Bob Anderson, Christian Hagen, Joe Reifel and Eric Stettler
Many companies in many industries find themselves dealing with an over abundance of custom‐designed products, services and IT functions. Such complexity becomes unnecessary and…
Abstract
Purpose
Many companies in many industries find themselves dealing with an over abundance of custom‐designed products, services and IT functions. Such complexity becomes unnecessary and value draining when companies fail to address the trade‐off between customization and complexity – between the costs associated with customization, the value derived from it, and the price that should be charged for it.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors show how to build an organization that routinely measures complexity and takes a continuous improvement approach to reducing it. This ensures that complexity is managed and customization that does not contribute to competitive advantage is eliminated.
Findings
Good complexity is necessary and adds value for the company and the customer. It is the kind required to customize products and services and help companies increase revenues, profits, and customer loyalty.
Practical implications
Ideally, the initial focus should be on identifying the complexity drivers across the organization and determining where modularization can reduce unnecessary complexity.
Originality/value
The company must obtain an in‐depth understanding of the tradeoffs between customization and complexity, and change its business processes and decision‐making to consider both internal challenges as well as its position in the marketplace. In the end, by weeding out the “bad” complexity, the company should see marked improvement in both its delivery capabilities and bottom‐line performance.
Details
Keywords
Heidi L. Malloy and Paula McMurray-Schwarz
The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on war play and aggression. The paper begins with an introduction to play and the theories of Piaget, Vygotsky, and Corsaro…
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on war play and aggression. The paper begins with an introduction to play and the theories of Piaget, Vygotsky, and Corsaro. This is followed by a definition of pretend aggression and the war play debate. Literature is reviewed on how violent television, war toys, and war play shapes children’s imaginary play and aggressive behaviors. Attention is also given to the teacher’s role in war play and the methods used to investigate war play. Suggestions are made for future approaches to the study of war play within the context of the peer culture. The paper concludes with implications for early childhood educators.
Emily S. Kinsky and Shannon Bichard
This research seeks to explore 3‐5‐year‐old children's relationships with US commercial logos.
Abstract
Purpose
This research seeks to explore 3‐5‐year‐old children's relationships with US commercial logos.
Design/methodology/approach
The case study included a walk through a local store with ten preschool children and their mothers, interviews with the children, and a two‐week diary completed by their mothers.
Findings
Results indicate that, while preschoolers may not know brand names, they often know the product associated with a logo. When shopping, children often reached and pointed toward products at their level. As they recognized brands or products, children often commented on their associations or experiences with them. The diaries revealed a variety of television and film viewing choices for preschoolers and the daily occurrence of logo recognition throughout the environment.
Research limitations/implications
Because this is an in‐depth case study of ten children, the results cannot be generalized. Further study could focus on particular products or brands. The combination of examples set through shopping experiences and media viewing seems to point to social cognitive theory as support for how children are trained to become consumers.
Originality/value
This research effort fills several gaps in the literature. It is a qualitative examination of a question that has previously only been examined quantitatively and, unlike in previous research, logos were selected systematically by using the top ten products advertised in the USA in addition to others that surfaced during research. This study also combines methods that have only been used individually before (i.e. flashcards, in‐store observation and diary).