If your market is a competitive dogfight, think like a cat

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard Sherman
Keyword(s):  
Business Strategy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Differentiation ◽  
Differentiated Products ◽  
Value Proposition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Profit Margins ◽  
Corporate Leaders ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The article helps answer one of the most urgent questions facing corporate leaders: how can a company trapped in a competitive market innovate successful new products that are meaningfully different? Design/methodology/approach The article explains how to implement three business-strategy frameworks that have emerged, all of which provide useful guidance to entrepreneurs and corporate innovators seeking to identify meaningfully differentiated products and services that deliver a compelling consumer value proposition. Findings The three strategy frameworks reviewed in this article provide insightful perspectives on how companies can break away from the pack to create sizeable opportunities for profitable growth, even in industries that are struggling with sluggish demand and slim profit margins. Practical implications Be prepared to disrupt your own business when the inevitable onset of Red Ocean market conditions begins to diminish your prospects for continued profitable growth. Originality/value A comprehensive look at product and service differentiation strategies that can focus the hunt for breakthrough innovations.

What demographics matter for organisational culture, commitment and identification?

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 274-290
Author(s):  
Natalia Volkova ◽  
Vera Chiker
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Employee Perceptions ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Specific Finding ◽  
Public Organisations ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Demographic Effects

Purpose The purpose of this study to establish what demographic characteristics (gender, generations and organisational tenure) play a role in employee perceptions of organisational culture, commitment and identification in Russian public organisations. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected electronically from 248 employees of two public organisations. Three questionnaires were used. Findings Organisational tenure plays a central role in the way how employees perceive organisational culture; tenure also shapes the levels of both commitment and identification. The specific finding of Russian settings is that the longer employees work for a company, the lower the levels of psychological attachments they demonstrate, while it is not the case for some existing international results. The other findings correspond with those in international studies, in which women were more psychologically attached to the organisation and showed a higher level of identification and lower rates of negative forms of this concept than men did. The older the employees are, the higher the level of identification they express. Practical implications Managers working in Russian settings can struggle with engaging and retaining employees. Understanding the demographic effects can help alleviate these challenges. Originality/value Based on empirical findings, this paper contributes to the literature on organisational socialisation by providing evidence of the damaging effects of the length of organisational tenure on psychological attachment to the company (in the form of commitment and identification). Additionally, tenure is the shaping factor of employee perception of organisational culture.

SFC reminding sponsors of the need to adopt an attitude of “professional scepticism”

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 82-84
Author(s):  
Gareth Hughes ◽  
James Comber
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Regulatory Regime ◽  
Group Company ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Skepticism ◽  
Company Limited ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Do So

Purpose To remind sponsors to adopt an attitude of “professional skepticism” in Hong Kong IPOs. Design/methodology/approach Explains the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”)'s sanction on BOCOM International (Asia) Limited (“BIAL”) as a sign of determination to hold sponsors to account as gatekeepers to the Hong Kong capital markets. Findings The SFC has reprimanded and fined BIAL HK$15 million for failing to discharge its duties as a sole sponsor in a listing application for China Huinong Capital Group Company Limited (“China Huinong”), a company established in the PRC. This substantial fine reinforces the need for sponsors to ensure that they fully and properly discharge all of their duties, and that they will be held responsible for any failure to do so, even if the listing is not ultimately approved. Practical implications If sponsors fail to fulfil the requirements required under the sponsors’ regulatory regime, the SFC will be proactive and impose tough sanctions, even if the listing application is eventually withdrawn or returned by the SEHK. Originality/value Practical guidance from experienced regulatory, financial and commercial dispute resolution lawyers.

Technology brokering and innovation: linking strategy, practice, and people

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Hargadon
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Innovation Strategy ◽  
Growth Opportunities ◽  
Main Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Leaders ◽  
Continuous Innovation ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe author has spent the last ten years studying the innovation process in modern organizations and found that the most successful firms pursue an innovation strategy termed technology brokering.Design/methodology/approachHow are the objectives achieved? Include the main method(s) used for the research. What is the approach to the topic and what is the theoretical or subject scope of the paper?FindingsRather than chasing wholly new ideas, these successful firms focus on recombining old ideas in new ways. The results have sparked many technological revolutions and produced a steady stream of growth opportunities for existing businesses.Research limitations/implicationsNeeds cases showing that technology brokering, and the complementary work practices and people, can successfully execute such a strategy.Practical implicationsBy transforming traditional R&D organizations through a strategy of technology brokering firms can build competencies for continuous innovation..Originality/valueTo pursue a strategy of recombinant innovation, corporate leaders must put themselves in position to be the first to see how existing technologies in one market could be used to create breakthrough innovations in another.

