To study the reasons why iconic companies suffer failure.
Abstract
Purpose
To study the reasons why iconic companies suffer failure.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the findings in context.
Findings
Betsy Morris chronicles the downward slide of Coca‐Cola's performance since the death, in 1997, of its charismatic CEO Roberto Goizueta. Jill Andresky Fraser focuses on the fortunes of Kellogg which, in 1999, lost its no. 1 spot as market leader. Louise Lee reports on the troubles of another iconic brand, Levi Strauss, where the current financial situation allows little margin for mistakes.
Practical implications
Provides an insight into how things can go wrong in the best‐known of companies, and a glimpse of how different methods are adopted to attempt a turnaround.
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This paper aims to investigate the contribution of brokers to business non-profit collaborations, in the context of employee volunteering. It investigates the roles brokers play…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the contribution of brokers to business non-profit collaborations, in the context of employee volunteering. It investigates the roles brokers play and ways they contribute to value creation within social alliances.
Design/methodology/approach
This research focusses on a case study of a UK employee volunteering broker programme run by a local volunteer centre. A combined qualitative methodology involved document analysis and interviews, with brokers and business, community and government partners involved in employee volunteering collaborations.
Findings
Brokers play three key roles in business non-profit collaboration as connectors, facilitators/co-designers and learning catalysts. These roles help stimulate manifestations of associational value, transferred resource value, interaction value and synergistic value.
Research limitations/implications
Results indicate brokers play an important part in nurturing conditions underpinning innovation and value co-creation, key characteristics of transformational forms of business non-profit collaboration. This study was based on a single case study. Future research could explore broker contributions within a variety of business non-profit settings.
Practical implications
For managers implementing business non-profit collaborations, this paper provides a framework depicting key broker roles and ways brokers enable collaborative value that may be useful when assessing whether to use the services of a broker.
Originality/value
This paper enriches the understanding of business non-profit collaboration and the role of individual actors in affecting value creation, an under-researched area in the social alliance literature. It provides a framework for assessing broker contributions in business non-profit collaborations.
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The objective of this chapter is to explore the experience of EU companies in the environmental protection sector in China focusing on their difficulties and the mitigating…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this chapter is to explore the experience of EU companies in the environmental protection sector in China focusing on their difficulties and the mitigating strategies mobilized.
Methodology/approach
We adopt a qualitative, case study approach, using interview data to explore the liability of foreignness (LOF) experienced by the companies studied and the strategies adopted to overcome LOF.
Findings
We found examples of all categories of LOF identified by Eden and Miller (2004), among our case study companies, but the most problematic and persistent were discrimination hazards. Companies adopted various strategies to cope with LOF, including maximizing the use of local employees, developing relationships with local and national government actors, and establishing partnerships with local companies. None had chosen a combative legalistic approach to the unfair treatment they had suffered.
Research limitations
The relatively small number of cases (six) limits the generalizability of our findings. However, we are convinced that the size of our case companies and their long experience in China mean our findings are well grounded, although more research is needed.
Practical implications
The experience of our case study companies can help to inform the strategy of companies interested in entering and developing the Chinese market.
Originality/value
Very few studies have explored LOF through a case study-based qualitative approach. This research therefore helps to supplement findings from more large-scale quantitative analyses. In addition, there is little research on the LOF of foreign companies in China. Given the growing importance of the market, we believe the question merits further analysis.
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This paper aims to offer a New Zealand perspective on how business and community organisations engage to develop mutually beneficial partnerships to tackle pressing social issues…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to offer a New Zealand perspective on how business and community organisations engage to develop mutually beneficial partnerships to tackle pressing social issues. Specifically, the paper seeks to examine the collaboration motivations for business and community partners involved in seven business‐community partnerships in New Zealand.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper utilises data from in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with key business and community managers involved in seven partnerships in New Zealand. The transcripts of the interviews were analysed using elements of content and narrative analysis. Findings to be presented in this paper include: explaining what “partnership” is; understanding a business case; and community organisations' motivations for engaging in partnerships with business.
Findings
This research finds that, while partnerships involving business and community organisations may ideally be associated with shared societal concerns, in this study there was a very strong focus on individual community organisation goals and a dominance of business priorities. This was not balanced by an interest in the broader meta‐goals of the partnership.
