Robotizing shared service centres: key challenges and outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-178
Author(s):  
Alcidio Silva Figueiredo ◽  
Luisa Helena Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Service Workers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shared Service ◽  
Internal Mobility ◽  
New Research

PurposeThe introduction of robotic process automation (RPA) in shared service centres (SSCs) can hardly be overlooked. This article, therefore, draws on the institutional theory to widen the understanding of its implementation and outcomes regarding people management. Drawing on the lens of the institutional theory and the literature on SSCs and RPA, this study addresses the key challenges and outcomes of robotization.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a qualitative approach and a purposeful sampling design that collected data from six major SSCs) introducing robotization. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with service representatives, including RPA project managers. A thematic content analysis was used.FindingsThe introduction of robotics follows mechanisms of coercive, normative and mimetic isomorphism and is effectively replacing workers. So far, this process has been managed through a few reactive people management practices, such as earlier retirements, internal mobility and outsourcing reduction, which warns of future tensions. The findings also show the emergence of new jobs, such as robot developers and robot managers.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the limited empirical body of research in RPA in SSCs. The study is novel as it is one of the first offering an implementation roadmap for other SSCs and illustrates the positive impact on processes redesign. It also provides empirical evidence on the debate about the potential for service workers' replacement versus tasks augmentation. In the longer term, this study opens new research avenues related to the tensions and contradictions from the progressive institutionalization of robotization in service organizations.

Understanding the interplay between support agencies and small and medium-sized enterprises in a conflict environment from an institutional theory perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nisar Khattak ◽  
Noor Muhammad ◽  
David Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Support Providers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Mechanism ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study determines the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their support providers during three phases: pre-conflict environment, during conflict environment, and the post-conflict (uncertain) environment with the reference to institutional theory in the northwest region of Pakistan where there is ongoing unrest between the authorities and the insurgents.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative approach, a total of 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted, 19 with the owner-managers of small manufacturing firms and 4 from small business support providers in the region.FindingsThe authors theorise the changing role of support agencies as differing institutional gaps, while conflict is destructive for SMEs and support agencies; paradoxically the crisis results in stronger relationships between the support providers and SMEs which was weaker in the pre-conflict environment. Such stronger relationship enhanced the cognitive pillar of institutional theory where entrepreneurship is supported by various groups including government agencies and SMEs to alleviate unemployment in the region which is one of the potential reasons of terrorism in the country.Practical implicationsThe study may have value for policymakers who need to know more about how small businesses and support providers develop a support network in difficult regions and give a comprehensive framework to other conflictual regions who face similar circumstances.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the previous literature in several ways. First, the study reveals the impact of conflict environment on small businesses and support providers where a little research has been undertaken. Second, the study shows the support mechanism in three different intervals pre-conflict, during the conflict and post-conflict and how the Talibanization in the region has a positive impact by strengthening the support structure among small businesses and support providers. Finally, the study contributes to the growing body of literature on entrepreneurship in conflict environments.

scholarly journals Improving Equine Welfare through Human Habit Formation

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2156
Author(s):  
Jo White ◽  
Ruth Sims
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Habit Formation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Mutual Benefit ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Behavioural Research ◽  
Equine Welfare ◽  
Lasting Change

This paper explores the potential for interventions to develop pro-animal welfare habitual behaviours (PAWHBs) in people to improve the lives of animals. Human behavioural research indicates that opportunities exist to deliver lasting change through developing positive habitual behaviours. The routine nature of many equine care and management practices lends itself to habit formation and maintenance. This proof-of-concept paper aims to evaluate a theory-based intervention of developing and maintaining a PAWHB in people caring for equines. Qualitative research methods were used. A 30 day PAWHB intervention (PAWHBInt) of providing enrichment to an equine by scratching them in a consistent context linked to an existing routine behaviour was undertaken. Participants (n = 9) then engaged in semi-structured interviews that were analysed using thematic analysis, where the participants self-reported the outcomes they observed during the intervention. The study findings suggest that the PAWHBInt had a positive impact on human behaviour and habit formation. The research helps to address the dearth of evidence regarding the application of habit theory to equine welfare interventions and emphasised linking a desired new behaviour to an existing routine behaviour when developing PAWHBs. The research also highlights the role of mutual benefit for human and equine, and emotion in providing feedback and potential reward, supporting the link to the cue-routine-reward principle of habit theory.

