Declining sectors and strategies within the area of human resources: a case study from Spain

Based upon the existing theoretical framework, empirical research on successful generic strategies has resulted in various recommendations for strategic management in declining sectors. However, these studies do not consider (aspects of) strategy implementation, and thus ignore the importance of aspects of the implementation for the ultimate success of the proposed strategy. Consequently, it is difficult to uncover some important factors that contribute to the success or failure of the proposed strategies. One such factor is the congruence between the generic 'decline strategy' and its concurrent social strategy. Although some theoretical proposals on this congruency exist, empirical studies on this topic are lacking.

Given the exploratory, 'real-life' and process nature of the study, the case-study method is used. This allows us to establish a dialectic relationship between the theoretical proposals available and the empirical observations. The company that is studied is a Spanish state-owned shipyard. Following a brief analysis of the sector and its specific characteristics of decline, the evolving congruence between the generic and social strategies within the company is analysed. Basically, the study focuses on the process of continuously adjusting and balancing the two types of strategies. Also, the resulting implementation issues and difficulties are assessed. Conclusions are based on the permanent comparison and confrontation of field data and theoretical insights.     

Complex event processing in enterprise information systems based on RFID

Enterprises have to be increasingly agile and responsive to address the challenges posed by the fast moving market. With the software architecture evolving into service-oriented architecture (SOA), and the adoption of radio frequency identification (RFID), event processing can fit well in enterprise information systems in terms of facilitation of event aggregation into high level actionable information, and event response to improve the responsiveness. To make it more applicable, the architecture of event processing in enterprise information systems is proposed; event meta model and context serve as the solid basis for event processing; the rules, operators and keys of complex event processing are defined. Especially, workflow model is firstly used to extract complex event pattern. We have implemented the event processing mechanism in enterprise information systems based on RFID, including the architecture, data structures, optimization strategies and algorithm. The performance evaluations show that the method is effective in terms of scalability and the capability of event processing. Complex event processing can improve operational performance and discover more actionable information, which is justified by application. Finally, lessons learned from the application are presented.     

ERP system implementation in SMEs: exploring the influences of the SME context

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Compared to large enterprises, SMEs differ in a number of inherent characteristics, which are likely to impact the ERP system implementations. The purpose of this study is to explore these influences of the SME context on the ERP system implementation process. SME characteristics are synthesised from relevant literature and the influences of the contextual factors on various activities across the ERP life cycle are investigated. The study presents findings from a multiple case study of four SMEs. The ownership type of the companies and limited resources were identified as the most influential contextual factors. Among the ERP life-cycle phases, the implementation phase was affected most by the SME context. The case studies also illustrate the need for a more nuanced view on what should be considered general characteristics of SMEs; for example, regarding the level of IS knowledge, business processes, and market characteristics.     

Performance change of managers in two different uses of upward feedback: a longitudinal study in Korea

Using longitudinal data collected over a seven-year period, we explored the effectiveness of upward feedback programs in changing managerial behaviors over time. We also examined the different impact of upward feedback programs used for two different purposes (developmental vs. administrative) on the performance (i.e. upward ratings) of R&D managers. We found that managers who initially performed poorly showed more performance improvement than those whose initial performance was good. We also found that managers' performance improved more when the upward feedback program was used for administrative purposes than when used for developmental purposes. We noted a significant performance improvement at the time when the purpose of upward feedback program changed from developmental to administrative. Herein, we discuss the practical and theoretical implications of integrating upward feedback programs into standard corporate practice.     

基于多案例比较的软件企业集成创新模式研究——以金蝶中间件和华为为例

集成创新是将各种创新要素进行创造性的融合,各要素之间互相匹配、有机联系的非线性协同系统.集成创新中各种要素集成所产生的效果远远超过单项技术创新的绩效,探究不同企业集成创新模式,总结、提炼其形成规律,对中国企业提升自主创新能力具有重要意义.本文运用多案例研究方法,选取深圳金蝶中间件公司以及华为技术有限公司为研究对象,通过分析二者的集成创新行为,提炼出金蝶式技术集成推动型和华为式技术-市场-战略集成主导型集成创新模式,并得出结论:集成创新是中国科技企业实现跨越发展的有效途径,在集成创新过程中,技术集成是基础,战略集成、知识集成是保证,而组织集成则是关键.     

