Achieving E-commerce benefits in a garment manufacturing firm

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Richard Boateng
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Target Market ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Manufacturing Firm ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Managerial Capabilities ◽  
Garment Manufacturing

Subject area Enterprise, Strategy Study level/applicability This case study documents the history of e-commerce adoption and usage in a fabric and garment manufacturing firm operating in an African country. Lessons drawn from the case could be applied to understanding the achievement of e-commerce benefits through the complex interrelationships between firm-level, national and global resources. Case overview The case study presents a summary of e-commerce capabilities in the firm, the key resources developed and actions taken to deploy e-commerce capabilities and the notable benefits obtained through these e-commerce capabilities. The study shows that, first, the ability to access information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure matters in developing countries, but managerial capabilities matter more. Managerial capabilities enable firms to find external resources (both in-country and globally) to substitute for internal resource deficiencies. Second, intangible social resources – trust, reputation and credibility – play a critical role in determining whether the e-commerce strategies of firms are successful or not. Expected learning outcomes An understanding of how managerial capabilities influence the creation of e-commerce capabilities and the achievement of e-commerce benefits, especially in an African or Ghanaian context. Learners can also draw lessons that could be applicable to understanding how a firm's strategic orientation, resource portfolio and the nature of its target market differentiate the extent of integration or adoption and usage of e-commerce in the firm. 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.

M-Pesa: an evolution in organisational strategy

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mariam Cassim ◽  
Linda Ronnie
Keyword(s):  
Change Management ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Successful Business

Subject area Change Management. Study level/applicability Postgraduate business courses, including MBA courses in change management and human resource management. Case overview This case study emphasises how important it is for organisations operating in today's turbulent and rapidly changing business environment to have an emergent approach to change. It focuses on the dilemmas faced by Hemmanth Singh, the newly appointed Managing Executive responsible for Mobile Commerce at Vodacom South Africa. Singh is responsible for the execution of the new strategy into financial services, the relaunch of M-Pesa into the South African market being the immediate task. The case sets the context for the relaunch of M-Pesa, and the reader is introduced to some of the limitations and challenges experienced by the company when trying to replicate a successful business model from one market to another, especially after an unsuccessful initial launch. Expected learning outcomes After reading and analysing the information contained in the case study and appendices, students should be able to evaluate the critical role that leadership needs to play when introducing and implementing a change initiative at an organisation that is stimulated by evolving external market conditions; understand the importance of adopting an emergent approach to change in current operating conditions; identify the factors that contribute to or hinder the creation and sustainability of an adaptive culture within an organisation; and appreciate the challenges of attempting to replicate a successful business model from one market into another. 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.

Automating attendance recording of contingent labours at a large construction site

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Saroj Koul
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Class Discussion ◽  
Construction Site ◽  
Large Power ◽  
Content Type

Subject area Operations and human resourcing. Study level/applicability This case study is intended for use in graduate, executive level management and doctoral programs. The case study illustrates a combined IT and HR driven participative management control system in a flexible organization structure. It is intended for a class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation. Case overview The case describes the situation of managing unskilled workforces (≥14,000 workers) during the construction phase of the 4 × 250MW power plants both for purposes of turnout as well as due compensation, in the event of an accident. The approved labour forces appointed for 45 × 8 h. Man-days after a rigorous fitness test and approvals of the safety officer are allocated housing and other necessary amenities and a commensurate compensation system. Expected learning outcomes These include: illustrating typical organizational responsibility structure at a construction site of a large power plant; illustrating the planning and administrative control mechanism in implementing strategy at a construction site of a large power plant; offering students the opportunity to understand and view a typical operational (project) structure; allowing students to speculate adaptations in the wake of an ever-changing business and company environment; and providing an opportunity to introduce a power scenario in India, Indian labour laws and radio frequency identification technology and to relate this to the case in context. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available; please consult your librarian for access.