Originality/value
This paper draws attention to diverse and often competing motivations that characterise business‐community partnerships. The research demonstrates that, while partnerships are often discussed in the context of societal benefits, individual organisations frequently form partnerships primarily for their own instrumental self‐interests. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate understanding of the practical challenges to developing business‐community partnerships, given differences among the partners in goal orientations and expectations.
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The purpose is to bring together all bibliographic references of the published literature on electronic books (e‐books) and related technologies in one source so that it will save…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose is to bring together all bibliographic references of the published literature on electronic books (e‐books) and related technologies in one source so that it will save time for others in conducting literature searches and reviewing the developments.
Design/methodology/approach
The information included in this bibliography is collected systematically from all the published sources in the world such as journal articles, conference papers, conference proceedings, books, reports and PhD theses on e‐books until the last quarter of 2004. Mainly it covers e‐books, e‐books publishing, the impact of e‐books on different types of users, e‐book publishing techniques and trends, e‐book user interfaces and other technologies related to e‐publications.
Findings
As computer usage continues to grow exponentially, the desire of users to use electronic publications (e‐publications) has also increased tremendously. This has led to the publication of materials in electronic form as e‐publications on both CD‐ROMs and web. The e‐book is one of the several forms of e‐publications and its popularity has been growing steadily for the past decade.
Originality/value
This bibliography will be useful to all researchers conducting research in any areas related to e‐books and e‐book publishing.
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Some of the best entrepreneurs fail early and often. Less talented or less committed entrepreneurs do not even get a second chance. Failure and setbacks, however, can be…
Abstract
Some of the best entrepreneurs fail early and often. Less talented or less committed entrepreneurs do not even get a second chance. Failure and setbacks, however, can be instructive.What lessons can be learned from these experiences? How can the entrepreneur (and investors) navigate around the potholes on the New Venture Highway? Read on.
This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
The article provides a comprehensive framework to guide marketing researchers and practitioners in pursuing impactful and measurable activities aimed at addressing global social and environmental challenges.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives, strategists, and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
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In 2005, LPP SA was one of the fastest growing firms in Poland’s apparel industry, with popular brands such as RESERVED and CROPP. This case focuses on the apparel industry, LPP’s…
Abstract
In 2005, LPP SA was one of the fastest growing firms in Poland’s apparel industry, with popular brands such as RESERVED and CROPP. This case focuses on the apparel industry, LPP’s business and international strategies, and its internal capabilities. The case also offers a background on the communist rule in Poland and how it led to economic malaise that sparked the strikes by Solidarity under the leadership of Lech Walesa. These strikes eventually cascaded into the demand for reforms and the collapse of the communist regime. Thus, the case tracks Poland’s transition into an “emerging market” and the environment within which LPP developed. The case concludes by asking readers whether LPP needs to reorient its strategies and develop new capabilities to sustain its growth.
Emma Larsson-Thomas, Sukhi Ruprai, Louise Manonga and Tennyson Lee
People with personality disorders often present with interpersonal difficulties which affect their relationship with significant others but also with staff involved in their care…
Abstract
Purpose
People with personality disorders often present with interpersonal difficulties which affect their relationship with significant others but also with staff involved in their care. Administrators work in “frontline positions” where they are required to face challenging situations yet their role has not been studied. This study aims to describe the role and contribution of an administrator in a personality disorder service.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods design was used. All incoming calls to a specialist personality disorder service over three months were documented. A semi-structured focus group (n = 7) with clinicians working in the service was conducted. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Clinical vignettes are presented to highlight typical interactions.
Findings
The qualitative results highlighted that the administrator is key in psychological preparations, managing pressure and maintaining clinical boundaries. Traits identified as useful in an administrator working in a personality disorder service are flexibility, consistency and assertiveness. Tensions between administrators and clinicians were related to the role definition of the administrator, boundaries, countertransference and process interaction. The majority of incoming calls were from patients scheduling and cancelling appointments. Only 3% of calls evoked negative feelings in the administrator such as feeling “annoyed” or “drained”.
Practical implications
Results highlight a need for careful selection, training and supervision of staff. A key recommendation is the need for integration and close coordination of the administrator within the clinical team.
Originality/value
This study represents one of the first efforts to explore the contribution of administrators within personality disorder services. It explores the impact of the administrator on the team.