Uncertainty management in engineering-service development: the role of organisational capabilities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabea Ramirez Hernandez ◽  
Melanie E. Kreye
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Operations ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Relational Uncertainty ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organisational Capabilities ◽  
Relational Capabilities ◽  
High Uncertainty

PurposeEngineering-service (ES) development is characterised by high uncertainty, the management of which is crucial for the success of the offering during the provision of ESs. This paper studies suitable organisational capabilities to address different uncertainty types.Design/methodology/approachBased on conceptualisation of individual uncertainty types and organisational capabilities, this study investigated their empirical links through six case studies of ES development projects. The data consisted of 64 semi-structured interviews, 10 weeks of observational data and 166 supporting documents describing the projects.FindingsThe findings provide empirical evidence for four distinct uncertainty types (environmental, organisational, technical and relational uncertainty) and the organisational capabilities needed for addressing them. The authors identified unique dominant capabilities for each uncertainty type (commercialisation for environmental uncertainty, coordination for organisational and technical uncertainty, and relational capabilities for relational uncertainty), which were complemented with supporting capabilities, including project management and integration.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the service operations literature by merging previously separate research streams on uncertainty and organisational capabilities in ESs and servitization. Through this merge, this study offers a more coherent understanding by extending previously sporadic insights into specific links between individual uncertainty types and individual capabilities.

scholarly journals Adaptations in traditional courtyard houses in Baghdad, Iraq

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 348-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rand H.M. Agha ◽  
John M. Kamara
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Physical Spaces ◽  
Adaptation Model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adaptations that have been made to traditional courtyard houses (TCHs) in Baghdad, Iraq. The aim is to develop an understanding of various factors in the adaptation of these buildings to suit contemporary lifestyles, which will contribute to the wider field of building adaptability. Design/methodology/approach Empirical evidence was collected through case studies of 12 TCHs in the Al-Kadhimiya area of Baghdad, which involved a physical survey of buildings and semi-structured interviews with 24 occupants. Findings Case study analysis show that building adaptability involves both a change to physical spaces and also to lifestyles; with the latter being more likely when there are limitations in how much change can be made to the physical structure. Research limitations/implications The focus of this research is mainly on users’ adaptation of spaces and therefore does not consider the full range of stakeholders involved in the adaptation process. The findings also only apply to the cases considered and may not be applicable to other house types or locations. Originality/value Studies on building adaptability mostly focus on the ease of change to the building fabric, although the role of users is acknowledged. This study provides insights into the complexity and variety of changes that users can make, which are influenced by lifestyles and driven by the need for comfort. These insights are represented in an adaptation model, which can serve as a basis for further research.

Re-conceptualising call-centres as sites of control: the insider perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 25-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Kasabov ◽  
Anna C.C.C. da Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Customer Orientation ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Call Centre ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Call Centres ◽  
Customer Dissatisfaction ◽  
Customer Centricity

Purpose – The role of call-centres during service recovery has attracted much attention in research. However, marketers know less about controlling customers during recovery interactions and consequences of such control. In order to address this gap and empirically ascertain whether service interactions are marked by customer centricity or by employees exerting control over customers, the aim of the authors was to organise an empirical research in two Brazilian call-centres. Design/methodology/approach – The research consisted of direct, open observation and 33 semi-structured interviews with insiders (call-centre managers, supervisors and operatives). Findings – Four key findings emerged during interviews with insiders. First, control over customers may be more widely practiced than assumed in certain sections of marketing academe. Second, such control is viewed positively by call-centre insiders and is sanctioned by management. Third, control does not disempower and demoralise call-centre staff but protects operatives. Finally, control does not seem to unavoidably generate lasting customer dissatisfaction. These findings are incorporated in a framework of call-centre management which incorporates control through scripting. Research limitations/implications – The discussion calls for the revisit of certain marketing concepts and philosophies, including customer orientation, by demonstrating that control over customers is practised and should not be viewed negatively or avoided altogether in practice and as a topic of analysis. A re-conceptualisation of call-centres as sites of control over customers is proposed. Originality/value – Control and power are rarely analysed in services marketing. This is one of a few studies that makes sense of providers' (insiders') viewpoints and argues that control may play a constructive role and should be seen as a legitimate topic of services and call-centre analysis. As such it addresses a question of intellectual and practical importance which is rarely discussed and may be viewed as incongruous with an age when customers are assumed to have rights.

scholarly journals A comparison of the suitability of FIDIC and NEC conditions of contract in Palestine

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haytham Besaiso ◽  
Peter Fenn ◽  
Margaret Emsley ◽  
David Wright
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Extant Literature ◽  
Do So

