Divergent goals in supplier-customer co-development process: an integrated framework

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 290-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minna Oinonen ◽  
Anne Maarit Jalkala
Keyword(s):  
Development Process ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Development Literature ◽  
Business To Business ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Innovations in business-to-business markets often result from co-development activities between multiple actors, all of which have their own goals for the collaboration. The purpose of this paper is to study how the actors’ divergent goals reflect on their perceptions of the supplier-customer co-development process. Design/methodology/approach – A grounded theory approach is adopted to reveal the actors’ perceptions of eight studied supplier-customer co-development processes, of which, four also involve an expert partner. Findings – The findings suggest that because of the supplier’s aim to commercialize the resulting product, a supplier has a wider ranging perception of the co-development process, whereas the customer and expert partner focus on those phases that support their goals to improve the efficiency of the process or to develop new technology. Practical implications – As each actor operates according to its own goals and is involved in those phases of the process that facilitates their achievement, the study recommends that managers consider each actor’s goals which are reflected on their perception of the co-development. Originality/value – This is among the first studies to focus on the co-development process from multiple perspectives and include data from various actors involved in the process. The paper contributes to the co-development literature both by presenting actors’ divergent perspectives on the process and proposing an empirically grounded dyadic framework of the supplier-customer co-development process.

Role reflections of police reservists: a study of volunteer reserve officers in Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 813-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phaik Kin Cheah ◽  
N. Prabha Unnithan ◽  
Suresh Suppiah
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Role Orientations ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the work roles of the Royal Malaysia Police Volunteer Reserve officers.Design/methodology/approachA grounded theory approach was utilized for the generation and analysis of the data. Data were collected through interviews, observations and follow-ups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 male and female volunteer reserve officers and 5 regular police officers aged between 24 and 58 years of mixed socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities and ranking in the Royal Malaysia Police force. Two civilian respondents (spouses of the Police Volunteer Reserve officers) were also interviewed for this study for the purpose of theory sampling.FindingsThe data were analyzed qualitatively resulting in a model of Royal Malaysia Police Volunteer Reserve officer roles consisting of four orientations.Research limitations/implicationsStudy outcomes are discussed theoretically and administratively. The four role orientations identified will assist researchers studying police reserve volunteerism.Practical implicationsStudy outcomes allow administrators to utilize and deploy police reservists in consonance with the four role orientations identified.Social implicationsThis study provides insight into how police reservists conceive of and execute their roles as they negotiate them in relation to the regular police officers they work with and the public from which they are drawn.Originality/valueThis is the first study of police volunteerism in Malaysia.

The architecture of the phygital customer journey: a dynamic interplay between systems of insights and systems of engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Mele ◽  
Tiziana Russo-Spena
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Customer Journey ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Smart Technologies ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Dynamic Interplay

Purpose This paper aims to focus on how companies shape the architecture of a phygital customer journey through the exploitation of smart technologies. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a qualitative method using a grounded theory approach involving leading players in digital customer solutions and service providers from different industries. Findings The shaping of the architecture of the phygital customer journey comes from the interplay between systems of insights and systems of engagement activated by multiple customer-provider interactions in an entanglement of physical and digital contexts. Practical implications Companies need to design a blended approach to bridge disconnected contexts, capture new opportunities and provide customer engagement along the entire journey. Originality/value This study depicts the “phygital customer journey” under systems of insights and systems of engagement: These systems operate as dynamic architectures to capture insights and engage customers.

Business streamlining – an integrated model of service sourcing

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Molin ◽  
Lars-Johan Åge
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Ongoing Relationship ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
Longitudinal Case Studies ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purchasing of services is a significantly under-researched area. The purpose of this study is to suggest a conceptual model of service sourcing relationships, including the post-contract phase. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology involving two longitudinal case studies that were analyzed with a grounded theory approach to build a conceptual model was applied. Findings The proposed model consists of a core process that is termed “business streamlining” and denotes the process by which four interrelated dimensions are managed to making the business processes of the buying organization simpler and more effective and/or productive. Research limitations/implications Although the research methodology is qualitative and does not allow statistical generalization, the study does provide valuable insights into the management of the service sourcing process. Practical implications The model proposed in this study can be utilized by managers to impose a useful conceptual structure on otherwise fluid and intangible processes, which makes them easier to analyze and facilitates strategic corporate decision-making. Originality/value The paper proposes a model that grasps the dynamics and reality of service (out-) sourcing relationships, including the ongoing relationship management process.

Innovation from emerging market firms: what happens when market ambitions meet technology challenges?

