Graham Mole, Roger Plant and Graeme Salaman
Suggests that increasing competitiveness in the corporateenvironment demands new managerial skills which reflect the key valuesof 1990s employee behaviour – i.e. quality…
Abstract
Suggests that increasing competitiveness in the corporate environment demands new managerial skills which reflect the key values of 1990s employee behaviour – i.e. quality performance in line with the constantly changing requirements of clients and colleagues. Points to the dramatic increase in management training as one way of enhancing managerial creativity and skill, and asks if such training programmes actually work, and if they can help managers to overcome their often unproductive work habits. Describes a successful management development programme aimed primarily at directors within a large, multinational insurance broking firm. Concludes that it is crucial that such training helps managers to adjust to, and deal with, their environment by encouraging them to learn how to learn and to use this capacity to confront performance problems and to work with others to overcome them.
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Roger A. Plant and Robert J. Ryan
At a time when industrial expense is under great pressure,particularly training budgets, it is of great importance that trainingis carefully focused, to ensure that organizations…
Abstract
At a time when industrial expense is under great pressure, particularly training budgets, it is of great importance that training is carefully focused, to ensure that organizations obtain the maximum benefit. The widely accepted procedures for evaluation described by Donald Kirkpatrick almost without exception have been applied only at level 1 (Student Reaction forms). Many researchers have questioned the value of this part‐application of an evaluation strategy. This new system of training effectiveness evaluation not only forms the basis of individual analysis, but also allows group deficiencies to be explored over time. The method based on self‐perceived skill gap measurement allows the monitoring of skills management at individual departmental and organizational levels and gives management, for the first time, a control measure to which skill management budgets (of which training is a part) can be compared.
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H.S. Gill, M.J. Pedler and J.D. Shipton
As managements increasingly apply behavioural science findings in the development of their organizations, the opportunities grow for organization development techniques to be…
Abstract
As managements increasingly apply behavioural science findings in the development of their organizations, the opportunities grow for organization development techniques to be introduced in the field of industrial relations. In discussing themes for student projects and staff seminars during the Autumn of 1973, we thought that this would be an interesting area to consider. Because there is relatively little written about organization development and industrial relations we felt that there was a need to undertake some research in the area. As a starting point, we chose to look at union attitudes to organization development, and this article describes the investigation we carried out and discusses some implications which seem to arise from our findings.
In the last four years, since Volume I of this Bibliography first appeared, there has been an explosion of literature in all the main functional areas of business. This wealth of…
Abstract
In the last four years, since Volume I of this Bibliography first appeared, there has been an explosion of literature in all the main functional areas of business. This wealth of material poses problems for the researcher in management studies — and, of course, for the librarian: uncovering what has been written in any one area is not an easy task. This volume aims to help the librarian and the researcher overcome some of the immediate problems of identification of material. It is an annotated bibliography of management, drawing on the wide variety of literature produced by MCB University Press. Over the last four years, MCB University Press has produced an extensive range of books and serial publications covering most of the established and many of the developing areas of management. This volume, in conjunction with Volume I, provides a guide to all the material published so far.
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Mohsen Varsei, Katherine Christ and Roger Burritt
Given that currently around ten billion litres of wine are transported long distances to overseas consumers per year, the purpose of this paper is to provide a foundation for…
Abstract
Purpose
Given that currently around ten billion litres of wine are transported long distances to overseas consumers per year, the purpose of this paper is to provide a foundation for understanding the trade-offs between cost, water usage and carbon emissions in decisions about the location of wine bottling plants in a global supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a case-based analytical modelling study and employs actual data from one of Australia’s major wine companies. A descriptive analytical model is developed for assessing wine supply chain scenarios using three indicators of economic and environmental impacts – supply chain cost, risk-weighted water usage and carbon emissions.
Findings
The research highlights trade-offs required when considering optimal supply chain design, and finds possibilities for reshaping a global wine supply chain in order to improve the selected economic and environmental impacts.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper lies in its analytical focus on examining the interplay between supply chain cost, risk-weighted water usage and carbon emissions in a global supply chain, which has not previously been addressed.
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Roger W. Schmenner, Rho and Boo Ho
For the plant manager there are many suggested remedies forincreased plant productivity. Detailed survey data from 555 factories,principally in the US, Europe and Korea, are used…
Abstract
For the plant manager there are many suggested remedies for increased plant productivity. Detailed survey data from 555 factories, principally in the US, Europe and Korea, are used to examine the factors that contribute to productivity. Regression analysis is employed with five distinct measures of productivity and productivity gain and the results indicate a number of key variables are responsible. Many similarities are reported across the three samples analysed, but three factors stand out: improved flow of materials; investment in new technology; and human resource initiatives.
