Explaining the measurement and evaluation stasis

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard Nothhaft ◽  
Hanna Stensson
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Principal Agent Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Constructive Dialogue ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Measurement And Evaluation ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain the “evaluation deadlock” or “stasis” diagnosed by many authors. The explanation relies on a thought experiment. Design/methodology/approach The paper is conceptual and builds on a thought experiment inspired by qualitative research such as interviews with communication consultants in Sweden. It makes use of principal–agent theory and Akerlof’s theory of lemon markets. Findings A plausible explanation for the evaluation stasis requires consideration of practitioners’ self-interest as businesspeople. The deadlock is explained by an anomaly in practitioner populations and passive or active but covert resistance. If the long-time neglect of measurement and evaluation has led to expectation inflation and overpromising, even well-performing actors might shy away from rigorous measurement and evaluation practices in their own mandates, since they fear being measured against promotional, not realistic standards. At the same time, on the level of industry discourse, these practitioners would still advocate for measurement and evaluation in principle, so as to avoid the suspicion of underperformance. Research limitations/implications The paper suggests an explanation for further empirical investigation. It does not attempt to demonstrate anything else than that the suggestion is plausible and that it warrants further investigation. Practical implications The scientific community engaged in the measurement and evaluation debate appears puzzled by the discrepancy between practitioners’ words and actions. The authors hope that the paper contributes to a more realistic and thus more constructive dialogue between practitioners and academics in the measurement and evaluation debate. Originality/value Inspired by Alvesson and Spicer’s concept of functional stupidity, the paper argues that attempts to explain the evaluation stasis have been marked by circumspection and narrowness. At present, explanations for the evaluation stasis tend to focus on lack of knowledge or inadequate systems or frameworks. The paper offers a more comprehensive explanation.

Why didn’t it work out? The effects of attributions on the efficacy of recovery strategies

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 700-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor Iglesias ◽  
Concepción Varela-Neira ◽  
Rodolfo Vázquez-Casielles
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Service Failure ◽  
Service Recovery ◽  
Retail Banking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Customer Defection ◽  
Recovery Strategies ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of attributions on the efficacy of service recovery strategies in preventing customer defection following a service failure. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical investigation is carried out on the retail banking industry with a final sample of 448 real cases of customer retention or defection after a service failure. Findings – The results of the study not only highlight the relevance of intentionality as an additional factor in explaining customer defection, but also show the effects of some attributional dimensions (intentionality and controllability) on the efficacy of some recovery strategies (redress, apology and explanation) applied by companies to prevent post-complaint customer defection. Practical implications – The efficacy of the recovery strategies depends on the causal attributions that the customer makes about the service failure. Originality/value – This study analyzes not only the effects of traditional dimensions of attribution (stability and controllability), but also the additional effect that intentionality attributions may have on actual customer defection (not intentions). Moreover, it analyzes their effects on the effectiveness of recovery strategies in preventing customer defection. Most of these effects have never been empirically analyzed in the literature.

Assessing the dynamics of knowledge transfer between masters and apprentices

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-32
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Evolutionary Game ◽  
Optimum Form ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Training Path ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This research paper concentrates on the deployment of asymmetric evolutionary game theory to reveal how innovative organizations best effect knowledge sharing by aligning the incentivized desire of masters to share their expert knowledge with the self-interest of apprentices who are highly motivated to accept that knowledge on an accelerated training path. These insights improve the strategic capacity of human resources teams to add value to their organization by encouraging the optimum form of knowledge transfer between masters and apprentices. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Fast copper loss calculation in coil winding of motor by zooming method

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1626-1634
Author(s):  
Hirokatsu Katagiri ◽  
Semba Kazuki ◽  
Hiroyuki Sano ◽  
Takashi Yamada
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Computation Time ◽  
The Finite Element Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Speed Increase ◽  
Copper Loss ◽  
Loss Calculation ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Coil Winding ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose It takes long time for estimating a copper loss in the coil winding of the motor by using the finite element method (FEM). The purpose of this paper is to calculate fast the copper loss by zooming method. Design/methodology/approach The authors adopt the “zooming method” to FEM. The authors compare the accuracy and the calculation time with zooming method and normal FEM. Findings The zooming method contributes to speeding up and the high accuracy of calculation. In the results, the 43-fold speed increase is achieved in the calculation of synchronous motor compared to usual FEM. Practical implications The AC copper loss calculation of 3D motor analysis can be calculated in practical computation time. Originality/value The main advantage of employment of zooming method is significantly reduction of the computation time in the loss calculation of the coil winding.

