The transition of a socio-technical system to a smart grid: illustrated with the Indian electricity network

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakshminarayana Kompella
Keyword(s):  
Technical System ◽  
Transition Theory ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Indian States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Pressures ◽  
Policy Systems ◽  
Transition Trajectory ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explain transitions in a socio-technical system characterized by non-economic entities that influence economic activity, i.e. embeddedness and coalitions. The selected socio-technical system is an Indian electric network with an interventionist policy. Its embeddedness and coalitions drive the transition. The insights from such analysis expand socio-technical transition theory and provide valuable insights to practitioners in their policymaking. Design/methodology/approach The authors need to observe the effects of non-economic institutions in their setting. Moreover, in India, the regional policies influence decision-making; therefore, selected two Indian states. The two Indian states, along with their non-economic entities, provided diverse analytic and heuristic views. Findings The findings show that coalitions, with their embeddedness in the absence of any mediating policy systems, act as external pressures and influence innovation and the socio-technical system’s transition trajectory. Their coalitions’ embeddedness follows a shaping, not selection logic. Thereby influence innovations in cumulating as stable designs. Such an approach provides benefits in the short-term but not in the long-term. Research limitations/implications The study selected two states and examined two of the four trajectories. By considering other states, the authors can obtain more renewable energy investments and further insights into the transformational trajectory. Practical implications The study highlights the coalition dynamics specific to the Indian electric power network and its transition trajectories. The non-economic entities influenced transition trajectories, innovation and policymaking of the socio-technical system. Originality/value The study expands the socio-technical transition theory by including embeddedness. The embeddedness brings a shaping logic instead of a selection logic.

A directed content analysis of viewpoints on the changing patterns of Lean Six Sigma research

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan A. Rodgers ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Zhen He ◽  
Elizabeth A. Cudney ◽  
Chad Laux
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Changing Patterns ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper, builds on previous studies that explored the research patterns over 15 years, is to consider the current status of the integration of Lean and Six Sigma. More specifically, this research addresses whether Lean and Six Sigma are stronger together and explores the reasons why Lean researchers and practitioners may be less likely to integrate Six Sigma in their work. Design/methodology/approach The research utilises a survey of 25 established and respected academics and practitioners from 16 countries. The questionnaire is analysed using a direct content approach and coded in NVivo. Findings The findings suggest that challenges may lie in the perception and understanding of statistics as well as short-term rather than long-term focus on improvement. The findings also suggest that academics and practitioners believe that Lean Six Sigma has developed over time and will continue to develop and improve as a methodology rather than being replaced with a new methodology. Research limitations/implications The survey has a sample size of 25, albeit all respondents are established and very experienced practitioners and academics. Practical implications For organisations that are introducing or refreshing their continuous improvement initiatives, this research identifies some of the challenges and provides the opportunity to address them to maximise the opportunities for success and sustainability. Originality/value The value of this paper is that it further addresses the debate over the integration of Lean and Six Sigma for many organisations which still employ Lean alone, but beyond this it explores how they will continue to develop and whether they are a permanent edition to the quality management landscape or a transition to something else.

Paradoxical tensions of the COVID-19 pandemic: a paradox theory perspective on the role of management control systems in helping organizations survive crises

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Kober ◽  
Paul J. Thambar
Keyword(s):  
Control Systems ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Management Control Systems ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Objectives ◽  
Paradox Theory ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper presents paradox theory as a useful theoretical lens for researchers exploring crises such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The authors argue that paradox theory, which emphasizes a “both/and” as opposed to an “either/or” approach, is ideally suited for management control systems (MCS) research on crises.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopt a revelatory case approach to provide empirical examples of the insights that paradox theory can provide.FindingsThis paper highlights how MCS can be used to simultaneously manage short-term/operational and long-term/strategic objectives to navigate a crisis. Furthermore, it highlights how MCS can be mobilized during crises to identify and embrace opportunities.Practical implicationsThis paper illustrates the importance of MCS focusing on not just the short-term, but also the long-term, and managing multiple objectives in assisting organizations to survive crisis.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the benefits of using paradox theory to understand the role of MCS in helping organizations manage crises and to use a crisis as a source of opportunity.

