bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organizational and behavioral factors that influence knowledge retention
Authors: Caroline Martins Ellen , Meyer Hester W.J. 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to identify and explore the organizational and behavioral factors that influence knowledge retention, specifically in the tacit knowledge sphere.Design/methodology/approachA multidisciplinary approach focusing on knowledge management and organizational behavior was followed to develop a theoretical model that identifies the organizational and behavioral factors to be considered when addressing the issues relating to knowledge loss. A quantitative empirical research paradigm using the survey method was adopted to determine the organizational and behavioral factors that impact on knowledge retention. The survey was conducted electronically and on paper in the water supply industry. The exploratory principal component factor analysis technique (PCFA technique) was used to explore the factor structure underlying the variables. The theoretical model was compared with the newly proposed factor model to determine similarities and differences.FindingsNine key factors were identified through the factor analysis, of which knowledge behaviors, strategy implementation, leadership and people knowledge loss risks proved to be the most important. In comparing the factor structure of the theoretically derived model and the PCFA‐composed factor structure, some factors essentially remained the same with few changes, and a number of new factors emerged.Research limitations/implicationsThe literature study reveals that little research has been conducted in the field of knowledge retention with a behavioral focus. However, a vast amount of literature is found on knowledge, knowledge management, knowledge retention with a focus on organizational challenges and solution driven knowledge retention initiatives, and the organizational behavior discipline as such, thus facilitating the application of the relevant concepts to knowledge retention from an organizational and behavioral perspective.Practical implicationsThis study encourages practitioners to take cognizance of the fact that organizations are different and that enhancing and impeding organizational factors as well as behavioral factors of knowledge retention are to be considered.Originality/valueThe findings should provide insight into the organizational and behavioral factors that should be considered in implementing a knowledge retention strategy to retain critical tacit knowledge, thus ensuring organizational effectiveness and competitive advantage.
Narratives in knowledge sharing: challenging validity
Authors: Geiger Daniel , Schreyögg Georg 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThis paper aims at extending research on narrative knowledge sharing in organizations. Current literature often assumes that narratives can provide orientation and guidance in complex task environments by conveying embedded actionable problem‐solving knowledge or practices. In this paper an empirical example of narrative‐based knowledge sharing is used as a starting point to explore knowledge sharing via narratives in more detail. It turns out to be a much more ambiguous and problematic exercise than previous studies assume.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a conceptual paper but uses a case vignette from Shell to exemplify the problem of narrative‐based knowledge sharing discussed in the paper.FindingsA possible model shall be outlined showing how inconsistent and questionable narratives could be handled in order to provide orientation. It concludes with stressing the importance of reflecting on narratives and suggests a generative interplay between narrative and argumentative modes of communication in knowledge sharing.Originality/valueThe paper is actually the first which deals systematically with the shortcomings of a narrative mode of knowledge sharing. It explores the potential problems and outlines some suggestions of how these problems could be addressed theoretically and practically.
Responsible ownership behaviors and financial performance in family owned businesses
Authors: Berent‐Braun Marta M. , Uhlaner Lorraine M. 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationship of ownership behaviors with both firm financial performance and family assets in the context of family owned businesses.Design/methodology/approachThe research framework allows for a comparison of predictions drawn from social psychological, economic, and management literature. The hypotheses are tested using ordinary least squares hierarchical regression analyses conducted on a nonrandom sample of medium and large family businesses.FindingsThe empirical results identify four potential categories of responsible ownership behaviors: professionalism, active governance, owner as resource, and basic duties. Professionalism (i.e. acting in accordance with expectations and agreements among owners and in relation to the firm) is the only behavior positively associated with financial performance. The effect of active governance (i.e. the monitoring of management) on financial performance is moderated by business size – this behavior has a negative effect on the dependent variable for all but the largest firms in the sample.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the current research and directions for further research include issues related to sampling, other possible variables to be explored, and alternative validations of the responsible ownership concept.Practical implicationsThis study has direct practical implications for owners' actions in relation to one another and with other actors in the firm.Originality/valueThis study contributes to existing research on governance by developing a better understanding of the role of owners and their influence on the firm.
