Big data for business management in the retail industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 1980-1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Santoro ◽  
Fabio Fiano ◽  
Bernardo Bertoldi ◽  
Francesco Ciampi
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Business Management ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Retail Industry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Shed Light

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to shed light on how big data deployment transforms organizational practices, thereby generating potential benefits, in a specific industry: retail. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the paper’s goal, the authors have conducted several semi-structured interviews with marketing managers of four retailers in Italy, and researched secondary data to get a broader picture of big data deployment in the organizations. Findings Data analysis helped identify specific aspects related to big data deployment, data gathering methods, required competences and data sharing approaches. Originality/value Despite the growing interest in big data in various fields of research, there are still few empirical studies on big data deployment in organizations in the management field, and even fewer on specific sectors. This research provides evidence of specific areas of analysis concerning big data in the retail industry.

Big data and data analytics in auditing: in search of legitimacy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica De Santis ◽  
Giuseppe D’Onza
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Data Analytics ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Audit Strategy ◽  
Audit Standards

Purpose This study aims to analyze the utilization of big data and data analytics (BDA) in financial auditing, focusing on the process of producing legitimacy around these techniques, the factors fostering or hindering such process and the action auditors take to legitimate BDA inside and outside the audit community. Design/methodology/approach The analysis bases on semi-structured interviews with partners and senior managers of Italian audit companies. Findings The BDA’s legitimation process is more advanced in the audit professional environment than outside the audit community. The Big Four lead the BDA-driven audit innovation process and BDA is used to complement traditional audit procedures. Outside the audit community, the digital maturity of audit clients, the lack of audit standards and the audit oversight authority’s negative view prevent the full legitimation of BDA. Practical implications This research highlights factors influencing the utilization of BDA to enhance audit quality. The results can, thus, be used to enhance the audit strategy and to innovate audit practices by using BDA as a source of adequate audit evidence. Audit regulators and standards setters can also use the results to revise the current auditing standards and guidance. Originality/value This study adds to the literature on digital transformation in auditing by analyzing the legitimation process of a new audit technique. The paper answers the call for more empirical studies on the utilization of BDA in financial auditing by analyzing the application of such techniques in an unexplored operational setting in which auditees are mainly medium-sized enterprises and family-run businesses.

How Australian manufacturing firms perceive and understand the concepts of agility and flexibility in the supply chain

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajad Fayezi ◽  
Ambika Zutshi ◽  
Andrew O'Loughlin
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Sector Data

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address an important question which centres on investigating how do manufacturing businesses perceive and understand the concepts of agility and flexibility in their supply chains (SCs). Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach was utilised and data were gathered from semi-structured interviews with ten organisations in the Australian manufacturing sector. Data analysis was conducted using analytic techniques based on, for example, pattern matching and cross-case synthesis. Findings – Findings confirmed that there is some ambiguity concerning the understanding of the terms agile and flexible, both within and between organisations. The implications are that there is often little consistency in the way the terms are operationalised and then applied. In this regard, and to inform future research, the paper offers empirically grounded definitions for SC agility and flexibility. Moreover, four propositions are developed and discussed which shed light on the dynamics of agility and flexibility in the SC. Originality/value – This is one of the first empirical studies to address some of the apparent inconsistencies between organisational applications of agility and flexibility, and their impact on SC operations.

An Overview of Emerging Technologies in the Indian Retail Industry

2021 ◽  
pp. 247-256
Author(s):  
Nilesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Emerging Technologies ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Retail Industry ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Retail Shopping ◽  
The Internet Of Things

With the arrival of several new players, Indian retail has become one of the most dynamic and fast industries. With the advancement in technology, internet, engineering, many retailers are adopting and using the internet of things, big data technology, RFID, and other technical software and programs to enhance customer experience, customer engagement through which retailers are improving efficiency. In particular, many customer-oriented internet of things technologies, such as augmented reality, smart shopping carts, smart displays, and RFID tags, are expected to change the way customers experience retail shopping. For this study, the secondary data has been explored and studied. The purpose of this chapter is to study how emerging technologies like big data and IoT implementation are transforming organizational practices and thereby generating potential benefits in the retail industry.

