The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of project communication. What is currently understood by project communication? How and to what degree is it being discussed…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of project communication. What is currently understood by project communication? How and to what degree is it being discussed within the field of corporate communication and project management? And finally, what is the potential of interpersonal project communication?
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a literature review of the two above‐mentioned fields of research, the discussion of the potential of interpersonal project communication is put in relation to concepts of power relations in an organisation, use of networks in communication and the trends and perspectives in contemporary project management.
Findings
The term project communication is emerging in the literature on project management and has a very limited place in the literature on external corporate communication. In the literature on internal corporate communication there is no mentioning of project communication. Despite the acknowledged need to focus on communication as a whole in projects there is no indication in the literature that any collaboration exists between the field of corporate communication and the field of project management – creating a gap at the intersection of the two fields of research.
Research limitations/implications
Given the early stage of this project, the empirical data collection has not yet taken place.
Practical implications
Using interpersonal project communication to strengthen project communication by integrating know‐how and principles from corporate communication.
Originality/value
The paper is of value by challenging the use of the term “project communication” and extending the concept by defining the aspect of interpersonal project communication and its potential in creating synthesis between the research fields corporate communication and project management.
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MORE than a decade ago we were assured by the then head of Imperial Chemicals Industries that the man who knows where he is going is the one who is most likely to arrive. We might…
Abstract
MORE than a decade ago we were assured by the then head of Imperial Chemicals Industries that the man who knows where he is going is the one who is most likely to arrive. We might venture to add as a footnote that such a man's journey will be easier, his destination more certain, if he first clears away the assorted debris that encumbers his route.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges facing corporate communication professionals and researchers, and to introduce the issues presented in the papers from the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges facing corporate communication professionals and researchers, and to introduce the issues presented in the papers from the CCI Conference on Corporate Communication 2008 published in this special issue.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a discussion of the issues raised in the special issue papers.
Findings
Discussion of the future of the corporate communication profession in the wake of the global fiscal crisis.
Research limitations/implications
This paper implies several areas for further research.
Practical implications
This paper implies strategic knowledge of business processes and practice for effective corporate communication.
Originality/value
This paper articulates complex challenges facing corporate communicators.
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T.K. Bhattacharjee and S. Sahu
This paper briefly reviews the assembly line balancing techniques developed over the last 30 years. It attempts to establish the direction of research, to identify unexplored…
Abstract
This paper briefly reviews the assembly line balancing techniques developed over the last 30 years. It attempts to establish the direction of research, to identify unexplored areas with potential for study and recommends future courses of action.
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Johannes Slacik and Dorothea Greiling
Electric utility companies (EUC) are expected to play a key role toward implementing ambitious climate change aims being under critical scrutiny by regulators and stakeholders…
Abstract
Purpose
Electric utility companies (EUC) are expected to play a key role toward implementing ambitious climate change aims being under critical scrutiny by regulators and stakeholders. However, EUC provide an under-researched field regarding sustainability reporting with the focus on economic, social and ecological concerns. This paper aims to gain insights of the sustainability reporting practice of EUC and the coverage of indicators based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)-Guidelines.
Design/methodology/approach
A twofold documentary analysis of 186 GRI-G4 sustainability reports by EUC globally is conducted to investigate the coverage rates of G4-indicators. Neo-institutionalism and strategic stakeholder theory serve as theoretical lenses. A regression analysis is used to examine ownership, stock-exchange listing, area of activity and region as potential drivers of sustainability reporting.
Findings
Results show that the coverage of indicators based on triple-bottom-line dimensions is moderate in EUC leaving room for improvement. The coverage of sector-specific indicators lacks behind the coverage of standard disclosure indicators. Results show that private and listed EUC show better coverage rates than public and not-listed EUC.
Research limitations/implications
Neo-institutionalism shows limited homogenization in the sector. Strategic stakeholder theory demonstrates insufficient stakeholder compliance of public and not-listed EUC.
Originality/value
This study contributes to sustainability reporting research by focusing on the under-researched electricity sector. It provides practical reporting insights for EUC, the GRI and regulators.
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The purpose of the study is to analyze the phenomenon of climate change as it relates to the hospitality and tourism industry in developing countries. This review specifically…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to analyze the phenomenon of climate change as it relates to the hospitality and tourism industry in developing countries. This review specifically analyzes how the industry is responding to the threat of climate change, particularly its response to the 2030 Corporate Agenda for Sustainable Development to combat climate change. The study also examines how the industry can subsequently help in eradicating poverty through its adaptive capacity and sustainable development initiatives to mitigate the impacts of climate change. It likewise addresses the challenges faced by the hospitality and tourism industry regarding equity in implementing the agenda for climate change posed by the Paris Climate Change Agreement/COP21.
Design/methodology/approach
Literature review was conducted to garner information which was presented from both a narrative and practical perspective.
Findings
Climate change is a real phenomenon and has started to impact the hospitality and tourism industry in developing countries. If not mitigated, the industry and pro-poor tourism efforts will be negatively impacted.
Research limitations/implications
The study did not empirically analyze the relationship between climate change and tourism, tourism and poverty, and climate change, tourism, and poverty as well as their relationship to sustainable development.
