Specialization and commonalization in multi-branded manufacturing corporations

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christer Karlsson ◽  
Martin Sköld
Keyword(s):  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Corporate Values ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Executives ◽  
Economy Of Scale ◽  
Brand Portfolio Management ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Context Specific

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify areas and issues for management to consider in balancing specialization and commonalization in large manufacturing corporations with multiple brands from a strategic R&D and manufacturing point of view. Design/methodology/approach Three global manufacturing corporations from the automotive sector are used as a strategic sample composing three sequential clinical research projects. The data come from complementary data-gathering methods combining documents and interviews and workshops with top executives, project leaders, platform managers and product brand managers, thus enabling triangulation. Findings The study shows that managing manufacturing corporations with multiple brands is not just on a scale between full specialization and full commonalization but instead has its own logic of categorizations and portfolio formations. In order to develop the value of the brand portfolio, management must simultaneously embrace and address a number of highly integrated corporate values and highly differentiated brand company values. Research limitations/implications This study contributes primarily by relating economy of scale in relation to the need for differentiation of products and brands that have different values, customers and market positions. A model for balancing commonalization and specialization provides several opportunities for further research and development; however, generalizations are issue and context specific. Practical implications The critical issues in balancing how to deal with specialization and commonalization in a company with multiple brands are explored and summarized in a framework for the practitioner to use in analyzing a real situation. Originality/value Previous literature focuses on the maximization of synergies within one brand, missing the specific dynamics of large manufacturing corporations with many entities, such as individual products and brands. This paper adds knowledge regarding how to balance synergies from commonalization with important objectives to preserve the specialization and distinctiveness of each product brand.

Smart city intellectual capital: an emerging view of territorial systems innovation management

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 860-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata P. Dameri ◽  
Francesca Ricciardi
Keyword(s):  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Innovation Management ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Practices ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Territorial Systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore whether and how the intellectual capital (IC) approach and concepts could be fruitfully adapted to study the smart city phenomenon from a managerial point of view. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on a long-term, in-depth ethnographic exploration of the vast global community, which is created around the smart city movement. Findings – The analysis suggests that, in order to effectively analyse a smart city context through the IC lens, the traditional IC framework needs to be extended for: expected outcomes, which should also include sustainability, resilience and quality of life; categories of key resources, which should also include institutional capital and environmental capital; units of analysis, which should also include territorial systems, such as transportation or waste; and key managerial challenges implied. As a final result, a smart city intellectual capital (SC-IC) framework is proposed. Research limitations/implications – Most of the cases analysed in this study are European; further studies are advisable to better investigate non-European smart city contexts. Practical implications – The paper suggests that the knowledge management, project portfolio management and network management approaches are crucial to better support managerial practices in smart city organizations. Originality/value – The SC-IC framework allows for a clear definition of the smart city organization, as a new knowledge-based, project-oriented, network-shaped type of organization. Therefore, the SC-IC framework provides smart city research with a consistent rooting in management studies. Further, this paper contributes to the fourth stage of IC research.

scholarly journals Towards a human-centred approach for enhancing place prosperity: defining and operating within the basic human needs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisha Abubakar
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Basic Needs ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Vulnerable Communities ◽  
Practice Approach ◽  
Basic Human Needs ◽  
Context Specific

PurposeThe concept of basic human needs, though diversely interpreted, remains a policy and practice approach to combat poverty and improve wellbeing. Meanwhile, defining locally sensitive basic needs to support context-specific improvement is still an essential requirement. The paper examines basic human needs fulfilment in the context of effective improvement strategies and proposes a Basic Human Needs Glossary, a definition framework and tool for understanding needs pursuits and helping to streamline responses towards establishing their potential.Design/methodology/approachThe proposal for basic needs and development by the economist Manfred Max-Neef is examined from an operative point of view, including the role that the actualization of needs-centred goals performs in the pursuit of prosperity. The paper then adopts, adapts and defines the basic needs proposed by Max-Neef and outlines Basic Terms of Pursuit (BToP) for these through qualitative content analysis.FindingsIt is possible to breakdown the basic needs concepts into smaller subsets of traits, which are framed within the interrelated dimensions of personal and social interactions of people, and of people and environment (natural and man-made).Research limitations/implicationsThe glossary with BToP is not conclusive, however. There is still potential to advance and further refine these through further content, qualitative and ethnographic research.Originality/valueEnabling capacities for progressive needs fulfilment is, in theory, key to facilitating paths to prosperity, especially in intervention processes to improve vulnerable communities, like slums. A deeper clarification of needs pursuit presented by the glossary adds rigor to this task and to enhancing wellbeing standards overall. Thus, it can play an important resource role in urban practice.

