Enhanced company performance through the development of network alliance management skills: a four-point framework

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-14
Author(s):  
Mark Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Alliance Management ◽  
Efficient Management ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Corporate Alliances ◽  
Network Alliance

Purpose The prevalence of corporate alliances has increased significantly in the past 25 years. However, such coalitions do not always produce the required results – a problem that is exacerbated when several partners are involved in a network alliance. Part of the difficulty is that, often, firms do not recognize all of the key issues in the successful management of an alliance. This paper aims to outline a four-point model that can be used to help companies develop their employees and work more effectively within network alliances. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a conceptual paper that draws in examples from Apple and IBM as well as research from the automobile, oil and higher education industries. It then offers a practical ABCD framework to assist companies in developing their staff to work effectively within network alliances. Findings Many studies show that companies who habitually succeed at strategic alliances have developed superior management teams. Despite this, few companies actively encourage training or even set best practices for alliance management. Given the high cost of establishing alliances and the excessive failure rate, it would seem logical that companies would invest time in the development of skills for personnel, thereby facilitating alliance success. If organizations dedicated more time and funds to training staff in the efficient management of alliances, they would considerably increase the likelihood of their success. Originality/value This paper gives a practical framework that can be referred to when developing company employees to work more effectively within a network alliance. This framework is based on analysis from a broad range of industries.

Elephants in the room

Facilities ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 412-423
Author(s):  
Bert Smit ◽  
Roy C. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Environmental Design ◽  
Human Dimensions ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Direct Relevance ◽  
Management Concepts ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Conceptual Paper

Purpose – This paper aims to develop an understanding of the potential for application of facilities management concepts and principles in the context of the “zoo sector”. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a conceptual one and begins with a narrative designed to provide sufficient background to understanding key issues relevant to the practice of facilities management in zoological and similar institutions, including the implications of conservational/scientific and display imperatives of zoological facilities for facilities management. We then consider how these issues can be worked through in the context of four broad dimensions of facilities management: strategies for the management of stakeholder behaviour (non-human animals, personnel and visitors); building and environmental design (including space usage); safety, security and health; and “miscellaneous” services. The paper concludes by providing a provisional framework for further research into facilities management in the zoo sector. Findings – As a conceptual paper, there are no empirical findings. Conceptually, the paper offers an initial and simple framework for interpreting the possible application of facilities management in zoological and related facilities. Originality/value – In a search of the two principal journals in the field of facilities management, nothing could be found of direct relevance to the management of facilities in zoological and similar organizations. This paper is thus a singular contribution to the field. Conceptually, the authors attribute neglect of the topic to the distinctive traditions in the study of facilities management, which, at the risk of caricature, emphasise either the pre-eminence of a building and building services approach to facilities management, or an approach which is almost exclusively focused on the “human” dimensions to the discipline.

Going in circles: new business models for efficiency and value

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 36-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Business ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
New Business Models

Purpose This paper aims to explain what managers will want to know about the circular economy by covering some of the key issues and discussing an approach which may help organisations to move towards the circular economy. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper, which blends theory and hard facts to achieve its aims. Findings This paper presents a framework which uses multiple levels of analysis to explain how organisations can prepare for and implement circular economy practices. Originality/value This paper makes relevant contributions for both academics and practitioners by providing essential practical guidance on the “what”, “how” and “why” of the circular economy, which can help managers to plan and implement a convincing business case for this sustainable approach.

Governance structure choice in strategic alliances

2008 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 725-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing‐Sheng Teng ◽  
T.K. Das
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Alliance Management ◽  
Structural Choice ◽  
Management Experience ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Structure Choice ◽  
Selection Of

PurposeStrategic alliances have a variety of governance structures that can be broadly classified as joint ventures, minority equity alliances, and contractual alliances. This paper seeks to empirically examine the roles of four key determinants of governance structure choice, namely, joint R&D and joint marketing objectives, alliance management experience, and international partners.Design/methodology/approachSeveral hypotheses are developed regarding governance structure choice and are tested with data from 765 alliances. A multinomial logistic regression (logit) model is used for statistical analysis, with five control variables.FindingsAll hypotheses are supported, so that the roles of alliance objectives, alliance management experience, and international partners are demonstrated as being significant as determinants of governance structure choice in alliances.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations stem from the data being from a single source, one that also relies on press announcements that may be biased toward larger alliances.Practical implicationsBriefly, alliance managers should find it useful to assess the relative presence of the four determinants of structural choice studied in this investigation in order to make an informed selection of the appropriate governance structure.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the knowledge of the key determinants of governance structure choice in strategic alliances by examining empirically, with a large sample of alliances from various industries, the significant roles of four factors, namely, joint R&D and joint marketing objectives, alliance management experience, and international partners.

