The response of German business schools to international accreditation in global competition

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongmei Sziegat
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Business Schools ◽  
Mutual Recognition ◽  
Core Values ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Beauty Contests ◽  
Strategic Goals ◽  
Institutional Strategies

Purpose This study aims to reflect how German business schools respond to the diffusion of the triple accreditation: AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System), and AMBA (Association of MBAs). Design/methodology/approach This study applies a multiple case study to conduct a qualitative analysis of perceived drivers, value and limitations of AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA accreditation in German business schools. Findings International accreditation is a seal of excellence for business schools to enhance international competitiveness and global networking, providing evidence of quality, performativity, transparency and accountability for stakeholders. International accreditation offers business schools international comparability and compatibility. International accreditation adds value and benefits to business schools. However, business schools may prioritize institutional strategies and resources to meet the requirements of international accreditations rather than a broader concept of good governance. Business schools should critically review their decisions on international accreditations in line with institutional strategic goals, mission, vision, core values and sustainable development. Research limitations/implications This study only focuses on international accreditations of German business schools. Further studies may focus on comparisons of national and international accreditations, impacts of international accreditation and perceptions of international accreditation from policymakers, accreditation bodies, academics and students. Practical implications This study offers guidance for the strategic decision-making of business schools on international accreditations, valuable feedback to international accreditation agencies and a reference for quality assurance practitioners, policymakers and accreditation bodies. Social implications This study discusses the social-cultural impacts of international accreditation and accreditation discrimination arising from the selectivity and the exclusivity of international accreditation. International accreditation may further enlarge their comparative advantages over non-accredited schools. International accreditation adds value and benefits to accredited business schools but puts non-accredited business schools in disadvantageous positions. Originality/value Business schools need to critically review their institutional strategies and decisions on international accreditation in line with institutional strategic goals, mission, vision, core values and sustainable development. The rational decision of business schools to adopt international accreditation should consider drivers, value, benefits, limitations, organizational effectiveness, transparency, social responsibility and accountability for all stakeholders. Business schools need to take effective strategies to ensure a higher quality of management education through high-quality teaching and good governance. When single accreditation is sufficient, promoting mutual recognition is advisable rather than the “beauty contests” of multiple accreditations at the national and international levels.

A strategic and good governance perspective on handling patient complaints

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 923-934
Author(s):  
Sanna Pauliina Ryynänen ◽  
Risto Harisalo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Patient Complaints ◽  
Care Processes ◽  
Patient’S Rights ◽  
Strategic Goals

Purpose The patient complaint is one of the main procedures of exercising patient’s rights in the Finnish health care system. Such complaints typically concern the quality of care and/or patient safety. The purpose of this paper is to examine the types of patient complaints received by a specialized medical care organization and the kinds of responses given by the organization’s personnel. The organization’s strategy and good governance principles provide the framework for understanding the organization’s action. Design/methodology/approach This study’s data comprise patient complaints and the responses from personnel of a specialized medical care organization from the start of 2012 to the end of January 2014. The data were analyzed through qualitative data analysis. Findings The results show many unwanted grievances, but also reveal the procedures employed to improve health care processes. The results are related to patients’ care experiences, provision of information, personnel’s professional skills and the approach to patient complaints handling. The integrative result of the analysis was to find consensus between the patients’ expectations and personnel’s evaluation of patients’ needs. Originality/value Few prior studies have examined patient complaints related to both strategy and good governance. Patient complaints were found to have several confluences with an organization’s strategic goals, objectives and good governance principles. The study recommends further research on personnel procedures for patient complaints handling, with a view to influencing strategic planning and implementation of strategies of organizations.

