The paper aims to present key insights for achieving a sustainable competitive advantage from implementing data analytics solutions and artificial intelligence (AI).
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to present key insights for achieving a sustainable competitive advantage from implementing data analytics solutions and artificial intelligence (AI).
Design/methodology/approach
This conceptual paper builds on prior empirical and conceptual research, and it offers anecdotal evidence from a best-practice case study of Liverpool Football Club.
Findings
Beyond the well-known companies in profiting from AI, such as Amazon, this paper presents a surprising best-practice example for achieving a competitive advantage from combining data analytics and AI with human expertise. Liverpool Football Club is a leading soccer club from England, and it has experienced a major revival in terms of sporting success and financial performance in recent years. The club’s emphasis on data analytics and AI only contributed to this impressive evolution when it was complemented with the emotional intelligence and people skills of its present manager Juergen Klopp. Along with new conceptual arguments, this example of integrated intelligence offers important insights for managers and executives in companies from many industries – far beyond sports management.
Originality/value
The conceptual arguments and case example illustrate that the competitive benefits of implementing standardized AI solutions in an isolated way will often be relatively limited. Many AI solutions will be standardized in the near future, and they may easily be applied by many firms. Thus, even those companies that are considered as AI pioneers may not be able to sustain their competitive advantage unless they develop an integrated intelligence architecture, which combines human and AI. This integration of data analytics and AI with the human intelligence and expertise of a firm’s employees offers the basis for a sustainable advantage because it is difficult to match for competitors. Thus, the paper offers new theoretical insights and direct managerial implications with regard to profiting from AI and data analytics.
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During the past twenty years Japanese growth has been spectacular, whilst extrapolation suggests that before the year 2,000 AD Japan will have overtaken America in terms of gross…
Abstract
During the past twenty years Japanese growth has been spectacular, whilst extrapolation suggests that before the year 2,000 AD Japan will have overtaken America in terms of gross national product per head. Agreed no tree grows to the sky. Indeed, several ‘diseases’ may affect the growth of the Japanese ‘oak’, including:
To provide an overview of the current attitudes and practical experience of airport benchmarking.
Abstract
Purpose
To provide an overview of the current attitudes and practical experience of airport benchmarking.
Design/methodology/approach
A range of benchmarking studies are critiqued. The paper considers the partial performance measures which are used from an economic, operational and environmental perspective. It also investigates more complex modelling approaches which have been undertaken to gain greater insight into an airport's overall performance. In addition an assessment is made of the role of benchmarking in airport regulation.
Findings
The paper finds that benchmarking techniques have become well established in recent years within the airport sector. However there is still some way to go in overcoming some of the problems that inhibit effective benchmarking on a truly international basis.
Research limitations/implications
The paper focuses on methodological issues and does not discuss the findings of research in this area.
Practical implications
A very useful source of information for all researchers in academia and industry who wish to use airport benchmarking techniques.
Originality/value
The paper provides a comprehensive and unique review of the benchmarking techniques currently in use for airports.
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Graham McPheat, Ian Milligan and Lynne Hunter
In Scotland residential units for children remain largely in the hands of local authorities. A reluctance to plan for and use such services as a positive choice results in many…
Abstract
In Scotland residential units for children remain largely in the hands of local authorities. A reluctance to plan for and use such services as a positive choice results in many children being placed as a last resort. Two research studies gathered data over a six‐month period and considered seven local authorities' admissions to children's units, allowing for in‐depth exploration of the manner in which children are being placed in residential care. The studies revealed a significant number of children aged under 12 being admitted to residential care, many placements of a very short duration, poor evidence of placement planning, substantial numbers of sibling groups being separated and admitted to different residential care settings and many instances of residential placements being used when not the preferred option. The implications of the findings are discussed and possible solutions offered as to how the residential sector can be developed to achieve the wide range of roles it is currently expected to fulfil.
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Ian C. Graham and Peter J. Harris
This article presents the results of a project undertaken to increase the effectiveness of decision makingat the property level in the Europe, Middle East, Africa division of an…
Abstract
This article presents the results of a project undertaken to increase the effectiveness of decision makingat the property level in the Europe, Middle East, Africa division of an international hotel chain. The objective of the project was to provide the basis for a more informed approach to routine financialplanning and control decisions of property management teams with the aim of enhancing operational profitability. The techniques used to underpin the framework are evaluated in relation to their practical application in the decision‐making process and the rationale and method of implementation of the management development programme is explained.The framework was approved by the company’s management board for implementation throughout the division and feedback from property management and assessment of financial results suggest the approach has made a significant contribution to profit improvement.
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Ian M. Marshall Graham Logan, Richard Callison and Malcolm Dobson
Reviews the growth of TayNet, a local service provider which was established to support the development of businesses in Tayside by providing local access to the Internet…
Abstract
Reviews the growth of TayNet, a local service provider which was established to support the development of businesses in Tayside by providing local access to the Internet. Describes the computer, communication and software components of the TayNet Point of Presence along with the technical and end‐user evaluation of the pilot phase. Provides sample performance figures along with connection statistics for 45 active participants during an audit week. Describes technical problems experienced and end‐user requested features and end‐user perceptions and opinions of TayNet and the Internet.
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I am not sure whether I was asked to give this paper as an innovator, a researcher and developer, or a user. If I claim to have some elements of all three, this presumably…
Abstract
I am not sure whether I was asked to give this paper as an innovator, a researcher and developer, or a user. If I claim to have some elements of all three, this presumably exonerates me from having to be expert at any one of them. I should perhaps say that I see all three as closely interlinked: for me, at any rate, all worthwhile library and information research has arisen out of strictly practical problems, which present knowledge is inadequate to solve; and these problems occur to one as a librarian trying to give an adequate service within various economic, social and political constraints—the definition of an adequate service being arrived at by seeing the library through the consumer's eyes, and by using it oneself as a consumer.