The need for requisite variety to support growth: an organizational life cycle perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-256
Author(s):  
Rocco Palumbo ◽  
Rosalba Manna
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Organizational Life ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Environmental Complexity ◽  
Organizational Life Cycle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Requisite Variety

PurposeDrawing on the “Giffoni Experience” case study, the purpose of this paper is to establish a conceptual link between requisite variety and organizational life cycle. The law of requisite variety states that – to be viable – a system should be able to achieve the minimum number of states which are required to deal with environmental uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive case study approach was taken, which allowed a holistic analysis of the subject being investigated. Multiple sources and different techniques were used to collect relevant data, including: document analysis, unstructured interviews with key informants, and participant observation.FindingsThe development of requisite variety is intended to fill the gap between organizational adaptability and increased environmental complexity. The process of requisite variety generation is influenced by the organizational life cycle stages, turning out to be reactive in the early phases of life and proactive in the maturity ones. Ultimately, the development of requisite variety makes the organization able to establish a co-evolving relationship with the environment, which paves the way for greater organizational adaptability and effectiveness.Research limitations/implicationsThe research findings are not generalizable; besides, the exploratory nature of this study did not allow to point out a consistent relationship between requisite variety and the organizational life cycle.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first attempts to examine requisite variety adopting the conceptual lenses of organizational life cycle. Empirical research works dealing with requisite variety are uncommon and generally overlooked by management scholars and practitioners.

scholarly journals SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND THE ORGANIZATIONAL LIFE CYCLE: CASE STUDY IN A PATRONAL UNION

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matias Trevisol ◽  
Fernando Fantoni Bencke ◽  
Luccas Santin Padilha ◽  
Darlan Jose Roman
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Situational Leadership ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Organizational Life ◽  
Organizational Life Cycle ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Company Union

Studies involving the topics of organizational life cycle and situational leadership institutions in the third sector, as a union, was little explored in the literature. Moreover, recent changes in the Brazilian legislation brought new challenges to these organizations. This study seeks to fill these gaps, to analyze the role of leadership and organizational life cycle in a company union, linking theories against the employers' association. The metaphor of the organizations life cycle allows the analysis of organizations at different stages and, consequently, the role of leadership in the development of courses. The research was qualitative, used methods of case study and oral history, and descriptive and exploratory. Data collection used documental analysis, non-participant observation and in-depth interviews with seven leaders who experienced the historical trajectory of the institution. Among the main contributions of this study, it stands out as a theoretical contribution, the association of situational leadership theories and the organizational life cycle in a union representation institution, still little explored in the literature. Among the practical contributions highlight the situational leadership as alternative for sustainability for organizational cyclic life of a union, which now depend on its resources and internal management capabilities for their survival.

Guided heritage walks as a tool for inclusive heritage education: case study of New Delhi

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekta Chauhan ◽  
Sanjana Anand
Keyword(s):  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Heritage Education

PurposeThis paper studies the role of heritage walks and tours in promoting inclusive education. It assesses if these walks are an effective method of exhibiting culture and facilitating inclusive heritage learning. The purpose of this paper is to attempt to establish that walks can play an imperative role in creating greater sensitivity towards heritage and conservation.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a case study approach using mixed methods. Participants for qualitative interviews were chosen using purposive sampling and six interview schedules were sent to walk leaders. Walk participant data were collected through participant observation and standardised survey with randomly selected participants of the case walks. Surveys were sent to participants electronically.FindingsHeritage walks play a crucial role in not only imparting knowledge about history and heritage but also as a tool for learning other crucial skills, competencies, values, attitudes, etc. This paper attempts to highlight that walks are an effective and inclusive way to shed light on the alternative and forgotten stories. As an educational tool these walks can not only encourage the development of historical knowledge and appreciation but also assist in the development of competency to “de-construct” mainstream “grand narratives”, questioning and learning about the forgotten.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper has limited itself to the study of select cases in New Delhi. Since the study has followed a case study design, it does not produce a largely generalizable result, but rather examines and understands the dynamics of particular walks and produces insights that may well be applicable in other contexts. Whilst this paper makes an attempt to understand the changes in perception and attitudes, it does not study behavioural changes.Social implicationsIn the long run, walks allow for meaningful citizen engagement with tangible heritage such as monuments as well as intangible heritage such as practices and festivals. This allows for appreciation for the value of heritage resources and leads to a demand for better conservation and preservation from the authorities. In a few cases, local citizens themselves lead heritage management and development activities in a bid to promote their local culture. This paper has shown that heritage walks can be helpful tools in giving “forgotten” voices and stories recognition in contemporary society.Originality/valueAs heritage walks have recently gained popularity, there has been very limited research in the field especially linking heritage walks to heritage education. This is especially true for India. Even a city like New Delhi, which boasts of a robust heritage and is one of the tourism hubs of the country, heritage walks have been a very recent phenomenon. This research aims to address this lacuna in academic research and contribute meaningfully to the field of heritage education and conservation by studying how heritage walks support and promote inclusive heritage education.