Reducing corruption and bribery in Africa as a target of the sustainable development goals: applying indicators for assessing performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kempe Ronald Hope, Sr.
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Ethical Behaviour ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Illegal Activities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess African performance for substantially reducing all forms of corruption and bribery on the continent by 2030, through the indicators for achieving Target 16.5 of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the available and accessible relevant data from credible sources, this work quantifies, outlines and analyses the relationship between corruption/bribery and sustainable development as it applies primarily to sub-Saharan Africa; assesses the trends in the region through the official indicators for achieving Target 16.5 of the SDGs; and recommends other indicators for assessing ethical behaviour in African political, administrative and business leadership and institutions for achieving sustainable development and improved ethical performance towards significant reductions in all manifestations of bribery and corruption on the continent by 2030. Findings Corruption and bribery are found to affect all SDG-related sectors, undermining development outcomes and severely compromising efforts to achieve the SDGs in Africa. Consequently, prioritising corruption reduction including from money laundering, bribery and other illegal activities is a necessary requirement for achieving sustainable development, good governance, building effective and inclusive institutions as required by SDG 16, and funding the achievement of the SDGs. Originality/value The main value of the paper is the insights it provides through the very comprehensive compilation of statistical information that quantifies, and with analysis, the corruption/bribery avenues and the resultant deleterious effects on sustainable development in Africa.

“Does the poor matter” in pro-poor driven sub-Saharan African cities? towards progressive and inclusive pro-poor tourism

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 392-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regis Musavengane ◽  
Pius Siakwah ◽  
Llewellyn Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Urban Tourism ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Cities ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to question the extent to which Sub-Saharan African cities are progressing towards promoting pro-poor economies through pro-poor tourism (PPT). It specifically examines how African cities are resilient towards attaining sustainable urban tourism destinations in light of high urbanization. Design/methodology/approach The methodological framework is interpretive in nature and qualitative in an operational form. It uses meta-synthesis to evaluate the causal relationships observed within Sub-Saharan African pro-poor economies to enhance PPT approaches, using Accra, Ghana, Johannesburg, South Africa, and Harare, Zimbabwe, as case studies. Findings Tourism development in Sub-Saharan Africa has been dominantly underpinned by neoliberal development strategies which threaten the sustainability of tourism in African cities. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to three Sub-Saharan African countries. Further studies may need to be done in other developing countries. Practical implications It argues for good governance through sustainability institutionalization which strengthens the regulative mechanisms, processes and organizational culture. Inclusive tourism approaches that are resilient-centered have the potential to promote urban tourism in Sub-Saharan African cities. These findings contribute to the building of strong and inclusive Institutions for Sustainable Development in the Sub-Saharan African cities to alleviate poverty. Social implications These findings contribute to the building of strong and inclusive institutions for sustainable development in the Sub-Saharan African cities to alleviate poverty. Originality/value The “poor” are always within the communities, and it takes a community to minimise the impact of poverty among the populace. The study is conducted at a pertinent time when most African government’s development policies are pro-poor driven. Though African cities provide opportunities of growth, they are regarded as centres of high inequality.

Integrating sustainability into business curricula: University of New Hampshire case study

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson A. Barber ◽  
Fiona Wilson ◽  
Venky Venkatachalam ◽  
Sara M. Cleaves ◽  
Josina Garnham
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Business Schools ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Development Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Educators ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Business Curricula ◽  
University Of New Hampshire

Purpose – This paper aims to demonstrate how sustainable development education can be implemented at business schools, despite institutional barriers, through innovative and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Businesses are beginning to accept their social responsibility through proactive approaches to maximizing their net social contribution, embracing opportunities and managing risks resulting from their economic, environmental and social impacts. Yet, many business schools are lagging in integration of sustainability into their curriculum, and as a result are not adequately educating future business leaders. Design/methodology/approach – This case study presents the challenges in developing and implementing sustainability education, as well as analyzes the various underlying drivers of these barriers. The paper provides a detailed description of some of the ways one business school has overcome these barriers, and provides generalizable insights that can help other business schools and universities understand how they can engage in the implementation of similar sustainable development programs. Findings – As business educators, we should reevaluate our role and our focus. Through education, interdisciplinary collaboration, research and community and industry engagement, sustainability can become firmly established within the existing value structure of business schools. Originality/value – While many business schools worldwide are discussing the importance of integrating sustainability into their curricula, and while employers and students are demanding the same, few business schools have genuinely made progress in meeting these demands. This paper presents both the challenges to integrating sustainability and an in-depth study of one business school’s approach to creating unique and innovative solutions to overcome these barriers.

