SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION CUBE — A FRAMEWORK TO EVALUATE SUSTAINABILITY-ORIENTED INNOVATIONS

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (04) ◽  
pp. 683-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
ERIK G. HANSEN ◽  
FRIEDRICH GROSSE-DUNKER ◽  
RALF REICHWALD
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Management ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Generic Model ◽  
Social Dimensions ◽  
Innovation Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Expert Study

Corporations increasingly subscribe to the principles of corporate sustainability, which is generally described as the integration of economic, environmental and social dimensions. Concerning innovation management, this emphasises the role of sustainability-oriented innovations (SOI). SOI is considered a tool both to address sustainability issues and to tap into new customer segments and markets. Yet SOI are very risky: both their market success and non-economic sustainability are uncertain. This paper presents a generic model termed the "Sustainability Innovation Cube" (SIC) for structuring innovations' sustainability effects in order to better inform corporate decision-makers about how to minimize the directional risk of SOI. The model includes the three dimensions: target, life cycle and innovation type. A qualitative expert study reveals the opportunities and challenges related to the developed model. Finally, practical implications are derived, limitations are discussed and a brief outlook is given.

Size does matter – span of control in hospitals

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Holm-Petersen ◽  
Sussanne Østergaard ◽  
Per Bo Noergaard Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Leadership Capacity ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Span Of Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Frontline Leaders ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Centralization, mergers and cost reductions have generally led to increasing levels of span of control (SOC), and thus potentially to lower leadership capacity. The purpose of this paper is to explore how a large SOC impacts hospital staff and their leaders. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a qualitative explorative case study of three large inpatient wards. Findings The study finds that the nursing staff and their frontline leaders experience challenges in regard to visibility and role of the leader, e.g., in creating overview, coordination, setting-up clear goals, following up and being in touch. However, large wards also provide flexibility and development possibilities. Practical implications The authors discuss the implications of these findings for decision makers in deciding future SOC and for future SOC research. Originality/value Only few studies have qualitatively explored the consequences of large SOC in hospitals.

Blinded by the light? Analyzing sustainability authenticity, customer service perceptions, and halo effects

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clinton Amos ◽  
Sebastian Brockhaus ◽  
Amydee M. Fawcett ◽  
Stanley E. Fawcett ◽  
A. Michael Knemeyer
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Behavioral Experiments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate how service perceptions influence customer views of the authenticity of corporate sustainability claims. The goal of this paper is to help supply chain decision-makers better understand boundary conditions in order to design more enduring and impactful sustainability programs.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employ behavioral experiments, subjecting two theoretically derived hypotheses to verification across five diverse industries and two distinct sustainability vignettes.FindingsCustomer service perceptions emerge as a significant boundary condition to the perceived authenticity of sustainability efforts. Subjects attributed significantly higher authenticity toward sustainability efforts in above average vs below average service quality contexts. Further, respondents attributed deceptive motivations to sustainability efforts at companies with below average service.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors confirm the underlying tenet of social judgment theory, which suggests thata prioriperceptions create a zone of acceptability or rejection. Ultimately, investing in sustainability can lead to counterproductive cynicism.Practical implicationsThe authors infer that customers’ willingness to give companies credit for sustainability initiatives extends beyond service issues to any practice that influencesa prioriperceptions. Supply chain managers must rethink their role in designing both customer service and sustainability systems to achieve positive returns from sustainability investments.Originality/valueThe authors challenge the assumption that customers universally positively view sustainability efforts. If customers holda priorinegative service perceptions, otherwise well-designed sustainability programs may invoke cynical reactions. Thus, sustainability programs may not inoculate firm reputations from adverse incidents. Given they touch both service and sustainability systems, supply chain managers are positioned to holistically influence their design for competitive advantage.

Assessing the objectives of dry ports: main issues, challenges and opportunities in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago de Almeida Rodrigues ◽  
Caroline Maria de Miranda Mota ◽  
Udechukwu Ojiako ◽  
Fikri Dweiri
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Second Step ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Dry Ports ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose is to identify the main characteristics of dry ports (DPs) in Brazil, discussing the role of this logistic player, challenges and opportunities. Furthermore, this study provides a structured framework to drive DP decision-makers, identifying and assessing a network of means–end objectives, which could be replicable to other contexts.Design/methodology/approachThis article approached initially a literature review and exploratory research to discuss the main characteristics of DPs in Brazil. The second step was to conduct a qualitative analysis following the value-focused thinking (VFT) approach in two case studies in Pernambuco state to assess the achievement of the main objectives.FindingsThis article identified that the main characteristics of DPs in Brazil are offering additional services with a cheaper storage cost, handling mainly import cargo and being connected to seaports through highways. Moreover, this study resulted in a framework to assess the objectives of DPs, which could be replicable in other contexts, improving the current operations of DPs.Practical implicationsThe framework to assess DPs' objectives bridged the gap between the literature and the practice working as a tool to drive decision-makers to improve the current performance of DPs in Brazil. Additionally, the main issues, challenges and opportunities discussed provide managers, policymakers and DPs operators with valuable insights into this theme.Originality/valueThis paper is the first study to present a framework to assess the objectives of DPs as a valuable tool to drive decision-makers to improve DPs operations. From this study, lessons could be learned and the process described could be replicable in other countries.

