Internal projects as strategic tools: an organisation-level perspective and a research agenda

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjørn Bjorvatn
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Strategic Role ◽  
And Performance

PurposeThe purpose of this conceptual paper is to describe and explain how organisations use internal projects to implement organisation-level strategy objectives.Design/methodology/approachTheory development with an emphasis on explaining key constructs and their mutual relationships. The theoretical contribution is represented in a diagram along with a detailed verbal account.FindingsThe paper develops a dynamic, cross-level framework to illustrate the organisational processes and outcomes that determine project-based strategy implementation within a single organisation. The interplay between the base organisation and the project, and benefits realisation were singled out as key future research areas. The proposed framework engages with central discourses in the fields of project management, strategic management, innovation studies, knowledge management and organisation studies.Research limitations/implicationsOnly the contours of an organisation-level theory of strategically motivated internal projects are outlined. Future research must elaborate on the complexities, the non-linear relationships and the boundary conditions that follow from the proposed framework.Practical implicationsManagers are alerted to the strategic role of internal projects, how these projects help connect strategy and performance and what the accompanying organisational processes and outcomes look like.Originality/valueThe paper constitutes an early conceptual treatment of strategy-driven internal projects as a distinct project category, thus addressing a major knowledge gap in project studies. Organisational project-management theory is extended with suggestions for future research.

Decentralised bargaining and performance-related pay

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1038-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirella Damiani ◽  
Andrea Ricci
Keyword(s):  
Critical Issue ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Companies ◽  
Strategic Role ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Diffusion ◽  
Number Of Firms

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which performance-related pay (PRP) has been negotiated through decentralised bargaining in Italy. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides estimates aimed at identifying the main factors that have favoured agreements on PRP, on the basis of a nationally representative sample of Italian manufacturing and service companies. Findings – The paper shows that collective bargaining on PRP in Italy is positively associated with the presence of unions. The estimates also suggest that in unionised firms, workers have more access to returns from training in the form of PRP schemes. Finally, the paper finds that firm performance is positively associated with the adoption of PRP. Research limitations/implications – Further research based on additional data should enable the authors to identify causal effects. Practical implications – Partial fiscal exemptions for the wage component linked to enterprise results might increase the number of firms adopting PRP. In addition, the presence of unions may discourage the diffusion of “cosmetic” schemes that are adopted merely to secure benefits for the firm. Unions may also increase the returns of training and diffusion of PRP. Originality/value – This paper utilises a unique database containing recent information from a nationwide sample of Italian firms. It includes a whole set of information, including unionisation at the firm level, which allows the authors to address a critical issue, i.e., the strategic role of unions in adopting (or impeding) the adoption of PRP.

The role of compliance for organisational change

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 334-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Busse ◽  
Ufuk Doganer
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lively Debate ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose Fuelled by the latest scandals at Siemens, VW or Walmart, there is a lively debate on the role of compliance and ethics programmes. Unlike large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) arguably tend to underestimate their significance and lag behind. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to shed light on the process of introducing compliance codes and its effects on employee acceptance and performance. Design/methodology/approach In line with the qualitative methodology, the authors conducted 12 in-depth interviews with German SME employees which the authors evaluated with the qualitative content analysis. Findings As for the major contribution, results indicate the emergence of a lack of understanding, anger, anxiety and operational performance losses – both at the individual and the corporate level – especially when employees feel uninvolved in the initial introduction stadium. Originality/value Practicing managers may benefit from the recommendation to facilitate staff involvement at earlier stages. As for theory advancement, the authors draw on Kotter’s (2007) long surviving “Eight Steps Change Management Model” and find significant support for shifting the spotlight of attention towards the first four phases. The authors discuss the original value of the research, admit limitations and illuminate some promising future research trajectories.

scholarly journals Controller involvement in a project management setting: effects on project functions and performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Malagueño ◽  
Jacobo Gomez-Conde ◽  
Yannick de Harlez ◽  
Olaf Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Governance ◽  
Operational Level ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
Project Risks ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Country Specific

