Employing CSR in SME development to survive Arab Spring fluctuations – the case of Egypt: General Authority for Investment (GAFI)

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Hadia Hamdy Abdel Aziz ◽  
Menatallah Darrag

Subject area Business ethics, sustainability and economic development. Study level/applicability This case is suitable for both advanced undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Case overview The case presents a pioneering initiative run by the Egyptian General Authority for Investment (GAFI) to mitigate the implications of the 25th of January revolution on SMEs. The case describes the “Business Clinic” program that was designed to provide SMEs with world class consultancy services through the CSR programs of large local and multinational consultancy firms. Expected learning outcomes The case should help students in: defining corporate social responsibility and describing its importance; describing the role of SMEs in economic development; identifying the different growth obstacles that face SMEs; relating theories in different managerial fields that could be linked to CSR and development; investigating the Arab Spring and describing its repercussions on economic development and sustainability; and illustrating CSR role in solving SME problems. 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.

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelisaveta Blagojević ◽  
Radenko Scekic

PurposeThe purpose of this research paper is to address the main research gap related to the lack of sufficient information regarding the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in second Arab Spring wave in comparison to the first one. The authors analysed the role of ICTs via data regarding the access to ICTs and its influence on organization and spread of the anti-regime protests, i.e. regime change.Design/methodology/approachCrisis situations are unpredictable, complex and unexpected. The consequences produced by the crisis situations or events may be negative for an individual, community, organization or society as a whole. In the new millennium, ICTs have an important role in deep social crises. The new technologies enable not only the rapid spread of certain political ideas, spin information, but also the spread of misinformation. The control over ICTs in the crisis situations is crucial. The aim of this paper is to indicate effect of the use of ICTs in the crisis situations, i.e. political upheavals in 11 countries of the “Arab Spring”. The contribution of this paper is based on the development of a special theoretical model of analysis that represents the combination of the theoretical considerations in the field of ICTs, as well as the analysis in the field of transitology, i.e. democratization. The first part of the paper is focussed on the development of ICT transition theory of ICTs’ impact on the process of political change, setting the hypotheses and the explanation of methodological approach of the paper. The second part is related to the review and description of data regarding ICTs use, while the third one discusses the impact of the use of ICTs in organizing and spreading protests in the Arab world, in line with the defined theoretical framework. Finally, there are given the research results in terms of confirming or refuting the hypotheses through the analysis of Arab transition cases.FindingsThe authors confirmed the main hypothesis of the paper that the factors that determined the role of ICTs in first Spring, also, have determined the role of ICTs in second Spring wave. These factors include high access to ICT tools, weak regime's control over ICTs’ use and important cross-border networking with regional and international audience. All that formed the promotional role of ICTs in regime change in 8 of the 11 countries mentioned in the paper.Originality/valueApart from the developed special theoretical model and the analysis of new wave Arab Spring cases, the significance and originality of this paper is reflected in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach that connects political changes and the use of ICTs in disseminating certain policies and ideas.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Jagannath Mohanty ◽  
Shivnath Sinha

Subject area Corporate social responsibility (CSR). Study level/applicability Graduate, undergraduate and executive education. Case overview The Institute of Management Technology, Nagpur, in the year 2013 started the Centre for Corporate Governance to emerge as an academic and research center for the industries in the vicinity of Nagpur and engage industries in CSR activities. On completion of one year of the center, the team responsible for execution of the programs was disappointed with the Centre’s progress. They decided to start an empowerment program with students from a poor village school. The initiative was well received by the school and its students. Now the team is facing the challenge of sustainability and scale up of the initiative. Expected learning outcomes To understand the concept and motives of CSR; to evaluate how a nonprofit-making entity can contribute to its communities; to explain the nuances of stakeholder engagement; social empowerment and inclusiveness; and student engagement and volunteerism. 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 11: Strategy.


