From the boundaries of management to the management of boundaries

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Caputo ◽  
Raffaele Fiorentino ◽  
Stefano Garzella
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Firm Boundaries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Partners ◽  
The One ◽  
Development And Management ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine some of the new capabilities that are required for the facilitation of business processes management (BPM) in the current political and technological landscape. Specifically, the goal is to investigate the role of firm boundaries, from a business processes perspective, in new contexts in which the affirmation of digitalization requires more integration across a complex network of partners.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a review of relevant literature on BPM, firm boundaries and negotiation. By critically integrating this literature, a framework is developed with the objective of supporting the management of boundaries.FindingsBPM, new competitive contexts, and the technological landscape require the development and management of boundary capabilities. Among these capabilities, “boundary management” – how managers coordinate resources, activities and business processes on the boundaries of the firm – should play a key role. Moreover, as managers must continuously interact with multiple partners in digital supply chains, the organizational model of negotiation serves as a means of effectively managing firm boundaries.Practical implicationsThe framework offers insights and guidelines that can help practitioners manage the boundaries of business processes. The authors encourage a focus on business processes occurring at firm boundaries. Furthermore, the authors encourage the development of new capabilities in response to the needs of practitioners to ensure best practices of negotiation.Originality/valueThis study shifts the emphasis of BPM from the boundaries of management to the management of boundaries. By shedding light on new capabilities required, this paper enriches the BPM literature and can assist, on the one hand, in reconfiguring business processes in the new political and technological landscape and, on the other hand, in facilitating effective negotiation.

The role of boundary management in open innovation: towards a 3D perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 57-84
Author(s):  
Rosita Capurro ◽  
Raffaele Fiorentino ◽  
Stefano Garzella ◽  
Rosa Lombardi
Keyword(s):  
Open Innovation ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Firm Boundaries ◽  
Boundary Management ◽  
Innovation Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
The One

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate the role of boundary management when firms should implement open innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe relevant literature on strategic management, firm boundaries and open innovation fields is revised and critically assessed. An interpretive-qualitative methodology is applied to analyse empirical data obtained from a questionnaire and subsequent interviews of a sample of Italian listed firms. By critically integrating literature review and empirical analysis, a framework is provided with the objective of supporting open innovation implementation.FindingsThe study shows that on the one hand, open innovation and many modern paths of growth are connected to a firm's boundaries and that on the other hand, boundary management plays a key role in the implementation of open innovation.Practical implicationsThe paper has implications for practitioners by driving them to shift the focus of open innovation implementation towards the management of boundaries, in which boundary capabilities and activities play a key role.Originality/valueThis paper sheds light on the advantages and risks that can jeopardize a successful opening up innovation processes without the effective management of boundary studies. Thus, the authors identify and propose causes for reflection and tools maximizing potentiality and reducing risks in the implementation of such processes.

Access policies and licensing issues in research libraries

2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Horava
Keyword(s):  
Collection Development ◽  
Electronic Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Acquisition Management ◽  
Development And Management ◽  
Access Policies ◽  
Changing Role ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper discusses the importance of incorporating licensing issues in access policies for electronic resources in research libraries. The implications for patron understanding of basic legal issues and the role of the library in managing and acquiring these resources are investigated and discussed.Design/methodology/approachA survey of various research libraries was undertaken to examine what is provided to patrons in terms of conditions of use for electronic resources. Literature relating to the management and provision of electronic resources was examined.FindingsIt was found that few libraries provide key licensing information to their patrons. This has important consequences in terms of the patron's lack of awareness of restrictions on use, as well as the costs, complexity, and consortial involvement in acquiring these resources.Research limitations/implicationsA comprehensive international review of the trends and practices of research libraries regarding access policies and licensing issues would build upon this paper's findings.Practical implicationsLibrary patrons are not receiving adequate information about the resources they are using. If more research libraries would consider what licensing information is made available to patrons, there could be changes in patron understanding and perception of the library. This will impact the profile of the library in academia, and the changing role of librarians in collection development in the digital environment.Originality/valueThe paper will be of value to research libraries involved in the acquisition, management and delivery of electronic resources to its patrons, and to librarians involved in collection development and management.