Recovery colleges: long-term impact and mechanisms of change

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Thompson ◽  
Laura Simonds ◽  
Sylvie Barr ◽  
Sara Meddings
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
College Attendance ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Educational Paradigm ◽  
Long Term Impact

Purpose Recovery Colleges are an innovative approach which adopt an educational paradigm and use clinician and lived experience to support students with their personal recovery. They demonstrate recovery-orientated practice and their transformative role has been evidenced within mental health services. The purpose of this study is to explore how past students understand the influence of the Recovery College on their on-going recovery journey. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory, qualitative design was used and semi-structured interviews took place with 15 participants. Data was analysed using the “framework method” and inductive processes. Findings All participants discussed gains made following Recovery College attendance that were sustained at one year follow-up. Three themes emerged from the data: Ethos of recovery and equality; Springboard to opportunities; and Intrapersonal changes. Originality/value This research explores students’ experiences a year after attendance. This contrasts to most research which is completed immediately post course. This study contributes to the emergent evidence base highlighting the longitudinal positive impact of Recovery Colleges. This study is of value to those interested in recovery-oriented models within mental health. Recovery Colleges are gaining traction nationally and internationally and this research highlights processes underlying this intervention which is of importance to those developing new Recovery Colleges.

Accountability in the financial management practices of school principals

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agrippa Madoda Dwangu ◽  
Vimbi Petrus Mahlangu
Keyword(s):  
Financial Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
School Principals ◽  
School Principal ◽  
Department Of Education ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Status

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms employed in financial management practices of school principals in the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Education. The strengths and weaknesses of the systems and mechanisms of the processes to hold school principals accountable are explored in detail in this study. The argument that this article seeks to advance is that accountability of the school principal to the school governing body (SGB) does not yield the best results in terms of efficiency. It creates a loose arrangement in terms of which the school principal takes part in financial mismanagement in schools.Design/methodology/approachData collection was made through semi-structured interviews whose purpose was to draw experiences from SGBs, particularly the finance committees who are in fact the sub-committees of the SGBs; as well as literature review. The finance committee is made up of the chairperson of the SGB, the secretary of the SGB, the treasurer of the SGB, and the financial officer who is a clerk responsible for the keeping and the management of financial records of the school. The process started with semi-structured interviews, then transcribing, coding, developing themes, making meaning of the themes and subsequently developing a principle.FindingsMechanisms employed by schools and the Department of Education to hold principals accountable for their financial management practices fail to make them fully accountable and effectively face the consequences of acts on their part that are illegal and unlawful. The mechanisms need a great deal of overhauling. The argument that this article seeks to advance is that this account of the school principal to the SGB does not yield the best results in terms of efficiency. It creates a loose arrangement in terms of which the school principal easily gets away with a crime when financial mismanagement occurs in the school.Research limitations/implicationsParticipants could possibly not be comfortable and willing, to tell the truth as it is. Participants might have the fear that telling the truth could land them in trouble with the law. Whilst participants were assured by the researchers of their anonymity and the confidentiality of the information given by them, there was no guarantee that the fear of being exposed would subdue completely. There was also a possibility that some participants would not be willing to say the truth as it is for fear of being victimised by other participants for exposing the status quo in their schools.Practical implicationsThe findings and recommendations from this study may be used by the Department of Basic Education as a source of information for policymakers and stakeholders to understand the effectiveness of their mechanisms to ensure the accountability of school principals on issues of financial management. On the basis of this study, policymakers will then be able to revisit their policies for the purpose of strengthening them. The principal is therefore responsible for the day-to-day administration and management of school funds because of this mandatory delegation. However, when things go wrong, it is the SGB that is held liable.Social implicationsSchool principals hold dual accountability in terms of which they are accountable to the employer only in so far as their professional responsibilities are concerned on financial management in the first instance. They are by no means accounting officers in schools. In the second instance, they are fully accountable to the SGB for issues relating to financial management. Section 16A of SASA lists the functions and responsibilities for which the principal as an employee of the Department of Basic Education, and in his official capacity as contemplated in Sections 23(1) and 24(1) (j) of the same Act, is accountable to the head of department (HOD).Originality/valueThe study provides a theoretical and empirical contribution to the existing literature on the effectiveness of the mechanisms employed to ensure the accountability of school principals in their financial management practices in schools. It offers practical recommendations putting in place mechanisms that effectively hold school principals wholly accountable for their financial management practices in schools. Most of the time, it is easy for the principal to get away with a crime even in instances where he or she is called upon to account for alleged financial mismanagement.

