bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Having your cake and eating it too
Authors: Abdallah Chahrazad , Denis Jean‐Louis , Langley Ann 
Published: June 2011

PurposePrevious work on paradox and contradiction has argued for management approaches that transcend dilemmas through a kind of creative synthesis. The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically how change leaders' efforts to transcend contradictions emerge, evolve and contribute to organizational change.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses three case studies in different sectors drawing on interviews, documents and observations.FindingsIt is found that discourses of transcendence emerge as leaders bring new elements to the debate and supply a rationale that creatively bridges opposite poles of a dilemma. The credibility of the discourse is enhanced when it is embedded in extant institutional ideas, when stakeholders' interests and values appear to be accommodated and when leaders are viewed as legitimate. However, inherent contradictions tend to resurface over time, suggesting that while transcendence offers a powerful stimulus for change, its range and lifetime may be transitory. Three mechanisms associated with the acceptance of transcendent ideas (quasi‐resolution of conflict, strategic ambiguity and groupthink) may sow the seeds of their eventual re‐evaluation and dissolution.Originality/valueBy examining the antecedents and consequences of transcendent discourses over time, the paper provides a nuanced view of their potential and limitations.
Managing organizational change: paradoxical problems, solutions, and consequences
Authors: Stoltzfus Kimberly , Stohl Cynthia , Seibold David R. 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how paradox emerges during a planned change initiative to improve and dramatically transform inter‐agency information sharing. Based on interviews with key decision makers, the authors interrogate the relationships among institutional contradictions, emergent dualities, the communicative management of related organizational stakeholder paradoxes, and the consequences of enacted solutions.Design/methodology/approachInterviews with government leaders serve as the data source. These decision makers are from justice agencies participating in planning an information‐sharing program to better protect citizens and their agencies' workforce.FindingsThe data suggests that Seo and Creed's institutional contradiction “isomorphism conflicting with divergent interests” gave rise to three interdependent dualities: stakeholder self‐interest/collective good, stakeholder inclusion/exclusion, and emergent stakeholder consensus/leader driven decision making. These dualities were implicated in the enactment of paradox and its management. No matter what strategy the managers used, the consequences themselves were paradoxical, rooted in the same dualities that were originally present.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors sought to trace the outcomes of how leaders managed the poles of dualities, and found evidence of unintended consequences that were intriguing in their own right and were linked to stakeholder considerations. The paper underscores the importance of communication in the representation of paradoxes and how they were managed, and the unintended consequences of the solutions.Practical implicationsLeaders' articulations of paradox can be tapped for improving change efforts.Originality/valueWhereas, institutional contradictions have been examined in reference to emerging paradox, and while paradoxical solutions have been studied widely, little research has investigated how institutional contradictions become simultaneously embedded in the process and the outcomes of organizational change.
Caught between a rock and a hard place
Authors: Kerosuo Hannele 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to research a critical transition from individually‐experienced double binds to collaborative change. To this end an early phase of a change process in a central surgical unit is studied in detail.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses an interventionist and ethnographic methodology to research the shift from individual to collective during organizational change. Organizational change is studied as a resolution of evolving contradictions. In this early phase, contradictions can emerge as individually‐experienced double binds and crisis.FindingsThe findings of the study describe a transition in which individually‐experienced double binds and crisis become a driving force for organizational change. The dissolution of contradictions as double binds and crisis is strongly connected to emotions. When emotions are unveiled and collectively worked out, they become shared and can be understood critically. A change process is usually conceptualized as proceeding through sequential phases. This study demonstrates, however, that some phases can emerge almost coincidently in organizational change. Researchers can accelerate change with interventionist and ethnographic methodology.Research limitations/implicationsA challenge for change management is how to manage contradictions and emotions to enable change to happen. Emotions have an important role in change processes, which is also a challenge for further research.Originality/valueAn alternative and complementary approach to studying the process of change as a transition from the individual experience of contradictions to collaboratively created change is introduced in the paper.
