Showing papers in "International Journal of Organizational Analysis in 2012"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an evolutionary perspective on entrepreneurial learning, whilst also accounting for fundamental ecological processes, by focusing on the development of key recurring, knowledge components within nascent and growing small businesses.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an evolutionary perspective on entrepreneurial learning, whilst also accounting for fundamental ecological processes, by focusing on the development of key recurring, knowledge components within nascent and growing small businesses.Design/methodology/approach – The paper relates key developments within the organizational evolution literature to research on entrepreneurial learning, with arguments presented in favor of adopting a multi‐level co‐evolutionary perspective that captures and explains hidden ecological process, such as niche‐construction.Findings – It is argued in the paper that such a multi‐level focus on key recurring knowledge components can shed new light on the process of entrepreneurial learning and lead to the cross‐fertilization of ideas across different domains of study, by offering researchers the opportunity to use the framework of variation‐selection‐retention to develop a multi‐level representation of organizational and entrepreneuri...
42 citations
TL;DR: This framework clarifies how mediating variables influenced the paths that constitute the direct, indirect and total effects of mediated models by integrating moderated regression analysis together with bootstrap resampling methods to ensure the precision in estimating confidence intervals of indirect effe...
Abstract: Purpose – This paper attempts to propose an integrated model for measuring the knowledge transfer effectiveness in university‐industry alliances. The so‐called “RDCE” model is thereby proposed as an integrated model for measuring the knowledge transfer effectiveness. By combining inter‐organizational relations (IORs), knowledge‐based view (KBV) and resource‐based view (RBV) of firms, this paper aims to focus on the influence of determinant factors such as partner complementarities, partner attributes, the characteristics of the coordination and relationship quality between industrial companies and universities that may lead to the effectiveness of knowledge transfer.Design/methodology/approach – This framework thereby clarifies how mediating variables influenced the paths that constitute the direct, indirect and total effects of mediated models by integrating moderated regression analysis together with bootstrap resampling methods to ensure the precision in estimating confidence intervals of indirect effe...
42 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue for refocusing attention on the concept of work alienation in management studies as distinct from other related concepts, arguing that the negative experience of work has traditionally been captured by concepts such as burnout/cynicism and counterproductive work behaviours/deviance.
Abstract: Purpose – Although alienation as a concept has a rich history, it has suffered relative neglect in organizational studies and one possible reason for the same is its conceptual ambiguity vis‐a‐vis popular and long‐standing concepts of commitment/identification, satisfaction and engagement, that represent the positive experience of work and which have sometimes been equated as the opposite of work alienation. Similarly, the negative experience of work has traditionally been captured by concepts such as burnout/cynicism and counterproductive work behaviours/deviance. The purpose of this paper is to argue for refocusing attention on the concept of work alienation in management studies as distinct from other related concepts.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology integrated research from both quantitative and qualitative approaches.Findings – Through the analysis of the concept of alienation, along with other related concepts, the conceptual space for the study of alienation in organizational studies i...
38 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparative study on small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) handling both risk and crisis management according to a new tailored model of a balance scorecard (BS) is presented.
Abstract: Purpose – The “business‐risk” relationship across countries does not fit exactly into a “model” nor does it have a pure palliative effect. Following this idea, the purpose of this research is to reinforce a comparative study on small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) handling both risk and crisis management according to a new tailored model of a balance scorecard (BS). This new model of risk and crisis management aims at improving both SMEs' management adaptation and performance across all of crisis' stages, something not attempted so far in the literature.Design/methodology/approach – The application of such a BS comes from the author's experience as a banker financing various SMEs industries, as a bank consultant on risk management, yet primarily from the results of a survey performed on a set of Romanian and Cypriot SMEs, equal‐proportionally selected from the area of trading, manufacturing, and services. The data regard the period 12/2008‐06/2011 as representative for the latest global financial cris...
32 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors contribute to the debate on organizational adaptation by providing both scholars and practitioners with reasoned observations as to where this research domain is and, perhaps, could be going, and as to what important questions and gaps still exist in this research area.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of the article is to contribute to the debate on organizational adaptation by providing both scholars and practitioners with reasoned observations as to where this research domain is and, perhaps, could be going, and as to what important questions and gaps still exist in this research area.Design/methodology/approach – The article tries to inform the conversation through updating the lenses of the “determinism versus voluntarism” approach seminally used by Astley and Ven de Ven for commenting on the state of the art in the 1980s. In particular, the article aims at enhancing the debate through a timely critical discussion of the extant literature, whose comparative analysis starts from the 1960s.Findings – The analysis mainly indicates that, since Astley and Van de Ven's milestone, the dichotomy between determinism and voluntarism has been reduced, although it still exists. The co‐evolutionary approach can constitute a promising tool for the further reducing of the dichotomy, but more...
