Fernando Garcia, Stephen Ray Smith and Marilyn Michelle Helms
Data used to develop the case included primary data from employees and supervisors of a commercial floorcovering manufacturing plant in Northwest Georgia. The case company is not…
Abstract
Research Methodology
Data used to develop the case included primary data from employees and supervisors of a commercial floorcovering manufacturing plant in Northwest Georgia. The case company is not disguised.
The survey was developed using existing instruments from the Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Literature. Instruments were listed in Exhibits 2 through 7. The survey administration had the support of the Vice President for Resources and Facilities, and employees and their supervisors were given time to complete the surveys. The data gathered was analyzed by the researcher using SPSS statistical software.
Case overview/synopsis
Established in 1957, J&J started as a family-owned business but had grown and diversified its product offerings by focusing on commercial flooring. It survived several economic downturns and remained competitive in a market dominated by more prominent flooring manufacturers. J&J Industries strived to empower its 800 employees with various incentive programs. Employees remained loyal to J&J; many had worked for the company for over 15 years. However, management wanted to measure the impact of empowering and initiatives on employee performance and satisfaction to determine the real power of employee incentive programs. The Resources and Facilities Vice President employed Professor Lopez, a Management Professor, to develop a survey to measure these constructs and analyze the data to guide future incentive programs. Data from the employee and supervisor survey was provided along with the statistical analysis results for interpretation and recommendations for VP Fordham.
Complexity academic level
The target audience for this case is primarily students in a research methodology course and students studying quantitative regression analysis and interpretation. The focus is predominantly on graduate-level students in Master of Business Administration or Master of Accounting programs in business. Graduate students should have completed courses in management or organizational behavior, business statistics or quantitative methods or data visualization and cleaning as background knowledge for this case. Specifically, students should understand regression analysis and know when and how the tool is used for managerial decision-making.
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Ralph Boe and Marilyn Michelle Helms
This case presents turnaround alternatives for a UK-based company, Carpets International (CI), a manufacturer focused on woven carpets and suffering from the ageing equipment and…
Abstract
Synopsis
This case presents turnaround alternatives for a UK-based company, Carpets International (CI), a manufacturer focused on woven carpets and suffering from the ageing equipment and resulting product quality issues during the late 1990s. The case profiles CI’s position in the UK marketplace as well as highlights the growing international competition from Europe and Mexico. Comparisons between customer’s preferences for carpeting in the USA vs the UK are included. Additionally, the case introduces first-mover advantages in the application of innovational ideas applied to a mature industry in another country.
Research methodology
This case study was written by the CEO of the company as the lead author. The case is not disguised.
Relevant courses and levels
This case is appropriate for undergraduate strategic management/business policy classes.
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Fernando Garcia, Stephen Ray Smith, Amy Burger and Marilyn Michelle Helms
Data used to develop the case included primary data from employees and leaders of AJE, a Peruvian-based beverage products manufacturer. The case company is not disguised; actual…
Abstract
Research methodology
Data used to develop the case included primary data from employees and leaders of AJE, a Peruvian-based beverage products manufacturer. The case company is not disguised; actual employee names and titles are used. The company provided financial and product data and photos.
Case overview/synopsis
The AJE Group’s initial launch of its Amayu Peruvian superfruit drinks into the American market, in partnership with Amazon, fell short of company expectations. Company leadership sought to reevaluate their strategy and determine how to modify their approach to achieve a higher level of success. They were considering whether a “blue ocean” strategic approach, which they successfully implemented in the past in the Peruvian market, might work in the US market.
Complexity academic level
This case is designed for an undergraduate international business or strategic management class. With the financial data, the case is also comprehensive enough to serve as an early case on international business in the strategic management capstone course. Before completing the case, business students should complete principles courses in the business core including marketing, accounting, finance and management.
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Raina M. Rutti, Joanne LaBonte, Marilyn Michelle Helms, Aref Agahei Hervani and Sy Sarkarat
The purpose of this paper is to summarize the benefits of including a service learning project in college classes and focusses on benefits to all stakeholders, including students…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to summarize the benefits of including a service learning project in college classes and focusses on benefits to all stakeholders, including students, community, and faculty.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a snowball approach in academic databases as well as a nominal group technique to poll faculty, key topics for service learning across college disciplines are presented.
Findings
Findings include a wide range of service learning projects across disciplines.
Research limitations/implications
Areas for future research are identified to expand the service learning topic list as well as guide studies on the long-term benefit of service learning for each identified stakeholder.
Practical implications
For new faculty or faculty new to service learning, the list of paper ideas is a good first step to identify projects. While not comprehensive, the list serves to stimulate topic ideas and fills a void in the service learning literature.
Social implications
Service learning exists to provide real-world learning for students, but the projects provide benefits for community groups, agencies, and organizations. Societal benefits from the student effort are numerous and there are little or no costs to the agencies who participate.
Originality/value
The abundance of service learning literature has studied learning across disciplines and has quantitatively and qualitatively presented benefits, but no studies have worked to compile project ideas across major college disciplines. This research addresses this issue and provides the key first step to implement the service learning pedagogy: the topic idea.
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The following is an annotated list of materials dealing with information literacy including instruction in the use of information resources, research, and computer skills related…
Abstract
The following is an annotated list of materials dealing with information literacy including instruction in the use of information resources, research, and computer skills related to retrieving, using, and evaluating information. This review, the twenty‐second to be published in Reference Services Review, includes items in English published in 1995. After 21 years, the title of this review of the literature has been changed from “Library Orientation and Instruction” to “Library Instruction and Information Literacy,” to indicate the growing trend of moving to information skills instruction.