual competitions methods are panel discussion (first place); simulation games with varying roles (team‐consultant and team‐client) and case studies (second place), and modeling professional situations with limited information in writing and calculations (third place).Research limitations and implicationsIt would be valuable to explore similar questions with a larger sample of program participants as well, as it would be valuable to gather longitudinal data to explore how students’ preferences regarding intellectual competitions methods change, and why.Originality/valueThe authors prove the feasibility of intellectual competition as the technology of training, oriented to the development of independent thinking and creativity of executives and describe the experience of using this technology in business education.
Non‐formal management learning through electronic experiential fiction
Authors: Holtham Clive , Rich Martin 
Published: March 2012

PurposeAll sectors of the economy have shortfalls in the quantity and quality of management development, but a notably large skills gap is in the not‐for‐profit sector, compounded by a reluctance among many managers in the sector to engage with learning management skills. The purpose of this paper is to report on a novel approach which has successfully deployed web technology to create a soap‐opera style of material for the purposes of informal experiential learning for managers in that sector.Design/methodology/approachAn action learning approach was used.FindingsIt has proved feasible to deploy the processes and style of soap‐opera (continuing drama) to the development of non‐formal management development materials. It has also been feasible to find and develop a team of authors with suitable management experience and fiction‐writing skills.Research limitations/implicationsThis is based on a single case study developed in a particular set of circumstances, so its generalisability has not been fully evaluated.Practical implicationsSignificant appropriate management and technical resources are needed to set up and produce this type of material on a continuing basis.Social implicationsMany managers are unable to participate in formal management education, but are hard to reach. Their needs are not simply for information, but also for a sense of a learning community and for engaging material, communicated with some drama and clearly relevant to their everyday experience.Originality/valueThe project relates to a unique large‐scale initiative to address hard‐to‐reach groups in need of management development.
Experiential learning for leadership and sustainability at IBM and HSBC
Authors: Gitsham Matthew 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to draw on empirical data from two major organisations (IBM and HSBC) to offer insight on the question of the effectiveness and potential value of experiential learning approaches to developing the mindsets and skills needed by organisational leaders as they respond to the pressures and opportunities of sustainability.Design/methodology/approachThe data in this paper are drawn from semi‐structured interviews with previous programme participants in IBM's Corporate Service Corps and HSBC's Climate Champions Programme.FindingsInterviewees reported that the learning programmes had a powerful impact and that a range of outcomes was achieved. The experiential, immersive experience was a fundamental factor in the achievement of these outcomes, from the perspective of participants, but only alongside a number of other key aspects of the design and facilitation of the programme, and also a number of factors related to the wider organisational context.Research limitations/implicationsIt would be valuable to explore similar questions with a larger sample of programme participants, and also to explore variations across a wider number of organisations. Similarly, it would be valuable to gather longitudinal data to explore how the perspectives of participants on the impact of these learning programmes vary over time.Practical implicationsThe findings lend weight to arguments that those involved in management development might usefully give more consideration of the potential value of experiential learning approaches. The findings also suggest that appropriate consideration be given to a number of other design and facilitation factors, as well as the scope for influencing a range of relevant factors in the wider organisational context.Originality/valueThis paper contributes original empirical data on the effectiveness and potential value of experiential learning approaches.
Collaborative knowledge sharing strategy to enhance organizational learning
Authors: Sita Nirmala Kumaraswamy Kowta , Chitale C.M. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe main purpose of the paper is to assess and suggest the ways and means to enhance a collaborative knowledge sharing culture in academic institutions, with special reference to information technology (IT)‐related education in the Management Faculty of the University of Pune.Design/methodology/approachThe research is descriptive and empirical in nature because the primary data were collected using the survey method through fact finding techniques such as questionnaire and interview. The main purpose of this research is to obtain information concerning the current status of the phenomena to describe “what exists” with respect to variables or conditions in a situation.FindingsThe sustainability of any industry is closely linked to the manpower talent made available by the academic institutions. Therefore in order to service the needs of the industry in tune with rapidly changing trends, academic institutions have to implement innovative learning systems and be able to match up to the expectations of the industry for knowledge support. Collaborative knowledge sharing links the learning and knowledge processes to enhance organizational learning. The knowledge grows more with communication, sharing of ideas and transfer of knowledge through face‐to‐face communication, discussions, faculty development programs, industry‐institute interactions. Academic institutions should align their human resource strategies, practices and processes in such a way that collaborative knowledge sharing becomes a part of the work culture and overcome the barriers to knowledge sharing. There is need to develop systems that can recognize and reward the efforts of employees who share their knowledge. This can empower collaborative knowledge sharing culture in an academic institute.Research limitations/implicationsIn the same context as the practical implications of the paper, it is also appropriate and important to study further how, and to what extent collaborative knowledge improves the performance of the academic institutes. Also, the impact of collaborative knowledge sharing on the quality of higher education.Practical implicationsThe recommendations in this paper focus on factors influencing collaborative knowledge sharing culture and also the practices of collaborative knowledge sharing to enhance organizational learning in an academic institute.Originality/valueThis paper contributes original empirical data on the collaborative knowledge sharing strategy to enhance organizational learning.
