scholarly journals The ambidextrous manager: what role does culture play?

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian R. Hodgkinson ◽  
M.N. Ravishankar ◽  
Michelle Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Centralized Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Elements ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Right

Purpose It is known from research that the right context can help managers develop an ambidextrous approach. But just as few of us are naturally ambidextrous, many managers fail to balance conformity and change during strategy implementation. This paper aims to investigate why. Design/methodology/approach Through a qualitative study of managers of an international airline, the authors examine a series of cultural barriers that constrain managers’ agile decision-making and stop managerial ambidexterity. Findings The authors identify six culturally ingrained practices that block managerial ambidexterity: top management’s unwavering emphasis on cost control when survival hinges on fresh investments; little or no scanning of the environment for new areas of opportunity; intensive planning oriented toward efficiency issues; functional structures characterized by extensive division of labor; centralized control; and formal hierarchical communication channels. Research limitations/implications Managers find it difficult to put into practice new initiatives, particularly when the proposed initiatives counter the underlying cultural world of the organization. The authors suggest that this dark side of culture can pose tough barriers for ambidextrous action. Practical implications There is an urgent need for organizations to be aware of the possible misalignments between ambidextrous pursuits and the cultural forces that actually drive action. A deep understanding of their organization’s cultural universe is a crucial first step for managers aspiring to better engage with ambidexterity and outwit and outperform competitors. Originality/value Different strategic approaches need not be viewed as irreconcilable. If cultural elements do not block it, managerial ambidexterity can showcase innovative approaches to reconciling trade-offs in strategic decision-making.

Understanding how the contextual variables influence political behaviour in strategic decision-making

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Said Elbanna ◽  
Ioannis C. Thanos ◽  
Vassilis M. Papadakis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Strategic Decision Making ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Behaviour ◽  
Practitioner Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to enhance the knowledge of the antecedents of political behaviour. Whereas political behaviour in strategic decision-making (SDM) has received sustained interest in the literature, empirical examination of its antecedents has been meagre. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a constructive replication to examine the impact of three layers of context, namely, decision, firm and environment, on political behaviour. In Study 1, Greece, we gathered data on 143 strategic decisions, while in Study 2, Egypt, we collected data on 169 strategic decisions. Findings – The evidence suggests that both decision-specific and firm factors act as antecedents to political behaviour, while environmental factors do not. Practical implications – The findings support enhanced practitioner education regarding political behaviour and provide practitioners with a place from which to start by identifying the factors which might influence the occurrence of political behaviour in SDM. Originality/value – The paper fills important gaps in the existing research on the influence of context on political behaviour and delineates interesting areas for further research.

Food quality vs food patriotism

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirzobobo Yormirzoev ◽  
Ramona Teuber ◽  
Tongzhe Li
Keyword(s):  
Food Quality ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Russian Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Valuation Model ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Food Market ◽  
Imported Food ◽  
The Right ◽  
Domestic Food

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of perceived food quality and consumer ethnocentrism and potential trade-offs between these two concepts in Russian consumers’ food purchase decisions after the implementation of the Russian import ban. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected via in-person interviews in the City of Perm, which is one of the largest and most industrial cities in Russia. A double-bounded dichotomous-choice contingent valuation model is utilized to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) and to analyze factors that affect consumers’ choice. Findings The results suggest that most respondents do not consider domestically produced cheese as a risky product in terms of food safety but simply of lower quality than imported cheese. However, the average respondent’s WTP discount for domestic cheese compared to imported cheese is 8 percent, which is relatively small. This corresponds to participants’ opinion that buying domestic cheese is the right thing to do since it supports Russian farmers and producers. The results indicate further that with increasing education and income levels, individuals are less likely to prefer domestically produced cheese for either economic or quality reasons. This effect is stronger for the quality preference. Research limitations/implications The results indicate that if the Russian government aims at expanding the domestic food market further, more attention needs to be paid to ensuring the quality of domestic food products in order to increase consumer acceptance and WTP. Originality/value This is the first study providing empirical evidence on Russian consumers’ attitudes and perceptions of domestically vs imported food products after the implementation of the Russian import ban, which can be considered as an external policy shock.

scholarly journals Knowing Yourself and Knowing the Others

2021 ◽  
pp. 121-139
Author(s):  
Xiu-bao Yu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Strategic Decision Making ◽  
External Information ◽  
Basic Information ◽  
Resources And Capabilities

AbstractThis chapter introduces the basic information for the need of strategic decision-making, including internal key information of the organization, external information. Strategic decision makers are required to conduct analysis and have a deep understanding of the industry trend and of the organization resources and capabilities.

scholarly journals Customer experience management: asking the right questions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian R. Hodgkinson ◽  
Thomas W. Jackson ◽  
Andrew A. West
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Customer Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Data ◽  
Customer Experience Management ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
The Right

