Managing routines and keeping on track: technology, human cognition and performativity in SMEs

PurposeRoutine dynamics provide a robust theoretical framework to explore a wide range of organizational phenomena. However, the study of routines and the effect of technology on its performativity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still lack attention by researchers. This paper aims to analyze how the balance between process technology and human cognition affects routines' performativity in SMEs.Design/methodology/approachIt was conducted a multicase study composed of Brazilian SMEs in the bakery industry. Data collection took place through interviews with managers and employees, observation of operational processes and document analysis. Thematic content analysis was adopted for categorization and data analysis.FindingsThe authors’ findings allow inferring there is no primacy of a more automated or artisanal production process to achieve competitiveness, which breaks the paradigm of the superior performance of automated production over the artisanal process that haunts SMEs. Though technology increases production efficiency, the artisanal approach can be valuable at promoting a company by commercially using this know-how to explore other business models appreciated by the public.Practical implicationsThe authors’ proposals became relevant in a practical perspective once it works as a parameter for SME managers' decision-making about new investments in production resources and to foster public policies and other actions developed by support services for small businesses.Originality/valueThis study expands the frontiers in routines literature on SMEs, which lacks deepening. From this, SME managers can intensify actions to optimize process routines performativity through technologies or human cognition to keep the routines on track.

Business Simulation Training Using Monsoonsim

Business simulation training has been conducted by the School of Information Technology, Information Systems Department, Ciputra University, using MonsoonSIM. The aim of this activity is to introduce the concept of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to students through virtual business simulation game. This training was conducted online, due to to Covid-19 pandemic. By using MonsoonSIM software, students can manage a virtual company and learn the company's business processes. Learnings in this training were in the form of material module explanations, simulations, discussions, and evaluations. This program was attended by students from Junior High School and Senior High School. Participants not only play individually to learn from the game experience, but also in a team to compete to be the best virtual company that can dominate the market within a predetermined period of time. By participating in this training, students can manage the operational processes of a virtual company, understand existing resources, and can make a company planning strategy in order to survive and grow.

Development of a method of coordination of project and operational activities in the process of manufacturing complex knowledge-intensive products

It is shown that the production processes of project-oriented enterprises focused on manufacturing complex knowledge-intensive products combine project and operational activities. Analysis of project management methodologies in terms of their suitability for managing the activities of project-oriented enterprises engaged in manufacturing these products was conducted. It was found that project management methodologies do not address this issue, remaining outside the scope of project managers. To eliminate this shortcoming of the project management methodology, it was proposed to supplement it with the concept and method of coordination of project and operational activities in the process of manufacturing complex knowledge-intensive products. The concept of integration of project and operational activities in the process of manufacturing complex knowledge-intensive products was proposed. A method of coordination of project and operational activities in the process of manufacturing complex knowledge-intensive products was developed. The following criteria were proposed: management of operational processes as processes depending on the progress of projects; evaluation of the success of projects taking into account the assessment of their provision with products of operational activities. A model for calculating the number of components to be produced during the implementation of projects of manufacturing complex knowledge-intensive piece products was developed. The method of multiple simulations of project and operational processes in projects of manufacturing complex knowledge-intensive products was proposed. The developed concept and method passed practical testing at enterprises engaged in manufacturing complex knowledge-intensive products, in particular, Karbon Invest, LLC (Ukraine), and showed high efficiency of managing projects of manufacturing complex knowledge-intensive products. The developed tools allow creating integrated management systems for project and operational production of complex knowledge-intensive products.

The Logistic Function of Cooperation in the Agro-Food Supply with Digitalization in the Russian Federation

Currently, digital solutions are increasingly penetrating consumer cooperation. The need for the use of innovative technologies is increasing to improve the efficiency of logistics of consumer societies of the Centrosoyuz of Russia. Consumer societies have a solid opportunity to combine their economic activities into a single system based on a digital platform and become the undisputed leader in the segment of national food security. Operational processes are developing and improving in the digital economy simultaneously with the development of scientific and technological progress, the introduction of innovations, and the modernization of production. Cooperative formations participate in replenishing the resources of agricultural products to ensure the food security of the country. Consumer societies of the Centrosoyuz of Russia play a significant role in providing a guaranteed channel for the sale of agricultural products and raw materials for small agricultural businesses. Various approaches to the participation of consumer cooperation in food security are revealed in the conditions of the digital economy with the industrialization of production. Therewith, the relevance of consumer cooperation in replenishing food supplies is increasing. Its role in the development of small agricultural business in rural areas is revealed, the need for more complete use of the resources available in consumer cooperation in the organization of procurement activities in the field of procurement of agricultural products and raw materials in the households of the population, individual entrepreneurs and peasant farms is argued. The use of the achievements of the digital economy in the system of consumer cooperation is considered as one of its practical applications in modern conditions to increase competitiveness in the domestic and international food market, improving the quality of life of the working population of rural areas.

Efficiency and productivity of the Brazilian banks: A new approach based on two-stage network DEA

This article creates a conceptual model, called a network system, to represent the Brazilian banking production system, based on its internal operational processes. The first, called the intermediation process, measures a bank's efficiency in extending loans from its available resources. The second, called the revenue process, measures a bank's efficiency in earning profit, mainly from loans granted. We adopt a two-stage DEA model. In the first stage, a relational network DEA model measures both the network system efficiency scores and internal processes. This technique, associated with the Malmquist Index, assesses performance changes over time. In the second stage, these efficiency scores are considered dependent variables, such that Tobit models can determine how the Brazilian credit market's characteristics can explain the network system and internal processes' efficiency. Results show not only a growing trend toward greater efficiency in the revenue process, but also an increase in productivity accompanied by a decline in the intermediation process technology. Given the high banking spreads in Brazil, these results indicate deterioration in the quality of the credit portfolio and the prospect of future insolvency. We discuss implications of this scenario for domestic banks and collateral policy.

