In the public dialogue on industrial democracy there has been an undue concentration on certain restricted aspects. Two, in particular, have dominated the debate: how and by whom…
Abstract
In the public dialogue on industrial democracy there has been an undue concentration on certain restricted aspects. Two, in particular, have dominated the debate: how and by whom top policy decisions are to be made; and who is to own the business or how are its benefits to be shared out. This is to neglect certain other basic concepts seen to be critical to the running of a healthy social democracy. One of the important corner‐stones of social democracy is the right of appeal by the citizen against a decision or a judgment made by some person in authority ever that citizen. Speaking in very broad terms, this right of appeal, considered essential in social democracy, has never been transferred to or conceded in industrial democracy in any country. Indeed it is rarely, if ever, raised as an issue. It is the absence of this right of appeal which results in an undue number of strikes — often the only alternative. Right of appeal is a democratic method; instant strike is the primitive use of power. At the forefront of this matter stands Glacier Metal. This article describes the appeals procedure in that company. To avoid any misunderstanding it has to be made clear that what is involved is right of appeal against some order or command made by a manager to one of his subordinates, to which the subordinate might object or feel the order to be in some way unjust or improper.
Saul A. Rubinstein and John E. McCarthy
Over the past decade the policy debate over improving U.S. public education has focused on market solutions (charter schools, privatization, and vouchers) and teacher evaluation…
Abstract
Over the past decade the policy debate over improving U.S. public education has focused on market solutions (charter schools, privatization, and vouchers) and teacher evaluation through high stakes standardized testing of students. In this debate, teachers and their unions are often characterized as the problem. Our research offers an alternate path in the debate, a perspective that looks at schools as systems – the way schools are organized and the way decisions are made. We focus on examples of collaboration through the creation of long-term labor-management partnerships among teachers’ unions and school administrators that improve and restructure public schools from the inside to enhance planning, decision-making, problem solving, and the ways teachers interact and schools are organized. We analyzed how these efforts were created and sustained in six public school districts over the past two decades, and what they can teach us about the impact of significant involvement of faculty and their local union leadership, working closely with district administration. We argue that collaboration between teachers, their unions, and administrators is both possible and necessary for any meaningful and lasting public school reform.
Details
Keywords
Ron Berger, Bradley R. Barnes, Liane W.Y. Lee and Matti Rachamim
The study aims to test a measurement scale to examine social business networks (Wasta) surrounding Arab Christians and Arab Muslims.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to test a measurement scale to examine social business networks (Wasta) surrounding Arab Christians and Arab Muslims.
Design/methodology/approach
A 31-item scale was used to capture Wasta, consisting of the following: Mojamala (emotional), Hamola (conative) and Somah (cognitive) tri-components. A total of 149 Christian Arab and 304 Muslim Arab respondents were sampled and multi-group structural equation modeling was used to confirm the concept and test several hypotheses.
Findings
The findings from the study reveal that in order for success to occur within the Arab context, a sequential process of first developing Mojamala is necessary, before Hamola can prevail. Christian Arabs are motivated to integrate with society and form relationships via generalized trust. Muslim Arabs meanwhile tend to retain their distinct culture, using social networks to forge particularized trust. Shariah principles may also play a significant role in explaining why satisfaction was not found to be a necessary condition for Arab Muslims in driving relationship performance.
Research limitations/implications
The study suggests that the 370 million Arab population may not be totally cohesive and should be refrained from being grouped together. In-group identification is a major contributor in explaining why business models are different between Arab Muslims and Arab Christians. The findings further support that Muslim Arab business models are based on tribalism or sheikocracy, whilst Christian Arab business models are based on legalistic frameworks and integration.
Practical implications
The study supports prior research associated with Muslim Arab business models based on tribalism or sheikocracy (Ali, 1995). The findings suggest that Arab Muslim business models focus on particularized trust as opposed to generalized trust that is common in Arab Christian business models and in most western countries. The study demonstrates that Mojamala (the emotional construct), Hamola (empathy) and Somah (particularized trust) are useful constructs for building Wasta and they serve a core element for Arab Muslim business models. Mojamala and Somah both directly affect satisfaction. Somah and satisfaction have a direct influence on performance.
Originality/value
The findings provide evidence to support institutional theory. Also from a stakeholder theory perspective, viewing companies, not only through an economic lens, but also building social institutions, can lead to a better understanding of business models drawing on diverse cultures and faiths. The study may therefore serve as a useful reference for academics and practitioners as they grapple to enhance satisfaction and leverage performance advantages within this context.
