Business strategies responding to COVID-19: experience of Chinese corporations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minyu Wu ◽  
Kun Kong
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Society Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Strategic Csr ◽  
Mixed Approach ◽  
Business In Society

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives adopted by Chinese firms during the outbreak of COVID-19. Facing this unknown, unexpected and devastating disease, Chinese corporations demonstrated their CSR in different approaches. The purpose of this paper is to explore how CSR influences the decisions of the corporations that respond to a severe incident and how corporations can achieve their mission or strategic objectives by responding to a serious incident. Design/methodology/approach Based on secondary data and thematic analysis, this paper examines six Chinese corporations which are the leading firms in their respective industries. Findings This paper finds that firms adopted a mixed approach to conducting their CSR initiatives, including altruistic, strategic and citizenship CSR initiatives. This paper also confirms that strategic CSR initiatives were in line with the five dimensions of strategic CSR including centrality, specificity, proactivity, visibility and voluntarism. In addition, this paper also shows that a company could create its competitive advantage by carrying out CSR initiatives that are able to strengthen its value chain activities or the competitive context. This is based on the partnership built by the firms with their stakeholders to recognize the shared value. Practical implications This paper shows the implication that business leaders should understood the role of a business in society and the importance of stakeholders’ expectations. The underlying philosophy is that CSR could strengthen the resilience of society; business organizations need to operate in a healthy society. Originality/value This paper provides insights of Chinese corporations responding to a severe social incident. It highlights the strategic perspective of CSR initiatives and the linkage between CSR activities and a firm’s competitive advantage.

Exploring sustainable competitive advantage of multispecialty hospitals in dynamic environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 595-609
Author(s):  
Harbir Singh ◽  
Ajoy Kumar Dey ◽  
Arunaditya Sahay
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Dynamic Environment ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Clinical Excellence ◽  
Hospital Performance ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Sustainable Competitive Advantage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources

Purpose A multispecialty hospital possesses sustainable competitive advantage if it continuously improves performance, repeatedly delivers quality service and unique value to the patients and the sources of competitive advantage are valuable, rare, inimitable, non-substitutable or causally ambiguous. The term sustainable competitive advantage is vague and ambiguous and the environment in which hospitals operate is dynamic, turbulent and disruptive. Therefore, sources of competitive advantage must change and evolve with time. This paper aims to explore the themes of competitive advantage in a dynamic environment for multispecialty hospitals in India by studying data from secondary sources for five hospitals. Design/methodology/approach The findings of the case study were based on the analysis of secondary data that are extracted from the official websites of the hospitals, with the grounded theory approach. Findings Five identified themes are as follows: changing and adapting; clinical excellence; creating unique value; managing unpredictable circumstances and patient-centric approach. All the themes supported hospital performance, service and value delivered to patients and therefore may help in building a competitive advantage of the hospital. However, sustainability factors were inconsistent across the themes. Practical implications The CXOs and CMOs of hospitals can review the themes periodically and re-align the business strategies to build a sustainable competitive advantage. Originality/value The findings of the study uncovered the criticality of re-alignment of resources deployed in the unpredictable and ever-changing environment in which hospitals thrive to build sustainable competitive advantage.

Better value chains: a matrix for competitive advantage

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conrad den Hertog
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Senior Management ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Business Unit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Units

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a new and comprehensive business strategy matrix which can be used to create competitive advantage for the value chain of every business unit of any firm. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews the key findings of several well-known papers within the value chain literature and then adds several new conceptual insights to step by step create a logically developed, business strategy matrix featuring four strategy choices. Findings – This paper presents the four business strategy choices of competitive value chains, based on the business strategies of innovative quality, lean cost, agile delivery and attentive service. Research limitations/implications – A future research implication of this paper is to empirically test the financial benefits for producers of custom products, of applying agile delivery as a key business strategy. Practical implications – This paper provides the senior management of each business unit of any firm, with a clear guide to defining an optimal business strategy. Social implications – This paper is intended to advance the practice of business strategy by senior management, to enhance customer value across all business units. Originality/value – This paper expands upon existing business strategy models by providing a comprehensive business strategy matrix, which can be applied to all possible business units. It does this by building upon current best practice to demonstrate that next to innovative quality, lean cost and attentive service strategies, an agile delivery strategy is required in the case of custom products.

