Raphael Nagel and Carmen Aviles
In the past decade, the development of the global economy, the change in organizational structures and the maturing of new technologies have led to considerable changes inâŠ
Abstract
Purpose
In the past decade, the development of the global economy, the change in organizational structures and the maturing of new technologies have led to considerable changes in business structures. Emergency situations, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, have led many companies to declare bankruptcy. In this context, the present study aims to analyze strategic opinions of company executives in a declaration of bankruptcy.
Design/methodology/approach
To this end, an innovative approach is applied to strategic management and business. First, the authors conducted 14 interviews with executives, and the interview data were transcribed. Second, using textual analysis and data mining techniques, the transcripts were analyzed to understand the importance of indicators identified as relevant in companies in a declaration of bankruptcy.
Findings
This resulted in identification of 10 relevant indicators perceived by executives to avoid or anticipate a state of bankruptcy, including innovation, business adaptability, room for improvement in production processes, time to react to situations of alarm, layoffs, support from public institutions, suppliers, international and national regulations, impact on the industry, credits and debts.
Originality/value
The paper concludes with a discussion of important theoretical and practical implications of these findings for the industry. Also, strategic management decision-making strategies are presented as a result of the innovative textual analysis approach used.
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Keywords
Luc Schulz, Romano Keller-Meier, Grazia Lang, Siegfried Nagel, Raphael Stieger and Torsten Schlesinger
Many voluntary sports clubs face financial difficulties and consequently turn to external funding sources. Recent developments suggest that sports clubs have been successful inâŠ
Abstract
Purpose
Many voluntary sports clubs face financial difficulties and consequently turn to external funding sources. Recent developments suggest that sports clubs have been successful in significantly increasing sponsorship income by professionalizing their sponsorship activities. However, not much is known about how voluntary sports clubs professionalize their sponsorship management (e.g. sponsorship staff). This study seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the components addressed and the practices used by voluntary sports clubs to professionalize their sponsorship.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory case study was conducted to gain in-depth insights into voluntary sports clubsâ organizational developments in the context of sponsorship management. Data were collected from six sports clubs through document analyses and problem-centered interviews with decision makers. The data were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach, which included both deductive and complementary inductive coding of the data.
Findings
The results show that the components addressed in the professionalization of sponsorship management are reflected in three dimensions: âpeople and positionsâ (e.g. sponsorship staff), âstructures and processesâ (e.g. differentiation of responsibilities), and âstrategies and activitiesâ (e.g. sponsorship rights orientation). It was also found that clubs, which have diverse characteristics and levels of professionalization, pursue distinct approaches.
Originality/value
In contrast to studies on professional sports organizations that focus primarily on the sponsorâs perspective, this study sheds light on sponsorship management in sports clubs in the non-profit sector. The findings can help voluntary sports clubs to transform their sponsorship management strategically and increase sponsorship income in the long term.
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Raphaël Zumofen, Bellarminus Gildas Kakpovi and Vincent Mabillard
This paper aims to explain the impacts of the ongoing digitization reform in Benin. It demonstrates that a well-conducted reform can reduce corruption, improve performance andâŠ
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explain the impacts of the ongoing digitization reform in Benin. It demonstrates that a well-conducted reform can reduce corruption, improve performance and bring citizens closer to the administration. It also highlights the elements needed to ensure the success of such a reform.
Design/methodology/approach
The impacts of the digitization of services and processes on both administrative structures and accountability mechanisms are described and discussed through the analysis of interviews conducted with government officials and key external stakeholders.
Findings
Findings indicate that the implementation of new technologies has created difficulties for public servants and that reaching out to the entire population is still proving challenging. However, the reform has helped prevent abuses and corruption in management, and it has raised hopes of improving the stateâcitizen relationship in the long run.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the research on digitization, accountability and stateâcitizen relationships in developing countries. It fills a gap in the literature by directly analyzing the relationship between digitization and public accountability in Benin.
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Claretha Hughes, Lionel Robert, Kristin Frady and Adam Arroyos
Christian Bode and Ingmar Geiger
This paper aims to better understand a firmâs market research functionâs (MRF) roles and influences on the different uses of market research information (MRI) (instrumentalâŠ
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to better understand a firmâs market research functionâs (MRF) roles and influences on the different uses of market research information (MRI) (instrumental, conceptual and symbolic) in the firm.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a mixed-methods design: In a qualitative study among marketing managers (n = 9) and market researchers (n = 10); different roles of a firmâs MRF are scrutinized. The quantitative study among corporate users of MRI (n = 235) tests a conceptual model on the MRF-related determinants of MRI uses, using structural equation modeling.
Findings
When the MRF exhibits methodological, market and business expertise and interacts with market research users, these features indirectly influence instrumental, conceptual, and symbolic uses, through MRI quality perceived by the users. The usersâ knowledge of market research methods, the functionâs integrity, top management support, and decentralized decision-making have various beneficial influences on the three uses of MRI.
Research limitations/implications
Broadly speaking, this research expands the theoretical understanding of marketing-related organizational learning processes. It considers message, source, recipient, and context variables to explain changes in attitude and behavior, related to MRI uses.
