David Beckett, Zoë Agashae and Valerie Oliver
Assisted by new software and driven by internal budgets, managers’ “just‐in‐time training” is emerging as an interesting aspect of workplace learning, not least because it…
Abstract
Assisted by new software and driven by internal budgets, managers’ “just‐in‐time training” is emerging as an interesting aspect of workplace learning, not least because it provokes re‐consideration of adult learning principles, and perhaps of educative understanding itself.
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Valerie A. Bell and Sarah Y. Cooper
Rarely have studies on the acquisition of knowledge in internationalisation focused on institutional knowledge. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to investigate the…
Abstract
Purpose
Rarely have studies on the acquisition of knowledge in internationalisation focused on institutional knowledge. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to investigate the acquisition of this knowledge, and its assimilation and exploitation processes in internationalisation.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper utilises ten longitudinal revelatory case studies built from multiple semi-structured interviews conducted with three different firm types of small- and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) in the pharmaceutical industry and secondary documents to which the researchers obtained proprietary access.
Findings
The study enhances the conceptual understanding of the institutional learning process in internationalisation by, for the first time, developing a framework to characterise this process. The study explores and identifies multiple types of institutional knowledge required, the sequencing of their acquisition, sources and learning methods utilised. It also discusses transferability of this learning across foreign markets and firms’ absorptive capacity for that knowledge. Regulatory-specific product knowledge, found to be the most important type required, appeared to affect significantly both market selection and mode of entry, and when acquired insufficiently, prevented internationalisation.
Research limitations/implications
While the sample size is relatively small, and sector-specific, the findings were consistent across all the SME firms and firm types. They may also be generalisable to other sectors, firm sizes such as MNEs and types, particularly those which are knowledge-based or highly regulated, given that similar institutional knowledge and processes of acquisition are necessary for firms of all sizes in internationalisation.
Practical implications
International marketing managers will gain valuable insights, based on a framework proven to propel firms to successful internationalisation, upon how to plan, organise, manage and match their institutional knowledge-seeking and learning activities with their firms’ internal capabilities, staffing and other resources in an effective and timely manner.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the conceptual understanding of the institutional knowledge learning process in the internationalisation.
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Michelle R. Jones and Valerie L. Giddings
The purpose of this paper is to assess tall women's satisfaction with the fit and style of apparel for tall women.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess tall women's satisfaction with the fit and style of apparel for tall women.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 75 US women, who were at least 5 feet 8 inches and between 18 and 54 years old, were asked to rate their level of satisfaction with misses‐size and tall‐size apparel, in general, and with seven garment categories (jackets/blazers/coats, button‐up blouses, pullover tops/sweaters, skirts, jeans, pants, lingerie).
Findings
T‐tests revealed that participants were more satisfied with the fit of tall‐size apparel than with the fit of misses‐size apparel, but were more satisfied with the style of misses‐size than with the style of tall‐size apparel. In addition, participants most frequently used the misses‐size designation to purchase clothing and rated style as more important than fit. Despite reported dissatisfaction with the fit of misses‐size apparel, participants appeared willing to sacrifice fit to have the desired styles.
Research limitations/implications
The study was limited to US women in Southwestern Virginia. Thus preferences affected by regional product offerings may be reflected in the responses.
Practical implications
The paper provides discussion on implications of mass customization in resolving the conflict tall women report between the desire for properly fitting apparel and the desire for current style trends.
Originality/value
No existing empirical research has examined tall women's satisfaction with products specifically designed for their special anthropometric and style preference needs. This research serves as the foundation for extending research for the market segment from an applied and basic research approach.
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Pauline Darby and Valerie James
This paper aims to report the process and results of strategic level renewal of an organization from two perspectives: a senior leader from within and an independent process…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report the process and results of strategic level renewal of an organization from two perspectives: a senior leader from within and an independent process consultant engaged to facilitate the organization's process. The organization is an active, not monastic, international congregation of Roman Catholic religious sisters.
Design/methodology/approach
The congregation has carried out a review of direction approximately every six years of its 164 year history. The 2010 review took a whole systems approach to increase active involvement of every single member and to address external and internal organizational challenges including diminishing resources in two provinces and growing and complex needs.
Findings
The paper concludes that the process met most of the needs of the organization in addressing global issues of change and gained commitment from its members to make major changes in its strategic and operational decision making. One part of the paper describes and reflects in depth on the experience and meaning of the series of events and interventions in the organization's systems.
Practical implications
It is suggested that leaders can learn much from case studies arising from well outside their normal fields. This is because creativity and innovation is stimulated when encountering difference and leaders' and organizations' values can be strengthened through questioning and refinement.
Originality/value
This is an original analysis combining practical spirituality in an historical context, and complexity theory and development practice as applied to an organization to meet precise needs at a specific time.