scholarly journals Examining the CSR strategy of MNCs in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taposh Kumar Roy ◽  
Ahmed Al-Abdin ◽  
Ali Quazi
Keyword(s):  
Core Competencies ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Spirit ◽  
Strategic Csr

Purpose The paper aims to explore and analyze how multinational companies (MNCs) in Bangladesh define corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how CSR is used by these companies as a strategic tool to improve business and social performances. Design/methodology/approach The authors choose a qualitative case study approach for this study, using multiple semi-structured interviews with 15 CSR managers and secondary data from websites and annual reports. Both primary and secondary data were collected from ten leading MNCs that operate in Bangladesh. Findings The findings indicate that most of the MNCs in Bangladesh are moving toward strategic CSR and away from the conventional altruistic (philanthropic) CSR. It also appears that stakeholder prioritization and one-way communication are key for managing stakeholders. Research limitations/implications The most unavoidable limitation of this research lies in sample selection. A total of ten companies were selected because of lack of accessibility to additional MNCs. To overcome this limitation and increase the credibility of findings, the authors triangulate interview and secondary data from annual reports and websites. Practical implications The findings indicate that MNCs are increasingly recognizing the importance of using their core competencies to generate social benefits. The idea of adopting strategic CSR is predominantly steered by business benefits, which also provide the necessary resources for social and environmental activities Social implications The findings suggest that the shift from philanthropy to strategic postures leads to creating and fostering social benefits such as developing an entrepreneurial spirit and empowering women. Originality/value MNCs operating in Bangladesh are gradually departing from philanthropy and moving toward strategic CSR by aligning business strategies with CSR. Transition from philanthropy to strategic CSR also reflects on MNCs’ CSR definitions, which include various dimensions such as social, stakeholders and sustainability, except philanthropy. In Bangladesh, where CSR was previously viewed as philanthropic activity, the findings make important contributions to the extant literature, particularly international CSR strategic literature, and can be useful for future research in other developing countries.

Just Fresh: fresh juices from the desert!

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Syed Zamberi Ahmad ◽  
Norita Binti Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Strategic Management ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Customer Experience ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Content Type

Subject area Strategic management, Strategic marketing, Entrepreneurship and Small business ventures. Study level/applicability This case study will be useful for undergraduate level students majoring in strategic management, entrepreneurship, small business ventures and marketing. Case overview Just Fresh Juice is a small entrepreneurial venture in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), specialising in preparing all-fresh juices, special mixes and fruit salads. The purpose of this paper is to analyse how Just Fresh can maintain its competitive advantage, and how it could sustain its rapid growth in the market and gain more market share in the long run. Just Fresh focuses on satisfying its customers more effectively than its competitors through a competitive strategy of cost leadership (Papulova and Papulova, 2006), direct interaction with the customers through social media (Srinivasan, 2014) and creating a customer experience (Porter, 2008), as delivering a good customer experience is often more effective in building a competitive advantage than optimising internal processes. Expected learning outcomes The purpose of this case is to enable management students to evaluate and analyse a small business established in the United Arab Emirates. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of new business set-up and build proper business strategy. They will be able to perform the company’s competitive standing using Porter’s Five competitive forces and analyse its business strategies as well. They will be able to analyse the current status of the company using SWOT analysis and to design alternative strategies for the company using TOWS analysis. Furthermore, students will be able to build a cost analysis model for the company. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

Building (or not building) dynamic capabilities: the case of Italian subsidiaries in China and India

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Tattara
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Capability Development ◽  
Regional Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Capability Building

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the process of capability building at subsidiary level and the forces preventing such process. The paper discusses and tests three propositions governing this process. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on multiple case studies. A case study research is most useful when addressing issues about which little prior theory has been developed or empirical evidence collected. Findings Subsidiaries in Asia operate in a way substantially different from those in the West. Specifically what ways do market specificities in Asian economies serve to either inhibit or positively encourage the development of a subsidiary? What are the circumstances which could induce subsidiaries to outsource production? Research limitations/implications Future research should explore the regional effect on MNE subsidiary types and different flexibilities exhibited in the value chain. What are the specific aspects (macro and micro) that explain variations of business strategies at subsidiary levelboth over time and between countries? Practical implications Multinational enterprises (MNEs) should be aware of the strong potential for capability development at the subsidiary level. This increased awareness ought to induce consideration in MNEs about how best to encourage such know capability development and how to leverage these capabilities for a better MNE performance. Social implications Managers who knew the host country languages and culture, and have outward-looking attitudes, are in advantageous positions to learn about new opportunities. Originality/value The paper offers empirical insights into the state and drivers of subsidiary performance in Asia. Specifically it shows how neglect of external conditions can act to open people’s eyes and foster a capability-building process within subsidiaries.

