The “hypercompetitive environment” within which businesses are now operating demands that organizations look for ways to continually improve their competitiveness if they are to…
Abstract
The “hypercompetitive environment” within which businesses are now operating demands that organizations look for ways to continually improve their competitiveness if they are to remain viable and successful. This paper integrates ideas on competitive strategies and effective mentoring to demonstrate the link between employee mentoring and organizational competitiveness. It is proposed that mentoring can offer a unique opportunity to enhance competitiveness through a carefully designed and structured program that both supports and drives an organization’s business strategy.
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The purpose of this paper is to propose that adoption of new ideas is a more involved cognitive process than has been recognised and this paper seeks to redress the trivialisation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose that adoption of new ideas is a more involved cognitive process than has been recognised and this paper seeks to redress the trivialisation of ideas as emerging management ideas (“fads”). The embracing of “fads” for performance improvement and competitive advantage has received considerable attention in the academic literature, resulting in a rather one-sided view.
Design/methodology/approach
Cognitive decision-making, evidence-based management and complexity theory are examined to illustrate cognitive process, skills and experiences used when making decisions and several propositions are derived from these ideas.
Findings
An conceptual model of “fad” adoption, integrating the ideas and propositions is presented. This model provides a more pragmatic examination of “fad” adoption decisions and encourages an in depth consideration of their introduction. The model offers a more sophisticated, focused tool for examining the adoption of new management ideas and provides a springboard from which more detailed, integrated models can be developed, and hopefully will stimulate discussion. Implications for theory and practice are also considered.
Originality/value
Examination of the literature on management “fads” revealed significant material that focused on the negative aspects of “fad” adoption, but an absence of material that examined how manager’s made their adoption decisions. This paper, therefore, provides a valuable contribution to both theory and practice by examining factors which contribute to how and why management decisions to adopt “fads” are made and develops a model to illustrate how these are integrated to contribute to the process of decision-making.
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Jefferson Marlon Monticelli, Renata Araujo Bernardon, Pâmela Hubner Schaidhauer and Marcelo Curth
The present study aims to identify the practices employed to bring heirs into family businesses as successors.
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to identify the practices employed to bring heirs into family businesses as successors.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted an exploratory, qualitative investigation using a case study approach. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with external consultants and with incumbent leaders, next-generation heirs working in the firm (and likely to become successors) and employees from three family firms from different industries and under ownership and control of different generations of their respective families (first, second and third and fourth generations). In addition to surveying their general perceptions of the succession processes in their firms, each informant was asked to rate the degree of importance of 12 succession practices identified in the literature and the extent to which they exist in their respective firms.
Findings
Our results showed that heirs typically enter the family business after a development process outside of the family business, which we have termed as coming back to the nest. This process was enacted through practices that we allocated to the following categories: continued development of heirs, developing relationships in the succession process, separation of roles and attitude of the successor heirs. Overall, 8 of the 12 practices derived from the theoretical framework were endorsed as important by representatives of the family businesses and 9 were endorsed by the consultants, 7 of which coincided in both groups. However, only 5 of the practices were identified as present in the firms’ succession processes by the representatives of the family businesses, while the consultants did not identify any of the 12 practices as present.
Originality/value
We present additional important practices, the adoption of which would be beneficial for family business succession, such as adapting external learning to the family business, acquiring leadership skills and experience and developing emotional intelligence. Our study advances the prior literature since we do not merely discuss succession planning but analyze in an applied manner how succession actually takes place in family businesses.
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The purpose of this chapter is to summarize and integrate a body of psychological literature regarding an individual difference related to the experience of anxiety that largely…
Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to summarize and integrate a body of psychological literature regarding an individual difference related to the experience of anxiety that largely, and somewhat surprisingly, has been overlooked by organizational scientists. This variable, most often called social anxiety or social phobia, reflects a strong fear that one is in danger of behaving inappropriately, inadequately, or ineptly, with impending disastrous consequences such as rejection, humiliation, or ouster from a group (Trower & Gilbert, 1990). In providing a summary of the construct and ongoing investigations, the chapter offers ideas for future research into how this important variable may influence behaviors at work.
Pamela Edwards, Frank K Birkin and David G Woodward
This paper examines the impact on the accounting profession of those aspects of new types of non‐traditional reporting which are actually used in practice. Empirical evidence…
Abstract
This paper examines the impact on the accounting profession of those aspects of new types of non‐traditional reporting which are actually used in practice. Empirical evidence about data collection and reporting in some organisations shows that the current scope of mainstream accounting may be too narrow. Drawing especially on environmental accounting initiatives, the paper discusses where the boundaries of accounting and annual reporting are currently set, and whether the accounting profession can respond proactively to push the boundaries of corporate reporting to reflect performance in more all‐embracing ways.
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Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, Taylor Jade Willmott, Nadine McKillop, Pamela Saleme Ruiz and Anna Kitunen
Recognising current, significant rates of youth sexual violence and abuse (YSVA) and the need for more comprehensive prevention approaches to combat this social issue, new…
Abstract
Purpose
Recognising current, significant rates of youth sexual violence and abuse (YSVA) and the need for more comprehensive prevention approaches to combat this social issue, new approaches are required to ensure that agency is given to the people who are most affected and who know their lives the best. This paper aims to report a youth-led (Young Voices United [YVU] Committee) participatory design approach aimed at delivering the highest level of engagement to understand what people agree is needed to reduce YSVA in their own communities.