scholarly journals Stakeholders’ perceptions and reputational antecedents

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Riad Shams
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Marketing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Target Market ◽  
Brand Positioning ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stakeholder Relationships ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – It is recognised that reputation is a relational construct; however the impact of stakeholders’ various relational dimensions on their perceptions to influence reputation is not widely understood. The purpose of this paper is to add to the current understanding of stakeholders’ relationships, interactions, their subsequent relational dimensions and its impact on stakeholders’ perceptions to further influence relational reputation. Design/methodology/approach – This paper takes a case study approach. Findings – The findings of this study recognise the impact of relationship marketing (RM) on the influence of stakeholders’ perceptions. It discusses how RM substantiate the pertinent authenticity (symbolises reputation), relevance and differentiation (represent brand positioning) of an organisation’s profile and/or their market offerings, in relation to the interest of the target market through the cause and consequence of stakeholder relationships and interactions to influence their perceptions. The findings acknowledge 11 RM dimensions that have relational implications to nurture stakeholders’ perceptions and subsequent relational reputation, which appear viable across industries and markets. Originality/value – Underlying the cause and consequence of stakeholder relationships and interactions; these 11 RM dimensions emerge as antecedents to form/reform relational reputation. Further academic and professional implications of the findings are briefly discussed.

Assessing Industry 4.0 readiness in manufacturing: a self-diagnostic framework and an illustrative case study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishnamurthy Ramanathan ◽  
Premaratne Samaranayake
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tool ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Emerging Economy ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Readiness Assessment ◽  
Manufacturing Firm ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an Industry 4.0 Readiness Assessment Framework (I4.0RAF) and demonstrate its applicability and practical relevance through a case study of a large manufacturing firm in an emerging economy.Design/methodology/approachThe research firstly involved a synthesis of recent literature for the identification of important determinants, and their constituent criteria, for assessing the readiness of a manufacturing firm to transition to an Industry 4.0 setting and structuring them into a readiness assessment framework that can be used as a self-diagnostic tool. The framework was illustrated through a case study. The empirical findings of readiness assessment are validated using semi-structured interviews of senior management of the organization.FindingsThe proposed I4.0RAF was found to be a practically applicable self-diagnostic tool that can be used to assess a firm's readiness to transition to an Industry 4.0 setting with respect to eight important determinants. Cross-functional participation in the assessment helped the organization to determine priorities and interdependencies among the determinants.Research limitations/implicationsThe determinants and their constituent criteria can be further streamlined using inputs from practitioners, consultants and academics.Practical implicationsThe findings demonstrate the interdependencies between the determinants, help to delineate interventions that can lead to synergistic outcomes and enabls planning to achieve higher levels of Industry 4.0 maturity.Originality/valueA self-diagnostic tool as a basis for an informed discussion on transitioning to an Industry 4.0 setting is presented and illustrated through a case study in an emerging economy.

Post-occupancy evaluation of outdoor spaces on the campus of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Clara Carvalho Tourinho ◽  
Sabrina Andrade Barbosa ◽  
Özgür Göçer ◽  
Klaus Chaves Alberto
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Post Occupancy Evaluation ◽  
Outdoor Spaces ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeUsing the campus of a Brazilian university as case study, this research aims to identify which aspects of the outdoor spaces are the most significant in attracting people.Design/methodology/approachThis research relies on the application of different post-occupancy evaluation (POE) methods, including user tracking, behavioural mapping and questionnaires, on one plateau of the campus.FindingsThree group of aspects (socialization, proximity and infrastructure) were identified as key elements in explaining the impact of the campus physical characteristics on users’ behaviour. The results indicate that having characteristics of at least one group of aspects in those spaces can guarantee their vitality and, if there is presence of attributes of more than one group, liveliness can be increased.Research limitations/implicationsFurther studies should be conducted on an entire campus to identify other spatial elements in the three groups.Practical implicationsThis research contributes to the planning of future campuses and to solutions to the existed ones, indicating the most relevant spatial characteristics to be considered. Additionally, the combination of different methods may be useful to future research.Originality/valueMost of the investigations on the university campuses focus on the buildings, and little research has investigated the outdoor spaces, although they play a critical role in learning and academic life, where people establish social, cultural and personal relationships. In addition, studies using several POE allowed a consistent and complete diagnostic about the aspects of the campus, giving recommendations for future projects.