Challenges for B2B research relevance: a top executive perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 593-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannu Kuusela ◽  
Elina Närvänen ◽  
Hannu Saarijärvi ◽  
Mika Yrjölä
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Executives ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
Top Executive ◽  
Business To Business ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose – The purpose of the article is to identify and analyze the challenges of business-to-business (B2B) research relevance from the point of view of top executives. Design/methodology/approach – Ten in-depth interviews with top executives from different B2B industries were conducted and analyzed by using Arndt’s (1985) elements of a healthy discipline, i.e. knowledge, problems and instruments. Findings – The findings reveal 12 challenges that characterize contemporary B2B research relevance from a top executive perspective. Research limitations/implications – The research offers genuine top executive insight. More research from different perspectives is needed to broaden the understanding of B2B research relevance. Originality/value – Reflecting B2B research with the identified challenges can contribute to better research designs, narrowing the gap between B2B scholars and practitioners. Altogether, it contributes to the health of the B2B discipline. The study also introduces a new approach to analyzing research relevance by using the elements of scientific balance.

Accounting for heritage assets

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 307-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Aversano ◽  
Johan Christiaens ◽  
Paolo Tartaglia Polcini ◽  
Giuseppe Sannino
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Setting Process ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Lively Debate ◽  
Comment Letters ◽  
Level Of Agreement

Purpose Taking into consideration the lively debate about recognition, measurement, and disclosure criteria for heritage assets (HA) in financial reporting, the purpose of this paper is to examine the comment letters submitted by governmental organizations regarding the consultation paper (CP) on HA in order to understand what is the position of the governmental organizations in relation to critical issues of the accounting and financial reporting of HA. Design/methodology/approach From a methodological point of view, a content analysis was performed. First, the responses were classified according to level of agreement with the 13 items included in the CP on HA; second, the arguments adduced by respondents in supporting or contradicting the proposed approaches and definitions have been investigated. Findings The majority of responses came from countries with relevant differences in culture, administrative traditions and accounting systems. Governmental organizations strongly agreed with the recognition of heritage items as “assets” in financial reporting, while conflicting positions on measuring bases were identified. Originality/value This study is one of the few studies based on the content of the comment letters received in response to the CP on HA. The present study can also give an idea of the content of the future IPSAS on HA. Moreover, it is the first study attempting to enrich the debate on governmental organizations’ participation to the IPSAS standard-setting process.

scholarly journals Exploring presenteeism among hospital physicians through the perspective of job crafting

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-314
Author(s):  
Fay Giæver ◽  
Lise Tevik Løvseth
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Job Crafting ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Job Description ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Longitudinal Methods ◽  
Hospital Physicians ◽  
Context Specific

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to seek a deeper understanding of presenteeism by utilising the perspective of job crafting to explore how a selected group of physicians make sense of their decision to attend work while ill and of their experience of doing so. Job crafting implies that employees not only respond to their job description, but also proactively change tasks, relationships and perceptions in order to experience work in meaningful ways. Design/methodology/approach A narrative methodological framework involving interviews was adopted to explore the ways in which a selected group of 20 Norwegian hospital physicians engaged in job crafting during presenteeism. The resulting data were analysed using theory-led thematic analysis utilizing the theoretical perspective of job crafting. Findings It was evident that physicians were indecisive and insecure when evaluating their own illness, and that, via task, relational and cognitive crafting, they trivialised, endured and showcased their illness, and engaged in presenteeism in various ways. Furthermore, physicians to some extent found themselves caught in dysfunctional circles by contributing to the creation of a work environment where presenteeism was maintained and seen as expected. Research limitations/implications Future research should address a wider range of contexts, and use longitudinal methods to explore the multifaceted, context-specific and evolving nature of presenteeism and job crafting in more depth. Interventions aimed at countering the negative implications of presenteeism should address the issue from both a social and a systemic point of view. Originality/value The findings extend the current understanding of presenteeism by demonstrating the multifaceted and evolving nature of the ways in which personal illness and presenteeism are perceived and enacted over time.

