bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internet adoption amongst final year students in Ghana's oldest business school
Authors: Hinson Robert , Amidu Mohammed 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe objective of this study was to evaluate the level of awareness and utilisation of the internet for academic research and learning among level 400 (final year) students of Ghana's oldest business school.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilised a cross‐sectional survey approach because it was restricted to final year students in the 2003–2004 year graduating class. The study also employed a convenience sampling technique and was executed by means of questionnaire administration and personal interviews. The final year students were asked to fill the questionnaires before a business policy lecture. The basic research instrument used in this research was a structured questionnaire with both open and close ended questions. Apart from questionnaires, in‐depth interviews with the respondents were also conducted with the respondents because we felt that because we were dealing with a research that had to do with technology, there could be latent issues that could only be uncovered by open discussions. Data were analysed and presented by means of simple descriptive statistics.FindingsDeveloping countries, especially in sub‐Saharan Africa, are often rich in the resources of people and staffing, if not in material resources. The promotion of information literacy is essentially dependent on using people differently, that is to better effect, not on injecting more resourcing into under‐funded services (although this is also important in many regards). Authorities at teaching universities, including lecturers, and heads of departments, must, as a matter of urgency, adopt mechanisms for creating better information skills and internet usage awareness among the students. This should focus on what the internet is, the services available through the internet, and the basic skills required to use the internet. This policy is not limited by resourcing, it is simply a new way to better use the richest resource of developing nations, the people and their talents.Research limitations/implicationsOwing to the exploratory nature of the research, the results cannot be generalised with certainty. The research however gives pointers to gaps in the internet use propensities of business students in Ghana's business school and an internet education policy has to be instituted immediately to properly prepare students for an increasingly online Ghanaian business environment.Practical implicationsThe University of Ghana Business School should move towards the setting up of instructional labs. These labs should work in close association with the school's library to ensure that students are properly trained on business, teaching and research uses of the internet.Originality/valueOne of the first studies focussing on business students at the disadvantaged end of the global digital divides which regards skills training rather than resourcing as a key issue in information usage.
Corporate blogging strategies of the Fortune 500 companies
Authors: Lee Sang , Hwang Taewon , Lee Hong‐Hee 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the emerging new phenomenon of corporate blogging and its objectives. In particular, this study focuses on how Fortune 500 firms attempt to maintain control, while supporting employee autonomy in corporate blogging.Design/methodology/approachUsing the framework of corporate blogging strategies proposed in this study, corporate blogging practices of the 2005 Fortune 500 companies were analysed.FindingsMost organisations maintain high levels of control by implementing top‐down blogging strategies, while few support employee autonomy by applying a bottom‐up blogging strategy. Because of the inherent limitation of each strategy, many organisations attempt to take advantage of the complementary mechanism that balances autonomy and control. Organisations emphasising bottom‐up blogging tend to focus on product development and customer service content strategy, while those practising top‐down blogging focus on thought leadership or promotional content strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study reports leading blogging firms among the Fortune 500 companies. However, the study sample accounts for only 3.6 percent of the 500 firms. The results of the study shed insights on newly emerging corporate blogging in terms of its trends, issues, and possible future direction.Practical implicationsCompanies that adopt blogs must realise that developing a candid dialogue with customers is the best way to build a meaningful customer relationship.Originality/valueThis study is the first attempt to systematically investigate the corporate blogging phenomenon.
Dominant organizational logic as an impediment to collaboration
Authors: Boivin Caroline , Roch Joanne 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to establish the role of dominant logics to assess the success potential of strategic alliances.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical validation of an approach based on the theory of conventions was carried out through an analysis of strategic alliances initiated by Apple involving the licensing of the Macintosh operating system.FindingsThe analysis reveals the presence of modes of justification issuing from the world of inspiration, which seems to oppose the merchant and industrial worlds, which are most conducive to successful strategic alliances.Originality/valueThe analysis of dominant logics within Apple Computer demonstrate that the inspirational logic is opposed to all forms of strategic alliances.
“Something made in language”: the poet's gift?