Sustainable development and spirituality: a critical analysis of GNH index

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 1919-1939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanupriya Gupta ◽  
Rajat Agrawal
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Cultural Preservation ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Spiritual Values ◽  
Critical Approach ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the relationship between sustainable development (SD) and spirituality. Bhutan, a country believing deeply in Buddhist spiritual values has created a model of Gross National Happiness (GNH) where it is believed that the holistic evolution of human being can take place with a balance of material as well as non-material aspects of spiritual, cultural, societal and environmental. The paper critically analyzes GNH to establish the role of spirituality in SD. Design/methodology/approach The paper analyses the GNH concept using literature review. Further, personal meetings with authorities in Bhutan and interaction with citizens of Bhutan used to gather primary data. A critical approach has been applied to understand the practical implication of the concept. Findings Good governance, sustainable socioeconomic development, cultural preservation and environmental conservation formed the four basic pillars of the GNH index, further elaborated into 9 domains and 33 clustered indicators. The concept has been commendable in giving new direction to the understanding of SD. Nevertheless, certain discrepancies create ambiguity and limitations around the validity of adoption of the concept in other countries. Research limitations/implications A balanced and holistic, yet practical model of SD is necessitated. Bhutan has been a pioneer to suggest the different dimensions that can be acted upon to produce a more honest and sustainable path of being in concord with nature, community and other-related surroundings. Practical implications The paper provides insights to researchers and practitioners in understanding the basic essentials required for the SD agenda. The paper derives the learnings from the GNH model which can help in understanding the areas where the western three-pillar model of development needs more refinement. At the same time, the paper also helps in creating the insights for Bhutanese practitioners and policymakers about the areas where the GNH model still needs to be worked upon to improve its efficacy. Originality/value The paper proposes that SD can only be achieved through spirituality.

scholarly journals The strategy of institutional reform of the supreme audit institution: the case of Ukraine

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 872
Author(s):  
Yulia Slobodyanik ◽  
Lesia Kondriuk ◽  
Yuliia Haibura
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Control System ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Institutional Reform ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
The Social ◽  
State Audit ◽  
Strategic Goals ◽  
Development Goals

The paper aims to define the strategic goals of the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine’s institutional reform. Securing the social confidence towards a public audit institution is the fundamental of its effective implementation. As a result of the proposed strategy realization the transforming the control system according to world standards and good governance requirements must take place focused on economic development maintenance and Sustainable Development Goals achievement.The analysis is based both on directives of the United Nations, INTOSAI and OSCE ruling documents in regard to state audit development and on empirical data obtained under the questionnaire survey among the Accounting Chamber experts and independent accountants in Ukraine.

Culture vs strategy: which to precede, which to align?

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amarjeev Kaul
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
General Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Military Organization ◽  
Sustained Competitive Advantage ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Strategic Goals

Purpose Appreciation of the utility of strategy and the vitality of the culture in an organization can realize the development of a new culture-centric strategic business model (SBM). Culture beats, eats or trumps strategy is a legitimate and powerful argument often thrown to the air. The purpose of this paper is to un-code the relevance of this argument and to decode its significance. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper and builds on prior conceptual and empirical management research related to strategy and organizational culture. The approach is unbiased toward either strategy or culture. Findings The conclusion arrived at is that, in general, strategy must precede culture and culture must be aligned. In specific instances of governance, inner workings of a military organization, cross-cultural context of negotiations, creative advertising and management of change culture may predominate in tactics. Furthermore, with a strategy gone astray, or in the instance of a floundering business or start-up venture, culture must shift to first gear, lead the requisite goal and path development, and strategy must be aligned in the transition. A strategy–culture fit supports a sustained competitive advantage by virtue of a firm’s unique culture proposition (UCP). Research limitations/implications The development of a culture-centric SBM will need to be tested by empirical research. The UCP will also need to be researched further. Practical implications The conclusion that strategy should generally precede culture will guide firms from not letting their organizational culture from undermining the success of major shifts in strategic goals and business model positioning. Originality/value The conceptual arguments will help leaders and managers from marginalizing the value of strategy. However, managers will also be directed toward paying attention to the damaging consequences of ignoring culture. Furthermore, managers will be able to appreciate that culture must not drive strategy, except in specific strategic decision-making contexts.

