Beyond Project Closure: Why Some Business Relationships Recur in Subsequent Projects

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Bengtson ◽  
Virpi Havila ◽  
Susanne Åberg
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Business Relationships ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Project Life Cycle ◽  
Project Closure ◽  
Project Life

While a project design provides several managerial advantages within the project life cycle, there are numerous challenges regarding its long-term effects. The aim of this article is to increase our knowledge on the continuity aspect of the project form of organizing, and especially the recurrence of project-based business relationships in subsequent projects. Focusing on the role of network relationships in leveraging between projects, we investigate the reasons for relationship recurrence. Based on a longitudinal case study of three construction projects, our results show that in addition to terminated and dormant relationships after project closure there are recurring relationships, which, unlike the others, do not need reactivation.

scholarly journals Subsidy Risk Related to Construction Projects: Seeking Causes

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 484-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomas Hanak ◽  
Jana Korytarova
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Risk Avoidance ◽  
State Budget ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Operation Conditions ◽  
Public Subsidy ◽  
Project Life Cycle ◽  
Project Life

AbstractMany construction projects are realized with public subsidy, e.g. subsidies from the European Union, state budget and/ or municipal resources. The reimbursement of the subsidy depends on a number of conditions, such as completion of the project in time or compliance with operation conditions. The purpose of this research is to seek causes of subsidy risk related to construction projects. In particular, research aims at addressing causes that may lead to the loss of subsidy, reduction of subsidy and/or a penalty payment. Research is conducted as a case study of selected construction projects and the Czech Republic is chosen as a study area. Set of data representing 20 construction projects which faced the threat of reduction or loss of subsidy was collected from available sources and results represent the spectrum of identified risk causes and their distribution in the different phases of the project life cycle and according to the risk source breakdown structure. From managerial perspective, output of this research may serve as a support for investors who plan to apply for public subsidy for their construction projects. Several recommendations for subsidy risk avoidance have been proposed at the end of the paper.

Developing awareness and use of compliments in the Chinese homestay: A longitudinal case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng-Hsun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Potential Conflict ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Qualitative Changes

AbstractThe study abroad homestay enjoys a widespread reputation as a key context for language learning. However, a homestay advantage has been difficult to prove in large-scale quantitative studies. Few qualitative studies examine the long-term developmental processes that can take place in homestays at the micro-ethnographic level. This paper focuses on how one participant, John, gradually developed awareness of the role of compliments and ability to use them for various purposes. Drawing on Vygotskian sociocultural theory, this study analyzes qualitative changes in John’s use of compliments from informal interaction in two homestays across a year. Over time, John learned to use compliments for an array of purposes: expressing appreciation for food, maintaining his hosts’ positive face, developing cordial relationships, and defusing potential conflict. Development in John’s case is evident as he internalized this speech act that he once grappled with, and used it to mediate the behavior of the others when confronted with interactionally and emotionally challenging situations. This process led to John’s ability to participate appropriately as a guest at the Chinese homestay dinner table and to appreciate the subtleties of interpersonal communication that includes unstated expressions of affection.

Reshaping the Economic Structure in Argentina: The Role of External Debt during the Macri Administration (2015–2019)

2021 ◽  
pp. 048661342097642
Author(s):  
Juan E. Santarcángelo ◽  
Juan Manuel Padín
Keyword(s):  
External Debt ◽  
Economic Structure ◽  
The United States ◽  
Jel Classification ◽  
Financial Capital ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Right Wing ◽  
Long Term Effects

Argentina’s right-wing shift in the 2015 presidential election concluded twelve years of center-left rule. The elected president, Mauricio Macri, claimed that the economy would experience normalization of existing imbalances and recover its strength in a “new political era.” However, the new administration quickly restored the dominance of neoliberal economic policies through a comprehensive set of initiatives, which centrally included the return to international financial debt and equity markets and submission to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) rules. This article analyzes Argentina’s external-debt-growth process and discusses its objectives and long-term effects. This paper posits that the indebtedness process carried out by the Macri administration—and its modality—not only increased the relevance of financial capital in the Argentine economy but also structurally conditioned any future nonorthodox alternative path of development. This outcome cannot be understood without taking into account the deliberate role of the United States, the IMF, and the top companies that operate in Argentina, as well as the complicity of many political sectors. JEL Classification: H63, F34, F63

scholarly journals Blending in: A Case Study of Transitional Ambidexterity in the Financial Sector

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1690
Author(s):  
Beniamino Callegari ◽  
Ranvir S. Rai
Keyword(s):  
Financial Sector ◽  
Economic Sustainability ◽  
Organizational Ambidexterity ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
Innovative Capabilities ◽  
Financial Firm ◽  
The Relationship

Organizational ambidexterity is widely recognized as necessary for the economic sustainability of firms operating in the financial sector. While the management literature has recognized several forms of ambidexterity, the relationship between them and their relative merits remain unclear. By studying a process of implementation of ambidextrous capabilities within a large Scandinavian financial firm, we explore the role of top-down reforms and bottom-up reactions in determining the development of sector-specific innovative capabilities. We find that blended ambidexterity follows naturally from the attempt to correct the tensions arising from harmonic ambidextrous blueprints. The resulting blended practice appears to be closely related to the reciprocal model of ambidexterity, which appears to be a necessity rather than a choice, for large firms attempting to develop innovative capabilities. Consequently, we suggest to re-interpret current taxonomies of ambidexterity not as alternative blueprints, but rather as stages in a long-term process of transition.

