Service process modularization and modular strategies

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per Carlborg ◽  
Daniel Kindström
Keyword(s):  
Active Role ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Service Infusion ◽  
Cross Case Analysis

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the role of service modularity in developing and deploying efficient services, while at the same time meeting diverse customer needs. The analysis distinguishes between different service types and sets forth key issues for service modularization, identifying supporting resources (both internal and customer) and associated modular strategies for the different types. Design/methodology/approach – The study design used an exploratory case study approach, focusing on three Swedish manufacturing firms that are moving toward an increased service focus (service infusion). Data were collected through interviews and focus groups, and the collected data were analyzed independently, before being merged and synthesized in a cross-case analysis. Themes and patterns were extracted and linked to the theoretical framework following a systematic combining process. Findings – This study contributes insights to the emerging field of service modularity by investigating process modularization and modular strategies. A framework is put forward outlining modular strategies for four different service types covering both a passive and an active role for a customer. From a theoretical point of view, the role of the customer is added to the discussion to advocate for the necessity of a co-creative perspective in service modularity. Originality/value – This article contributes to the emerging research field of service modularity by providing empirical insights into how modularization and modular strategies can enable more efficient services. Depending on service type, different modular strategies are set forth. This study also highlights the need to recognize customer-specific activities, resources and competencies as pivotal parts of the modular service processes. Such insights are particularly relevant given the established view of service modules as functions of intra-firm activities.

scholarly journals Design sprint for SMEs: an organizational taxonomy based on configuration theory

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 1803-1817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Magistretti ◽  
Claudio Dell'Era ◽  
Nicola Doppio
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Translation ◽  
Creative Industries ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Configuration Theory ◽  
Digital Environments ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Configurational Theory

PurposeDesign approaches to innovation are booming in both the academic and practitioner worlds. Tech giants are proposing different methodologies to develop technological innovation leveraging design principles, for example, Amazon with working backward and Google with Design Sprint. However, little is known on the role of these methodologies in managing the knowledge translation among different stakeholders. This paper aims to investigate how Design Sprint approaches can face digital challenges and foster collaborations.Design/methodology/approachThrough interviews and participatory observations of ten exploratory cases of SME adoption of the Design Sprint methodology, data were collected, organized, clustered and then validated. Furthermore, by adopting a configuration theory perspective, the data have been processed to contribute to the emergence of two Design Sprint organizational taxonomy.FindingsCompetences, type of design challenge and the process followed emerge from the cases as key drivers of different Design Sprint configurations. Moreover, the configuration theory helped in identifying two Design Sprint taxonomies named Willing and Wondering configurations. Finally, the paper provides managers with practical guidelines on how to leverage these configurations to make this approach more effective for SMEs and how this method helps the knowledge translation.Originality/valueThe value and originality of the paper are in defining Design Sprint from a theoretical point of view and offering practical guidelines on how to adapt it to the particular context of collaborative digital environments of SMEs. Moreover, it contributes to enlarging the relevance of configurational theory in the creative industries.

scholarly journals Understanding the accelerator from resources-based perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chul Hyun Uhm ◽  
Chang Soo Sung ◽  
Joo Yeon Park
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Access To Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Start Ups

Purpose This study aims to explore Accelerators and their practices in sustaining start-ups within their innovative programs for these companies based on the resource-based perspective. Moreover, with an ever-increasing demand for Accelerators amongst start-up companies, this study also demonstrates the importance of Accelerators, as it pertains to new venture creation. Design/methodology/approach This research uses an exploratory case study approach to examine a comparative view of leading Accelerator companies in the USA and Korea based on resource support. Findings The results of this study show that there are a number of differences between Accelerators of the two countries in terms of the resources they support for early-stage start-ups. The findings also show some similarities. However, in Korea, the Accelerator landscape is limited, where mentorship, resources and investments are not readily accessible, resulting in low success rates for Korean start-up companies. These limitations have had a negative trickle-down effect when providing entrepreneurs with strong access to resources and investors, which highly affects the success rates of early-stage start-ups. Practical implications In terms of the resource-based theory, this study contributes to the growth of early start-ups by emphasizing the role of the accelerator and suggesting the extent and impact that entrepreneurs have access to resources and investors. Originality/value With significant growth in start-ups around the world, the necessity for start-up funding and mentorship has increased drastically. Start-up companies need various types of assets, systems, knowledge and information to achieve their goals. In Accelerators, start-ups receive all the aforementioned resources while also improving their entrepreneurial skills. Start-up companies have many options in seeking investors who support both tangible and intangible resources to boost growth. While there is a wealth of information on traditional funding methods, there are few studies that shed light on the role of Accelerators from the resource-based point of view.

