scholarly journals Rethinking Bernstein communication wheel

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Siano ◽  
Maria Palazzo ◽  
Pantea Foroudi ◽  
Agostino Vollero

Purpose The aim of this conceptual paper is to review Bernstein’s communication wheel to make it a tool that can be used in the selection of a corporate communication mix. Design/methodology/approach A critical analysis of Bernstein’s communication wheel shows it to be a checklist, a starting point in the examination of corporate communication mix, but it is not as such of great help to the decision maker. Findings The findings of reviewing literature highlight that the principle of a clear distinction between strategic decisions and operational decisions is applicable also in the field of corporate communication. For each stakeholder relationship, the authors’ framework suggests typical combinations of activities and means to be used. These combinations are useful to experiment with expert systems which are functional to the choices of corporate communication mix. Practical implications The analysis of communication gaps gives directions for formulating strategic decisions. In this framework, tactical decisions concern the components of the communication mix architecture (or communication chain): activities, means and vehicles of communication. On the contrary, Bernstein’s communication wheel includes only generic channels (or media) and gives no indications as to the architecture of the communication mix. Originality/value This study illustrates the hierarchy of decisions relating to corporate communication mix, the communication wheel could also be useful in communication planning. If this assumption is held to be true it then becomes possible to lay out a framework for a progressive decision-making path that means making sequential choices (first strategic, then tactical). In the stakeholder approach, the aim of strategic decisions is to choose the stakeholder groups on which a firm has to focus its corporate communication activities.

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 504-510
Author(s):  
Gunjan M. Sanjeev ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose The paper aims to profile the theme issue of Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes titled “How is the need for innovation being addressed by the Indian hospitality industry?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editor, contributors from the industry and academia and the theme issue outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editor to reflect on the rationale for their theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings It highlights recent innovations that have taken place in the Indian hospitality industry especially in the areas of customer service, cost competitiveness, culinary management, revenue management and technology. Practical implications As hotel sector investment in India intensifies, this theme issue will be of interest to hoteliers, policy makers, analysts and others interested in the role that innovation can play in helping to facilitate differentiation between competing hotel products and services. Originality/value There is limited literature available on industry innovations in the Indian context. All the papers in this theme issue were written after several cycles of interaction between academics and practitioners and so they incorporate real–time, relevant and contemporary data.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon von Danwitz

Purpose The management of major inter-firm projects requires a coherent, holistic governance framework to be effective. However, most existing models of project governance are limited to a narrow selection of contractual, structural or procedural aspects, and further neglect contextual factors, such as key characteristics of a project and its partners. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper proposes an integrative analytical model of inter-firm project governance, building upon contingency theory and drawing from established constructs rooted in organization theory. Findings The paper aims to integrate two largely distinct streams of research and synthesize the respective constitutive dimensions of project governance into a coherent conceptual model. Further, interrelationships with contextual factors, such as project-related and partner-related characteristics, and project performance are discussed. Originality/value The proposed model purposefully merges two complementary streams of project governance research. As the model further provides clear contextual factors, it strengthens an emerging stream of project research by systematically examining external influences of project organizing. Future research may utilize this model and the suggested operationalization for each of the constructs as a basis to empirically investigate the design and effectiveness of governance regimes of major projects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-139
Author(s):  
Dylan Rees ◽  
Qiru Wang ◽  
Robert S. Laramee

PurposeThis paper is a response to a frequently asked question from prospective industry partners searching for opportunities to collaborate with the Computer Science Department of Swansea University, UK. This paper seeks to provide structured guidance in the form of what is titled the Industry Engagement Ladder.Design/methodology/approachThe Industry Engagement Ladder presents a selection of collaboration opportunities, outlining the possible cooperation mechanisms between an industry partner and the academic institution.FindingsOpportunities are described and ranked according to the amount of investment required by the industrial partner, and therefore risk, from low to high.Originality/valueThis concise paper provides a quick reference for perspective industry academia collaboration opportunities, the risks involved with each, the possible funding available to help foster these partnerships and the benefits to industry. These collaborative activities (and variations thereof) can be incorporated by any university department. The manuscript offers an ideal starting point for industry–university collaboration.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-280
Author(s):  
Raphaël Dornier ◽  
Chiara Mauri ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose The aim of this paper is to profile the World Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue “Tourism sustainability in the Alpine region: What are the major trends and challenges?” with reference to the experience of the theme editors and writing team. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings It draws on a multidisciplinary approach to identify some key components of sustainable tourism for the French and Italian Alps. It reflects on research and stakeholder interaction that helped to shape the current and future thinking about how Alpine mountain resorts can enhance sustainability in relation to the destination offer, accommodation, transport and mobility and institutional, legal and socio-economic aspects. Practical implications The theme issue outcomes provide lines of enquiry for others to explore, and they reinforce the value of WHATT’s approach to collaborative working and writing. Originality/value The work reported in this theme issue provides research-based evidence of the need for rapid adaptation to sustainable tourism development for resorts in the French and Italian Alps. Traditionally designed to facilitate skiing and snow sports, the impact of climate change is forcing a rethink to safeguard Alpine tourism – a vital economic activity to these and most mountain tourism destinations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Kane ◽  
Joanne Zaida Taylor ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose This paper aims to profile the WHATT theme issue “Can the culture of safety and quality in organizations be measured and changed?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editors and writing team. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings This paper draws on a specialist team of researchers and practitioners to examine the extent to which the culture of safety and quality in organizations (with particular reference to food management) can be measured and changed. It reflects on research and stakeholder interaction that is helping to shape current and future thinking about food safety culture in hospitality organizations and provides practical ways of reviewing and improving it. Practical implications The theme issue outcomes provide lines of enquiry for others to explore and they reinforce the value of WHATT’s approach to collaborative working and writing. Originality/value This theme issue builds on prior work (reported in earlier theme issues) and profiles a well-researched and practical approach to reviewing, measuring and improving the culture of safety and quality in hotel and catering operations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marita Vos ◽  
Henny Schoemaker ◽  
Vilma Liisa Luoma-aho

