scholarly journals Conceptualising the impact of culture and language upon hospitality service management

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saloomeh Tabari ◽  
Jonathan A.J. Wilson ◽  
Hadyn Ingram
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Service Management ◽  
Intercultural Sensitivity ◽  
Hospitality Management ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and definitions of culture and its relationship to language and cultural sensitivity in hospitality management services. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a critical literature review followed by a phenomenological exploratory pilot study, using template analysis. Findings – Previous studies indicate that the more individuals understand and embrace notions of intercultural sensitivity, then the better they become at being able to recognise and discriminate between cultural differences. Furthermore, as a by-product, there is an increased appetite and tendency towards adopting cultural perspectives other than ones’ own. However, the operationalisation of this process encourages benchmarking along linear scales, which is problematic and over-simplifies the dynamic and fluid nature of effective cultural transmission. The paper’s findings suggest that rather than there being singular cultural and language constructs, there are cultures, which in places overlap, but elsewhere do not and therefore cannot be placed on universal scales; second, the critical success factor is less about linguistic literacy linked to vocabulary and explicit rational comprehension, and more about a pre-emptive cultural interpretive intelligence which identifies emotion and sentiment. Research limitations/implications – This is largely a conceptual paper, which, it is suggested, needs further empirical investigation – both longitudinally and on a larger scale. Originality/value – This perspective moves management, marketing and service delivery away from zero-sum games and transactional exchanges, whether financial, social or linguistic, towards collective wealth creation and empowerment – manifest in social cultural capital and the generation of tacit knowledge. The challenge that remains is how this process can be formalised and the tacit and implicit knowledge gained and created can be preserved.

Stock keeping unit rationalization: a cross-functional, cross-firm perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 994-1015
Author(s):  
Matias G. Enz ◽  
Matthew A. Schwieterman ◽  
Douglas M. Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Product Variety ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Functional Involvement ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Although managers have struggled with SKU proliferation for decades, research has provided inconsistent guidance, and the cross-functional and cross-firm aspects of the problem were not considered. The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that favor successful and sustainable SKU rationalization. Design/methodology/approach A single case study was used to investigate the implementation of an SKU rationalization project by a national restaurant chain in collaboration with its food distributor. Qualitative data analysis techniques were used to understand managers’ perceptions about the SKU rationalization problem and the financial results that were achieved. Findings The findings include seven propositions that begin to formalize theory for SKU rationalization. Cross-functional involvement was both a challenge and a critical success factor, and the supplier was an important resource for managing product variety and complexity. Research limitations/implications Seven propositions are provided that increase the likelihood of successfully dealing with SKU proliferation. Practical implications SKU proliferation increases supply chain complexity and leads to higher costs. The research reports on an SKU rationalization project that saved a company and its supplier $6.7m. Originality/value A previously unexplored theoretical perspective on SKU rationalization was employed that emphasizes cross-functional alignment, buyer–supplier relationships and the impact on financial performance of a firm.

Assessment of knowledge process capabilities toward project management maturity: an empirical study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Alghail ◽  
Liu Yao ◽  
Mohammed Abbas ◽  
Yahia Baashar
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Maturity Level ◽  
Knowledge Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The reasons behind the project management failure of higher education institutions (HEIs) have been researched for the past few years. One of the reasons is the lack of tools to integrate their knowledge process capabilities (KPC) with their project management (PM) to measure maturity by assessing these capabilities. Various project management maturity (PMM) models exist. Yet, there is a limited number of empirical studies that support the four integrations of KPC and PMM. Therefore, this study aims to propose a new heretical model, namely, KPC-knowledge management (KM) and evaluates a research model that includes the four KPC as an antecedent to PMM. Design/methodology/approach The suggested research model is assessed by using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Furthermore, the study's hypotheses were examined based on a sample of 352 respondents from the project management departments in 10 public universities in Yemen. Findings Analysis revealed that the derived PMM status could be benchmarked with the project management maturity model. Also, the study found that integrating the KPC into PM enables the institutions to perform critical tasks and value chain activities and enhance the PM maturity level as well. In contrast, if one of the capabilities does not positively impact PMM, it affects the maturity level of the entire project. Research limitations/implications The findings are obtained concerning data collected from public universities and represent the Yemeni context, limiting the generalization on a different geographical area. Also, this proposed model can be evaluated in a practical way like conducting a focus group, a set of interviews with specialists, a case study or action research. The qualitative research will help academics to validate our proposal for future research purposes. Practical implications The proposed approach may be adapted to the characteristics of organizations involved in projects as external performers (project-based organizations) and not just the HEIs projects. This study provides managers and policymakers with insights into assessing PMM and improving their organizational effectiveness when deciding which KPCs to focus on in the future. Social implications This study contributes to the current PM awareness in Yemen and facilitates its success using the knowledge processes capabilities in Yemen's HEIs. It encourages organizations to take this opportunity to revive the projects and achieve a maximum level of maturity. Originality/value This study provides new insights into two domains through the link between knowledge management and PM. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is among the first to empirically study the impact of the four KPC toward PMM. It enriches the theoretical perspective of PM. Also, it contributes to the literature on the success factor of KPC, which can be considered to improve organizational performance.