Towards greater understanding of a supply chain strategy

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 6-8
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Tacit Knowledge ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Strategy ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

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 Greater understanding of a business unit’s actual rather than desired supply chain strategy can help identify where changes are needed and ensure it remain closely linked to the wider business strategy. Use of a relevant framework enables the tacit knowledge surrounding the supply chain function to become conceptualized and thus make the supply chain strategy more explicit. 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.

Unmasking conflict in vertical coopetition

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anni Rajala ◽  
Annika Tidström
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
And Task

Purpose The purpose of this study is to increase understanding about vertical coopetition from the perspective of interrelated conflict episodes on multiple levels. Design/methodology/approach The empirical part is based on a qualitative single case study of a coopetitive buyer-supplier relationship in the manufacturing sector. Findings Conflicts in vertical coopetition evolve from being merely functional and task-related to becoming dysfunctional and relationship-related, as the level of competition increases. The nature of conflict episodes influences the development of vertical coopetition, and therefore, the interrelatedness of conflict episodes is important to acknowledge. Practical implications Although a conflict is considered functional within a company, it may still be dysfunctional as far as the coopetitive relationship with the buyer or seller is concerned. Competition may trigger conflicts related to protecting own technology and knowledge, which may lead to termination of the cooperation, therefore coopetition should be managed in a way that balance sharing and protecting important knowledge to get advantages of coopetition. Originality/value The findings enhance prior research on vertical coopetition by offering new perspectives on causes of conflicts, their management, outcomes and types. The value of taking a multilevel approach lies in the ability to show how conflicts occur and influence other conflicts through the interrelatedness of conflict elements on different levels.

E­commerce structures for retail and service franchises

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhanna Kremez ◽  
Lorelle Frazer ◽  
Scott Weaven ◽  
Sara Quach
Keyword(s):  
Business Strategy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Preliminary Model ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Order Fulfilment ◽  
Franchise Networks ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth investigation of e-commerce strategy implementation in mature franchise organisations from both franchisor and franchisee perspectives.Design/methodology/approachThis research employed a multiple case study method where the e-commerce strategies of two mature franchise organisations were investigated in depth. Franchising experts were interviewed to provide an additional dimension to this study.FindingsThis research found that e-commerce must be integrated with the overall business strategy for optimal franchise performance. Since all parties to the franchising relationship are affected by the introduction of e-commerce, both the franchisees’ and the franchisor’s interests must be considered when the strategy is being developed. In addition, the consumer’s perspective is central to how e-commerce is structured, and franchisees are best placed to know their customers’ needs because they are directly involved in operating their business and interfacing with customers.Practical implicationsA preliminary model for e-commerce structures in service and retail franchising has been developed that depends on the nature of the business, the distribution arrangements and the order fulfilment arrangements. The two main avenues in e-commerce structuring were centralisation and decentralisation.Originality/valueThis study contributes to knowledge through an in-depth investigation of the internal process of e-commerce implementation in franchise networks from both franchisor and franchisee perspectives.

Designing future enterprises: aligning enterprise design with business strategy

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 33-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tajinder Toor
Keyword(s):  
Business Strategy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Enterprise Design ◽  
Leading Enterprises ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the misalignment between enterprise design and its business strategy and suggests three principles to eliminate the misalignment. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Three principles – Common Identification and Consolidation, Collaboration and Standardization – are suggested to align enterprise design with its business strategy. Practical implications This paper provides strategic insights that can have influence some of the world’s leading enterprises. Irrespective of the technology, the suggested three principles can be applied to any enterprise to gain interconnectedness, resiliency and efficiency. Originality/value The paper provides valuable information in a very concise and easy-to-understand format thus saving executives hours of browsing and reading time.