Purpose The standard forms of construction contract are receiving greater attention in the management of projects scholarship as they probably influence the project success and project disputes. The extant literature suggests that the standard forms of construction contract are one of the top sources of disputes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of the standard forms of construction contract, FIDIC and NEC, in reducing disputes in the Palestinian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The researchers have used qualitative methods to collect data and more specifically have undertaken 12 semi-structured interviews. Findings The study reveals that the standard forms of construction contract can be a tool to minimise disputes, but certainly not to eradicate them, and NEC appears to be more capable than FIDIC to do so. Originality/value This study contributes to knowledge by bringing an industrial perspective into the role of standard forms of contract in disputes creation and avoidance. The interviewees, recurrent users of FIDIC contract, criticised certain features and expressions and proposed some solutions.

scholarly journals Operating without operations: how is technology changing the role of the firm?

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 809-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Breidbach ◽  
Sunmee Choi ◽  
Benjamin Ellway ◽  
Byron W. Keating ◽  
Katerina Kormusheva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Operations Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Operations ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The Future ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the history and future of service operations, with the goal to identify key theoretical and technological advances, as well as fundamental themes that can help to imagine the future of service operations in 2050. Design/methodology/approach A review of the service operations literature was undertaken to inform a discussion regarding the role that technology will play in the future of service operations. Findings The future of service operations is framed in terms of three key themes – complexity, orchestration, and elasticity. The paper makes three contributions to the service science literature by: reviewing key themes underpinning extant service operations research to frame future trajectories of service operations research; elaborating a vision of service operations in 2050 based on history and technology; and outlining a research agenda for future service operations. Practical implications The case of service automation is used to provide an illustration of how the three themes converge to define future service operations, and in particular, to show how technology is recasting the role of the firm. Originality/value Service operations in the next 30 years will be very different from what it was in the past 30 years. This paper differs from other review papers by identifying three key themes that will characterize and instill new insights into the future of service operations research.

Responding to COVID-19 pandemic: interior designs’ trends of houses in Jordan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anas Atef Shamaileh
Keyword(s):  
Interior Design ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entire Life ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Study Methodology

Purpose The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic in the late 2019 was accompanied by various consequences that included almost the entire life aspects worldwide. To cope with the pandemic, imposing restricted measures was required, such as quarantine, lockdown and social distancing. The purpose of this paper is to identify the houses' interior designs responses in Jordan under Covid-19 Pandemic. Design/methodology/approach Under such conditions, people have to spend long periods inside their houses. This issue highlighted the importance and the vital role of houses interior design in meeting the various needs of residents under emergent and changing conditions. Findings This study revealed current and future responses that may be implemented to cope with the pandemic consequences in terms of houses’ interior design. Moreover, a conceptual model was proposed. Number of suggestions and further research were introduced considering the revealed findings. Originality/value This study aimed at identifying the houses’ interior design responses in Jordan under COVID-19 pandemic. The study methodology adopted both inductive and qualitative approaches to achieve its goals. Under the qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were undertaken by interviewing ten interior designers and academics.

scholarly journals Interactively developed capabilities: evidence from dyadic servitization relationships

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Raddats ◽  
Judy Zolkiewski ◽  
Vicky Mary Story ◽  
Jamie Burton ◽  
Tim Baines ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Knowledge Development ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Dyadic Relationships ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Focal Firm ◽  
Relational Capabilities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to challenge the focal firm perspective of much resource/capability research, identifying how a dyadic perspective facilitates identification of capabilities required for servitization. Design/methodology/approach Exploratory study consisting of seven dyadic relationships in five sectors. Findings An additional dimension of capabilities should be recognised; whether they are developed independently or interactively (with another actor). The following examples of interactively developed capabilities are identified: knowledge development, where partners interactively communicate to understand capabilities; service enablement, manufacturers work with suppliers and customers to support delivery of new services; service development, partners interact to optimise performance of existing services; risk management, customers work with manufacturers to manage risks of product acquisition/operation. Six propositions were developed to articulate these findings. Research limitations/implications Interactively developed capabilities are created when two or more actors interact to create value. Interactively developed capabilities do not just reside within one firm and, therefore, cannot be a source of competitive advantage for one firm alone. Many of the capabilities required for servitization are interactive, yet have received little research attention. The study does not provide an exhaustive list of interactively developed capabilities, but demonstrates their existence in manufacturer/supplier and manufacturer/customer dyads. Practical implications Manufacturers need to understand how to develop capabilities interactively to create competitive advantage and value and identify other actors with whom these capabilities can be developed. Originality/value Previous research has focussed on relational capabilities within a focal firm. This study extends existing theories to include interactively developed capabilities. The paper proposes that interactivity is a key dimension of actors’ complementary capabilities.