Cara Pils, a brand despite itself

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Kervyn ◽  
Michael Breazeale ◽  
Iskra Herak
Keyword(s):  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Private Label ◽  
Brand Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Portfolio Management ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Private Label Brands ◽  
Master Level

SynopsisCara Pils is the private label beer brand of Colruyt, the biggest supermarket retailer in Belgium. As a true private label brand, Cara Pils has never been advertised. In 2015, Colruyt undertook an initiative to reposition its numerous private label brands under two larger private label brands. Unexpectedly, customers were incensed by this initiative, came out in droves and took the matter to social media hoping to lament the demise of their beloved brand. This case study investigates the roots of this strong brand attachment and the consequences for its brand management.Research methodologyThis case is built on primary (one in-depth interview and two focus group) as well as secondary data sources (previous research and web information).Relevant courses and levelsThis case is designed to be used in a marketing management or brand strategy course for students that already followed an introduction to marketing course or for students at a master level.Theoretical basesThis case should provide the basis of discussions on the topics of brand management, private-label brands, repositioning strategy, brand portfolio management, brand architecture, brand equity, brand elements, brand nostalgia, and consumers’ relationships with brands.

Etihad: contributing to the UAE vision through Emiratisation

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melodena Stephens Balakrishnan ◽  
Payyazhi Jayashree ◽  
Ian Michael
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Abu Dhabi ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Corporate Values ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

Subject area Strategy, Emiratisation (national policy); human resources (recruitment, training and development, organizational culture and values) and marketing (branding, communication), tourism (destination image). Study level/applicability Undergraduate and Postgraduate Business and Management. Case overview This case highlights the strategy and initiatives taken by Etihad to attract Emirati employees (local nationals) to join the organization. Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), based in Abu Dhabi, the national capital. Since its inception in 2003, the airline has grown faster than any other in commercial aviation history; it currently flies to more than 60 destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. In the UAE, nationals or Emiratis comprise only 20 per cent of the overall population. According to the UAE 2021 Vision, the government's focus is on building the human capabilities on knowledge and innovation for Emiratis. This vision is reinforced in the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which aims to boost national participation, encourage women (national women are on average more highly educated than the men) and decrease the education – market demand gap through training. Expected learning outcomes This case can be used to teach strategy from the point of view of government, human resources and marketing. From the government point of view parallels can be drawn to other nations whose government have focused on policies to create opportunities for and to encourage local employability. An example of a similar programme that was very successful is the “Bumiputra” programme created for indigenous Malaysians in 1971. In the area of human resource strategy, recruitment, training, inculcation of corporate values are some areas that can be reinforced. Form the point of view of marketing; the case can be used to discuss branding from the point of view of people, loyalty building (internal) and communication (internal and external). Destination branding and the role airlines play can also be a discussion point from the strategic point of view with some opportunity for macro-environmental analysis using the PESTLE model. Supplementary materials A teaching note available upon request.

scholarly journals E-Commerce Calls for Cyber-Security and Sustainability: How European Citizens Look for a Trusted Online Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6752
Author(s):  
Idiano D’Adamo ◽  
Rocío González-Sánchez ◽  
Maria Sonia Medina-Salgado ◽  
Davide Settembre-Blundo
Keyword(s):  
Cyber Security ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Regulatory Policies ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Different Levels