scholarly journals Building Ecological Citizenship Through Students Engagement in ‘Green Youth’ Community in Wonosalam Jombang

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Akhwani Akhwani ◽  
Agus Wahyudi
Keyword(s):  
Civic Education ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmentally Conscious ◽  
Industrial Processing ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Ecological Citizenship ◽  
Youth Community

The issue of the ecological crisis has become a global issue that often approaches every country throughout the world. As the implication of the development of Indonesian’s industry among many countries where the environment is damaged. Illegal exploitation of the forest, the rest of the industrial processing in the form of waste or waste that results in an imbalance in the efforts to care for the environment. Leaving aside the role of citizens, in guarding the environment from damage and extinction is a factor in the destruction of the country's future environment. The function and role of educational institutions (schools) has not been maximized with learning that has a sense of crisis towards the environment to building the behavior of educated citizens (students) who have a reflective ability towards themselves as citizens of the surrounding environment. The typology of the character of such citizens is more familiarly referred to as eco citizenship, in addition to having knowledge it also plays an active role and cares for its environment. Therefore, how important is the effort to build student character with the concept of eco citizenship which has moral and ethical competence in caring for, managing and preserving the environment with full responsibility. The aim of this research is to find out how students are involved in the 'green youth' community in building eco citizenship. This study used a qualitative case study approach. The subjects include the student group and the 'green youth' community. The data collection techniques are interviews, observation, and documents. This study expected that the involvement of students in the 'green youth' community with the programs has succeeded in building students who cares about the environment, such an environmentally conscious lifestyle point of view of Civic Education as the development of civic virtue become the estuary of the Civics learning objectives. The virtue of citizens by attending and playing an active role in caring for the environment is achieved thanks to the involvement of the 'green youth' community in developing cognitive competencies, skills, ethics and participation in caring for the environment.

Monaco’s struggle to become a smart destination

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 672-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Fabry ◽  
Cyril Blanchet
Keyword(s):  
Smart City ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Urban Ecosystem ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coverage Analysis ◽  
Definition Of

Purpose Monaco is a simultaneously a destination, a state and a city, which belongs to the long list of places that aims to become smart. The purpose of this paper is to present Monaco’s transformation strategy from October 2017 to May 2019. It will present Monaco’s smart urban ecosystem as a meeting point between the destination and the smart city. Design/methodology/approach The authors develop the methodology as an exploratory observation of the state transformations. The methodology relies on an understanding of smart cities policy from an insider perspective, as one of the co-authors participates in the “Matrice Smart-City Monaco” program (Season 1: Tourism), on a media coverage analysis and in a semi-directive interview with a stakeholder of the digital transformation in Monaco. Findings The paper empirically and theoretically explores the following three hypotheses: H1 – being a smart city/destination is less a status than a process; H2 – a permeable state city challenges the boundaries between the city and the smart destination; and H3 – the conceptualization of the smart city requires a broader definition of who its engaged stakeholders are. Research limitations/implications The case of Monaco helps us to understand the role of tourism in a smart city and to deepen the link between “smart city” and “smart destination” from a theoretical point of view. Monaco offers us the opportunity to reinforce our understanding of the relationship between the smart city and the smart destination. Originality/value The study concerns a micro-state that aims to become smart using a top–down strategy. However, for a city to become smart, stakeholders including citizens must be able to support the process.