INSPIRE sustainability internships

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Susan Hayles
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Life Context ◽  
The University

Purpose This paper aims to explore the outputs of an internship programme, one of a number of campus-based sustainability activities that have been introduced at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, to encourage student-led campus-based greening initiatives. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach was undertaken, allowing the researcher to investigate the programme in its real-life context. The researcher used multiple sources of evidence to gain as holistic a picture as possible. Findings Interns report positive changes in their behaviours towards sustainability, s well as encouraging feedback on their experiential learning, the development of their soft skills and the creation of new knowledge. Moreover, students communicated perceived benefits for their future careers. The reported outcomes reflect mutually beneficial relationships for student and institution, for example, raising the profile of campus greening activities and supporting the University’s aim to embed sustainability throughout its campus, community and culture. Research limitations/implications The researcher recognises the limitations of the research, in particular, the small sample size, which has resulted primarily in qualitative results being presented. Practical implications Feedback from previous interns will be used to shape future internships. In particular, Institute of Sustainable Practice, Innovation and Resource Effectiveness (INSPIRE) will look for opportunities to work more closely with University operations, departments, faculties and alongside University staff, both academic and support staff. Social implications Following student feedback, INSPIRE will give students opportunities for wider involvement, including an opportunity to propose their own projects to shape future internships that meet the needs of student body on campus. Originality/value Despite being one case study from one institution, the research highlights the value of such programmes for other institutions.

Altice: creating a complex and constantly evolving empire

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 545-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Whalley ◽  
Peter Curwen
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Networks ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Holding Companies ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
The Usa

Purpose This paper aims to shed light on the development of Altice, a French-based but multinational operator of cable and mobile networks. Design/methodology/approach A detailed longitudinal case study approach is adopted covering the period 2002 to 2018 (inclusive). Data are drawn from multiple sources, including the annual reports of Altice, its filings with the Securities & Exchange Commission, the prospectuses of Altice S.A. and Altice USA and the trade press. Findings The paper demonstrates how, until recently, Altice’s presence in France was relatively limited. This changed, however, with the acquisition of Numericable and SFR. These purchases, along with those of Suddenlink and Cablevision in the USA, were funded by a substantial increase in Altice’s debt burden. To address the negative consequences of this burden, Altice has retrenched through selling or planning to sell some of its operations and spinning-off Altice USA to its existing shareholders. Research limitations/implications The paper highlights the complexity of multinational telecommunication companies. The challenges of developing a longitudinal case study of a company that operates in multiple countries through cascading holding companies is also illustrated by the paper. Practical implications There is a need for more data to be available in the public domain. This will, amongst other things, facilitate the analysis of companies like Altice that operate internationally and bundle products together to enhance their competitiveness. Originality/value This paper charts the growth of Altice, highlighting the role played by frequent merger and acquisition activity and debt in shaping its development and strategy.

