Mike Simpson, Joanne Padmore and Nicki Newman
The purpose of this study is to develop an academic theoretical framework relating success and performance in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) so that future research…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop an academic theoretical framework relating success and performance in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) so that future research could be carried out to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) for SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
The research used a literature review, in‐depth interviews with owner‐managers of SMEs and a knowledge elicitation exercise was carried out based on the experience of the researchers and on the interviews with owner‐managers.
Findings
A new academic conceptual model was developed linking CSFs, definitions of success and performance to the characteristics of the business environment, the characteristics of the owner‐manager and the characteristics of the business. The relatively new idea that feedback on performance in the model could modify the strategic/tactical behaviour of the SME owner‐managers was introduced.
Research limitations/implications
The many research problems posed by performance studies aimed at establishing CSFs in SMEs are still present in the current framework but a longitudinal research methodology could be employed to avoid these problems in future research.
Practical implications
The theoretical framework offers a different way forward for both practitioners and business advisors in thinking about those factors that may be critical for success in SMEs.
Originality/value
This is a new framework that can be used to inform thinking and research design in the area of performance measurement and success.
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Riya Sureka, Satish Kumar, Sachin Kumar Mangla and Flavio Hourneaux Junior
International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management (IJPPM) is one of the prominent journals publishing on general management with a particular focus on performance…
Abstract
Purpose
International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management (IJPPM) is one of the prominent journals publishing on general management with a particular focus on performance management and productive sciences. The objective of this study is to provide an academic structure overview of the journal between 2004 and 2018 using bibliometric tools.
Design/methodology/approach
Data used for this study were extracted using the Scopus database. Bibliometric analysis using several bibliometric indicators are adopted to know the major trends and themes of the journal. Mapping of bibliographic data is carried using VOSviewer and Gephi software.
Findings
Authors: Most of the IJPPM contributors are affiliated to the UK and India. Journal Performance: It is gaining pre-eminence in terms of total citations as well as CiteScores. Main themes: Major themes published in the journal are “performance management”, “productivity”, “six sigma”, “lean” and “supply chain management”.
Originality/value
IJPPM's growing influence in the scientific community has generated the interest to analyse the journal's publication and growth pattern. Moreover, no such retrospective bibliometric study for IJPPM is conducted so far.
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Virginia Dickson-Swift, Christopher Fox, Karen Marshall, Nicky Welch and Jon Willis
Factors for successful workplace health promotion (WHP) are well described in the literature, but often sourced from evaluations of wellness programmes. Less well understood are…
Abstract
Purpose
Factors for successful workplace health promotion (WHP) are well described in the literature, but often sourced from evaluations of wellness programmes. Less well understood are the features of an organisation that contribute to employee health which are not part of a health promotion programme. The purpose of this paper is to inform policy on best practice principles and provide real life examples of health promotion in regional Victorian workplaces.
Design/methodology/approach
Individual case studies were conducted on three organisations, each with a health and wellbeing programme in place. In total, 42 employers and employees participated in a face to face interview. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and the qualitative data were thematically coded.
Findings
Employers and senior management had a greater focus on occupational health and safety than employees, who felt that mental/emotional health and happiness were the areas most benefited by a health promoting workplace. An organisational culture which supported the psychosocial needs of the employees emerged as a significant factor in employee's overall wellbeing. Respectful personal relationships, flexible work, supportive management and good communication were some of the key factors identified as creating a health promoting working environment.
Practical implications
Currently in Australia, the main focus of WHP programmes is physical health. Government workplace health policy and funding must expand to include psychosocial factors. Employers will require assistance to understand the benefits to their business of creating environments which support employee's mental and emotional health.
Originality/value
This study took a qualitative approach to an area dominated by quantitative biomedical programme evaluations. It revealed new information about what employees really feel is impacting their health at work.
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Hendrik Reefke and Mattia Trocchi
Supply chains (SCs) are integral to the globalized economy and offer many business opportunities but can also lead to unintended social and environmental impacts. Accurate…
Abstract
Purpose
Supply chains (SCs) are integral to the globalized economy and offer many business opportunities but can also lead to unintended social and environmental impacts. Accurate performance assessments are crucial for SC control and are also a cornerstone for sustainable development. Hence, procedural, technological, and operational support is needed to facilitate a balanced approach to performance measurement for sustainable SCs.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper combines concepts derived from literature on performance measurement in SCs and sustainability with the balanced scorecard (BSC). Synthesis of these related approaches leads to the proposal of a customized scorecard design and development processes which are further elaborated through illustrations and practical examples.