scholarly journals The soft side of environmentally-sustainable organizations

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 622-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charbel Jose Chiapetta Jabbour ◽  
Douglas William Scott Renwick
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Ecological Objectives ◽  
Human Side ◽  
Green Human Resource Management ◽  
New Research ◽  
Sustainable Organizations

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to present a discussion on the “soft and human” side of building environmentally sustainable organizations, a flourishing management subfield called “green human resource management” (GHRM), which concerns alignment of people and environmental management objectives of organizations. Design/methodology/approach The authors reviewed some of the most relevant research results in GHRM. Findings In this paper, the authors define GHRM, its workplace-based practices and some recent developments’ evidence on the positive impact of it on firms’ ecological objectives. The authors conclude by detailing a new research agenda in GHRM. Originality/value The authors conclude by detailing a new and contemporary research agenda in GHRM.

The hidden side of sub-supplier firms' sustainability – an empirical analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 1771-1799
Author(s):  
Shobod Deba Nath ◽  
Gabriel Eweje ◽  
Aymen Sajjad
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Supply Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Second Tier ◽  
Institutional Types ◽  
Institutional Actors ◽  
Normative Logic

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how sub-suppliers decouple the implementation of sustainable supply management practices in supply chains, and what institutional logics permit these suppliers to do so.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a qualitative design, we conducted 23 in-depth semi-structured interviews with owners and managers of apparel sub-suppliers. To corroborate research findings, the views of owners and managers were triangulated by further interviewing 18 key representatives of wide-ranging institutional actors.FindingsThe findings suggest that owners and managers of sub-suppliers use two decoupling responses: (1) consensual strategy to compromise sustainability requirements (2) concealment strategy. In addition, this paper identifies multiple institutional types of conflicting logics: instrumental logic, legitimacy logic complexity and gaps in normative logic, which interplay amongst sub-suppliers whereby permit to decouple the implementation of supply management practices.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the current paper provides an early contribution from the perspectives of second-tier and third-tier suppliers, future research could be extended to include further upstream sub-suppliers and downstream tiers including the end consumers.Practical implicationsIt is important for brand-owning retailers and first-tier suppliers to predict sub-suppliers' decoupling behaviour and conflicts for supply management practices implementation since they may present potential vulnerability for buyers and lead suppliers.Originality/valueThis study extends the application of institutional theory and contributes to the literature on extended suppliers' supply management practices in a developing country context, which is an under-researched area.

Knowledge management practices and systems in county governments in developing countries

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Rumo Arongo Ndiege ◽  
Patrick Kanyi Wamuyu
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Economic Resource ◽  
County Governments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Management Practices

Purpose While several studies have indicated the critical role played by the ability of countries to exploit knowledge as an economic resource, it would appear that there have been very few studies conducted on understanding the practices adopted by governments in relation to exploring knowledge, particularly in Africa. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevailing knowledge management practices and technological solutions used by governments to support knowledge management. Design/methodology/approach To address the research objective of this study, semi-structured interviews and document analysis were used. The interviews were conducted with both senior and junior county officials from five counties in Kenya, with a total of 31 county officials participating. Further, various county documents were analysed both to seek convergence and corroborate the interview findings. Findings The study findings revealed that no systematic knowledge management practices existed in the county governments in Kenya, which were investigated. On the few occasions that the study did find evidence of knowledge management practices, these practices were isolated, informal, uncoordinated and rarely documented and/or communicated. Furthermore, the study found that there were inadequate policy frameworks in place to support knowledge management practices. The study also revealed a scarcity of relevant technological solutions tailored to support knowledge management practices. Research limitations/implications It was, thus, hoped that this research would promote an understanding of the prevailing local circumstances that hinder the effective utilisation of knowledge management practices and systems. The study recommends that county governments develop the capabilities required for creating and sustaining an enabling knowledge management environment through frameworks and policies that foster knowledge management practices and systems. The findings have practical implications for the way in which county governments in Kenya and other developing countries may improve their knowledge management practices and adopt appropriate technological solutions to support such practices. Originality/value Much of the existing literature on knowledge management is focussed on exploring such practices in large businesses. Studies centred specifically on the analysis of knowledge management practices in county governments in Africa, and how technological solutions may be used to build such practices are conspicuously lacking in the relevant literature.