Idea labs: instituting an innovation discovery process capable of sustaining the business

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.K. Narayanan
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Concept ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Top Managers ◽  
Organizational Feature ◽  
Technology Specialists ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Sustaining product innovation in an established company – increasingly the key to a company’s economic success, and perhaps its survival – is a challenging task The author describes a and the model often referred to as an “Idea lab” that has emerged as a necessary organizational feature to accomplish this goal. Design/methodology/approach The author explains how to manage Idea labs as deliberately established locations, where individuals and teams with new product ideas can work together for concentrated bursts of time, sharpening and focusing their product concept, embedding the voice of the customer in product design and charting alternative progression paths for their ideas to be developed into potentially profitable offerings by units of the business that will nurture them. Findings In today’s organizations, the managerial prime directive is fundamentally being redefined as one of addressing the challenge of sustained, profitable innovation that opens new markets or reinvigorates existing ones. Idea labs should be considered a vital process in fostering sustaining innovation. Practical implications A critical success factor is the interplay between idea originators, technology specialists and product managers with a keen awareness of customer needs, competitor initiatives and genuine product differentiation. Originality/value A comprehensive guide for top managers and innovators, the article details the four key facets of Idea labs: Positioning in the firm’s innovation value chain. Tasks. Processes. Structure.

TOPSIS approach to prioritize critical success factors of TQM

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gholamhossein Mehralian ◽  
Jamal A Nazari ◽  
Hamid Reza Rasekh ◽  
Sajjad Hosseini
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Pharmaceutical Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Topsis Approach ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The pharmaceutical industry has a critical impact on health promotion. It is essential to identify and prioritize the critical success factors (CSFs) within this industry to ensure successful implementation of total quality management (TQM). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritize CSFs that affect TQM successful implementation in the pharmaceutical industry. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a thorough review of the literature and building on the earlier studies, a valid questionnaire was developed and sent to 320 managers in pharmaceutical sector. In total, 210 completed questionnaires were returned. The technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was used to rank and prioritize CSFs. Findings – Results of the data analyses showed that information and analysis, management commitment, relationship with suppliers, and customer focus are the top four CSFs for the successful implementation of TQM in the pharmaceutical sector. Originality/value – Using TOPSIS approach, this is the first study that determines CSFs that have impact on successful implementation of TQM in the pharmaceutical sector. There have been limited studies investigating the CSFs in developing countries. The findings will be useful in helping manager to successfully implement TQM in emerging markets. The approach will help future studies to examine the impact of successful implementation of TQM on firm performance in other industries and in emerging markets.

