bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SOME FACETS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONSULTANTS AND CLIENTS IN ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: McGivern Chris 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTAlthough frequently represented as a critical aspect of consultancy, the relationship between consultants and their clients and its relevance to the achievement of successful outcomes are subjects to which few writers have devoted serious attention.In an earlier piece of research, the author concluded that an ‘interdependent’ relationship was likely to be an important factor in successful consulting assignments. He identified eight facets of this type of relationship. This paper describes how that theory was tested when three consultants, together with a number of their clients, explained why they thought their work together had been successful. The cases illustrate both the ways in which the relationships were built and the extent to which they were perceived as having been important ingredients in the outcomes achieved.The relationships described were characterized by high levels of mutual trust and interaction as well as contingency on the part of the consultants. In several respects the relationships were seen as interdependent. A feature of this study was that the extent to which the consultants found the research useful in a personal sense seemed to depend on the quality of the relationship between the author and the consultants. In the cases described the exercise seems to have been mutually beneficial. In another example this seems not to have been the case and the explanation seems to lie at least partly in a lack of interdependence.
NATURAL LEARNING AND MANAGERIAL ACTION: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY IN THE FIELD SETTING
Authors: Burgoyne J. G. , Hodgson V. E. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTAn approach to collecting data about managers’ experience of their work is described, involving having them ‘think aloud’ while doing their work, and ‘re‐live’ episodes soon afterwards. Some of the epistemological and methodological issues relating to this research approach are discussed.Examples of data are given, and 37 episodes of managerial work are analyzed for evidence relating to the question of how managers learn naturally from everyday experience.The analysis suggests that the concept of levels of learning proposed by Bateson (1973) is useful. An initial categorization of processes of learning, arising from the data, are presented. Some evidence that the profounder forms of learning are incremental rather than sudden is presented, and the issue of the functionality of profounder versus more superficial forms of learning in relation to everyday managerial work is raised.
RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY: TOWARDS A CONCEPTUAL SYNTHESIS
Authors: McGlvern C. K. , Fineman S. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper describes an investigation into some of the apparent similarities between what certain kinds of researchers and consultants do in organizations. Using a facet analysis approach (Foa, 1965), an instrument was devised with the purpose of identifying and delineating overlaps between organizational research and consultancy. Sixty‐six British researchers and consultants took part in the study. The results highlight certain specific similarities and suggest that these may represent aspects of research and consultancy which are crucial to their success. The facets of the two activities which emerged from the study as being common are described by reference to the qualitative data which were generated by participants. A number of important implications for the successful conduct of research and consultancy are discussed with particular reference to the process of managing the relationship between investigators and those with whom they work.
COMPARATIVE ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH LEADING TO AN INTERVENTION STRATEGY [I]
Authors: Hoy Frank , Van Fleet David D. , Yetley Mervin J. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTSeveral literature reviews have concluded that there is little consistency among researchers and practitioners when referring to the concept, ‘organizational effectiveness’. In this study, multiple data gathered on several organizational constituencies for three models of organizational effectiveness are studied to examine empirically the comparability of those models. The relative effectiveness of each organization varied both between and within the theoretical models providing the bases of analysis. Little convergence exists among the models so that problem diagnosis intervention in the processes of small organizations may be more accurate when treating effectiveness as a multivariate concept examined via a given organization's constituencies over time.
A CROSS‐NATIONAL STUDY OF LEADERSHIP: PARTICIPATION AS A FUNCTION OF PROBLEM STRUCTURE AND LEADER POWER
Authors: Bottger Preston C. , Hallein Ingrid H. , Yetton Philip W. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis study explores the effects of task structure and leader power on participative leadership across Australian, African, Papua‐New Guinea and Pacific Island managers. Managers in all national groups are more participative in situations of low structure and low power than for high structure and high power, respectively. Participation in situations of low structure and low power declines in the order: Australia, Africa, Papua‐New Guinea, Pacific Islands. It is argued that this effect is an instrumental effect of managerial education, rather than being culturally determined. the Vroom‐Yetton leadership methodology is used to measure participation levels. Subjects are a total of 150 middle‐level managers attending management education courses.
A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO BANK PRUDENTIAL MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION: THE UTILIZATION OF FEEDFORWARD CONTROL
Authors: Gardener Edward P. M. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the operational characteristics of a new systems approach for monitoring the prudential strength, or safety, of modern commercial banks. It exploits the principle of feedforward control through the simulated contingency analysis of a bank's planned financial and associated management positions. This approach will be shown to have operational potential for both individual bank managements and the supervisory authorities who monitor the prudential soundness of all banks. Most of the research to date in this field has been concerned with assessing the adequacy of a bank's capital funds, its capital adequacy position. The primary function of bank capital is to act as a kind of internal insurance fund in order to protect a bank against uncertainties.