scholarly journals All insects are equal, but some insects are more equal than others

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 852-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnout R.H. Fischer ◽  
L.P.A. (Bea) Steenbekkers
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Prior Experience ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Valuable Contribution ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Insects As Food ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Lack of acceptance of insects as food is considered a barrier against societal adoption of the potentially valuable contribution of insects to human foods. An underlying barrier may be that insects are lumped together as one group, while consumers typically try specific insects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ways in which Dutch consumers, with and without insect tasting experience, are more or less willing to eat different insects. Design/methodology/approach In a quasi-experimental study (n=140), the participants with and without prior experience in eating insects were asked to give their willingness to eat a range of insects, and their attitudes and disgust towards eating insects. Findings Insects promoted in the market were more preferred than the less marketed insects, and a subgroup of preferred insects for participants with experience in eating insects was formed. Research limitations/implications Although well-known insects were more preferred, general willingness to eat remained low for all participants. The results indicate that in future research on insects as food the specific insects used should be taken into account. Practical implications Continued promotion of specific, carefully targeted, insects may not lead to short-term uptake of insects as food, but may contribute to willingness to eat insects as human food in the long term. Originality/value The paper shows substantial differences between consumers who have and who have not previously tasted insects, with higher acceptance of people with experience in tasting insects for the specific insects that are frequently promoted beyond their generally more positive attitude towards eating insects.

The impact of religiosity on corporate loans and maturity structure: evidence from China

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fansheng Jia ◽  
Yilin Zhang ◽  
Kam C. Chan ◽  
Sujuan Xie
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Explanatory Variable ◽  
Private Firm ◽  
Local Culture ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maturity Structure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to examine the relation between religiosity and formal financing in the context of long- and short-term corporate loans. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses archival methodology to conduct a multiple regression analysis with the amount of long- and short-term corporate loans as the dependent variable and a measure of religiosity as the key explanatory variable. Findings This paper offers four findings. First, when a private firm locates in a high religiosity region, it is more likely to get more corporate loans and the amount of corporate loans is positively correlated with the extent of religiosity. Second, religiosity drives a private firm getting more (less) short-term (long-term) loans. Third, a private firm in a high religiosity region is able to incur lower interest cost associated with more short-term loans. Finally, the results are confined to Buddhism, Taoism and Christianity. Practical implications Overall, the findings are consistent with the notion that religiosity shapes the local culture so that individuals, some of them are borrowers and lenders, show the religious traits in the formal lending and borrowing relationship. Originality/value Overall, findings of this paper are consistent with the notion that religiosity shapes the local culture so that individuals, some of them being borrowers and lenders, show religious traits in the formal lending and borrowing relationship.

How blended learning can create a more inclusive culture

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 118-122
Author(s):  
Angela Peacock
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Climate ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Company Culture ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Lasting Change

Purpose – The challenges and problems that organizations face nowadays are often due to there being a gap between their current situation and where they want to be. Often this disparity between perception and reality is caused by something deep and fundamental in the company culture – something that may not be readily apparent to those working there. This paper aims to deal with the question of how to create genuine, lasting change in organizational climate so that all employees feel they can bring all of themselves to work, without fear or judgment and with a deep belief that their contributions will be heard. Design/methodology/approach – There are a number of reasons why driving an inclusive culture is so difficult and this paper identifies a new perspective on developing and embedding inclusion. Most importantly, it addresses how a bespoke, blended approach to any input will allow you to implement training that really works. Findings – Many organizations view fixing problems with company culture as an expensive luxury with unpredictable outcomes. As a result, the kind of training that embeds genuine, lasting change is often overlooked in favor of short-term solutions that do not get to the root of the problem. A bespoke, blended approach allows for training that really works long term and therefore ensures the greatest possible value for your organization. Practical implications – A blended approach done well should be a powerful, joined up and strategic driver that enables an inclusive culture to be created, resulting in it becoming business as usual, where the best available talent is attracted, thrives and drives your strategic aims and your business forwards. Originality/value – Often the kind of training that gets done in this area is short term and does not get to the root of the problem. This paper provides guidance in developing and embedding inclusion and although it may challenge beliefs if these principles are followed it will guarantee rapid, lasting improvements at all levels.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurship as re-sourcing

