scholarly journals Competing with the grey market: Puzey and Payne in Zimbabwe

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amon Simba ◽  
David J. Smith ◽  
Tatenda Dube
Keyword(s):  
Automobile Industry ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
The Impact

Synopsis The case study analyses competition in the automobile industry in Zimbabwe, a developing economy. From that perspective, it discusses Puzey and Payne’s business operations; a company with a long-standing history in the country’s automobile industry. Since its establishment during the Colonial era, the company endured a prolonged period of rapid car and spare parts sales decline in 2012. Following a management buyout deal in 2013, the decline in sales proved to be its real dilemma and it required strategic decisions to diffuse the impact of the “grey markets”. Government policies added to the company’s problems. Research methodology The case study follows a qualitative research approach. Information about Puzey and Payne’s business operations was gathered from archived materials, through qualitative conversations as well as company artefacts. Published materials in newspapers and magazines were used to provide background information. Relevant courses and levels The case study is appropriate for both undergraduate and postgraduate students studying International Business Management.

Lean Six Sigma in higher education institutes: an Irish case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 948-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seamus J. O’Reilly ◽  
Joe Healy ◽  
Tom Murphy ◽  
Rónán Ó’Dubhghaill
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to a developing literature on continuous improvement (CI), enabled by Lean Six Sigma (LSS), in higher education institutions (HEIs). It reports on the key learning points arising from the initial steps taken by an Irish university on its CI journey. Design/methodology/approach A case study strategy was adopted following a participatory research approach. This approach supports reflexivity and also provides access to all relevant documentation and staff within the case university. Thematic analysis was supported by data reduction and display techniques. Findings The introduction of a LSS approach rather than a reliance on lean alone introduced a structured methodology (DMAIC) that supported simplification of a number of administrative processes. A number of specific improvements were achieved including: Cycle time and cost reduction; customer or employee satisfaction; and rework and error reduction. The findings support the importance of the Readiness Factors as identified by Antony (2014), with particular insight into the role of senior and middle management, the impact of training and deployment of expertise. Research limitations/implications This paper is based on an ongoing, longitudinal, empirical study of a single case study in Ireland. Originality/value This paper tracks the development of CI in a HEI in a longitudinal manner and adds to the emerging the literature in this area. The paper evaluates the role of management at various levels, analyses the use of LSS tools and techniques and evaluated the role of training and capacity building. Implications for Management are shared including: design and role of training programmes, role of champions at various organisational levels, including key functional areas and sustaining momentum.

scholarly journals Enhancing graduate employability in product design

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Alan Watkins ◽  
Martin Higginson ◽  
Philip Richard Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Student Feedback ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Graduate Employability ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Internal Student ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a case study to discuss approaches taken within a traditional undergraduate degree course to embed employability skills, encourage student uptake of sandwich placement and increase graduate prospects. A number of new initiatives are presented, including working with live industrial clients, formally preparing students for placement applications and the introduction of an externally facing student run design consortium. Alongside these new initiatives, details of the existing sandwich year provision are also considered and their effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach A case study-based action research approach presents changes to a specific undergraduate course, measuring the effectiveness over a four-year period using externally collected national Destination of Leavers in Higher Education (DLHE) data and internal student feedback to assess the long-term effects on employability. Findings The paper considers improvements in the graduate employability over the four year period covered, in particular, an increase in the graduate employability from 81 to 100 per cent and graduate prospects from 62.5 to 95.2 per cent for sandwich students. Data presented also considers additional student feedback correlating with an increase in their preparedness for employment. Practical implications The implications of undertaking the changes highlighted within this paper have been relatively straightforward, due to the small incremental nature of the changes and the opportunities available through the agencies within the university, and should be replicable at least in part at other HE institutions. Originality/value This paper considers the impact of employability initiatives undertaken on a single undergraduate course and how these have affected the employability of graduates over a four-year period, supported by student feedback both internally and externally through national feedback mechanisms. It is anticipated that this research would be beneficial for informing and guiding the development of employability on other undergraduate programmes.

scholarly journals Assessment of strategic decisions of enterprises operating in the international marketing in the era of new technologies

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Łęgowik-Małolepsza
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Leverage Effect ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Chemical Company ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
Research Gap ◽  
The Impact

In the paper, the issue of assessment of strategic decisions in the company is approached, while indicating their impact on the implementation of modern technological solutions and the methods for their financing. The study is divided into two basic parts, namely theoretical and empirical. In the theoretical part, the essence of the strategy of the company is depicted, taking into account the impact of strategic decisions on the changes in the adopted strategy of the enterprise based on the literature studies. The considerations presented in the empirical part include the results of the research conducted in the multinational chemical company. The objective of the study is to learn and assess the relationships between the implementation of modern technological solutions and the effectiveness of strategic decisions on the methods for their financing. The research methods applied to accomplish the objective are literature studies, a case study and the following techniques related to analysis are used: the analysis of return on investment, and the analysis of financial leverage effect. The issue of assessment of strategic decisions is important and up-to-date due to its impact on the continuity of business operations and maintaining a competitive advantage on the market. This study is an attempt to fill the observed research gap regarding the relationships between the implementation of modern technological solutions and the effectiveness of strategic decisions on the methods for their financing.