scholarly journals Sinabung volcano: how culture shapes community resilience

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-303
Author(s):  
Marta Mori ◽  
Ronan McDermott ◽  
Saut Sagala ◽  
Yasmina Wulandari
Keyword(s):  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Aid Dependency ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Cultural Experts ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how culture, including traditions and social structures, can influence resilience and how culturally sensitive relief operations can put affected people and their context at the core of any interventions. Design/methodology/approach A case study of the Mt Sinabung volcano area in Indonesia was undertaken. As part of the case study, an analysis of interventions was conducted, which was complemented by semi-structured interviews with Karo cultural experts and humanitarian organisations. Findings Culture influences the manner in which the Karo people react to volcano eruptions with varying implications for recovery. In addition, relief organisations which understand people’s actions through a cultural lens have better managed to tailor programs with long-term impact, thereby avoiding aid dependency. Practical implications Practical examples of disaster management activities that adequately account for the beneficiaries’ way of living prior to the eruptions are provided. Aid actors are provided with guidance concerning how to better tailor their activities in line with a cultural lens. Originality/value The study provides empirical grounding for claims concerning the role of culture in planning interventions in Indonesia and other similar contexts.

Mother, baby and Facebook makes three: does social media provide social support for new mothers?

2018 ◽  
Vol 168 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Archer ◽  
Kai-Ti Kao
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
New Mothers ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Extreme Stress ◽  
Ability To Act

Many mothers can find themselves increasingly isolated and overwhelmed after giving birth to a new baby. This period can be a source of extreme stress, anxiety and depression, which can not only have an economic impact on national health services, but can also have long-term effects on the development of the child. At the same time, social media use among most new mothers has become ubiquitous. This research investigates the role of social media, potentially as a mechanism for social support, among Australian mothers of young children aged from birth to 4 years. The findings indicate that participants had mixed responses to their social media use. While social support was deemed a benefit, there were also some negative aspects to social media use identified. The findings highlight the need to critically interrogate social media’s ability to act as a source of social support for new mothers.

Cooperative behaviour and place branding: a longitudinal case study in Italy

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Rinaldi ◽  
Alessio Cavicchi
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Area ◽  
Place Branding ◽  
Cooperative Behaviour ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
As Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to understand the motivations driving cooperative behaviour between heterogeneous stakeholders in place-branding activities, focusing on contract-based and relation-based cooperation constructs. Design/methodology/approach The longitudinal case study method is used to help understanding how the investigated network has evolved over four years from an attempt to build a regional umbrella-brand to a network contract between 13 enterprises. Findings The findings suggest that the relationships of trust and shared values among stakeholders are essential to foster cooperation, but also that contract-based governance complements a relation-based governance, enhancing the performance of the alliance. Research limitations/implications The main limitation is related to the case study methodology, as results are strongly dependent on the specific characteristics of the stakeholders and the geographical area analysed. Social implications The role of stakeholders in building a place brand is increasingly important. When analysing cooperative behaviour drivers, more attention should be paid to such intangible assets as social, human, relational and organisational capital. Originality/value This longitudinal case study emphasises that for success in place-branding activities, contract-based cooperation can be particularly useful at the beginning of a network alliance, while relation-based cooperation ensures the strength and continuity of the partnership but it takes time to develop. Responsible leaders, working as relationship facilitators/enablers, are important to keep network members engaged, by creating trust and favouring mutual beneficial relationships between stakeholders.

Purchasing behaviour and supplier base evolution – a longitudinal case study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Dubois ◽  
Lars-Erik Gadde ◽  
Lars-Gunnar Mattsson
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Purchasing Behaviour ◽  
Time Periods

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to describe and analyse the evolution of the supplier base of a buying firm and the reasons behind these changes. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a case study of the changes over 52 years in a sub-set of the supplier base of a firm manufacturing fork-lifts. Findings The study shows that some relationships feature substantial longevity. However, the duration of one-third of the total relationships is shorter than five years. There was considerable variation over time in the dynamics of the supplier base in terms of entries and exits of suppliers. Owing to this variation, research findings and conclusions in short-term studies are heavily dependent on the specific conditions at the time of the study. Finally, no less than one-fourth of the terminated supplier relationships were reactivated later. Research limitations/implications The study was designed in a time when purchasing was considered entirely from the perspective of the buying firm. Further studies, therefore, must increasingly emphasise the role of suppliers and the interaction in the buyer–supplier relationships, as well as the embeddedness in networks. Originality/value The findings of the study are unique in two ways. First, they are based on systematic observations over more than 50 years. Second, the study involves the purchases of 11 components representing different technical and economic features. The (few) previous studies are based on much shorter time periods and involves fewer suppliers/components. Moreover, the findings regarding re-activation of terminated relationships represent unique contributions.

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