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Korsgaard ◽  
Alistair Anderson ◽  
Johan Gaddefors
Keyword(s):  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Alternative View ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Material Reality ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of entrepreneurship that can help researchers, policymakers and practitioners develop entrepreneurial responses to the current economic, environmental and socio-spatial crisis. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a conceptual approach. Hudson’s diagnosis of the current patterns of production is applied to the two dominant streams of theorising on entrepreneurship: the opportunistic discovery view and the resourcefulness view of, for example, effectuation. Findings The analysis indicates that the opportunistic discovery view and, to some extent, the resourcefulness view are both inadequate as conceptual platforms for entrepreneurial responses to the economic, environmental and socio-spatial crisis. Instead, an alternative perspective on entrepreneurship is developed: Entrepreneurship as re-sourcing. The perspective emphasises the importance of building regional-level resilience through entrepreneurial activity that sources resources from new places and uses these resources to create multiple forms of value. Practical implications The paper draws attention to dysfunctions in the current theorising on entrepreneurship in light of the economic, environmental and socio-spatial crisis. Instead, the authors offer an alternative. In doing so, the paper also points to the difficult trade-offs that exist between, for example, long-term resilience and short-term competitiveness and growth on a regional, as well as firm level. Originality/value This paper adds to research by offering an alternative view of entrepreneurship grounded – not in economics – but in economic geography, thus highlighting the importance of productions’ grounding in material reality and the importance of addressing non-economic concerns in our way of thinking about entrepreneurship.

The effects of IT: from performance to value

2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chorng-Shyong Ong ◽  
Po-Yen Chen
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustained Competitive Advantage ◽  
It Capabilities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to differentiate and define the concepts of firm performance and firm value. Then, the implications of information technology (IT)-enabled firm performance and firm value will be clarified. Finally, the effects of IT capabilities on firm performance and firm value will be compared. Design/methodology/approach – InformationWeek's IT leader rankings (from 1998 to 2011) are used for analysis in a longitudinal study. Three different test methods (i.e. significant years, significant levels, and adjusted-previous performance) are used. Findings – It is confirmed that no matter which tests are examined, the contributions of IT capabilities to firm value are all greater than those to firm performance. This also shows that IT contributes to long-term influences more than it does to short-term influences. Research limitations/implications – This study confirms that firm performance (accounting-based measures) and firm value (financial market-based measures) are two different variables and IT capabilities affect these two parts differently. Practical implications – Firms should use a long-term viewpoint to deploy their IT strategies. This will create a long-term growth of firm value leading to greater competitiveness, and, ultimately, sustained competitive advantage. Originality/value – The differences between firm performance and firm value in measurements, characteristics, and implications are specified. The empirical study confirms that IT capabilities contribute more to firm value than to firm performance, although IT capabilities influence both at the same time.

Prediction of user interest fluctuation using fuzzy neural networks in web search

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-319
Author(s):  
Senthilkumar N C ◽  
Pradeep Reddy Ch
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Web Search ◽  
Fuzzy Neural Networks ◽  
User Interest ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Temporal Aspects ◽  
Fuzzy Neural ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe user interest in content searching in the web will be changed over by time.Design/methodology/approachThe system is in need to find the content of user over the temporal aspects.FindingsSo, predicting the user interest over the time by analyzing the fluctuations of their search keyword is important.Research limitations/implicationsSo, predicting the user interest over the time by analyzing the fluctuations of their search keyword is important.Practical implicationsIn this work, fuzzy neural network techniques are used to predict the user interest fluctuation in different times in different scenarios.Social implicationsIn this proposed work, both the long-term and short-term interest are evaluated using the specialized user interface designed to retrieve the user interest based on the user searching activities.Originality/valueThis work also categorizes the future needs of users using this proposed system.