Cultural adaptation of web design services as critical success factor for business excellence

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armando Calabrese ◽  
Guendalina Capece ◽  
Francesca Di Pillo ◽  
Federico Martino
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Adaptation ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Web Design ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Critical Success Factor ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Business Excellence ◽  
Computer Mediated

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether cultural backgrounds of nations are expressed through the web design of their companies. Actually, it investigates whether, in countries characterized by the same cultural matrix and language but by different national backgrounds, the cultural specificities of a country are a critical success factor for web design and enablers of business excellence. Design/methodology/approach – Starting from a deep literature review, four research hypotheses on the relationship between cultural background and web design are formulated. By employing both the content analysis and the cross-tabulation methodology, these hypotheses are tested. Findings – Brazilian, Portuguese, Angolan and Macanese web sites show that companies operating in these countries are aware that cultural background is a necessary success factor to consider for improving cross-cultural management of computer-mediated communication. Indeed, the findings confirm that the internet is not a culturally neutral communication medium. By providing evidences of web site cultural adaptation, this study supports the use of a targeted approach to web site design and provides managerial guidelines for improving business excellence of companies’ online environment. Originality/value – The paper offers insights into the topic of a culturally adapted computer-mediated communication for improving consumer experience.

Success factors and criteria in the management of international development projects

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 562-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yitbarek Takele Bayiley ◽  
Getachew Kahsay Teklu
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Development Cooperation ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Critical Success

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the results of a survey that aims to explore and identify the European Union (EU) Development Cooperation project success factors and criteria and explain the relationship between the critical success factors (CSFs) and project success as perceived by the project managers and team members of the organizations participated in the survey. Design/methodology/approach – The research followed interpretive research philosophy, abductive approach, survey as a strategy, a cross-sectional time horizon and questionnaire as data collection instrument. It also employed exploratory design to identify CSFs and explanatory design to explain relationships between success factors and project success. Both primary and secondary data were used to gather data. Unstructured interviews were conducted with the project team members of EU delegation to Ethiopia, government organizations and NGOs while the secondary sources of data included extensive review of literature. Findings – Using principal component analysis the study identified a specific set of four CSFs for projects funded by EU: intellectual capital, sound project case, key manpower competency and effective stakeholder engagement. Moreover, the descriptive statistics of the survey highlighted five critical success variables: clear policy of donors and recipient government, strong local ownership of project, effective consultation during planning, high motivation and interest, and compatible rules and procedures. The study ranked relevance, impact, effectiveness, sustainability, and efficiency according to their level of importance by the participants of the survey. Research limitations/implications – The research is temporally, spatially, and contextually delimited to EU funded projects from the period 2010 to 2014 that are completed and still ongoing. Moreover, the current study focusses only on aid projects funded by EU in Ethiopia which might limit its generalizability into ID projects in developing countries funded by bodies other than EU such as World bank, United Nations and its different bodies, African Union, Japanese government to mention some. Social implications – The current study has clearly identified intellectual capital which covers social capital as the most important success factor for projects funded by EU in Ethiopia. Accordingly, the study underscored the importance of securing continuous support from all stakeholders and holding effective consultations of stakeholders during planning, implementation and closing phases of EU funded projects. Originality/value – The study identified new CSFs specific to projects funded by EU and the incompatibility in the perceived importance of project success criteria among different stakeholders implicating differences in the priority they set.

scholarly journals Pilgrims together: leveraging community partnerships to enhance workplace resilience

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Nadine Frolic
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Transformation ◽  
Community Building ◽  
Workplace Stress ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Double Bind ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Critical Success Factor ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Primary Care Teams ◽  
The Impact

Many of today’s healthcare personnel find themselves in a double-bind. The question is: How to remain connected, caring and compassionate with patients, while mitigating the impact of chronic workplace stress? Mindfulness is emerging as a means for addressing this dilemma as it has the potential to both reduce workplace stress and boost employee resilience, while enhancing the patient experience. This article describes the development of a unique collaboration between local hospitals, primary care teams and a university, aimed at bringing mindfulness to life in healthcare. This is a conventional story of program development and evaluation, as well as an unconventional story of personal discovery, community-building, and organizational transformation. Each section of the paper highlights a critical success factor that we have uncovered in our journey, and poses a series of questions for contemplation.  This paper aims to fill a gap in the literature by describing the key ingredients for developing and sustaining a community-wide collaboration aimed at integrating mindfulness into the healthcare system.   