The establishment of carbon trading market in People’s Republic of China

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Nai ◽  
Yuqing Luo ◽  
Guang Yang
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Carbon Market ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Carbon Trading ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trading Market ◽  
Sound Policy

Purpose This study aims to propose a set of institutional frameworks, as well as practical polices and steps, with a view to facilitating the establishment of a unified carbon trading market in China. Design/methodology/approach Based on existing empirical studies and reviews of the socioeconomic contexts, this study followed a qualitative approach consisting of secondary data collection and analysis, semi-structured interviews to collect primary data and comparative analysis. Findings The establishment of a national carbon trading market in China is a systemic and complex process which requires coordination among various concerned government agencies and supporting mechanisms. Currently, the development of a unified national carbon market has been impeded by the lack of coordination among local pilot programs, and there is no specific law passed by the People’s Congress or by its Standing Committee to regulate the emerging carbon trading market. It is of vital importance for China, in terms of both practical and strategic aspects, to take a gradualist approach in establishing laws and institutions to guide and support the development of its emerging carbon market. Research limitations/implications This present study forms a part of a regional research project aiming to identify sound policy approaches for the establishment of a carbon trading market in China. Due to scope reasons, it focuses only on policy analysis and recommendations. Originality/value China’s emerging national carbon trading market has attracted much research attention. However, little has been done from the perspectives of legislations and policies.

The evolution of stakeholder management practices in Australian mega construction projects

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 690-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Jing Yang ◽  
Sajani Jayasuriya ◽  
Chathuri Gunarathna ◽  
Mehrdad Arashpour ◽  
Xiaolong Xue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Stakeholder Analysis ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Project Teams ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Objectives

Purpose The complicated nature of megaprojects requires appropriate analysis of multiple stakeholders to achieve project objectives and to accommodate stakeholder interests. During the last two decades, many stakeholder theories and empirical studies have sprouted. Although previous studies have contributed to the development of stakeholder theory, it seems that these theoretical advances have not been fully adopted and acknowledged in practices, especially in megaprojects. The purpose of this paper is to explore the evolution of stakeholder analysis and engagement practices adopted in the Australian megaprojects over the last two decades. Design/methodology/approach Four mega construction projects are described and analysed in this study. Secondary data were first assembled in order to get general knowledge of each case. Interviews were conducted with the project directors. Project documents were collected from the project teams and reviewed. Wherever the project information was unclear, e-mails were sent to the directors and the team members to confirm the details. Findings Project teams have started to apply snowball rolling and stakeholder attribute assessment methods to analyse stakeholders. However, there is still a way to adopt the “network” analysis perspective because the project teams are reluctant to use complicated tools which need specialists’ assistance. The stakeholder engagement practices have evolved to an extent where the project teams monitor the dynamics of stakeholders’ requirements. Projects teams have identified the importance of continuity to manage stakeholders in these massive projects. However, a structured method selection mechanism for stakeholder engagement has not been developed. Originality/value This study will help academics to understand the adoption progress and status of stakeholder management methods.

Is lodging research suffering from methods bias? An assessment of published research during 1990-2016

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizan Ali ◽  
Mehmet Ali Koseoglu ◽  
Fevzi Okumus ◽  
Eka Diraksa Putra ◽  
Mehmet Yildiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Method Bias ◽  
Published Research

Purpose The study aims to investigate if lodging research suffers from a method bias by comprehensively reviewing the research methodology used in lodging related research articles. Design/methodology/approach In all, 2,647 published papers in 16 leading hospitality and tourism published between 1990 and 2016 are analyzed using bibliometric technique. Findings In all, 69% of the empirical studies in lodging research across 26 years period used quantitative methods, with an increasing reliance on regression-based analysis and structural equation modeling, a disturbing plunging trend in methods diversity. Findings also suggest an increasing trend of using secondary data. Research limitations/implications Based on the findings of this study, theoretical and practical implications for hospitality and tourism researchers are provided. Originality/value This is the first study that reviewed a large corpus of published research (2,647 papers in 16 hospitality and tourism journals from the last 27 years) to highlight (a) methodology used, (b) methods employed and (c) data collection and analysis procedures.

Value co-creation in the B2B context: a diagnosis of knowledge management based on multiple case studies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Bonamigo ◽  
Camila Guimarães Frech ◽  
Ana Carolina Custódio Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Multiple Case Studies ◽  
Knowledge Asymmetry ◽  
Business To Business ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to empirically investigate how organizations delivering services in business-to-business relations deal with the boundary paradox and knowledge asymmetry in value co-creation. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a qualitative multiple case study strategy. Datas were gathered through 13 semi-structured interviews that were then analyzed through the content analysis. Findings The authors identified three mechanisms that organizations use to deal with the boundary paradox and two strategies to handle the knowledge asymmetry. Research limitations/implications First, no opportunities were afforded to involve more participants. Second, owning to confidentiality reasons, not all organizations provided us documents to be analyzed. Practical implications The findings guide managers in balancing the use of contracts and trust in inter-firm collaborations and fostering the learning of customers. Also, insights to protect knowledge based on the paradox of openness in value co-creation. Originality/value This study’s findings address the gap in value co-creation literature concerning the lack of empirical studies.

