Nicholas O'Regan and Abby Ghobadian
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how strategy is developed and implemented in an organisation with an unusual ownership model. Partnerships are not a prevalent form of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how strategy is developed and implemented in an organisation with an unusual ownership model. Partnerships are not a prevalent form of ownership but as this case demonstrates they can be extremely effective. Furthermore this case demonstrates how logical incrementalism can be used to implement major strategic decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on company documentary evidence and a semi‐structured interview with Mr Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of John Lewis Partnership. A chairman has a helicopter view of business whose perspectives are rarely captured by strategy researchers. This case study offers an insight into strategic thinking of a chairman and chief executive of a successful company.
Research limitations/implications
The case study and interview offer a unique insight into the rationale behind strategic decisions within a successful partnership that has grown organically in a highly competitive retail market without high gearing.
Originality/value
This case study sheds light on strategic moves within partnership. Furthermore, very few case studies offer insight into the thinking of a chief executive who has successfully managed a business in a turbulent environment.
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The paper explores the links between network structures and internationalization, conceptualized as a process of value innovation. The exploration sets off from the concept of an…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper explores the links between network structures and internationalization, conceptualized as a process of value innovation. The exploration sets off from the concept of an entry node, i.e. whether network entrance is facilitated by a direct dyadic or an indirect triadic relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is mainly conceptual, but also presents an empirical cross-border actor constellation which highlights the implications of the study.
Findings
Bi-directionality implies that value innovation is contingent on the fit between the actors involved in the entry node, not on the fulfilment of the needs of a focal actor. Further, the attractiveness of an entry node depends on network structures, the network positions of the actors in the entry node, the desired outcomes of entry (immersion or reach), and the actual behavior of the actors. The dynamics of transitivity can influence triadic entry nodes. However, transitivity operates differently in business networks than in social networks constituted by inter-personal ties. Therefore, closure of open triadic entry nodes is neither an automatic outcome of strong ties, nor a normatively better outcome.
Research limitations/implications
The theorizing offered by this paper must be further explored in different empirical contexts to assess its practical adequacy. Still, the presented empirical case indicates that the expected attractiveness of entry nodes is closely linked to (in)transitivity.
Originality/value
The paper supports the relevance of expanding from a dyadic to a network perspective in order to capture the dynamics of value innovation in an international setting.
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Managers and executives joining an organisation represent asignificant investment, yet few organisations have developed processesthat help an executive move successfully into the…
Abstract
Managers and executives joining an organisation represent a significant investment, yet few organisations have developed processes that help an executive move successfully into the new role. Why allocating resources to integrating a newly hired executive is imperative is explored, together with key steps in the integration process; and a series of critical questions on which newly hired executives should reflect. Also a comprehensive model of the executive integration process is outlined. The latter covers the three basic stages in the integration: reality testing; building rapport; and defining success, as well as the critical constituencies; boss, team, organ‐isation, and wider community. The author′s experience of working with senior executives, initially as a consultant and currently as Vice President, Management Development, for the Lawson Mardon Group, a billion‐dollar international printing and packaging conglomerate based in Toronto, Canada is also drawn upon.
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Daniel Mulino, Richard Scheelings, Robert Brooks and Robert Faff
An aspect of prospect theory posits that decision‐makers, when making decisions in the face of risk, make their decisions with respect to a pre‐existing reference point or ‘frame’…
Abstract
An aspect of prospect theory posits that decision‐makers, when making decisions in the face of risk, make their decisions with respect to a pre‐existing reference point or ‘frame’ (the statusquo bias). We utilize data from the Australian version of the TV game show, Deal or No Deal, to explore whether risk aversion varies with a change in reference point in a context where stakes are real and high.We achieve this by exploiting a special and unique Australian feature of the Deal or No Deal lottery‐choice setting, namely, the existence of the Chance or the SuperCase rounds (supplementary rounds). These rounds reverse the decision‐frame that was obtained in earlier (normal) rounds. We fit and estimate a complete dynamic decision‐making model to our dataset and find that the risk aversion estimate of contestants who participated in both the normal and the supplementary rounds indeed differs depending on the nature of the round, a result consistent with the operation of the existence of a framing effect.
