bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metrics to successfully manage alliances
Authors: Segil Larraine 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo show how the key to successfully managing alliances is developing and implementing alliance metrics.Design/methodology/approachThe case of “Acme Manufacturing” (a composite of several firms) is used to illustrate the theory and reasoning behind the creation and tracking of alliance metrics appropriate to the life cycle of the partnership. These ideas are then applied to the ongoing Avnet/HP alliance.FindingsUnderstanding and applying unique metrics at each stage allows management to anticipate alliance challenges and increase flexibility and adaptability when faced with changing economic and market conditions. Across the life cycle stages the partners must learn to monitor two types of measurements – development metrics, commonly employed in the start‐up and high growth stages, and implementation metrics, engaged throughout the professional, mature, decline, and sustain stages of the life cycle.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a case study produced by a consultant specializing in alliance management. It has been peer reviewed but has not been subjected to independent audit.Practical implicationsProactively managing alliances helps partners ensure value extraction, financial and non‐financial. Development metrics and implementation metrics can help alliance stakeholders understand and plan for the stages of the alliance life cycle while considering their knowledge transfer.Originality/valueAs the cases of Acme Manufacturing and Avnet/HP show, an understanding of alliance life cycles, cultures, and metrics can lead to successful planning, launching, and maintenance of a company's alliances.
Value pioneering – how to discover your own “blue ocean”: interview with W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
Authors: Leavy Brian 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo study blue ocean strategy (value innovation management), which not only reframes the strategic challenge – from competing to making the competition irrelevant – but also provides a series of tools and frameworks to act on this insight in a way that maximizes the opportunity and minimizes the risk.Design/methodology/approachThis interview with Professors W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne considers the concept of value innovation management and examines the ideas and tools they developed in their book Blue Ocean Strategy (Harvard Business School Press, 2005), the product of a successful twenty‐year research and consultancy partnership.FindingsBlue ocean strategy is applicable across all types of industries from typical consumer product goods to b2b. It offers an alternative approach to the existing strategic planning process, one that is based not on preparing a spreadsheet document but on drawing a strategy canvas.Research limitations/implicationsThe interview gives professors Kim and Mauborgne an opportunity to summarize many of their recent research findings.Practical implicationsAs blue ocean strategy represents a significant departure from the status quo, managers typically face four hurdles to execution: first, cognitive: waking employees up to the need for a strategic shift; second, limited resources: the greater the shift in strategy, the greater the resources needed to execute it; third, motivation: inspire key players to move fast and tenaciously to carry out a break from the status quo; and fourth, organizational politics. Leaders must identify and effectively deal with internal opponents to change.Originality/valueProvides a unique overview of value innovation management, its principles, tools, and techniques.
How two Japanese high‐tech companies achieved rapid innovation via strategic community networks
Authors: Kodama Mitsuru 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo produce rapid innovation, Japanese companies have learned to manage strategic communities for new product development. These communities require the merging and integration of different technologies and the coordination of relationships among all levels of management, alliance partners, and customers.Design/methodology/approachThrough case studies of two Japanese companies, the author examines the successful new product development process practised by these strategic communities and their networks.FindingsAs the cases reveal, strategic teams at each company – consisting mainly of cross‐functional middle managers from a number of business divisions – formed strategic communities inside and outside the companies that included customers, and then formed networks that transcended the strategic communities' boundaries. In record time, strategic community leaders enabled companies to build new business models aimed at customers and then achieve successful new product development.Research limitations/implicationsTwo case studies are reported on. The author was directly involved in one of them.Practical implicationsAs this research indicates, to successfully innovate, companies may need to form strategic communities that are not tied to existing organizational structures or cultures. Superior core technology in the leading‐edge high‐tech fields of IT and e‐commerce continues to spread throughout the world and undergo dramatic changes. Innovative companies that need to establish competitive advantage in the network economy must not try to retain full control over innovative processes under the conditions of conventional hierarchical mechanisms and closed autonomous systems. In other words, companies will from now on probably increasingly require a management that can use networked strategic communities to synthesize superior knowledge that is open and spread out both inside and outside the organization, including customers.Originality/valueCompanies will from now on probably increasingly require a management that can use networked strategic communities to synthesize superior knowledge that is open and spread out both inside and outside the organization, including customers.
