Facilitating Collaboration with Problem Structuring Methods: A Case Study of an Inter-Organisational Construction Partnership

Despite the potential of inter-organisational collaboration to create ‘collaborative advantage’ among participant organisations, not all collaborations realise this potential due to the complexities and challenges faced by potential collaborators. To address these difficulties and increase the likelihood of collaborative success, different forms of intervention approaches for fostering inter-organisational collaboration has been advocated by collaboration researchers and practitioners. These intervention approaches all facilitate interaction and consensus formation among the participants. However their ‘added value’ is procedural rather than substantive in nature. They do not incorporate tools which can enable participants to structure the complexity of the web of factors that are implicated in their collaboration, and thus make it more manageable. This paper argues that problem structuring methods (PSMs), a family of model-based approaches to group decision and negotiation support, are a form of intervention which can provide a balanced attention to both the process and the content of inter-organisational collaboration, and reports the experience of applying a particular PSM to an inter-organisational collaborative partnership in the UK construction industry. Drawing on the rich data generated from the intervention, the paper discusses the impact of the PSM in supporting the joint appreciation activities carried out by collaborators to address their problematic situation. Implications of the experience for the research and practice of PSMs within collaborative contexts are then presented.     

上市公司财务效绩评价研究

从国外企业效绩评价来看,财务效益状况始终是企业效绩评价的核心内容;定量与定性分析相结合是各国评价方法的主要形式;对企业业绩的事后评价是政府间接管理企业的有效手段;并从制度甚至法规上对公营企业的业绩评价作出统一规定;评价结果与对企业经营者的选择和奖惩紧密结合。当前,我国学者主张用总分评定法和功效系数法进行企业业绩的综合评价。在实际应用中,总分评定法要为各项评定指标规定标准值,而且行业不同评价指标体系与标准值也不同,应用难度比较大;应用功效系数法进行综合评价时,各项指标的满意值与不满意值的确定比较复杂,且权数一般凭经验来确定,主观性太强,综合评价的结果与实际状况出入较大。多元统计的评价方法能够比较客观地反映企业的实际状况,同时可以避免人为因素带来的偏差。     

公共支出绩效评价指标体系的构建

公共支出绩效评价作为公共支出管理的核心内容之一，其推行的难点在于如何用一套指标科学度量公共支出的绩效。本文从绩效评价的内涵出发，根据公共支出绩效评价自身的特殊性，构建了一套能全面有效度量一般公共支出绩效的指标体系，整个指标体系共分两个层次：第一层次包括投入、过程、产出和结果等4类初始指标；第二层次包括效益性、效率性和有效性等3类终极指标。     

The Structure of Problem Structuring Conversations: A Boundary Games Approach

One of the questions associated with facilitated problem structuring is how the micro level of actors’ multimodal communications, contributes to the emergence of a macro level, framing the possibilities for action in a workshop. This paper shows a way to study this macro level, building the visualization of the conversations’ structure starting from a boundary games theory micro analysis of the interactions. Our empirical evidence comes from following a group of academic consultants working to define a value proposition for their activity. We focus on analyzing two out of nine workshops that were felt diametrically opposite in terms of facilitation and achievements. Moving from the micro towards an upward level, three configurations building the structure are identified—shifting, branching and converging. The work carried out allows us to: (1) visualize the structure of conversations in a problem structuring context, (2) highlight the role of multimodal communications in building the conversations and (3) construct an interpretation bridging the micro and macro readings of a workshop. This knowledge is useful for facilitators guiding the dynamic of a workshop and for researchers looking forward to understanding how micro level interactions build higher levels of the social phenomenon of intervention.     

