Sridhar Dharmapuri and Giovanni Giuliano
Considers the pre‐requisites for metabolic engineering (the redirection of enzymatic reactions to improve production or to mediate degradation of existing compounds and to promote…
Abstract
Considers the pre‐requisites for metabolic engineering (the redirection of enzymatic reactions to improve production or to mediate degradation of existing compounds and to promote production of new ones) in plants. Discusses recent successes in engineering increased production of beta‐carotene in a variety of food crops and suggests that the next stage for research development is in engineering complex metabolic pathways. Concludes that this will enhance humankind’s ability to turn plants into bio‐factories producing important compounds in a safe and sustainable manner.
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The purpose of this paper is to develop a strategic maintenance performance measurement system.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a strategic maintenance performance measurement system.
Design/methodology/approach
In response to this purpose, a balanced scorecard framework was adopted to assess the contribution of support functions (such as maintenance) to strategic business objectives. A case study approach was used to test the suggested framework at a Swedish paper mill.
Findings
It was found that by using the suggested framework it was possible to measure and identify the cause‐and‐effect relationship of using an effective maintenance strategy, and assess its impact on the company's competitive advantages. For example, it was found that there is potential to, ideally, improve the company's return on investment (ROI) by 9 per cent. This figure represents a projected US$8.4 million in lost profits, which are caused by planned inoperative time and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) elements. At least 14 per cent of the ROI potential improvements are directly related to the maintenance function as lost profit, which is due to unplanned stoppages and bad quality caused by maintenance‐related problems.
Practical implications
Using the modified BSC provides a framework whereby the contribution of support functions (for example, maintenance) to the strategic business objectives can be assessed. The modified BSC makes it easier for the maintenance and production staff who are technically oriented to communicate with top management in terms that managers understand, i.e. in terms of money. Furthermore, this approach facilitates the making of cost‐effective decisions.
Originality/value
The present study contributes to our knowledge of this process by changing the status of the “maintenance function”. This is done by showing that maintenance is no longer a cost centre, but should be regarded as a profit generating function.
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Maria Luiza Carvalho de Aguillar Pinho, Angela Maria Cavalcanti da Rocha, Celso Roberto de Aguillar Pinho and Cristiane Junqueira Giovannini
International business or International marketing.
Abstract
Subject area
International business or International marketing.
Study level/applicability
The case is recommended for undergraduate and graduate courses in the fields of international business and international marketing. The aim is to show students the problems that a family business in the animation industry faces while growing and internationalizing. Specifically, the case discusses the entry mode selection and market selection challenges faced by an emerging market company in the comic book and animation industry to operate overseas and compete with entertainment giants such as Disney and DC Comics. The case enables the instructor to discuss international market selection theories and evaluate entry modes. For graduate students, the international market selection can be further developed by using more robust concepts such as psychic and cultural distance.
Case overview
This case examines the trajectory of a pioneering company in the comic book and animation industries, and in the licensing of trademarks in Brazil. Mauricio de Sousa Productions was founded in 1959 and is considered to be one of the most successful cultural producers in the country. According to a leading Brazilian public opinion research agency, 97 per cent of Brazilian children and 96 per cent of their parents are familiar with the Monica and Friends characters. As one of the main players in the publishing market, with 86 per cent of market share, Mauricio de Sousa Productions has a product portfolio that goes beyond Monica and Friends comic strips: the company’s show on the Cartoon Network ranks third in audience viewing in the country and the company has produced animated movies, books, shows and games. However, despite its experience in publishing comic books in several countries, Mauricio de Sousa Productions (MSP)’s worldwide operations have not been as profitable and sustainable as expected. Aiming at expanding its global presence, MSP’s top management decided in 2014 to review the company’s internationalization strategy and operations to enhance the firm’s performance.
