scholarly journals Tensions and territoriality: the dark side of servitization

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Wagstaff ◽  
Jamie Burton ◽  
Judith Zolkiewski

Purpose This paper focusses on the darker side of the dynamics of servitization by exploring the tensions and territoriality that emerge between manufacturers and customers during the servitization process in the oil industry. Design/methodology/approach The Delphi method is used to explore the perspectives of three management tiers in oil organisations and the manufacturers who work with them. The views of these managers were synthesized over three iterations: semi-structured interviews, a questionnaire and resolution/explanation, where consensus was not obtained. Findings The findings of the study highlight perceptions of change, resulting tensions and territoriality and the impact of management commitment, resources and strategy. They reveal significant differences between customers and their suppliers and different management levels and highlight territorial behaviour and the negative impact this has on buyer supplier relationships during the implementation of servitization. Research limitations/implications Further research is required to explore why there is a variation in understanding and commitment at different managerial levels and the causes of tensions and territoriality. Practical implications Servitization is not a “quick fix” and management support is essential. A fundamental element of this planning is to anticipate and plan for tensions and territoriality caused by the disruption servitization creates. Originality/value The research provides empirical evidence of tensions and territoriality relating to servitization that potentially can damage supplier–buyer relationships and suggest that there is a darker side to servitization. It also shows that differences in strategic intent across organizations and between different managerial layers impedes to servitization efforts.

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 404-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Lee Park ◽  
Mauro Fracarolli Nunes ◽  
Maral Muratbekova-Touron ◽  
Valérie Moatti

Purpose This paper aims to deepen the understanding of the impact of cultural and national idiosyncrasies on businesses. The authors concentrate on the cultural particularity of the Brazilian jeitinho to assess the ethicality of the concept in buyer–supplier relationships. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 Brazilian professionals working for both national and international companies, allowing for the analysis of the context in which the Brazilian jeitinho is perceived either as positive or negative in terms of ethics. Findings The authors propose five distinct dimensions (harm to third parties, seriousness of the issue, formality of relationships, personal benefit and assessed pertinence of rules and laws) to the assessment of Brazilian jeitinho as creativity, corruption or more nuanced classifications between them and offer a reviewed definition of the practice. Practical implications The results of the study may offer new insights into the Brazilian business environment. Deeper comprehension of the contexts in which jeitinho is used and its different connotations may optimise the relations between foreign and Brazilian companies and between foreign and Brazilian professionals and employees. Originality/value Within the context of intensified international trade, global supply chains and geographically spread operations, an understanding of cultural and national idiosyncrasies may provide managers with a powerful tool to conduct their business more effectively. With the economic emergence of countries such as China, Russia and Brazil, local practices are also gaining increased importance as they seem to have a direct influence on management in these places and beyond.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Lu ◽  
Zhanqing Wang ◽  
Defeng Yang ◽  
Nakaya Kakuda

Purpose Brands are increasingly reflecting social values, and many brands have begun to embrace equality and inclusivity as a marketing strategy. Accordingly, consumers are increasingly being exposed to brands associated with different social groups. This paper aims to examine how consumers who have experienced pride respond to brands associated with dissociative out-groups. Design/methodology/approach Four studies were conducted. Study 1 tested the basic effect of how the experience of different facets of pride affects consumers’ brand attitudes toward a brand associated with a dissociative out-group. Studies 2 and 3 examined the underlying mechanism of consumers’ psychological endorsement of egalitarianism using both mediation and moderation approaches. Study 4 derived implications of our findings for marketers. Findings The results show that consumers respond differently to a brand associated with a dissociative out-group based on the facets of pride they experience. When consumers experience authentic (vs hubristic) pride, they exhibit a more favorable attitude toward the brand associated with the dissociative out-group. This is because authentic (vs hubristic) pride increases consumers’ psychological endorsement of egalitarianism, which enhances consumers’ brand attitudes toward the brand associated with the dissociative out-group. Practical implications The findings suggest that brand managers should think about ways to elicit consumers’ authentic pride to minimize the potential backlash from consumers when promoting equality and inclusivity in their brand communications, particularly when such communications contain cues of dissociative out-groups. Originality/value This paper contributes to the branding literature by identifying pride as an important determinant that can help brands overcome the negative impact of dissociative out-groups on consumers’ brand reactions, enriches the literature on pride by documenting a novel effect of the two facets of pride on consumer behavior and extends the literature of egalitarianism by demonstrating pride as a driver of consumers’ psychological endorsement of egalitarianism.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Kashif ◽  
Mubashir Ayyaz ◽  
Sara Basharat