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 507-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Sharma ◽  
Subhash Jha
Keyword(s):  
Development Process ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Global Markets ◽  
Innovation Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Domestic Markets ◽  
Emerging Nations ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Emerging Market Firms ◽  
Business To Business

Purpose Western business-to-business firms are under increasing competition from firms in emerging nations. As examples, Mindray in medical devices, LiuGong in earth moving equipment, Tata motors in Buses and Suzlon in Wind turbines are emerging as strong competitors in their industries. Yet despite increased competition from emerging nation firms, insufficient research has examined the growth of these firms, specifically in the areas of technology and innovation development processes. The purpose of this study is to examine how emerging nation business-to-business firms that have global ambitions achieve technology competence. Design/methodology/approach The authors examined several case studies on emerging market business-to-business firms that have moved to global markets and highlight the following five: LiuGong China (excavating products), Mindray China (medical equipment), Suzlon Energy India (wind generators), Tata Motors Buses India and BYD Auto China (batteries to electric cars). The firms are in business-to-business markets, except for BYD China that emerged as a business-to-business battery supplier but is currently in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets. Findings The authors find that firms in emerging markets that have global ambitions follow different approaches to innovation development processes from conventional theories and assumptions held by scholars and practitioners in Western developed countries. Our cases suggest that firms follow the proposed progression: domestic markets – internally developed technology; domestic markets –acquired technology; and finally to, global markets – acquired technology. Researchlimitations/implications The authors contribute to research in three areas. First, they suggest that the innovation development process for emerging market firms is different from the Western world. Second, they provide a framework of innovation development process that can be tested in multiple environments. Third, this study suggests a deeper examination of the longitudinal development of business-to-business firms, an area that has received less attention. Practicalimplications The authors suggest that firms need to better track their competition from emerging nations because emerging nation firms can quickly acquire technology to become strong competitors. Originality/value Extant research has not examined these issues.

“The Health Education Juggler”

2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 398-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gitte Engelund ◽  
Ulla Møller Hansen ◽  
Ingrid Willaing
Keyword(s):  
Patient Education ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Comprehensive Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore educator competencies and roles needed to perform participatory patient education, and develop a comprehensive model describing this. Design/methodology/approach – Data collection in the qualitative study proceeded through two phases. In the first phase, 28 educators were involved in exploring educator competencies needed to perform participatory, group-based patient education. The paper used qualitative methods: dialogue workshops, interviews and observations. In the second phase, 310 educators were involved in saturating and validating the insights from phase one using workshop techniques such as brainstorming, reflection exercises and the story-dialogue method. A grounded theory approach was used to analyse data. Findings – A model called “The Health Education Juggler” was developed comprising four educator roles necessary to perform participatory patient education: the Embracer, the Facilitator, the Translator and the Initiator. The validity of the model was confirmed in phase two by educators and showed fit, grab, relevance, workability and modifiability. Practical implications – The model provides a tool that can be used to support the focus on “juggling” skills in educators: the switching between different educator roles when performing participatory, group-based patient education. The model is useful as an analytical tool for reflection and supervision, as well as for observation and evaluation of participatory, group-based patient education. Originality/value – The study proposes a comprehensive model consisting of four equally important roles for educators performing participatory, group-based patient education.

Building and evolving a culture of excellence: a conceptual exploration

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis W. Provance ◽  
Suresh Babu Ramisetty ◽  
Michael Joseph Urick ◽  
Kelly A. Wieczorkowski
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The People ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
A Current

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conceptually explore building a culture of excellence from the ground up as well as evolving a current culture to one more focused on excellence. Design/methodology/approach This study reviewed extant research related to organizational cultures and cultures of excellence that have implications for building or evolving into these types of cultures. Findings The findings of this study suggest that the “people side” of organizations is crucial to forming a culture of excellence. Specific people-oriented considerations to forming such a culture include leveraging leaders and understanding other influences including diversity as well as external aspects. Changing culture must occur at the assumptions (and not just artifacts) level. Furthermore, there are many barriers to building a culture of excellence, many of which are also related to an organization’s people. Research limitations/implications A qualitative grounded theory approach whereby researchers asked organizational members to define “culture of excellence” could help build a clearer model for the formation of cultures of excellence. Quantitative approaches should also test how successful the influencers, noted in this study are in creating cultures of excellence. This study’s conceptual links between cultures of excellence and performance should also be tested empirically. Practical implications This paper provides practitioners insight into the importance of culture and considerations for how to change an organizational culture. Social implications This paper advocates for the importance of social considerations in the workplace regarding creating a culture of excellence. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first that discusses creating a culture of excellence. Furthermore, it is one of only a handful of articles that links people to excellence.

