Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation has the right prescription for diversity

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 15-17

Purpose – This paper aims to describe the actions that have helped Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation to reach No. 1 in this year’s DiversityInc top 50 companies for diversity. Design/methodology/approach – It examines the roles of the company’s executive diversity and inclusion council, diversity and inclusion councils, the diversity and inclusion department and employee-resource groups. Findings – It reveals that the number of women in top-level jobs at the company has more than doubled in the past five years. Today, women account for more than 50 per cent of executive-leadership positions. Practical implications – It advances the view that getting strategic about diversity and inclusion – and making these elements a natural part of the way a company does business – drives innovation and moves the business and people forward. Social implications – It demonstrates that, as the US workforce becomes more diverse, all companies face the challenge of creating new and better ways of recruiting and retaining talent from all segments of the workforce – and creating an inclusive culture where all perspectives are valued. Originality/value – It highlights the key role of diversity at a US affiliate of a multinational pharmaceutical company.

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 54-60
Author(s):  
Joan McKown ◽  
Henry Klehm III ◽  
Harold Gordon ◽  
David Woodcock ◽  
Daniel Bradley

Purpose To explain and evaluate amendments to the rules of practice governing the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) Administrative Proceedings that were adopted by the Commission on July 13, 2016. Design/methodology/approach Describes SEC’s increased pursuit of enforcement actions in APs, criticisms of the AP process, and corrective legislation. Describes the July 2016 amendments covering expansion of the prehearing period, allowance of depositions, timing for completion of document production in discovery phase, required disclosure of affirmative defenses, permitted dispositive motions, and admissibility of hearsay evidence. Assesses the practical impact of the amendments. Makes recommendations concerning advanced preparation for APs, depositions and witness-interview strategies, particular care concerning statements in Wells submission, availability of investigative record to defense counsel, admissibility of hearsay evidence, and defenses based on reliance on counsel. Findings The amended rules are a step in the right direction but do not fully correct the numerous and severe imbalances that exist in the Commission’s administrative enforcement process with respect to the availability of various discovery mechanisms, the timeline for trying a case, and more. Practical implications Every entity or individual that is involved in an SEC enforcement investigation, or that may become a respondent in an SEC Administrative Proceeding, should take certain practical steps such as those recommended in this article to minimize the structural disadvantages it will face and to maximize the benefits conferred by these latest amendments to the rules of practice. Originality/value Practical background and guidance from experienced enforcement, litigation, securities and financial services lawyers.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Grobert ◽  
Caroline Cuny ◽  
Marianela Fornerino

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of brand attachment and familiarity on perceived congruence between the logo and the brand. It explores the role of an under-researched factor, surprise, on perceived congruence in the case of a radical logo change. Design/methodology/approach A study was conducted with 220 students following a university logo change. Perceived congruence between the logos (old and new) and the school brand values was measured for two kinds of students, current and future (i.e. applicants). Findings Results show the importance of surprise in the acceptance of a logo change. Brand familiarity and brand attachment affect surprise in opposite ways, such that higher familiarity increases negative surprise, whereas higher attachment enhances positive surprise. Research limitations/implications This research used a school logo. Because schools represent a particular type of company, brand attachment to another type of brand could be different. The current model needs to be tested in different contexts. Practical implications Companies must pay special attention when communicating with their most attached consumers. In particular, companies that aim to change their logos must prepare for the change by relying on communications that can lead to positive surprise. Originality/value This study was conducted in a real context of logo change. It is the first study to focus on the link among familiarity, attachment and surprise when a radical logo change takes place within a company.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin P. Newman ◽  
Rebecca K. Trump

Purpose Companies are increasingly emphasizing corporate social responsibility (CSR). However, consumers are often skeptical of the sincerity of companies’ CSR claims, particularly when the claim comes directly from the company. This paper aims to demonstrate how to reduce consumer CSR skepticism by examining the role of a company spokesperson’s gender and gender-related characteristics. Design/methodology/approach Two between-subjects experiments with a combined total of 329 participants examined how consumers’ levels of CSR skepticism are affected depending on the gender of the consumer and the gender and gender-related characteristics of the company’s CSR spokesperson. Findings Study 1 finds that a female (vs male) spokesperson generally elicits less CSR skepticism. However, Study 2 expands on this to demonstrate that consumers are less skeptical of a company’s CSR efforts when they are promoted by a spokesperson who exhibits gender-related characteristics that match, or are typically associated with, the individual consumer’s gender. Practical implications Brands often face difficulties in successfully promoting their own CSR efforts to skeptical consumers. These findings should guide companies and their brands in choosing ideal spokespeople for making effective, sincere CSR claims, depending on the target market. Originality/value This research is the first to identify the important role of gender in consumers’ perceptions of CSR sincerity. Thus, it provides practically-oriented strategies that may mitigate a growing consumer CSR skepticism that exists in today’s marketplace.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick French ◽  
Neil Crosby ◽  
Chris Thorne

PurposeMarket value is an estimation of price in the market. It is value in exchange. The valuer's role is to determine the appropriate approach, the method and use the right model to achieve this aim as best as possible. However, underpinning all valuations and property analysis are valuation standards and definitions. This paper looks at the definition of market value and how some market participants may misunderstand or even misrepresent it. This is particularly true when there is a downturn in the market.Design/methodology/approachThis practice briefing is an overview of the role of market value as a definition of price and how it is often misused by stakeholders in the property market.FindingsThis briefing is a review of the valuation definitions clarifying what they mean and what they do not mean.Practical implicationsThe role of the valuer in practice is to use the appropriate definition for the task in hand. The understanding of those definitions is central to the valuation process.Originality/valueThis provides guidance on how valuation definitions can be presented to the client in accordance with the International Valuation Standards.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 827-847
Author(s):  
Raef Abdennadher ◽  
Lazhar Ayed ◽  
Bronwyn P. Wood