Agency as the achievement of reform ownership

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-262
Author(s):  
Lauren Godfrey ◽  
Carol Booth Olson
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Teacher Expertise ◽  
Teacher Professionalism ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Advance Student ◽  
Current Reform

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore how, through the cultivation of reform ownership in the professional development (PD) program, the Pathway Project, agency was achieved for the development of teacher professionalism and teacher expertise in the cases of Mrs. Cruz and Mrs. Keyes. This, in turn, provided opportunities to advance student learning. Design/methodology/approach Multiple sources of data (focused classroom observations, semi-structured interviews and collected artifacts) were analyzed through a case study approach to understand the processes by which an agentic context materialized for these two teachers. Findings The authors identified the following three stages in the cultivation of reform ownership in the cases of Mrs. Cruz and Mrs. Keyes: emerging; developing; and deepening. Each of these stages proved critical to the achievement of agency for the development of teacher professionalism, teacher expertise and student learning. Originality/value The cases of Mrs. Cruz and Mrs. Keyes offer a renewed vision of the ways in which teachers can achieve agency in the current reform environment. Given the proliferation of reform efforts within today’s educational landscape, their cases suggest that PD developers take seriously the responsibility of cultivating reform ownership for the achievement of agency and deep and lasting change.

Aztec Fluids & Machinery: issues in managing growth in India

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Satish K. Nair
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Firm Growth ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Channel Structure ◽  
List Type ◽  
Organizational Life ◽  
Organizational Life Cycle ◽  
Content Type

Subject area strategic alliances/collaborative strategies; defending against global competitors; related diversification; entrepreneurship-organizational life cycle; and evaluating strategies for firm growth. Study level/applicability MBA/PGP level programmes in management and/or entrepreneurship. Case overview Aztec Fluids & Machinery, set up just over four years ago in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India, caters to the printer hardware, spares and consumables needs of the digital ink jet printing market. The company has identified vendors principally from the UK and China for its printers and consumable sourcing and presently markets these using a hybrid channel structure of direct selling and through 12 distributors in ten cities of India. A recent development of note is the successful transformation of a flexible roll printer into a flat-bed type one by the co-founder. The experiment assumes significance since the cost of a conventional flat-bed screen printer is almost five times that of the improvised printer. The huge, fragmented, price-sensitive, yet quality-conscious market in India offers immense potential for this innovation. At the same time, Aztec's recent interactions with a couple of its UK-based vendors present other alternatives for growth. Expected learning outcomes To explore organizational life cycle: the introduction and early growth phases. To understand alliance dynamics for early-stage entrepreneurs –rationale, management and the manifestation of trust between different types of partners: suppliers and customers. To understand how small firms prepare for and evaluate the challenges of growth. Supplementary materials Teaching note.

Influence of organizational life cycle on performance management design in the software industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salete Verginia Fontana Baiochi ◽  
Guilherme Corredato Guerino ◽  
Gislaine Camila Lapasini Leal ◽  
Renato Balancieri ◽  
Syntia Lemos Cotrim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Software Development ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Maturity Model ◽  
Organizational Life ◽  
Organizational Life Cycle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Capability Maturity

PurposeThis work investigates the influence of the organizational life cycle (OLC) on the performance management system (PMS) design and the performance of projects in Brazilian industries of software development.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed descriptive statistics and structural equations modeling on the data and information obtained from 115 Brazilian industries of software development with maturity in project management. Data collection was carried out through a survey applied to managers of the organizations mapped and certified by management maturity models Brazilian software process improvement (MPS-BR) or capability maturity model integration (CMMI).FindingsResults revealed that OLC influences the PMS design dimensions (scope, aggregation and opportunity) and project performance. Regarding effects observed on the performance of projects, only the scope dimension's influence was validated by the analyses, and the other dimensions were not significant considering the investigated sample.Originality/valueThe paper shows evidence of how OLC can influence PMS design and project performance. The analyses can help managers to improve their actions in the PMS design, increasing confidence and generating more robust and sustainable results in the business model.

