Kalinga Jagoda and Premaratne Samaranayake
The purpose of this paper is to propose an alternative integrated approach based on the stage-gate method to implement enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems which will…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose an alternative integrated approach based on the stage-gate method to implement enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems which will enhance the effectiveness of ERP projects.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review was conducted on ERP system implementation and its effectiveness. The need for improving implementation approaches and methodologies was examined. Based on the insights gained, a conceptual framework for ERP system implementation is presented by combining the state-gate approach with the pre-implementation roadmap.
Findings
The proposed framework aims to enhance the overall ERP implementation outcomes, ensuring critical success factors and eliminating common causes of failures. A pre-implementation roadmap is identified as a key element for eliminating many causes of failure including lack of organisations’ readiness for ERP. The post-implementation stage can be used for further improvements to the system through internal research and development.
Research limitations/implications
The development of the framework is an attempt to contribute to improving ERP implementation. This research is expected to motivate researchers to work in this area, and it will be beneficial to practicing managers in the identification of opportunities for improvements in ERP systems. Case studies will be valuable to refine and validate the proposed model.
Originality/value
This paper explores research in a needy area and offers a framework to help researchers and practitioners in improving ERP implementation. This framework is expected to reduce the implementation project duration, strengthen critical success factors and minimise common problems of ERP implementation projects.
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Kalinga Jagoda and Patrick Wojcik
With the increasingly complex global environment companies are facing increased regulations. Financial and social risks are often overlooked but the key in establishing the…
Abstract
Purpose
With the increasingly complex global environment companies are facing increased regulations. Financial and social risks are often overlooked but the key in establishing the necessary framework for risk management. Under pressure(s) from the media, public and government, the current companies within the oil and gas fields have taken precautionary steps to reduce their carbon footprint and have allowed technological innovations to take a proactive role in maintaining efficiency and sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework outlining how organizations are implementing risk assessment and analysis to determine sustainable operations and methods in developing low-risk outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a case study approach to develop and illustrate the risk management framework.
Findings
This study provides a theoretical framework for analyzing and reducing risk within the oil and gas sector through explaining various means of innovation and sustainability. Risk integration and mitigation are modeled and quantified within an evolutionary framework. The case study illustrates the risk management techniques currently used in a corporate setting.
Originality/value
Using innovation and sustainable technologies, organizations can take a proactive role in reducing risk in the oil and gas industry in northern Alberta. Providing shareholders with an innovative framework dealing with strategic implications to reduce risk in compliance with operational costs.
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Yuqian Zhang, Anura De Zoysa and Kalinga Jagoda
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the understandability of an accounting textbooks written in English and the language learning motivation of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the understandability of an accounting textbooks written in English and the language learning motivation of international students. Previous research assumed that native speakers of a language and second-language speakers would understand a given accounting text similarly and little attempt has been made to ascertain any individual differences in users’ capacity to read and understand a foreign language.
Design/methodology/approach
The 107 participants in this study comprised of full-time English as a Second Language postgraduate commerce students studying at a major Australian university. The authors used two-part questionnaire to examine the motivation of participants and the understandability of an accounting textbook using the Cloze test.
Findings
The results suggest that most international students have difficulty in understanding the textbook narratives used in this study. Furthermore, the results show that students’ motivation to learn a foreign language impacts on the understandability of an accounting textbook.
Practical implications
This study will help the educators, textbook publishers and students to understand the needs of ESL students. It is expected to provide guidance for authors and instructors to enhance the effectiveness of the accounting courses.
Originality/value
The accounting literature shows that there have been efforts by accounting researchers to measure the understandability of accounting texts or narratives. This research provided valuable insights of the learning challenges of international students and valuable recommendations to educators and publishers to enhance the delivery.
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Milton Vieira Junior, Wagner Cezar Lucato, Rosangela Maria Vanalle and Kalinga Jagoda
The Brazilian textile industry has been facing fierce competition from low-cost imports from China and other Far East countries. To maintain their competitiveness in the local…
Abstract
Purpose
The Brazilian textile industry has been facing fierce competition from low-cost imports from China and other Far East countries. To maintain their competitiveness in the local market, Brazilian companies have been adopting the product differentiation strategy. By using new technologies, they are able to develop new products with better quality at lower costs. With regard to new technologies, companies in the Brazilian textile industry have been using get-some and buy-some strategy, and international technology transfer (TT) has become an important part of their business strategies. However, due to lack of planning, many projects failed to achieve the desired results. This paper aims to provide theoretical insights and practical guidance on how textile firms could use a stage-gate model to enhance the effectiveness of their TT projects.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to investigate the TT practices in the Brazilian context, three issues are assessed. First, the paper evaluates the possibility of deploying TT practices used by firms in similar industries, to enhance the effectiveness of TT process. Second, it verifies whether it is possible for the textile firms to use a stage-gate model to manage their TT processes, using as a normative framework the stage-gate model proposed by Jagoda and Ramanathan and Jagoda et al. Finally, possible changes to the stage-gate model are evaluated to specifically fit the Brazilian textile sector. This step is accomplished through four case studies from the Brazilian textile industry.