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Stephanie Jones ◽  
Ahmad Ahmad

Subject area HRM; recruitment; managing cultural expectations in business; leadership. Study level/applicability Undergraduate management courses; MBA and MSc. Case overview This case focuses on recruitment problems in Europe with an Asian dimension. A young Dutch and a young Chinese graduate are considering a career with postal, courier and logistics firm TNT – what are their concerns as graduating students in looking for a job? From the opposite perspective, the case considers how employers attract graduate recruits. The case encourages students of a wide range of cultural backgrounds to question if they are following their cultural norms, or their own personal needs, regardless of their culture. It introduces students to the concept of perceptions of employer value propositions (EVPs) and how employers can “market” themselves to employees. The case is appropriate for courses in leadership, human resource management, corporate social responsibility (CSR), managing culture, also job hunting and career workshops. Expected learning outcomes This case is aimed at projecting the importance of career choice criteria from both graduate and employer perspectives. The case examines issues of national culture and associated differences in employee and organizational expectations. The case also examines the role of CSR in attracting employees; and the particular concerns of Generation Y employees. Supplementary materials Teaching note.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Prashant Raman

Subject area Strategic Management and Marketing. Study level/applicability Management students (MBA). Case overview In the present times of global competition and busy schedules of individuals, it is expected that companies provide service with security, sincerity and flexibility keeping pace with changing global scenario of marketing. Service receiver expects competitive and optimum facilities with ease while sitting in any corner of the world at any time of the day. It implies that the service provider should be available at all times/all places for satisfying the needs of the customers. A daunting task ahead of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) was to change its conventional approach and work toward a newer, user-friendly one. The top management, i.e. the Board of Directors, took up the task of identifying a quicker but securer approach to provide optimum facilities to the policyholders. Expected learning outcomes Achieving customer satisfaction through alternate collection channels and retaining market share, role of customer servicing in creating competitive advantage, challenges for a large public sector enterprise – traditional approach or modern approach, role of private companies in development of insurance industry, creating awareness about the product/service through different distribution channels and use of information and telecommunication technologies to reach remote places, are the expected learning outcomes. 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 8: Marketing


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Meghna Rishi ◽  
Anjana Singh

Subject area Finance, accountancy, auditing. Study level/applicability Supports information systems audit (ISA), auditing practises and controls, corporate governance and internal controls and financial management modules, business administration and MBA programmes. Case overview The case study focuses on the implementation of ISA and information technology in the highly responsible task of executing financial audits The case emphasises on the fact that the advantages of ISA can only be reaped when they are amalgamated with an auditor's scrutiny, sharp eye, extensive knowledge of auditing systems and accounting principles and a rich experience of the auditing function. The suggested synergy also facilitates a reduction of around 60 per cent, in the cost of executing the audits and the man-hours required to complete the audit, as in the case of Jain Chowdhary & Company. Expected learning outcomes The case helps students to comprehend the relevance of audit trail. It emphasises on the importance of identifying the source of information and tracking raw data backward. It familiarises the students with the complexities involved in a real audit and emphasises on the role of logic, intelligence, diligence, patience and farsightedness while performing the auditing function. It is important for them to understand how White collar crimes take place in real business economy. This case, hence exposes students to these nuances and can make a student, from a non-commerce background, understand the key elements of efficient auditing. (Elaborate teaching objectives are appended in the teaching note.) Supplementary materials Teaching note.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Namrata Sharma ◽  
B.S. Sahay ◽  
PRS Sarma

Structured abstract Subject area information and communication technology (ICT) for development. Study level/applicability Master of Business Administration Program’s Management Information Systems courses. Or introductory courses in Masters in ICT for Development. Case overview The paper aims to highlight the endeavour of public distribution system (PDS), a food security scheme for under-privileged people in India, towards excellence, using ICT in the state of Chhattisgarh. It presents two important roles of ICT: one, as a system improvement tool, through supply chain integration (in Phase 1) and, the other, as tool for empowerment, by providing choices through computerized online real-time electronic (CORE) PDS (in Phase 2). CORE PDS was intended to provide choices of retail outlets to poor beneficiaries for collecting their food entitlement, breaking the retail outlet’s monopoly. The project was successfully implemented in some urban areas of Chhattisgarh, providing motivation for its mass scale roll-out. But, the contextual differences between rural and urban settings were raising questions on the ultimate value expected to be delivered by the project in rural areas. Expected learning outcomes Two major learning outcomes of the case: students will appreciate the multi-faceted role of ICT in improving the performance of a system meant for a financially poor section of the society; students will understand the role of contextual settings in a developing economy in the endeavour of ICT projects for societal development. 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 10: Public Sector Management.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Pratigya Kwatra ◽  
Nimisha Singh ◽  
Akhil Pandey ◽  
Arunaditya Sahay