Emergence and development of low-tech clusters: an empirical study of five Palestinian clusters

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-149
Author(s):  
Suhail Sultan ◽  
Meine Pieter van Dijk ◽  
Omar Omran
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
The Government ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
Depth Interviews

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the nature of challenges facing five low-tech Palestinian small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) clusters and to understand their dynamics. The study proposes a number of key policies necessary to foster start-ups and the growth of the current clusters.Design/methodology/approachFive low-tech Palestinian clusters were selected for investigation. Using multiple sources of evidence, the research questions are answered using a case study approach. Twelve semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with representatives from the government, private sector and universities. Content analysis was used to analyze the data obtained from the interviews.FindingsThese five low-tech clusters in Palestine are located in a complex environment that imposes a mix of challenges which adversely affect their performance. The challenges facing Palestinian clusters are different in terms of their degree of complexity. The common challenges facing the Palestinian low-tech SME clusters are the fundamental lack of innovative stimulation policies or of incentives in the Palestinian ecosystem, lack of trust, unfair competition, limited access to finance, lack of access to promising markets and the limited collaboration between different parties. More focused policies are suggested to the Palestinian authorities.Practical implicationsClusters represent a new and complementary way of understanding an economy, organizing economic development, enhancing competitiveness and innovation through sectoral specialization and cooperation and implementing public policies. In the overwhelming majority of Palestinian entities categorized as SMEs, clustering adds value to the firms from the point of view of productivity and by battling unemployment, which is rampant among Palestinian youth.Originality/valueEven though the issue of clusters in SMEs has been well researched in developed countries, empirical studies are still lacking in this developing region. The attention given to policies in this article allows using the insights gained for cluster development in Palestine.

Understanding Organizational Development With a Continuum of Care Model

2021 ◽  
pp. 209-218
Author(s):  
Jaimie Jo Wai Chan ◽  
Maria Chu ◽  
Kwong Yuen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Organizational Development ◽  
Continuum Of Care ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Organizational Life ◽  
Care Model ◽  
Organizational Life Cycle ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Non Profit Organizations

Most non-profit organizations move through a life cycle consisting distinct stages that define the change of organizational activities and processes. Although these stages are well defined in the literature, the manner in which non-profit organizations transition through the life cycle vary greatly. This article will present a case study of the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, a non-profit senior care organization from Toronto, Canada, to illustrate its development throughout the non-profit organizational life cycle. The Yee Hong Centre's adoption of a continuum of care model will be of particular focus as one of the primary drivers of the organization's development. This article will also discuss the challenges that the Yee Hong Centre continues to face in maintaining its current level of success and provide a conceptual examination of how the continuum of care model can be applied to contribute to the organization's sustainability.

scholarly journals Exploring strategic agency in sustainability-oriented entrepreneur legitimation

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orlagh Reynolds ◽  
Maura Sheehan ◽  
Rachel Hilliard
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Strategic Value ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to look at the role played by three archetypal constructs pertaining to the individual sustainability-oriented entrepreneur, namely prior knowledge, sustainability orientation and sustainability intention, in legitimation behavior and explores their strategic utility. Design/methodology/approach The author studies legitimacy-seeking behavior in the case of ten sustainability-oriented entrepreneurs. A qualitative case study approach is used, capturing evidence of legitimation behavior in the startup phase through interviews, participant observation and documentation analysis. Findings Prior knowledge and sustainability orientation appear to offer little value beyond their role as necessary factors in maintaining legitimacy. Both appear to have limited strategic value for legitimation in comparison to sustainability intention. Intention as a construct embodies the “paradox” of sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship, and learning to successfully overcome this paradox to strategically utilize intention in legitimation is crucial for these entrepreneurs. Practical implications Knowledge of these factors could assist sustainability-oriented entrepreneurs in strategically utilizing these factors as agency when dealing with diverse stakeholder expectations to achieve their enterprising goals. Strengthening knowledge on factors important for legitimacy is pertinent in supporting this shared value approach to entrepreneurship. Originality/value Little theoretical or empirical attention has been paid to the complexity of strategic legitimation behavior of sustainability-oriented entrepreneurs. This paper provides novel empirical insight into what role these archetypal factors play in legitimation behavior and how they can be strategically utilized.

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