Implementing SA8000 certification standards

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Davoine ◽  
Delphine Gendre
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Cognitive Maps ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Social Accountability ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Certification Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Vision

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to identify difficulties and tension fields encountered in a Social Accountability (SA) 8000 certification process. The paper is based on a case study within a multinational small–medium enterprise (SME) during the implementation of a SA8000 standard. Design/methodology/approach – In the framework of the case study, we adopt a cognitivist approach and use cognitive maps to describe and analyze the corporate social responsibility (CSR) representations of the main actors of the certification process: the owner-manager of the SME and the certification manager. We collected additional information on the case company through document analysis, additional interviews, validation interviews, confrontation interviews and follow-up interviews after one year. Findings – The analysis of cognitive maps revealed tension fields and difficulties linked to the different representations of social responsibility between the social accountability standard SA8000 and the owner-manager strategic vision. It also underlines the sensemaking role of the certification manager in the certification process. Research limitations/implications – Limitations of the research are the explorative character of an illustrative case study and the limits of the construction of cognitive maps. The cognitive perspective brings new insights into the certification process and into the interaction between middle and top management. Practical implications – Implementing a CSR standard necessitates a cognitive change of individual representationsto integrate CSR standardized criteria in the complex, idiosyncratic and systemic representations of the main actors. Social implications – The case study shows clearly the tensions existing between the CSR representation based on a social standard and the CSR representation of SME owner-managers. Originality/value – Cognitive mapping has been often used to analyze and to discuss strategic vision of SME owner-managers, but rarely in the field of CSR. The confrontation of two maps and the complementary analysis of the case study context bring additional perspectives on implementation difficulties.

Country of origin branding: an integrative perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roderick J. Brodie ◽  
Maureen Benson-Rea
Keyword(s):  
Country Of Origin ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Business Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Meaning ◽  
Value Propositions ◽  
Illustrative Case Study ◽  
Strategic Perspective

Purpose A new conceptualization of the process of country of origin (COO) branding based on fresh theoretical foundations is developed. This paper aims to provide a strategic perspective that integrates extant views of COO branding, based on identity and image, with a relational perspective based on a process approach to developing collective brand meaning. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review of the literature on COO branding and geographical indicators is undertaken, together with a review of contemporary research on branding. Our framework conceptualizes COO branding as an integrating process that aligns a network of relationships to co-create collective meaning for the brand’s value propositions. Findings An illustrative case study provides empirical evidence to support the new theoretical framework. Research limitations/implications Issues for further research include exploring and refining the theoretical framework in other research contexts and investigating broader issues about how COO branding influences self and collective interests in business relationships and industry networks. Practical implications Adopting a broadened perspective of COO branding enables managers to understand how identity and image are integrated with their business relationships in the context of developing collective brand meaning. Providing a sustained strategic advantage for all network actors, an integrated COO branding process extends beyond developing a distinctive identity and image. Originality/value Accepted consumer, product, firm and place level perspectives of COO branding are challenged by developing and verifying a new integrated conceptualization of branding.

University social responsibility and empathy in organizations during COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariane Lemos Lourenço ◽  
Mara Rosalia Ribeiro Silva ◽  
Rafael Santana Galvão Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Psychological Assistance ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between empathy and social responsibility (SR) practices in a university organization in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Design/methodology/approach The research was qualitative, using case study methodology. The case study was about the Brazilian organization Ânima Educação, which is the greatest among the five largest publicly traded education companies in Brazil. Secondary data collection and content analysis was carried out. Findings As emotional response toward the problems caused by the pandemic, the company's leadership adopted an empathic behavior, allowing traces of its empathic culture to emerge. Empathy was expressed through the implementation of SR practices aimed at workers (policy of not firing in the first two months of the pandemic), at students (provision of technological apparatus, online classes, physical/psychological assistance and negotiation of late fees) and at the society (assistance to the elderly). Originality/value It was concluded that empathy can be taken as the emotional motivator for companies to engage in SR practices, especially in extreme circumstances in society, as the economic and health challenges that the world is experiencing with the COVID-19 pandemic nowadays. SR practices, in turn, can foster even more empathy in organizations, mobilizing leaders and their respective groups in the creation and implementation of new practices, thus demonstrating that the relationship between empathy and SR practices is a “two-way street.”

