This research is a qualitative study which aims to investigate the intricacies of organisational buying behaviour in the context of the Irish biotechnology industry. Particularly…
Abstract
Purpose
This research is a qualitative study which aims to investigate the intricacies of organisational buying behaviour in the context of the Irish biotechnology industry. Particularly the research seeks to focus on the phenomenon of buying centres as the core decision‐making unit in an organisation and examines the functionality of such a process. The main aims of the research study is to examine key influencers, as well as to examine the decision process itself so as to fully comprehend modern organisational buyer behaviour and to discuss these issues from a practical viewpoint beneficial to both the marketing and purchasing functions.
Design/methodology/approach
The research process was conducted through qualitative methods, which formed a combination of focus group and key respondent interviewing. A triangular approach of data was also used to obtain quality information and to achieve a platform upon which to base accurate conclusions. A small number of organisations from industry participated in this study, which was deemed sufficient as the purpose of the study was gaining insight as opposed to proving or disproving previous theories.
Findings
It was discovered that users were key influencers in the decision process as were quality control personnel. In addition the business functions were found to be the decision makers in a highly dynamic buying centre process, which is constantly changing in terms of numbers, participation, and structure. Based on the finding of the research newer models of organisation buying behaviour were developed in addition to appropriate marketing strategies being put forward in order to better represent the realities of modern business‐to‐business marketing. This is where the real benefits of this research will be seen as marketing organisations become more efficient, buying organisations develop best practice procedures, and academics can build on this research base to further enhance marketing knowledge.
Originality/value
The paper examines buying centres in Irish biotechnology companies and offers recommendations for future research.
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Declan Doyle and F. William Brown
The Business Strategy Game is a PC‐based simulation that gives the players experience in developing and implementing strategies. The students run their company in a competitive…
Abstract
The Business Strategy Game is a PC‐based simulation that gives the players experience in developing and implementing strategies. The students run their company in a competitive market setting against other teams. This forces them to take risks and anticipate competitor strategies. This paper is based on an international simulation game involving five teams of postgraduate business students from universities in Ireland, France and the US. The game was run in a “virtual environment” using e‐mail and videoconferencing. The attempt was made to simulate realistic competitive conditions as much as possible so that the concepts learned and solutions generated could be transferred from the classroom to the outside business environment.
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With spaces at a premium at the SMART Group symposium in Newport, Gwent, on 5 June it is anticipated that a new ‘SMART Group Wales & West’ division may be formed to service the…
Abstract
With spaces at a premium at the SMART Group symposium in Newport, Gwent, on 5 June it is anticipated that a new ‘SMART Group Wales & West’ division may be formed to service the technical needs of the Welsh and West electronics manufacturing community. Congregating at the Stakis Hotel, a total of 55 individuals from electronics sites across Wales and the West were treated to a complimentary presentation and demonstration of ball grid array (BGA) technology, followed by an open forum discussion on general electronics assembly.
Kevin O’ Shanahan, James O’ Flynn, Declan McCarthy and Liam MacGabhann
This paper aims to describe a novel community development and how the synergies arising from the interaction of diverse perspectives (including arts and health, person…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe a novel community development and how the synergies arising from the interaction of diverse perspectives (including arts and health, person centredness, co-production and shared leadership) have led to a transformative initiative for individuals and a local community in the Republic of Ireland.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a descriptive case study. It includes the personal narrative of an expert by experience who is one of the co-authors. Links to short digital films are also included along with references to internal evaluation documents and published literature. Reflections from the nurses who contributed to the initiative and a university academic are also incorporated.
Findings
A space in the community built around the principles of relational practice has evolved into an alchemical space, enabling creativity, recovery and well-being. The benefits arising out of this network of social relationships have contributed to personal recovery, integration with the local community and generated social capital. This has enhanced mental health and well-being locally.
Practical implications
Statutory Irish health policy is reflective of developments in health care internationally, with an emphasis on greater delivery of care in the community. This views citizens as active partners in the maintenance of their health and well-being. This case study illustrates how this has unfolded in practice in a rural mental health community context.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the evidence base that demonstrates the potential benefits of participation in the arts to individual recovery journeys. In addition, it shows that when arts and health perspectives coalesce with the wider domain of relational practice, the synergies arising contribute positively to the health and well-being of local communities.
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Design for manufacture and testability seems to be a very hot topic. This seminar organised by Bob Willis was over‐subscribed within the first two weeks of announcement, and the…
Abstract
Design for manufacture and testability seems to be a very hot topic. This seminar organised by Bob Willis was over‐subscribed within the first two weeks of announcement, and the standby places were already sufficient to warrant a repeat seminar during September. This will be held in Chelmsford on 9 September.
This conference, in the series being run by the National Physical Laboratory to help the electronics assembly industry consider the problems of CFC phase‐out, was essentially an…
Abstract
This conference, in the series being run by the National Physical Laboratory to help the electronics assembly industry consider the problems of CFC phase‐out, was essentially an updated repeat of the event held on 30 April, which had been a complete, standing‐room‐only sell‐out. Surprisingly, this repeat performance also attracted a full house and the format used has proved to be the most popular of all the NPL non‐CFC options conferences.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been studied as a neurodevelopmental disorder since Leo Kanner's early observations of abnormal head circumference in autistic children. In the…
Abstract
Purpose
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been studied as a neurodevelopmental disorder since Leo Kanner's early observations of abnormal head circumference in autistic children. In the past few years, there has been much progress made in elucidating the anatomical and functional abnormalities in ASD. This paper aims to summarise the extant research.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper provides a summary of relevant research findings in the neuroimaging of autism for the past 12 month period. Papers were identified using the Medline search terms: autism; ASD (functional); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); neuroimaging; diffusion tensor imaging (DTI); and endophenotype.
Findings
Relatively recent techniques such as functional MRI and DTI have furthered the initial work derived from early histological and structural imaging studies. Even newer techniques, such as DTI tractography and support vector machine analysis, and other computer‐based learning methods have allowed us to move beyond regional variations in grey and white matter volume and study ASD as a disorder of connectivity, and of regional cerebral function and neural circuitry. Brain regions and neural circuits that are implicated in the core symptoms of ASD (deficits in social reciprocity, language and communication, and restricted and stereotyped interests) have been repeatedly shown to be abnormal in those individuals.
Originality/value
This paper aims to provide a background for clinicians to the current research and focuses on developments in the field of neuroimaging of ASD from the past year, which have generated further insights into the neurobiology of ASD.
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Louise Manning and Jan Mei Soon
Ensuring continued compliance with food safety legislation and market requirements is critical to the fresh produce industry. The purpose of this paper is to analyse how a…
Abstract
Purpose
Ensuring continued compliance with food safety legislation and market requirements is critical to the fresh produce industry. The purpose of this paper is to analyse how a pre‐requisite programme (PRP) and key performance indicators (KPI) for food safety can be developed for the production of fresh produce, in both low input and high input supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
The first stage of the research involved an examination of literature, which was conducted using desk research. The second stage includes a review of food safety management systems (FSMS) in fresh produce supply and the development of a PRP/KPI framework.
Findings
Farm assurance is well developed in the high input food supply chain for multiple retail customers. However, low input systems such as organic production, or conventional sources are often non‐assured, and supply wholesale retail and food service markets. Recent food safety incidents such as the E. coli outbreak in Germany have demonstrated that universally an effective FSMS is critical to ensure that produce is safe and wholesome and is not the cause of a food safety outbreak.
Originality/value
This study is of benefit to the produce industry and those in the food supply chain in the further development of quality assurance (QA) standards and business improvement models.