DIVISIONALIZATION, DECENTRALIZATION AND PERFORMANCE OF LARGE UNITED KINGDOM COMPANIES 1
Authors: Hill C. W. L. , Pickering J. F. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractQuestionnaire survey data from 144 large U.K. firms are used to describe and discuss the nature of organization design in major companies. It was found that the majority of firms were multidivisional. However a considerable variation in internal operating procedures was found which emphasized that many multidivisional companies do not behave in the way that the strategy/structure literature predicts. Empirical testing of the relation between structure and financial performance also emphasizes that divisionalization is not necessarily the key to a superior profit performance. Rather it would appear that organizational procedures need to be reconsidered in the light of recent divisional structures established in many companies. It is argued that a powerful divisional head office may weaken overall performance and that instead greater attention should be paid to the opportunity to decentralize operating decisions to the individual business units within each division.
CORPORATE CULTURE: THE LAST FRONTIER OF CONTROL?[1]
Authors: Ray Carol Axtell 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this paper is to examine the present U.S. use of the concept of ‘corporate culture’ using the sociology of Emile Durkheim as a conceptual framework. Durkheim was concerned with understanding where potential sources of morality might reside in a rapidly changing, increasingly differentiated society. Proponents of corporate culture do not rely specifically on Durkheim's work but essentially answer his question by suggesting that the corporation is the appropriate site for moral order. In this paper it is argued that the attempted manipulation of a corporation's culture is simply an addition to other forms of control which companies have tried to implement. More than other forms of control, however, corporate culture elicits sentiment and emotion, and contains possibilities to ensnare workers in a hegemonic system. On the other hand, strengthening corporate cultures in the U.S.A may also lead to increased worker homogenization and activism.
THE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS: A REVIEW AND A MODEL
Authors: Shrivastava Paul , Souder William E. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper describes a research model which can guide empirical studies of technological innovation in business organizations. The focus of the model is the strategic management of new product development processes. Variables that affect the success or failure of these processes are identified and several research hypotheses are suggested for empirical examination.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPONENT OF ORGANIZATIONS AND THE RATCHET EFFECT: A CRITIQUE OF CROSS‐SECTIONAL STUDIES
Authors: Montanari John R. , Adelman Philip J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWhen growth and decline are examined with regard to the administrative component of organizations, an apparent dichotomy exists between crosssectional designs and within organization longitudinal studies. The results of longitudinal studes indicate the existence of a ratcheting effect of the administtrative component which cannot be explanined by the size construct alone. Therefore, an analysis of the ratchet effect is presented and a conceptual model of factors influencing the growth and decline of the administrative component is propsed.
Corporate Control Type, Strategy, Size and Financial Performance[1]
Authors: Hill Charles W. L. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTA cluster analysis of questionnaire data is used to classify a sample of 156 large United Kingdom firms according to their internal control type. Interactions between the control types identified, strategy and size, are hypothesized to have an impact upon financial performance. Testing these hypotheses raises a number of issues concerning the appropriateness of recommended strategy‐structure fits.
SPECIALIZATION AS A MULTIDIMENSIONAL CONSTRUCT
Authors: Carter Nancy M. , Keon Thomas L. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRATCSpecialization as an organizational level construct has received little conceptual or operational advancement since the early 1960s. Several facets of both task and person specialization are identified as part of an argument for extending the current view of specialization. The theoretical implications of this extension with regard to technology, control and organizational life cycle are proposed.
FLEXIBLE MANPOWER RESOURCING: A LOCAL LABOUR MARKET SURVEY
Authors: Sloane P. J. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis article presents the results of an establishment level investigation carried out late in 1986 and early in 1987 of the extent of flexible manpower resourcing in the Aberdeen local labour market. It is necessary to place these results in the context of the general background of an increasing interest in flexible manning and of certain theoretical developments in labour and industrial economics. The results suggest that whilst a variety of means are used to attain flexibility in manning, few establishments can be regarded as truly ‘flexible firms’ and manpower strategies tend to be largely reactive and ad hoc.
CONVERGENT DYNAMICS IN THE PRODUCTION OF ORGANIZATIONAL CONFIGURATIONS*
Authors: Fombrun Charles J. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTOrganization theory lacks an adequate accounting for the processes that produce distinct structural configurations. This article interprets organization structure as an instantaneous correspondence between three analytical levels that simultaneously constrain and stimulate behaviour: infrastructure, sociostructure, and superstructure. Structuring results from a process of convergence across levels that produces distinct configurations and provides observers with a living record of the organization's historical development. This article explores the dynamics of convergence through a comparative case study of two organizations in the publishing industry. Both firms developed into stable structural configurations that were uniquely produced from historically specific accommodations.