Social capital in the international operations of family SMEs
Authors: Kontinen Tanja , Ojala Arto 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe aim of this study is to discuss how social capital is developed in the internationalization process of small and medium‐sized family enterprises (family SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports findings from an in‐depth multiple case study with four Finnish manufacturing family SMEs. The data were analyzed through the perspectives of structural holes, network closure, and the interplay between these two mechanisms.FindingsThe material in the paper demonstrated that family entrepreneurs had a large number of structural holes when launching international operations, but also after several years of running international operations. Instead of trying to span structural holes, they concentrated merely on developing the network closure with agents and subsidiary staff. The case firms spent a lot of resources on finding suitable network ties and on developing good network closure with the selected social capital ties.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some aspects that might differ depending on the home and target country of firms. For instance, firms in some Asian countries are able to utilize emigrant relationships that help them with networking, which was not the case here with Finnish family SMEs.Practical implicationsFamily entrepreneurs seem to have a tendency to concentrate on a limited number of foreign partners, and to neglect the building of new relationships that could help them in future challenges.Originality/valueThis study: responds to calls for more research on network development in the entrepreneurial process, especially in the context of internationalization; introduces the notions of network closure and structural holes to the internationalization context; and reveals how social capital restricts and facilitates family SMEs' international operations.
Factor analysis of executive compensation determinants: survey evidence from executives and non‐executive investors
Authors: Fleming Arron Scott , Christian Schaupp Ludwig 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the differences between executives and investors in the perception of determinant factors in executive compensation.Design/methodology/approachFrom a survey instrument comprised of archival executive compensation determinant items, a factor analysis is performed to examine the construct determinant perceptions unique to executives and non‐executive investors.FindingsThe authors find differences in factors between executives and non‐executive investors in a manner expected by agency theory. Non‐executive investors place greater weight on factors related to performance and less weight on human capital factors, while executive investors place greater weight on human capital factors in determining executive compensation.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited in that the sample may not be representative of the population of chief executive officers or shareholders in the USA.Practical implicationsDiffering factors suggest that there is a misalignment of measures desired to be the foundation of executive compensation. The differing measures used to potentially motivate agents (executives) by principals (investors) results in an agency cost.Originality/valueThe authors have documented a difference between executives and investors in factors desired to determine executive compensation.
Media impact on corporate governance in India: a research agenda
Authors: Dash Amarendra Kumar 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of media on corporate governance and to develop a research agenda on the same issue in the peculiar Indian setting.Design/methodology/approachExtant and premier literature on the impact of media on corporate governance is reviewed. The relevance of the issue to the Indian context is analyzed. Based on that, a research agenda is developed keeping in view the problems unique to the Indian context.FindingsThe review of literature reveals that research on the impact of media on corporate governance is basically done in the context of Western media and democracy. There is no attempt to gauge the influence of media reports on corporate governance in India, although the largest democracy of the world has experienced the biggest scandals of unethical governance in the last two decades.Originality/valueThis is an early effort to study the role of media in addressing corporate governance issues and abuses in India. The paper brings together the problems peculiar to the Indian situation indicating mass media's scope for having some impact on corporate ethics, regulators' responsibility and public opinion in India.
