The purpose of this article is to provide an interview with Rupert Merson, author of Guide to Managing Growth.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to provide an interview with Rupert Merson, author of Guide to Managing Growth.
Design/methodology/approach
The interview is conducted by an independent interviewer.
Findings
Rupert Merson teaches new venture development and managing growth at London Business School. Formerly a partner at BDO, he now runs his own consultancy advising firms on how to manage growth. Rupert publishes frequently in the national press on a broad range of business topics. He has published four books on the key roles in the growing business, and co‐authored a fifth book on the family business. A sixth book, Rules are Not Enough, on corporate governance, was published in February 2010. His latest book Guide to Managing Growth was published by The Economist in the Summer of 2011.
Practical implications
Rupert Merson looks at the pitfalls of management in maintaining and planning for growth. Through his interview, Rupert offers practical advice on what businesses should be doing in order to sustain successful growth.
Originality/value
Growth is not something that, once initiated, can be left to its own devices. Rupert gives valuable insight and offers pointers as to how HR professionals can stay on top of company growth strategies and reach company targets.
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Theoretically, a contribution of this article is the pinpointed connection between corporate ethics and trust in intra‐corporate relationships. Furthermore, it contributes to a…
Abstract
Theoretically, a contribution of this article is the pinpointed connection between corporate ethics and trust in intra‐corporate relationships. Furthermore, it contributes to a conceptual framework that distinguishes between the constructs of business ethics and corporate ethics. The authors also provide a grounded conceptual framework of corporate ethics and trust. The principal dyadic determinants of corporate ethics in intra‐corporate relationships are interpreted to be management behaviour versus employee perception of that behaviour. Empirically, the contribution is an in‐depth and longitudinal case description that underpins the topic and the discussion provided in the article.
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Prior research emphasises that organisational founders have a good deal of influence in organisational development and, where information and communication technogies (ICTs) are…
Abstract
Purpose
Prior research emphasises that organisational founders have a good deal of influence in organisational development and, where information and communication technogies (ICTs) are involved, a generic strategy is usually deployed by managers in order to deal with any resistance that might occur. Cognisant of this, the authors investigated the role played by a managing director of a small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) consultancy in an ICT project associated with organisational development.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on an ethnography of an ICT related change management initiative which, theoretically, takes into account though from the social shaping of technology – specifically the idea that technologies in their broadest sense are subject to ongoing work beyond the design stage.
Findings
The authors argue that Markus' interaction theory of resistance still has relevance today and we extend it by emphasising the problem of homogenising users and downplaying their ability to appropriate resistance strategies in situ.
Research limitations/implications
The study is based upon one group of individuals' experiences. Further case studies of resistance success are required which further highlight how this is achieved and why.
Practical implications
Those engaged with organisational development projects need to be better educated as to the reasons for resistance, particularly positive ones, and the methods by which this might take place.
Originality/value
This study conceptualises strategies for “overcoming” resistance as managerial technologies. Conceptualising them in this way shows the deployment of such technologies to be a complicated and active process where the audience for such things are involved in how they are received and appropriated to suit differing agendas.
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Although bankruptcies in the TMT sector are flowing thick and fast, the collapse of the media empire built up by Leo Kirch over a 42‐year period is arguably the most dramatic…
Abstract
Although bankruptcies in the TMT sector are flowing thick and fast, the collapse of the media empire built up by Leo Kirch over a 42‐year period is arguably the most dramatic. Protected by its links with German business and financial institutions as well as politicians, the KirchGruppe appeared to be impervious to the periodic downturns in business conditions. However, not only did the “German” way of doing business behind closed doors come under increasing pressure by the end of the 1990s, but the KirchGruppe acquired enemies such as the Springer family as well as shareholders, such as Rupert Murdoch and Silvio Berlusconi, who were intent upon expanding their own empires. Because he assumed that his empire was well‐protected via his associates, Leo Kirch took excessive risks, not least the issuance of put options which, if exercised, could bring down his empire – which in the event was what transpired earlier this year.
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Michaele L. Morrow and Timothy J. Rupert
We conduct an experiment asking participants to choose to purchase either a traditional or hybrid car to examine how federal-state conformity of tax incentives impacts the…
Abstract
We conduct an experiment asking participants to choose to purchase either a traditional or hybrid car to examine how federal-state conformity of tax incentives impacts the decisions of taxpayers. We also examine perceptions of taxpayers surrounding federal-state conformity. Consistent with theory related to the effects of information environment and using an experiment in which taxpayers are asked to evaluate tax incentives related to a purchase decision between a traditional and hybrid car, we find that conformity is a significant factor in increasing the propensity to take advantage of the tax incentive. Specifically, we find that participants with simple and conforming federal-state incentives are more likely to take advantage of the tax incentive than with complex and conforming federal-state incentives. In addition, the effects of conformity between federal and state incentives suggest that participant perceptions of the federal system were heavily influenced by the actions of the state.
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Rupert McShane and Lindsey Skelt
The ‘people versus technology’ debate is ongoing; and as the social care system becomes ever more cash‐strapped and the shortage of appropriately skilled people continues, so will…
Abstract
The ‘people versus technology’ debate is ongoing; and as the social care system becomes ever more cash‐strapped and the shortage of appropriately skilled people continues, so will this debate. One of the emerging uses of technology is the application of satellite technology to monitor the movements of people with dementia, but just how effective is the technology to not only improve the life of the client, but his or her carer too? Here, Rupert McShane and Lindsey Skelt tell of the trials they conducted and what they believe that the next steps should be.
Martin Bean, Sheryl Grant, Glenn Hardaker and Rupert Ward
Alternative credentials are rapidly evolving. The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges and opportunities arising from this evolution with particular reference to…
Abstract
Purpose
Alternative credentials are rapidly evolving. The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges and opportunities arising from this evolution with particular reference to their role in education and employment.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper explores the credential initiatives with a unique perspective from introducing alternative credential initiatives that have been influential in recent national policy developments. The paper is led by the experiences of the former General Manager of Microsoft's Education Products Group, former Vice-Chancellor of The Open University and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University. His experiences and lessons learnt reflecting on alternative credential development during the last 30 years provides a unique insight in seeing the “signals” and moving beyond the “noise” of micro-credentials for successful integration into educational institutions.
Findings
A number of key findings are identified in terms of current development challenges that impact on alternative credential use and identifying further developments. Relevant examples and references are provided throughout, with a particular focus on North America, Europe and Australasia where the most progress has been made in alternative credentials.
Research limitations/implications
Implications for those wishing to develop badging and microcredentialing solutions, especially in higher education, are identified for all seeking to maximise the success of alternative credential systems.
Originality/value
Martin Bean has a unique perspective having explored credential initiatives whilst General Manager of Microsoft's Education Products Group and whilst Vice-Chancellor of The Open University and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University. Martin Bean has also been influential in recent national policy developments in Australia. Martin Bean’s experiences and lessons learnt witnessing alternative credential development during the last 30 years across three continents, and within both public and private sectors, are summarised here to provide context for discussions of some of the key global concepts and related work.
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Uses the story of Albert the tortoise to explain the principles of teamwork within an organization. Shows the benefits of this to the organization as a whole, and to Albert the…
Abstract
Uses the story of Albert the tortoise to explain the principles of teamwork within an organization. Shows the benefits of this to the organization as a whole, and to Albert the tortoise, the embodiment of the steady worker.