scholarly journals The impact of corruption on the human security of societies in transition (Iraq case study since 2003)

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mohamed Hassan

Purpose Iraqi society has suffered from loss or fragility of human security since 2003. The developmental policies, programs and plans of the successive Iraqi Governments throughout the transitional period have not been able to achieve human security, despite the availability of different resources. They have also not prevented or limited the spread of corruption, according to domestic and international reports. Now the country faces a large phenomenon of corruption and the dilemma of human security loss. This study aims to ascertain the nature of the relationship between the phenomenon of corruption and the dilemma of loss or fragility of human security in Iraq since 2003 to learn about the form of this relationship, how the selected variables contribute to the two phenomena and determine the degree of impact of corruption and its dimensions on human security and its components. Design/methodology/approach This research uses the social survey methodology of the sample taken from the Iraqi society and benefits from system analysis approach to identify the inputs and outputs of the variables researched. Moreover, the study uses the case study methodology to collect data and information precisely in an in-depth manner to support qualitative and quantitative analysis and clarifies the situation at the macro level of both phenomena. Findings Findings show the prevalence of corruption structurally in the Iraqi state and society. The contribution of dimensions and selected indicators in the spread of corruption and lack of human security varies. Findings also underline a strong statistical correlation between the two variables and their reverse relationship. In other words, the more the corruption is, the less the opportunities of human security are. There is also a strong impact of corruption and its dimensions on the conditions of human security factors. Practical implications The paper provides profitable findings and recommendations, which can be used by the Iraqi relevant institutions to eliminate corruption, achieve human security and benefit from its indicators in research and development. Originality/value The new addition of this research can be represented by linking the two phenomena and trying to build national standards with the capacity to describe, interpret and predict.

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 109-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Salisbury ◽  
Jennifer Peasley

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an Australian perspective of impact and value by examining how the broader international and national perspectives play out in practice in the Australian context and where adaption for local requirements is necessary. Design/methodology/approach This paper will explore the assessment of impact and value in academic libraries and the tools available to translate today’s inputs into future impact and value. It will focus on a range of methods and procedures, including international and national standards, frameworks and benchmarks. Findings The La Trobe University Library is presented as a case study to examine the challenges of leveraging tools to assess impact and communicate the value of the library across the university community. Originality/value Assessing the impact and demonstrating the value of the academic library in a digital environment is a constant challenge. While usage and service data are plentiful, traditional metrics no longer sufficiently demonstrate the academic library’s contribution to university learning, teaching and research outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Saleem Butt

PurposeThis paper explores the steps/countermeasures taken by firms to address supply chain disruptions in the wake of COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a case study methodology and employs 46 semi-structured interviews with senior managers of the three buying firms, four distribution centres and four supplying firms based in four countries (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China and India).FindingsResults reveal that manufacturers are refining production schedules to meet the production challenges. Distributors are working with secondary suppliers to meet the inventory shortage. Finally, supplying firms are evaluating the impact of demand, focusing on short-term demand-supply strategy, preparing for channel shifts, opening up additional channels of communication with key customers, understanding immediate customer’s demand and priorities and finally becoming more agile.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations to this study. First, the results of this study cannot be generalized to a wider population. Second, this study explores the interpretations of senior managers based in four Asian countries only.Practical implicationsSupply chain firms can use these findings to understand how COVID-19 is affecting firms. Firms can also use the suggestions provided in this study to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and make the best out of this pandemic.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the supply chain disruption literature by exploring the robust countermeasure taken by supply chain firms amid COVID-19 outbreak. In particular, it explores such countermeasures from the perspective of three different entities (buyer, supplier and distributor) based in four different countries in the South Asian region.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 869-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Jaca ◽  
Luis Paipa-Galeano ◽  
Elisabeth Viles ◽  
Ricardo Mateo

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a readiness programme designed to increase employees’ awareness of order and cleanliness as a way of building the necessary foundation for implementing and sustaining continuous improvement processes. In this paper, the authors propose a new readiness programme based on the principles of 5S, with the aim of strengthening employees’ motivation and involvement prior to 5S being implemented. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on case study methodology, followed by a programme of four structured activities. The validity of the programme is shown through the implementation of the activities in two different organizations. Findings The readiness programme was applied before 5S was successfully implemented. The degree of awareness and motivation of the programme participants improved as a result of these activities. Moreover, the activities increased people’s motivation to participate in improvement activities. Originality/value Applying a readiness programme before implementing 5S can help organizations to achieve and sustain improvement activities, thus increasing worker commitment and motivation.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanan Ali Almutirat