An Exploratory Approach to Evaluating Performance Measures: The Managers' Perspective

It is commonly agreed that firm performance is a multi-faceted construct. Lacking a single accepted method for performance, managers are often judged by a mechanism they do not know or understand. This paper utilises a bottom-up approach to investigate manager perceptions of the important dimensions of performance in the hotel industry, and their evaluations of achievements in these dimensions. The paper offers a qualitative technique that characterises the managers' profile in a two-dimensional space of performance. One dimension is a composite of production-oriented indicators of performance, and the other is a composite of service-oriented indicators of performance. The findings indicate that most managers lack a focus and do not differentiate between production and service indicators of performance. The qualitative technique can be utilised for gauging manager perceptions of performance and for evaluation and feedback for manager performance.     

基于活动的企业绩效测评模型

基于活动的企业绩效测评模型 ,是一种有助于企业以发展战略为导向 ,全面测评企业经营活动的绩效 ,分析期望绩效和实际绩效之间的差异 ,识别其原因 ,进而调整和优化配置内部资源的重要方法。该方法具有便于理解、计算简便等特点 ,实用价值较高。     

浅议企业绩效评价的EVA法

传统绩效考核制度的缺陷,主要体现在忽视权益资本的成本,扭曲了企业的价值,会计利润计算过程中存在失真,企业经营行为短期化等方面。新兴的EVA绩效评价法,它从企业价值的角度考察经营者的利益,具有将企业绩效与经营者决策相联系,避免了会计利润的扭曲,统一了企业绩效评价的口径,增强了不同企业的可比性,使经营者与所有者的利益趋于一致等特点,弥补了现行评价体系的不足,在企业绩效评价中发挥着越来越大的作用。     

A Cognitive Mapping Approach to Organizing the Participation of Multiple Actors in a Problem Structuring Process

Problem structuring methods lead to a better understanding of problems by proposing that individuals engage in a structured process of investigation of such elements as causal relationships, connected problems, and possible solutions. This paper first examines possible ways of organizing the participation of multiple decision-makers in the varying contexts of the problem structuring process. The paper presents an original methodology based on investigating the participants’ contributions with respect to the problem explored. This methodology uses cognitive mapping techniques and offers two kinds of support, the first justifying a specific division of the participant set into thematic subgroups and the second providing a basis for further exploration using different problem structuring methods.     

Discovering and Evaluating Collaboration Engineering Opportunities: An Interview Protocol Based on the Value Frequency Model

Collaboration Engineering (CE) is an approach to designing collaborative work practices for high-value recurring tasks and transferring those designs to practitioners to execute for themselves without the ongoing intervention of professional facilitators. Because CE projects can entail considerable cost, it would be useful to have a way to predict whether a group would be likely to adopt a collaborative work practice were one developed for them. In this paper we present an interview protocol for that purpose. Using the logic of the Value Frequency Model (VFM), we derived the protocol with two layers of questions. The first layer is for discovering potential collaboration engineering opportunities; the second is for evaluating the degree to which practitioners might be willing to adopt a new work practice were one offered. We used the protocol in two field studies; one with a team of experienced collaboration engineers working in the headquarters of a large multi-national organization, and one with a group of students with no CE experience working with a variety of for-profit and non-profit organizations in their community. The qualitative and quantitative outcomes of these studies suggest that the interview protocol may be a useful means for discovering and evaluating CE opportunities. Outcomes also provide support for VFM, the theory from which the protocol was derived.     

Evaluating Facilitated Modelling Processes and Outcomes: An Experiment Comparing a Single and a Multimethod Approach in Group Model Building

Facilitated modelling approaches have been suggested as helpful tools to support negotiation in strategic analysis processes due to their potential to facilitate cognitive change and enhance consensus and commitment with final decisions. In the present research, we developed an experimental framework to compare what two of these approaches, that is, group model building and a multimethod approach, contribute to the process and outcomes in the negotiation of strategies. In the multimethod approach, we combined strategic options development and analysis with computer simulations of the group model building approach. We explored the differences between these two modelling approaches in facilitating cognitive change, consensus and commitment by building an experimental research design with real clients, working on their organisation’s problem. Furthermore, we compared the type and content of participants’ contributions in the strategic conversation. The lessons from the experiment conducted are twofold. On one hand, the multimethod approach encouraged more divergent contributions and produced a higher degree of cognitive change than group model building (i.e., the single approach). On the other hand, group model building encouraged more contributions about content related to causes of the problem and enhanced more commitment to the final solution than the multimethod approach. Hence, the conducted experiment brings new insights into the benefits of using multimethods and possible losses resulting from such combinations. Accordingly, we have presented opportunities for further research regarding the combination of facilitated modelling approaches.     

