Azhdar Karami, Farhad Analoui and John Cusworth
The notion, that people management can be a key source of sustained competitive advantage, calls for the integration of Human Resource Management (HRM) and business strategy. Not…
Abstract
The notion, that people management can be a key source of sustained competitive advantage, calls for the integration of Human Resource Management (HRM) and business strategy. Not surprisingly, the main debate in HRM is nowadays concerned with the relationship between strategic management and employee relations in the firm and therefore strategic HRM focuses on the overall direction of the organisation in pursuit of its stated goals and objectives. This paper explores the above relationship in the electronic manufacturing industry. It is based on empirical evidence and the findings of a survey of senior managers’ perception and views on strategic HRM.It is concluded that increasing core competencies of the firm, in particular HR, is one of the key elements to the success of the firm performance and that HR involvement in the development and implementation of business strategy leads to organisational effectiveness in this industry.
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The land resettlement programme in Zimbabwe was undertaken not justas a land redistribution exercise but as a carefully planned and manageddevelopment programme. Despite the…
Abstract
The land resettlement programme in Zimbabwe was undertaken not just as a land redistribution exercise but as a carefully planned and managed development programme. Despite the problems of adjusting government institutions to independence, an organisational framework was successfully established to plan and implement resettlement. This owed much to the fact that implementing resettlement was consistent with each institution′s objectives. On the other hand, the early economic success of the programme has become increasingly jeopardised as the institutions′ requirement for programme operation has not been matched by that for planning and implementation. An understanding of the organisational objectives of individual institutions can go some way to explain this. The experience of resettlement in Zimbabwe may not be unique and the experience will add to the increased emphasis being given in agricultural development to the establishment of appropriate farmer‐oriented institutions at the local level.
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Hassan Labbaf, Farhad Analoui and John W. Cusworth
Three categories of managerial skills are described as essential for effectiveness of senior managers: task, people and analytical and self‐development skills. Argues that…
Abstract
Three categories of managerial skills are described as essential for effectiveness of senior managers: task, people and analytical and self‐development skills. Argues that managers at the lower level of the hierarchy value task‐related skills whereas self‐development and people‐ related skills are perceived as essential by the top management team. Suggests that although the above categories of managerial skills are somewhat broadly grouped in the literature there may exist distinct meaningful patterns of interrelationships among them which have several implications for the effective management training and development of senior managers.
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Describes a number of experiments with electronic documentdelivery, and the copyright problems that are affecting its use.Considers the inadequacies of interlending for the user…
Abstract
Describes a number of experiments with electronic document delivery, and the copyright problems that are affecting its use. Considers the inadequacies of interlending for the user, the interlending in Eastern Europe and Australia. Outlines the impact of CD‐ROM on document supply and suggests that interlending can be a social, cultural and economic measure.
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John Nicholas Rossato Saunders
The purpose of this article is to summarise key literature related to the Foundation for Learning and Literacy’s Touchstone 4 (creativity, the arts and imagination).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to summarise key literature related to the Foundation for Learning and Literacy’s Touchstone 4 (creativity, the arts and imagination).
Design/methodology/approach
This article reviews a selection of relevant studies exploring the contributions of creativity, imagination and the arts to traditional literacy learning. The existing literature has been synthesised and summarised to provide readers with a broad understanding of the evidence supporting Touchstone 4.
Findings
The literature review reveals that all five arts subjects, along with creativity and imagination, contribute positively to students' literacy learning. Each arts subject enhances and extends different aspects of conventional literacy skills – such as reading, writing, viewing, speaking and listening – while fostering the development of multiliteracies.
Originality/value
This article uniquely summarises existing research on the arts, creativity and imagination, highlighting how each area supports literacy development in school students.
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Kwasi Agyeman-Boakye, Ernest Kissi and Ivy Abu
The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of Project Management Office (PMO) functions on project performance in businesses in Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMIC…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of Project Management Office (PMO) functions on project performance in businesses in Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) using Partial Least Square–Structural Equation Modelling (PLS–SEM).
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing close-ended questionnaires in a cross-sectional survey, 256 project professionals from 10 business sectors in Ghana views were elicited. The questions were developed through a comprehensive literature review and involved 27 PMO functional measures grouped into 6 and 19 project performance measures grouped into 6. Data collected was then analysed using the PLS–SEM to validate the hypothetical relationship.