Assessing Industry 4.0 readiness in manufacturing: a self-diagnostic framework and an illustrative case study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishnamurthy Ramanathan ◽  
Premaratne Samaranayake
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tool ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Emerging Economy ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Readiness Assessment ◽  
Manufacturing Firm ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an Industry 4.0 Readiness Assessment Framework (I4.0RAF) and demonstrate its applicability and practical relevance through a case study of a large manufacturing firm in an emerging economy.Design/methodology/approachThe research firstly involved a synthesis of recent literature for the identification of important determinants, and their constituent criteria, for assessing the readiness of a manufacturing firm to transition to an Industry 4.0 setting and structuring them into a readiness assessment framework that can be used as a self-diagnostic tool. The framework was illustrated through a case study. The empirical findings of readiness assessment are validated using semi-structured interviews of senior management of the organization.FindingsThe proposed I4.0RAF was found to be a practically applicable self-diagnostic tool that can be used to assess a firm's readiness to transition to an Industry 4.0 setting with respect to eight important determinants. Cross-functional participation in the assessment helped the organization to determine priorities and interdependencies among the determinants.Research limitations/implicationsThe determinants and their constituent criteria can be further streamlined using inputs from practitioners, consultants and academics.Practical implicationsThe findings demonstrate the interdependencies between the determinants, help to delineate interventions that can lead to synergistic outcomes and enabls planning to achieve higher levels of Industry 4.0 maturity.Originality/valueA self-diagnostic tool as a basis for an informed discussion on transitioning to an Industry 4.0 setting is presented and illustrated through a case study in an emerging economy.

A proposed framework for implementing risk-based Shari’ah audit

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suleiman Dalhatu Sani ◽  
Mustapha Abubakar
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Practical Work ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions

Purpose This paper aims to recommend a framework that serves as a practical work tool for conducting risk-based Shari’ah audit (RBSA) in Islamic financial institutions (IFIs). Design/methodology/approach Qualitative research method was used through critical in-depth content analysis of documented literature to generate deep insights, further supported with a hypothetical illustrative case study application of the framework on an Islamic bank, aimed at bringing the framework to a practical, near real-life scenario. Findings A robust RBSA framework has been developed which focuses on Shari’ah non-compliance risks to systematically and practically arrive at a rated opinion on the level of an IFI’s adherence with Shari’ah rules and principles as recommended by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions, aimed to safeguard the IFI and promote financial system stability at large. Research limitations/implications Practical realities limited the study to the use of a hypothetical case study bank. Future researchers can apply the framework to a real case study of diverse IFIs for effective contextual recalibration in diverse jurisdictions. Practical implications This paper aids the development of both internal and external Shari’ah audit practice using the risk-based approach. Social implications The RBSA framework contributes to promoting public trust and confidence in the Islamic finance industry. Originality/value This paper has proposed this RBSA framework as a practical work tool for Shari’ah auditors in their engagements and regulators in promoting sound governance and financial system stability. It provides foundation for future researchers in the field.

Corporate social responsibility: a case study in the company of urbanization of Curitiba

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ananda Silva Singh ◽  
Eduardo De Carli ◽  
Luiz Aurélio Virtuoso ◽  
Andréa Paula Segatto ◽  
Fernanda Salvador Alves
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Transportation System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the commitment to a corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice developed by Company of Urbanization of Curitiba S/A – URBS, located in Curitiba (Paraná), Brazil. The paper observes the CSR practice developed by the company. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive study that used a qualitative approach was held. The research strategy of the research used consisted of a case study. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews, documental analysis and direct observation. These data were further analyzed through the content analysis’ perspective. Findings The organization in question, even without obligation, develops a CSR project that contributes to the formation and awareness of young citizens, comprising ethical, voluntary, economical and legal responsibilities. Research limitations/implications Because of the fact that this is a single case study, the results cannot be generalized, representing only the reality of this case. Practical implications The practical implications of this study lies in the attention toward training of students of public schools, especially in aspects of buses and services usage and care for public equity, factors that even contribute to citizenship and the formation of better people and professionals. This will, in the future, contribute to form citizens that are more aware and who will tend to contribute to adequate usage of the transportation system as a whole, resulting in savings for the organization. Social implications The project analyzed in this study contributes to the formation of better citizens regarding the respect and ethical responsibilities they develop toward the public transportation system. Originality/value This paper demonstrates the commitment to a CSC practice made by a mixed-economy organization that develops this practice to contribute to the formation of citizens of the city. The value of this paper lies in the fact that it shows how CSR practices can be aligned with other practices of organizations, contributing to all stakeholders involved in it.

