Martin H. Kunc, Federico Barnabè and Maria Cleofe Giorgino
The study aims to contribute to the debate on how to identify and manage an organization’s sustainability-related resources and processes by understanding the impact of business…
Abstract
The study aims to contribute to the debate on how to identify and manage an organization’s sustainability-related resources and processes by understanding the impact of business activities on the environment and evaluating actions to ameliorate their impacts. Within this debate, and specifically taking into consideration the opportunity to support circular economy actions and initiatives, the study focuses on integrated reporting (IR) practices. In detail, this study advocates the joint use of IR principles with the dynamic resource-based view (DRBV) of the firm, adopting their representation of resources and impact of the business activities to identify environmental friendly “hot spots” in organizations. The framework is illustrated through two exploratory case studies.
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Michael Abebe and David
Despite the extensive research on the determinants and consequences of firm growth, research focusing on how the actual process unfolds is still evolving. An important part of…
Abstract
Despite the extensive research on the determinants and consequences of firm growth, research focusing on how the actual process unfolds is still evolving. An important part of firm growth process research is entrepreneurial cognition. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the relationship between entrepreneurial cognition and firm growth intentions. Specifically, we propose a theoretical model of entrepreneurial cognitive interpretation and categorization of market information as it relates to firm growth intentions. Drawing from the strategic cognition literature in general and strategic issue interpretation literature in particular, we propose that entrepreneurs’ interpretation of market information as opportunity or threat, gain or loss, and controllable or uncontrollable influences their firm growth intentions. Furthermore, our theoretical model discusses the condition under which favorable interpretation of market information leads to higher growth intentions by incorporating insights from the Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) construct. This chapter extends our understanding of firm growth processes by highlighting the important role cognitive interpretation and categorization play in facilitating or hindering entrepreneurial firm growth.
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Explore the use of simulation within managerial accounting principles courses to enhance business integration learning. Course pedagogy and content changes are examined as an…
Abstract
Purpose
Explore the use of simulation within managerial accounting principles courses to enhance business integration learning. Course pedagogy and content changes are examined as an alternative approach to traditional lecture. Specific outcome goals include critical thinking, engagement, and communication skills development.
Methodology/approach
Literature review, stakeholder feedback, assessment examination results.
Findings
Stakeholder feedback suggests increased student motivation and engagement can occur with simulation use. A positive impact on student learning is possible where a real-world, competitive decision-making scenario is provided in conjunction with enthusiastic instructor guidance. Further, standardized examinations are available as a means to evaluate assurance of learning goals and continuous improvement models related to assessment.
Practical implications
Highlights the development of quantitative and qualitative decision-making skills.
Social implications
Students are better prepared for business study through development of decision-making, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills.
Originality/value
The use of simulation represents a powerful tool for study of the interdisciplinary nature of business. Instructors may find the feedback herein beneficial as they consider pedagogy alternatives for their managerial accounting principles courses.
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Tatjana V. Kazakova and Daniel Geiger
The way organizations cope with uncertainty in strategic decision making is prominently discussed. Concepts such as heuristics and simple rules are gaining increasing attention in…
Abstract
The way organizations cope with uncertainty in strategic decision making is prominently discussed. Concepts such as heuristics and simple rules are gaining increasing attention in strategic management research. However, despite their importance, little is known how heuristics and simple rules operate. Our qualitative study reveals that, first, strategic decisions consist of three basic elements: single rules, rule patterns, and emotional handling. Second, we find that firms develop generalizable rule patterns which follow a sequential order of inter-linked rules. Based on the findings we introduce the concept of organizational heuristics as inter-linked rule patterns drawing on organizational experience.
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Robert E. Wood, Jens F. Beckmann and Damian P. Birney
The purpose of this paper is to consider how simulations are increasingly used in training programs for the development of skills such as leadership. However, the requirements of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to consider how simulations are increasingly used in training programs for the development of skills such as leadership. However, the requirements of leadership development go beyond the development of task specific procedural knowledge or expertise that simulations have typically been used to develop. Leadership requires flexibility in the application of knowledge developed through simulations and the creation of linkages to behavioral execution skills needed to utilize that knowledge effectively in real world settings.
Design/methodology/approach
The successful acquisition of flexible expertise and the related execution skills requires instructional techniques that manage cognitive load, delay automatization of responses, and provide diversity in simulated experiences to ensure richness of the mental models developed while working on simulations. The successful transfer of that knowledge to real world settings requires supplemental instructional techniques that link the use of the mental models developed on simulations to the contexts and behavioral requirements of the trainees' roles in real world settings.
Findings
If simulations are going to be used effectively for the development of dynamic skills such as leadership there is a need to go beyond their traditional use. The execution of leadership skills requires flexible expertise. The successful acquisition of rich schemata and versatile mental models as the goal of leadership development programs calls for instructional techniques that also facilitate the successful manifestation of flexible expertise.
Originality/value
The paper shows that, when embedded in deliberative processing, application of knowledge developed though simulations and the creation of linkages to behavioral execution skills facilitates successful performance in complex and dynamic real world challenges.
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Gary Lynch-Wood and David Williamson
This paper aims to examine social licence in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Social and economic actors can assist in protecting the environment by…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine social licence in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Social and economic actors can assist in protecting the environment by granting firms a social licence. The social licence is regarded as a regulatory trigger, which some claim can improve organisational practices and possibly induce beyond compliance behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses data from interviews with the owners and managers of 110 manufacturing SMEs.