scholarly journals Figuratively speaking: of metaphor, simile and metonymy in marketing thought

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 328-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Brown ◽  
Roel Wijland
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Marketing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Alternative Interpretation ◽  
Marketing Theory ◽  
Marketing Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Figures Of Speech ◽  
Reflective Essay ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Much has been written about metaphor in marketing. Much less has been written about simile and metonymy. It is widely assumed that they are types of metaphor. Some literary theorists see them as significantly different things. If this is the case, then there are implications for marketing theory and thought. Design/methodology/approach In keeping with literary tradition, this paper comprises a wide-ranging reflective essay, not a tightly focussed empirical investigation. A combination of literature review and conceptual contemplation, it challenges convention by “reading against the grain”. Findings The essay reveals that, far from being part of metaphor’s supporting cast, simile and metonymy are stars in themselves. With the aid of three concise cases-in-point – relationship marketing (RM), the consumer odyssey (CO) and Kotler’s generic concept (GC) – the authors present an alternative interpretation of their conceptual contribution and continuing importance. Practical implications Marketing management is replete with metaphorical speculation (positioning, warfare, myopia and more). The shortcomings of such figures of speech are rarely spelled out, much less foregrounded. By raising figurative consciousness, marketing practice is furthered. Originality/value As similes and metonymies are rarely spoken about in marketing scholarship, the study starts a much-needed conversation. It raises the issue of marketing’s figurative foundations and, in so doing, offers further scope for future debate.

Reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic's human challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Crisis Management ◽  
International Business ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Social Trends ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This viewpoint paper examines COVID-19's impact in international business attitudes and practices, namely: revisiting and intensifying power imbalances, shifts to greater national protectionism, and company crisis management strategies during the pandemic. Links between COVID-19, trade, poverty, and human rights are also considered. The authors report that COVID-19 has aggressively intensified pre-existing social trends like the concentration of wealth and power, and the dominance of large businesses and big tech. The devastation of economies in developing countries has revealed how dependent they are on trade with wealthier countries and multinational companies, who can sever their loyalty mercilessly out of self-interest. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Co-production in chronic care: exploitation and empowerment

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 724-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Essén ◽  
Sara Winterstorm Värlander ◽  
Karina T. Liljedal
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
Process Design ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Chronic Care ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
General Phenomenon ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Many scholars have urged firms to empower consumers to become co-producers, arguing that this empowerment leads to a win-win situation that benefits consumers and providers alike. However, critical voices have emphasised that co-production is a way to exploit rather than empower consumers and hence represents a win–lose idea that benefits providers only. Regrettably, these polarised positions remain disconnected and lack empirical investigation. The aim of the present study is to move the debate beyond this stalemate by integrating these perspectives using an empirical study to explore enabling and constraining implications of the attempts to “empower” consumers. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a qualitative empirical study of an internationally unique example of a long-term co-production process in rheumatology care. Data were collected using both focused interviews and observations. Findings The study indicates that both the optimistic and the critical perspectives of co-production are valid and the implications of “empowering” consumers are two-edged. Research Limitations/implications The study highlights the need to zoom in and analyse how empowering and disempowering mechanisms relate to specific aspects of particular co-production processes rather than to co-production as a general phenomenon. Practical Implications The empirical data illustrate the feasibility of employing patients in everyday healthcare production through simple means while raising numerous issues related to, for example, traditional healthcare roles and process design. Originality/value The present study of a unique, long-term co-production illustrates how both perspectives of co-production are valid.