An exploratory investigation of Black Friday consumption rituals
Authors: Boyd Thomas Jane , Peters Cara 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of the present study is to explore the collective consumption rituals associated with Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and one of the largest shopping days in the USA.Design/methodology/approachThe research design for this study followed the approach of psychological phenomenological interviewing. Over a two‐year period, the authors, along with trained research assistants, conducted interviews with experienced female Black Friday shoppers.FindingsQualitative data from 38 interviews indicated that Black Friday shopping activities constitute a collective consumption ritual that is practiced and shared by multiple generations of female family members and close friends. Four themes emerged from the data: familial bonding, strategic planning, the great race, and mission accomplished. The themes coalesced around a military metaphor.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study indicate that Black Friday shoppers plan for the ritual by examining advertisements and strategically mapping out their plans for the day. Recommendations for retailers are presented.Originality/valueThis exploratory investigation of Black Friday as a consumption ritual offers new insight into the planning and shopping associated with this well‐known American pseudo‐holiday. Findings also extend theory and research on collective consumption rituals.
Retailing in post‐apartheid South Africa: the strategic positioning of Boardmans
Authors: de Bruyn Paul , Freathy Paul 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to detail the strategic repositioning of a retail organisation in South Africa. It seeks to describe the social and political transformations that have occurred since the ending of the apartheid regime and discuss the implications of these changes for the retail sector. In particular, the emergence of a new middle class has required many organisations to reconfigure their business processes and operations. The paper focuses upon one company (Boardmans) to illustrate many of these changes.Design/methodology/approachThe data used in this paper are primarily secondary in nature. One of the authors was also incumbent within the organisation and had direct experience of many of the issues that are described.FindingsMany retail organisations initially found it difficult to cope with the needs of non‐white customers and were forced to make changes to the way in which they operated their businesses. Boardmans, whilst initially coping in the post‐apartheid period, over time, lost touch with its customer base. The paper details how the company's position was re‐established after its acquisition by the Edcon Group. This required an holistic approach that sought to engender change throughout the whole of the organisation.Originality/valueThere is only limited research on the South African retail market. This paper provides a detailed insight into the issues surrounding market positioning and makes an original contribution to this literature.
Consumer‐driven retail operations
Authors: Eroglu Cuneyt , Williams Brent D. , Waller Matthew A. 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the direct and interaction effects of shelf space, case pack quantity, and consumer demand on shelf stockouts, i.e. stockouts at the shelf level when inventory is available in the backroom of a retail store.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses discrete‐event simulation based on data collected from the ready‐to‐eat breakfast cereal category with multiple stockkeeping units (SKUs) to model a retail supply chain consisting of a supplier, a retailer, and consumers.FindingsThe results indicate that shelf space and case pack quantity have direct effects on shelf stockouts. Furthermore, evidence is found for interactions among shelf space, case pack quantity and consumer demand. Though many retailers adopt simple heuristics for shelf space allocation, such as a multiple of case pack quantity, this study suggests that such heuristics tend to over‐ or underestimate shelf space requirements when consumer demand is ignored.Originality/valueThis study suggests that managers should allocate shelf space for SKUs on the basis of not only case pack quantity but also consumer demand.
The impact of decentralised control on firm‐level inventory
Authors: de Leeuw Sander , Holweg Matthias , Williams Geoff 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of decentralised control on finished goods inventory levels in a distribution system, and to identify the factors that determine the overall inventory level.Design/methodology/approachThe authors' study is based on a mixed method approach using both a survey and semi‐structured interviews to assess inventory management practices and firm performance.FindingsIt was found that the common assumptions that distribution outlets or dealers are homogenous and that their behaviour is uniform in response to central control, such as the manufacturer's strategy, do not hold in practice. In fact, the authors show that under conditions of decentralised control, the inventories held at outlet level vary greatly around the aggregate inventory at overall manufacturer level and in this sense bear little resemblance to it. Amongst other conclusions, these findings provide a possible explanation for previous studies' inconclusive evidence on inventory reduction.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors' research is based on evidence from the automotive industry in the USA; future research may include a wider industry analysis and geographical scope.Practical implicationsThe paper identifies how incentives and decision‐making structures at the outlet level need to be considered in order to derive decisions that are optimal at the supply chain level.Originality/valueThe paper extends the current literature on the determinants of inventory levels by using dealer‐level data, as opposed to manufacturer or firm‐level data in previous studies, thereby identifying possible causes for the previously inconclusive evidence on inventory levels in distribution systems.