This place is like the jungle: discussions about psychoactive substances on a cryptomarket

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 250-261
Author(s):  
Sara Rolando ◽  
Franca Beccaria
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse dynamics amongst members to better understand in what terms and to what extent marketplace forums can be seen as new forms of harm reduction. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative analysis focused on conversations about psychoactive substances on the forum community of AlphaBay Market. A sample consists of 100 online threads. The data, collected in July 2016, were analysed by applying the grounded theory approach with the support of Atlas.ti. Findings Conversations in the marketplace forum focus mostly on the purchase. Concerns and disputes are voiced in a significant proportion of them, and interactions are affected by a climate of distrust where stigmatisation processes can emerge between users of different drug categories. This casts a certain amount of doubt on the thesis that marketplace forums – like online forums – are new forms of harm reduction and peer-led communities. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on only one marketplace forum. Other such forums should be analysed to corroborate its findings. Practical implications Harm reduction interventions in the online environment should take different form according to the forum type, and take the differences and boundaries that separate users of different substances into account. Originality/value Thanks to its infrequently used qualitative approach, the study provides a more thorough understanding of the relationships on marketplace forums.

Dealing with multiple incompatible work-related identities: the case of artists

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 970-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Hennekam
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Career Transition ◽  
Creative Industries ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how artists deal with having multiple potentially incompatible work-related identities as a result of a career transition from making a living exclusively as artists to taking on additional work outside the creative industries. Design/methodology/approach In all, 40 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted by telephone with artists in the Netherlands. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze the findings. Findings Four different strategies for dealing with multiple potentially incompatible identities were identified: integration, accumulation, separation and dis-identification. The findings suggest that the informal social context, the support of rejection of important others, influenced the strategy adopted by the artists. Invalidation from the environment often leads to stress and separation or dis-identification strategies, while validation seems to lead to integration and accumulation strategies that are less psychologically straining. Practical implications The findings stress the importance of the external environment. While the workers had to deal with their own psychological stress and regret about not succeeding at working exclusively as artists, they also had to create a feasible story that allowed them to “sell” their transition to others. Originality/value Careers are becoming increasingly non-linear, and the number of workers who need to juggle multiple (potentially conflicting) work-related identities is rising. However, how workers deal with this has received only limited attention from researchers.

Service development in small companies: a communication and learning process

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrik Gottfridsson
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Small Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Traditional Service ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Development Area ◽  
Development Literature

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of how individually designed services are actually developed in small companies. Design/methodology/approach – This study focuses on a small number of enterprises over a relatively long period. The study has been using a qualitative method based on repeated interviews. Findings – The findings in this study show that there is no such thing as formal and/or structured development processes within the companies that were studied. The development process is more focused on how to, in an informal way, get hold of knowledge and other resources that are needed in order to create the new service. The development process can therefore be described as an intellectual and interactive process that involves cooperation within and between a changing set of actors and intervening parties, who all strive to create the knowledge that is needed in order to form new service offerings. Originality/value – The main contribution of this study is to bring new perspectives into the service development area, and thereby highlight other aspects that the traditional service development literature has been focusing on, i.e. intra-organisation service development.

scholarly journals Businesses and mobile social media capability

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 971-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elvira Bolat ◽  
Kaouther Kooli ◽  
Len Tiu Wright
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organisational Knowledge ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Business To Business ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach

Purpose Mobile social media (MSM), an interaction, exchange of information and creation of user-generated content, mediated by mobile devices, is becoming the locomotive that drives forward evolution of the online world. Fewer academic studies have touched upon the MSM subject, with all the papers being of a conceptual nature to provide recommendations to business-to-business (B2B) firms. This paper aims to explore how B2B firms use MSM in reality. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts the grounded theory approach to analyse interviews conducted in 26 B2B firms representing the UK advertising and marketing sector. Interviewees represent key decision-makers who understand the aspects of mobile technology use in their firms. Eighteen firms stressed the importance of social media as a trigger to adopt mobile devices. Follow-up data collection in these 18 firms focus on strategic orientation, processes, routines and skills required for using MSM. Findings This paper found that marketing and advertising firms use MSM for branding, sensing market, managing relationships and developing content. MSM is treated by businesses as a strategic firm-specific capability that drives firms’ competitiveness, where imitation of such capability by competitors is limited because MSM skills are specific to individuals within organisations and MSM routines are manifested as a result of firm-specific MSM skills’ interactions. Originality/value This study is amongst the first to provide insights into B2B firms’ practices of using MSM. Additionally, the research is novel because it discovers that MSM capability is developed as a result of the overlap between individuals’ and organisational knowledge and memory, contradicting existing theory on the subject.

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