Developing an employee recognition program that promotes learning across the organization

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 45-48
Author(s):  
Simon R. Reese
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Employee Recognition ◽  
Strategic Vision ◽  
Employee Alignment ◽  
Common Purpose ◽  
Learning Together

Purpose Recognition programs have proven to be a useful tool in engaging employees and helping align them around a common purpose. In this case, study the organization created a recognition program that promoted learning across the organization. The easy to follow steps provided herein can be replicated by leaders in any organization. Design/methodology/approach The case study provides a quick reflection of the steps taken by the organization to create a recognition program that linked behaviors, tactical actions and corporate strategy in a way that engaged all toward learning together. Findings With the new program, the organization not only improved employee engagement and alignment around four critical behaviors, the organization also witnessed employee alignment around strategic vision and revenue improvements. Originality/value Studies find that employee engagement is seriously lacking. Studies also find that employee engagement is beneficial to employee contribution and employee success. Recognition programs have been described as one method to improve engagement. This case study illustrates how an organization was able to implement such a program.

Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility interface: a case study of private equity

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 703-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virgo Süsi ◽  
Krista Jaakson
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Private Equity ◽  
Resource Dependence Theory ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to explore why private equity (PE) cares about corporate social responsibility (CSR) of its investees given their relatively short investment time-horizon and how it designs corporate governance (CG) bundle to achieve both financial and CSR goals of the private firms it invests in. Design/methodology/approach Case study design is applied to get deeper insights on the why and how questions posed. Analysis is based on triangulation of secondary data and in-depth interviews with both PE and their investee firms. Findings The authors find that long-term sustainability supported by CSR increases firm value. They also outline specific CG bundle that the PE uses to achieve both its financial and CSR goals. CG mechanisms appeared to reflect agency theory, but even more resource dependence theory. Practical implications The outlined CG bundle could be used as a template for all types of private firm owners to improve both financial and CSR performance of the firm. Originality/value The paper adds to fragmented area of CG and CSR interface. The authors specifically focus on several under-researched contexts of this interface: private small and medium size firms (SMEs), emerging markets and PE investors.

Art crime: discussion on the Dancing Shiva acquisition

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-319
Author(s):  
Vicki Oliveri ◽  
Glenn Porter ◽  
Pamela James ◽  
Jenny Wise ◽  
Chris Davies
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
National Gallery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethical Frameworks ◽  
Provenance Research ◽  
Heritage Protection ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to explore how stolen Indian antiquities were purchased by a major Australian collecting institution, despite cultural protection policies designed to prevent such inappropriate acquisitions. Using the acquisition of the Dancing Shiva as a case study, the purpose of this paper is to examine how collecting institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia experience difficulty when determining legal title through provenance research. The impact of incautious provenance research produces significant risk to the institution including damaging its social responsibility credentials and reputation when the acquisition is discovered to be stolen. Design/methodology/approach This research applies a qualitative case study method and analysis of sourced official policy documents, personal communication with actors involved with the case, media reports and published institutional statements. Findings This work identifies four contributing factors that resulted in the National Gallery of Australia’s acquisition of stolen Indian artefacts: a misguided level of trust of the art dealer based on his professional reputation; a problematic motivation to expand the gallery’s Asian art collection; a less transparent and judicious acquisition process; and a collaboration deficiency with cultural institutions in India. Crime preventative methods would appear to be a strategic priority to counter art crime of this nature. Research limitations/implications Additional research into how collecting institutions can be effectively supported to develop and implement crime preventative methods, especially less-resourced institutions, can potentially further enhance cultural heritage protection. Practical implications Fostering a higher degree of transparency and institutional collaboration can enhance cultural heritage protection, develop a greater level of institutional ethics and social responsibility and identify any potential criminal activity. Changing the culture of “owning” to “loaning” may provide a long-term solution for cultural heritage protection, rather than incentivising a black market with lucrative sums of money paid for artefacts. Social implications Art crime involving the illegal trade of antiquities is often misinterpreted as a victimless crime with no real harm to individuals. The loss of a temple deity statue produces significant spiritual anguish for the Indian community, as the statue is representative not only of their God but also of place. Collecting institutions have a social responsibility to prioritise robust provenance policy and acquisition practices above collection priorities. Originality/value Art crime is a relatively new area within criminology. This work examines issues involving major collecting institutions acquiring stolen cultural heritage artefacts and the impact art crime has on institutions and communities. This paper unpacks how motivations for growing more prestigious collections can override cultural sensibilities and ethical frameworks established to protect cultural heritage. It highlights the liabilities associated with purchasing antiquities without significant due diligence regarding provenance research and safeguarding cultural heritage. It also emphasises the importance for collecting institutions to establish robust acquisition policies to protect the reputation of the institutions and the communities they represent.

