Examines the strategic implications of a retailer engaging in the in‐house sourcing of its products (vertical integration). A contextual model for the make‐or‐buy decision is…
Abstract
Examines the strategic implications of a retailer engaging in the in‐house sourcing of its products (vertical integration). A contextual model for the make‐or‐buy decision is developed. Through the use of case material concerning a vertically integrated manufacturer/retailer, Thorntons, the article explores how the model might explain the pattern of vertical integration adopted by a specific organization and the strategy’s implications for competitiveness and strategic development. Problems are identified, including those of maintaining a retail focus, resource leverage and possible difficulties in responding to longer term market developments.
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Joel Gehman, Michael Lounsbury and Royston Greenwood
This double volume presents a collection of 23 papers on how institutions matter to socio-economic life. The papers delve deeply into the practical impact an institutional…
Abstract
This double volume presents a collection of 23 papers on how institutions matter to socio-economic life. The papers delve deeply into the practical impact an institutional approach enables, as well as how such research has the potential to influence policies relevant to critical institutional changes unfolding in the world today. In Volume 48A, the focus is on the micro foundations of institutional impacts. In Volume 48B, the focus is on the macro consequences of institutional arrangements. Our introduction provides an overview to the two volumes, identifies points of contact between the papers, and briefly summarizes each contribution. We close by noting avenues for future research on how institutions matter. Overall, the volumes provide a cross-section of cutting edge institutional thought and empirical research, highlighting a variety of fruitful directions for knowledge accumulation and development.
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Michael Gaffney and Pauline Rafferty
The purpose of this paper is to investigate users' knowledge and use of social networking sites and folksonomies to discover if social tagging and folksonomies, within the area of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate users' knowledge and use of social networking sites and folksonomies to discover if social tagging and folksonomies, within the area of independent music, aid in its information retrieval and discovery. The sites examined in this project are MySpace, Lastfm, Pandora and Allmusic. In addition, the ways in which independent record labels utilise social networking sites for promotion are investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
Three groups of participants were surveyed using questionnaires. These groups were music concert attendees, people who responded to online postings to social networking sites, and independent record companies. In addition interviews were held with digital music experts.
Findings
The results suggest that respondents use social networking sites for music discovery but are not generally aware of folksonomic approaches to music discovery. When users do use and contribute to the folksonomy, most respondents were found to tag for personal retrieval purposes rather than attempting to aid the retrieval purposes of the population of site users as a whole. The four record labels unanimously agreed that social networking sites are having a major impact on independent music discovery. Digital distribution has a major impact on independent record labels. It facilitates discovery but at the same time digital distribution creates new promotional dilemmas.
Originality/value
The project is small scale but the research area is a relatively novel one, and the results are interesting enough to share more generally in the hope that this project will stimulate further research activity in this area.
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The article considers trends in the Czechoslovakian wine industry, the industry's home market faces a decline in per capita consumption and increasing price sensitivity. Through a…
Abstract
The article considers trends in the Czechoslovakian wine industry, the industry's home market faces a decline in per capita consumption and increasing price sensitivity. Through a case study the development of a particular producer of quality wine is examined together with the emergence of a coordinated approach to marketing decisions. The UK is a potential export market for such a producer. The growth and development of the UK wine market is considered and opportunities identified. Developing a producer to serve those requirements is found to be difficult requiring the producer to readdress the issue of quality. Bottles and labels may also need to be changed. The development process requires investment and the risks of political change need to be considered.
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Examines through a case study and commentary the strategic situation facing a large Czechoslovakian drinks producer, Vino Mikulov. The case material illustrates the extreme…
Abstract
Examines through a case study and commentary the strategic situation facing a large Czechoslovakian drinks producer, Vino Mikulov. The case material illustrates the extreme uncertainties and difficulties faced by wine producers in newly liberalized economies. Government continues to regulate the supply of grapes and bottles remain a state monopoly, with resulting difficulties for the wine producer. The Czechoslovakian wine market is found to be regional and price‐sensitive with consumers demonstrating a low level of brand loyalty. Also considers factors underlying import and export. The directors of the newly privatized enterprise have developed a set of strategies that provide a coherent response to the uncertainties of the market. A process for the rapid development of new products is in place together with product labelling, although pricing and promotion remain relatively neglected decisions. The overall strategy is one of flexibility, limiting vertical integration and a rapid development of the product range.
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Considers the role of design as a marketing tool for the wine industry. The meaning of design and its relationship to marketing is defined then explored from a number of…
Abstract
Considers the role of design as a marketing tool for the wine industry. The meaning of design and its relationship to marketing is defined then explored from a number of perspectives to demonstrate its relevance to modern wine making techniques. Examines the possibilities for a design led approach to wine making using case material from an English Winery. Concludes that design offers real opportunities in wine making as a means for developing effective marketing strategies.
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This paper reviews the strategic benefits and problems relating to the outsourcing decision. These include issues of cost, quality, flexibility, strategic focus, leverage and…
Abstract
This paper reviews the strategic benefits and problems relating to the outsourcing decision. These include issues of cost, quality, flexibility, strategic focus, leverage and diversification, the potential loss of critical skills and knowledge, and appropriation of final product value. The outsourcing decision is presented as one that will vary between firms within an industry through the differences in each organization’s context. A model is developed, structuring the contextual factors: capability, cost, technology, supply and product market conditions, to enable a consideration of the outsourcing decision through a focus upon its implications for competitive advantage.
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The article examines the use of three learning methods in the teaching of strategic management; the case method, simulation and action learning, in the form of a consultancy…
Abstract
The article examines the use of three learning methods in the teaching of strategic management; the case method, simulation and action learning, in the form of a consultancy project. A survey of course members’ perceptions of learning outcomes indicates that simulation is the most effective method. Conclusions are provided for the design of strategic management programmes and the development of action learning projects.
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David Jennings and John J. Disney
The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the empirical literature concerning the design of the strategic planning process and its relationship to environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the empirical literature concerning the design of the strategic planning process and its relationship to environmental, organizational, strategic and psychological factors. The paper aims to focus on psychological type and its relationship to planning preferences.
Design/methodology/approach
A study of 187 managers' profiling their psychological type (using a short version of the MBTI, Myers Briggs Type Indicator) and their preferences towards configuring the strategic planning process. A review of the literature finds inconsistent conclusions. The results of a study of the relationship between psychological type and planning preferences are reported.
Findings
The study finds some inconsistent evidence for the importance of psychological type but greater support for the conclusion that the characteristics of strategic situations, rather than a manager's psychological type, determine configuration of the strategic planning process.
Research limitations/implications
The existing bias towards examining the environmental, organizational and strategic context of organizations appears to be the more appropriate path for developing explanations of strategic planning design.
Practical implications
For managers involved in the practice of planning the literature review a basis is provided for reviewing their own planning process. Educators and trainers using the MBTI in planning simulations should be aware of the lack of its reliability in predicting preferences concerning planning.
Originality/value
The article reviews contextual studies that have implications for the design of the strategic planning process and develops understanding of a comparatively neglected contextual factor, psychological type.