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of political advertising on voter attitude and the processes of decision-making in the specific context of the inaugural democratic experience of post-revolutionary Tunisia. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in Tunisia, where the target respondents included Tunisian’s eligible to vote during the presidential campaign of October 2014. The study uses questionnaires for data collection using a convenience sampling technique. Findings The major findings of the study are that the persuasion power of advertising has a direct impact on voter involvement, trust and attitude towards voting. Specifically, involvement significantly influences a voter’s attitude. The hypothesis on the impact of trust on attitude, and the hypothesis related to the mediating role of trust and involvement were rejected. Research limitations/implications The study recommends specialists in political advertising and politicians themselves give consideration to the trust and involvement considerations of the Tunisian voter, to enhance and optimize the quality and credibility of political advertising in the future. Practical implications The research offers some interesting findings for professionals in political advertising, for companies operating in political research, or advertising agencies. In this context, advertising agencies need to give prescient consideration to the trust of the voter by developing a credible and believable discourse. Social implications In the context of a nascent democracy, it is very important to educate people so they become familiarized with the practices of democracy, and to give them the ability to make the right choice. The study recommends specialists in political advertising and also politicians give consideration to the trust and involvement considerations of the Tunisian voter, to enhance and optimize the quality and credibility of political advertising. Originality/value This research paper related to political advertising can be used to formulate appropriate political advertising strategies and to ameliorate and optimize the advertising discourse in the context of a nascent democracy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Talinbe Abdulai ◽  
Edward Ochieng

Purpose The assertion that land registration guarantees landownership security is common knowledge. Thus, efforts at securing landownership in particularly, the developing world have concentrated on the formulation and implementation of land registration policies. However, over the years, whilst some studies claim that land registration assures security, a lot of other studies have established that security cannot be guaranteed by land registration. Also, there is evidence from research that has shown that land registration can be a source of ownership insecurity in some cases. The purpose of this paper is to critically analyse the underpinning principles of land registration and their application in order to establish whether or not land registration can actually guarantee ownership security. Design/methodology/approach It is a literature review paper that looks at the existing literature on landownership, security and land registration systems. The land registration principles that have been subjected to critical analysis are the publicity function of land registration, the legality of ownership emanating from land registration and the warranty provided by the State in land registration, specifically, under the Torrens system. Findings An analysis of the underpinning principles of land registration shows that land registration per se cannot guarantee ownership security and this helps to explain the findings of the numerous studies, which have established that landownership security cannot be assured by land registration. The paper concludes by identifying the right role of land registration as well as a mechanism that can effectively protect or secure landownership. Practical implications Land registration policies and programmes in the developing world are often funded by the international donor community and the findings provide useful insights regarding the actual role of land registration and for policy change in terms of what can secure landownership. Originality/value Even though there are two schools of thought regarding research on the link between land registration on one hand, and landownership security on the other, none of the studies has made an attempt to consider the nexus by critically examining the principles that underpin land registration to support their arguments.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 25-28
Author(s):  
Maniam Kaliannan ◽  
Vanitha Ponnusamy

Purpose – This paper observes that Apple illustrates the right and wrong ways to bring about organizational change, and emphasizes the key role of personalities in the process. Design/methodology/approach – Compares and contrasts the performance of Apple under the leadership of Steve Jobs and John Sculley. Findings – Advances the view that Steve Jobs was more successful because he focused on innovation, while John Sculley paid more attention to current products and profitability. Practical implications – Describes how the Steve Jobs era saw the introduction of such iconic Apple products as the iPod, iPhone and iPad, which helped the company to gain pre-eminence in its field. Social implications – Argues that, in today’s globalized business environment, organizational change is a must. Demonstrates how to achieve this successfully. Originality/value – Describes two sides of the Apple story and draws the lessons for other businesses involved in organizational change.


Author(s):  
David Green

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 13-15

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the papers in context. Findings Do patents hinder open innovation and collaboration? The protective and secretive nature of the patent would suggest that it does. After all, if a company wants to hide or protect a product then, surely, they are unwilling to work with others? Holgersson and Granstrand (2017) look at the role of patents and the motives behind their applications to see if open innovation is being hindered. Ultimately, it seems, patents may stifle innovation to some degree, but the security that they provide actually encourages firms to collaborate with others. By removing the fear of intellectual theft or loss of revenue, patents free-up innovators to work with others to enlarge the market they have just created. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Stephen Denning

Purpose As senior executives increasingly explore Agile management in their operations they are discovering that their practices in managing people also require transformation. Design/methodology/approach The article, with an attached case, explores how some leading companies are radically changing their HR practices to prioritize fostering talent that adds customer value and champion the work experience of their talent. The article explains why transformation will involve, not merely HR process improvements, but a fundamentally different kind of management. It offers a case to illustrate new approaches. Findings At a time when talent is in such high demand, you must allow—and even encourage—people to have their say if you hope to attract the very best in your field. So, the successful deployment of talent is now largely a matter of creating an environment where the interests, ambitions and innovations of people constantly shape the strategy and future of the company. Practical implications Instead of strategy gurus telling talent what to do, now talent needs to play a central role in strategy formulation. Imagine a company divided into some two hundred customer-facing units, each with its own pay scale and work methods, each so talent-driven that employees are given the right to fire their unit leader? Originality/value The shift from a strategy-led company to a talent-first company requires fundamental changes in the way CEOs understand the very concept of management—it’s the beginning of a new age.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document