Signaling new product introduction delays: Determinants of clarity of delay-duration announcements

To benefit from being first into the market, many firms deliberately release information about a new product well ahead of its actual introduction, but often subsequently fail to meet the pre-announced due date. The primary aim of the study reported here was to expand understanding of the determinants of the clarity of announcements concerning delays to new-product introductions, specifically by examining the antecedents of a firm's propensity to issue clear signals regarding the likely date of eventual availability. Empirical analysis of data collected by questionnaire from 113 manufacturers in the telecommunications, consumer electronics, and computer hardware and software sectors in Taiwan found that signal clarity can be explained by factors that are sender-specific (competitive equity building), product-related (prevalence of launch delays, expected duration of delay, and degree of control over delay), and receiver-related (competitive elasticity). A structural model is proposed, to serve as a framework for management decision-making.     

An architectural framework for roadmapping: Towards visual strategy

Since the first application of technology roadmapping in the late 1970s to support integrated product-technology planning, roadmapping concepts and techniques have been widely adopted at product, technology, company, sector and policy levels. The roadmapping approach is flexible and scalable, and can be customized to suit many different strategic and innovation contexts. However, this demands careful planning and design, including consideration of roadmap structure, process and participation.This paper explores the issues of how to design and architect roadmaps and roadmapping processes, which is crucial if the approach is to provide a framework for supporting effective dialogue and communication within and between organizations. The structure of the roadmap, and the process for developing and maintaining the roadmap, should be designed to serve the purpose for which the activity is intended to satisfy, providing a ‘common language and structure' for both development and deployment of strategy.     

Combining exponential smoothing forecasts using Akaike weights

Simple forecast combinations such as medians and trimmed or winsorized means are known to improve the accuracy of point forecasts, and Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC) has given rise to so-called Akaike weights, which have been used successfully to combine statistical models for inference and prediction in specialist fields, e.g., ecology and medicine. We examine combining exponential smoothing point and interval forecasts using weights derived from AIC, small-sample-corrected AIC and BIC on the M1 and M3 Competition datasets. Weighted forecast combinations perform better than forecasts selected using information criteria, in terms of both point forecast accuracy and prediction interval coverage. Simple combinations and weighted combinations do not consistently outperform one another, while simple combinations sometimes perform worse than single forecasts selected by information criteria. We find a tendency for a longer history to be associated with a better prediction interval coverage.     

Network actors' participation in B2B SME branding

This study explores how network actors participate in branding in the context of SMEs operating in business markets. Branding is conventionally seen as an internally governed process and its exposure to external influences has been generally overlooked. By using narrative interviews this study analyzes the branding actions of network actors which impact on an SME's brand image. This article shows that social and business network relationships influence the SME's brand image, as does the nature of the company's internal branding decisions and identity. The findings propose and define the concept of a branding pool, expanding the focus of branding beyond the boundaries of an individual organization into the context of nets. An SME cannot manage its branding pool, but it can mobilize stakeholders in branding to improve the brand performance in the market.     

The antecedents and consequences of organizational and personal commitment in business service relationships

This paper explores the potential for business service customers to form separate bonds of commitment with the service firm and the service representative. It examines the role of the individual and identifies six potential antecedents to each type of commitment. It also proposes that both types of commitment will influence the degree of relational exchange between the customer and the service firm. The hypotheses are tested using multiple regression and data from a survey of marketing research managers. The results support the majority of the hypotheses.