Authors: Saunders Lesley 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a meditation on what is especial, and especially difficult, about poetry in its guise as inspiration for, or expression of, efforts and accomplishments in other human and social disciplines such as teaching or research or leadership. At the time of writing, the author – an educational researcher, policy adviser and poet – has been invited to act as poet‐in‐residence at a conference on interprofessional learning and practice in spring 2006; she is taking the opportunity of this paper to think out loud about the possible responsibilities and rewards of such a role; about what kinds of relationship between poetry and these other modes of being‐in‐the‐world are feasible; and about what kinds of integrity, intrinsic to poetry, need to be made room for in such relationships. Responding to some persuasive ideas of Abbs (academic and poet) and Heaney (poet and literary critic) about the tasks of the poet and the value of poetry respectively, the author argues that poetry is characterised above all by its “gratuitousness” – a notion which is expounded in the paper – and that therefore the straightforward application of poetry to non‐poetic contexts and purposes, as a sort of superior didactic instrument, is worth questioning.Design/methodology/approachThe paper makes some recommendations for relating the practice of poetry to the practice of professionalism in whatever sphere without detriment to the essential tasks of poetry.FindingsThe paper concludes that the especial gift of poetry, as “something made in language”, is to enlarge our imaginations; that a poet's paradoxical responsibility is therefore to do the ungovernable work of the imagination; and that it is the quality of silences (as well as of words) in poetry which give such work its force and meaning.Originality/valueWhilst acknowledging that poetry may often be used as an expression of efforts and accomplishments in other human and social disciplines, the paper takes poetry seriously as an aesthetic and ethical practice in its own right.
Verse, voice and va va voom!: illuminating management processes through poetry
Authors: Grisoni Louise , Kirk Philip 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the power of using poetry as a process of critical reflection and organisational analysis in the management process. It intends to bring to life Armstrong's concepts of “organisation‐in‐the‐mind” and use critical role analysis in the interactions between manager and member of staff.Design/methodology/approachThis is a qualitative, interpretive study using first and second person inquiry. Poems are created from the experiences of two organisational members in dialogue in relation to their roles and focus on specific decision‐making critical incidents within the life of the organisation. The creation of poetry is used as a form of communication and provides a focus for thematic analysis of key organisational themes and issues.FindingsThe creative use of poetry to illuminate unconscious processes and organisational issues has enabled revitalised working relationships and a new perspective on the organisational dynamic. The critical incidents and surrounding events caused considerable emotional discomfort. Writing in the form of poetry enabled a finding of voice, increased personal learning, and new insights in relation to roles, management processes of decision‐making and interpersonal dynamics in the organisation.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper contributes to understanding the importance of unconscious processes in gaining an understanding of organisational dynamics and management processes. These processes are brought to light through the creation of poetry to sit alongside rational modes of understanding and analysis.Originality/valueThe approach is under‐developed and largely unrecognised in relation to management processes. Reflection and analysis through the use of poetry offers an important contribution to the work of organisational analysis.
Poetry as a way to inspire (the management of) the research process
Authors: Darmer Per 
Published: July 2006

The purposeThe purpose of the paper is to argue that poetry should be integrated in research to a much larger extent than it is today, where poetry (at best) is considered inferior to research.Design/methodology/approachThe arguments are based on qualitative studies of the Danish independent labels. The empirical data are applied both as backbone for and part of the article and its construction. The article argues with the help and illustration of own research and experience that poetry inspires, stimulates and develops the research process. Poetry should be considered as a way of writing alongside other writing styles that researchers apply to make sense of their fieldwork.FindingsThe different forms of reporting research can be used to give us different views, in general, and that poetry can be used throughout the research process to improve it, in particular. The paper provides some examples of how it can be done. It is certainly not an exhaustive list but inspirational for researchers to find new poetic ways to improve their research process.Research limitations/implicationsThe article shows in practice (from own field research), the implications poetry might have on the research process, but it is limited related to all the non‐mentioned ways poetry could be helpful in the research process. The limitations are obviously those of the researcher, who has been reporting own experiences and ideas about how poetry improved his own research process. In other words: the limitations are found both in the imagination of the researcher and in the reported research.Originality/valueThe study and the reporting of it are original. No other articles have approached the subject in this particular way, making the article unique in form as well as contents. The article shows how poetry (the whole broad range of poetic forms) can contribute to research and the research process. The value of poetry is not limited to the research process it is exemplified by and related to in this article. It has value and can be applied far beyond that (e.g. to the practice of manager).
