Reveals how line managers who play to their strengths and are noted for their positive leadership qualities are fostering a positive and energizing culture with high levels of…
Abstract
Purpose
Reveals how line managers who play to their strengths and are noted for their positive leadership qualities are fostering a positive and energizing culture with high levels of accountability and performance at PhotoBox, a UK online photo service.
Design/methodology/approach
Explains that PhotoBox managers took part in workshops combining a focus on personal growth and relevant skills development, in which core modules included a positive-leadership master-class and workshops on strengths coaching for results and engaging one-to-ones.
Findings
Reveals that the master-class helped people to identify their unique strengths as a set of personal qualities that energize and lead to productive habits. The session also helped people to move from simple awareness of strengths to applying them in the role of manager. In turn, the groups created a shared vision for a more people-centric approach to leading across PhotoBox.
Research limitations/implications
Explains that the new accent on personal strengths has benefited teamwork at the company, too.
Originality/value
Spotlights how playing to individuals' strengths improves teamwork, communication and organizational performance.
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Throughout the past few decades a considerable philosophical literature has appeared, covering the various aspects of the history of philosophy and practically all of the…
Abstract
Throughout the past few decades a considerable philosophical literature has appeared, covering the various aspects of the history of philosophy and practically all of the systematic disciplines. Annual reports of this literature have been prepared for the past twenty years by James Collins, St. Louis University, for the Cross Currents review. These surveys are the best single source for keeping abreast of publications in the field. The collected reviews (1957–1977) are now available from Cross Currents at Dobbs Ferry, New York.
Kristen L. Farris, Michael E. Burns, Tricia J. Burke and Janet R. Bezner
The authors used a case study approach to explore employees' perceptions of one institution's culture of health. The authors then applied a needs-centered training model to create…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors used a case study approach to explore employees' perceptions of one institution's culture of health. The authors then applied a needs-centered training model to create and test the effectiveness of a workplace wellness training program to improve the culture of health.
Design/methodology/approach
For study 1, the authors recruited 736 faculty and staff from an institution of higher education to complete an online culture of health survey measuring their perceived leadership support, peer support and institutional resources. In study 2, participants (n = 60) in follow-up focus groups described their experiences related to the culture of health at the institution. For study 3, university employees (n = 44) participated in the training intervention and reported on post-test outcomes measuring the training's effectiveness.
Findings
High levels of employee stress and lack of supervisor and coworker support were identified as significant issues in the needs assessment process. Therefore, the authors developed a needs-centered training intervention that focused on supportive and confirming supervisor and peer communication. Results suggest employees perceive the training to be effective, are ready to change their behaviors and are knowledgeable about the training content.
Originality/value
This study provides evidence regarding needs-based trainings focused on co-worker communication and how these trainings may incrementally improve the culture of health within organizations. Accordingly, the authors offer best practices, including the value of focusing on employee needs, advocating for employees, building community through trainings and enacting change through the training process.
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Michael J. Gravier and M. Theodore Farris
There presently is no comprehensive review which systematizes and summarizes the burgeoning body of logistics educational literature. The purpose of this paper is to provide a…
Abstract
Purpose
There presently is no comprehensive review which systematizes and summarizes the burgeoning body of logistics educational literature. The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide for both educators and practitioners to assess the history, current status, and future trends in logistics education in order to nurture advancement in logistics education.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper draws its conclusions based upon a literature review and categorizes the evolution of logistics education into three areas: defining curriculum, developing content and skills taught, and refining teaching methods.
Findings
Logistics education continues to benefit from strong ties to industry. Additionally, four principle macro‐environmental factors were discovered that impact the current status of logistics education: an increase in the number of logistics educational programs, limited supply of logistics‐trained faculty, changes to content requirements, and a changing teaching environment. Future research directions from the published literature are summarized.
Research limitations/implications
As current logistics programs continue to evolve and the number of logistics and supply chain management programs continue to increase in response to industry demand, this comprehensive review of the logistics literature may help serve as a benchmark for past and current practices in logistics education.
Practical implications
The early partnership between industry and education set the stage to help guide educators to evolve logistics education to address practitioner needs. Increased interest in logistics education and changing environmental factors suggest the need for continued collaboration to further logistics education.
Originality/value
The literature demonstrates successful dynamic behavior in response to dynamic industries. It highlights factors which may drive further evolution of logistics education and proposes areas impacted.
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This paper presents a systematic method for classifying research on international channels of distribution. It is used to examine 79 articles published during an 18‐year period…
Abstract
This paper presents a systematic method for classifying research on international channels of distribution. It is used to examine 79 articles published during an 18‐year period (1988‐2005). Based on content analysis, each article is classified by its primary research framework. Two frameworks are identified: (1) structural ‐ based on the economic and organizational aspects of international channels of distribution; and (2) behavioral ‐ based on the exchange relationship between channel members from different national environments. This simple organizing system offers a comprehensive way to analyze scholarship that has emerged in the field. For managers, it can bring the theoretical and practical developments together in an understandable fashion as they seek to interpret and apply research findings. For scholars, it may bring focus to an increasingly complex area of international business and guide future research efforts.
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Michael Morris and Corine van Erkom Schurink
Assesses the extent to which environmental turbulence is affectingthe pricing behavior of industrial marketers. Introduces a conceptualmodel, based on a review of the available…
Abstract
Assesses the extent to which environmental turbulence is affecting the pricing behavior of industrial marketers. Introduces a conceptual model, based on a review of the available literature, in which pricing behavior is the result of changing dynamics in the external environment of firms. Assumes that price itself includes multiple dimensions which combine to form an overall strategy. Describes the results of a survey of a cross‐section of firms in South Africa. Draws a number of implications for theory and practice.
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In one of his later works, Professional Ethics and Civic Morals, Durkheim makes a distinction between the concept of equality based on merit and equality based on charity. He…
Abstract
In one of his later works, Professional Ethics and Civic Morals, Durkheim makes a distinction between the concept of equality based on merit and equality based on charity. He proposed that the concept of merit is implied in the ethical justification of a fair contract and involves both distributive and commutative justice.
Gábor Nagy, Carol M. Megehee and Arch G. Woodside
The study here responds to the view that the crucial problem in strategic management (research) is firm heterogeneity – why firms adopt different strategies and structures, why…
Abstract
The study here responds to the view that the crucial problem in strategic management (research) is firm heterogeneity – why firms adopt different strategies and structures, why heterogeneity persists, and why competitors perform differently. The present study applies complexity theory tenets and a “neo-configurational perspective” of Misangyi et al. (2016) in proposing complex antecedent conditions affecting complex outcome conditions. Rather than examining variable directional relationships using null hypotheses statistical tests, the study examines case-based conditions using somewhat precise outcome tests (SPOT). The complex outcome conditions include firms with high financial performances in declining markets and firms with low financial performances in growing markets – the study focuses on seemingly paradoxical outcomes. The study here examines firm strategies and outcomes for separate samples of cross-sectional data of manufacturing firms with headquarters in one of two nations: Finland (n = 820) and Hungary (n = 300). The study includes examining the predictive validities of the models. The study contributes conceptual advances of complex firm orientation configurations and complex firm performance capabilities configurations as mediating conditions between firmographics, firm resources, and the two final complex outcome conditions (high performance in declining markets and low performance in growing markets). The study contributes by showing how fuzzy-logic computing with words (Zadeh, 1966) advances strategic management research toward achieving requisite variety to overcome the theory-analytic mismatch pervasive currently in the discipline (Fiss, 2007, 2011) – thus, this study is a useful step toward solving the crucial problem of how to explain firm heterogeneity.