Alliance management capability: the roles of alliance control and strength of ties

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 2250-2267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Mamavi ◽  
Olivier Meier ◽  
Romain Zerbib
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Alliance Management ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Strategic alliances have a low success rate despite the profusion of literature on this topic in the last 20 years. To understand the factors that determine performance of partnership relations, the purpose of this paper is to study the roles of control and the strength of interorganizational ties in businesses ability to manage strategic alliances. Design/methodology/approach – The authors have examined 10,377 partnership relations formed as part of strategic alliances to analyze the capacity of a business to manage its alliances. The authors built a structural equations model (PLS) based on observation of 4,242 alliances. Findings – This research identifies two determinants of the success of alliance management. First, the impact of weak ties and strong ties is identical when the business does not control the alliance. Second, weak ties are a more effective means than strong ties when a business controls the alliance. Originality/value – The main contribution of this study thus lies in our analysis of interorganizational relations and of their tangible impact on strategic trade-offs. The field of public procurement is particularly well-suited to evaluating this phenomenon, given the subtlety of alliances at play.

XL Pharmaceutical – effective operation and logistics

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamal Jaafar ◽  
Jawahitha Sarabdeen
Keyword(s):  
Subject Area ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Process Improvements ◽  
Operational Capabilities ◽  
Effective Operation ◽  
Leading Position ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Operational Issues

TitleXL Pharmaceutical – effective operation and logistics.Subject areaOperation and logistics.Study level/applicabilityStudents and practitioners.Case overviewThis case study analysis the logistical and operational issues that one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the MENA region is facing. The case provides a practical example of a company which positioned itself well to be a leading company. However, there are some inherent operational and logistical problems that hinder the company to reach its leading position. The first section of this case describes the company, its process and its operational problems. The second section is dedicated to the analysis of the operational capabilities and current key issues. The last section provides recommendations on how to improve the current operations and ways in which the improvements can be implemented, as well showing the benefits to the company based on the theoretical and practical frameworks.Expected learning outcomesUnderstand how operational issues affect company performance. Analyse the effect that poor operational process can have on the overall company business. Evaluate alternatives for process modifications. Create plans for process improvements and assess its operational and logistical implications.Supplementary materialsTeaching notes.

Turning the Titanic: physicians as both leaders and managers in healthcare reform

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-347
Author(s):  
Colleen Marie Grady ◽  
C.R. (Bob) Hinings
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Reform ◽  
Change Leadership ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Leadership And Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Canadian Provinces

Purpose Physicians are instrumental in healthcare reform and their capacity to employ both leadership and management skills can affect change at all levels. This paper aims to present the challenges and opportunities for physicians in influencing system change and discuss how the two different but complementary skill sets may enable them to contribute to transformation of healthcare. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper and represents the viewpoints of both authors while incorporating current evidence through the literature. Findings Healthcare reform is important and underway in many Canadian provinces, yet it is difficult to achieve change. Leadership and management skills differ although these differences are often subtle in language. Physicians both lead and manage in the healthcare system; their capacity to do both is an advantage for healthcare reform. Originality/value This paper represents the opinions of both authors and is considered original as a conceptual paper.

Developing ASEAN India partnership for fostering technology development

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-218
Author(s):  
Sunil Sahadev ◽  
Pongsak Hoontrakul
Keyword(s):  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Trade Flow ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Broad Policy ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This conceptual paper aims to discuss issues relevant to fostering cooperation between India and countries in the ASEAN region in the area of technological innovation. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper, based on insights from the existing body of literature and secondary data. Findings – The study looks at the competitiveness of different countries in the ASEAN region and considers their technological competitiveness vis-à-vis India. Broad policy issues related to fostering technological innovation as well as the main advantages of such collaboration are discussed. Research limitations/implications – This is a conceptual paper mainly intended for discussion. Practical implications – The paper provides guidelines for fostering technological innovation and could, therefore, help policy development. Originality/value – Although the Indo-ASEAN free-trade agreement is helping trade flow between the countries in the region, the potential for technological collaborations still lies unutilised. This paper looks at the possibilities for such collaborations and is one of the few papers that consider this line of thinking.