Rethinking picking processes in e-grocery: A study in the multichannel context

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mar Vazquez-Noguerol ◽  
Iván González-Boubeta ◽  
Iago Portela-Caramés ◽  
J. Carlos Prado-Prado
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Order Picking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Sales ◽  
Online Business ◽  
Order Fulfilment ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Working Method

PurposeGrocery sellers that have entered the online business must now carry out order fulfilment activities previously done by the customer. Consequently, in a context of online sales growth, the purpose of this study is to identify and implement best practices in order to redesign the order picking process in a retailer with a store-based model.Design/methodology/approachTo identify different work alternatives, an approach is developed to analyse the methods used in distinct stores of one large Spanish grocer. The methodology employed is a three-step statistical analysis that combines ANOVA and MANOVA techniques to settle on the best alternatives in each case.FindingsSubstantial improvements can be achieved by analysing the different working methods. The three-step statistical analysis identified best practices in terms of their impact on preparation time, allowing a faster working method.Practical implicationsTo manage business processes efficiently, online grocers that operate store-based fulfilment strategies can redesign their working method using a criterion based on their own performance.Originality/valueThis is one of the few contributions focusing on the improvement of e-grocery fulfilment operations by disseminating best practices through decision-making criteria. This study contributes by addressing the lack of approaches studying the order picking process by considering its various features and applying best practices.

scholarly journals From fragile to agile: marketing as a key driver of entrepreneurial internationalization

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Hagen ◽  
Antonella Zucchella ◽  
Pervez Nasim Ghauri
Keyword(s):  
Business Processes ◽  
Functional Dependencies ◽  
Multiple Stakeholders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Partner Interaction ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Strategic Agility ◽  
The Many ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to conceptualize strategic agility in entrepreneurial internationalization and highlight the role of marketing “under particular conditions” – those of early and fast internationalizers.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on in-depth case studies of four entrepreneurial internationalizers using an inductive approach. The role of marketing is studied along a set of four key business processes, i.e. sensing through selective customer/partner intimacy; business development through selective experimentation and testing; coordination and harmonization of multiple stakeholders; and creative extension of resources.FindingsStrategic agility is a composite of flexibility and selective responsiveness. Marketing thought, mainly through customer and partner interaction, plays a prominent role in achieving strategic agility. Customer- and market-centric thinking needs to be built in a key set of business processes. Marketing’s contribution to strategic agility means an ability to cope with time, relationship and functional dependencies. Strategic agility helps improve the risk profile of the entrepreneurial internationalizer. Entrepreneurial internationalizers are particularly suited to compete on and benefit from strategic agility.Practical implicationsThe findings show managers and entrepreneurs in early and fast internationalizing ventures a path to strategic agility which helps to overcome the many parallel challenges that come with firm foundation and internationalization.Originality/valueStrategic agility is a novel explanation for entrepreneurial internationalization. The study explains the prominent role played by marketing in achieving strategic agility and growth. Strategic agility is reconceptualized in the context of the young and small internationalizing firm.

How can NGOs prevent volunteers from quitting? The moderating role of the NGO type

