Controlling volatility but not growth: firms’ strategic orientations

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 5-7
Author(s):  
Safal Batra

Purpose While a lot is known about organizational growth, little is understood about how to manage volatility that comes along with growth. This paper, using existing research in this area and the empirical findings of a study by Moreno et al. (2014), offers crucial insights about managing volatility for firms trying to grow at the pace of technological changes. An attempt is made to highlight the differences of growth and volatility in a language that is easily comprehensible to practitioners. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on existing literature in the area of growth and on author’s personal interactions with the founders of small firms. Findings In this paper, it is argued that firm’s strategic orientations can be used as a contingency of growth–volatility relationship. In other words, firms with a strong entrepreneurial and market orientation are positioned to benefit from the pursuit of growth while still keeping the issues of volatility in control. Practical implications By clearly elucidating the concept of volatility and growth, the paper helps practitioners in finding ways of benefiting from growth and controlling unnecessary volatility. Originality/value This paper is among the limited research attempts addressing the concept of volatility. The finding that growth and volatility are inter-linked but different can be used effectively by practitioners.

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Lecat ◽  
Joelle Brouard ◽  
Claude Chapuis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the specificities of wine forgery today and to show the perspectives offered to the different stakeholders in the wine industry. Design/methodology/approach Owing to the technical aspects of this paper, a literature review based on academic papers (history) and articles coming from the professional press, internet websites and public organizations was made. Findings It was found that frauds have always existed. Forgers are constantly in search of new ways of counterfeiting wines. Producers have had to adapt to the various forms of counterfeiting, mainly by resorting to modern technology. As the traceability of great wines is becoming crucial, a new type of relationships between producers anxious to offer genuine estate wines and consumers anxious to drink the bottles they ordered has developed. This new constraint became a marketing opportunity for producers. Research limitations/implications It was difficult to obtain official data (interviews or surveys) because of the sensitiveness of the topic. Practical implications This paper, which offers an inventory of the methods used by forgers to deceive customers, makes both producers and consumers aware of the extent of the problem. The counterfeiting phenomenon is dangerous for producers’ image and the technological changes are a tool allowing producers to protect their wine and reinforce their relationships with consumers. Originality/value This paper gives an overview of forgers’ ploys in France. It opens a discussion about perspectives for the different stakeholders while most of the research tends to focus on technical solutions and the analysis of specific affairs which received media coverage.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Amir Rashid ◽  
Masood Nawaz Kalyar ◽  
Imran Shafique

PurposeThis research aims to investigate the contingent effect of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and strategic decision responsiveness (SDR) on the link of market orientation (MO) and performance of women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (WSMEs).Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 909 WSMEs of Punjab province Pakistan through survey questionnaire. Hierarchical regression is employed to perform the analysis.FindingsResults reveal that although higher-level dimensions of MO directly affect the WSMEs performance, however this linkage becomes stronger under SDR and higher-level dimensions of EO.Practical implicationsManagers should emphasis on the demonstration of EO's dimensions and SDR to utilize the full potential of MO to promote WSMEs performance.Originality/valueTo study the contingent effect of SDR and EO's dimensions in the MO–WSMEs performance nexus is the novelty of this study.


2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuria Recuero Virto ◽  
Maria Francisca Blasco López ◽  
Sonia San-Martín

Purpose This research aims to provide evidence of the impacts of market orientation, customer value approach (through prestige, value for money and reputation for quality) and innovation on museum sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The model is analysed through partial least squares (PLS-SEM), using a sample of 549 European museums. Findings The results reveal that reputation for quality, prestige, innovation and value for money positively and significantly influence museum sustainability. Interestingly, the most meaningful linkage is between market orientation and innovation. Practical implications This research helps museums that need to increase their customer value and innovativeness so as to ensure museum sustainability. It proves that museum managers have to increase employees’ involvement in decision-making processes. Originality/value By using a wide sample of European museums, this study suggests that museum managers need to consider the impact of marketing strategies and customer value perceptions on the economic and social sustainability of museums.


Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Learning is key to organizational growth and development. Various employee characteristics can predict the outcome of learning programs, which can have a more positive impact on firm performance if relevant online learning tools are also utilized. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent, information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 675-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Juaneda-Ayensa ◽  
Cristina Olarte-Pascual ◽  
Eva Reinares-Lara ◽  
Pedro Reinares-Lara

PurposeThe theory of emergent nature argues that the “right” people have a unique ability to imagine and envision how products might be developed so that they can be successful in the marketplace. The purpose of this paper is to apply this theory to the wine market to evaluate the ability of wine tasters with the “right” profile (i.e. high in emergent nature) to identify benefits applicable to the development of a new wine.Design/methodology/approachTwo sequential studies were performed to collect data: a qualitative study of a sample of 44 professional wine tasters to identify the “right” profile and a quantitative study, with a sample of 1,126 consumers, to assess the value of the benefits proposed by the wine tasters in terms of purchase intention. The validation of the measurement model was carried out using the variance-based partial least squares (PLS) technique.FindingsTwo types of wine tasters were identified, normal and “right”. The “right” wine tasters were more and better able to develop arguments for the innovation and market orientation of the wine.Practical implicationsIn the context of the wine market, identifying expert wine tasters with the “right” profile is a strategic option to improve innovation and market orientation in the development of commercially viable wines.Originality/valueThis pioneering research validates, in the wine market, a proven methodology used in other markets, which makes it possible to identify expert wine tasters high in emergent nature. These “right” expert tasters identify benefits that can have a decisive effect on purchase intention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 304-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Volo