Findings
The analyses of TT projects carried out by four companies show that there are many similarities and differences among the TT practices that are employed by the four companies that were investigated. The evaluation of the TT practices of the Brazilian textile companies against the stage-gate framework allowed authors to identify the gaps between the model and the TT practices of the companies investigated. Broader guidelines in adapting the stage-gate model to improve the TT process in the textile industry are discussed in the final part of this study.
Originality/value
The TT process in the Brazilian textile industry is not a widely investigated phenomenon; however, this process has been critical to enhancing Brazil's competitiveness. Thus, providing a better framework to support the TT process in the local textile sector could be relevant information for improving management action in the area.
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Kalinga Jagoda, Bharat Maheshwari and Robert Lonseth
This paper aims to explore and illustrate the technology transfer (TT) experiences of a small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME), Rayton Packaging, using the stage‐gate approach to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore and illustrate the technology transfer (TT) experiences of a small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME), Rayton Packaging, using the stage‐gate approach to TT as an inquiry lens.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach described in this case conceptualizes TT as a process consisting of a set of stages and decision gates.
Findings
A TT project cannot be considered to be effective unless it also leads to profitability and growth for the firm. In today's global business setting, TT should be seen only as a component of business strategy and not in isolation as a technology project.
Originality/value
This paper describes the stage‐gate approach which has been successfully used for managing new product development programs in large firms.
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Kalinga Jagoda, Robert Lonseth and Adam Lonseth
The steady incline in oil prices combined with the recent credit crisis and downturns in financial markets has driven organizations to re‐evaluate their manufacturing processes…
Abstract
Purpose
The steady incline in oil prices combined with the recent credit crisis and downturns in financial markets has driven organizations to re‐evaluate their manufacturing processes and bottom line. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a bottom‐up approach that may be used by firms in planning, managing and forecasting productivity improvements.
Design/methodology/approach
A multiple‐case study approach was used: two comprehensive cases and seven short cases were used to illustrate the model.
Findings
The lack of understanding of the relationship between productivity, profitability and performance has led to the application of piece‐meal solutions for problems in productivity. Bottom‐up approach in improving productivity will provide better results than top‐down approach.
Originality/value
This paper describes the bottom‐up approach which has been successfully used for managing productivity improvement initiatives.
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Kalinga Jagoda, Bharat Maheshwari and Gregory Gutowski
The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyse the experiences of a small business, Deer Creek Land Developments (DCLD), which has been very successful in negotiating the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyse the experiences of a small business, Deer Creek Land Developments (DCLD), which has been very successful in negotiating the competitive pressures in a mature industry over time and has built sustainable competitive advantage. The firm has been quite successfully navigating the ups and downs of the market. The case provides an excellent example of how small businesses can open their business models to respond to changes in the external environment, such as an economic downturn, and/or simply to grow.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a single case study approach. Detailed interviews of the owner and the manager were used to collect data for the case study.
Findings
DCLD's success is found to be hinged on its ability to consistently enhance operational efficiencies, move to higher valuations by adopting an open business model that exploits core in‐house capabilities and those acquired through contractors and partner organizations.
Practical implications
The paper provides several interesting insights useful for small business managers and entrepreneurs. Small businesses can use openness of both types, as demonstrated in the case, to create strategic differentiation and also to reduce operating costs.
Originality/value
This paper initiates a rich field enquiry, which provides some interesting insights to small business managers. The case study is used to demonstrate how a small business can effectively use an open business model to negotiate competitive and environmental pressures.
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Kalinga Jagoda and Senevi Kiridena
The purpose of this paper is to explore the significance and dynamics of alternative operations strategy (OS) processes towards developing a more complete picture of the strategy…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the significance and dynamics of alternative operations strategy (OS) processes towards developing a more complete picture of the strategy process-context-performance nexus. The findings are based on the statistical analysis of empirical evidence drawn from the contract apparel manufacturing industry in a developing country.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a structured questionnaire and the key-informant approach data were collected from 109 contract apparel manufacturing firms in Sri Lanka. Cluster analysis was used to identify alternative configurations of strategy process modes.
Findings
The analyses confirmed that the existence of alternative forms of OS development is statistically significant and that the alternative configurations of strategy process modes tested can all lead to superior performance, under certain circumstances.
Research limitations/implications
The generalizability of these findings to other industry sectors within developing countries should be treated with caution, mainly due to the fact that the vast majority organizations selected for this study were subsidiaries of large international companies or comparable local counterparts. In order to better understand the linkages between OS and performance, data should be collected from multiple countries preferably using mixed-methods approaches.
Originality/value
The findings are expected to contribute to operations management theory as they corroborate, with statistical evidence, the findings of recent qualitative studies. The results also confirm the existence of OS processes in developing countries that are consistent with the conceptual understanding developed in the context of developed countries.