Practical implications
To inform government and industry players of the causes and impacts of climate change and the adaptation and mitigation initiatives.
Originality/value
This study addresses the phenomenon of climate change exclusively as it relates to the hospitality and tourism industry in developing countries.
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Sudi Nangoli, Sheila Namagembe, Joseph M. Ntayi and Muhammad Ngoma
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of project communication on project‐stakeholder commitment. Earlier studies have emphasized the significant influence of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of project communication on project‐stakeholder commitment. Earlier studies have emphasized the significant influence of project‐stakeholder commitment to project success; and to date, lack of stakeholder commitment is still listed as a key cause of project failure. In an effort to improve project stakeholder commitment, the paper investigated project communication as a key antecedent of project‐stakeholder commitment.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a cross sectional study design and results were drawn from a sample of 92 citizenship projects conducted by 16 commercial banks in Uganda. Data collection was based on a specific type of project in order to obtain context‐specific responses.
Findings
The results obtained after running a hierarchical regression indicated that intra‐project communication and extra‐project communication had a positive combined predictive potential of project‐stakeholder commitment with a Beta coefficient of 0.54. It was recommended that project management should create an atmosphere for effective project communication as one of the primary means of ensuring commitment of various project‐stakeholder commitment.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to document the effect of project communication on stakeholder commitment in Uganda. Many people in projects in Uganda have lacked commitment to projects due to inadequate information, attributable to gaps in the communication system. The results indicate that project communication has implications for project commitment.
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Sunhee Youn, Ma Ga (Mark) Yang and James Jungbae Roh
The purpose of this paper is to develop research frameworks for two types of green supply chains based on Fisher's seminal work. In spite of Fisher's contribution to the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop research frameworks for two types of green supply chains based on Fisher's seminal work. In spite of Fisher's contribution to the literature, his study has rarely been extended into green supply chain contexts, except in a few conceptual arguments. The current study explores how Fisher's perspective of efficient versus responsive supply chains can be a stepping stone to the development of two green supply chains: eco‐efficient and eco‐responsive supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
Toward the above end, a case methodology is employed (Yin). Two Korean global companies, Pohang Iron and Steel Company (POSCO) and Samsung Electronics (SEC), are selected to explore eco‐efficient and eco‐responsive supply chains. POSCO (steel products) is selected to enable the understanding of how efficient and eco‐efficient supply chains work. SEC (mobile phone products) is chosen to understand responsive and eco‐responsive supply chains.
Findings
The findings suggest that POSCO tends to stress process technology innovation as a means to address green pressures, while SEC accentuates the green product strategy; while an eco‐efficient supply chain focuses on keeping to an environmental standard across the supply chains, an eco‐responsive supply chain centers on the collaboration of suppliers and distributors in greening the supply chain; and SEC takes more initiatives to educate and encourage consumers to engage in recycling activities than POSCO does.
Originality/value
Few studies have examined the green supply chain using the perspective of Fisher's framework (efficient vs responsive supply chains). By addressing the timely topic, this study fills a research gap in green supply chain literature.
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Ransome Epie Bawack and Jean Robert Kala Kamdjoug
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) consultants have the expertise required to understand the specific contextual needs of an ERP client, implement tailored business processes that…
Abstract
Purpose
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) consultants have the expertise required to understand the specific contextual needs of an ERP client, implement tailored business processes that meet those needs, and ensure that no potential benefit offered by the ERP remains unexplored by the client. However, conflicts between ERP clients and consultants are a significant source of non-benefit realisation, making managing client–consultant agency crucial to ERP post-implementation benefits realisation. This paper aims to elucidate how managing client–consultant agency affects the benefits derived from ERP systems.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses microfinance institutions in 15 sub-Saharan African countries to explore different paths through which managing client–consultant agency leads to benefit realisation in ERP projects. It uses partial least squares structural equation modelling to analyse data from 127 managers and explains the results using insights from agency theory and the information system (IS) success model.
Findings
This paper reveals three routes through which contractual agreements and conflict resolution strategies lead to benefits realisation in ERP projects.
Originality/value
This is the first study that attempts to provide quantitative evidence of how managing the complex relationship between ERP project stakeholders affects ERP project success. It also contributes a novel theoretical model for ERP benefits realisation to complement existing research on ERP agency issues, critical success factors, and benefits realisation.
Details
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Noemi Sinkovics and Jason Archie-acheampong
This study aims to investigate how different academic fields within and outside of international business (IB) engage with the topics of social value creation in the context of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate how different academic fields within and outside of international business (IB) engage with the topics of social value creation in the context of multinational enterprises (MNEs). The aim is to take stock of the main themes and offer suggestions for future research avenues.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper undertakes a scoping review. The authors use the Web of Science database to identify relevant articles. The database search yielded 466 articles. The NVivo software was used to code and identify key thematic areas.
Findings
The matrix analysis performed in NVivo yielded 15 main thematic areas spanning 37 research fields. However, further analysis revealed that 89 per cent of the articles originated from 13 fields. Furthermore, while IB journals represent the second-largest field home to publications related to the social value creation of MNEs, they only account for 12 per cent of the sample.
Originality/value
The paper responds to prior calls to reduce disciplinary silos through the performing of a thematic analysis across a multitude of research fields.