The Roles of HRM in CSR: Strategic Partnership or Operational Support?

As the implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy requires promoting employee participation and initiating meaningful changes in organisational culture, the involvement of the human resource management (HRM) function in policy formulation and implementation is highly desirable. The relationship between the HRM and CSR functions is, however, under-investigated than other areas. Hence, there is a lack of clarity concerning HRM roles and the conditions under which they may be strategic or operational in nature. By drawing on data from interviews with 29 CSR and HRM professionals of large organisations in New Zealand, this paper argues that the role and contribution of the HR function in CSR is contingent on organisational variables such as the CSR structure, the scope and application of CSR and the nature of the HR functions. It concludes that in such contexts HRM is more likely to offer operational support in executing CSR rather than strategic input.     

Towards an operations strategy model of servitization: the role of sustainability pressure

Servitization requires an important strategic shift to drive changes in the operations of manufacturing firms. Using a large-scale survey, the purpose of this paper is (1) to build and validate an operations strategy model of servitization confirming previous case study findings on servitization as a strategic action and (2) to explore the role of sustainability pressures in, and the sustainability performance effects of, pursuing service-based operations strategies. To reach these objectives, a dataset including the responses of 735 manufacturing plants from 21 different countries is analyzed using the PLS-SEM method. The results indicate that the sustainability pressures of stakeholders can push manufacturers to adopt a service-based operations strategy, materializing in the provision of both basic (product-oriented) and advanced (customer-oriented) services (BAS and ADS). Our analysis further indicates that while offering BAS is a precondition for ADS provision, only ADS can offer a competitive edge for manufacturers, both in terms of service and sustainability-related operational performance.     

Marketing online banking services: The voice of the customer

US banks have invested heavily in developing online capabilities, with the expectation of migrating customers to the new cheaper delivery system. Results in the USA thus far have been mixed at best; market penetration is low and customer usage is sporadic, focusing mainly on simple tasks. This paper reports on the first of two studies conducted to investigate the reasons for the mediocre performance. A qualitative consumer study revealed significant differences in attitudes and opinions between early users and those that banks hope will adopt next. Most importantly, future prospects could be characterised as indifferent about online banking; many were not convinced about its benefits and the value it provides. While the potential to expand the market for online banking services exists, banks need to re-examine their marketing approach.     

Differences between bank employees' perceptions towards implications of electronic banking in Greece

This paper aims to identify both the Greek branch and the central division employees' perceptions towards implications of electronic banking adoption and explore whether there are any differences between them. To this end, based on 14 potential implications recognised in the literature review, a questionnaire was designed and completed by 613 bank employees. The analysis showed that perceptions vary in relation to respondents' working position. Additionally, there are indications that the identified differences are greater if they are linked with the respondents' working experience and educational qualifications, as well as the size of the financial institution. In conclusion, the paper discusses the strategic implications of the findings.     

超常发展再铸辉煌--上海港集装箱运输发展回顾与展望

2002年,上海港创造了一个新纪录——集装箱吞吐量完成861万TEU,比上年634万TEU增长35.8%,超越高雄港而成为排名世界第四位的集装箱港口。这一辉煌业绩标志着作为我国大陆最大的国际通航港口又向国际航运中心建设的目标迈出了一大步。上海港集装箱吞吐量的发展是超常的。近10年来,它都以年均28%的增长率攀升。1994年突破100万达到119.9万TEU,从1997年至2001年的5年里,每一年都突破一个大数,分别超越200万、300万、400万、500万和600万TEU,2002年则跃升双百万,达到861万TEU。这是上海港集装箱运输发展史上前所未有的。它超常发展的巨大…     

相对主义的价值结构

一般认为，相对主义在价值实践中必然造成价值虚无主义，实际上，相对主义处于一个未完成状态中，它目前的结构大致具有三个层次，第一个层次是各种实在性价值，第二个层次是虚化的相对主义要求，第三个层次则是相对主义的自我反思性。这个层次结构保证了价值的自由性，同时努力避免着价值的虚无。     

略论中国企业跨文化管理的原则与方法

本文阐述了跨文化管理的基本原则,重点探讨了企业实施跨文化管理的主要方法。     

经济快车道正伸向阿塞拜疆

在美丽的里海之滨,)域连绵的高加索南麓,有一块8.66万平方公里面积的国土,从地图上看它,酷似一只睡梦初醒的雄鹰,开始伸展翅膀,向着大海蓝天飞翔。这就是以盛产石油而文明于世的阿塞拜疆。这个处在欧亚交界地带的国家,自1991年脱离前苏联,宣布独立后,其经济一度连续下滑。从199