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between intellectual capital and organizational innovation in Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) through a case study at KPC on the employees of the corporation (The study population was 2,180 respondents and the sample size was 335 respondents). Design/methodology/approach The statistical package for social science was used to analyze the data. While trying to explore the relationship between intellectual capital and innovation, the researcher used the descriptive analytical method and the case study methodology using various references, periodicals, internal and external documents and data, in addition to conducting a field study on a sample of employees of KPC, through a questionnaire form containing the axes that reflect the study variables. Findings There is a relative approval between the sample of the research on the existence of a good role for training in the corporation in terms of availability for all employees and the compatibility of training programs with the actual needs of employees, and linking the training paths and career paths for promotions in the corporation. The researcher attributed this to the employees' awareness to the importance of training and its role in raising their performance levels, and the awareness of the corporation to the importance of training and capacity building of the human element. Originality/value The research, in general, demonstrated the importance of human capital as the organization's most valuable assets, especially as it supports creativity and innovation, thus enabling competitiveness. The research stressed that human capital is the most important element in the formation of intellectual capital, which requires decision-makers to support it and give the intellectual and human aspects a strategic content that meets the needs to develop innovation and institutional education and to recruit systems and indicators to measure the performance objectively to achieve the goal of survival of the corporation in a competitive sustainable environment, through providing material and moral potentials that can support the implementation of organizational innovation at various levels.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose V. Gavidia

Purpose – In spite of the large body of literature on success factors of enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation, there is a need to explore its multinational dimension. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the conflict between parent and subsidiary on the process of ERP implementation in a multinational enterprise (MNE). Design/methodology/approach – Using an interpretive case study methodology, this paper analyses the theoretical frameworks of parent-subsidiary conflict and applies them to interpret an in-depth case study and generate a set of managerial prescriptions. Findings – Theoretical analysis and case evidence suggest that managing parent-subsidiary conflict is a critical success factor of ERP implementation in MNEs. Research limitations/implications – This case relates to a diversified multinational group producing a variety of materials through subsidiaries. The data collection includes multiple sources in the company, and strong theoretical development provides a high level of generalizability. The paper shows that managers should consider the impact of conflict from the planning stages of any multinational ERP implementation. Practical implications – A detailed set of practical managerial prescriptions is derived from case and theoretical analysis. These prescriptions provide guidance to multinational managers planning a successful global ERP rollout. Originality/value – Although parent-subsidiary conflict is clearly a major factor in multinational ERP implementations, this topic has never been analysed in detail in the literature. This paper breaks new ground applying grounded theoretical frameworks of parent-subsidiary conflict to an implementation case, and providing managerial guidance for implementation decisions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar A. Oseni

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the vital importance of dispute management in cases of both near and outright sukuk defaults. With the case studies, this study examines the vital importance of dispute management in cases of both near and outright sukuk defaults. With a number of case studies, the study shows how debt restructuring can play a significant role as a dispute management procedure recognized in Islamic law. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses the case study methodology to determine the impact of debt restructuring in instances of near and outright sukuk default and the process taken to reach a win-win settlement among the parties. Due to some sensitive financial information, the study has fully anonymized the sukuk companies examined. Findings – The paper finds that for a more sustainable and stable and resilient Islamic finance industry, the role of law through dispute management cannot be ruled out, as appropriate dispute management mechanism facilitates the underlying contracts. Research limitations/implications – This study limits its focus to near and outright sukuk defaults and the need to come up with Shari’ah-based mechanisms for dispute management when things seem to have fallen apart. Practical implications – The study proposes an integrated regulatory-cum-remedial framework which may serve as sustainable mechanism for handling circumstances involving near and outright sukuk defaults with a view to protecting the rights of all the stakeholders. Originality/value – Though few studies have been conducted on sukuk defaults in cross-border transactions, there has not been much focus on dispute management of cases involving such defaults. This study seeks to fill such an important gap, which has the potential of streamlining dispute management practices in the sukuk industry.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Borg