Expected learning outcomes
The case highlights the key factors facing firms when expanding from an emerging markets. Students are expected to discuss and evaluate options, thus developing their knowledge and decision processes related to family-owned business challenges and opportunities, international market selection theories and international market entry mode. Developing strategies to face challenges as those presented by competitors such as Disney should bring opportunities to students to think outside models and weigh risks. Finally, the case gives students opportunity to base their decision processes and evaluations on logistics problems as well as psychic and cultural distances. It also compels the students to appreciate the various challenges involved in exploiting international market with animation content and intellectual properties as a service.
Supplementary materials
Company presentation to use in the discussion introduction can be found in: www.monicaandfriends.com/content/video.php
Subject code
CSS 5: International business.
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Giovanni Azzone, Raffaella Bianchi and Giuliano Noci
The Internet and World Wide Web are creating new business opportunities, in particular increasing the performance of communication, sales and post‐sales. In surfing the Web it is…
Abstract
The Internet and World Wide Web are creating new business opportunities, in particular increasing the performance of communication, sales and post‐sales. In surfing the Web it is possible to see several tools a company can implement on its site: among them, description of products and strategy; online sale; market research; and support. Different companies structure their site using different combinations of tools, and not all at the same time. This shows that there is not a single configuration for a company’s Web site. Deals with these issues and in particular, through an empirical research, it identifies different configurations of a company’s Web site and verifies the existence of a development path in a company’s Web site.
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Giovanni Azzone and Giuliano Noci
Environmental issues are rapidly emerging as one of the most important topics in strategic manufacturing decisions. Growing public awareness and increasing government interest in…
Abstract
Environmental issues are rapidly emerging as one of the most important topics in strategic manufacturing decisions. Growing public awareness and increasing government interest in the environment have induced many companies to adopt programmes aimed at improving the environmental performance of their operations. State of the art literature has proposed many models to support executives in the assessment of a company’s environmental performance. Unfortunately, none of these identifies operating guidelines on how the systems should be adapted to support the deployment of different types of “green” manufacturing strategies. The present paper seeks to illustrate techniques and architecture for performance measurement systems (PMSs) to support the implementation of feasible “green” manufacturing strategies.
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Giovanni Azzone and Giuliano Noci
States that over the last few years, the growing importance of the ecological question has led many executives to modify their business policies. The integration of “green” issues…
Abstract
States that over the last few years, the growing importance of the ecological question has led many executives to modify their business policies. The integration of “green” issues in the process of strategy formation has significant financial, managerial and organizational implications for the corporate system, thus requiring firms to re‐design their value chain activities and processes. This paper aims at: analysing current patterns of environmental behaviour adopted by firms; discussing whether and how the ecological challenge must be seen as a major source of change, thus identifying specific implications on the corporate system of environmental entrepreneurship; presenting the basic triggers which may foster the introduction of innovative environmental programmes.
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Giuliano Noci and Giovanni Toletti
Over the last year, the introduction of effective quality systems and the achievement of high quality products represented fundamental competitive incentives for the adoption of…
Abstract
Over the last year, the introduction of effective quality systems and the achievement of high quality products represented fundamental competitive incentives for the adoption of total quality management practices. Unfortunately, many empirical studies demonstrate that most of the quality based programmes introduced within small firms did not improve their competitive position and profitability. The reason for such a failure is threefold: ambiguity of quality dimension, lack of suitable decisional tools and distinctive features characterising small firms. Hence, the objective of this paper is to provide small firms’ managers with a decisional tool (derived from the Fuzzy Sets Theory) aimed at supporting the evaluation process and at selecting the most suitable investments within different competitive contexts.
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Giovanni Azzone, Raffaella Bianchi, Renato Mauri and Giuliano Noci
Over the last decades, public opinion, governments and regulators have forced executives of both large and small corporations to improve their environmental performance and, for…
Abstract
Over the last decades, public opinion, governments and regulators have forced executives of both large and small corporations to improve their environmental performance and, for this reason, to consider the environment as a significant competitive priority. The objective of the paper is twofold, to: design an effective taxonomy of operating environmental strategies; and develop an empirical investigation aimed at testing whether the identified environmental strategies correspond to real strategic behaviours of companies.