Purpose – There is plethora of advertising research that has highlighted the mothers’ perspective to TV food advertising. However, the fathers’ perspective on children food advertising in societies that score high on masculinity is important but absent from literature. The purpose of this paper is to present opinions of respondents as fathers, concerning the impact of TV food advertisements on children buying and consumption habits. Design/methodology/approach – The qualitative data through semi-structured interviews has been collected from 32 males having at least one child between the ages of seven and 14 years. The respondents were purposefully selected from a private sector university located in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The collected data have been analysed through thematic analysis. Findings – Thematic analysis revealed six themes; quantity of ads, negative impact of TV food ads, changing buying patterns, positive/productive impact on children, father's perceptions of TV advertising, and advertising changes to be incorporated. The findings have some social, cultural, and managerial implications for core advertising stakeholders. Practical implications – This study is useful for marketing managers whose job is to persuade children and their families into buying their products. They can benefit from the findings of this study to customize the brand communication strategies as per the expectations of respondents as fathers. Furthermore, the study proposes useful insights that will help in devising consumer-led advertising policies in Pakistan. Originality/value – The gender role of males while influencing family decision making with regards to food products marketing has been a new area of research. The study is pioneer in the field of consumer socialization in that it focuses upon the fathers’ perspective on TV advertising to children.


Info ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-31
Author(s):  
François Jeanjean

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the impact of copper access regulation on broadband household adoption for each technology (xDSL on copper infrastructure, FTTx on fiber infrastructure and cable modem). It provides a forecast of the penetration rate of broadband access for each technology (copper xDSL, fiber, FTTx and cable modem) through 2020. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses an empirical approach using a dataset covering 15 European countries. The dynamic of the adoption path is modeled by a logistic function. Copper access regulation is measured by two variables: copper access charge and copper wholesale access share, i.e. the ratio of copper wholesale access provided by the incumbent to alternative operators out of the total number of copper accesses. Findings – This paper shows that tough copper access regulation has a negative impact on fiber and cable modem adoption. Low copper prices decrease consumer adoption of other technologies. This reduces their profitability and thus the incentives to invest in alternative platforms. Practical implications – This paper highlights that an increase in copper access charges or a decrease in copper wholesale access shares could help to achieve the objectives of the Digital Agenda for Europe. Originality/value – This paper provides an empirical evidence of the impact of the copper access regulation on the fiber and ultra-fast broadband adoption from a dynamic point of view.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 597-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Cradduck ◽  
Clive M.J. Warren

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to add to the academic discourse by developing a methodology by which a block of land’s goodwill, or lack of goodwill, can be factored into its valuation. Design/methodology/approach The research was undertaken utilising a mixed-methods approach, which involved doctrinal research, together with qualitative and quantitative analysis of the impact of neighbourhood disputes on real property value. The disputes engaged with for exemplar purposes were those of tree disputes resolved by QCAT order. Findings A dispute can adversely affect a property’s goodwill, which can impact both its saleability and value. Research limitations/implications Due to the sensitive nature of the valuation process and the potential negative impact that any identification of a property may have on its value, it was not appropriate to identify any properties specifically or the area in which these are located. Further, as regards the available details of disputes, the authors were only able to engage with disputes for which an order existed. Practical implications The methodology developed can be applied to other real property interests, for example, lots in freehold retirement village complexes or those within other strata title schemes of either residential or commercial use. Social implications As the number of neighbourhood disputes throughout Australia grows, addressing the impact that a dispute has for property value is a concern relevant to all valuers and owners. Originality/value The authors add to the academic discourse by developing a methodology by which a property’s goodwill, or lack of goodwill, can be factored into its valuation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-197
Author(s):  
Ann Selvaranee Balasingam ◽  
Kashif Hussain ◽  
Alwie Manaf

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare the impact of the minimum wage order from the perspectives of two different stakeholders, namely, hotel managers and employees, in the Malaysian hotel industry. Design/methodology/approach For the study, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews from three managers and three employees from hotels in West Malaysia. Findings From the managers’ perspective, minimum wage implementation has resulted in managers adopting the best payment structure to reduce labour costs for the operators, deciding to reduce the service charge allocation to employees and having to deal with minimal improvement in employee productivity and motivation. In contrast, the positive impact from the managers’ perspective is lower turnover intentions and social justice for foreign workers. From the employees’ perspective, there is a rather negative impact – minimum wage policy has resulted in a minimal increase in the salary. From a positive perspective, employees said that they have experienced an improvement in living standards. Originality/value This research presents current responses from hotel participants regarding the latest wage increase impact, some six years after its implementation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Michael Greenhalgh ◽  
Lynn Johnson ◽  
Victoria Huntley

Purpose Many national retailers have complained about increases in business rates tax bills since the 2017 revaluation. What impact has the 2017 business rates revaluation had on independent high street retailers in market towns in the north of England? The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The study uses Valuation Office Agency rating list data to determine rateable value and business rates payable for independent high street retailers in eight northern market towns either side of the 2017 rating revaluation. The data were analysed using business rates matrices to reveal the impact of the new rating list on independent retailers in the eight locations. Findings Analysis reveals that the majority of independent retailers in the northern market towns sampled have experienced reductions in both the rateable value of their premises and business rates payable. Increase in the rates relief threshold has extended relief to almost half of the independent retailers in the study, most of whom receive 100 per cent relief. Practical implications Charity shops receive at least 80 per cent rates relief which means they are able to afford to pay higher rents. This “sets the tone” for landlords setting market rents in that location which are then used as comparable evidence by the VOA when determining rateable values at revaluation further polarising the gap between rate payers and those to are exempt. Originality/value Focussing on independent retailers on high streets in markets towns in north of England, this study provides an alternative perspective to the orthodox view of business rates revaluations having a negative impact on retailers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-163
Author(s):  
David N. Eades