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a case study on the development of the cultural heritage sector on the island of Gozo in the Maltese archipelago. The studying of these relationships is very important to maximise the impact of the cultural heritage sector on tourism. The importance of the development of cultural tourism as a specific niche has been consistently recognised (Boissevain, 1994; Ministry for Tourism and Culture, 2007; Ministry for Tourism Culture and the Environment, 2016; Ministry for Tourism, 2014). Design/methodology/approach A case study methodology is adopted. The findings have been sourced mainly through secondary data such as official publications and materials available publicly, and through the author’s in-depth knowledge of the socio-cultural context of Gozo. Findings The paper’s main outcome is that the success of the cultural heritage sector in Gozo can be attributed to the close collaboration that exists between the Ministry for Gozo (responsible for Gozitan affairs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). While a culture of mistrust towards state institutions is generally prevalent among Gozitans (Azzopardi, 2015), the level of collaboration between the Ministry for Gozo and NGOs, may tend to show that Gozitans are more keen to trust state institutions run by the same Gozitans. Originality/value This paper analyses the underlying relationships in the cultural heritage sector on the island of Gozo. This is very important to continue building up on this niche as an added value to the tourism sector in Gozo.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 198-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Ye ◽  
Kwok Hung Lau

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to put forward a demand chain management (DCM) framework underpinned by the alignment theory and applies it to investigate the fashion apparel (FA) industry in China under the impacts of the latest economic transition. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory multiple case study methodology involving five Chinese FA firms, each with a different business model and ownership type, was employed. Semi-structured interviews, onsite observations and review of company documents were conducted to collect information for analysis. Findings Using a conceptual DCM framework as a guide for analysis, the study finds that companies with a higher level of alignment with the external market situation and among the three internal DCM dimensions, namely, market management, supply chain management (SCM), and organization management, appear to perform better under the rapidly changing economic conditions in China. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to knowledge by reviewing thoroughly the literature on SCM evolution and develops a DCM framework based on alignment theory that represents the state of the art in this area. By extending the administration-integration-production-development (A-I-P-D) logic set adopted in the alignment theory, this study has also equipped the proposed framework with an empirical tool to measure alignment. Practical implications By applying the framework to examine the Chinese apparel industry under the impacts of the latest economic transition, this study provides practitioners in the industry with a framework to help formulate strategies and a tool to measure alignment. The findings of the case study also offer insights to the industry to thrive in the rapidly changing businesses environment with dynamic uncertainties. Originality/value This study extends the application of the A-I-P-D logic set under the alignment theory to the SCM field. This endeavor successfully transforms the proposed DCM framework from a theoretical concept to a practical tool to help evaluate empirically the alignment and strategic fit of a firm and potential relationship with firm performance. As the Chinese FA market has increasingly evolved under the impact of the globalization, the findings of this study not only assist the local FA companies in coping with the dynamic uncertainties but also shed light on the future developments of the global FA industry. Besides, the alignment measurement tool embedded in the proposed DCM framework can help enhance the chances of business success during implementation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 320-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Cadima Ribeiro ◽  
José Freitas Santos

PurposeSmall and medium size enterprises (SMEs) located in particular geographical areas are producing and selling regional products to domestic and foreign markets. Most of the local activities are embedded in historical tradition and geographic, cultural and social specificity. This article aims to investigate the effect of local environment on the success of two Portuguese SMEs.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use case study methodology to understand whether local environment influences the nature of the competitive advantage of the small firms and their ability to gain access to resources that enable them to compete with the industrial low price substitutes produced by larger firms.FingingsThe key conclusion of the study is that the two firms analysed rely strongly on the specific characteristics of the local environment and on partnerships with local producers (raw materials or products) in order to achieve the economic scale that allows them to compete in the domestic and foreign markets.Originality/valueDue to the limitations of the present analysis concerning the way buyers affect small suppliers' ability to maintain core artisanal knowledge, future research should also examine how this influence works. For example, how firms learn from their network links and how belonging to a network might drive them to internationalisation, and the choice of countries made. In addition, future research should explore the impact of the region of origin concept on new business formation and internationalisation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1207-1232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tibor Kovács ◽  
Andrea Kő ◽  
Krisztina Demeter

Purpose This study aims to investigate how measuring the lean practices–performance relationship could add value to businesses. Design/methodology/approach Case-study methodology was used for the quantitative analysis of self-assessed lean capability scores and key manufacturing performance indicators from a global consumer goods company. Up to 80 sites over 3 years were analysed. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) is used to analyse the lean implementation–performance relationship. Findings Results show that different performance areas may be affected differently and suggest that the measured relationship may depend on the reliability of the self-assessment. Research limitations/implications The research is based on the manufacturing sites of a single company, implementing the same lean methodology, producing similar products and using similar process technologies. This helps to control confounding variables but may limit the generalisability of the findings. Practical implications Practitioners can use the measurement method to improve lean-based performance-improvement projects. The study suggests that the PLS-SEM technique could improve the calibration of lean-practice self-assessment and could identify further areas for improvement. Originality/value Very few papers developed measurement methods for the effectiveness of lean-practice implementation using objective manufacturing performance data within a single multinational company.


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