BASES OF INTERORGANIZATION CO‐OPERATION: PROPENSITY, POWER, PERSISTENCE*
Authors: Harrigan Kathryn Rudie , Newman William H. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTCo‐operation may enable organizations to attain ends that they cannot achieve alone. However, the co‐operating partners must have an unusual mix of (1) propensity, (2) power, and (3) persistence. Joint ventures are used in this article to elucidate these critical elements in the relationship.
THE ‘TEXTURE’ OF ORGANIZING
Authors: Cooper Robert , Fox Stephen 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThe article briefly introduces the concept of ‘texture’ and indicates its role in the organizing process. The history of texture and related ideas in the field of organizational studies is summarized. Texture itself is viewed analogically as a weave or web of interacting elements that resists operational definition. It is a tacit quality of the field of social action that, by definition, must remain beyond the grasp of explicit statement. Some implications of the ‘logic’ of texture are discussed briefly in relation to the understanding of ‘instrumental action’ in organizations as well as rethinking the ‘organization‐environment’ problem in terms of ‘contextures’.
IDENTIFYING FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE PRODUCT INNOVATION: A CASE STUDY APPROACH
Authors: Romano Claudio A. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis article provides an analysis of factors affecting the level of product innovation in a small enterprise setting. The perspective chosen considers the interaction of management and environmental factors and its impact on product innovation and explores how these factors interrelate to influence small business success (growth). A causal multi‐site model is developed which will assist in identifying product innovation determinants for high‐growth and low‐growth firms. Moreover, direct and secondary explanations of product innovations will be isolated. Twelve case studies will be examined. The conclusions are that, for high‐growth firms, determinants of product innovation that influenced small‐business success (growth) were technology, competitive edge, research and development, product life‐cycle, market change, product/market mix and customer base. For low‐growth firms, customer base was a major determinant of product innovation which influenced small‐business success (growth).
Assessing Mobility Barriers In Dynamic Strategic Groups Analysis
Authors: Sudharshan D. , Thomas Howard , Fiegenbaum Avi 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThe Mobility Barriers Paradigm (Caves and Porter, 1977) has strongly influenced research in strategic management, particularly in the areas of competitive analysis and strategic groups. In this article we develop a procedure called MOBIUS, based on ‘match ratios’(MRs), in order to identify those competitive variables which act as mobility barriers in a particular industry. We also attempt to classify mobility barriers in terms of the degree of observed mobility around key strategic variables and the extent to which change is desired on these variables. the MOBIUS procedure is illustrated briefly in the context of the pharmaceutical industry.
Chairmen and Chief Executives: an Exploration of Their Relationship
Authors: Stewart R. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis longitudinal study of the relations between 20 general managers and their chairmen in the UK National Health Service has wider implications despite its distinctive setting. It showed that the two roles are very dependent upon each other, and occupy overlapping domains, so that what each can do is considerably affected by the other's behaviour. the chairman has more power to determine their relative domains so that studies of individual chief executives should take account of this relationship. the ways in which both chairmen and general managers played their roles differed widely. One reason for the differences in the chairmen's roles was the wide variation in the time that they gave to the job. Different types of relationship are described. the most common was that of partners where the two complemented each other. the study crosses different literatures: corporate management, leadership, role theory and managerial work and behaviour. Its main concern is with managerial work and behaviour but it also has some implications for corporate management.
MERGERS AND PROFITABILITY: A MANAGERIAL SUCCESS STORY?*
Authors: Ingham Hilary , Kran Ingvild , Lovestam Andre 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTSince 1983 expenditure on acquisitions in the UK has more than doubled in real terms, despite the fact that the consensus of opinion in the academic literature is that acquisitions are not, on average, performance enhancing for the acquiring firm. Such literature, however, relates mainly to the acquisition of large, public companies. Drawing on survey evidence from 146 of the UK's top 500 companies, this article reports the results from a survey which encompasses all takeovers. The study revealed that is the expected reward of increased profitabililty which is used in ex‐post evaluation. The major finding of the study is, however, that managers firmly perceive that their takeover activity has been performance enhancing for their company. The evidence presented does suggest that the integration of small acquisitions into an existing organizational structure may be achieved without severe problems of loss of control, and the subsequent decline in performance which beset large acquisitions
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CONTROL AND POWER: THE CENTRALIZATION AND DECENTRALIZATION DEBATE REVISITED*
Authors: Bloomfield Brian P. , Coombs Rod 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis article addresses the conceptualization of power in relation to the use of computers in organizations. Commonly held views that the application of computer based information systems leads to either a centralization or a decentralization of power and control, or that computers merely reinforce the power of dominant actors, are criticized, and an alternative view is put forward which focuses on the symbolic and disciplinary dimensions of the development of information systems. This perspective is then illustrated in connection with the development of management information systems in the National Health Service.