scholarly journals Role of organizational career websites for employer brand development

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Gunesh ◽  
Vishwas Maheshwari
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Employer Branding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Development ◽  
Employer Brand ◽  
Purposive Sample

PurposeThe paper aims to demonstrate the utilization of banks’ career website for publicizing the employer branding strategy to enable effective strategic talent relationship management through talent attraction, engagement and retention.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach using purposive sample comprising HR professionals involving HR directors, reward managers and talent relationship managers, participated in semi-structured interviews.FindingsThis paper provides empirical insights on the use of career websites to disseminate the employer brand. The findings reveal the presence of recruitment orientation career websites across the banking sector. It also conveys HR practitioners’ suggestions for revamping the banks’ career websites to a more screening orientation approach for greater interactivity by both the internal and external talent pools.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper depicts the importance attributed around the utilization of career websites in promoting the employer brand by the HR community across the banking sector. It provides clear insights about the specific contents of career websites to enable sustainable talent attraction, engagement and retention.Originality/valueThis paper provides a qualitative insight to the study of employer branding and career websites. Whereas most previous research on career websites have been of a quantitative nature relying predominantly on fictitious websites, having mostly undergraduate students as research participants. This study contributes enormously to the existing literature and practice by unveiling the perceptions of HR professionals on the dissemination of the employer brand through the career website.

The challenges of introducing internal social media – the coordinators’ roles and perceptions

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibeke Thøis Madsen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Top Managers ◽  
Internal Social Media ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges associated with introducing internal social media (ISM) into organizations in order to help them reap the benefits of coworker communication on ISM. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on an exploratory study in ten organizations. The data were collected in semi-structured interviews with ISM coordinators in Spring 2014. Findings According to the ISM coordinators, four challenges were associated with introducing ISM: coworkers could perceive communication on ISM as not work related; coworkers might not understand the informal nature of communication on ISM, and self-censorship might stop them communicating on ISM; ISM was not considered a “natural” part of the daily routines in the organizations; and top managers mainly supported ISM in words, not in action. Research limitations/implications The study is based on the perceptions of ISM coordinators. Further research is called for to explore both coworker perceptions and actual communication on ISM. Practical implications Practitioners introducing ISM should be aware of these four challenges, and should help coworkers to make sense of communication on ISM as work-related communication among coworkers. ISM coordinators’ perceptions of their own role in relation to coworker communication on ISM make a difference. Originality/value The study provides insights into the key challenges associated with introducing ISM, as well as the role of ISM coordinators as community facilitators and sense-givers.

The role of formal industry clusters in the internationalization of new ventures

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Colovic ◽  
Olivier Lamotte
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
New Ventures ◽  
Global Markets ◽  
International New Ventures ◽  
Internationalization Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cluster Management ◽  
Intermediary Organization ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the internationalization of international new ventures (INVs). Specifically, this research explores the ways in which a formal cluster can facilitate the internationalization process of these firms. Design/methodology/approach – The authors studied how four INVs benefitted from the actions of two clusters in France – Systematic and Mov’eo – as they internationalized. They conducted semi-structured interviews with the CEOs and other representatives of the INVs and with the members of the cluster management teams. Findings – The findings indicate that clusters can facilitate the internationalization of INVs by providing resources, networking opportunities and legitimacy to help them reach global markets and by increasing the speed of internationalization. Originality/value – By analyzing the specific role that a formal cluster plays in the internationalization of INVs, this research contributes to the literature examining the link between location and INV internationalization. The authors argue that the cluster’s role can be considered as that of an intermediary organization helping INVs to expand globally.

The arrival of a new principal and the school staff

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 492-504
Author(s):  
Izhar Oplatka ◽  
Hamutal Ben Or
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
School Staff ◽  
New Principals ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
New Principal

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore teachers’ responses to the arrival of new principals (NPs) into their school. More specifically, the paper poses three questions: How do teachers perceive the arrival of an NP into their school? How do teachers cope with the arrival of an NP? What are the factors affecting teachers’ responses towards the arrival of an NP? Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Israeli teachers who experienced the arrival of an NP into their school during the last three years. Findings The perceived image of the former principal in the teachers’ lounge and the manner in which s/he left principalship seem to greatly influence teachers’ responses towards the NP. Likewise, the first personal conversations of the NP with the teachers are highly influential on their responses to his/her arrival into their school. Originality/value The paper sheds light on the critical role of emotions towards the former principal in the induction stages of NPs.

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