The pandemic has changed the citizens’ behavior, inducing them to avoid any real contact. This has given an incredible impulse to e-commerce; however, the complexity of the topic has not yet been adequately explored in the literature. To fill this gap, this study has a twofold purpose: (1) to investigate how European countries comparatively perform in e-commerce, and (2) to describe what are the most important challenges for the further expansion of e-commerce. To this end, we adopted a hybrid methodology based on multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and a Likert scale survey. The first method allows to us rank the e-commerce performance of different European countries, while the second one looks at the problems and barriers that characterize online shopping. The results of the study show that European countries have different sensitivities to the issue of cyber-security, and among them it is possible to identify three groups with different levels of attention to the critical issues of e-commerce. The Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark belong to the group of countries most responsive to e-commerce. This request is part of a broader framework of transition toward sustainable development, i.e., a reliable digital environment where citizens and businesses can exercise their rights and freedoms in complete security. Finally, from a theoretical perspective, this paper adds a new baseline to the literature on the state of the art of e-commerce in Europe that addresses the effects of the pandemic. From a managerial point of view, decision makers can find in the results of this analysis a support for the setting of business strategies for the expansion of firms in certain markets and guidance for public authorities when defining regulatory policies for e-commerce.

Comparison of the reluctance laminated and solid rotor synchronous machine operating at high temperatures

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1111-1119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Lefik ◽  
Krzysztof Komeza ◽  
Ewa Napieralska-Juszczak ◽  
Daniel Roger ◽  
Piotr Andrzej Napieralski
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Synchronous Machine ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thermal Phenomenon ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison between reluctance synchronous machine-enabling work at high internal temperature (HT° machine) with laminated and solid rotor. Design/methodology/approach To obtain heat sources for the thermal model, calculations of the electromagnetic field were made using the Opera 3D program including effect of rotation and the resulting eddy current losses. To analyse the thermal phenomenon, the 3D coupled thermal-fluid (CFD) model is used. Findings The presented results show clearly that laminated construction is much better from a point of view of efficiency and temperature. However, solid construction can be interesting for high speed machines due to their mechanical robustness. Research limitations/implications The main problem, despite the use of parallel calculations, is the long calculation time. Practical implications The obtained simulation and experimental results show the possibility of building a machine operating at a much higher ambient temperature than it was previously produced for example in the vicinity of the aircraft turbines. Originality/value The paper presents the application of fully three-dimensional coupled electromagnetic and thermal analysis of new machine constructions designed for elevated temperature.

Embeddedness and entrepreneurial traditions

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Elo ◽  
Leo-Paul Dana
Keyword(s):  
Social Ties ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Original Culture ◽  
New Locations ◽  
Business Entities ◽  
Time Changes ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Context Specific

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how entrepreneurship traditions evolve in diaspora. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative multiple case study examining the role of diaspora embeddedness, extended family, ethno-religious-, cultural- and social ties and relevant structures shaping diaspora entrepreneurship. Findings The authors found that social ties and diaspora embeddedness create dynamism fostering entrepreneurial identity as a part of the Bukharian culture, and as a preferred career option in the context of Bukharian Jews in diaspora. Diasporic family businesses are products of culture and tradition that migrate to new locations with families and communities, not as disconnected business entities. Research limitations/implications The ways in which families nurture a highly entrepreneurial culture that transfers across generations and contexts are context-specific and not per se generalizable to other diasporas. Practical implications Diasporans often continue their traditions and become again entrepreneurs after their settlement, or they may generate hybrid, circular solutions that allow them to employ their competences in the new contexts or connecting various contexts. This calls for transnational entrepreneurship-policymaking. Social implications Time changes diasporas. A long-term commitment to the business environment evolves and reduces the mobility of the individual diasporan; typically the children of these migrants become more integrated and develop divergent career paths. Hence, their plans are not necessarily including family entrepreneurship creating a challenge for continuation of the original culture of entrepreneurship. Originality/value Despite a notable tradition in Jewish studies, there is limited research on Jewish entrepreneurial diaspora and its contemporary entrepreneurial identity and tradition. Furthermore, the population of Bukharian Jews is an unknown and under-explored highly entrepreneurial group that may offer instrumental views to larger diasporic audiences being concerned about maintaining notions of ethnic heritage and identity.

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