Relationships between company size, production system and supply chain
Authors: Lopes de Sousa Jabbour Ana Beatriz , Gomes Alves Filho Alceu , Backx Noronha Viana Adriana , José Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how company size and the type of production system affect the adoption of supply chain management (SCM) practices in companies in the electro‐electronics sector in Brazil.Design/methodology/approachAn e‐mail survey of 107 companies associated with the Brazilian Electrical and Electronics Industry Association (ABINEE) was conducted. Statistical techniques were employed to verify the adoption of SCM practices according to the size of the company and its production system.FindingsThe major results indicate that the larger the size of the company, the higher the level of adoption of SCM practices, and that the choice of SCM practices depends upon the type of production system implemented.Practical implicationsThe implications of this study are useful to top management leaders of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises since the findings enable them to identify the most common practices adopted by either large‐, medium‐ or small‐sized companies in order to benchmark the level of adoption of SCM practices. Production managers can also benefit from this study by identifying the SCM practices that may support certain production systems.Originality/valueThe paper deals with the reality of companies in the electro‐electronics sector in Brazil, which is part of a global supply chain; therefore, the results obtained can be useful to foreign companies in this sector. This is the first known research that integrates such concepts in Brazil.
Short‐term momentum patterns in stock and sectoral returns: evidence from India
Authors: Sehgal Sanjay , Jain Sakshi 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate if there are any momentum patterns in stock and sectoral returns and if they can be explained by the risk factors.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology involves portfolio generation based on company characteristics and short‐term prior return (six to 12 months). The characteristic‐sorted portfolios are then regressed on risk factors using one‐factor (CAPM) and multi‐factor model (Fama French model and four‐factor model involving three Fama French factors and an additional sectoral momentum factor).FindingsThe authors find momentum profits in Indian context for prior return portfolios which are stronger for 6‐6 compared to 12‐12 strategies. These momentum profits are larger for some characteristic‐sorted portfolios. Risk models such as CAPM and Fama French model fail to capture momentum profits. In fact, winner portfolios generally comprise large firm and high P/B stocks, thus defying the risk story. Some zero investment momentum‐based trading strategies do provide significant payoffs. The authors also observe momentum profits in sectoral returns. A part of stock momentum profits is captured by sectoral factor, thus implying that it may mainly be an outcome of sectoral momentum.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are pertinent for portfolio managers and investment analysts who are continuously in pursuit of trading strategies that provide extra normal returns. From an academic point of view, the authors suggest that sectoral factor should be used in the multi‐factor framework for explaining asset returns.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the asset pricing and behavioral literature from emerging markets.
Development of analytic network process for the selection of material handling systems in the design of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS)
Authors: Anand G. , Kodali Rambabu , Santosh Kumar B. 
Published: June 2011

PurposeSelection of material handling systems (MHS) is an important decision to be taken during the design of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) as it affects the layout of FMS. Many researchers have addressed this issue of MHS selection in the domain of operations management, while a few of them have addressed this issue in the domain of FMS. However, none of them have modelled this problem by incorporating the relationship/dependencies that exist between various factors/attributes/criteria/elements (in short, it will be called “factors” for the sake of simplicity). The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the development of the analytic network process (ANP) for the selection of MHS in the design of FMS for a hypothetical case organisation.Design/methodology/approachAs mentioned above, selection of MHS in design of FMS is a complex decision‐making problem, as it is dependent on many factors. Hence, one of the recently developed multi‐attribute decision‐making (MADM) models – namely the ANP — is utilised as it has the capability to incorporate the relationship that exists between and within different factors. To demonstrate the application of ANP, a hypothetical case situation is presented.FindingsThe results obtained from ANP revealed that conveyor is a better alternative for the FMS under the given case situation. Furthermore, this study also revealed the computational complexity of the ANP, albeit it is successful implementation of dependency/relationships between the factors within the decision‐making process.Practical implicationsIt is believed that this paper will enable the practitioners to appreciate the role of ANP in the strategic decision‐making process, apart from helping them understand how decisions can be made in a structured manner. However, it should be understood that although ANP can provide adequate support to the decisions being made, it requires the experience and judgements of the decision makers to arrive at a particular decision. Originality/value – According to the authors' knowledge, no paper exists in the literature that demonstrates the application of ANP, specifically for selecting a MHS during the design of FMS by considering 35 or more factors. Furthermore, the paper attempts to model this problem by incorporating the relationship/dependency that exist between these factors, which is unique when compared to those papers that have already dealt with this problem.