Crazy days call for crazy ways? Narrating Tom Peters
Authors: Collins David , Watkins Ceri 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a critical review of the work of Tom Peters.Design/methodology/approachNotes a degree of narrative experimentation in the works of Tom Peters. Offers a narrative typology to describe this narrative change, suggests a number of reasons for this narrative experimentation and outlines topics for future research in this area.FindingsThe paper suggests that Peters' narrative experimentation reflects twin frustrations. Namely Peters' frustration with the short‐term orientations and innate conservatism of the US business élite and peripheralization in Corporate America.Originality/valueThe paper proposes an original narrative typology for the examination of Peters' work and suggests directions for future research.
Balanced scorecard and causal model development: preliminary findings
Authors: Othman Rozhan 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to show a preliminary examination of the effects of the development of the causal model of the strategy in the implementation of the Balanced Scorecard. Studies on the Balanced Scorecard adoption show that many organizations that adopted the Balanced Scorecard did not develop a causal model of their strategy. The study seeks to examine the differences in Balanced Scorecard implementation of adopters who developed a causal model of their strategy and those who did not.Design/methodology/approachMailed survey was used to collect the data.FindingsIt was found that Balanced Scorecard adopters who did not develop a causal model of their strategy experienced specific problems more than those who developed a causal model of their strategy. It affected the outcomes and ease of implementation of the Balanced Scorecard.Research limitations/implicationsThe small number of responses obtained in this study due to the relatively recent adoption of the Balanced Scorecard in Malaysia limits the generalizability of this study. However, it does provide insights on the hypotheses to be examined in future studies.Practical implicationsThe findings of this survey suggest that the successful implementation of the Balanced Scorecard requires that organizations develop and articulate a causal model of their strategy.OriginalityThis study is probably the first attempt to examine the role of causal model development in effective implementation of the Balanced Scorecard.
Innovation and business growth through corporate venturing in Latin America
Authors: Rajagopal  
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research is aimed at discussing the external and internal strategic fit in corporate ventures in Latin America.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on empirical investigation through semi‐structured interviews administered to the managers of multinational companies operating in Mexico. The success of the corporate ventures in Mexico has been evaluated from the perspectives of economic and relational attributes. The results of the study showed that the degree of fit between a corporate parent and venture affects the success of the venture. The success is associated with high levels of commitment, competitive skills and dynamics in the functional management of the venture. In this study the variables of economic and relational dimensions of external and internal fit have shown greater association with venture success. It has also been found that ventures opt for greater autonomy and less economic dependency with their parent ventures for leading success and these findings make an intuitive sense.FindingsThe study may have limitations on generalizing some of the findings because of the survey type study.Research limitations/implicationsCorporate venturing as a strategy for international business development has become significant in view of the process of globalization resulting in free trade and business development opportunities for multinational companies. This study provides an understanding of the venture managers to succeed in Latin American business environments in view of the organizational culture and employee behaviour.Practical implicationsThis paper is based on the economic and behavioural indicators affecting strategic fit in the corporate venture.Originality/valueThis paper would contribute to important areas in Latin American business where such studies are scarce.
Crises, scenarios and the strategic management process
Authors: Pollard David , Hotho Sabine 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe aim of this exploratory paper is to consider the strategic importance of crisis management and integration of crisis planning with the organisation's strategy processes, in particular the utilisation of scenario planning as a crisis planning activity.Design/methodology/approachA review of the crisis management literature was undertaken and key issues identified, subsequently strategic aspects of crisis management were developed in the context of scenario planning.FindingsThe paper contains a discussion of major factors related to a strategic approach to crisis management and a more proactive approach to building relationships with the media. Particular attention should be given to the roles and responses of the media and agencies acting on behalf of the company, as both should been treated in the same way as other relatively powerful stakeholders. The authors suggest that firms can obtain significant advantages through proactive preparation for major relevant contingencies, and its incorporation into the strategic management process.Originality/valueThis paper brings together the debate on the strategic position of crisis management with scenario planning processes to provide a mechanism for designing, evaluating and managing crisis futures. It should prove useful to managers considering the development of crisis management, especially in a strategic context.