Subject area The subject area is corporate social responsibility (CSR). Study level/applicability The study is applicable to undergraduate- and graduate-level courses on CSR. Case overview The case discusses the issue of integrating CSR in TPDDL’s (TPDDL – Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited) business model. TPDDL was formed as the result of a joint venture between Delhi Vidyut Board and Tata Power. At the time of the joint venture, a large number of users of electricity in Jhuggi-Jhopdi (JJ) clusters were not paying for electricity usage. A huge number of residents were not even in the system where they could be billed. The ones who were in the system had strong political banking as they were huge vote banks and hence would not pay. Only 40 per cent of electricity that was going to JJ cluster was billed due to this TPDDL was incurring huge commercial losses. As residents had very low income, TPDDL decided to invest in CSR activities to train the residents so that they could secure a job and pay the bills as well. Mr Praveer Sinha, MD and chief executive officer (CEO), urged his team to bring 100 per cent JJ clusters under the billing net without any coercive measures. TPDDL adopted parent company Tata’s CSR code and came up with innovative ways of engaging with these communities. Expected learning outcomes The outcomes are: strategic CSR initiatives for business excellence; incorporating CSR in existing business Model 3; role of stakeholders in CSR implementation; and benefits accruing from CSR activities. 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 11: Strategy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Melodena Stephens Balakrishnan

Subject area Marketing, International Business, Strategy, Packaging, Promotion. Study level/applicability Graduate students. Case overview This case is recommended to master's students studying consumer behaviour, products strategy, brand activation and international business. Practitioners in the food industry, design and advertising industry may also find this case interesting. Policymakers looking at mobility of products across borders may also consider this case interesting. Expected learning outcomes This paper explains the role of packaging in brand and product strategy; describes how packaging can give a competitive advantage in the fast-moving consumer goods category; relates consumer insights to strategy using packaging to achieve market objectives like penetration, market share increase, engagement and loyalty. 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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Nimruji Jammulamadaka

Subject area Corporate social responsibility, specifically nonprofit business collaborations from a nonprofit’s perspective. Study level/applicability Graduate level programs in nonprofit management, corporate social responsibility and development management; it can also be used for executive education. Case overview Social enterprises and nonprofits at present increasingly look to corporate firms for grant funds to finance their activities and assets. This case features the experiences of one of the largest nonprofit eye care providers in India, LV Prasad Eye Institute based in Hyderabad in accessing corporate financial support in the form of corporate social responsibility funding. The case deals with the organization challenges, stresses and strains that arise in a nonprofit–corporate partnership. Specifically, it focuses on the strategic and operational challenges that emerge from the partnerships. The partnerships reviewed in the case pertain to rehabilitation. Expected learning outcomes After solving the case, the participants will be able to understand the stages in developing collaborations between nonprofits and businesses for corporate social responsibility. They will also be able to understand the internal implications for nonprofits operations and strategy from such collaborations. 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 CSS11: Strategy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Anne Christine Wanjiru Kabui

Subject area Management. Study level/applicability Undergraduate and Post Graduate. Case overview Communication is a critical function of management, as it allows all stakeholders in an organization effectively and appropriately express their views in turn enabling the organization accurately execute its mandate and meet its objectives and those of its stakeholders. Expected learning outcomes The student should be able to describe communication as a function of management, evaluate the process of communication, differentiate forms of communication, identify the networks of communication, examine the barriers of communication and role of managers in using communication to achieve organizational change. 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 6: Human resource management.


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