From the Digital Internet to the Physical Internet: A Conceptual Framework With a Stylized Network Model

Despite the increasing academic interest and financial support for the Physical Internet (PI), surprisingly little is known about its operationalization and implementation. In this paper, we suggest studying the PI on the basis of the Digital Internet (DI), which is a well‐established entity. We propose a conceptual framework for the PI network using the DI as a starting point, and find that the PI network not only needs to solve the reachability problem, that is, how to route an item from A to B, but also must confront a more complicated optimality problem, that is, how to dynamically optimize a set of additional logistics‐related metrics such as cost, emissions and time for a shipment. These last issues are less critical for the DI and handled using relatively simpler procedures. Based on our conceptual framework, we then propose a simple network model using graph theory to support the operationalization of the PI. The model covers the characteristics of the PI raised in the current literature and suggests future directions for further quantitative analyses.     

A Conceptual Model of the Internationalization of Services Firms

Abstract

In the 1990s, the global marketplace is characterized by the speed and ease with which services cross over national boundaries. As a result, service industries in many countries around the world have become extremely important in the development and socioeconomic well-being of these countries. The purpose of this paper is to understand the internationalization process of services firms. It is concluded that international operations of services firms are driven by a similar set of variables used by manufacturing firms, but the intensity and direction of some key relationships require modification and adaptation.     

Health Belief Model: Evaluating Marketing Promotion in a Public Vaccination Program

National health objectives are driven to increase participation rates. Individual health decisions are determined by attitudes, behavior, lifestyles, and government policies. This research, therefore, examined not just the development and delivery of a message targeting individual voluntary behavior change, but the intention of changes in social structures that will facilitate individuals reaching their potential; thus the purpose of this article is to shed light on the uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization using the health belief model (HBM). Research was conducted with the use of focus groups by drawing on the framework of the HBM. This research approach is conceptual by nature, based on the virtue of marketing promotion and on HBM literature. Though offering the vaccine free to the general public provides additional evidence to certain groups on the intention to act or uptake of the vaccine, awareness levels were found to be poor despite increased efforts by the government trying to promote this vaccine. There was evidence that social capital and trust can produce effective communication message strategies that reinforce social bonds. This article provides an interesting basis for further investigation; however, as implausible as it seems the article also contributes to the concept of perceived benefits and of self-efficacy.     

小型团队领导者工作绩效测量模型研究

由于我国企业面临开放的市场,竞争和动荡的环境对执行力产生了更高的要求,执行力不足成为严重困扰我国企业的普遍性现象。企业执行力与企业中的小型团队领导者密不可分。小型团队领导者的工作绩效对企业战略目标和发展规划的执行及实现程度,具有至关重要的影响。为此,如何测量、评估并提高小型团队领导者的工作绩效,是一个迫切需要研究的问题。     

Structuring On-the-job Training: Report of a Multiple Case Study

Structured on-the-job training (OJT) has gained the attention of the business world as well as of researchers. The project discussed in this article contains a series of case studies of on-the-job training programmes in seven Dutch firms. Several dimensions are found to be useful in discriminating between types of OJT activities and between ways of structuring OJT. Trainee activities are either of a preparatory nature or a real work character. Assignments may be focussed on skill application, individualised study, or experiential learning. Jobs may be broken down to a greater or lesser extent and supervisors may have either a directive or a coaching role.     