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Miguel Lorente-Ayala ◽  
Natalia Vila-Lopez ◽  
Ines Kuster-Boluda
Keyword(s):  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Modelling Methodology ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The rise of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during the last decades has made the volunteer a key element. Motivation and satisfaction have been indicated as predictive indices of their retention. The purpose of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, it seeks to better understand the motivations of the volunteers, addressing the effects of such motivations. On the other hand, it analyses whether the intensity of such antecedents and effects differs depending on the type of NGO with which they work: generalist vs specialist. Design/methodology/approach A study with 847 volunteers from different types of NGOs was done using structural modelling methodology and multi-sample analysis. Findings The type of NGO moderates the relationship between the satisfaction of the volunteer and the intention to recommend. Practical implications Given that in specialist NGOs the impact of satisfaction on the intention to recommend is significantly stronger than in generalist NGOs, making sure that volunteers are satisfied becomes a priority in this type of NGO. In this regard, satisfaction studies among volunteers could be conducted periodically to detect crisis situations and implement improvement actions to recover satisfaction in the occupied position. Originality/value First, to date, the motivations of the volunteer have been investigated from different disciplines, the self-determination theory (SDT) being an important motivational theory widely used in areas such as social, education and sports psychology. However, there is little research from a marketing approach to understand the background of the motivations of volunteers under this conceptual framework provided by the SDT. Second, there is also a scarcity of literature linking the motivations of a volunteer with the emotions they may feel, ultimately achieving consolidated lasting links with the NGO in which they are integrated. Third, most research on volunteering to date has focused on differentiating volunteers from non-volunteers and understanding the reasons for volunteering. However, the presence of studies on the differences in the motivation of the same according to the type of NGO with which they collaborate has been scarce.

Narrating around

2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Maria Rudolf Céline Basten
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Business School ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Discursive Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning History ◽  
The Past ◽  
Narrative Structures ◽  
The One ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe learning history is designed to describe the coming about of best practices, with their reproduction in mind. This paper seeks to discuss the implications of this instrument and presents a modified version.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a so‐called discursive learning history to zoom in on the interaction between a convergent, official, organisational narrative on the one hand, and people acting according to their own stories on the other.FindingsNarrative structures help to create an inner logic that helps people to make sense of their organisation. An example is the battlefield metaphor identified in an academic business school.Research implicationsIt is not easy to create a comprehensive whole out of a multitude of small, often ill‐aligned contributions. To tackle this problem, the author adjusts the method of the learning history for it to allow analysis of discursive practices.Practical implicationsWith this instrument, managers can identify patterns in the complexity of their organisations and understand what seems irrational at first sight.Social implicationsIn organisations there is a continuous tendency to create one line into this complexity. This can be disciplining and therewith can provoke all kinds of undesired behaviours.Originality/valueIt is often assumed that one can learn from history. Looking at the past and reconstructing what happened during a significant event seems an ideal way to create the coherent plot one feels comfortable with and learn from for the future. A discursive learning history shows there is more to organisations then meets the eye.

The impact of the reputation of underwriter and sponsoring representative on IPO underwriting fees

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 342-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Chen ◽  
Xinrong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Initial Public Offering ◽  
Political Connection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Underwriting Fees ◽  
The One ◽  
Public Offering ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of the reputation of underwriters and sponsoring representatives on initial public offering (IPO) underwriting fees, and further investigates the role of ownership and political connection. Design/methodology/approach The methodology includes three models. Model 1 empirically investigates the effect of underwriter’s reputation on underwriting fee. Model 2 studies the effect of sponsoring representative’s reputation on underwriting fee. Model 3 further examines the effect of underwriter’s reputation and sponsoring representative reputation on the underwriting fee controlling for the impact of ultimate controlling ownership and political connection. Findings The study documents that underwriters’ and sponsoring representatives’ reputation can result in reputational premiums. In the IPO of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the reputation of underwriters and sponsoring representatives does not significantly affect the underwriting fees. In the IPO of non-state-owned enterprises (NSOEs), there is a significantly positive correlation between underwriters’ and sponsoring representatives’ reputation and underwriting fees. Further research results show that, on the one hand, the effect of underwriters’ and sponsoring representatives’ reputation on underwriting fees is not significant in the IPO of NSOEs with political connection. On the other hand, underwriting fees are positively associated with underwriters’ and sponsoring representatives’ reputation in the IPO of NSOEs without political connection. Research limitations/implications The sponsoring representative’s fee is not disclosed separately, which makes it difficult to distinguish the incremental effect from underwriter’s services and reputation. Practical implications NSOEs relative to SOEs are more likely to pay higher underwriting fees for hiring underwriter and sponsoring representative with better reputation during the process of IPO. Social implications The reputation of underwriter and sponsoring representative does not matter to SOEs but does matter to NSOEs. However, NSOEs’ political connection affects underwriter fees. Originality/value This paper provides new evidence of sponsoring representatives’ reputation and political connection on the underwriting fees in the IPO in Chinese SOEs and NSOEs.