Market orientation, performance and the mediating role of innovation in Indonesian SMEs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare D'souza ◽  
Marthin Nanere ◽  
Malliga Marimuthu ◽  
Mokhamad Arwani ◽  
Ninh Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Customer Orientation ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Competitor Orientation

PurposeDespite the theoretical advancements of market orientation and firm performance, there is a paucity of research regarding SMEs in Indonesia. Customer and competitor orientation were examined as two distinct constructs as per the literature, as it has been questioned for its robustness. They have been used synonymously, even though customer orientation is operationalised as a component of a market orientation construct. There is support for the argument from a theoretical point of view to keep customer orientation and competitor orientation separate. The objective of this research was to empirically test market orientation concepts on firm performance and assessing customer and competitor orientation separately. Furthermore, it also tests whether innovation plays a mediating role.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 309 small and medium-sized firms was found eligible for this study. Structural Equation Modelling was used to analyze the data. A multi-industry sample of firms was used to strengthen the generalisability of the results. The sample was acquired from two databases of SMEs directory in Kudus and Pati, East Java Indonesia, participants were randomly selected.FindingsThe findings show that innovation mediates the relationship between competitor orientation and firm performance, while competitor orientation had no significant relationship with firm performance. Customer orientation was found to positively influence firm performance.Originality/valueThe role of innovation as a mediator within SMEs in a developing country opens up avenues for further research among other developing countries. By examining both the concepts of customer and competitor orientation separately and establishing relationships, we validate support for this argument both from a methodological and theoretical point of view.

scholarly journals Boosting the pre-purchase experience through virtual reality. Insights from the cruise industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Simoni ◽  
Annarita Sorrentino ◽  
Daniele Leone ◽  
Andrea Caporuscio
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Customer Journey ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cruise Industry ◽  
Tourism Marketing ◽  
Study Approach

Purpose This study aims to provide an exploratory analysis of the role of virtual reality (VR) in the cruise context as a contribution to the limited literature on this topic. In particular, the research investigates immersive VR as a critical touchpoint at the pre-purchase stage of the customer journey. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the research aims, the authors use a case study approach by analysing the “immersive configurator” (essentially a virtual catalogue) implemented by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Findings Three innovative functions emerged from the study of the MSC’s virtual catalogue. First, it improves the customer experience and engagement through its interactivity. Second, it allows customization of the prospective cruise experience by selecting and changing types of ship, the level of service, the position of the cabin and much more. Third, it becomes a new digital marketing system endowed with large amounts of data. Research limitations/implications This study advances the current state of knowledge by presenting an empirical case study on the role of immersive VR at the pre-purchase stage of the customer journey. Second, it offers interesting implications for managers who want to take advantage of the opportunities offered by VR. Originality/value The present study analyses the pre-purchase stage in tourism marketing focused on the use of VR in the tourist experience at the time of service delivery. Second, it enriches the tourism literature by integrating supply-side and demand-side perspectives. Third, from a methodological point of view, this paper offers an in-depth qualitative study in a context where scholars have mostly applied quantitative methods.

Digital transformation in the economics of complexity: the role of predictive models in strategic management

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Iscaro ◽  
Laura Castaldi ◽  
Paolo Maresca ◽  
Clelia Mazzoni
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Management ◽  
Predictive Models ◽  
Domain Knowledge ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Literature Highlight

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the role of predictive models in the learning and decision-making processes of strategic management. The rapid advancement of digitalisation has contributed to increasing the complexity of the worldwide economy and led to various new competitive dynamics.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this purpose, a literature review has been carried out and a predictive model based on Watson, an IBM supercomputer, is presented as a qualitative process model.FindingsSpecific insights derived from a review of the literature highlight organisations' need to modify their decision- and strategy-making processes, which are increasing in speed and frequency, thus also leading to the formulation of emergent and trigger event strategies based on the identification of conditions that require the revision of all or part of the firm's strategy. Predictive models, acting as filters, transform data into informative knowledge that decision-makers can interpret based on individual domain knowledge.Originality/valueFrom a theoretical point of view, this paper contributes to the field of digital transformation by proposing the economics of complexity as a paradigm through which to observe and study the issue of predictive models in strategic management. Additionally, the authors analyse the phenomenon from a cognitive perspective, defining the new learning dynamics of digital transformation and the social learning cycle triggered by big data and predictive models. From a managerial and policy-making point of view, this suggests the need to re-shape traditional education contents and dynamics and foster skills that are multi-disciplinary, multi-domain, multi-empathic, multi-interaction and multi-communication between people and things.