Details
Keywords
This paper proposes a revised analytical model for accounting professionals that can be used to evaluate the financial well being of innovative companies that rely on earnings…
Abstract
This paper proposes a revised analytical model for accounting professionals that can be used to evaluate the financial well being of innovative companies that rely on earnings management practices (EM) for their growth. Through an analysis of corporate governance, financial reporting standards, and ratio analysis this paper reaches the conclusion that Enron extended previously researched earnings management practices that could have been detected in early 2000. Results of the analysis indicate that by using price book, price earnings multiple, net margin percentage, and return on assets, and taking into consideration the so‐called risk management activities which seemed to disguise highly volatile speculative derivative‐based activities, Enron was headed for implosion at least one year before its collapse.
Details
Keywords
Ram Herstein, Netanel Drori, Ron Berger and Bradley R. Barnes
Private-label goods are now available in more than 55 countries worldwide and their total sales value is estimated to be in excess of one trillion US dollars. The prevalence of…
Abstract
Purpose
Private-label goods are now available in more than 55 countries worldwide and their total sales value is estimated to be in excess of one trillion US dollars. The prevalence of such goods, however, drastically differs across countries. Whilst market share in some developed economies exceeds 50 percent, penetration appears much lower in emerging economies. The purpose of this paper is to investigate marketing issues surrounding such low-penetration levels in emerging markets.
Design/methodology/approach
In-depth interviews were conducted with: 36 store managers and the marketing director of a large emerging market retail chain.
Findings
Eight factors were found to impede the retail chain’s vision regarding implementation of the private branding strategy.
Practical implications
Several implications are extracted from the study, mainly in the context of emerging markets that managers should consider in order to improve their private branding strategies.
Originality/value
Although some research has aimed to shed light concerning the significance of private brands from retailers’ perspectives, such research has not tended to address the issue of how to implement private brand strategies in emerging markets. To bridge the gap, this study investigates these issues from a retail chain management perspective in order to potentially leverage performance advantages associated with the nurturing of private-label branded goods.
Details
Keywords
Ron Berger, Bradley R. Barnes and Avi Silbiger
Managers of multinational enterprises (MNEs) from developed economies are often cautious to understand the cultural environment where they do business. This is predominantly true…
Abstract
Purpose
Managers of multinational enterprises (MNEs) from developed economies are often cautious to understand the cultural environment where they do business. This is predominantly true in developing economies, and even more so in certain Arab countries where MNEs have limited knowledge and experience. The purpose of this study is to report on the development of a research instrument that is applicable to Arab business culture, following the 2011 Arab Spring. The investigation draws on data from three different groups of people, i.e. leaders (business professors and leading politicians), business people and postgraduate business students, all of Palestinian nationality. The article examines the Arabic culturally based business structure called Wasta, a system that relies on social networks and the reciprocal exchange of favors. A research instrument is developed to measure three dimensions of Wasta across these three different groups of people and examines their influence on relationship satisfaction and organizational performance. The findings reveal that the groups are affected differently by these dimensions and see different utility in Wasta. Such insights may be useful for MNE practitioners when entering Arab countries, when seeking to employ younger Arabs and when partnering with Arab businesses or dealing with government officials.
Design/methodology/approach
Research paper
Findings
This study has focused on the impact of Wasta on relationship satisfaction and on relationship performance for three different groups of individuals: business people, students and leaders. It was hypothesized that higher levels of each component of Wasta would contribute positively to relationship satisfaction, and that the latter would in turn lead to higher relationship performance. Findings generally supported these hypotheses with some variations among groups. Furthermore, it was predicted that the model would be relevant to all three groups, but would be structured differently reflecting their different views of business. The findings of this study help answer our research question about the socio-economic, cultural and political factors that influence the business process involving Arab and non-Arab business managers.