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Ying Zhu, Valerie Lynette Wang, Evan Leach, Kevin Cruthirds and Yong Wang
Scholars have identified several predictors of learner satisfaction, but little research addresses the impact of intragroup conflict in a virtual learning context. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Scholars have identified several predictors of learner satisfaction, but little research addresses the impact of intragroup conflict in a virtual learning context. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potentially deleterious effects of perceived intragroup relationship conflict on virtual learners’ intention to re-enroll.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were systematically collected from virtual learners using an online questionnaire and then analyzed by multiple regression models.
Findings
The results show that emotional expressiveness is an antecedent to perceived intragroup relationship conflict, and the relationship is moderated by individuals’ perceived enjoyment of computer-mediated communication. Virtual learners with a higher emotional expressiveness (i.e. extraverts) experience higher perceived relationship conflict, which in turn, lowers their intention to re-enroll.
Research limitations/implications
The study confirms the antecedent and consequence of perceived intragroup relationship conflict in a virtual learning context.
Practical implications
Educational institutions and businesses may use three proposed strategies to deal with intragroup relationship conflict.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the limited knowledge on how to effectively manage virtual learning interactions by educational institutions and businesses.
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François Maon, Adam Lindgreen and Joëlle Vanhamme
This study seeks to provide insights into corporate achievements in supply chain management (SCM) and logistics management and to detail how they might help disaster agencies. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to provide insights into corporate achievements in supply chain management (SCM) and logistics management and to detail how they might help disaster agencies. The authors aim to highlight and identify current practices, particularities, and challenges in disaster relief supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
Both SCM and logistics management literature and examples drawn from real‐life cases inform the development of the theoretical model.
Findings
The theoretical, dual‐cycle model that focuses on the key missions of disaster relief agencies: first, prevention and planning and, second, response and recovery. Three major contributions are offered: a concise representation of current practices and particularities of disaster relief supply chains compared with commercial SCM; challenges and barriers to the development of more efficient SCM practices, classified into learning, strategising, and coordinating and measurement issues; and a simple, functional model for understanding how collaborations between corporations and disaster relief agencies might help relief agencies meet SCM challenges.
Research limitations/implications
The study does not address culture‐clash related considerations. Rather than representing the entire scope of real‐life situations and practices, the analysis relies on key assumptions to help conceptualise collaborative paths.
Practical implications
The study provides specific insights into how corporations might help improve the SCM practices by disaster relief agencies that continue to function without SCM professional expertise, tools, or staff.
Originality/value
The paper shows that sharing supply chain and logistics expertise, technology, and infrastructure with relief agencies could be a way for corporations to demonstrate their good corporate citizenship. Collaborations between corporations and disaster agencies offer significant potential benefits.
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The term “medical” will be interpreted broadly to include both basic and clinical sciences, related health fields, and some “medical” elements of biology and chemistry. A…
Abstract
The term “medical” will be interpreted broadly to include both basic and clinical sciences, related health fields, and some “medical” elements of biology and chemistry. A reference book is here defined as any book that is likely to be consulted for factual information more frequently than it will be picked up and read through in sequential order. Medical reference books have a place in public, school, college, and other non‐medical libraries as well as in the wide variety of medical libraries. All of these libraries will be considered in this column. A basic starting collection of medical material for a public library is outlined and described in an article by William and Virginia Beatty that appeared in the May, 1974, issue of American Libraries.
This research sheds light on behavioral change by demonstrating the transformative power of a brand on the process of eating behavioral change. The selected brand is Three Times a…
Abstract
Purpose
This research sheds light on behavioral change by demonstrating the transformative power of a brand on the process of eating behavioral change. The selected brand is Three Times a Day (a culinary blog whose mission is to encourage a healthier diet). This study aims to identify food-related behavioral changes as a result of consumers’ relationship with this brand and identify antecedents to such changes.
Design/methodology/approach
A netnography of the brand online community and 14 individual in-depth interviews were conducted.
Findings
Netnography results identify four categories of behavioral changes emerging from the relationship with the brand (e.g. choosing healthier/more varied foods, developing an interest in cooking and adopting a healthier lifestyle). Analysis of the individual interviews substantiate the role of brand attachment as a driver of positive change and identify three antecedents: brand-self connection (through past, actual and ideal self), brand exposure and satisfaction of individual needs (i.e. autonomy, competence and relatedness).
Research limitations/implications
Results enrich the literature on behavioral change and highlight the positive role of a brand in the context of improving eating habits. Findings extend the understanding of the consequences of attachment beyond its influence at the attitudinal level by focusing on concrete consumer behavior.
Social implications
It is recognized that despite good intentions, individuals keep making poor food choices. This important issue is associated with several diseases and increasing social costs. This research explores how to influence consumers in adopting better eating habits.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to examine the power of a food-related brand to enhance positive eating practices and improve diet.