Purpose Customer experience is more critical than ever to firms’ successes and future growth opportunities. Typically measured through aggregate satisfaction scores, businesses have been criticized for oversimplifying what experience means. The purpose of this study is to provide a new perspective on experience management and offers a novel way forward for customer-centric strategizing. Design/methodology/approach Mapping the current digital technologies being used across businesses in all sectors to engage and connect with customers more effectively, this paper outlines some of the fundamental challenges of experience management and future opportunities to enhance business practice. Findings Businesses are capturing what they know about customers, rather than what a customer thinks and feels about the firm. Many experience management initiatives create customer pains (not gains), while for businesses, decision-making can be jeopardized by fake customer data. A framework based upon the five experience dimensions is presented for optimal customer-driven decision-making. Practical implications Going beyond aggregate satisfaction scores that serve as an output rather than an input into businesses strategizing, the paper presents an actionable framework for targeted investments and enhanced experience management practices. Originality/value Businesses are seeking to grow intelligent customer experience analysis capabilities to disrupt traditional business models toward greater customer-centricity and to track the digital spread of positive and negative experiences. Examining how this is being done and where the weaknesses lie by bridging management practice and the scientific literature, this paper provides new knowledge to advance customer-centric strategies for growth and profitability.

Selection of lean manufacturing systems using the PROMETHEE

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Anand ◽  
Rambabu Kodali
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Manufacturing Systems ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Computer Integrated Manufacturing ◽  
Preference Ranking ◽  
Manufacturing Strategy ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type

PurposeIn recent years, many manufacturing companies are attempting to implement lean manufacturing systems (LMS) as an effective manufacturing strategy to survive in a highly competitive market. Such a process of selecting a suitable manufacturing system is highly complex and strategic in nature. The paper aims to how companies make a strategic decision of selecting LMS as part of their manufacturing strategy, and on what basis such strategic decisions are made by the managers.Design/methodology/approachA case study of a small‐ and medium‐sized enterprise is presented, in which the managers are contemplating on implementing either computer integrated manufacturing systems (CIMS) or LMS. To supplement the decision‐making process, a multi‐criteria decision making (MCDM) model, namely, the preference ranking organisation method for enrichment evaluations (PROMETHEE) is used to analyse how it will impact the stakeholders of the organisation, and the benefits gained.FindingsAn extensive analysis of PROMETHEE model revealed that LMS was the best for the given circumstances of the case.Research limitations/implicationsThe same problem can be extended by incorporating the constraints (such as financial, technical, social) of the organisation by utilising an extended version of PROMETHEE called the PROMETHEE V. Since, a single case study approach has been utilised, the findings cannot be generalized for any other industry.Practical limitations/implicationsThe methodology of PROMETHEE and its algorithm has been demonstrated in a detailed way and it is believed that it will be useful for managers to apply such MCDM tools to supplement their decision‐making efforts.Originality/valueAccording to the authors’ knowledge there is no paper in the literature, which discusses the application of PROMETHEE in making a strategic decision of implementing LMS as a part of an organisation's manufacturing strategy.

scholarly journals Construction of capital procurement decision making model to optimize supplier selection using Fuzzy Delphi and AHP-DEMATEL

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 1528-1547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil Kumar ◽  
Amit Pal ◽  
Ashwani Vohra ◽  
Sachin Gupta ◽  
Suryakant Manchanda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Automobile Industry ◽  
Supplier Selection ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fuzzy Delphi ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Decision Making Model

Purpose Supplier selection for capital procurement is a major strategic decision for any automobile company. The decision determines the success of the company and must be taken systematically with the utmost transparency. The purpose of this paper is to construct capital procurement decision-making model to optimize supplier selection in the Indian automobile industry. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the stated objective, a combined approach of fuzzy theory and AHP-DEMATEL is applied. Evaluation parameters are identified through an extensive literature review and criteria validation has been introduced through a Fuzzy Delphi method by using fuzzy linguistic scales to handle the vagueness of information. AHP is employed to find the priority weight of criteria, although an inter-relationship map among criteria is not possible through AHP alone since it considers all criteria as independent. To overcome this, DEMATEL is used to establish cause-effect relationships among criteria. Findings The results show that the total cost of ownership (TOC) is the first weighted criterion in supplier selection for capital procurement, followed by manufacturing flexibility and maintainability, then conformity with requirement. The cause-effect model shows that supplier profile, TOC, service support and conformity with requirement are in the cause group and are considered to be the most critical factors in selecting the supplier. Originality/value The study’s outcome can help the automobile industry to optimize their selection process in selecting their suppliers for capital procurement; the proposed model can provide guidelines and direction in this regard.

scholarly journals Women on corporate boards and allocation of capital raised through IPOs

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bazeet Olayemi Badru ◽  
Nurwati A. Ahmad-Zaluki ◽  
Wan Nordin Wan-Hussin
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Capital Allocation ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Corporate Boards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investment Opportunities ◽  
Women On Corporate Boards ◽  
The Impact ◽  
A Company