Design/methodology/approach
The seven-step co-design (Trischler et al., 2019) process was implemented following ethical clearance. Over five months, 13 group co-design sessions involving 102 young people aged 12–25 years, 17 parents/caregivers (including young mums) and 9 teacher/guidance officers were conducted. Purposive sampling was undertaken to ensure that young people who had previously experienced YSVA or were most at risk of experiencing YSVA were overrepresented. Convenience sampling was used to gain wider community involvement in co-design. Four sessions were facilitated by YVU members, who were aged between 12 and 25 years, and more than 66 people helped the design team. Inductive thematic analysis identified emergent themes across completed co-design sessions.
Findings
New ideas and solutions to prevent YSVA can be identified by young people who have previously experienced violence, carers, other young people and community members. A core finding in this study is the need for positive relationship role models and an enhanced understanding of consent. Education and training, a community promotional campaign, sector involvement, capacity-building and consideration of the unique needs of different target audiences were key ideas emerging from youth-led co-design. The YVU Committee provided recommendations for resource prioritisation.
Social implications
This youth-led co-design process empowered the community. Project stakeholders have since formed partnerships won funding and used that funding to co-design and trial a new programme aiming to provide a safe haven for young people at risk of YSVA. The pilot programme delivers a safe and supportive environment for young people delivered at a time when it is needed most. Other geographical areas are now seeking to replicate the programme. The co-design processes and tools detailed in this study can be adapted to the design of programmes for those already engaged with the youth justice system and should be considered as part of a public health approach to effectively prevent and respond to YSVA and other youth crimes.
Originality/value
This paper advances understanding, providing a practical approach that ensures youth views are given weight [audience and influence described in Lundy’s (2007) participatory framework]. This paper explains how the YVU Committee, established at the commencement of the project, oversaw the community co-design effort, which followed Trischler et al.’s (2019) seven-step co-design process. Ideas were generated, and consensus views were consolidated, delivering the highest level of engagement according to Willmott et al.’s (2022) methodology, agent of change, training and engagement taxonomy. The participatory design method led to high levels of community engagement, and the success of the project is attributed to the establishment of the YVU Committee and stakeholder support.
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Kenneth W. Green, R. Anthony Inman, Victor E. Sower and Pamela J. Zelbst
The purpose of this paper is to empirically assess the complementary impact of JIT, TQM and green supply chain practices on environmental performance.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically assess the complementary impact of JIT, TQM and green supply chain practices on environmental performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from a sample of 225 US manufacturing managers are analyzed using a PLS-SEM methodology.
Findings
JIT and TQM are directly and positively associated with green supply chain management practices. JIT, TQM and green supply chain practices are complementary in that combined they provide a greater impact on environmental performance than if implemented individually.
Research limitations/implications
The sample is limited to US manufacturing managers, with a low response rate.
Practical implications
Successful implementations of JIT and TQM improvement programs support the implementation of green supply chain management practices leading to improved environmental performance.
Social implications
The combination of JIT, TQM and green manufacturing practices improves the environment by eliminating all forms of waste and providing customers with eco-friendly products and services.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to empirically assess the complementary impact of JIT, TQM and green supply chain practices within the context of environmental sustainability.
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Alexander R. Marbut and Peter D. Harms
A key feature of performance in many professions is that of vigilance, carefully monitoring one’s environment for potential threats. However, some of the characteristics that may…
Abstract
A key feature of performance in many professions is that of vigilance, carefully monitoring one’s environment for potential threats. However, some of the characteristics that may make someone successful in such work may also be more likely to make them fail in the long-term as a result of burnout, fatigue, and other symptoms commonly associated with chronic stress. Among these characteristics, neuroticism is particularly relevant. To exert the effort that vigilance work requires, sensitivity to threats, a core aspect of neuroticism, may be necessary. This is evidenced by higher rates of neuroticism in vigilance-related professions such as information technology (IT). However, other aspects of neuroticism could attenuate performance by making individuals more distractible and prone to burnout, withdrawal, and emotional outbursts. Four perspectives provide insight to this neuroticism–vigilance paradox: facet-level analysis, trait activation, necessary conditions, and job characteristics. Across these perspectives, it is expected that too little neuroticism will render employees unable to perform vigilance tasks effectively due to lack of care while too much neuroticism will cause employees to become overwhelmed by work pressures. Contextual and personological moderators of the neuroticism–vigilance relationship are discussed, as well as two behavioral styles expected to manifest from neuroticism that could explain how neuroticism may be associated with either good or bad performance-relevant outcomes.
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PL Joshi and Hassan Al‐Basteki
Arguments prevail in Bahrain over whether to establish a body for setting local accounting standards or to continue to encourage the application of international accounting…
Abstract
Arguments prevail in Bahrain over whether to establish a body for setting local accounting standards or to continue to encourage the application of international accounting standards (IASs). This debate is driven by the opinions and attitudes of various concerned groups, including auditors, corporate accountants, and public accountants. This study examines the perceptions of accountants regarding whether or not local accounting standards should be set in Bahrain and, if so, which would be the most appropriate agency to achieve this aim. In addition, the study examines whether organizations in Bahrain should continue to comply with IASs. It provides empirical findings on these issues based on a questionnaire of 52 accountants. The study concludes that organizations in Bahrain should continue to comply with IASs, but that the application of these standards needs to be regulated. Differences in the socio‐political environment do not make IASs of less significance to users in Bahrain. Further, it is found that the need for compliance with IASs will better enhance users' understanding of accounting concepts and financial statements. The study recommends the establishment of a body of professional accountants who will act as the interpreters of IASs in Bahrain's environment.
Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management…
Abstract
Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.