PurposeThe authors examine the extent to which a controller's involvement in project functions (namely definition and scope, organization, constraints management and risk management) cascades down to project performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors test the study’s framework using survey data from a sample of project leaders in German and Swiss firms. Responses were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) technique.FindingsThe authors find that controllers contribute to project success via the previously described project functions. Further, the study reveals the crucial role of controllers in managing uncertainty and project risks.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the arguments used in this research were not country specific and suggest that the findings of this study also apply to the controller professional in general, this study clearly acknowledges that further research is needed to address the effects of this role in different jurisdictions given the specific characteristics of controllers acting in German-speaking countries.Practical implicationsThe authors provide insights on the role of controllers at an operational level, like project management, highlighting the need for controllers to support an effective project governance.Originality/valueThe authors add to the literature by examining the role of controllers in highly knowledge-intensive, highly pressured, task-driven, interdependent and dynamic operational settings, thus contributing to a better understanding of how controllers function at an operational level. The authors also strengthen a broader role of controllers in project management that goes beyond their historical controlling activities to include more modern functions, extending previous studies analyzing their professional identity.

scholarly journals Is more always better? Risk trade-offs among internationalizing new ventures

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 406-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie A. Fernhaber ◽  
Patricia P. McDougall-Covin
Keyword(s):  
Product Innovation ◽  
New Ventures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Technology Industries ◽  
Gain Access ◽  
Heckman Selection

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how ventures manage the negative returns associated with higher levels of internationalization. Many new ventures are internationalizing to fully exploit new innovations and/or gain access to larger markets. Yet at some point the rising costs associated with internationalization outweigh any benefits, resulting in an inverted U-shaped relationship between internationalization and performance. Design/methodology/approach – New ventures are theorized to better manage high levels of internationalization by limiting exposure to other sources of risk. This can be achieved by leveraging greater size and/or limiting simultaneous diversification efforts on product innovation. To test the hypotheses, a regression using Heckman selection was run using a sample of 210 US-based, publicly held ventures in high-technology industries. Findings – The results confirm that when higher levels of internationalization are coupled with either a low emphasis on product innovation or larger size, the negative returns are mitigated and actually become positive. Research limitations/implications – A key implication lies in recognizing the role of risk management for internationalizing ventures. Future research could benefit by testing for generalizability in other countries as well as among privately held ventures. Practical implications – To manage the trade-offs associated at higher levels of internationalization, ventures need to maintain a low emphasis on product innovation or meet a threshold in terms of size. Originality/value – The value of this research lies in better understanding how ventures are able to overcome rising costs at higher levels of internationalization.

The effect of strategic alignment on purchasing management

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1175-1200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Alfonso Rodríguez-Escobar ◽  
Javier González-Benito
Keyword(s):  
Operations Management ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Strategic Alignment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Companies ◽  
And Performance

Purpose This research aims to establish the role of the purchasing function’s strategic alignment in the relationship between well-established practices and performance in that function. It is argued that the strategic alignment of purchasing may have effects (direct, mediating and moderating effects) on the purchasing function’s operating performance. Design/methodology/approach The hypotheses derived from key studies about strategic and advanced purchasing practices are tested with data from 156 industrial companies using structural equation modelling methodology. Findings The results suggest that the effect of strategic alignment on the role of purchasing consists of mediated effects on purchasing performance through implementation of certain advanced practices. It was also concluded that strategic alignment – as well as the implementation of these advanced purchasing practices – fosters the implementation of differentiation strategies based on quality, dependability and flexibility rather than on the implementation of cost leadership strategies. Research limitations/implications Although it is a common practice in operations management research, the use of perceptual measures obtained from a single informant constitutes a noteworthy limitation. Future research should make an effort to combine different sources of information and to identify and use more objective indicators. Practical implications Top managers should take into account the need to involve the purchasing function in the firm’s strategic planning process. Originality/value The results not only confirm findings from previous literature as to the purchasing function’s strategic relevance but also help clarify the mechanisms that make this integration important.

