Peter Davis Sumo, Xiaofen Ji and Liling Cai
Studies on textile upcycling in Africa are rare, particularly in Liberia, where extensive upcycling designs are appreciated throughout the country. This study aims to contribute…
Abstract
Purpose
Studies on textile upcycling in Africa are rare, particularly in Liberia, where extensive upcycling designs are appreciated throughout the country. This study aims to contribute to the upcycling literature from the perspective of Liberia’s fashion upcyclers by assessing their coping strategies and understanding the challenges confronting fashion upcycling in Monrovia’s four largest markets.
Design/methodology/approach
A fuzzy analytical hierarchy process and data envelopment analysis (DEA) models were used to assess labor input, delivery and flexibility, technological and innovation capability, financial capability, pricing of finished products, customer service and quality outputs of upcycled fashions. The fuzzy inference system model assessed upcyclers’ loaning eligibility.
Findings
The results highlight that Liberia’s fashion upcycling is expanding with varying innovative designs. The quality of upcycled fashions was deemed most important in the proposed AHP model. However, many upcycling businesses lack sufficient capital to make long-term investments. With the necessary investment, the innovation of these upcyclers could be a new line of fashion brands with great potential. In addition, using a fair judgment in assessing the little loaning funds available is paramount to enhancing their growth.
Research limitations/implications
Only 34 decision-making units were assessed. Future research could expand this scope using other models with more practical loaning strategies.
Originality/value
This study presents a wealth of managerial and policy implications. The proposed hybrid model is adequate for developing managerial decisions for fashion upcyclers. The proposed framework can manage ambiguity, inaccuracy and the complexity of making decisions based on numerous criteria, making it applicable in unearthing robust strategies for enhancing the fashion upcycling sectors and other industries in developing countries. In addition, the proposed fuzzy Mamdani system could also be extended to other sectors, such as agriculture, for a more transparent allocation of resources.
Marie C. Trigg and David Trigg
When companies internationalize, the dimension of individual national cultures needs to be considered in conjunction with corporate culture. Theme parks deliberately set out to…
Abstract
When companies internationalize, the dimension of individual national cultures needs to be considered in conjunction with corporate culture. Theme parks deliberately set out to portray the cultures and fantasies of other times and places, thereby compounding the issues affecting corporate and national cultures. Explores the tensions that the corporate culture of Walt Disney Corporation imposes on its French subsidiary, Euro Disney SCA, to determine if the resultant conflict has contributed to its poorer‐than‐expected performance. Using the three‐level construct of culture proposed by Schein an examination of the corporate culture of Disney will be made with particular reference to its programme of internationalization and the ultimate “clash” of its corporate culture with French national culture. The strength of Disney's corporate culture has led to conflict, and blinded the organization to the differences in the surrounding local culture.
Hiroshi Takeda and Trevor Boyns
The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the “Kyocera approach” to business, i.e. the relationship between the Kyocera philosophy, the amoeba management system…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the “Kyocera approach” to business, i.e. the relationship between the Kyocera philosophy, the amoeba management system (AMS) and the associated management accounting system.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilising a variety of secondary sources, including semi-autobiographical works written by Inamori, the architect of AMS, the authors examine in detail the links between the underlying Kyocera philosophy and the management and accounting principles derived therefrom. These sources are used to examine the historical origins of these principles, their influence on both the AMS and the management accounting system, and how these have developed over time.
Findings
Both the AMS and the associated management accounting system can be shown to contain a mixture of influences, including traditional Asian/Japanese factors, but also Inamori/Kyocera-specific factors linked to Inamori's underlying philosophical approach to life and specific life experiences encountered by him. This suggests that while the Kyocera approach may be applicable more widely in Japan or Asia, outside of this context, the conflicts between Western and Asian cultures, although not necessarily insurmountable, may provide barriers leading to incomplete applications of the Kyocera approach
Originality/value
This study adds to the understanding of the interrelationship between management philosophy and management accounting practices, and the ability of individuals to determine culture within organisations. It illustrates the importance of historical research in obtaining a detailed understanding of the philosophical, cultural and religious underpinnings of current management and accounting practices.
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Keywords
Building on social exchange theory (SET), the main aim of this paper is to empirically study the impact of high-commitment work practices (HCWPs) systems on radical innovation…
Abstract
Purpose
Building on social exchange theory (SET), the main aim of this paper is to empirically study the impact of high-commitment work practices (HCWPs) systems on radical innovation. Additionally, the paper examines the mediating roles of employee innovative work behaviour (IWB) and knowledge sharing (KS) in the relationship between HCWPs and radical innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a survey questionnaire, data were collected from employees working in pharmaceutical, manufacturing and technological industries in Jordan. A total of 408 employees participated in the study. Structural equation modelling (SEM) using AMOS v28 was employed to test the research hypotheses.
Findings
This research found that HCWPs in the form of a bundle of human resource management (HRM) practices are significant for employee IWB and KS. However, similar to previous studies, this paper failed to find a direct significant impact for HCWPs on radical innovation. Rather, the impact was mediated by employee IWB. Additionally, this paper found that HCWPs are significant for KS and that KS is significant for employee IWB.
Originality/value
Distinctively, this paper considered the mediating effect of employee IWB on radical innovation. Extant research treated IWB as a consequence of organisational arrangements such as HRM practices; this paper considered IWB as a foundation and source for other significant organisational outcomes, namely radical innovation. Additionally, the paper considered employees' perspectives in studying the relationship between HRM, KS, IWB and radical innovation.
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Keywords
Reviews recent interlending and document supply literature. Looks at the areas of aggregators, intermediaries, end users, statistics, e‐books, copyright, consortia, licensing and…
Abstract
Reviews recent interlending and document supply literature. Looks at the areas of aggregators, intermediaries, end users, statistics, e‐books, copyright, consortia, licensing and conventional issues.
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Anne-Maria Holma, Anu Bask, Antti Laakso and Dan Andersson
This paper aims to develop a framework for switching a service supplier in a supply network.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a framework for switching a service supplier in a supply network.
Design/methodology/approach
The study builds on existing literature in the field of purchasing and supply management, public procurement (PP) and the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing approach, as well as on an illustrative example case, from the PP context, of a supplier switch in a service delivery process.
Findings
During a switching process, the buyer must simultaneously manage the ending of a relationship with the incumbent supplier and the beginning of a relationship with a new supplier. Collaboration with the focal suppliers to develop a service process with standardized components prevents disruptions in the service processes and reduces the impact of the switch on the wider network.
Research limitations/implications
The conceptualization suggested in this paper needs to be further explored in different empirical contexts to assess its practical adequacy.
Practical implications
Practitioners responsible for service procurement can use the findings to develop collaboration with suppliers, both when it comes to service process development and to the switching process. Furthermore, the authors highlight the importance of ending competencies and the development of an exit plan to conduct a “beautiful exit.”
Originality/value
The paper integrates relationship initiation and ending studies, as well as procurement process models to develop a refined switching process framework. Many PPs rely on short-term relationships due to the legal obligation to frequently invite suppliers to tender, thus understanding the supplier switching process is important both for private and public sector actors.