Findings
Social licence pressures are generally weak, while traditional regulation remains essential for encouraging and sustaining environmental activity. That said, the data show important differences across firms, for some SMEs are influenced by and responsive to social licence pressures. Typically, these pressures derive from stakeholders who pursue a relatively narrow self-interest (rather than public interest) mandate, and focus on particular issues rather than broader objectives of environmental responsibility. When responding to pressures, SMEs are likely to take specific and focused actions that address specific stakeholder concerns.
Research limitations/implications
Fresh insights are provided into the social licence and smaller firms. Contrary to previous views, there are circumstances where the social licence provides a limited and tailored regulatory tool for initiating change, and it typically leads to firms making alterations to business practices that tend to be low-cost and easy to implement. The social licence can provide a consensual micro-social contract and limited public interest service, and, subject to supporting circumstances, it may be extendable to other types of smaller firms.
Social implications
The paper presents fresh insights into the relationship between SMEs and social and economic stakeholders.
Originality/value
The paper provides new insights into how relevant stakeholders can influence the environmental behaviour of small firms.
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Jiafang Lu, Philip Hallinger and Parinya Showanasai
Proponents have argued that simulation-based learning (SBL) offers capabilities that respond to persisting critiques of management education. This research intended to provide…
Abstract
Purpose
Proponents have argued that simulation-based learning (SBL) offers capabilities that respond to persisting critiques of management education. This research intended to provide additional empirical evidence for the instructional effectiveness of SBL. This paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopted a quasi-experimental, multiple time series design to examine the instructional effectiveness of courses that incorporated computer simulations in a Master of Management program at a business school in Thailand. It compared student perceptions of three SBL courses with courses that used a variety of other instructional approaches over a period of seven years.
Findings
Results revealed that students rated the SBL courses significantly higher on overall perceived instructional effectiveness, as manifested by action-directed learning, student engagement, quality of assessment and feedback, and instructor effectiveness.
Research limitations/implications
The consistency of significant results for a large number of course sections over a substantial period of time suggests that the SBL courses created a more active, productive environment in which to learn management theory and practice.
Practical implications
The results support assertions that simulations offer potential for enhancing the quality of university-based management education.
Originality/value
First, the research provides empirical insights into the implementation of SBL in management education; second, many instructors remain skeptical as to whether active learning methods imported from western contexts are suitable for Asian learners. The study addresses this issue in the light of data that describe one institution's sustained attempt to employ computer simulations in its graduate management education program.
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Yi Yang, V.K. Narayanan, Yamuna Baburaj and Srinivasan Swaminathan
This paper aims to examine the relationship between the characteristics of strategic decision-making team’s mental model and its performance. The authors propose that the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the relationship between the characteristics of strategic decision-making team’s mental model and its performance. The authors propose that the relationship between mental models and performance is two-way, rather than one-way. Thus, performance feedback should, in turn, influence strategic behavior and future performance by either triggering or hindering the learning process.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conduct the research in the setting of a simulation experiment. A longitudinal data set was collected from 36 teams functioning as strategic decision makers over three periods.
Findings
This study provides support for the positive impacts of both the complexity and centrality of a team’s mental model on its performance. The authors also find that positive performance feedback reduces changes in complexity and centrality of team mental models due to cognitive inertia.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature by investigating the specific mechanisms that underlie mental model evolution. Different from the existing studies on team mental models that mainly focus on similarity of these shared cognitive structures, this study examines another two characteristics of team mental model, complexity and centrality, that are more relevant to the strategic decision-making process but has not been extensively studied in the team literature. In addition, this study reveals that performance feedback has different effects on team mental models depending on the referents – past performance or social comparison – which advances the understanding of the learning effects of performance feedback.
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David Williamson and Gary Lynch‐Wood
Presents the findings of a UK‐based study into the environmental practices of SMEs (i.e. small and medium‐sized enterprises employing up to 250 people). The firms were found to…
Abstract
Presents the findings of a UK‐based study into the environmental practices of SMEs (i.e. small and medium‐sized enterprises employing up to 250 people). The firms were found to be environmentally “reactive”, and this is explained by reference to a system of interconnected and negatively reinforcing practices. This is corroborated by organisational self‐assessments, with firms accepting that they have a low commitment to environmental issues. It was apparent that the firms would like to improve their environmental performance, but the authors argue that meaningful progress will be achieved only if there is a shift to a more proactive model of environmental practices.
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Quality initiatives need to be translated into actions by employees.Highlights the importance of eliciting the knowledge and beliefs whichemployees use to guide their decisions at…
Abstract
Quality initiatives need to be translated into actions by employees. Highlights the importance of eliciting the knowledge and beliefs which employees use to guide their decisions at work and argues that everyday discourse (e.g. conversation, group discussion) is an inadequate basis from which to unearth this information. Outlines a variety of psychological techniques which can be used to help people “get at” their own views. A study is reported which used situational interviewing and the repertory grid technique to elicit the models which food servers in the hospitality industry have of internal systems and procedures. The “maps” which food servers have of service situations and colleagues reveal areas for quality improvement.