The relationship between CSR disclosure and competitive advantage

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 547-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Cheng Yu ◽  
Lopin Kuo ◽  
Mao-Feng Kao
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Signaling Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Strategies ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Strategic Csr ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to apply signaling theory to examine whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure can deliver effective signals to stakeholders to increase a firm’s competitive advantage in China. Whether ownership patterns or environmental sensitivity causes a significant difference in the relationship between a firm’s CSR disclosure and competitive advantage is also examined. Design/methodology/approach Data analysis is based on a regression model. Content analysis is performed to convert qualitative CSR information of Chinese firms into quantitative data, while intellectual capital (IC) is used as a proxy variable for competitive advantage. Findings The difference in competitive advantage impairment between environmentally sensitive industries (ESIs) and non-environmentally sensitive industries (NESIs) is significant. Further comparisons on the relationship between overall CSR disclosure and competitive advantage among state-owned enterprises, privately owned enterprises, ESIs and NESIs suggest that the relationship is negative. Research limitations/implications The study extends research of strategic CSR to signaling theory and competitive advantage. In particular, a research using IC as a proxy for competitive advantage is rare. It also contributes to the literature on competitive advantage and strategic CSR by examining the effects of both CSR disclosure and IC. Originality/value This paper provides evidence related to stakeholders’ reaction to managers’ various CSR strategies in China. The contribution of this study is that it confirms that different CSR initiatives have different effects on the competitiveness of enterprises in China.

Collaboration in achieving sustainable solutions in the textile industry

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mônica Cavalcanti Sá de Abreu ◽  
Fabiana Nogueira Holanda Ferreira ◽  
João F. Proença ◽  
Domenico Ceglia
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Textile Industry ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Clothing Industry ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Ecological Value ◽  
Society Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Textiles And Clothing

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how sustainable solutions in the textiles and clothing industry are decided through business-to-business collaboration. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative and inductive study of the Brazilian textiles and clothing industry is carried out, an industry in which sustainable denim products are increasingly being recognized as subject to competition. The paper adopts a focal net perspective to understand the collaborative arrangements through which firms combine the products they offer as a sustainable solution. Documentary data were collected and in-depth interviews conducted with the top managers of one of the world’s largest denim-manufacturing companies present in the Brazilian market, which is involved in providing sustainable solutions in cooperation with its partners. Findings The authors describe the factors that reflect the conditions for generating a sustainable business performance, including a corporate policy that assumes and articulates the responsibility for social interest, core-business stakeholders and regulatory requirements; a sustainable product-service system (S.PSS) based on innovative interactions between the stakeholders in the value production system; relations between stakeholders that promote business sustainability through a dependable value chain characterized by a sense of collaboration and collective actions; and a business model for sustainability that combines economic with social and ecological value creation. These factors help a business establish a more strategic position in the value network, enabling it to capture more value. Practical implications Sustainable solutions are developed dynamically and collaboratively within an S.PPS. Managers need to focus not only on tangible products but also on intangible services designed and combined so that they are jointly capable of fulfilling customer’s needs and creating social and ecological value. Managers within the solution provider must develop business models for sustainability that are continually evolving to satisfy the interest in resource-efficiency by actors in civil society, business and government. Originality/value The research contributes to the existing literature by applying approaches involving corporate social responsibility (CSR) and strategic nets to the study of the implementation of an S.PSS. Sustainable initiatives and offers developed by an S.PSS are not isolated phenomena but result from collaboration in finding solutions among different actors linked in a strategic net. In this sense, companies need to adjust their business models for sustainability to generate positive economic, social and ecological value and gain credibility for their missions.

scholarly journals Factors affecting the performance of Indonesian special food SMEs in entrepreneurial orientation in East Java