Improving RFID traceability systems with verifiable quality
Authors: Azuara Guillermo , Luis Tornos José , Luis Salazar José 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an efficient tool to ensure traceability data entry based on RFID and improve the detection of fakes inside the supply chain.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the authors put forward a secure traceability system with a cryptographic operator that improves efficiency, saves costs and is adaptable to all types of supply chains. Second, the authors implement the system in a food manufacturing company, show the compatibility of the system with the initial production chain and demonstrate its improvement.FindingsThe authors have economically and technologically improved the detection of faked goods in the supply chain by means of a cheap and scalable system based on RFID.Research limitations/implicationsThe system has been tested in a manufacturing point of the supply chain, not in the supply chain as a whole. As traceability is additive in character, the results can be generalized and applied to each part of the supply chain.Practical implicationsA prototype has been built and implemented for a food manufacturing company. It meets all the specifications required for detection of fakes in manufactured products.Originality/valueUnlike other existing products used to detect fakes through traceability, this system identifies fakes and potential counterfeits, significantly reducing the cost of security management. Another important difference is that verification can be performed by a third party not involved in the system, without loss of security.
JIT production, JIT supply and performance: investigating the moderating effects
Authors: Danese Pamela , Romano Pietro , Bortolotti Thomas 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study whether just in time (JIT) supply practices interact with JIT production practices by positively moderating the relationship between JIT production and efficiency/delivery performance.Design/methodology/approachIn total, six hypotheses are developed on the relationships between JIT production, JIT supply, efficiency and delivery performance. The hypotheses are tested through a hierarchical regression analysis using data from a sample of 207 manufacturing plants.FindingsJIT production practices positively affect both efficiency and delivery. JIT supply practices positively moderate the relationship between JIT production and delivery, while there is no significant moderating effect when considering the impact on efficiency. The role of JIT supply as moderator is twofold. On the one hand, it strengthens the positive impact of JIT production on delivery through a complementary effect. On the other hand, low levels of adoption of JIT supply practices can hinder and – for extremely low levels – cancel the impact of JIT production practices on delivery.Practical implicationsWhen efficiency is the priority, companies should direct their efforts on JIT production. However, when their aim is to maximize delivery, they should invest on both JIT production and JIT supply. Results found advise managers to implement some JIT supply practices during the early stages of JIT production programs, because the total absence of any JIT linkages with suppliers can limit JIT production benefits on delivery performance.Originality/valueThis study elaborates on the mutual influence between JIT production and JIT supply practices and demonstrates that they have a different weight and contribute to different aspects of performance improvement. This can help managers involved in JIT implementation to better allocate scarce resources.
A life‐stage analysis of consumer loyalty profile: comparing Generation X and Millennial consumers
Authors: Gurău Călin 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis article aims to provide a comparison between the patterns of brand loyalty of five consumer groups – three groups of Millennials and two groups of Generation X consumers. To avoid reductionist generalizations, the study takes into account several market‐related situations – considering three types of products and two types of services, and investigates also the differences between the customer loyalty profile in two European Union countries with a different level of economic development: France and Romania.Design/methodology/approachData were collected and analyzed in three main phases: first, secondary data have been analyzed to identify and formulate the research framework; second, a series of focus groups have been conducted with French and Romanian consumers; and third, 500 questionnaires have been applied in each of the two investigated countries.FindingsThe findings demonstrate the significant effect of the life‐stage model, the Millennials and Generation X consumers included in similar life‐stage groups displaying a highly similar pattern of brand loyalty behavior, and close preferences regarding the elements used for brand evaluation. On the other hand, the findings show important variations induced by the market‐related situations, and by the different level of economic development of the two investigated countries.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study demonstrate the complexity of the brand loyalty effect and provide valuable insights into the brand loyalty behavior of five consumer groups both for academics and marketers.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates that the effect of consumer life‐stage on the brand loyalty behavior of various consumer groups is stronger than the inter‐generational effect. This effect is demonstrated both for product and service brands, considering several market situations.
Do Millennials read books or blogs? Introducing a media usage typology of the internet generation
Authors: Kilian Thomas , Hennigs Nadine , Langner Sascha 
Published: March 2012

PurposeMillennials, the Net Generation, and digital natives all represent the same, fervently discussed phenomenon, especially in the education sciences. As the terms suggest, the main idea behind this phenomenon is that the younger generation embraces new media far more comprehensively than the older generations. However, the literature is mostly based on anecdotal evidence. To date, surprisingly little empirical research exists on the media use of the “Internet Generation”. In this paper, the authors aim to partially close this gap. In doing so, they focus especially on the use of social media.Design/methodology/approachActive media use is a key element of social software and Web 2.0 and has the potential to affect the media industry on a fundamental level. Using a large‐scale empirical study with over 800 participants, the authors identify three different subgroups of Millennials.FindingsThe results indicate that, although participation in and identification with social media is generally high, Millennials are less homogeneous than the literature suggests. Furthermore, the traditional media still represent integral parts of the overall media portfolio.Originality/valueThese results are valuable not only as a starting point for future research on the Millennials' media usage but also for media management practices in general.