Board Team Leadership Revisited: A Conceptual Model of Shared Leadership in the Boardroom

In the slipstream of several large-scale corporate scandals, the board of directors has gained a pivotal position in the corporate governance debate. However, due to an overreliance on particular methodological (i.e. input–output studies) and theoretical (i.e. agency theory) research fortresses in past board research, academic knowledge concerning how this important governance mechanism actually operates and functions remains relatively limited. This theoretical paper aims to contribute to the promising stream of research which focuses on behavioural perspectives and processes within the corporate board, by delving into one of the research areas perhaps plagued most by these predominant approaches: board leadership. In adopting a team perspective on the board of directors our study goes beyond traditional board leadership research, which has turned a blind eye on actual leadership dynamics, by examining leadership processes and behaviours inside the board team. Specifically, we develop a conceptual framework addressing a novel and ethical approach to team leadership within the board, i.e. shared leadership, which has previously been demonstrated to result in performance benefits in various other team settings.     

解决我国农业保险缴费瓶颈的一种尝试:现代易货交易

当前,我国农户相对不足的农业保费缴纳能力与缴纳意愿是制约农业保险进一步发展的瓶颈。政府有限的财政补贴与农业风险管理技术手段的改进措施均无法从根本上突破这一困境。为此,本文在对农户农业保险消费行为进行重新诠释的基础上,借鉴现代易货交易的实践与经验,提出了一个新的解决思路,即将现代易货交易与农户农业保险的投保行为有机融合在一起,并对这一解决途径的可行性进行了深入分析,进而提出了相应的具有现实操作性的措施建议。     

An Attempt to Determine the CSR Potential of the International Clothing Business

Most empirical studies of corporate social responsibility (CSR) focus on variables at the company level. In this article, I focus on the sector level: I consider features of the international clothing business and of the global economy in general, that may influence the CSR potential. There is high ‘CSR potential’ when sector-specific features indicate that the risk of violating CSR standards is high. Thus, ‘high CSR potential’ indicates that there is a potential for positive influence through CSR-related actions. Based on several empirical studies of the clothing business, I identify six features that indicate a high CSR potential. These features are shown to be consistent with more general features of the global economy. This holds whether we emphasize asymmetric relations and unequal distribution, the product cycle, or transnationalization. Thus, the CSR potential of the international clothing business seems not only to be a product of sector-specific properties, but also of more systemic and general features of the global economy. This suggests that the CSR performance of individual companies may enhance their social and environmental impact, but will probably have little effect on the features that determine the CSR potential. In order to affect these features I argue, we rely on other institutions to act – mainly governments. Finally, I conclude that this study shows that it is useful to identify the CSR potential of a business sector. We get a picture of which part of the international CSR standards companies run the greatest risk of violating and of which structural issues intergovernmental actions should address to reduce the potential for violating CSR standards.     

创新中央储备粮垂直管理体系资本委托管理制度的尝试

中央储备粮垂直管理体系在横向上由三大板块构成：①中国储备粮管理总公司（以下简称总公司）以国有独资形成直接掌握一批中央直属储备粮库（以下简称直属库）,并对其人、财、物实行垂直管理;②中国储备粮管理总公司依据《中央储备粮管理条例》,对取得中央储备粮代储资格的代储库安排代储计划,并实行监管;③中国储备粮管理总公司受国务院委托,对非直属库中央投资新建粮库资产代行出资人管理职能,实行“产权和收益”管理.在纵向上,中国储备粮管理总公司在粮食主产省和主销省组建了22个分公司,并对分公司的人、财、物实行垂直管理,由分公司对中央直属储备粮库实行直接管理.     

低碳供应链管理绩效评价模型的构建

随着倡导节能减排、发展低碳经济环保理念的提出,低碳供应链管理将成为企业实现可持续发展的重要路径。本文从探讨低碳供应链的内涵出发,在传统供应链管理绩效评价体系中,加入低碳视角,提出一套全面考虑碳排、能耗、污染因素的低碳供应链管理绩效评价指标体系。在此基础上,运用模糊综合评价法构建绩效评价模型,并结合个案予以验证。