Beyond customer experience models: identifying idiosyncratic perceptions

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 1311-1328
Author(s):  
Michele Gorgoglione ◽  
Umberto Panniello
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Customer Experience ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Segmentation Analysis ◽  
Bank Managers ◽  
Cluster Profiles ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that a deeper analysis of customer experience (CE) can identify idiosyncratic and critical perceptions in the experiences of groups of customers. Design/methodology/approach The methodology that the authors used is made of three main steps: segmentation analysis, profiling and identification of idiosyncratic clusters’ profiles (i.e. those with a CE perception different respect to the whole sample) and among these idiosyncratic clusters, identification of those that may be critical for the business. Findings The authors identified clusters of customers showing significant differences in their perceived experience with respect to the holistic CE model. Nevertheless, a sample of bank managers assessed three cluster profiles among them to be critical signals a company. The identification of these idiosyncratic patterns provides managers with interesting additional insights that would be hidden in a holistic CE model. Practical implications Managers can gain valuable insights of CE from this analysis that should be added to those coming from an holistic CE model. Originality/value This paper contributes to the scientific research in that it extends the knowledge about CE by showing how personal factors can be identified and how drawing additional managerial insights.

scholarly journals How to increase engagement on social media using the honeycomb model

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-167
Author(s):  
Susana Costa Silva ◽  
Wilian Feitosa ◽  
Paulo Duarte ◽  
Marta Vasconcelos
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Before And After ◽  
A Company ◽  
New Procedures ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand how a company could improve public engagement on social media (SM) analysing the case of Alento, which is a human resources and consulting company located in Portugal. The company’s presence on Facebook was analysed by using the honeycomb model for SM functionality, by Kietzmann et al. (2011), as a theoretical framework. Design/methodology/approach The authors implemented some actions to change procedures on SM management. Monitoring five months of data, the authors could compare the SM engagement before and after changes on SM management. Then, a convenience sample of 205 useable questionnaires was collected. The population of the study comprised Portuguese Facebook users who liked the Alento Facebook Fan Page. An analysis of honeycomb dimensions was performed. Findings The engagement level on Alento’s SM was increased by changing procedures identified on survey. In five months, Alento’s number of followers was increased by just 4.5 per cent, interactions were increased by 35 per cent, views were more than twice (+122 per cent) and fans who clicked on Alento’s Facebook page’s links were increased by 146 per cent. Research limitations/implications There were also some limitations related to the sample, since the authors only obtained 205 responses. Therefore, the second suggestion for future investigations would be to conduct the survey on a larger number of people. This study just considers five months after changing procedures. A longer range of time could produce different results. Practical implications The most relevant contribution of the current study is the offer of some insights into the use of a simple tool such as the honeycomb model of Kietzmann et al. (2011) for the analysis of the social engagement from a firm’s perspective, regardless of their nature. Social implications The importance of SM to spread good content and to reduce media costs is reinforced in this study. Originality/value This study is innovative, as it identifies a need of change on SM management, proposes and implements new procedures, checking its results. SM marketing is a new wagon of study, and the problem of how to increase engagement on professional SM is on top priorities of the field.

HCL Technologies puts employees before customers

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-14
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Software Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Pole Position ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Grassroots Innovation ◽  
Percent Increase ◽  
Almost All ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Reveals that, in an era when almost all businesses accept that the customer comes first, a company that is putting its employees in pole position is reaping the benefits in terms of innovation, customer satisfaction and profitability. Design/methodology/approach – Underlines the reasons for the employee first, customer second approach at HCL Technologies, the information-technology and software-development division of HCL Enterprise, how this has evolved into the corporate philosophy of “ideapreneurship” at the company and the effects of this corporate philosophy. Findings – Explains that grassroots innovation has led to 20,000 ideas being put forward by some 12,000 employees over the last eight years. Almost 4,500 ideas have been implemented and a further 3,000 are being introduced. They have generated more than $250 million of value. On a wider level, HCL has seen a 500 percent increase in revenues since 2005. Practical implications – Demonstrates that the company, a software-engineering partner for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner passenger jet, is delivering one of the best returns on equity among offshore IT providers by creating an entirely differentiated set of offerings focused both on running and changing the business. Originality/value – Reveals an unorthodox approach to human-resource management that has helped to turn round the fortunes of an information-technology company.

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