Findings
A scorecard design customized for sustainable SCs is proposed along with development and implementation processes.
Research limitations/implications
The organization and synthesis of related performance measurement approaches advances the theoretical understanding of how a BSC can be operationalized in sustainable SCs. Research opportunities are derived based on the presented findings. The results are limited due to their mainly conceptual development.
Practical implications
The BSC is illustrated by practical examples in an attempt to demonstrate the feasibility and practical value of the conceptual approach.
Originality/value
The field of sustainable supply chain management continues to be beset by little guidance in terms of principles and applicable tools for performance assessment. The paper provides structure in this regard, integrates concepts central to the performance of sustainable SCs, and supports the practical application of a BSC approach.
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Zhihong Wang and Joseph Sarkis
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether companies’ environmental and social supply chain activities are associated with their financial performance.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether companies’ environmental and social supply chain activities are associated with their financial performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample from the top 500 US companies based on Newsweek's green ranking is used. Data from the Bloomberg environmental, social and governance (ESG) and COMPUSTAT financial database are used for an empirical analysis of the relationships.
Findings
Integrated sustainable supply chain management, jointly including social and environmental supply chain management, efforts is positively associated with corporate financial performance measured by return on assets and return on equity, and the positive effects can have a time lag of at least two years.
Research limitations/implications
By adopting the ESG database, the paper only tests corporate sustainability supply chain management using a binary 0-1 valuation. Three-year data period is also a limitation for an extensive time study. A research implication is that win-win benefits may accrue, but additional nuances may exist such as indirect influences that need to be studied.
Practical implications
Two major implications of this study are that organizations may wish to implement both environmental and social supply chain management simultaneously to get the greatest benefit, and that managers need to be patient about reaping the rewards of these initiatives.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the sustainability management literature by being the first to use publicly available data to investigate the financial benefits associated with individual and joint environmental and social supply chain management activities. The paper also uses a relatively large data set from US-based companies that have not been widely studied in the supply chain management literature.
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Robert E. Hinson and Tidings P. Ndhlovu
With globalisation pressures and increasing burdens on governments to provide comprehensive social services, there is now a need to better understand how firms play their part in…
Abstract
Purpose
With globalisation pressures and increasing burdens on governments to provide comprehensive social services, there is now a need to better understand how firms play their part in sharing these burdens. Views vary from those who believe that CSR and CSI are distractions from profit maximisation to those who argue that participation in such activities contributes to positive social transformation and also benefits participating firms themselves. This paper seeks to conceptualise these debates.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper largely utilises a literature review to derive the research conclusions. Specifically, it examines how CSR, CSI and the socially responsible investment (SRI) index has been used to evaluate corporate behaviour in South Africa, as a novel way of addressing pressing development problems.
Findings
CSI has emerged from the specificities of South African historical development, and it has arguably been driven primarily by legislation and industry charters. It is in this context that CSI, with its paraphernalia of the SRI Index and social capital market, promises to present a new and radical way of addressing developmental problems.
Originality/value
This paper is one of the few studies examining the phenomenon of corporate social investment from a developing economy context.
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Sara Meddings, Diana Byrne, Su Barnicoat, Emogen Campbell and Lucy Locks
– The purpose of this paper is to explore the process of using a co-production partnership approach in the development of a Recovery College pilot.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the process of using a co-production partnership approach in the development of a Recovery College pilot.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a case study of the co-production process, using action research to learn from ongoing reflection, mid-project review and feedback questionnaires.
Findings
The partnership process is an integral and valued aspect of the Recovery College. Challenges include different organisational cultures and processes and the additional time required. Mutual respect, appreciation of different expertise, communication, a shared vision and development plan have been key to success. The paper focused on governance and fidelity; recruitment and training; curriculum development and evaluation. People are enthusiastic and motivated. Co-production and equal partnership are a valuable approach to developing a Recovery College.
Originality/value
At present many regions are developing Recovery Colleges. This paper describes one approach and shows that co-production is valuable to the process of developing a Recovery College.