Institutional pressures and the extent of cross-channel integration: the moderating effect of enterprise's capabilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-133
Author(s):  
Guangling Zhang ◽  
Chenchen Liu ◽  
Hui Wang
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Institutional Pressures ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology Competence ◽  
Manufacturing Enterprises ◽  
Channel Integration ◽  
Empirical Perspective ◽  
The Impact

PurposeCurrently, the issues of cross-channel integration (CCI) have become the attentive focus. However, little research based on institutional theory details the drivers of and obstacles to adopt CCI strategy. Combined with resource-based view (RBV) and institutional theory, this thesis studies the effect of institutional pressures on the manufactures' extent of CCI, through exploring the moderating effects of firm's technology competence and relationship governance capabilities on the relationship between institutional pressures and the extent of CCI.Design/methodology/approachThe survey data of 249 valid research samples were obtained from Chinese manufacturing enterprises. Statistical software such as SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 18.0 was used to analyze the data and test the conceptual model and relevant research hypotheses from an empirical perspective.FindingsThe results of empirical study from 249 manufacturers indicate that the mimetic, coercive and normative pressures perceived by enterprises can significantly promote their extent of CCI; relationship governance capabilities attenuate the positive impact of mimetic pressures on the extent of CCI, but strengthen that of normative pressures on the extent of CCI; besides, technology competence can attenuate the positive effect of mimetic pressures on the extent of CCI, but enhance that of normative pressures on the extent of CCI.Originality/valueFew studied the impact of the interaction of internal capabilities and external institutional pressures on CCI of enterprises. This study combines institutional theory and resource-based view to fill the theoretical gap in this regard.

A three-dimensional framework for multi-tier sustainable supply chain management

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 560-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp C. Sauer ◽  
Stefan Seuring
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Demand Uncertainty ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Purpose This study aims to investigate the under-researched role of the sub-supplier’s direct environment in achieving compliance with multi-tier sustainable supply chain management (MT-SSCM) objectives. Design/methodology/approach Building on conceptual research, this study aims to generalize the characteristics of multi-tier supply chains in light of institutional theory and supply chain (SC) uncertainty to enhance the understanding of their complex interrelationship. Findings A three-dimensional framework is built around the supply and demand uncertainty as well as the pressures for sustainability exerted by the supplier’s direct environment to propose ideal constellations for the application of MT-SSCM. Moreover, research directions and implications for the alteration of suboptimal constellations are developed. Practical implications Incorporating the supplier’s environment in the choice of MT-SSCM practices couples the sustainability priorities of the focal firm and the supplier. This enables a more complete picture of the sustainability objectives and sustainable development aims of the SC partners. Originality/value On the basis of institutional theory, the study extends current MT-SSCM concepts by including the supplier’s direct environment in the choice of ideal management practices in a particular SC setup. It provides a definition of a multi-tier SC as an institutional field and a number of research implications regarding MT-SSCM as well as generic SSCM. Moreover, the proposed framework helps SC managers to understand the complex interplay of the SC partners’ sustainability aims and provides implications for choosing the most suitable MT-SSCM practices.

Internationalization challenges for SMEs: evidence and theoretical extension

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashna Ashwini Chandra ◽  
Justin Paul ◽  
Meena Chavan
Keyword(s):  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Performance ◽  
Purposeful Sampling ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
New Research ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The paper aims to examine new research on the internationalization of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pacific Island Nation country Fiji. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case qualitative method was used which adopted a purposeful sampling methodology through semi-structured interviews to test propositions and present preliminary findings. Findings The authors find that, SME internationalization in Fiji is driven by management competence (MC) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and is hindered by the unfavourable institutional environment. The authors then develop a conceptual model and propositions to further explore these enablers and the inhibitors of Fiji SME internationalization. The authors’ findings have important implications for managers in improving their firms’ international performance. Originality/value This is a pioneering effort to evaluate the relationship between the factors of EO, MC and institutional distance and their impact on the international performance of SMEs. This paper contributes to the existing literature on international entrepreneurship through the examination of SMEs’ internationalization activities in Fiji.

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