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Sohel Ahmad and Roger G. Schroeder
Management literature discusses that the behavioral traits of employees can play an important role in the success of total quality management (TQM). However, little empirical…
Abstract
Management literature discusses that the behavioral traits of employees can play an important role in the success of total quality management (TQM). However, little empirical research exists in this regard. Using an international dataset, the present study investigates: the impact of quality management practices on plant competitiveness; and the moderating effect of an employee selection process on the relationship between quality management practices and plant competitiveness. Results show that quality management practices positively impact plant competitiveness. Furthermore, the behavioral traits of employees seem to have a significant impact on the effectiveness of quality management practices. This implies that managers should pay close attention to prospective employees’ behavioral traits and their fit with the TQM philosophy. Managers should not limit their attention to potential employees’ technical skills.
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Dexter L. Purnell, Douglas Jackson and Kimberly V. Legocki
Research for the case study was conducted using a combination of semi-structured interviews and secondary data sources.
Abstract
Research methodology
Research for the case study was conducted using a combination of semi-structured interviews and secondary data sources.
Case overview/synopsis
This case traces the international expansion of Sadowsky Guitars’ bass guitar product line. Roger Sadowsky is one of the most respected instrument makers in the world and gained early acclaim for his outstanding repair and restoration work on guitars and basses. Some of his early clients included Prince, Will Lee (The Tonight Show), Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith, Jason Newsted of Metallica, Eddie Van Halen and Marcus Miller. Roger’s reputation and the demand for his instruments led to some customers having to wait for more than a year to obtain the chance to purchase a Sadowsky instrument, while others were unable to do so due to financial constraints. In 2003, Roger made the decision to form Sadowsky Japan to begin the contract manufacturing of more affordable Sadowsky instruments in Tokyo, Japan. As the company grew in size, Roger realized he was becoming more focused on running a business than building instruments. Furthermore, his Japanese partners were only interested in serving the Japanese market. This required him to handle the sales and distribution in the remaining parts of the world. In December of 2019, he announced a new, exclusive licensing agreement and distribution partnership between Sadowsky Guitars and Warwick GmbH & Co Music Equipment KG. The new agreement allowed Roger to continue running the Sadowsky NYC Custom Shop while Warwick would take over building and distributing the Metro instruments and a less-expensive, Chinese-built version of the MetroExpress instruments.
Complexity academic level
This case is appropriate for undergraduate and graduate-level courses related to marketing and consumer behavior. The case walks students through a real-life scenario when the founder of a well-known musical brand sought to expand internationally as a way to meet growing market demand. Students are asked to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the five key international market entry strategies: exporting, licensing, contract manufacturing, joint ventures and investment (equity/acquisition).
The case works well in the classroom, even if people are unfamiliar with the musical instrument retail industry. Participants are most likely aware of some of the artists and musicians mentioned in the case. Some may also be or know musicians. The instructor should be able to quickly engage participants in a lively discussion about Roger Sadowsky’s vision for his instruments and the opportunities and challenges of expanding product offerings and increasing market share.
Supplementary material
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
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Chloe A. Thompson, Madeleine Pownall, Richard Harris and Pam Blundell-Birtill
An important facet of student’s sense of belonging is students’ relationships with, and time spent in, the university campus. The purpose of this paper is to explore the notion…
Abstract
Purpose
An important facet of student’s sense of belonging is students’ relationships with, and time spent in, the university campus. The purpose of this paper is to explore the notion that access to campus “green space”, including parks, fields and gardens, may bolster students’ sense of belonging, improve well-being feelings and promote place attachment.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors surveyed students in different locations (including three green and one non-green campus spaces) across a large UK campus-based Northern institution. 146 students participated in the study in one of the four campus locations. The authors investigated how being in green spaces on campus may impact students’ sense of belonging, well-being and place attachment. The authors also qualitatively explored students’ perceptions of campus spaces through Ahn’s (2017) 10 Words Question measure.
Findings
Analyses demonstrate that students surveyed in green spaces reported significantly more positive sense of belonging, compared to students surveyed in non-green campus spaces. Campus location did not impact well-being, however. Students associated green spaces on campus with “calm”, “positive emotion” and “nature” words and non-green spaces with “busy”, “social” and “students”.
Practical implications
Taken together, the results of this paper suggest that access to green spaces can be important for campus sense of belonging. Thus, efforts should be made to ensure the sustainability of these important spaces across university campuses.
Originality/value
This study crucially examines how occupying green spaces on university campuses may impact students’ feelings of belongingness. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that uses field-based methods to understand students’ feelings whilst occupying green spaces.
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Kathleen E. McKone and Roger G. Schroeder
While research has identified potential benefits of specific technology development practices, the literature has largely failed to identify the contextual issues that influence…
Abstract
While research has identified potential benefits of specific technology development practices, the literature has largely failed to identify the contextual issues that influence these practices. This paper explores the contextual differences of plants to better understand what types of companies place more emphasis on process technology and have a more disciplined approach to product development. We propose a theoretical framework for understanding the relationship between the context in which a plant operates and the process technology and the product development practices used within the plant. We test this framework using data from 163 plants to determine what types of companies are most likely to emphasize process technology and product development at the plant level. Our results indicate that environmental, organizational and strategic contextual factors are important to the technology practices of a plant.