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the differences in men and women, such as risk aversion in decision making, can influence the amount of capital that the board of directors can allocate for investment opportunities. Design/methodology/approach This study sampled 212 IPOs over the period of 2005–2015 and employed the OLS and the quantile regression techniques to examine the impact of female directors on capital allocation. Findings The results show that women on corporate boards have a positive influence on the amount of capital an IPO company can allocate for investment opportunities. These findings suggest that the investment strategies of women in an emerging financial market, like Malaysia, may differ from women in other financial markets. Practical implications The presence of women on corporate boards plays an important role in board involvement in a company’s strategic decision at the time of the IPO. Therefore, regulators and IPO issuers should pay close attention to the corporate governance structure of a company at the time of an IPO. In addition, investors and other stakeholders of a company may consider women on corporate boards as an important factor in financing and investment decisions. Originality/value Despite several studies that have examined the influence of women on corporate boards on corporate outcomes, globally, the presence of women on corporate boards and their influence on corporate decision-making related to allocation of capital to investment opportunities, have not been fully explored in the IPO literature.

Towards a BIM-based approach for improving maintenance performance in IBS building projects

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zul-Atfi Bin Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Maintenance Management ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Modelling ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Conventional Methods

PurposeThe contemporary practice of conventional maintenance for industrialised building system (IBS) constructions suffers from poor service delivery and defect repetition. A key problem impeding the widespread adoption of emerging technologies is the lack of competent contractors to support the effectiveness of the technology implemented in conventional methods and to ensure returns on investment. The shortcomings of conventional methods are assessed from the perspective of IBS buildings. This paper aims to identify the different system approach using Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology that is equipped with decision making processes.Design/methodology/approachThis paper describes the establishment of key problem areas, the elements involved in implementing good practice and the requirements for integrating maintenance management processes and information databases in the maintenance management system.FindingsConventional methods have little emphasis on defect diagnosis tools. They also enhance inadequate strategic decision-making in the analysis of information when attempting to improve the maintenance project outcomes for IBS construction. The characteristics identified in a case study of IBS buildings are presented and analysed.Originality/valueThe conclusions and recommendations drawn from the analysis of the IBS case study are discussed, synthesised and deliberated upon. The approach presented in this paper integrates various aspects of building information modelling technology to facilitate improved execution of IBS maintenance activities.

Implementing asset data management in power companies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizaveta Gavrikova ◽  
Irina Volkova ◽  
Yegor Burda
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Data Management ◽  
Electric Power ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operational Level ◽  
Asset Data

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to design a framework for asset data management in power companies. The authors consider asset data management from a strategic perspective, linking operational-level data with corporate strategy and taking into account the organizational context and stakeholder expectations.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a multiple case study based on a literature review and three series of in-depth interviews with experts from three Russian electric power companies.FindingsThe main challenge in asset data management for electric power companies is the increasing amount and complexity of asset data, which is frequently incomplete or inaccurately collected, hard to translate to managerial language, focused primarily on the operational level. Such fragmented approach negatively affects strategic decision-making. The proposed framework introduces a holistic approach, provides context and accountability for decision-making and attributes data flows, roles and responsibilities to different management levels.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of our study lie in the exploratory nature of case study research and limited generalization of the observed cases. However, the authors used multiple sources of evidence to ensure validity and generalization of the results. This article is a first step toward further understanding of the issues of transformation in power companies and other asset intensive businesses.Originality/valueThe novelty of the framework lies in the scope, focus and detailed treatment of asset data management in electric power companies.

Impact assessment of contemporary international and national accounting standards adoption: evidence from Greek hotels

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Iason Koufodontis ◽  
Stella Zounta ◽  
Maria Papagiouvanni
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
International Accounting ◽  
Property Management ◽  
International Accounting Standards ◽  
Legal Form ◽  
Macroeconomic Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mandatory Adoption

PurposeThis paper aims to offer new insights on how the adoption of contemporary international accounting standards can affect the financial performance of a hotel. It provides significant input for strategic decision making in property management, especially in countries where hotels properties are given a choice between different accounting standards.Design/methodology/approachData was collected from 3-, 4- and 5- star hotels in Greece, through primary research with questionnaires, filled by hotel financial managers. Greece was selected because hotels can choose between national and international accounting standards; therefore, the research could focus on actual factors beyond mandatory adoption.FindingsMicroeconomic factors such as category or legal form of the hotel in combination with other factors can affect the perceived benefits of the selected accounting standards. Macroeconomic factors such as the overall tourism development of the destination also affect the perceived impact.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was targeted at hotel executives with knowledge and participation in decision making regarding accounting standards. This requirement limited the sample since all hotels do not have a financial manager position.Practical implicationsThe new knowledge can be utilized in property management as an element of hospitality strategic planning for improved assessment of anticipated effects resulting from the adoption of specific accounting standards.Originality/valueThe research fills a gap in existing knowledge by introducing elements not previously examined; additionally, it expands previous knowledge from other sectors to hospitality and tourism, while verifying or rejecting past findings.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document