ISO 14001 in a corporate sustainability context: a multiple case study approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanisms through which ISO 14001 can contribute to the corporate sustainability. In this regard, the paper examines the underlying theoretical concepts and discusses the ISO 14001 in the context of the corporate sustainability. Additionally, the paper discusses the benefits of ISO 14001 from the perspective of the triple bottom line. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a multiple case study approach focusing on four ISO 14001-certified Slovenian organizations and two non-ISO 14001-certified organizations. The data collection methods included semi-structured questionnaire and interviews with managers in all studied organizations. Findings – It is suggested that the motives could be perceived as explanatory variables of the benefits realized from ISO 14001 certification. Further, the findings of this study indicate that environmental management system should be seen in a wider perspective that includes elements such as quality and social responsibility. Moreover, the results also lead us to the suggestion that there could be a reciprocal causal mechanism linking the environmental performance and economic performance. Practical implications – ISO 14001 can be an effective tool for pursuing sustainable development; however, organizations should move a step beyond ISO 14001’s environmental focus and recognize a multidimensional perspective by simultaneously addressing environmental, quality and social responsibility issues. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the corporate sustainability literature by investigating the mechanisms through which organizations can shift to more sustainable patterns using the ISO 14001.

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Adoption strategies of social media in B2B firms: a multiple case study approach

Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing ◽

10.1108/jbim-10-2016-0242 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 730-743 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Maryam Lashgari ◽

Catherine Sutton-Brady ◽

Klaus Solberg Søilen ◽

Pernilla Ulfvengren

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Multinational Corporations ◽

Multiple Case Study ◽

Communication Strategy ◽

Case Study Approach ◽

Content Type ◽

Study Approach ◽

Study Results ◽

Multiple Case

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to clarify business-to-business (B2B) firms’ strategies of social media marketing communication. The study aims to explore the factors contributing to the formation and adoption of integration strategies and identify who the B2B firms target.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study approach is used to compare four multinational corporations and their practices. Face-to-face interviews with key managers, and extensive readings and observations of the firms’ websites and social media platforms have been conducted.FindingsThe study results in a model, illustrating different processes of selection, adoption and integration involved in the development of social media communication strategy for B2B firms. Major factors involved in determining the platform type, and strategies used within different phases and processes are identified.Research limitations/implicationsAs the chosen methodology may limit generalizability, further research is encouraged to test the model within a B2B context especially within small and medium enterprises as only large multinational corporations were investigated in this study.Practical implicationsThe paper provides insight into how B2B marketers can align social media with their firms’ goals through the strategic selection of platforms to reach the targeted audience and communicate their message.Originality/valueThe study uncovers the benefits gained by B2B firms’ through interaction with individuals on social media. This is a significant contribution as the value of such interaction was previously undefined and acted as a barrier for adopting social media in some B2B firms.

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Corporate governance changes, firm strategy and compensation mechanisms in a privatization context

Journal of Organizational Change Management ◽

10.1108/jocm-01-2015-0006 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 199-221 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gloria Cuevas-Rodriguez ◽

Jaime Guerrero-Villegas ◽

Ramón Valle-Cabrera

Keyword(s):

Corporate Governance ◽

Firm Strategy ◽

Multiple Case Study ◽

Organizational Changes ◽

Case Study Approach ◽

Content Type ◽

Study Approach ◽

Compensation Mechanisms ◽

Multiple Case

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze certain organizational changes that occur after privatization. More specifically, the authors analyze from an agency theory perspective how changes at the corporate governance level (ownership type/structure and board of directors) influence firm strategy, and what implications these issues have for the design of compensation mechanisms. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology employed in the study can be described as a longitudinal multiple case study approach. A multiple case study enables the comparison of pre- and post-privatization periods in five Spanish companies. This methodology is especially suitable to track the organizational changes occurring in relation to the firms’ internal management. Findings – First, the variables that traditionally relate to greater board independence in monitoring do not suffer from variation after privatization. Second, the interests of the firms’ new ownership have an impact on firm strategy after privatization. Finally, compensation system design clearly aligns with firm strategy after privatization. Research limitations/implications – The research is based on a multiple case study approach, which limits the scope and generalizability of the findings. Originality/value – Whereas research in privatization generally adopts a macroeconomic or political perspective, organizational and managerial implications are current aspects in need of further examination. This research offers a study that integrates three sets of variables (corporate governance, strategy and compensation) that have been rarely analyzed in this context.

