Resource idiosyncrasy, performance, and inter-firm small-world networks

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarle Aarstad

Purpose – Many networks take a small-world structure, with a high degree of clustering and shortcut ties that reduce the path-length between the clusters. It can be argued that small-world networks have benefits that are simultaneously related to network closures and the spanning of structural holes, but research on the network members’ performance is nonetheless inconclusive. The purpose of this paper is to argue that the concept of resource idiosyncrasy can explain the mixed findings. Firm idiosyncratic resources are not easily generalizable across enterprises. Design/methodology/approach – Industries may vary in terms of resource idiosyncrasy, and the paper elaborates how this can moderate shortcut ties’ effect on performance in an inter-firm network. Findings – If resource idiosyncrasy predominates in an industry, the paper proposes that inter-firm shortcut ties may increase performance, whereas shortcut ties may decrease performance if non-idiosyncratic resources predominate. Originality/value – Applying the concept of resource idiosyncrasy as a moderating variable, the paper aims to explain shortcut ties’ effect on performance in an inter-firm network. The theory advanced here can have practical implications and also motivate future empirical studies to gain further knowledge about small-world networks’ effect on performance.

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maninder Singh ◽  
P.S. James ◽  
Shirshendu Ganguli

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify future directions for human resource managers to provide work accommodations to chronically ill employees. Design/methodology/approach The authors researched empirical studies in management, occupational health journals, and reports on chronically ill employees. Findings The paper provides research-based practical insights for human resource practitioners to deal with the growing number of chronically ill employees. Practical implications The paper highlights solutions for human resource managers to create an inclusive workplace for employees with chronic illness. Originality/value The authors identified effective human resource and health practices for chronically ill employees, which would help to increase their productivity.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Rudyanto ◽  
Sidharta Utama ◽  
Dwi Martani ◽  
Desi Adhariani

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the roles of corruption and tax allocation inefficiency in moderating the effect of tax aggressiveness on sustainable welfare. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a fixed-effect multiple regression analysis for 55,438 firm-year observations covering 22 countries from 2007 to 2017. Findings For less (more) tax-aggressive observations, corruption and tax allocation inefficiency strengthen the negative (positive) effect of tax aggressiveness on sustainable welfare. The results are in line with public choice and functionalism theories that suggest that private investments can increase welfare when governments are dysfunctional. Practical implications This paper shows that the effect of tax aggressiveness on sustainable welfare depends on tax aggressiveness, corruption and tax allocation inefficiency. Social implications This paper implies that governments should reduce their corruption levels and increase tax allocation efficiency because private investments are ineffective in the long run. Originality/value Because of increasing awareness of sustainability issue, sustainable welfare is considered more relevant than traditional welfare. Hence, empirical studies on the effect of tax aggressiveness on sustainable welfare are crucial. This paper adds the literature by combining public choice and functionalism theories to investigate the moderating roles of corruption and tax allocation inefficiency in this issue.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Weidner ◽  
Frederik Beuk ◽  
Anjali Bal

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a theory of how corporations and brands can address the prevalence of fake news. A matrix is proposed to examine how the transparency of the motivation of the communicator disseminating fake news interacts with how well the content of the fake news coincides with a consumer’s previously held bias. Design/methodology/approach A dichotomy is presented examining the role of “Schemer’s Schema” transparency by confirmatory bias. Findings Consumers will react differently to fake news depending on their “schemer schema” and the source of the information, as well as the believability of the story based on already existing beliefs. Research implications/limitations This paper provides readers with a strategy to address the prevalence and reality of fake news. The purpose of this paper is theoretical in nature. While this manuscript lays the foundation for future empirical studies, said studies have not been conducted. Further, given the ever-changing nature of fake news dissemination this manuscript provides a picture at a specific time and place. Practical implications This manuscript provides insights for brand managers who are forced to address fake news. Originality/value This manuscript provides marketers with a strategy to better address fake news for organizations and brand.


2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 803-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goran Sladić ◽  
Igor Cverdelj-Fogaraši ◽  
Stevan Gostojić ◽  
Goran Savić ◽  
Milan Segedinac ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the benefits of an approach in which document management systems (DMSs) are based on a formal and explicit document model, primarily in terms of facilitating domain-specific customization. Design/methodology/approach Within this paper, a generic document model is proposed. The model consists of two layers. A general purpose layer, which represents common features of the documents, and a domain-specific layer, modeling properties particular to application domain. The general purpose layer is based on ISO 82045, providing high degree of interoperability with other systems developed with respect to this set of standard. Findings Splitting document model into the layers enables DMSs to be tailored for each particular domain of application, depending on the general purpose layer. The existence of domain-specific layer allows documents to be interpreted differently in different domains of application. Practical implications In order to enable customization of DMS for a particular domain, the implementation of domain-specific document layer is required. Also, the proposed model does not explicitly deal with document dynamics. Originality/value The proposed document ontology is general enough to provide the representation of documents not depending on a specific scope of application, yet flexible enough to enable extensions through which domain-specific document features can be expressed. The separation of document model enables development of core DMS offering services relying explicitly on the general purpose layer on one hand, as well as domain-specific customization of DMS on the other.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shyam Sunder

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the usefulness of statistical studies of financial reports and stock market data for improving corporate financial reports. Design/methodology/approach Analytical writing. Findings It is often claimed that statistical studies of co-variation between financial and stock market data can help set better financial reporting policy. Such co-variation, even when it can be estimated, tells us little about which financial reports help to make better financial decisions. A case in support of such claims remains to be made. Practical implications The readers are advised to be extremely careful in drawing inferences from studies of co-variation between accounting and stock market data for financial reporting policy. Social implications Inference from accounting empirical studies to policy needs better rationale to avoid bad policy consequences. Originality/value This paper raises original questions about policy inferences from a large class of empirical research in accounting.