Practical implications
Overall, corporations should use MRI more thoroughly. Treating the MRF as a strategic asset rather than just another internal service provider increases its value to the firm. Firms should thus bolster the MRFâs different roles, namely, internal colleague, service provider, customer representative, quality assurance, and knowledge broker.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to comprehensively analyze the MRFâs role in MRI generation and various uses. It identifies three expertise dimensions of the MRF to fully leverage the MRFâs value to the organization and empirically underscores theoretical writings on the MRFâs roles in the firm.
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This special âAnbar Abstractsâ issue of the Marketing Intelligence & Planning is split into seven sections covering abstracts under the following headings: Marketing Strategy;âŠ
Abstract
This special âAnbar Abstractsâ issue of the Marketing Intelligence & Planning is split into seven sections covering abstracts under the following headings: Marketing Strategy; Customer Service; Sales Management; Promotion; Marketing Research/Customer Behaviour; Product Management; Logistics and Distribution and Sundry.
THE activity of librarianship during September was almost breathless. Visitors to Chaucer House in the third week of the month had possibly the most cosmopolitan experience ofâŠ
Abstract
THE activity of librarianship during September was almost breathless. Visitors to Chaucer House in the third week of the month had possibly the most cosmopolitan experience of their lives. It was, as our readers know, the assembly time of the International Federation of Librarians, which divided its London meetings between Chaucer House and the equally hospitable University College. The members, coming from a score or more of countries east and west, had, many of them, been present at the successful and crowded conference of Aslib at Ashorne, and were now conferring further, and being entertained by the Library Association, together with members of the Unesco Library School. That school spent its first week in Manchester, with a tour of Derby County libraries; its second week was in London. Amongst the guests at the reception given by the British Council at Portland Place, and at the L.A's own reception at Chaucer House three days later, many distinguished librarians were met, including Dr. Munthe, Dr. Sevensma, Dr. Ranganathan, the state librarian of Ankara, the University Librarians of Istanbul, Copenhagen, Trondhjem, of Alexandria; and many others, including those of England and Scotland, the Chief Keeper of the Printed Books, Bodley's Librarian, and the Librarian of the National Central Library. Moreover, as these gatherings coincided with the meeting of the Library Association Council, the official leaders of the profession were present, including the President (Mr. Nowell).
Notes that because oral histories illuminate insider meanings, they can contribute valuable insights to the demystification of expert experiences. The world of expertâŠ
Abstract
Notes that because oral histories illuminate insider meanings, they can contribute valuable insights to the demystification of expert experiences. The world of expert entrepreneurs is often misunderstood because of its sensationalization and/or idealization. Sets out to narrow the gap between mythical and actual entrepreneur through the use of the qualitative analysis of entrepreneur oral histories. Analyses inâdepth interviews with 23 practising western US entrepreneurs about their venturing histories to identify the common âstoriesâ and shared interpretations that form parts of the entrepreneurial âexpert scriptsâ that explain responses to successes and failures. Salient portions of the histories cited contribute to sound attributions regarding entrepreneurial success and failure and to a more enlightened approach to venture creation.
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Apoorva A., Ranjan Chaudhuri, Zahid Hussain and Sheshadri Chatterjee
This paper aims to provide a systematic meta-analysis from the year 2000 up to 2021 by reviewing relevant studies in extant literature related to the impact of social media onâŠ
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a systematic meta-analysis from the year 2000 up to 2021 by reviewing relevant studies in extant literature related to the impact of social media on mental health.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts bibliometric methods and longitudinal statistical analysis to analyze extant literature. The structured literature review and meta-analysis findings on social media usage (SMU) and its impact on mental health indicate emerging research patterns in potentially leading to an integrative view.
Findings
This paper highlights the importance of challenges regarding SMU and its impact on usersâ mental health. This study shows interesting meta-analysis on the issues such as Facebook and teenagersâ mental health; Instagram and teenagersâ mental health; Twitter and teenagersâ mental health; and so on from the past 20âyears.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is a literature review on a critical social issue like SMU and its impact on usersâ mental health. The meta-analysis is conducted only on the indexed paper and does not take the books, blogs and other kinds of literature in this domain. The analysis is carried out only for the research articles published from 2000 to 2021.
Practical implications
Social media refers to any platform involving interactive digital technologies that encourage and facilitate usersâ participation. SMU and its impact on usersâ mental health can be attributed as contributing factors to the next global crisis. Studies suggest that increased SMU can potentially make users socially anxious. This study provides input to the policymakers, scholars and practitioners to understand the gravity of the situation and develop appropriate policy to overcome the challenges.
Originality/value
The rapidly evolving nature of technology and social media calls for a careful examination of its risks despite the many benefits of e-participation and digital interaction. Although there is widespread acknowledgment of the problematic revelation that the pattern of SMU closely mirrors mainstream addictive behavior; yet, there are only a limited number of comparative studies available. This may be one of the few studies which highlight the issue of SMU and its impact on usersâ mental health. Moreover, this study also adds to the body of literature.