The 2016 Police and Crime Commissioner elections

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Joyce
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Source Material ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Government

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the 2016 elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and to compare them with those that took place in 2012. It seeks to evaluate the background of the candidates who stood for office in 2016, the policies that they put forward, the results of the contests and the implications of the 2016 experience for future PCC elections. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based around several key themes – the profile of candidates who stood for election, preparations conducted prior to the contests taking place, the election campaign and issues raised during the contests, the results and the profile of elected candidates. The paper is based upon documentary research, making particular use of primary source material. Findings The research establishes that affiliation to a political party became the main route for successful candidates in 2016 and that local issues related to low-level criminality will dominate the future policing agenda. It establishes that although turnout was higher than in 2012, it remains low and that further consideration needs to be devoted to initiatives to address this for future PCC election contests. Research limitations/implications The research focusses on the 2016 elections and identifies a number of key issues that emerged during the campaign affecting the conduct of the contests which have a bearing on future PCC elections. It treats these elections as a bespoke topic and does not seek to place them within the broader context of the development of the office of PCC. Practical implications The research suggests that in order to boost voter participation in future PCC election contests, PCCs need to consider further means to advertise the importance of the role they perform and that the government should play a larger financial role in funding publicity for these elections and consider changing the method of election. Social implications The rationale for introducing PCCs was to empower the public in each police force area. However, issues that include the enhanced importance of political affiliation as a criteria for election in 2016 and the social unrepresentative nature of those who stood for election and those who secured election to this office in these contests coupled with shortcomings related to public awareness of both the role of PCCs and the timing of election contests threaten to undermine this objective. Originality/value The extensive use of primary source material ensures that the subject matter is original and its interpretation is informed by an academic perspective.

scholarly journals Millennial cultural consumers: co-creating value through brand communities

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 119-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Vaux Halliday ◽  
Alexandra Astafyeva
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Knowledge Development ◽  
Brand Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Communities ◽  
Art And Culture ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Community Theory ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Research Propositions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise millennial cultural consumers (MCCs) to bring together strands of consumer theory with branding theory to consider how to attract and retain younger audiences in arts organisations. Within that the authors single out for attention how “brand community” theory might apply to MCCs. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a conceptual paper that reviews and comments on concepts relevant to helping arts organisations develop strategies to attract and retain younger consumers in their audiences. Findings – Thoughtful conceptual insights and four research propositions for further work by academics and/or practitioners on Millennials and the art and culture world are derived from this review and commentary. Managerial implications are also drawn out. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the knowledge development of such concepts as value and brand communities. It also provides an explanation of these concepts conncecting academic thought on value with pressing management challenges for arts organisations, suggesting ways to apply brand community thinking to innovatiely conceptualised MCCs.

Responsible innovation and social innovation: toward an integrative research framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 742-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karsten Bolz ◽  
Anne de Bruin
Keyword(s):  
Social Innovation ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Responsible Innovation ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
Integrative Framework ◽  
Integrative Research ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Innovation Study

PurposeResponsible innovation (RI) and social innovation (SI) are two fields of innovation study experiencing burgeoning policy, practice and research interest. Despite this rapid rise in popularity, the scholarly literature in these two related areas of innovation study remains quite separate, stymieing the growth of shared research insights. The purpose of this paper is to propose a pragmatic, process-based framework that lends itself to advancing systematic research in both fields while retaining their distinct identities.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper outlines an analogy-inspired framework that builds on the logical thinking put forward by Philosopher Willard Van Orman Quine in 1962. It focusses on key processes that cross-cut both fields.FindingsReflexivity, collaboration and design are identified as three broad core processes that span both the RI and SI fields and form the basis of an integrative framework that highlights the scope for cross-field research pollination.Originality/valueThe literature that draws these two fields together is virtually non-existent. The paper uses analogy to facilitate awareness of the parallels between these two areas of innovation study. The integrative framework put forward in the paper is of value for advancing cumulative research in innovation fields of critical importance to the society.

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