Elucidation of block boundaries as the dissolution channels in hydrated cement

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 484-485
Author(s):  
N.V. Belov ◽  
U.I. Papiashwili ◽  
B.E. Yudovich
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Phase ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Benzoyl Peroxide ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Hardened Cement ◽  
Hydrated Cement ◽  
Hardened Cement Paste

It has been almost universally adopted that dissolution of solids proceeds with development of uniform, continuous frontiers of reaction.However this point of view is doubtful / 1 /. E.g. we have proved the active role of the block (grain) boundaries in the main phases of cement, these boundaries being the areas of hydrate phases' nucleation / 2 /. It has brought to the supposition that the dissolution frontier of cement particles in water is discrete. It seems also probable that the dissolution proceeds through the channels, which serve both for the liquid phase movement and for the drainage of the incongruant solution products. These channels can be appeared along the block boundaries.In order to demonsrate it, we have offered the method of phase-contrast impregnation of the hardened cement paste with the solution of methyl metacrylahe and benzoyl peroxide. The viscosity of this solution is equal to that of water.

scholarly journals Verbena officinalis Verbenaceae (Lamiales): a new plant model system for phyllotaxis research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Zagórska-Marek ◽  
Magdalena Turzańska ◽  
Klaudia Chmiel
Keyword(s):  
Vascular System ◽  
Cumulative Effect ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Inflorescence Axis ◽  
Organ Identity ◽  
Lateral Organ ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Secondary Transitions

AbstractPhyllotactic diversity and developmental transitions between phyllotactic patterns are not fully understood. The plants studied so far, such as Magnolia, Torreya or Abies, are not suitable for experimental work, and the most popular model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, does not show sufficient phyllotactic variability. It has been found that in common verbena (Verbena officinalis L.), a perennial, cosmopolitan plant, phyllotaxis differs not only between growth phases in primary transitions but also along the indeterminate inflorescence axis in a series of multiple secondary transitions. The latter are no longer associated with the change in lateral organ identity, and the sequence of phyllotactic patterns is puzzling from a theoretical point of view. Data from the experiments in silico, confronted with empirical observations, suggest that secondary transitions might be triggered by the cumulative effect of fluctuations in the continuously decreasing bract primordia size. The most important finding is that the changes in the primary vascular system, associated with phyllotactic transitions, precede those taking place at the apical meristem. This raises the question of the role of the vascular system in determining primordia initiation sites, and possibly challenges the autonomy of the apex. The results of this study highlight the complex relationships between various systems that have to coordinate their growth and differentiation in the developing plant shoot. Common verbena emerges from this research as a plant that may become a new model suitable for further studies on the causes of phyllotactic transitions.

The 2016 Police and Crime Commissioner elections

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Joyce
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Source Material ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Government

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the 2016 elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and to compare them with those that took place in 2012. It seeks to evaluate the background of the candidates who stood for office in 2016, the policies that they put forward, the results of the contests and the implications of the 2016 experience for future PCC elections. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based around several key themes – the profile of candidates who stood for election, preparations conducted prior to the contests taking place, the election campaign and issues raised during the contests, the results and the profile of elected candidates. The paper is based upon documentary research, making particular use of primary source material. Findings The research establishes that affiliation to a political party became the main route for successful candidates in 2016 and that local issues related to low-level criminality will dominate the future policing agenda. It establishes that although turnout was higher than in 2012, it remains low and that further consideration needs to be devoted to initiatives to address this for future PCC election contests. Research limitations/implications The research focusses on the 2016 elections and identifies a number of key issues that emerged during the campaign affecting the conduct of the contests which have a bearing on future PCC elections. It treats these elections as a bespoke topic and does not seek to place them within the broader context of the development of the office of PCC. Practical implications The research suggests that in order to boost voter participation in future PCC election contests, PCCs need to consider further means to advertise the importance of the role they perform and that the government should play a larger financial role in funding publicity for these elections and consider changing the method of election. Social implications The rationale for introducing PCCs was to empower the public in each police force area. However, issues that include the enhanced importance of political affiliation as a criteria for election in 2016 and the social unrepresentative nature of those who stood for election and those who secured election to this office in these contests coupled with shortcomings related to public awareness of both the role of PCCs and the timing of election contests threaten to undermine this objective. Originality/value The extensive use of primary source material ensures that the subject matter is original and its interpretation is informed by an academic perspective.

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