2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 265-269
Author(s):  
Bob Little

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline an unusual – and online-based – approach to sales and negotiation training and coaching. Design/methodology/approach – Interviews with organisations involved, augmented with case studies. Findings – The “Learn, Implement, Support” method of developing sales and negotiating skills is effective. It combats, cost effectively, the criticism that 30 per cent of all learning is forgotten within 30 days of receiving training unless it is reinforced in a practical way. Practical implications – Organisations of all sizes – not just global multinationals – can now increase productivity and profitability from the online delivery of relevant learning materials, followed immediately by virtual coaching and support for a period of at least 12 months. Social implications – People can learn how to sell products and services more effectively and efficiently, via online-delivered learning and coaching, which contains a high degree of video. Originality/value – Organisations of all sizes – not just global multinationals – can now experience and benefit from the knowledge, skills and experience of a master-performer in the fields of sales and negotiation, thanks to the advent of a system of online learning delivery followed by virtual coaching.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
Steven Tam

Purpose This article reveals a managerial issue that multinational corporations (MNCs) in China are at a strategic crossroad where their employees are competing with the same sources of guanxi networks for different business deals simultaneously. Design/methodology/approach Triggered by a real company case in China and guided by a literature review on business guanxi, the author bridged them into a specific inquiry, as little was known and should be further examined. Findings The author identified a paradoxical/applied scenario in MNCs between the use of guanxi and overall firm performance damaged by overusing it. Research limitations/implications Empirical studies are deemed necessary to seek more understanding between the role of guanxi and MNCs in China. Practical implications Guanxi is not a straightforward guarantee of business achievements in China. Management should note the influence of its actors – own employees – who can potentially diminish the positive returns of guanxi on overall firm’s achievements because of non-obvious interplays among employees and “contacts” on the overlapping guanxi networks. The larger the organisation, the higher the risk is. Originality/value This article proposes a new line of thoughts for practitioners about the effect of business guanxi on overall firm performance and serves as a starting point for academics to explore empirical research. The concept of overlapping guanxi networks is institutionalised and discussed. A three-step rule is also suggested for MNCs as a basic solution.


Author(s):  
Adam Ng ◽  
Mansor Ibrahim ◽  
Abbas Mirakhor

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to set forth seven broad recommendations and 15 specific initiatives within a four-dimensional framework for the development of social capital in Islamic finance, particularly the stock market, given its role as the first best means of risk sharing. Design/methodology/approach – The four-dimensional framework comprises dimensions of principle and value, trust-reinforcing regulation, investment opportunity and infrastructure, as well as reputational intermediaries. Findings – A web of multi-pronged initiatives that are mutually reinforcing is proposed considering the multifaceted dimensions of social capital and the various possible transmission channels by which social capital can influence the financial system. Practical implications – While empirical studies have demonstrated the importance of trust and ethics in financial development, the pressing issue remains how social capital, including trust and ethics, can be developed to achieve a trustworthy, ethical and efficient financial system. This paper attempts to address this concern. Originality/value – This paper provides a framework for building social capital in Islamic finance.


Author(s):  
Virpi Tökkäri

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to synthetize qualitative research on play in the organizational context. Design/methodology/approach – Through a metasynthesis, the research premises and findings of 12 individual empirical studies were examined. Findings – The findings of the metasynthesis showed that the research on organizational play has focussed on three central themes addressing play as fun, pros and cons of organizational play, and management of play. In interpreting the findings, seven perspectives of organizational play are constructed as follows: authenticity, belongingness, experience, social activities, generating, functions, and artifacts. The perspectives are conceptualized into three dimensions of play as the orientation of being-in-the-world, play as meaning-making and enactment, and play as creations. Research limitations/implications – The sample consisted of 12 studies, which provided a limited insight into organizational play. However, following the guidelines of metasynthesis, the sample was appropriate and of good quality. The research suggests guidelines for further research into organizational play. Practical implications – Achieving psychosocial well-being at work and success in management requires understanding of essential personal and social processes, such as play. The findings provide knowledge that can be applied in management and other workplace practices. Originality/value – The study highlights the divergent perspectives of the organizationally important phenomenon of play. The paper contributes to a better understanding and the development of play in organizations.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Forslund ◽  
Stig-Arne Mattsson

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify, characterize and assess supplier flexibility measurement practices in the order-to-delivery process.Design/methodology/approachThe study involved a survey; participants were 224 purchasing managers at Swedish manufacturing companies that had more than 20 employees.FindingsScrutiny of the details of measurement practices revealed that most respondents actually do not specifically measure supplier flexibility. Instead they measure other measures like delivery reliability, conduct qualitative follow-ups, or cannot specify how supplier flexibility is measured. It was acknowledged that they measure different supplier flexibility aspects, and the applied measures were characterized, e.g. in terms of which flexibility dimension they represent.Research limitations/implicationsConceptual clarifications and adaptations to measuring supplier flexibility in the order-to-delivery process are provided. The identified measures can be a contribution in further developing literature on flexibility performance measurement.Practical implicationsPurchasing, logistics and supply chain managers in search of supplier flexibility performance measurement can find ways to measure and an extended flexibility vocabulary. This has the potential to improve flexibility in the supply chain.Originality/valueEven though flexibility is claimed as being an important competitive advantage, few empirical studies and operationalized measures exist, particularly in the order-to-delivery process.


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