Supply chain resilience: A review, conceptual framework and future research

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjali Shishodia ◽  
Rohit Sharma ◽  
R. Rajesh ◽  
Ziaul Haque Munim
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Conceptual Development ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Resilience ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
And Performance

PurposeThe study identifies nine important research areas and critically maps the structural relationships among supply chain resilience (SCRES) dimensions, namely, vulnerabilities, capabilities, strategies and performance metrics. The analysis also revealed various influential authors, journals, institutions and trending articles, across SCRES literature.Design/methodology/approachThis study performs a bibliometric analysis of 771 articles published over the 32 years from 1988 to 2020, and network analysis in combination with content analysis of 90 most cited articles published in research fronts of SCRES.FindingsThe results demonstrate the underlying research areas within the SCRES, which are clustered into nine research themes: (1) conceptual development of SCRES, (2) recent developments of designing resilient supply chain (SC) networks, (3) focus on identifying drivers of SC vulnerability and risks, (4) impact of risks on network resilience, (5) risk assessment to avoid breakdowns/disruptions, (6) measuring resilience approaches/drivers to improve SC performance, (7) building resilient capabilities by integrating other SC dimensions, (8) quantification of SC network and (9) emphasis on developing robustness in SC networks.Practical implicationsThis research offers implications for classifying the works in literature based on bibliometric information and network analysis techniques. This can help researchers and practitioners to understand the prominent areas in SCRES and provide guidelines for future research in this area.Originality/valueThis study provides an overview of the evolution of SCRES over time in the domain of supply chain management and also outlines a future research agenda claimed by the trending articles to encourage further investigations in the field of SCRES.

scholarly journals Brand orientation: a systematic literature review and research agenda

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Mendes Christ Bonella Sepulcri ◽  
Emerson Wagner Mainardes ◽  
Danilo Magno Marchiori
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Brand Performance ◽  
Brand Orientation ◽  
Internal Branding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Research Areas

Purpose Various studies dealing with brand orientation were analysed to discuss how the issues identified in this area have been relating over time. This paper aims to identify the key studies, the keywords used and the origin of the studies. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed within the Scopus database to select and summarize the studies that deal with brand orientation. Finally, 90 articles were subjected to bibliometric analysis. Findings Five major research areas were identified (brand orientation concept, hybrid strategies, internal branding management, brand performance and perceived brand orientation) and discussed. Research limitations/implications As the main theoretical contribution, the results showed a focus on research in five areas: the development of the brand orientation concept and proposed extensions; hybrid strategies; the relations between brand orientation, internal branding and brand management; the relation between brand orientation and financial performance; and the perceived brand orientation, mostly applied to higher education sector. Originality/value The study offers a general overview of brand orientation, identifying relations on topics of interest, main keywords and sub-themes in this field. The results contribute to fulfilling the research gap about the relationship between all these aspects. Finally, an agenda for future research is proposed.

Knowledge management processes and organizational performance: the mediating role of organizational learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1859-1880 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Obeso ◽  
Remedios Hernández-Linares ◽  
María Concepción López-Fernández ◽  
Ana María Serrano-Bedia
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
And Performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it aims to analyze the individual influence of different knowledge management practises (KMP) on firm performance. Second, it aims to analyze the mediating role of organizational learning (OL) between each KMP and performance. Design/methodology/approach A telephone-survey was applied in 2018 to the managers of 400 Spanish firms. The data retrieved was analyzed by using multiple regression analysis. Findings Knowledge generation (KG) and knowledge flow (KF) promote firm performance, while there is not a direct association between knowledge storage and performance. OL mediates the relationship between KG and performance, as well as between KF and performance. Research limitations/implications First, this research confirms that not all the KMP have a direct effect on firm performance, thus, future research would need to differentiate between different KMP. Second, this paper is pioneering in providing empirical evidence that OL mediates the KMP – performance relationship. Third, the empirical study was performed in a context non-researched yet by the literature considering KMP individually: Spain. Practical implications First, besides the results managers should focus their efforts in practises related to KG and application. Second, OL mediating suggests that managers should invest in managerial commitment to promote a shared culture, shared vision, open-mind to new ideas and a lot of dialogue. Originality/value This is the first study that investigates how KMP contribute to firm performance by incorporating the mediating impact of OL. The results will help organizations to identify the KMP improving the performance.