The COVID-19 pandemic: the woes of small construction firms in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Amoah ◽  
Emmanuel Bamfo-Agyei ◽  
Fredrick Simpeh
Keyword(s):  
Global Economy ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Productivity Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
Work Done ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Second Wave

PurposeCOVID-19 came as a surprise to the global economy and devastated many sectors worldwide, including the construction sector. Small construction firms are believed to be an engine of growth in many developing countries, including Ghana; thus, their survival cannot be trivialized. This study explored the impact of the COVID-19 on the businesses of the small confirms in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach was adopted for this study. Open-ended interview questions were distributed via email to 45 small construction firms (D3K3 and D4K4) purposefully selected. Thematic contents analysis was used to analyze 30 interview questions received.FindingsThis study has revealed that the COVID-19 has severely affected small construction firms in Ghana. Small construction firms are struggling in their finances; their cash flow/payments for work done are severely affected; they cannot secure contracts and management site efficiently. Their worker's productivity level has dwindled, which has subsequently escalated their project cost and completion time. These effects identified are significantly affecting the survival of these small construction firms.Research limitations/implicationsThe study included small construction operating in the Central, Western and Greater Accra regions of Ghana during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the findings may be applicable to construction sites outside these regions.Practical implicationsThe implication is the COVID-19 pandemic hugely impacts the small construction firm's business operations. Therefore, they must be mindful of the new norm (COVID-19) and institute strategies to help them overcome the challenges and sustain their businesses.Originality/valueThe study gives insight into the effects of the COVID-19 on the businesses of small construction firms in Ghana and proposes strategies that they must implement to overcome their challenges and sustain their businesses.

A case study of XBRL implementation and development at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-291
Author(s):  
Rania Mousa ◽  
Robert Pinsker
Keyword(s):  
Deposit Insurance ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Federal Deposit Insurance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation and development of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The investigation seeks to gauge the roles and experiences of the FDIC and its main stakeholders to determine their engagement in XBRL diffusion within their organizations. Design/methodology/approach This is an qualitative research approach that is driven by the use of an in-depth case study and supported by the use of semi-structured interviews. Findings The findings showcase the role played by the FDIC as the first US regulatory authority that implemented and developed Inline XBRL. In addition, the use of diffusion of innovation theory provides better understanding of each stakeholder’s issues, benefits and challenges based on their experience. Research limitations/implications The research does not examine the institutionalization of XBRL at the FDIC or its stakeholders. Therefore, future research could incorporate a different research design to capture the impact of the pressure resulting from the regulatory mandate. Practical implications The research offers practical insights into public information technology managers and policymakers at global government agencies which are either non-adopters of XBRL technology or current adopters and consider transitioning into Inline XBRL. Global stakeholders could learn from the US experience and develop better understanding of Inline XBRL applications and functionalities. Originality/value The originality of this research is driven by the FDIC’s experience as the first regulatory developer of Inline XBRL. As such, the case study is a best practice to future and current adopters who often navigate the nuisance of implementing new technologies and/or developing existing ones.

Tensions in collaborative innovation projects and higher-level learning

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise Marcandella ◽  
Khoudia Guèye
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Collaborative Innovation ◽  
Innovation Projects ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

PurposeEnsuring collaboration between partners involved in a collaborative innovation project is a challenge for project managers. This paper aims to highlight how taking a high-level learning approach can represent a managerial lever. In addition, it analyzes the impact of learning tensions in a partnership context.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on an explorative, longitudinal and in-depth analysis of the Innovative Solutions in Urban Systems project via a qualitative single-case study. The research is inductive and based on data from the field rather than a deductive application of theory.FindingsCollaborative innovation projects represent a high-level learning case. Activity theory is suited to studying the dynamics of learning in collaborative innovation projects. Tensions can fertilize the front-end of collaborative innovation projects.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the chosen research approach, the research results may be difficult to generalize. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the conceptual framework further.Practical implicationsThis article provides a framework for managing tensions in collaborative innovation projects. The results provide also a process to implement all criteria of sustainable development in these projects.Social implicationsThis article highlights to what extent collaborative relations can be developed between participants through a questionnaire with social responsibility attributes. The questionnaire allows to foster participants’ trust.Originality/valueThis approach is original because the authors consider that situations exist that, by definition, belong to “higher-order learning”. Through a case study, they propose a framework to manage this situation.