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benny Hutahayan
Keyword(s):  
Significant Influence ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This study aims to examine comprehensively the factors determining the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) producing Indonesian special food in East Java. Design/methodology/approach This study is quantitative and qualitative. Primary data was collected from entrepreneurs in East Java, those producing Indonesian special food. Secondary data was obtained from the literature, literature study, journals, Central Bureau of Statistics and the office of industry, trade, cooperatives and SMEs in East Java. Areas selected for this study were Surabaya, Madiun, Malang, Pasuruan, Lamongan and Banyuwangi. The population was small and medium entrepreneurs producing Indonesian special food in the selected cities. Based on the PLS sampling rule, the number of samples in each research area was 50, with total of 300 respondents (50 × 6). The methods of collecting primary data were interviews and questionnaire. Data analysis was done using GSCA. Findings The study firstly found the significant influence of entrepreneurial orientation on business strategies of SMEs producing Indonesian special food in East Java. SME managers have a high entrepreneurial orientation. Secondly, it found a significant influence of entrepreneurial orientation on business performance of SMEs producing Indonesian special food in East Java. Thirdly, the study found that government policy is not a moderating variable. Additionally, business strategies have a significant influence on the performance of SMEs producing Indonesian special food in East Java. Finally, dynamics of the environment and business strategy have a significant influence on the performance of manufacturing industry in South Sulawesi. Originality/value To know the effect of entrepreneurial orientation, environmental dynamism, consisting of uncertainty of environment and intensity of competition, and business strategies toward business performance. Considering the findings of the previous studies, the authors would like to re-examine the effect of entrepreneurial orientation on business performance, which also compares the findings of previous studies, especially, the one by Lee and Tsang (2003) on SMEs in Singapore.

A “knowledge value chain” framework for contractor organisations to maximise chances of winning tenders

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaveesha Gihani Dewagoda ◽  
B.A.K.S. Perera ◽  
Sepani Senaratne
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competitive Tendering ◽  
Knowledge Value Chain ◽  
Expert Interview ◽  
Knowledge Value

PurposeKnowledge is a critical asset that places contractor organisations at a competitive advantage when they take part in competitive tendering. However, a dearth of literature exists on the mechanisms that contractor organisations can adopt to utilise knowledge to gain competitive advantage and win tenders through competitive tendering.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted an interpretive stance with a qualitative approach that comprised a literature review, 15 expert interviews and three case studies. The literature review and expert interview findings were used to develop an intermediate framework of knowledge value chain (KVC), while the case study findings were used to develop the final KVC framework with the intermediate framework as the basis.FindingsThe study developed, in three distinctive steps, a KVC framework based on Powell's (2001) KVC for use by the tendering divisions/units of contractor organisations employing quantity surveyors (QSs) to handle tendering work and to increase their chances of winning tenders.Originality/valueThe study developed a KVC framework for the use of contractor organisations to maximise their chances of winning tenders in the field of quantity surveying.

Competitive advantage through innovation: the case of Nespresso

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Brem ◽  
Maximilian Maier ◽  
Christine Wimschneider
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Linear Process ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Situation ◽  
Long Time ◽  
A Company

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe how Nespresso achieved competitive advantage through innovation by changing the rules of the game in its industry. Design/methodology/approach – Nespresso was analyzed based on public available secondary data, in combination with related academic concepts on innovation and competitive advantage. Findings – The company succeeded by the thorough application of a strategy that, through perfect alignment, allowed the company to reach a unique market position. However, as described in the case, it took a relatively long time and the company came close to failure several times. Before the current situation of the company, it remains challenging in the future as well. Hence, the Nespresso story provides interesting space for discussion and learning about what innovation is, how innovation emerges, and under which circumstances innovation can serve as a source for competitive advantage. Research limitations/implications – Especially given the current market situation, the case offers different starting points for discussion about innovation and long-term company success. Practical implications – Especially before the current market situation, the case offers different starting points for discussion about innovation and the success of a company on the long term. The case is designed to give practitioners a better understanding on what an innovation as, and how competitive advantages can be linked to innovation. Originality/value – This case of Nespresso is a unique combination of the concepts of innovation and competitive advantage. It serves as an example of an innovation, which was not successful from the scratch, but evolved over time and is still developing. As many innovations went through such a non-linear process, this case offers interesting lessons learned for academics as well as for practitioners.

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