A sourcing strategy for enhancing core capabilities
Authors: Gottfredson Mark , Phillips Stephen 
Published: January 2007

PurposeMost companies focus on using outsourcing to achieve cost cutting. This article urges them instead to consider outsorcings potential for capability enhancement.Design/methodology/approachReports on a handful of companies that place outsourcing – onshore or off – in a strategic context.FindingsLeading companies start by analyzing not just where they can outsource to lower costs and improve quality, but which capabilities are vital to their core business.Research limitations/implicationsA recent Bain survey of large and medium‐sized companies reports that only 10 percent are highly satisfied with the costs they're saving, and a mere 6 percent are “highly satisfied” with offshore outsourcing overall.Practical implicationsOutsourcing has become so sophisticated that even functions like engineering, R&D, manufacturing, and marketing can be moved outside.Originality/valueThe authors show that it's no longer a company's ownership of capabilities that matters, but rather its ability to control and make the most of critical capabilities. In other words, capability sourcing has become strategic.
Green marketing: legend, myth, farce or prophesy?
Authors: Peattie Ken , Crane Andrew 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo review the history of “green marketing” since the early 1990s and to provide a critique of both theory and practice in order to understand how the marketing discipline may yet contribute to progress towards greater sustainability.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines elements of green marketing theory and practice over the past 15 years by employing the logic of the classic paper from 1985 “Has marketing failed, or was it never really tried” of seeking to identify “false marketings” that have hampered progress.FindingsThat much of what has been commonly referred to as “green marketing” has been underpinned by neither a marketing, nor an environmental, philosophy. Five types of misconceived green marketing are identified and analysed: green spinning, green selling, green harvesting, enviropreneur marketing and compliance marketing.Practical implicationsProvides an alternative viewpoint on a much researched, but still poorly understood area of marketing, and explains why the anticipated “green revolution” in marketing prefaced by market research findings, has not more radically changed products and markets in practice.Originality/valueHelps readers to understand why progress towards a more sustainable economy has proved so difficult, and outlines some of the more radical changes in thought and practice that marketing will need to adopt before it can make a substantive contribution towards greater sustainability.
Advertising and children: what do the kids think?
Authors: O'Sullivan Terry 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo question the models of childhood implied within contemporary UK debate about advertising to children. The paper identifies a role for qualitative market research in establishing a more fully‐articulated account of childhood, with implications for both policy makers and marketers.Design/methodology/approachA brief literature review of contemporary sociological perspectives on childhood informs an account of controversy in the UK about the legitimacy of advertising to children. Adult versions of childhood from this debate are contrasted with children's own accounts of their experience of advertising, drawing on a pilot study using informal qualitative methods.FindingsIlluminates the assumptions about childhood which divide industry advocates from their critics, and suggests that qualitative understanding of children's experience of advertising should have a greater role in complementing the predominantly positivist research on which the debate draws.Research limitations/implicationsLimited to recent UK discourse on children and advertising (which may restrict its extendability to non‐European cultures), and draws on a very small pilot study. This does, however, point the way to future research using informal methods.Practical implicationsIntended to enrich understanding of debate and policy on advertising and children, and to encourage the informed use of qualitative research in this area.Originality/valueThis paper fills a gap in the predominantly empirical or polemical literature in this area by setting competing arguments in an ontological framework.
Wine marketing: modelling the ethics of the wine industry using qualitative data
Authors: Richardson Oliver 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo propose a model for ethical behaviour based on product, production and marketing methods, and to make use of qualitative data relating to a specific product in order to test its validity. This model is termed the Ethical Cube.Design/methodology/approachThe model was developed as a result of early examination of ethical practices. It was then tested using publicly available examples of marketing, production and product information concerning the wine industry.FindingsThe model was found to be effective, if basic. Proposals for improvements and extensions are put forward.Research limitations/implicationsThe examples used are largely those that are in the public domain. Facets of a product are classed as ethical or unethical according to the number of reported examples in each area of study – with a special emphasis on production and marketing.Practical implicationsThis can provide a standard framework for assessing the ethicality of any product.Originality/valueThis paper is of value to researchers and marketing practitioners seeking to evaluate the public impressions of a specific product.