Optimizing Rice Distribution Model Using Linear Programming at West Java Bulog

Good distribution network management is a very important competitive advantage for a company. West Java Bulog is the representative of the government in distributing and distributing rice, which is a staple food commodity for the Indonesian people in general, of course, must pay attention to the optimal distribution pattern. In carrying out its operational processes, West Java Bulog will be assisted by 7 regional subdivisions spread throughout the West Java region who will handle rice in their respective working areas. This study aims to determine the planning path and the optimum amount of rice distribution from the West Java Bulog to districts and cities that can minimize distribution costs so that the costs incurred will reach the lowest point using the Linear Programming method. The analysis of this research was assisted by LINDO Software version 7.0 for Windows 10.0. From the results of this study, the optimization of rice distribution at the West Java Bulog, with the optimum total distribution cost of USD 124,272.

Customer reciprocity in greening: the role of service quality

Purpose Firms are increasingly making customers key stakeholders in their greening processes, requiring them to voluntarily use their resources to benefit the firm. In this context, this paper develops a new construct – tangible customer citizenship behaviour (CCB), i.e. voluntary participation of customer in operational processes of the company beyond normal requirements of exchange. This requires more involvement than the already documented intangible CCB. The purpose of the paper is to then explore whether service quality (SQ) (online and offline) influences such voluntary customer reciprocity in greening. Design/methodology/approach This study used a virtual survey among 400 customers of e-commerce firms that have adopted greening practices requiring customer engagement and regressions were used to test the hypotheses. Findings The authors find that both online and offline SQ positively impact intangible CCB but have no impact on customer greening reciprocity (tangible CCB). Additionally, the authors find that offline SQ positively impacts customer greening awareness. However, in spite of the presence of greening awareness and display of intangible CCB, SQ does not have any impact on greening reciprocity. Originality/value This study introduces to literature a more tangible form of voluntary behaviour on the part of the customer, i.e. tangible CCB or reciprocity. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is also one of the first to study the customer as an important stakeholder and participant in a business-to-consumer firm’s operating processes, particularly in greening which has no direct impact on the firm’s core offering. The focus on greening in the Indian context is also novel given the greening costs and requirements and the price competition are very different in emerging market contexts where e-commerce firms are experiencing the maximum growth.

SAFETY CRITICAL MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS RESILIENCE: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Safety Critical Maritime Infrastructure (SCMI) systems are vulnerable to diverse risks in their challenging field of operations due to their interactions and interdependence. In addition, the multiplicity of stakeholders in these systems and the complex operational scenarios are often associated with a high level of uncertainty because they usually operate in a dynamic environment in which the boundaries of safety are pushed, leading to the disruption of operations. Therefore, the safety of these systems is very important to ensuring resilience of their operations. This research is focus on the background analysis of SCMI systems. This includes operational processes of SCMI systems, security threats and estimates of economic damage to the system, resilience engineering literature relevant to maritime operations; regulatory overview including risk governance of the systems, lessons learnt from major accidents and a concluding remark is drawn.

INTRODUCING OPERATIONAL INFORMATION INTO EARLY STAGE SHIP DESIGN USING QUEUEING NETWORKS

During the early stages of ship design a set of requirements needs to be identified, accounting for financial and technical feasibility, and operational effectiveness. This process of requirements elucidation creates a need for information regarding various design alternatives and their effect on the feasibility and effectiveness of the design requirements. When one considers internal layout and process driven ships, ships where the arrangement of spaces has a strong influence on the effectiveness of the ship's operational processes, a gap in available methods has been identified. This paper proposes a method based on queueing networks that allows a naval architect to study the effects of different arrangements on the execution of various sets of operational processes. Using this model a better understanding of the interaction between the ship's arrangement and its operational processes can be obtained. This understanding can improve the requirements elucidation process and can lead to the development of better design requirements.

“The More You Do, the More Comfortable You Feel”: the Police Hostage and Crisis Negotiator Journey

Hostage and crisis negotiators are specialist police officers utilised internationally by police forces to resolve hostage and crisis incidents. Whilst the role has been heavily documented in some parts of the world (namely the United States of America), there is a lack of literature relating to the organisational and operational processes and procedures in place for police negotiators in the United Kingdom. Equally, there is limited research that has explored the experiences of negotiators who perform an essential function within a variety of life-or-death situations with a view to understanding how officers transition from trainee to qualified negotiators. This paper outlines the development of a grounded theoretical model that depicts the “hostage and crisis negotiator journey,” as represented by English negotiators. Interviews were conducted with 15 negotiators from nine police forces in England and a conceptual model was developed including five primary, 12 secondary, and 32 tertiary categories. The negotiator journey is chronologically recounted by means of the five main primary categories identified: (1) ‘Why? Reasons for entering (and remaining within) the negotiator world’, (2) ‘Who and how? The negotiator profile and selection’, (3) ‘Negotiator training’, (4) ‘Operational negotiator roles’, and (5) ‘Negotiator welfare and support’. This paper demonstrates one of the first attempts to empirically map the processes and procedures in place for negotiators in England and the findings are discussed in line with their potential implications for police policy and practice.