Scansis as a unique crisis type: theoretical and practical implications

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Timothy Coombs ◽  
Elina R. Tachkova
Keyword(s):  
Crisis Communication ◽  
Communication Theory ◽  
Crisis Response ◽  
Corrective Action ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Crisis Type ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper, a set of two studies, is to elaborate on the concept of scansis and its effects upon crisis communication theory and practice. A scansis represents the intersection of a scandal and crisis, essentially when a crisis becomes a scandal. A new term was created due to the varied ways in which the term scandal is used and misused. The effects of scansis on crisis communication are examined through two studies. A scansis is unique because it creates moral outrage and is a function of a perception of injustice coupled with greed.Design/methodology/approachExperimental design is used in both studies to test for the effects of specific crisis response strategies used during a scansis. The crisis response strategies were manipulated to determine whether or not corrective action with moral recognition is more effective at helping organizations during a crisis than those crisis response strategies that do not contain a moral component.FindingsThe two studies found no short-term effect for crisis responses during scansis. This included no difference between corrective action with moral recognition and the other three response conditions for the short-term factors of organizational reputation, negative word-of-mouth intentions, purchase intentions and anger. However, Study 2 found that corrective action with moral recognition was perceived as the most empathetic response and created the lowest levels of moral outrage. The authors postulate that corrective action with moral recognition has a long-term effect after a scansis by creating a positive response that moves organizations away from being stigmatized.Research limitations/implicationsThe results raise questions about the current configuration of the intentional crisis cluster articulated in situational crisis communication theory (SCCT). When just consider assessments crisis responsibility, a scansis would be part of the preventable crisis cluster. However, the evaluation of justice and greed suggest a scansis may be a unique crisis type that does not fit within the intentional crisis cluster and the prescribed short-term effects of crisis response strategies recommend by SCCT. The scansis establishes a boundary condition for the limits of crisis response strategies on short-term effects such as reputation and purchase intention. These findings require us to rethink elements of current crisis communication theory.Practical implicationsThe lack of short-term benefits should not be an argument for abandoning accommodative crisis response strategies. Practitioners need to realize the limits of crisis response strategies for creating short-term benefits and think about the potential long-term benefits offered by crisis response strategies.Originality/valueScansis is a new concept for crisis communication and provides a link between the crisis communication and organizational stigma literatures. The two studies are the first attempts to empirically examine scansis and opens new avenues of thinking and research for crisis communication and organizational stigma researchers.

When lock-ins impede value co-creation in service

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anette Svingstedt ◽  
Hervé Corvellec
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Waste Prevention ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Prevention Services ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
The Status ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate the relevance of identifying lock-ins that characterise a service, showing how lock-ins or impediments reinforce the status quo and prevent change. It provides an understanding of the factors hindering the development of value co-creation in this service. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on 19 semi-structured interviews with representatives of the Swedish waste management industry. It focusses on the difficulties that waste management companies encounter when they try to collaborate with their industrial customers to develop waste prevention services. Findings Four lock-ins that impede collaborative ways of working are identified: a business model based on short-term transactions rather than long-term relationships, a low level of self-confidence among waste managers regarding their competence to offer waste prevention services, non-supportive legal and economic institutional factors and existing waste processing infrastructures. Research limitations/implications Based on a case of waste services and to provide a better understanding of the rationale of value co-creation, this paper points to the generic relevance of investigating situations in which value co-creation encounters difficulties. Practical implications The authors identify the fact that lock-ins impeding value co-creation can act as a roadmap for the development of new services. Originality/value By focusing on a case of unsuccessful value co-creation, the paper offers a counterpoint to cases of successful value co-creation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document