Examining knowledge audit for structured and unstructured business processes: a comparative study in two Hong Kong companies

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 514-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Y.T. Yip ◽  
Rongbin W.B. Lee ◽  
Eric Tsui
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Procedural Knowledge ◽  
Experiential Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Case ◽  
Knowledge Requirements ◽  
The One ◽  
Knowledge Audit

Purpose – This study/paper aims to study the knowledge audit methodologies needed in structured business processes (SBP) and unstructured business processes (UBP) respectively. The knowledge audit methodology used for SBP aims to identify and capture procedural knowledge, while the one for UBP aims to facilitate the sharing of experiential knowledge. The designs of audit methodologies, including elements of knowledge elicitation (KE), knowledge representation (KR), and role of researcher (RR) for SBP and UBP, are proposed in this paper. Design/methodology/approach – Two knowledge audit cases studies were conducted. The first case was conducted in an SBP, and the second one in an UBP. The first case provides a view of a typical knowledge audit in SBP, the limitations are identified. The second case pinpoints the development of a new knowledge audit methodology applicable for UBP. Findings – A significant differentiation between knowledge audits in SBP and UBP is that the knowledge to be captured in the former is procedural knowledge, whereas that to be elicited in the latter is experiential knowledge. The deliverables in the former include lists of knowledge workers, knowledge assets and knowledge inventories, and in the latter include the interplay of interaction between activities, stakeholders and knowledge displayed in the form of a knowledge activity network. Originality/value – This research clarifies and strengthens the position of the knowledge audit by illustrating two knowledge audit methodologies for respective use in SBP and UBP. It points out that the fundamental difference of knowledge audit approaches is attributed to the different knowledge requirements. To cater to the different knowledge requirements, the authors asserted that three basic components of the knowledge audit, namely, KE, KR and the role of the researcher, should be customized.

The best practices to excel at people analytics

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Green
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Common ◽  
Hr Managers ◽  
A Company ◽  
Personnel Policies ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Given its relative novelty, the field of people analytics remains rather obscure in terms of its success criteria. The purpose of this paper is to unveil some of the hidden secrets of people analytics. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the common characteristics of those companies who have already been successful with it in their operations to date. Findings These 16 best practices cover the role of the CHRO and the employees as well as HR’s general position within a company. Practical implications While not all of the 16 best practices need to be in place, incorporating a few of them will provide significant benefit to businesses and employees. Social implications While several of the best practices laid out in this paper directly impact personnel policies, they also all empower HR managers to be a force for good through optimised people analytics. Originality/value The paper presents a hitherto scattered set of best practices as forerunners in the novel field of people analytics.

scholarly journals Cybersecurity advocates: discovering the characteristics and skills of an emergent role

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie M. Haney ◽  
Wayne G. Lutters
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Interpersonal Skills ◽  
Career Progression ◽  
Service Orientation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Cybersecurity advocates safeguard their organizations by promoting security best practices. This paper aims to describe the skills and characteristics of successful advocates. Design/methodology/approach This study involved 28 in-depth interviews of cybersecurity advocates. Findings Effective advocates possess not only technical acumen but also interpersonal skills, communication skills context awareness and a customer service orientation. Practical implications Non-technical skills are deemphasized in cybersecurity training, limiting career progression into the cybersecurity advocate role for existing security professionals and those from other disciplines. This paper suggests improvements for professional development that encourage greater security workforce diversity. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to define and enumerate competencies for the role of cybersecurity advocate.

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