Originality/value
Original paper
Details
Keywords
Yaw A. Debrah and Ian G. Smith
Presents over sixty abstracts summarising the 1999 Employment Research Unit annual conference held at the University of Cardiff. Explores the multiple impacts of globalization on…
Abstract
Presents over sixty abstracts summarising the 1999 Employment Research Unit annual conference held at the University of Cardiff. Explores the multiple impacts of globalization on work and employment in contemporary organizations. Covers the human resource management implications of organizational responses to globalization. Examines the theoretical, methodological, empirical and comparative issues pertaining to competitiveness and the management of human resources, the impact of organisational strategies and international production on the workplace, the organization of labour markets, human resource development, cultural change in organisations, trade union responses, and trans‐national corporations. Cites many case studies showing how globalization has brought a lot of opportunities together with much change both to the employee and the employer. Considers the threats to existing cultures, structures and systems.
Details
Keywords
Ron Berger, Abbas J. Ali, Bradley R. Barnes and Ilan Alon
With close to two billion people occupying some 50 countries and spending in excess of US$2tn on food and recreational services alone, Muslim societies represent a significant…
Abstract
Purpose
With close to two billion people occupying some 50 countries and spending in excess of US$2tn on food and recreational services alone, Muslim societies represent a significant segment of the world’s population, which warrants greater research attention and better understanding. While Islamic scholarship dates back over 1,400 years, few scholars have studied the impact of Islamic teachings and their effect on surrounding business and policy. The purpose of this paper is to better connect business strategy with Islamic philosophy.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is a theoretical paper based on literature review of existing works in academia and from the Koran. The researchers consulted academics and religious leader to better understand the written word and its implications on the various philosophies. This paper offers a sound foundation for further research on Islamic business philosophy.
Findings
This research is the base for further exploration into Islamic business philosophy and their underpinnings. To better understand Islamic business models, this study introduces three main and three minor schools of thought to provide a foundation for further research. The schools differ in their theological assumptions and worldviews. Some of them place emphases on traditional approaches, i.e. Jabria (like contemporary Salafies) and some underscore the virtue of reasons and enlightenment (e.g. Mu’tazila or the rationalists).
Originality/value
In brief, the study posits six different perspectives and interpretations relevant to Islamic policy that will be useful for both managerial practitioners and scholars to consider when undertaking business in a Muslim context.
Details
Keywords
Ron Berger, Netanel Drori, Matti Rachamim and Ilan Alon
This paper aims to generalize emic studies of culture and thus provide indigenous view nuanced particularly for emerging markets.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to generalize emic studies of culture and thus provide indigenous view nuanced particularly for emerging markets.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors review four local business frameworks and deconstruct each into three different constructs. The authors systematically evaluate culture specific studies, particularities of jaan pehchaan (India), guanxi (China), sviazi (Russia) and wasta (Arab countries).
Findings
Building on social networking theory, the authors synthesize an emic model for four types of large emerging markets cultures – China, Russia, India and Arab countries – and divide them according to their affective, conative and cognitive elements.
Practical implications
By knowing the impact of the constructs and how to leverage it, managers can successfully penetrate and manage these complex markets.
Originality/value
Current models of culture, such as the ones proposed by Hofstede and GLOBE, are etic in their orientation, attempting to find variations in common dimensions across different cultures. Emic approaches to studying culture are more bottom-up and are idiosyncratic to the culture.
Details
Keywords
Recognizing the significant impact of guanxi (the Chinese network of reciprocal business relations) and its influence on everyday dealings in China is important for Western firms…
Abstract
Purpose
Recognizing the significant impact of guanxi (the Chinese network of reciprocal business relations) and its influence on everyday dealings in China is important for Western firms. Researchers argue that social capital has limits and is not a commodity that has a place in China aspiring to be a global business hub. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to deal with the question of whether guanxi still matters in the Chinese business arena, and if so, to what extent.
Design/methodology/approach
To illustrate the evolutional direction of the Chinese institutional system, the authors compare it to a similar system that went through the evolutionary cycle from a social to a rational institutional base of exchange and discuss what one can learn from the institutional evolution process of the global diamond industry and its implications for the current evolution of Chinese institutions. The authors compare two similar cultures/religions, Judaism and Confucianism.
Findings
This study found parallels between the evolution of the Israeli diamond industry, dominated by Orthodox Jews, from a social exchange mechanism to a transactional mechanism and the present ongoing rationalization of the Chinese economy, dominated by the Confucianism culture from a social to a transactional business mechanism.
Originality/value
Despite the vast efforts of researchers in the area of guanxi, there is very little published knowledge about its limitations and its usefulness in today's changing business environment. This paper contributes to the existing literature on the future aspects of guanxi from a unique perspective – the evolution of the Israeli diamond industry.