Productivity‐based hybrid model: learning from the Indo‐Japanese and Indian auto sector
Authors: Gupta Shruti , Prasad Asha 
Published: June 2011

PurposeIn the rapidly changing market and environment, companies need to employ highly competitive human resources for sustaining a competitive advantage. Human resource management (HRM) practices have a significant impact on firm performance. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key HRM factors from a survey of 41 Indo‐Japanese and 35 Indian firms operating in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) (India) in the automobile sector that affect the productivity and overall performance of firms.Design/methodology/approachThis study is largely based on secondary data combined with an analysis of primary data. It includes primary data collection and the usage of quantitative research tools. A comparative analysis of the Indian and Indo‐Japanese firms operating in Delhi and the NCR has also been made. Factor analysis has been undertaken to examine the various HRM factors that affect the productivity of a firm.FindingsA factor analysis of nine items revealed four underlying dimensions in the instrument. In the case of Indo‐Japanese firms, the factors concerned are: talent planning and engagement; talent motivation; in‐service training; and assessment of training needs. For Indian firms, the factors concerned are: talent acquisition and engagement; talent motivation and need assessment; talent planning; and talent training.Research limitations/implicationsA hybrid model has been developed that combines the relatively important HR variables on the basis of the results of the survey of Indo‐Japanese and Indian firms.Originality/valueHitherto, no study has been undertaken to compare the HRM factors of Indian and Indo‐Japanese firms and to subsequently develop a hybrid model. This model blends the features of both types of firms.
Entrepreneurial potential in Argentina: a SWOT analysis
Authors: Helms Marilyn M. , Rodríguez Martín A. , de los Ríos Lisandro , Hargrave William (Bill) 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the external macro‐environmental forces along with the internal country‐specific attributes of Argentina as they influence entrepreneurship. The experiences with Argentina's financial crisis of 2001‐2002 have highlighted concerns as to whether the past prosperity can ever be regained. Entrepreneurial ability has received much attention in public discussions as a means to revitalize the lagging economy.Design/methodology/approachThe popular strategic management tool of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis is used to group a number of current and emerging issues for the country. Their impact on entrepreneurship is then evaluated.FindingsArgentina has numerous natural resources that can be developed into new businesses. The slow growth of new venture creation in Argentina can be attributed to the difficulties in obtaining capital financing as well as the new business start‐up licenses and procedures. Further limiting entrepreneurship is corruption, the lack of copyright protection, and difficulty hiring employees. However, the government of Argentina has implemented monetary changes to provide funds and other services for supporting new start‐up companies and a key strength of Argentina for entrepreneurship is the country's resources and products. Major opportunities exist in tourism and investments in the growing wine production industry. The major threat to new venture creation, however, is the current worldwide recession.Research limitations/implicationsResearch implications for applying SWOT analysis to a country are discussed. While this tool is largely focused on companies and their issues for strategy development, this paper discusses ways to use the methodology to include ranking or weighting variables in their importance to entrepreneurship. A larger sample of experts is suggested for future research along with surveys of industry leaders to refine the ordering of variables.Practical implicationsImplications for practitioners and policy makers within the country and areas for future research are discussed.Originality/valueThe paper adds value to the existing research about new venture creation and start‐ups in Argentina. In addition, the use of SWOT as a country‐analysis methodology is also extended.
Relating performative and ostensive management accounting research
Authors: Hansen Allan 
Published: June 2011

PurposeThe methodological debate relating to accounting research using actor‐network theory (ANT) has primarily focused on how ANT generates performative studies that significantly differ from ostensive studies. These discussions have in many ways (and for good reasons) distanced performative from ostensive research. Recently, however, several scholars have emphasized the interdependencies between ostensive and performative aspects when it comes to knowledge development, thereby underlining the need to coordinate ostensive and performative studies and bring them closer together. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the methodological opportunities and limitations for ANT researchers who seek to move closer to ostensive research.Design/methodology/approachThe basis for exploring the opportunities and threats stemming from integration at the methodological level is a comparison of performative and ostensive case study methodologies as they have been presented in research. Robert K. Yin's case study methodology is chosen to represent an ostensive view whereas performative case study methodology is represented by the methodological reflections of Bruno Latour, John Law, and Michel Callon.FindingsThe paper illustrates how the process is a balancing act. On the one hand, it requires performative researchers to relate more closely to aspects decisive for ostensive researchers; yet, on the other, they need to preserve the distinctiveness of the performative approach.Originality/valueThis paper exemplifies these issues with reference to management accounting research and contributes by clarifying the methodological implications of moving performative research closer to ostensive research.