A Delphi study on building services engineers' core competence and statutory role in Hong Kong
Authors: Yik Francis W.H. , Lai Joseph H.K. , Lee W.L. , Chan K.T. , Chau C.K. 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to narrow the diverse views of the industry stakeholders on two controversial issues, namely the scope of core competence of building services engineers (BSEs) and the statutory role that they should play, which were encountered in an extensive research study on the building services profession of Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approachAn expert panel was formed and the Delphi method was applied to resolve the controversies. In the Delphi process, every panel member was provided with complete opinions expressed by all other panel members in each round of the deliberation.FindingsSufficient support was found for the proposition that professional BSEs should be competent in handling air‐conditioning, electrical, fire services, and plumbing & drainage works, and that the government authorities should mandate the design and compliance certification of electrical and fire services installations by BSEs.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the Delphi method has not been hitherto applied to resolve the controversies addressed in the study, it was proven to be a very effective tool in seeking majority opinions from a group of experts. The same approach may be taken in similar studies in future.Practical implicationsThe core competence identified should be made as a minimum requirement for practitioners who wish to practise as professional BSEs. The views and comments given by the expert panel members are informative references to public policy makers.Originality/valueThis was the first ever study conducted in an attempt to identify the core competence and statutory role of BSEs in Hong Kong.
Drivers and barriers of new product development and innovation in event venues
Authors: Hassanien Ahmed , Dale Crispin 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the role of new product development (NPD) in event venue operations by drawing on existing literature. The paper acknowledges product innovation as an under‐researched field in event venues and explores this within the context of seven diverse operations.Design/methodology/approachUsing a case study analysis methodology the research reveals a number of key findings.FindingsIt is revealed that NPD is a fundamental process within event venues but takes a number of different forms, depending on the profit or non‐profit orientation of the organisation. Within this, the findings discuss the different aims, reasons and barriers of NPD.Originality/valueThe paper concludes with the key issues to NPD that managers in event venues should be aware of and proposes a number of limitations and areas for future research.
The diversification discount and takeovers: some Australian evidence
Authors: Nankervis Michael , Singh Harminder 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the existence of a diversification discount in the Australian takeover market. A sample of 446 Australian publicly‐listed firms involved in the market for corporate control was observed between 2000 and 2007. The authors examined two pre‐announcement and four post‐announcement periods, predominantly around the immediate event date, but also examined activity out to one year following the announcement.Design/methodology/approach – An event study, in this case, is used to examine abnormal returns around the announcement of a merger or acquisition. The timeframe this study intends to focus on is the period from announcement date to a time one year down the track which, although some studies may deem it “long‐term”, is still a relatively short‐term measure of performance. While many variables in acquisitions have been looked at in depth over the years, such as outcome, nature, payment method and size of deal, one area which has had considerably less attention is the area of specialisation and diversification. That is, do focus increasing (or non‐diversification) deals have different return patterns relative to focus decreasing (or diversification) deals?FindingsThe overall findings of this paper are fairly mixed, barring a few exceptions, and there does not appear to be a great deal of variation in return patterns based purely on whether the announced acquisition is non‐diversifying or diversifying in nature.Originality/valueThe paper is of particular value in Australia. Most of the research of diversification to date has taken place in the USA. Australia is similar to the USA in that it has a well‐developed economy based on common law principles and an active equity market, however, the existence of institutional and regulatory differences suggests that US results may not hold in Australia.
Technology transfer in Asia: challenges from a cross‐cultural perspective
Authors: Hirt Christian 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight challenges to the transfer of technologies which are caused by the internationalization of companies and the need to outsource production in a globalized business environment. Aside from typical methods of transfer by means of documents or equipment, technology is mainly brought forward by human resources, which in a transboundary context implies the interaction between cultures. However, a connection between culture and technology has, for a long time, been underestimated by practitioners and researchers and a fortiori necessitates the development of competences to facilitate collaboration in a more and more multicultural working environment.Design/methodology/approachData were retrieved from a semi‐structured questionnaire used in ten in‐depth interviews and exploited by discourse analysis. The survey questionnaire was the main instrument to support data collection in the interviews with at least one respective executive involved in cross‐border technology transfer in the Japanese sample companies.FindingsContradicting the assumptions in Western literature, this study reveals that not only countries correlating on collectivism and masculinity but also more feminine countries can be considered as successful technology transfer partners. It is also substantiated that cultural closeness between countries does not imperatively result in frictionless technology transfer when analyzed from a cultural point of view.Practical implicationsSurvey results from a small‐sized exploratory study on Japanese companies and their experience in technology transfer processes within Asia provide information that will help managers to better understand the challenges in cross‐cultural transfer situations and to create a more effective transfer framework.Originality/valueThis paper focuses on the combination of technology transfer processes and the need for cross‐cultural competence and hence fulfils an identified need to link technology transfer to culture.