An empirical investigation of the effect of advertising in shaping the relationship between sales and price of two entrepreneur brands in India

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-126
Author(s):  
Mehir Baidya ◽  
Kamal Ghose ◽  
Bipasha Maity
Keyword(s):  
Price Elasticity ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Price Point ◽  
Price Relationship ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to see the role of advertising in the middle of sales-price relationship of two entrepreneur brands in India. Design/methodology/approach – Quarterly data on sales (in units), advertising (net of inflation) and price (net of inflation) have been compiled for two entrepreneur brands over a period 2007-2012. First, elasticity of price is estimated by regressing sales on price. Next, the response of price elasticity to advertising is captured using a semi-logarithmic regression model. Findings – Results reveal that price and sales are inversely related and advertising influences price elasticity negatively. Practical implications – Findings suggest that entrepreneurs/managers should allocate more funds to advertising and at the same time should charge a higher price point in order to increase revenue. Originality/value – By showing a new way of how to measure the effectiveness of advertising beyond traditional ones (inform, persuade or remind) of two entrepreneur brands this research definitely adds some value in the literature of marketing.

scholarly journals The CEO-Chair relationship from a relational leadership perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 1135-1146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Koskinen ◽  
Lämsä Anna-Maija
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Practices ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Relational Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise how the chief executive officer (CEO) and chairperson of the board (Chair) construct their relationship through their leadership practices, and to analyse the meaning of these practices to the relationship. An empirical investigation from both partners’ viewpoint is conducted. Design/methodology/approach The data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 16 CEOs and 16 chairpersons from the same companies. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings Four types of leadership practices in the CEO-Chair relationship were conceptualised: emergent practices on company- and person-related issues, and scheduled practices on company- and person-related issues. For the effectiveness of the relationship, emergent practices on company-related issues seem to be most important. Research limitations/implications The basing of the analysis on interviewees’ descriptions rather than on the observation of leadership practices in action can be considered a limitation. Practical implications Knowledge of leadership practices in the CEO-Chair relationship and their meaning to the relationship can be utilised in leadership training. Originality/value This research contributes to the relational leadership literature by highlighting a specific leadership relationship, the CEO-Chair relationship, from both partners’ viewpoint. Additionally, the value of the study is that it shows that the CEO-Chair relationship is more multifaceted than traditionally assumed in prior literature.

Investor relations measurement: an industry survey

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew W. Ragas ◽  
Alexander V. Laskin ◽  
Matthew Brusch
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Share Price ◽  
Investor Relations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Assessment ◽  
Program Success ◽  
Measurement And Evaluation ◽  
Relationship Assessment ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Publicly-held companies collectively allocate tens of millions of dollars each year to investor relations, yet little research has been conducted into how investor relations officers (IROs) try to determine the effectiveness of this investment. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the above issues. Design/methodology/approach – This exploratory study is based on a survey (n=384) of IROs who are members of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI), the world's largest professional investor relations association. Findings – Respondents strongly rebuked using share price as a valid measure of investor relations performance. A factor analysis revealed that IROs use four factors to measure program success (listed in order of stated importance): first, international C-suite assessment; second, relationship assessment; third, outreach assessment; and fourth, external assessment. IROs at large-cap companies place significantly more importance on both C-suite assessment and relationship assessment than their peers at small-caps. Research limitations/implications – These results may not be generalizable to IROs who are non-NIRI members or investor relations consultants. Cross-cultural studies on this topic are needed. Practical implications – The evaluative factors that emerged in this study may be used by IROs to develop and refine their evaluation metrics relative to their peers. Originality/value – This is one of the first and largest studies to specifically examine program measurement and evaluation in the context of investor relations. These findings help set the stage for future work in this area.

Framework for characterizing the design of VMI systems

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 782-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikael Ståhl Elvander ◽  
Sami Sarpola ◽  
Stig‐Arne Mattsson
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
System Configurations ◽  
System Designs ◽  
Industrial Context ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Operation And Management

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to provide for the research community as well as for the practitioners measures that enable the evaluation, categorization and comparison of vendor managed inventory (VMI) systems.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, a framework is developed for characterizing the design of VMI systems based on a review of prior research and an empirical investigation of industry‐to‐industry VMI relationships in Sweden.FindingsThe proposed framework incorporates the main characteristics of VMI systems and serves as a tool for profiling VMI system designs and for facilitating the comparison and analysis of different VMI system configurations.Research limitations/implicationsThe Swedish industrial context in which the framework was tested should be taken into consideration when generalizing upon the findings.Practical implicationsVMI systems come in various shapes and setups, as a result of which the challenges related to their operation and management may differ significantly. This study addresses the issue by providing practitioners with a tool that helps them in the design and management of VMI systems.Originality/valueWhile categorizations and measures for the VMI systems exist in prior research, this study contributes by synthesizing the existing measures and testing them in empirical setting. The study contributes particularly to the research on VMI systems but also more broadly to the supply chain management research.

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