Modelling near-real-time order arrival demand in e-commerce context: a machine learning predictive methodology

2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (6) ◽  
pp. 1149-1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.H. Leung ◽  
Daniel Y. Mo ◽  
G.T.S. Ho ◽  
C.H. Wu ◽  
G.Q. Huang
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Implementation Framework ◽  
Inference System ◽  
Content Type

PurposeAccurate prediction of order demand across omni-channel supply chains improves the management's decision-making ability at strategic, tactical and operational levels. The paper aims to develop a predictive methodology for forecasting near-real-time e-commerce order arrivals in distribution centres, allowing third-party logistics service providers to manage the hour-to-hour fast-changing arrival rates of e-commerce orders better.Design/methodology/approachThe paper proposes a novel machine learning predictive methodology through the integration of the time series data characteristics into the development of an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system. A four-stage implementation framework is developed for enabling practitioners to apply the proposed model.FindingsA structured model evaluation framework is constructed for cross-validation of model performance. With the aid of an illustrative case study, forecasting evaluation reveals a high level of accuracy of the proposed machine learning approach in forecasting the arrivals of real e-commerce orders in three different retailers at three-hour intervals.Research limitations/implicationsResults from the case study suggest that real-time prediction of individual retailer's e-order arrival is crucial in order to maximize the value of e-order arrival prediction for daily operational decision-making.Originality/valueEarlier researchers examined supply chain demand, forecasting problem in a broader scope, particularly in dealing with the bullwhip effect. Prediction of real-time, hourly based order arrivals has been lacking. The paper fills this research gap by presenting a novel data-driven predictive methodology.

Strategic interpretation on sustainability issues – eliciting cognitive maps of boards of directors

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jukka-Pekka Bergman ◽  
Antti Knutas ◽  
Pasi Luukka ◽  
Ari Jantunen ◽  
Anssi Tarkiainen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Boards Of Directors ◽  
Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Cognitive Maps ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Cognitive Diversity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Issues ◽  
Strategic Issue

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of cognitive diversity on strategic issue interpretation among the boards of directors making sense of sustainability management. The study also investigated the centrality of the corporate sustainability issues to identify common interpretative patterns in the shared cognitive maps among the companies. In addition, the aim was to advance quantitative methods for the analysis of decision-makers’ cognition. Design/methodology/approach The research was an exploratory study analyzing 43 individual cognitive maps collected through surveys from the boards of nine cleantech companies. For the elicitation of the cognitive maps, the study used the hybrid cognitive mapping technique. The diversity of the shared cognitive maps was analyzed using the distance ratio formula and the graph analysis method with eigenvector to measure the centrality of the strategic issue interpretation in the maps. Findings This study provides evidence through the analysis of distance ratios on the existence of cognitive diversity among companies within the same industry. Surprisingly, despite the cognitive diversity, the study identified strong common patterns on strategic issue interpretations among the companies. In addition, the study shows that the sustainability management issues have gained minor attention from the boards of directors. Research limitations/implications The initial industry sample provided relatively restricted perspectives on managerial cognition, and to confirm the findings regarding the effects of industry on the shared cognitive maps of top decision-makers, wider industry-level data are needed. Practical implications This study provides an approach to facilitate the process of strategic decision-making for top decision-makers by identifying the shared beliefs of the selected strategic theme and to concentrate on the most central strategic issues in the company and industry. It reveals asymmetry between the significance of sustainability issues in an open agenda and the real position of sustainability concepts in the shared cognitive maps in the green industry. Also, the study advances cognitive mapping techniques for application in the board’s decision-making. Originality/value This paper contributes to brightening the black box of corporate governance by shedding light on the interaction of the concepts of corporate sustainability and other key strategic issues within the shared cognitive maps of the boards. It also provides new empirical knowledge on top decision-making processes and the effects of cognitive diversity on the strategic issue interpretations within the corporate boards of the green industry, and it further develops the methodology for the quantification of cognitive diversity and the content of cognitive maps.

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