Findings
The PLS–SEM model supported 13 (t > 1.65) out of 36 hypotheses investigating the relationship between PMO functions and project performance. Variations in the PMO functions moderately (R2 = 0.34) explained the performance of projects. The aggregate activities of the PMO had the highest significant influence on environmental performance (R2 = 0.467). The topmost PMO function was identified as monitoring and controlling project performance, and it was significantly associated with cost (ß = 0.265, p < 0.05), quality (ß = 0.291, p < 0.05) and project scope (ß = 0.265 p < 0.05) performance.
Research limitations/implications
This research has brought more illumination to the functions of PMOs and its influence on project performance. The results suggest that PMO activities, when tailored to the business context, can significantly change project performance variables.
Originality/value
Most research on PMO and project performance has been limited to developed countries or a single sector. This study uniquely expands the business sectors and focuses on LMICs.
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Martin Carlsson-Wall, Christofer Laurell, Oliver Lindqvist Parbratt and Mart Ots
The paper investigates the relationship between accounting and promises in the context of digital change.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper investigates the relationship between accounting and promises in the context of digital change.
Design/methodology/approach
Relying on emergent literature on accounting and promises, a qualitative field study has been conducted covering 57 interviews with municipal directors, digitalization strategists, administration managers and CFOs in a Swedish region consisting of 13 municipalities.
Findings
The paper provides insights into how municipalities draw on accounting in attempts to reconstruct promissory narratives of the digital. By highlighting two contrasting cases, we show how this can involve practices of either restoration or transformation. Likewise, we find that attempts to restore promises can sometimes have unanticipated effects, in our case a transformation of the promise instead.
Originality/value
We introduce a “promise” lens to the literature on accounting and digital change and empirically describe how accounting is implicated in shaping promises in the context of public sector digital change.
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Kashmir Goddard, Jane Montague and James Elander
This study aims to reflect on ways that the experiences of vulnerable users of drug and alcohol services can inform social work practice and policy to improve treatment engagement…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to reflect on ways that the experiences of vulnerable users of drug and alcohol services can inform social work practice and policy to improve treatment engagement and mitigate negative responses to interventions.
Design/methodology/approach
The research used semi-structured interviews and photovoice in an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of people in treatment for drug or alcohol problems whose child was the subject of a Child Protection or Child in Need order.
Findings
The research gave insights into participants’ experiences of loss of control, unfairness and stigma. Participants described how they felt powerless in the social services system and were afraid to be open and honest with practitioners for fear of having their children removed.
Practical implications
The research highlighted the need for more training and professional development for social work practitioners to address power imbalance issues, and the need to promote non-threatening professional practice that removes penalties for disclosure of substance use, enabling substance users who are parents to be more honest about their drug use.
Social implications
The research showed the value of phenomenological methods for investigating sensitive issues with vulnerable users of treatment services in a way that can inform policy and practice.
Originality/value
This paper explores ways that phenomenological research with vulnerable, hard-to-reach participants can produce insights about the potential benefits of social work practice that is non-threatening and encourages greater openness and honesty among substance users who are parents.
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The purpose of this article is to discuss the methodological choices for a study of human resource management strategy implementation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to discuss the methodological choices for a study of human resource management strategy implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology examines the matching and Harvard approaches to human resource management research which are prevalent in the field. This is achieved by a two‐stage methodology. First, a descriptive, quantitative survey methodology is employed to establish the extent to which strategic planning occurs in a rational way. Second, a qualitative, case study methodology examines the reasons behind the strategic choices made.
Findings
Limited evidence of formal planning, in line with the matching approach was found, particularly around the organisation's choice of human resource policies. Instead policies were determined by influences suggested in the Harvard approach, including stakeholders, organisation culture and power. The combined approach of quantitative and qualitative research offers a more balanced explanation than the previous independent research undertaken in the field.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations to the research included the difficulty in accessing commercially sensitive data on strategy planning. The study was limited to only six industries, thus making generalisability difficult. Perceptual measures were used, increasing the risk of respondent bias. Further research to extend the range of industries studied, longitudinal research and the use of objective data would be of benefit.
Originality/values
The paper is of value to academics wishing to consider the relevance of methodologies for research into the strategic planning process.