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the evolution of tourism data and critically debates future perspective for producers and users of tourism data. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides a perspective on tourism data based on selected literature. Findings Industry developments, technological changes and novel methodologies have influenced tourism data sources. Closer attention to new data collection methods and novel analytics is required. Research limitations/implications A considerate and integrated system of tourism data (statistics, indicators, and big data) shall remain a priority for scholars and practitioners alike. Practical implications The thoughtful merging of tourists’ digital traces with industry data, the competences of data analysts and the theoretical strengths of tourism scholars will result in a redesign of the tourism data landscape. Social implications This perspective article provides a brief overview of the development and challenges related to the future use of tourism statistics, indicators and big data. Originality/value The paper offers a novel vision of tourism data by combining three different but complementary aspects of tourism data.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven-Olov Daunfeldt ◽  
Dan Johansson ◽  
Daniel Halvarsson

Purpose – High-growth firms (HGFs) have attracted an increasing amount of attention from researchers and policymakers, and the Eurostat-Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) definition of HGFs has become increasingly popular. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use a longitudinal firm-level data set to analyze the implications of using the Eurostat-OECD definition. Findings – The results indicate that this definition excluded almost 95 percent of surviving firms in Sweden, and about 40 percent of new private jobs during 2005-2008. Research limitations/implications – The proportion of small firms and their growth patterns differ across countries, and the authors therefore advise caution in using this definition in future studies. Practical implications – Policy based on the Eurostat-OECD definition of HGFs might be misleading or even counterproductive. Originality/value – No previous studies have analyzed the implications of using the Eurostat-OECD definition of HGFs.


foresight ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Safdari Ranjbar ◽  
Gholam Reza Tavakoli

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to promote the authors' understanding of technology intelligence by responding to two questions: What is technology intelligence? How is it accomplished? Design/methodology/approach – To respond to the two main questions about technology intelligence in this paper, the authors have studied relevant academic, peer-reviewed journals and books using the literature databases of Google Scholar, Sciencedirect, Inderscience, Wiley and Emerald Insight. They have used few selection criteria to choose papers and books for inclusion in their study. Findings – Enhancing the authors' understanding of the technology intelligence concept by responding to the two main questions (What is technology intelligence? How is it accomplished?), classifying the main studies in the field of technology intelligence and several practical and theoretical implications are the findings in this paper. Practical implications – A number of practical implications related to technology intelligence structure, process, methods, tools and players are suggested to managers of organizations and companies to improve their technology-related planning processes and decision-making. Originality/value – Despite the considerable level of consensus on the necessity of precise scanning and monitoring technological changes and trends, there is still limited understanding of the technology intelligence concept. This paper intends to enhance the authors' understanding of technology intelligence by responding to two questions: What is technology intelligence? And how is it accomplished?


2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svante Andersson ◽  
Henrik Florén

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the research on internationalization in small firms and research on managerial behavior, and it aims to develop new research questions that can enhance the understanding of the interface between these two areas.Design/methodology/approachA literature review of internationalization of small firms is carried out. It is concluded that understanding of managerial behavior in small international firms is in need of improvement. Therefore, the literature on managerial behavior is described, scrutinized and deployed in the context of small firms' internationalization.FindingsNo previous research has combined the research on small‐business internationalization and managerial behavior. Hypotheses that can be empirically tested and new research questions that can yield a better understanding of the internationalization processes in small firms are developed.Research limitations/implicationsThe hypotheses developed in this study have not yet been tested empirically. Further research is suggested to confirm and elaborate these propositions.Practical implicationsAs the propositions in this study are not tested their practical implications are limited at present. However, earlier research has shown that there is a link between managerial behavior and firm behavior. Managers may be inspired by the study to reflect upon this link and adjust their behavior in ways that can improve their firms' international development.Originality/valueIn this paper the research on internationalization in small firms is merged with the research on managerial behavior. By adding knowledge from the latter research tradition, the understanding of small‐firm internationalization should be advanced through raising novel issues and applying new methodological tools.


Author(s):  
Maria Francisca Blasco López ◽  
Nuria Recuero Virto ◽  
Joaquin Aldas Manzano ◽  
Jesús Garcia-Madariaga

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine a model for developing sustainable tourism in archaeological sites. A qualitative and quantitative approach has been assumed in order to test a model of market orientation, where 11 experts were interviewed and 122 employees of archaeological sites answered the e-questionnaire. Design/methodology/approach Partial least squares path modelling regression was employed to examine the measurement and structural model. Findings The findings have revealed that market orientation and innovativeness positively and significantly influence tourism sustainability, measured in economic and social terms. Besides, tourist functionality has been determined as an antecedent of market orientation. Research limitations/implications This study is limited by the sample sizes of both researches. The model has second order constructs (market orientation, innovativeness and tourism sustainability) that include related concepts to increase parsimony and understand relations with other variables. As a result, separate effects of these dimensions have not been measured, which could report interesting findings in future-related studies. Practical implications The results suggest useful insights for managers to improve social and economic sustainability in archaeological sites. Innovativeness affects tourism sustainability, which reinforces the idea that offering technological and organisational innovations improve economic and social sustainability. Besides, it has been proved that market orientation is a necessary precondition to guarantee social and economic sustainability. Originality/value This paper assists scholars and practitioners by shedding light on the comprehension of tourism sustainability.


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