scholarly journals Organizational identification, work engagement, and job satisfaction

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 1019-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Karanika-Murray ◽  
Nikita Duncan ◽  
Halley M. Pontes ◽  
Mark D. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Social Identity ◽  
Organizational Behavior ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Organizational Identification ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Organizational identification refers to a person’s sense of belonging within the organization in which they work. Despite the importance of organizational identification for work-related attitudes and organizational behavior, little research has directly examined the mechanisms that may link these. The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of how organizational identification relates to job satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – Adopting a social identity perspective, the authors present and test two models that describe work engagement and its constituent dimensions (vigor, dedication, absorption) as mediating the relationship between organizational identification and job satisfaction. Findings – Bootstrapped mediation analyses provided support for full mediation whereby there is an indirect (via work engagement) and positive effect of organizational identification on job satisfaction. Analyses also provided support for the mediating effects of the three dimensions of work engagement, vigor, dedication, and absorption, in this relationship. Practical implications – Although cross-sectional, this study provides a needed first step toward an understanding of the important role of organizational identification for job satisfaction and the mediating role of work engagement in this relationship. Originality/value – The results provide valuable insights into the effects of organizational identification and address some of the gaps in understanding social identity as the context for work behaviors. Theoretical and practical implications for strengthening employee engagement and enhancing organizational identification are discussed.

Product-Service Systems as Enabler for Sustainability-Oriented Innovation

2013 ◽  
pp. 1106-1120
Author(s):  
Friedrich Grosse-Dunker ◽  
Erik G. Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Social Dimensions ◽  
Product Innovations ◽  
Product Service ◽  
New Business ◽  
Product Service Systems

Corporations increasingly subscribe to the principles of corporate sustainability, which is generally described as the integration of economic, environmental, and social dimensions. As sustainability presents a new source of ideas and visions leading to new business opportunities and competitive advantage, the role of Sustainability-Oriented Innovation (SOI) is ever more emphasized. However, developing products under the paradigm of SOI is risky: both the product’s market success and (non-economic) sustainability effects are uncertain. Product-Service System (PSS) – i.e. a combination of products and services –constitutes a significant approach to overcome some of the limitations of SOI and, additionally, can spur the diffusion of SOI. In this chapter, we use an exploratory research strategy to further investigate the links between SOI and PSS. We present a case study on off-grid lighting in Kenya and analyze the sustainability effects on the product and PSS level. The complexity of SOI and the sustainability potentials of PSS are illustrated. Moreover, we also emphasize the role of a joint achievement of sustainability-oriented product innovations and PSS innovations.

scholarly journals Nonlinear associations between breached obligations and employee well-being

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen de De Jong ◽  
Michael Clinton ◽  
Thomas Rigotti ◽  
Claudia Bernhard-Oettel
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Nonlinear Associations ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the nonlinear association between proportions of breached obligations within the psychological contract (PC) and three dimensions of employee well-being, and the mediating role of contract violation in these relationships. With this study the authors gain a more detailed understanding of PC evaluations and their consequences for well-being. Design/methodology/approach – The authors build on asymmetry effects theory and affective events theory to propose that breached obligations outweigh fulfilled obligations in their association with well-being. The hypotheses are tested using a sample of 4,953 employees from six European countries and Israel. Findings – The results provide support for the hypotheses, as the effect sizes of the indirect relationships for breached obligations on well-being via violation are initially strong compared to fulfilled obligations, but decrease incrementally as the proportion of breached obligations become greater. At a certain point the effect sizes become nonsignificant. Research limitations/implications – The study shows that PC theory and research needs to better acknowledge the potential for asymmetrical effects of breach relative to fulfillment, such that the breach of obligations can sometimes have a stronger effect on employee well-being than the fulfillment of obligations. Practical implications – Those responsible for managing PCs in organizations should be aware of the asymmetrical effects of breach relative to fulfillment, as trusting on the acceptance or tolerance of employees in dealing with breached obligations may quickly result in lower well-being. Originality/value – The findings have implications for the understanding of PC breach and its associations with employee well-being.