Managers' opinions: reality or fiction
Authors: Valle Santos M. , García M. Teresa 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe current work aims to study the discrepancies that arise between the observed stimulus and the perception that managers form this reality. Individuals' bounded rationality, the complexity of the observed reality and the influence of the managers' beliefs are among the factors that give rise to these discrepancies. Thus, one can distinguish between different types of cognitive biases: simplification biases, affective influence biases, and interaction biases.Design/methodology/approachIn the empirical application of this study, and using the narrative approach, this study analyses the opinions offered by CEOs of toy manufacturers about two questions: the current situation of their sector, and their firm's product portfolio.FindingsThe study reveals that managers' perceptions do not coincide with the information obtained from other bibliographic sources. Hence the results confirm the presence of biases in their opinions, which derive from simplification processes in the manager's cognitive process and from the influence of their belief schema.Research limitations/implicationsThe adoption of the narrative approach determines the limitations of this research. On the other hand, the information used to test the managers' opinions is also the result of a perception process, which undoubtedly entails cognitive biases.Practical implicationsThis work examines the cognitive biases that are produced throughout the process of individual perception. Thus, the proposed model of perception stresses the factors that distort individual perception: the complexity of the stimulus and the individual's belief schema.Originality/valueThis research analyses the reliability of managers' opinions using a qualitative methodology that includes various information sources.
In search of relevance: conventional or critical management inquiry?
Authors: Smallman Clive 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis article provides a critical appraisal of the relevance of conventional management inquiry to management, and a proposal to use the critical management paradigm to develop genuinely relevant management studies.Design/methodology/approachDiscusses the relevance of conventional management inquiry to management.FindingsConventional management inquiry closely mirrors scientific inquiry, with strict adherence to scientific method in pursuit of “objective” and rigorous empirical evidence or “proof” of specific and universal managerial truths. The products of this research are published via a machine bureaucracy that reinforces the hegemony of science. However, some academics have expressed concern that there is little uptake in commerce of “new” management ideas, and that practising managers have little or no interest in academic research. Based on 20 years experience of commerce and academe the author explores the underlying reasons for the failure of management academe to be taken seriously by managers.Research limitations/implicationsThe article proposes the need for a more applied and critical direction to management research. Some ideas for research are presented at the end of the piece, but the main message is that all management research should be more timely and relevant to practitioners' issues in the daily task of management.Practical implicationsThe article is a commentary on the principles on which management should be studied (and to a lesser degree on how these studies should be published). As such it is difficult to suggest any implications for management practitioners. That said the author would advise management practitioners involved in the funding of research to question the relevance of research themes and conventional responses to them. There guidelines drawn for academic practitioners.Originality/valueSimilar ideas on “relevance lost” have been presented previously. However, the arguments have been lost in an academic hegemony that reinforces the requirements for a strictly scientific approach to the study of management. The original proposition of this article is one of the outliers of this approach, critical management theory, should take centre stage in ensuring relevance.
Utilisation and impact of The Essential Electronic Agricultural Database (TEEAL) on library services in a Nigerian university of agriculture
Authors: Oduwole A.A. , Sowole A.O. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis study examined the utilisation of the Essential Electronic Agricultural Library database (TEEAL) at the University of Agriculture Library, Abeokuta, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachData collection was by questionnaire following a purposive sampling technique. A total of 104 out 150 (69.3 per cent) responses were received and analysed.FindingsPostgraduate and final year undergraduates are the major users of the TEEAL database. The study also revealed that though most of the users are computer literate, they still seek the assistance of library staff for database searching. The major constraints to the use of the TEEAL database include the high cost of printing of selected papers and the limited number of workstations.Practical implicationsThe study recommends that the number of workstations be increased, the cost of printouts should be subsidised by the university and more library staff should be trained in ICT.Originality/valueOffers recommendations to improve the accessibility of quality information for research in Nigerian universities.