Kiwanis Pancake Day – a service operations management case study

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Andrew Tiger ◽  
Robert Howard
Keyword(s):  
Operations Management ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Service Operations ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Operations Management ◽  
Management Experience ◽  
Management Case Study ◽  
Management Issues

TitleKiwanis Pancake Day – a service operations management case study.Subject areaOperations management.Study level/applicabilityUndergraduate and MBA OM courses.Case overviewKiwanis International is a global service organization dedicated to improving the world by helping children. The Durant, Oklahoma chapter holds its primary annual fundraiser the first Tuesday of November, which is also Election Day. The chapter sells and serves fresh pancakes throughout the day; therefore, the event is the Kiwanis Pancake Day. While serving in his first Pancake Day, Robert Howard, a new Kiwanian, notices service operations management issues such as long lines, spiky demand, and customers leaving before being served. Based on his management experience in the grocery business and his academic training in queuing systems, Robert performs an analysis of the system with the purpose of improving service operations.Expected learning outcomes Perform queuing analysis., Understand demand management., Explain the psychology of waiting.Supplementary materialsTeaching notes and spreadsheet‐based multiple‐server simulator.

Gold Valley Chemical Corporation Dubai

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Gwendolyn Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Change Management ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
United Arab Emirate ◽  
New Products ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chemical Corporation ◽  
Innovation And Change ◽  
Business And Management

Subject area Entrepreneurship, innovation, change management. Study level/applicability Undergraduate and Postgraduate Business and Management. Case overview This case study focuses on the development of a young entrepreneur in an indigenous industry in Dubai, United Arab Emirate. His entrepreneurial zeal resulted in the creation of a culture of innovation. His fascination for change spurred him to develop new products and he won accolades for innovation. Expected learning outcomes This case can be used to teach entrepreneurial development, innovation and change management. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are also available.

Corporate survival in Industry 4.0 era: the enabling role of lean-digitized manufacturing

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Ghobakhloo ◽  
Masood Fathi
Keyword(s):  
Enterprise Resource Planning ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Manufacturing System ◽  
Resource Planning ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Manufacturing Firm ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how small manufacturing firms can leverage their Information Technology (IT) resources to develop the lean-digitized manufacturing system that offers sustained competitiveness in the Industry 4.0 era. Design/methodology/approach The study performs an in-depth five years case study of a manufacturing firm, and reports its journey from failure in the implementation of enterprise resource planning to its success in integrating IT-based technology trends of Industry 4.0 with the firm’s core capabilities and competencies while pursuing manufacturing digitization. Findings Industry 4.0 transition requires the organizational integration of many IT-based modern technologies and the digitization of entire value chains. However, Industry 4.0 transition for smaller manufacturers can begin with digitization of certain areas of operations in support of organizational core strategies. The development of lean-digitized manufacturing system is a viable business strategy for corporate survivability in the Industry 4.0 setting. Research limitations/implications Although the implementation of lean-digitized manufacturing system is costly and challenging, this manufacturing strategy offers superior corporate competitiveness in the long run. Since this finding is rather limited to the present case study, assessing the business value of lean-digitized manufacturing system in a larger scale research context would be an interesting avenue for future research. Practical implications Industry 4.0 transition for typical manufacturers should commensurate with their organizational, operational and technical particularities. Digitization of certain operations and processes, when aligned with the firm’s core strategies, capabilities and procedures, can offer superior competitiveness even in Industry 4.0 era, meaning that the strategic plan for successful Industry 4.0 transition is idiosyncratic to each particular manufacturer. Social implications Manufacturing digitization can have deep social implications as it alters inter- and intra-organizational relationships, causes unemployment among low-skilled workforce, and raises data security and privacy concerns. Manufacturers should take responsibility for their digitization process and steer it in a direction that simultaneously safeguards economic, social and environmental sustainability. Originality/value The strategic roadmap devised and employed by the case company for managing its digitization process can better reveal what manufacturing digitization, mandated by Industry 4.0, might require of typical manufacturers, and further enable them to better facilitate their digital transformation process.