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Asbjorn Osland, Howard Feldman, George Campbell and William Barnes
John Caldwell, president of Kio-Tek (KT), presents his company's business plan to a group of 30 venture capitalists at the November 2001 annual meeting of the Portland Venture…
Abstract
John Caldwell, president of Kio-Tek (KT), presents his company's business plan to a group of 30 venture capitalists at the November 2001 annual meeting of the Portland Venture Group. John's presentation is included in the case as an exhibit. The case begins with a brief overview of the meeting and John's presentation. The body of the case describes the question and answer period immediately following John's presentation.
Included in the case is a set of exhibits that John has handed out to the audience as supplemental information. These exhibits provide additional information on marketing, management, and financial issues facing the company and John refers to them throughout the question and answer period. The VC's ask John a variety of questions in an effort to determine whether KT is an attractive investment opportunity
The purpose of this case study is to explore the first-hand aftermath of the effects bestowed upon the travel industry by the coronavirus. To connect the effects to a real-life…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this case study is to explore the first-hand aftermath of the effects bestowed upon the travel industry by the coronavirus. To connect the effects to a real-life example, a particular hotel is being used as the reference point. Its ups, its downs and its day-to-day operations are reflected upon within the case study.
Design/methodology/approach
A real-life approach to this case was taken. To simplify and to further explain each of the concepts presented, mentioned and explained, the author referred back to the subject hotel, which has experienced its ups and downs owing to the coronavirus pandemic. The author has also discussed the benefits and drawbacks of each of the concepts explained within the case as well, along with real-life examples of other hotels and their specific experiences.
Findings
It was founded that economy hotels are faring better than most, if not all midscale and upscale properties. This success is attributed to multiple reasons: the availability and acceptability of contactless payments through Cash App and Venmo, the exterior access to the guestrooms, through the parking lot, rather than a hallway.
Originality/value
This case, in the author’s humble opinion, is as original as can be. Many concepts that are prominent within the business were mentioned, and further explained them and their relevancy by connecting it to the subject hotel, which too has experienced the effects of coronavirus – and the effects of the executive actions that were implemented in response of the virus.
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Frank Shipper and Richard C. Hoffman
This case has multiple theoretical linkages at the micro-organizational behavior level (e.g. job enrichment), but it is best analyzed and understood when examined at the…
Abstract
Theoretical basis
This case has multiple theoretical linkages at the micro-organizational behavior level (e.g. job enrichment), but it is best analyzed and understood when examined at the organizational level. Students will learn about shared entrepreneurship, high performance work systems, shared leadership and virtuous organizations, and how they can develop a sustainable competitive advantage.
Research methodology
The case was prepared using a qualitative approach. Data were collected via the following ways: literature search; organizational documents and published historical accounts; direct observations by a research team; and on-site audio recorded and transcribed individual and group interviews conducted by a research team (the authors) with organization members at multiple levels of the firm.
Case overview/synopsis
John Lewis Company has been in business since 1864. In 1929, it became the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) when the son of the founder sold a portion of the firm to the employees. In 1955, he sold his remaining interest to the employee/partners. JLP has a constitution and has a representative democracy governance structure. As the firm approaches the 100th anniversary of the trust, it is faced with multiple challenges. The partners are faced with the question – How to respond to the environmental turmoil?
Complexity academic level
This case has environmental issues – How to respond to competition, technological changes and environmental uncertainty and an internal issue – How can high performance work practices provide a sustainable competitive advantage? Both issues can be examined in strategic management courses after the students have studied traditionally managed companies. This case could also be used in human resource management courses.
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Barry R. Armandi, Herbert Sherman and Gina Vega
This article, written in case format, has been written to assist the novice case writer in case research and writing. The article covers all aspects of case writing including…
Abstract
This article, written in case format, has been written to assist the novice case writer in case research and writing. The article covers all aspects of case writing including: idea generation and sources of cases, working with primary and secondary case sources, obtaining client releases, writing the case story line, developing a catchy ‘hook’, using the past tense, providing supporting exhibits, and providing a bibliography for the case. The teaching note (or instructor's manual)is also covered in detail including: an overview of the case, learning objectives, course placement and targeted audience, instructional methodologies, case questions and answers, the epilogue, and the bibliography. Appendix A includes a discussion on case publishing and includes a list of journals and conferences which accept cases.