INTERPRETATIONS ON AUTOMATIC: A DIFFERENT VIEW OF STRATEGIC ISSUE DIAGNOSIS*
Authors: Dutton Jane E. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTModels of strategic decision‐making and environmental scanning typically assume that decision‐makers diagnose issues actively, using conscious and intentional effort to identify and to interpret potentially significant events, developments and trends. This article establishes that conditions in organizations put decision‐makers ‘on automatic’in their diagnosis of strategic issues, with direct implications for the process and content of strategic action. Implications for theory and practice are established.
MANAGEMENT, MASCULINITY AND MANIPULATION: FROM PATERNALISM TO CORPORATE STRATEGY IN FINANCIAL SERVICES IN BRITAIN*
Authors: Kerfoot Deborah , Knights David 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis article is concerned to demonstrate that paternalism and strategic management as forms, styles or ‘techniques’of managing people and organizations, are both constitutive of and embedded in what we term a ‘discourse of masculinism’. Within the context of the UK financial services industry, we examine how this discourse reflects and reproduces management practices, and reconstitutes individuals in accordance with masculinist priorities. This has the effect of privileging men vis‐a‐vis women, serves to rank some men above others, and maintains as dominant certain forms and practices of masculinity. We identify two of these as ‘paternalistic masculinity’and ‘competitive masculinity’respectively, regarding them as concrete manifestations of the interplay between historically shifting forms of management and masculinities in operation.
ORGANIZATIONS AS RHETORIC: KNOWLEDGE‐INTENSIVE FIRMS AND THE STRUGGLE WITH AMBIGUITY
Authors: Alvesson Mats 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis article discusses the concepts of knowledge‐intensive workers and firms. the functional view is questioned and a perspective on knowledge as institutionalized myth and rationality‐surrogate is proposed. the ambiguity of knowledge work is emphasized and it is argued that a crucial dimension of a knowledge‐intensive organization concerns the struggle with this ambiguity, which leads to efforts to refine various rhetorical strategies. Besides those stressing knowledge, science and rationality, the article points to rhetoric describing employees in knowledge‐intensive firms as possessing other personal qualities and orientations than personnel employed in bureaucracies.
Developing Theories of Strategy Using Dominance Criteria
Authors: Tang Ming‐Je , Thomas Howard 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis article identifies key features of the strategy concept as a basis for reviewing existing theories of strategy. It also provides an agenda for future research. the article argues that there is a decision hierarchy in a firm, and defines strategy as the highest‐level decision in the hierarchy. Consequently, strategy has to exhibit what may be called three features of dominance: vertical dominance, horizontal dominance, and dynamic dominance. A vertically dominant strategy is one that determines, directly or indirectly, other decisions of a firm. A horizontally dominant strategy seeks to optimize the value of the firm according to some criteria. Dynamic dominance implies that strategy should affect the subsequent decisions of a firm over a relevant period of time. With few exceptions, existing theories of strategy are issue‐oriented and focus largely on horizontal dominance. More research should, therefore, be directed towards vertical and dynamic dominance criteria. If a comprehensive theory of strategy which satisfies the three dominance features cannot be developed, it is suggested that development should be directed towards integrating behavioural and economic approaches.
EMPLOYMENT FUNCTIONS AND THE SLOWDOWN IN UK PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH
Authors: Naisbitt Barry 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the employment demand function in the light of recent developments in econometric modelling procedures. The evidence for structural breaks in the equation for the UK manufacturing sector in 1966/67 and 1973/74 is re‐examined, and the behaviour of employment in the post‐1979 recession is analysed. The empirical results illustrate the problems raised for estimating employment equations by the productivity slowdown in the 1970s, and the implications of the different methods used to model this phenomenon for interpreting the more recent experience are examined. The implicit dynamics of the equations estimated in error‐correction form are derived and are discussed in terms of both employment and productivity behaviour.
THE DEMAND FOR BEVERAGES AND INTERBEVERAGE SUBSTITUTION IN THE UNITED STATES
Authors: Uri Noel D. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThe analysis in this paper is directed at measuring the substitution between seven beverages consumed in the United States with the objective of shedding some light on just what is the relevant market for antitrust purposes. With regard to the overall beverage market considerations, there is a clear indication that consumers do substitute between different types of beverages. What must be subjectively resolved, however, is whether the extent of the indicated substitution is of significant enough magnitude to infer that two different beverages are in the same product market.