The paradox of project control
Authors: Bourne Lynda , Walker Derek H.T. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to explore a case study example of the decision‐making process that occurs within complex organizations. It exposes a murky “zone” of decision making and action between the strategic vision set by senior management and the work of teams to realise projects.Design/methodology/approachA case study from the experience of one of the authors is used to illustrate the activities in this “zone”. The lessons from the case study are supported by emerging project management and general management literature. The paper is exploratory in nature and the case study used provides a useful vehicle for reflection and sensemaking.FindingsThe “zone” is metaphorically described as a highly complex and dynamic organism. Operating in the “zone” requires agility and an understanding of both the project and the organizational environment to cope with the demands of its chaotic nature. The paper's conclusions indicate that the traditional command‐and‐control management style is counter‐productive in today's organizations.Research limitations/implicationsKey implications include the need for project managers and their teams to be politically astute and sensitive to the needs and pressures of a wide range of project stakeholders. A methodology and tool for visualising the influence of stakeholders can be of considerable use and a flexible style of decision making is necessary to manage within the inherent uncertainty, complexity and chaos found in projects and organizations like the one illustrated by the case study.Originality/valueShows that a paradigm shift in management thinking is needed to succeed in managing projects and their teams within the turbulent environment of a modern matrix organization.
Influence of team composition and task complexity on team performance
Authors: Higgs Malcolm , Plewnia Ulrich , Ploch Jorg 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a research study which is designed to explore the interrelationship between team diversity and task complexity in terms of its impact on performance.Design/methodology/approachTeam diversity was operationalised using the Belbin Team Role model. Task complexity was assessed through a questionnaire completed by team members and performance was assessed by using a questionnaire completed by the manager to whom the team reported. In total, 28 teams participated in the study. The 28 teams encompassed 270 members.FindingsThe results of the study demonstrated a clear relationship between team composition (diversity), complexity of task and team performance. Diversity was found to be positively related to performance for complex tasks and negatively related for straightforward tasks.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings indicate that there can be benefit in considering the complexity of a task or project before assembling a team. The degree of complexity could inform the mix of individuals to be included in the team in terms of diversity of personal traits. The study took place within a single organisation and therefore care must be taken in generalizing the findings without evidence from further research.Originality/valueThe results of this study provide a potentially useful framework for establishing high performance teams.
Leadership lessons from Canada geese
Authors: Muna Farid A. , Mansour Ned 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to discuss the implications of three lessons that leaders can learn from Canada geese to leadership and teamwork in organizations.Design/methodology/approachMigratory behavior of Canada geese is compared to widespread behavior among leaders and teams in organizations.FindingsThe first lesson is: work as a team: Canada Geese migrate long distances flying in V‐formation. This formation results in lesser wind resistance, which allows the whole flock to add around 70 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew alone. Geese find out quickly that it pays handsomely to be team players. Second, wise leadership: when the leader at the apex of the V gets tired, it is relieved by another goose. Leaders rotate, empower, delegate, and even step down when it's in the best interest of the team. How often do we see this taking place among organizational leaders? Wise leaders ensure that their followers are well trained and developed in order to achieve true empowerment and smooth succession processes. Third, humane behavior: if a goose drops to the ground when it gets hurt or sick, two of its colleagues go down with it to take care of it until it either gets healthier or dies. In this fast‐paced and competitive age, we seldom see managers going out of their way to help colleagues who are in trouble. In organizations, morale, productivity, and loyalty increase when employees are treated humanely.Originality/valueThis paper discusses ways that leaders, teams, and organizations can improve performance by applying three lessons learned from Canada geese.
A discrete‐time order‐replacement model with time discounting and spare part provisioning
Authors: Giri B.C. , Dohi T. , Kaio N. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo determine the optimal spare part order‐replacement policy for any high cost single unit complex system in a discrete‐time circumstance.Design/methodology/approachThe expected total discounted cost over an infinite planning horizon is taken as a criterion of optimality as it allows us to put emphasis on the present behavior of the system.FindingsThe problem under consideration is a two‐dimensional discrete optimization problem (regular ordering time and inventory time limit for the spare are decision variables) which is difficult to handle, in general. However, it is explored that the problem can be reduced to a simple one‐dimensional one and the optimal ordering time is to be determined under the two extreme situations: no replacement of the spare until the original unit fails and replacement of the spare as soon as it is delivered.Research limitations/implicationsFor modeling simplicity, deterministic lead time is considered for both regular and expedited orders. A more appropriate assumption would be to consider randomized lead time for both the orders.Practical implicationsThe research provides a useful order‐replacement strategy for a single‐unit system where the failure of the unit is better measured by the number of cycles completed before failure rather than the instant of failure.Originality/valueThe work done in this paper carries certain values as any continuous time model for the problem under consideration can be regarded as only an approximate model.