Research on capital structure determinants: a review and future directions

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Sisira Colombage ◽  
Purnima Rao
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Order Theory ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the status of studies on capital structure determinants in the past 40 years. This paper highlights the major gaps in the literature on determinants of capital structure and also aims to raise specific questions for future research. Design/methodology/approach The prominence of research is assessed by studying the year of publication and region, level of economic development, firm size, data collection methods, data analysis techniques and theoretical models of capital structure from the selected papers. The review is based on 167 papers published from 1972 to 2013 in various peer-reviewed journals. The relationship of determinants of capital structure is analyzed with the help of meta-analysis. Findings Major findings show an increase of interest in research on determinants of capital structure of the firms located in emerging markets. However, it is observed that these regions are still under-examined which provides more scope for research both empirical and survey-based studies. Majority of research studies are conducted on large-sized firms by using secondary data and regression-based models for the analysis, whereas studies on small-sized firms are very meager. As majority of the research papers are written only at the organizational level, the impact of leverage on various industries is yet to be examined. The review highlights the major determinants of capital structure and their relationship with leverage. It also reveals the dominance of pecking order theory in explaining capital structure of firms theoretically as well as statistically. Originality/value The paper covers a considerable period of time (1972-2013). Among very few review papers on capital structure research, to the best of authors’ knowledge; this is the first review to identify what is missing in the literature on the determinants of capital structure while offering recommendations for future studies. It also synthesize the findings of empirical studies on determinants of capital structure statistically.

Collaborative matrix factorization mechanism for group recommendation in big data-based library systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 458-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yezheng Liu ◽  
Lu Yang ◽  
Jianshan Sun ◽  
Yuanchun Jiang ◽  
Jinkun Wang
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Matrix Factorization ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Interaction Matrix ◽  
Group Recommendation ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Potential Value ◽  
Membership Retention ◽  
Online Library

Purpose Academic groups are designed specifically for researchers. A group recommendation procedure is essential to support scholars’ research-based social activities. However, group recommendation methods are rarely applied in online libraries and they often suffer from scalability problem in big data context. The purpose of this paper is to facilitate academic group activities in big data-based library systems by recommending satisfying articles for academic groups. Design/methodology/approach The authors propose a collaborative matrix factorization (CoMF) mechanism and implement paralleled CoMF under Hadoop framework. Its rationale is collaboratively decomposing researcher-article interaction matrix and group-article interaction matrix. Furthermore, three extended models of CoMF are proposed. Findings Empirical studies on CiteULike data set demonstrate that CoMF and three variants outperform baseline algorithms in terms of accuracy and robustness. The scalability evaluation of paralleled CoMF shows its potential value in scholarly big data environment. Research limitations/implications The proposed methods fill the gap of group-article recommendation in online libraries domain. The proposed methods have enriched the group recommendation methods by considering the interaction effects between groups and members. The proposed methods are the first attempt to implement group recommendation methods in big data contexts. Practical implications The proposed methods can improve group activity effectiveness and information shareability in academic groups, which are beneficial to membership retention and enhance the service quality of online library systems. Furthermore, the proposed methods are applicable to big data contexts and make library system services more efficient. Social implications The proposed methods have potential value to improve scientific collaboration and research innovation. Originality/value The proposed CoMF method is a novel group recommendation method based on the collaboratively decomposition of researcher-article matrix and group-article matrix. The process indirectly reflects the interaction between groups and members, which accords with actual library environments and provides an interpretable recommendation result.

The Last-Planner-System’s impact on project culture

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunnar Jürgen Lühr ◽  
Marian Bosch-Rekveldt ◽  
Mladen Radujković
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Last Planner System ◽  
Project Culture ◽  
Last Planner

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Last-Planner-System’s impact on project cultures in terms of partnering. Design/methodology/approach A case study was performed using multiple data gathering approaches. The project cultures of three projects not applying the Last-Planner-System were compared with three projects that apply the Last-Planner-System. In total, 30 participants were involved in the study. Semi-structured interviews were held and analysed by applying qualitative content analysis. Also, the “organizational culture assessment instrument”, which belongs to the “competing values framework”, was used by means of an online survey. Findings The Last-Planner-System leads to increased levels of mutual understanding and control about the tasks and issues of the other parties. This detailed overview leads towards a more distinguished evaluation of the trustworthiness of individuals. This does not necessarily lead to a partnering project culture. Originality/value The contribution to research is that higher levels of transparency and mutual understanding do not necessarily lead to a high level of trust. Rather, transparency could be seen as a controlling mechanism that leads to better-founded estimations about the trustworthiness of others in the project.

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