scholarly journals Core values as a management control in the construction of “sustainable development”

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Jollands ◽  
Chris Akroyd ◽  
Norio Sawabe
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Core Values ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Core Value

Purpose – This paper aims to examine a management control constructed by senior managers, a core value focused on sustainability, as it travels through time and space. The criticality of sustainable development suggests the need to understand the effects that core values have on organisational actions. Design/methodology/approach – A case study methodology carried out at a multinational organisation is used. This analysis was informed by an actor-network theory which allowed placing the organisation’s sustainability focused core value at the centre of this research. Findings – It was found that management control, in the form of a sustainability-focused core value, took on an active role in the case organisation. This enabled the opening of space and time that allowed actors to step forward and take action in relation to sustainable development. It is shown how the core value mobilised individual actors at specific points in time but did not enrol enough collective support to continue its travel. The resulting activities, though, provided a construction of sustainable development within the organisation more in line with traditional profit-seeking objectives rather than in relation to sustainability objectives, such as inter- and intra-generational equity. Research limitations/implications – These findings suggest possibilities for future research that examines the active role that management controls may take within sustainable development. Originality/value – This paper shows the active role a management control, a sustainability focused core value, took within an organisation. This builds on the research that examines management control in relation to sustainability issues and sustainable development as well as the literature that examines core values.

scholarly journals Innovation in the application of GRI to visualize strategic goals for sustainable development – the case of tertiary institution, Hong Kong

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-586
Author(s):  
Shirley Mo-Ching Yeung
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Tertiary Institution ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
Strategic Goals

This paper explores innovation in how educators use GRI sustainability (CSR) related guidelines to engage different stakeholders and respond to the trend of sustainable development in higher education mentioned by UNESCO. Through the case of a tertiary educational institution in Hong Kong, examples of innovative KPIs are devised to align with the strategic goals of the case institution with implications to the institutional level and the community level. The case institution measures its performance, identifies its risks with priority and reports under three main headings – Responsible Business Management, Responsible Curriculum Design, and Responsible Partnership through stakeholder mapping with action plans for measurement (2015 –2017), the risk level with KPIs of activities with Social Return of Investment (SROI), and benchmarking with self-financed institutions offering business and management related degree programmes and CSR-related activities with impacts created from media reporting. This paper thus lies at the nexus of GRI sustainability (CSR) guidelines, innovative Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Strategic Goals to integrate environmental, social and economic impacts and the encouragement of good governance practices throughout the lifecycles of goods and services produced for sustainability.

scholarly journals Circular economy versus planetary limits: a Slovak forestry sector case study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Beckmann ◽  
Uthayasankar Sivarajah ◽  
Zahir Irani
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Forest Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Forestry Sector

PurposeCircular economy is presented as an approach to economic growth that is in line with sustainable development. However, the recent literature has highlighted the limits of the concept in terms of environmental sustainability. The study examines the relationship between circular economy and conservation of ecosystems, using a case study on the implications of a circular economy for Slovak forests and forest sector.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a qualitative methodology through a focused review of the relevant literature on circular economy and sustainable development and primary data gathered through semi-structured interviews with 15 experts and practitioners in the forest sector, forest conservation and circular economy context, both from within as well as outside of Slovakia.FindingsThe study finds that the forestry sector has an important role to play in a shift to a circular economy in Slovakia, with significant opportunities for improved efficiency as well as substitution of wood for non-renewable resources. There is also growing potential for ecosystem stewardship and restoration. However, the increased application of biomass could crowd out other needs, including for biodiversity. Safeguarding these services depends ultimately on good governance.Originality/valueThe study highlights that circular economy taken in a narrow focus on resource efficiency is insufficient to ensure environmental sustainability but rather needs to be set within the broader environmental and social context.

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