Evaluating methods for the reliability of a three‐dimensional k‐within system
Authors: Akiba Tomoaki , Yamamoto Hisashi , Tsujimura Yasuhiro 
Published: January 2007

PurposeFor the considered system, an enumeration method is applicable to evaluate the exact system reliability only for very small‐sized systems, because, when the size of system is large, it takes huge execution time. Therefore, the paper provides approximate values for the system reliability as useful for calculating the reliability of large systems in a reasonable execution time.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides upper and lower bounds of the system reliability, and limit theorem for the reliability of our considered system in i.i.d. case.FindingsThe paper experimentally finds that the proposed upper and lower bounds are effective when component reliabilities close to one or the value of k becomes larger. Next, it concludes approximate values for approximate equation derived from the limit theorem are always smaller than lower bound through numerical experiments.Research limitations/implicationsThe upper and lower bounds for the reliability of a system can be calculated by using the reliability of a small system by the same idea as previous study for two‐dimensional system.Practical implicationsUp to now some researchers studied multi‐dimensional consecutive‐k‐out‐of‐n:F systems, and showed promising applications of such multi‐dimensional models, e.g. diagnosis of a disease diagnosed by reading an X‐ray. As another examples, three‐dimensional system can be applied for the mathematical model of a three‐dimensional flash memory cell failure model, and so on.Originality/valueThe paper considers a kind of three‐dimensional k‐within‐consecutive‐r‐out‐of‐n:F system. It proposes upper and lower bounds of the system reliability and limit theorem.
An application of the modulus maxima distribution in machinery condition monitoring
Authors: Miao Qiang , Makis Viliam 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo investigate wavelet modulus maxima distribution (MMD) in machinery condition monitoring and extract a parameter that can give a quantitative description of machinery‐operating status.Design/methodology/approachSignal decomposition technique is applied to extract gear motion signal and then wavelet transform modulus maxima are utilized to define fault growth parameter (FGP).FindingsMMD were proposed and the distribution used to derive an EWMA statistic representing machinery fault growth. A comparison with other research works indicates better performance of this parameter.Practical implicationsThis paper presents an innovative scheme for the machinery condition monitoring, on the basis of wavelet modulus maxima representation. The definition of MMD can be utilized to derive a parameter that describes the operating status of machinery. This parameter is load‐independent so that it demonstrates better performance when compared with other research works. Further, the MMD may be treated as input of condition classification system in the future work.Originality/valueThe idea for this paper stems from wavelet modulus maxima representation, whilst the application in vibration signal analysis is new. It was found that, by applying this approach, the occurrence of failure is correctly identified and the proposed EWMA FGP is independent of the load applied, which is a very important property in machinery condition monitoring and fault detection.
Using rapid prototypes for functional evaluation of evolutionary product designs
Authors: Dutson Alan J. , Wood Kristin L. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo illustrate the benefits of using the empirical similitude method when creating scale models with rapid prototyping processes, particularly in the context of evolutionary product design.Design/methodology/approachApply the empirical similitude method in two experimental examples. Utilize rapid prototyping processes to create scale models. Both examples are based on the context of evolutionary product design. For one example, evaluate accuracy of empirical similitude results as compared to traditional similitude.FindingsThe first experimental example showed improved accuracy in the empirical similitude results as compared with traditional similitude. The second experimental example illustrated an effective approach for applying the empirical similitude method to a realistic product evolution.Research limitations/implicationsLimited to two experimental examples. Examples involve a single prototyping process (selective laser sintering). Does not cover limitations of the empirical similitude method.Practical implicationsThe approach provides for an effective way of utilizing rapid prototypes to predict the functional behavior of an evolutionary product. Rapid prototypes are readily available, but are rarely used in evaluating product function, due to limitations in part sizes and material properties.Originality/valueThis paper provides a practical way of utilizing rapid prototypes to predict the functional behavior of a product through scale models. It also illustrates the proposed method with two experimental examples.