A strategic framework for determining e‐commerce adoption
Authors: Li Peixin , Xie Wei 
Published: February 2012

PurposeMany firms have attempted to adopt e‐commerce to upgrade their formidable competitive capabilities and thereby build their own competitive advantages. However, some firms have achieved great performance, whereas others have failed in competitive outcomes. How can the differences in firms' e‐commerce adoption be explained? This question remains largely unanswered. The purpose of this paper is to help fill this literature gap by developing a framework that incorporates factors determining firms' adoption of e‐commerce.Design/methodology/approachThrough literature review, this paper summarizes ten factors which determine firms' adoption of e‐commerce.FindingsThe paper summarizes ten factors which determine firms' adoption of e‐commerce and four significant factors are especially highlighted, including managerial attitudes, corporate strategies, external pressures and firms' technology strengths.Originality/valueThe framework developed by this article provides a conceptual basis for further quantitative analysis. It can also guide firms' implementation of e‐commerce strategy. Moreover, this paper should be of great value to the policy makers who encourage firms to build up their competitiveness through e‐commerce adoption.
Green practices in the Chinese building industry: drivers and impediments
Authors: Ying Liu Jung , Pheng Low Sui , He Xi 
Published: February 2012

PurposeGreen building has become increasingly significant in China, with hundreds of projects being certified. While this has been the case, the driving and impeding factors behind this have remained unclear. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the green practices in China and to investigate the current status and the driving and impeding factors for green practices in the Chinese building industry.Design/methodology/approachAfter a comprehensive review of the pertinent literature, this study first describes major environmental changes in China. Next, this study conducts an industry‐wide survey, with 65 completed responses received that form the analysis of this research.FindingsThe results of the survey showed that “to obtain countenance and incentives from the government” appears to be the dominant motivation for green practices. “High fabrication cost” in design and “cost control” in construction were considered to be the largest obstacles encountered. “Lack of application experience” seems to be the largest obstacle faced in certification. The respondents seem to disagree much on the advantages of green buildings over conventional ones. The study also found that “countenance and incentives from the government” were the most significant driving force behind the rapid expansion of the green building industry in China.Originality/valueA clearer understanding of the perceptions of industry practitioners would assist those in the green building industry to better appreciate their shortcomings and to inspire new ways of improving performance of the green building industry. Although the future of the green building sector in China is promising, this industry still faces significant obstacles in technologies relating to design, production and manufacturing as well as in “soft” skills relating to regulations, management and stimulation.
Modelling bi‐directional research: a fresh approach to stakeholder theory
Authors: Money Kevin , Hillenbrand Carola , Hunter Ian , Money Arthur G. 
Published: February 2012

PurposeWhile Freeman's stakeholder management approach has attracted much attention from both scholars and practitioners, little empirical work has considered the interconnectedness of organisational perspectives and stakeholder perspectives. The purpose of this paper is to respond to this gap by developing and empirically testing a bi‐directional model of organisation/stakeholder relationships.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework is developed that integrates how stakeholders are affected by organisations with how they affect organisations. Quantitative data relating to both sides of the relationship are obtained from 700 customers of a European service organisation and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling technique.FindingsThe findings provide empirical support for the notion of mutual dependency between organisations and stakeholders as advocated by stakeholder theorists. The results suggest that the way stakeholders relate to organisations is dependent on how organisations relate to stakeholders.Originality/valueThe study is original on two fronts: first, it provides a framework and process that can be used by researchers to model bi‐directional research with other stakeholder groups and in different contexts. Second, the study presents an example application of bi‐directional research by empirically linking organisational and stakeholder expectations in the case of customers of a UK service organisation.