A multidimensional analysis of spiritual leadership, affective commitment and employees' creativity in South Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1035-1052
Author(s):  
Ki Seok Jeon ◽  
Byoung Kwon Choi
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Spiritual Leadership ◽  
Multidimensional Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationships between three dimensions – vision, hope/faith and altruistic love – of spiritual leadership and employees' creativity and to verify the mediating role of affective commitment in such relationships.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 462 South Korean employees in diverse industries through self-reported questionnaires, and hypotheses were tested using hierarchical multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe authors found that vision, hope/faith and altruistic love were positively related to employees' creativity, while their affective commitment mediated such relationships. The authors also verified that the multidimensional structure of spiritual leadership was valid in the context of South Korea.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that leaders need to understand the importance of vision, hope/faith and altruistic love toward employees in formulating employees' affective commitment and stimulating creativity. Thus, organizations need to establish and operate leadership training programs for promoting leaders' behaviors that are based on spirituality.Originality/valueThis study contributes to broadening the variety of spiritual leadership's outcomes by providing an initial evidence of how spiritual leadership is associated with employees' creativity. Extending the verification of multidimensional structure of spiritual leadership so that it can be applied in South Korea has also been considered.

Implementing corporate sustainability

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 378-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Elena Windolph ◽  
Stefan Schaltegger ◽  
Christian Herzig
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Institutional Factors ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Sustainability Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Corporate Practice

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to conduct an empirical analysis among large German companies to enhance the understanding of whether and which institutional factors influence the application of sustainability management tools. Stepping from corporate sustainability visions to implementation requires the application of management tools. A multitude of sustainability management tools have been proposed in literature. Research on their application in corporate practice is, however, scarce. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a survey of large German companies and publicly available data, this paper tests the influence of corporate sustainability networks, indices, standards and the awareness of sustainability management tools on their application in corporate practice. Findings – A particularly strong positive relation exists between awareness and application of sustainability management tools. Standards are also found to have a positive influence, while the influence of networks and indices is less strong. Our findings suggest that the application of sustainability management tools can be fostered through the promotion and increasing awareness of tools. Research limitations/implications – The analysis is based on a survey of large German companies. Factors of institutional isomorphism are tested. Further research is needed for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the influence of further aspects such as competitive and psychological factors. Practical implications – The findings of this paper suggest that the application of sustainability management tools can be fostered particularly well through increasing awareness and the active promotion of tools. Networks, indices and standard help increase awareness. Originality/value – The analysis unveils the role of institutional factors influencing the application sustainability management tools in corporate practice.

scholarly journals VC investors’ venture screening: the role of the decision maker’s education and experience

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Moritz ◽  
Walter Diegel ◽  
Joern Block ◽  
Christian Fisch
Keyword(s):  
Value Added ◽  
Management Team ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Risk Capital ◽  
Screening Criteria ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ventures ◽  
Entrepreneurial Experience ◽  
Investment Experience ◽  
Practical Implications

AbstractWe assess whether and how VC investors’ education and experience influence their screening decisions of potential investee candidates. Empirically, we perform an experimental choice-based-conjoint (CBC) analysis with 564 individual VC investors. Our results highlight that the level and field of education, as well as the decision maker’s investment and entrepreneurial experience, moderate the relative importance of different screening criteria. More specifically, we find that international scalability seems to become more important for decision makers with higher education and those with entrepreneurial experience. Whereas decision makers with a background in natural science focus on the value-added of the product or service, engineers seem to value a break even profitability and focus less on the management team. Investment experience, on the other hand, leads to a stronger focus on the management team. Our study contributes to the literature investigating the influence of human capital characteristics of the decision maker in venture financing. Practical implications exist for entrepreneurial ventures seeking financing and for risk capital investors making investments in such ventures.

Sustainable Education

2017 ◽  
pp. 843-867
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zahid ◽  
Zulkipli Ghazali ◽  
Haseeb Ur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Present Generation ◽  
Regulatory Bodies ◽  
The University ◽  
Practical Implications

The sustainable development (hereafter, S.D.) aims a growth that could satisfy the wants and needs of present generation without affecting future generations. Accordingly, this study investigates the role of HEIs in S.D. by selecting the case of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia. The study adapted the universities sustainable development initiatives checklist/index for qualitative analysis of the main website, operational documents, and practical initiatives of the university for S.D. The findings revealed that the university has good and meaningful contributions towards three dimensions of S.D. i.e. economic, social and environment. The study proposed an improvement in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and implementation of S.D. framework for universities. The findings have significance and practical implications for academia, regulatory bodies, policy makers, and HEIs. Also, the findings are significant in association with new economic model (NEM) and vision 2020 of Malaysia.

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