Poor resource capital of micro-entrepreneurs: the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eijaz Ahmed Khan ◽  
Mohammad Alamgir Hossain ◽  
Mohammed Abu Jahed ◽  
Anna Lee Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Outcomes ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Resource Setting ◽  
Start Up ◽  
And Performance

Purpose Understanding the micro-start-up resources and its relationships with entrepreneurial orientation and performance is unique because it operates a business in a poor resource setting. However, poor resource settings of micro-start-up are not adequately examined into the literature in relation to entrepreneurial orientation and performance. Therefore, grounded on resource-based view, this paper aims to attempt to examine the relationships between resource capital, entrepreneurial orientation and performance in a developing country context. Design/methodology/approach To establish this, the authors conducted a survey among 180 micro-entrepreneurs from Bangladesh and analyzed the data using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. Findings The results demonstrate the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship between human and financial resources and performance, while having partial mediating influence between social resource and performance, therefore indicating the importance of resources for determining business outcomes for micro-entrepreneurs. Research limitations/implications These results extend theoretical explanations of micro-entrepreneurship within the poor resource setting context. The findings have implications for identifying micro-firms likely to succeed for the purpose of strategic allocation of resources and supports; they also provide future research avenues. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has established that entrepreneurial orientation plays a critical and mediating role between resource capital and micro-firm performance in a poor resource setting.

The significance and performance of Singapore REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Newell ◽  
Anh Khoi Pham ◽  
Joseph Ooi
Keyword(s):  
Asset Allocation ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Portfolio Diversification ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investment Decision Making ◽  
Strategic Role ◽  
Asset Portfolio ◽  
Asset Class ◽  
And Performance

Purpose – REITs have taken on increased significance in Asia in recent years, with Singapore REITs (S-REITs) becoming an important property investment vehicle since 2002. The purpose of this paper is to assess the significance, risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of S-REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio context in Singapore over 2003-2013. The post-GFC recovery of S-REITs is also assessed. Design/methodology/approach – Using monthly total returns, the risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of S-REITs over 2003-2013 is assessed, with efficient frontiers and asset allocation diagrams used to assess the role of S-REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio. Sub-period analyses are conducted to assess the post-GFC recovery of S-REITs. Findings – S-REITs delivered strong risk-adjusted returns, being the best-performed asset class, but with little portfolio diversification benefit over 2003-2013. Whilst taking on reduced risk, but with less portfolio diversification benefits in recent years, S-REITs are seen to be robust relative to the other major Singapore asset classes; contributing significantly across the risk spectrum; particularly in the post-GFC period, where S-REITs have been the best-performed asset class in Singapore. Practical implications – The results highlight the important strategic role of S-REITs in a Singapore mixed-asset portfolio. The strong risk-adjusted performance has highlighted the robustness of S-REITs, with S-REITs contributing to the mixed-asset portfolio across the portfolio risk spectrum; particularly in the post-GFC period. This robustness highlights the ongoing strategic role of S-REITs in a Singapore mixed-asset portfolio, as well as the ongoing development of S-REITs as an important pan-Asia hub for REITs. Originality/value – This paper is the first published empirical research analysis of the risk-adjusted performance of S-REITs and the role of S-REITs in a portfolio. Given the increased significance of REITs in Asia, this research enables empirically validated, more informed and practical property investment decision-making regarding the role of S-REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio and S-REIT performance in a post-GFC context.

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