Abel Duarte Alonso and Ian Patrick Austin
The purpose of this study is to examine organisational learning (OL) among firms involved in global-trade relationships. The study adopts the stakeholder theory (ST) and the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine organisational learning (OL) among firms involved in global-trade relationships. The study adopts the stakeholder theory (ST) and the knowledge-based theory (KBT) of the firm to illuminate the research and facilitate the understanding of the areas under investigation. The study, therefore, makes contributions to the extant international business and strategy literature, both in new empirical evidence and in theoretical refinement.
Design/methodology/approach
In-depth, unstructured, face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with owners/co-owners of nine Western Australian firms operating internationally.
Findings
Collectively, participants perceive improvements in trade relationships through increased understanding and knowledge. Importantly, OL is significantly affected by systematic and dramatic/strategic quantum change. Alignments with ST and KBT emerged, emphasising the usefulness of these frameworks to understand owners/co-owners’ best-practice stakeholder management. Furthermore, the study proposes a refinement of these frameworks to facilitate understanding of the participating firms’ OL-related strategies.
Originality/value
While there is a rich body of literature on OL, various knowledge gaps have been identified in contemporary research. The study provides value by contributing to new knowledge in these areas and by proposing a refinement of the used theoretical frameworks in explaining OL among Western Australian global firms. In addition, despite Western Australia’s geographic proximity to various overseas consumer markets, very few empirical studies have examined the above areas in the context of this state’s firms. By focusing on Western Australian firms, the study also provides an element of originality.
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Ian Patrick Austin and N.G. Danny
This study aims to examine the human resources (HR) knowledge and cross-cultural and interpersonal skills needed by HR managers/directors to administer the integrated resort and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the human resources (HR) knowledge and cross-cultural and interpersonal skills needed by HR managers/directors to administer the integrated resort and hotel (IR&H) organizational talent.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a qualitative method in the form of extensive interviews.
Findings
The labor-intensive nature of the IR&Hs have forced these organizations to be innovative in terms of retaining their top talents and to look overseas for foreign workers to ensure smooth operations.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to two Asian geographies and the high regulatory nature of the industry correspondingly limits the number of HR executives in operation within IR&Hs.
Practical implications
This paper provides insights for current and future Asian-based IR&Hs policy planners and HR managers.
Social implications
The paper provides an understanding of national and organizational skills shortages and their impact upon work and workers.
Originality/value
No previous comparative research in relation to Singapore and Macau has been conducted.
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Abel Duarte Alonso and Ian Patrick Austin
The purpose of this study is to contribute to the extant body of the entrepreneurship and business management literature, investigating corporate social responsibility (CSR) and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to contribute to the extant body of the entrepreneurship and business management literature, investigating corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its implications for firms’ competitiveness. The cases of four different firms are examined through the lens of the resource-based view of the firm and role theory.
Design/methodology/approach
Face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with the owners and managers of four model firms identified in Western Australia.
Findings
While financial outcomes clearly stand out as the end goal for engaging in CSR-related practices, the importance of firm managers’ entrepreneurial role emerges in using existing resources to exploit business opportunities to ultimately achieve competitiveness, benefit the organisation, the community and society. Management’s ability to reconcile financial objectives and CSR practices give rise to the notion of entrepreneurial CSR.
Originality/value
The study demonstrates that management’s entrepreneurial drive, skills, knowledge, expertise or strategic strengths can identify substantial opportunities. Furthermore, the investment of resources to develop socially responsible products and services can help achieve CSR and the firm’s bottom line. Finally, learning about participants’ motivations for engaging in CSR could identify areas, concepts and directions to be considered by entrepreneurs, compared/contrasted to previous research or even operationalised by enterprises of different sizes elsewhere.
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Abel Duarte Alonso and Ian Patrick Austin
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the associations between the resources of a Western Australian regional family firm exporting to Asia and innovation through the lens…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the associations between the resources of a Western Australian regional family firm exporting to Asia and innovation through the lens of the theory of innovation and the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm.
Design/methodology/approach
In-depth, un-structured telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted with five members of the firm, including the co-owner. A visit to the business facilities complemented the data collection process.
Findings
The importance of tangible and intangible resources, such as forward thinking or investments in technologies, human capital and research is clearly illustrated; these resources positively influence innovative practices. Associations between the findings and the theoretical frameworks were identified. For instance, the imperfectly imitable and non-substitutable attributes comply with the RBV of the firm, and the hypothesised four dimensions of innovation. Importantly, the significance of strategic partnering emerges as an extension of these attributes.
Originality/value
This study addresses some knowledge gaps, first, contributing to the body of research on family firms’ adoption of innovation. In addition, the study contributes to the literature on regional Western Australian family firms operating internationally. This state makes a significant contribution to Australia’s economy, and its close geographic proximity to various important consumer markets highlights future opportunities for family firms in international trade. Despite such potential, research on global family firms operating in this state has been almost non-existent.
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It has often been said that a great part of the strength of Aslib lies in the fact that it brings together those whose experience has been gained in many widely differing fields…
Abstract
It has often been said that a great part of the strength of Aslib lies in the fact that it brings together those whose experience has been gained in many widely differing fields but who have a common interest in the means by which information may be collected and disseminated to the greatest advantage. Lists of its members have, therefore, a more than ordinary value since they present, in miniature, a cross‐section of institutions and individuals who share this special interest.
Aarhus Kommunes Biblioteker (Teknisk Bibliotek), Ingerslevs Plads 7, Aarhus, Denmark. Representative: V. NEDERGAARD PEDERSEN (Librarian).
The following annotated bibliography of materials on orienting users to libraries and on instructing them in the use of reference and other resources covers publications from…
Abstract
The following annotated bibliography of materials on orienting users to libraries and on instructing them in the use of reference and other resources covers publications from 1981. A few items from 1980 have been included because information about them was not available in time for the 1980 listing. A few items have not been annotated because the compiler was unable to secure copies of these items.