Purpose This paper aims to explore the impact of stressors and the strategies staff use to cope with these at a detention facility. It documents through case studies some of the triggers of trauma, possible coping mechanisms that might assist in navigating the associated stressors in a workplace and recommendations as to what might assist staff. Design/methodology/approach A naturalist approach was used in this research, using an ethnographic qualitative methodology. Grounded theory assisted in the analysis of the data to capture naturalistically the subjective experience of the participants of the study. Conversations occurred with staff who had worked in a detention facility using face to face semi-structured interviews. The structure was open-ended to allow the staff to discuss and share their experiences freely. Findings Stressors that impacted staff working in a detention facility resulted from areas such as heightened reactions from detainees because of the length of their detainment, detainee self-harm, dealing with the effects of an increase of substance abuse through detainees obtaining contraband and the associated violent reactions that can occur as a result. Adverse symptoms noted within the lives of staff included acute anxiety, sleeplessness, depression and tension within impersonal relationships, including family. What compounded the issue was staffs’ reluctance to talk about work stressors. Research limitations/implications The research used nine participants for case studies of staff who had formerly experienced various adverse impacts of stressors. This is not a comprehensive study, however, of the broader experiences of staff at an Australian detention facility. It does provide, however, a snapshot of the experiences of a small group who had significantly been impacted by the stressors of the workplace. Practical implications This paper provides fresh perspectives or initiatives that are needed to assist staff to navigate the changing environment of working in a detention facility. In particular, some support mechanisms and protective factors that could be put in place to curb the negative impact of stressors in the workplace and to mitigate against long term stress disorders developing in the personal lives of staff. Social implications Many staff are not getting the help they need to cope with the emotional distress they experience in their workplace. However, there are practical interventions to support staff in managing the stressors they face. These will be outlined in this article. Originality/value This study was carried out with the goal of giving staff a voice and to capture their former experiences in their vocational responsibilities in a venue that has had very limited research attention. This study has presented the challenges staff faced in a unique venue of working in a detention facility. It has documented some of the common stressors staff faced, the impact of such and some coping mechanisms used to handle them.


2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 272-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desmond Doran ◽  
Peter Thomas ◽  
Nigel Caldwell

PurposeThe primary aim of this research is to explore buyer‐supplier relationships within a service sector context.Design/methodology/approachTo address the primary aim, both quantitative and qualitative approaches were utilised. A questionnaire was issued to selected buyer and supplier groups in order to determine relationship issues associated with insurance claims. The questionnaire was complemented by a number of semi‐structured interviews with buyers and suppliers across each spend category.FindingsThe results of this research indicate that there are significant gaps between buyer and supplier expectations concerning how relationships should evolve and that the issues of power and trust will need to be explored in greater depth if relationships are to be optimised.Practical implicationsThis research is of practical use to service sector companies attempting to examine how to develop effective buyer‐supplier relationships. It is of particular use to service buyer operations within the insurance sector, that is moving from the traditional cash compensation approach to a replacement goods approach.Originality/valueVery little has been written about buyer‐supplier relationships in the insurance sector and as such this paper provides an insight into issues relating to such relationships within this unique service sector context.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen Bemelmans ◽  
Hans Voordijk ◽  
Bart Vos ◽  
Geert Dewulf

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore both the antecedents and the impact of a buying company having preferred customer status. Specific attention is paid to an, until now, unexplored antecedent: the buyer’s maturity as perceived by the supplier. In terms of impact, the focus is on the link between obtaining preferred customer status from a specific supplier and the buyer’s satisfaction with its collaboration with that supplier. Design/methodology/approach – Two case studies in the Dutch construction industry were conducted and, in each case, representatives of three companies were interviewed: one supplier plus two of its customers, one of them having a preferred status. As such, a total of four dyadic matched-pair inter-organizational relationships have been investigated. Findings – First, it is beneficial for buying companies to obtain preferred customer status at their suppliers, since this will have a positive impact on the buying company’s satisfaction with the collaboration. Second, if buying companies aim to obtain preferred customer status at their suppliers it is important that they are perceived as mature in managing supplier relationships. Practical implications – Although buying companies and suppliers often both want to increase their mutual business, there can be many factors that impede this. The framework presented in this research can help companies overcoming these impediments. Originality/value – This is the first study exploring the impact of being a preferred customer on the buyer-supplier relationship in the construction industry.


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