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Building firm capability through imitative innovation: Chinese manufacturing SME cases

Chinese Management Studies ◽

10.1108/cms-05-2017-0117 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 575-590 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Steven Si ◽

Song Wang ◽

Steven M. Welch

Keyword(s):

Continuous Process ◽

Innovation Process ◽

Multiple Case Study ◽

Technological Capabilities ◽

Case Study Approach ◽

Content Type ◽

Study Approach ◽

Firm Capability ◽

Multiple Case

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how firm capability can be accumulated with the inputs of learning efforts targeted at resolving barriers existing in the imitative innovation process. This paper takes imitative innovation as a process involving a few stages during which learning efforts are targeted at overcoming barriers existing within each process.Design/methodology/approachThe multiple case study approach has been adopted to explore how Chinese manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) learn and increase their technological capabilities through a continuous process of product refinement and improvement based on imitative innovation. In particular, the authors accentuate the learning efforts that firms must make to cope with various technological barriersFindingsIt is revealed that during the initial stages of imitative innovation, the organizational learning of Chinese manufacturing SMEs is highly constrained by the limitations of their technological resources and capabilities. It is also found that original equipment manufacturers can play an important role in providing Chinese learners with both explicit and tacit technological knowledge.Originality/valueThis study investigates how firm capability can be accumulated with the inputs of learning efforts targeted at resolving barriers existing in the imitative innovation process. The multiple case study approach has been adopted to explore how Chinese manufacturing SMEs learn and increase their technological capabilities through a continuous process of product refinement and improvement based on imitative innovation that could add new and great value to this research area.

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An exploration of interventions in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification context – A multiple case study approach

Journal of Cleaner Production ◽

10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.096 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 174 ◽

pp. 1642-1652 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Pavel Castka ◽

Michaela A. Balzarova

Keyword(s):

Multiple Case Study ◽

Iso 14001 ◽

Iso 9001 ◽

Case Study Approach ◽

Study Approach ◽

Multiple Case ◽

Iso 14001 Certification

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Lean Six Sigma in the power sector: frog into prince

Benchmarking An International Journal ◽

10.1108/bij-10-2017-0276 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 356-370 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Michael Sony

Keyword(s):

Six Sigma ◽

Multiple Case Study ◽

Private Investment ◽

Lean Six Sigma ◽

Case Study Approach ◽

Power Sector ◽

Content Type ◽

Study Approach ◽

Multiple Case

Purpose Lean Six Sigma is a most widely used technique in quality management. In manufacturing and service industries, this technique is used for process excellence. In the power sector, there has been hardly any study on the usage of LSS. Can LSS transform the ailing power sector organization from frog into princes? The purpose of this paper is to explore LSS impact on the power sector. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study approach is followed. Five cases, one each from the generation, the transmission and three from distribution companies are studied based on the rationale of theoretical sampling. Findings LSS is an important methodology that can be used in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity energy to drive out inefficiency and improve customer satisfaction, profits, etc. In addition, the success stories of all five cases suggest the sustainable economic benefit to the organization due to the implementation of LSS. Research limitations/implications This study intends to make an academic contribution to the pertinence of LSS in the power sector. The multiple case study approach is used on a theoretical sample of power utilities in India. This study will provide the theoretical contribution for LSS. In addition, this study will help the practitioner and managers to effectively implement LSS, especially in the power sector. Practical implications This study can be used by power sector organizations to implement LSS. A special section on implication for practice is added so that organization can make use of it while implementing LSS in the power sector. Originality/value Power is one of the most important infrastructures for the development of a country. In a developing country, the power sector is ailing; the application of LSS can transform the power sector by driving out inefficiency, waste and variation. It will not only prove to be a boon to utilities, but it will also help the customer and society at large. Consequently, it will help in reducing the power tariff, which in turn will make power financially accessible to all categories of consumers. In addition, the private investment in this sector will also improve, if power sectors appeal, to financiers as an efficient organization, compared to loss-making one organization, at present.

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