Level of awareness among veterinary students of GADVASU towards plagiarism: a case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 899-915
Author(s):  
Nirmal Singh
Keyword(s):  
Research Work ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Veterinary Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Plagiarism is wrecking the academic spheres all around the world. The internet is accused for causing exponential increase in plagiarism. This paper aims to examine the prevalence of plagiarism among veterinary students and assess the impact of the internet on their plagiarism practices, so that the corrective measures can be suggested to ensure the originality of academic and research work. Design/methodology/approach A survey of undergraduate and postgraduate students of veterinary science was conducted at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana using questionnaire as data collection tool. The responses of total 147 students have been analysed using percentage calculations and mean values. The t-test has been applied using SPSS-16 to find the significance of difference in the plagiarism practiced by students using the internet and print sources of information. Findings Results revealed the prevalence of plagiarism among both groups of students. There was no significant difference in the frequency level of plagiarism among UG and PG students using both the internet and print sources of information, advocating that the internet has not influenced the plagiarism frequency of students. Originality/value This is the first known attempt to examine the plagiarism habits of veterinary students.

Up-fuse transforming plastic waste into innovative products: the case study of a sustainable Egyptian start-up

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Shrouk Mahmoud Abdelnaeim ◽  
Noha M. El-Bassiouny ◽  
Pallab Paul
Keyword(s):  
Background Information ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Start Ups

Learning outcomes Understand the implementation phase of sustainable start-ups. Identifying the 4 Ps of sustainable start-ups. Understand the different types of challenges faced by Up-Fuse regarding their target customers and their value proposition. Highlighting the important strategic decisions that sustainable start-ups have to consider in their business cycle. Analyzing the differences between the market conditions globally and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Case overview/synopsis Sustainable entrepreneurship is the type of entrepreneurship that is market-oriented and creative while at the same time putting the environment, society and economy into consideration. Sustainable entrepreneurs offer value through their goods and services that are beneficial or at least do not harm the environment or the society. The case provides background information and facts about doing business in the MENA region and Egypt specifically. Afterward, the case study emphasizes the challenges that are faced by sustainable entrepreneurs in Egypt through analyzing the case of a sustainable Egyptian start-up. The case study is on Up-Fuse, one of the sustainable start-ups in Egypt that produce backpacks, shoulder and waist bags, laptop sleeves, cases and pouches. This case study aims at describing the different challenges and strategic decisions that sustainable start-ups go through in Egypt. Complexity academic level This case targets undergraduate management students, marketing students, master of business administration students, entrepreneurship students and entrepreneurs. This case can be taught in courses with marketing, entrepreneurship and sustainability focus. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

scholarly journals Enhancing the impact of online simulations through blended learning

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 208-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Lean ◽  
Jonathan Moizer ◽  
Robert Newbery
Keyword(s):  
Blended Learning ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Simulation Game ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Simulation ◽  
Simulation Gaming ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe an approach for utilising a critical incident method within the context of an online business simulation game in order to provide an effective framework for reflective learning. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a review of pertinent literature to place the critical incident technique within the novel context of simulation gaming. Through presenting a case study of practice, it goes on to describe a blended learning approach that combines online simulation with post-simulation reflection based on the critical incident method. An action research approach is adopted as a framework for reflection on practice. Findings – From a conceptual perspective, there are a number of potential benefits to employing a critical incident approach combined with simulation gaming. The ability of educators to compress time frames and manage the introduction of critical incidents allows students to learn in a way that would not be possible in the real world. Furthermore, carefully designed post-simulation debriefing, structured around a critical incident framework, has the potential to enhance the learning impact of online simulation. Research limitations/implications – The research is limited in that a single case study context is described. Further evaluation research is required to fully assess the benefits of the approach adopted. Originality/value – The study explores the use of the critical incident approach within the novel context of online simulation gaming. It provides educators with a blended learning method that can be employed to enhance the impact of e-learning through structured reflection.

The impact of organisational structure on enterprise architecture deployment

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiko Iyamu ◽  
Leshoto Mphahlele
Keyword(s):  
Enterprise Architecture ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Structuration Theory ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Organisational Structure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Units ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – In many organisations, the alignment between information technology (IT) and business is viewed as an important catalyst for the organisation's effectiveness and efficiency towards achieving a competitive advantage. Yet, a shared understanding between business and IT (the EA included) remains an issue in many organisations. The organisational structure affects the alignment between business and IT units. Conversely, a lack of alignment of both components (IT and business units) impedes organisations' capacity to increase and improve their productivity. Many studies have been conducted in the area of IT, EA and the organisational structure. There is, however, little evidence of work conducted in exploring the interface between organisational structure and EA prior to this study. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A case-study research approach was employed to investigate the impact of organisational structure in the deployment of EA in organisations. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structure technique. The analysis was carried out, using structuration theory. Findings – The magnified data revealed some of unforeseen factors impeding the success of the EA deployment in the organisation. Originality/value – The work is original, and it has not been submitted or published anywhere else.

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