Tax strategies and organisational communication in MNC supply chains: case studies

Communication is a key component of operational efficiency which in turn contributes to a firm’s profitability by reducing costs. In addition taxes are a significant expense for profitable firms. Multiple methods for tax avoidance have been developed by firms and their advisors but the effects on operations are rarely considered. Evidence was found that tax avoidance decisions are made in isolation at the head office and operational monetary and cultural costs are not fully accounted for. Better communication can mitigate these disruptions but it is not a primary concern of central management. Depending on its operational intrusiveness, there is variation in levels of organisational disruption caused by the tax avoidance method implemented. These effects can be far reaching. Careful consideration of organisational costs for each tax avoidance method should be made prior to any being adopted. A framework to help practitioners focus on total costs versus tax savings, is proposed.     

Improving demand forecasting in the air cargo handling industry: a case study

Air transportation plays a crucial role in the agile and dynamic environment of contemporary supply chains. This industry is characterised by high air cargo demand uncertainty, making forecasting extremely challenging. An in-depth case study has been undertaken in order to explore and untangle the factors influencing demand forecasting and consequently to improve the operational performance of an air cargo handling company. It has been identified that in practice, the demand forecasting process does not provide the necessary level of accuracy, to effectively cope with the high demand uncertainty. This has a negative impact on a whole range of air cargo operations, but especially on the management of the workforce, which is the most expensive resource in the air cargo handling industry. Besides forecast inaccuracy, a range of additional hidden factors that affect operations management have been identified. A number of recommendations have been made to improve demand forecasting and workforce management.     

Introducing the paradox theory in logistics and SCM research – examples from a global sourcing context

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and explore the use of paradox theory in a logistics and SCM research context. Although logistics and SCM scholars as well as practitioners have been aware about the existence of paradoxes, they have so far lacked a more formal theoretical framework for further identification and classification of these. Framed in the four general paradox classes of learning, belonging, organising and performing, the paper outlines paradoxes inherent in the global sourcing practices of two case companies. The findings demonstrate the paradox theory to be a useful tool for a systematic illumination and classification of paradoxes valuable for practitioners, researchers as well as teachers in the domain of logistics and SCM. The paradox theory may also help to identify and emphasise inconsistencies among different research fields. This is particularly valuable for research areas built upon multiple research disciplines such as global sourcing. In conclusion, the paper suggests that the paradox theory offers a new lens through which an organisation could be better explored, described and understood.     

Using enterprise architecture artefacts in an organisation

As a tool for management and planning, Enterprise Architecture (EA) can potentially align organisations’ business processes, information, information systems and technology towards a common goal, and supply the information required within this journey. However, an explicit view on why, how, when and by whom EA artefacts are used in order to realise its full potential is not defined. Utilising the features of information systems use studies and data from a case study with 14 EA stakeholder interviews, we identify and describe 15 EA artefact use situations that are then reflected in the related literature. Their analysis enriches understanding of what are EA artefacts, how and why they are used and when are they used, and results in a theoretical framework for understanding their use in general.     

创业学习与新创企业成长——浦东的案例

创业学习对创业企业成长具有积极的作用。本研究通过对上海市浦东新区新创企业的跟踪调研资料,运用学习理论和企业成长理论,结合具体案例信息,区别分析了创业者个人学习、组织学习同创业企业成长之间的关系。本文认为创业企业中,创业者更为注重个人学习,并且创业者个人学习同企业成长之间表现出更为显性的相关关系;而组织学习在创业企业中的受重视程度低于创业者个人学习,同时对创业企业成长的贡献并不显著。因此,本文建议创业企业需要重视组织学习,实现创业企业从生存到持续发展的转变。