Purpose – This paper seeks to contribute to the field of corporate communication by clarifying the theoretical basis of communication in issue arenas and proposing an agenda for research on issue arenas. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on insights from stakeholder thinking, network theory, issues management, and agenda-setting theory, the authors identify different levels of analysis that could explain the behaviour of organisations in the public debate on current issues. Findings – The organisation-centred approach is replaced by a strong emphasis on interaction in networks of organisations, groups and individuals. Decision-making on communication strategies can be further developed by analysing the particularities of each issue arena, in particular the characteristics of the issue and the actors involved as well as the course of the debate and the communication strategies utilised in stakeholder interaction. Research limitations/implications – This theoretical approach calls for further research, but offers an agenda and suggests four starting levels for analysis. Practical implications – This paper provides a timely approach to the analysis of corporate communication that may help understand the complexities of a rapidly changing organisational environment and, ultimately, assist organisations in developing customised communication strategies suited to each issue arena relevant to their operations. Originality/value – Insights from various theories are brought together to serve as a starting point for the further analysis of communication in issue arenas.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Heitel ◽  
Annette Kämpf-Dern ◽  
Andreas Pfnür

Purpose – In addition to financial returns, German housing companies are expected to achieve social and ecological outcomes. This achievement is challenging for management, as expectations from different stakeholders are only partly apparent and often conflicting. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents a process model that supports the management of housing companies to systematically explore, evaluate, and integrate stakeholders’ interests into the company’s strategic targets. Findings – The integrated process model improves sustainable value creation, as stakeholders’ interests are transparent and can thus be better satisfied. Research limitations/implications – Due to the action research design, further research cycles and empirical testing with other companies are needed before findings can be generalised. Practical implications – The process enables housing companies to focus on value-generating activities, to react timely to changing needs, and to improve their relationships with stakeholders. Management benefits from increased clarity and legitimacy for strategic decisions as stakeholder demands are made transparent and integrated into the strategic targets. Originality/value – Compared to common participation approaches, all stakeholder groups are consulted, and their expectations are documented transparently within the suggested process model. This results in a better foundation for sustainable management planning and decisions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 842-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pia Skott

Purpose – The paper is about a specific part of the Swedish governing system: the municipality, which has the responsibility of implementing national school goals. The starting point is an identified local governing chain including the chairman of the politically elected school board, the superintendent, principals and head teachers. It is the first link in this chain which is in focus, between chairmen and superintendents. The purpose of this paper is to investigate their role understanding and enactment: what roles do they have, formally and enacted? Is it a clear or blurred line between them? What can be seen as causing conflict or success? Design/methodology/approach – The paper is part of a larger research project focussing on what happens when national policy meets local governing structures. The project as a whole has a mixed method design and includes surveys with superintendents, politicians and principals. It also includes interviews with chairmen of local school boards, superintendents and principals. In this paper the focus is on interviews made with politicians and superintendents in six (of 290) municipalities followed over time (including a political election between the authors visits). The municipalities are spread over the country, with shifting political majorities. Findings – The authors identify that there seem to be a shared formal role understanding in that politicians are responsible for the what-side and superintendents for the how-side of the local work. The roles are, however, enacted in a blurred zone with role intrusion as an active component. What causes a conflict or not is if the two have a shared understanding of how to play the game. This makes the local work sensitive to changes on the positions. Success comes from a relationship built on trust and where there is a mutual understanding of how to work. Research limitations/implications – The study is built on a small selection of municipalities and must be complemented by further ones to be able to generalize the results. What it can say something about is, however, how actors in six different local settings enact the same kinds of assignments and if there are similarities and differences between their role enactment. Originality/value – Although the study is built on a small selection of municipalities it is unique in that it follows interlinked actors over time, making it possible not only to discuss municipality stereotypes but study human relationships over time. This also makes it possible to discuss new aspects of governing chains.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 346-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Nadkarni ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue “Expo 2020: What will be the impact on Dubai?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editor and writing team. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editor to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings This paper provides a framework to facilitate discussion between academics and practitioners engaged with Dubai’s Expo 2020, identifies ways of improving competitiveness as an events destination and contributes to thinking about sustainable development before and after the event. The outcomes of a broad-ranging collaboration yield fresh insights, a deeper understanding of the issues and an array of possible responses to the theme issue question. Practical implications The theme issue outcomes provide lines of enquiry for others to explore and they reinforce the value of WHATT’s approach to collaborative working and writing. Originality/value The collaborative work reported in this theme issue offers a unified but contrarian response to the theme’s strategic question. Taken together, the collection of articles provides a detailed picture of the on-going preparation for Expo 2020 and plans to ensure continued growth in the post-Expo phase.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-128
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Ajagunna ◽  
Fritz Pinnock ◽  
Tom M. Amonde ◽  
Richard Teare

Purpose This paper aims to profile the WHATT theme issue “Tourism business development and logistics in the Caribbean: Will there be a symbiotic relationship?” by drawing on reflections from the theme editors and theme issue outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Structured questions are used to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings The paper draws on academic and practitioner perspectives to examine the interrelatedness between tourism development and logistics in the Caribbean and concludes that there is much common ground. Practical implications This paper outlines challenges and new approaches to the management of tourism business development and logistics in the Caribbean. Originality/value The present paper profiles the main developments that need to occur to maximize benefits for the people and economies of the Caribbean region.


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