Amazon India’s “Apni Dukaan”: branding strategy

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Neetu Yadav ◽  
Mahim Sagar
Keyword(s):  
Brand Management ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Branding Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Brand ◽  
Branding Strategies ◽  
Fierce Competition

Subject area Brand Management, Branding Strategy, Strategic Management. Study level/applicability The case study is suitable for postgraduate management programs, such as MBA, Executive MBA and executive development programs. Case overview This case study provides a detailed analysis of Amazon India’s branding strategy by way of analyzing popular branding campaigns such as “Try to kar”, “Aur Dikhao”, “Kya Pehnu” and “Apni Dukaan” that enabled the global brand to reach to the masses of Tier-II and Tier-III cities in India. Facing fierce competition from existing market leaders such as Flipkart and Snapdeal, Amazon India strategizes to attract Indian consumers by rightly capturing their behavior in terms of demanding “highest power of options”, “fashion choices”, “originality” and “trust” with its local flavored advertisement campaigns enabling it to create a “trusted, reliable and local” brand identity. With the help of sufficient data and numbers about the industry, company and competitors, the analysis presents a clear picture of the current status of Amazon in the Indian e-commerce space and leaves the readers with food for thought concerning whether this “culture-specific” branding strategy will enable Amazon to become the number one choice for Indian online shoppers in the near future. Expected learning outcomes This case study helps students to understand how global MNCs use unique branding strategies to capture mass-markets in e-commerce business, the role of culture-specific aspects in developing differentiation strategies and the role of local flavors in branding strategies and internationalization. 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.

Citizen Chen: a challenging test for bilateral diplomacy

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Barthélémy Michalon
Keyword(s):  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Usa ◽  
High Level

Subject area Diplomatic and consular policies; legal aspects of international relations and Asia regional scenario. Study level/applicability Undergraduate. Case overview In April 2012, high-level officials from China and the USA were about to meet in Beijing in the framework of the bilateral Strategic and Economic Dialogue, organized on a yearly basis. The event was always delicate, due to the ambiguous relationship existing between the two countries, which were at the same time rivals and dependent on one another. That time, the tension previous to the meeting increased significantly: a Chinese human rights activist had just sought and obtained diplomatic protection in the US Embassy in Beijing, thus creating an embarrassing situation for both States' foreign departments […] How could they possibly solve this contentious issue without affecting their already sensitive relationship? Expected learning outcomes Analytical: to be aware of the political nature of the current Chinese Government; to realize the concrete and practical implications of an Embassy's special status; to balance two contradictory objectives, in a specific situation where none of them can be fully discarded; to contrast and try to combine long-term goals (in this case, to maintain a functioning relationship between two main world powers) with short-term objectives (in this case, how to deal with a Chinese activist that required protection against his own country's security forces); to find a modus vivendi (conciliation) between values and interests; to get convinced that certain kinds of negotiations cannot be conceived through a “win or lose” approach: in this case, the only way out must be respectful of the two parties' core interests; and to take into account that image preservation (“face-saving”) must be included within any country's objectives in any situation involving diplomatic means. Conceptual: the purpose is to familiarize the students with specific concepts, such as: best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA), which is to be mentioned as part of the discussion (it is not included in the case study itself); interdependence; (purported) Group of Two; asylum and refuge; Immunity; and sending state/receiving state. 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.

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