Employee ownership in companies in Cameroon

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ousmanou Alim
Keyword(s):  
Average Rate ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Employee Ownership ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Statistical Institute ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of employee ownership (EO) on the creation of shareholders’ wealth in companies in Cameroon. Design/methodology/approach The methodological approach adopted is hypothetical-deductive. The sample includes 89 companies, of which 31 practiced EO policy for at least ten years. Information used come from secondary data collected over the period 2008–2013 at the National Statistical Institute of Cameroon. These data were analyzed through a time series cross-sectional regression, corrected for any latent heteroskedasticity and serial auto-correlation. Findings The paper finds that the average level for participation of employee in the capital is 7.4 percent and the average wealth creation of shareholders is 26 percent of invested equity. However, this average rate of creation of shareholders’ wealth is higher in companies with EO (45 percent) than in conventional firms (16 percent). For the results of model estimates, the percentage of capital held by employees affect positively and significantly at 1 percent the return on equity. This study concludes that EO is a lever for creation of shareholders’ wealth in companies in Cameroon. Practical implications Findings of this research can serve as framework for reflection by politicians, managers and business leaders as they will have a strategic management tool capable of improving the social climate in companies and also promoting shareholders’ wealth creation. It is a formula that would allow them combining economic and social realities of organizations. Originality/value No similar review has been done before in Africa in general and Cameroon in particular. Study was carried out in a context where financial market is not developed.

scholarly journals The impact of divestitures on shareholder wealth – The DACH case

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Teschner ◽  
Herbert Paul
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Abnormal Returns ◽  
Shareholder Wealth ◽  
Wealth Effects ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Publicly Traded ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Publicly Traded Companies ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to study the impact of divestitures on shareholder wealth. This study covers selloffs of publicly traded companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH region) during the period 2002–2018. It aims to understand the overall effect of selloffs on shareholder wealth as well as the impact of important influencing factors.Design/methodology/approachThis study is part of capital market studies which investigate shareholder wealth effects (abnormal returns) using event study methodology. To determine the significance of abnormal returns, a standardized cross-sectional test as suggested by Boehmer et al. (1991) was applied. The sample consists of 393 selloffs of publicly traded companies with a deal value of at least EUR 10m.FindingsThe findings confirm the overall positive impact of selloffs on shareholder wealth. The average abnormal return on the announcement day of the sample companies amounts to 1.33%. The type of buyer, the relative size of the transaction as well as the financial situation of the seller in particular seem to influence abnormal returns positively.Originality/valueThis study investigates shareholder wealth creation through selloffs in the DACH region, a largely neglected region in divestiture research, but now very relevant due to increasing pressure of active foreign investors. Sophisticated statistical methods were used to generate robust findings, which are in line with the results of similar studies for the US and the UK.

Critical success factors for TQM implementation among manufacturing SMEs

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 473-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetoslav Georgiev ◽  
Seiichi Ohtaki
Keyword(s):  
Success Factors ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
International Study ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Management Involvement

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address a perennial question regarding the importance of soft total quality management (TQM) as part of the TQM implementation process – a topic that has been significantly understudied. Specifically, the authors address previous calls in the literature for stressing the soft aspects of TQM and for drawing a critical success factor (CSF) list that is formulated on the basis of empirical research instead of theory. Design/methodology/approach This is a comparative qualitative case study of three manufacturing SMEs combining empirical data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a large variety of stakeholders – from top managers to shop-floor workers, site visits and observations. Findings The study identifies 12 soft CSFs, and while most of these factors have been well-documented in the literature (e.g. top management involvement and leadership), the authors show evidence for the existence of other soft constructs that have not been considered or have been given little importance previously (i.e. middle management involvement and support, reward and recognition, CSR focus). Research limitations/implications The study fills two major gaps in the (T)QM literature. First, it enriches the understanding of TQM implementation among Japanese SMEs. Second, it addresses the importance of soft TQM as part of the TQM implementation process. Practical implications This paper provides company owners and managers with valuable knowledge that may assist their organisations in the pursuit of business excellence including higher product quality and employee satisfaction. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first (international) study to investigate TQM implementation within the context of Japanese SMEs.

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