30 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors bring together contributions from diverse perspectives interested in challenging the quantitative/qualitative divide within organisation and management research, and explore at a methodological or paradigmatic level (rather than at the level of particular research methods) the possible ways in which different research methodologies converge, diverge and overlap.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this special issue is to bring together contributions from diverse perspectives interested in challenging the quantitative/qualitative divide within organisation and management researchDesign/methodology/approach – The papers in this special issue explore at a methodological or paradigmatic level (rather than at the level of particular research methods) the possible ways in which different research methodologies converge, diverge and overlap Rather that asking questions about the validity and intrinsic value of certain methodologies, we are encouraged to shift gear towards assessing how useful these methodologies are in terms of carrying us from the world of practice to theory and vice‐versa If methodologies help us to progress our thinking and our practices, they are “true” in a pragmatist sense If they stall our thinking and do not influence in any way our practices, then they are probably untrueFindings – It is hoped that the papers presented in this special issue help us proc
29 citations
TL;DR: A 0‐1 mixed integrate linear programming (0‐1MILP) mathematic model for reverse logistics networks in e‐business and a further mathematical model is discussed in relation to determining the market demands and returns.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to study reverse logistics network design in order to better facilitate the location of factories, online retailers, and the third party logistics in the context of e‐commerce.Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on types of third party collections of returned products, the paper proposes a 0‐1 mixed integrate linear programming (0‐1MILP) mathematic model for reverse logistics networks in e‐business and a further mathematical model is discussed in relation to determining the market demands and returns. Furthermore, a case study is developed and described with the intention of illustrating the value of this model and network.Findings – The paper identifies possibilities for the application of the reverse logistics network models to deal with returned products from customers in companies using e‐business.Research limitations/implications – There is scope for future research to build on the present research and consider further factors in relation to the influences on retu...
25 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the history of facility management and question whether it is compatible with recent and classic Darwin, thoughts on cultural evolution as a selection process between competing discourses.
Abstract: Purpose – Management fashions can be, and have been, conceptualized as narrative elements competing for replication and resources in the wider managerial discourse. Most wax and wane through a life cycle. Some achieve an extended place and even a transition to quasi‐ permanent institutions. Facilities/Facility Management (FM) is one such example, the purpose of this paper is to explore this.Design/methodology/approach – The case draws FM's history since 1968 and asks whether it is compatible with recent and classic Darwin, thoughts on cultural evolution as a selection process between competing discourses.Findings – Several properties of that history are argued as compatible with the theoretical stance taken particularly the mutation of the syntactic content to suit local circumstances and the dilution of the term's intent. Success attributes in the selective competition include contingency, securing an organizational home and mutability (what was represented became, more operational, less virulent but in ...
21 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the disclosure practices of market risk by 30 banks in ten countries of different size and geographic distribution (USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, The Netherlands, France, Greece and Cyprus).
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the disclosure practices of market risk by 30 banks in ten countries of different size and geographic distribution (USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, The Netherlands, France, Greece and Cyprus).Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses content analysis and other statistical techniques (regression and correlation analysis) to produce qualitative and quantitative indicators of the degree of market risk disclosure to ascertain if differences exist across countries and across banks of different size.Findings – The findings validate the testing hypotheses, namely that there are still significant differences across banks in different countries, meaning that there is no harmonization in disclosure practices; that the banks in the Anglo‐Saxon countries (UK and USA) are consistently better in their overall risk reporting practices; that the banks that are “good” in reporting qualitative information are also “good” in reporting quantitative ...
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the difficulties encountered by researchers who are looking to operationalise theoretical memetics and provide a methodological avenue for studies that can test meme theory, and find that the key questions posed by memetic theory have yet to be addressed empirically and that a recurring weakness is the practice of assuming the existence of a replicating unit of culture which has, however, yet not been demonstrated as a valid concept.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the difficulties encountered by researchers who are looking to operationalise theoretical memetics and provide a methodological avenue for studies that can test meme theory.Design/methodology/approach – The application of evolutionary theory to organisations is reviewed by critically reflecting on the validity of its truth claims. To focus the discussion a number of applications of meme theory are reviewed to raise specific issues which ought to be the subject of empirical investigation. Subsequently, the empirical studies conducted to date are assessed in terms of the progress made and conclusions for further work are drawn.Findings – The paper finds that the key questions posed by memetic theory have yet to be addressed empirically and that a recurring weakness is the practice of assuming the existence of a replicating unit of culture which has, however, yet to be demonstrated as a valid concept. Therefore, an “extra‐memetic” methodology is deemed to be...
16 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored prominent strands of research into boundaries within and at the periphery of the organization through a selective literature analysis and introduced new categories in the way boundaries are conceptualized and explored how researchers can introduce these in their studies.
Abstract: Purpose – The article seeks to explore the various ways in which researchers have approached boundaries in relation to organizations.Design/methodology/approach – This paper is conceptual in nature and explores prominent strands of research into boundaries within and at the periphery of the organization through a selective literature analysis.Findings – The paper introduces new categories in the way boundaries are conceptualized and explores how researchers can introduce these in their studies.Research limitations/implications – The literature review is selective and provides an indication of how further work could be directed.Practical implications – The work could be of use to those exploring the dynamics of organizational boundaries.Originality/value – A few convergence zones in the literature are identified and a new categorization indicating the dichotomies inherent in the study of organizational boundaries is introduced.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the evaluation of international corporate governance codes such as Combined Code (UK) and King Report III (SA) in the Greek publicly listed enterprises.
Abstract: Purpose – This study focuses on the evaluation of the introduction of international corporate governance codes such as Combined Code (UK) and King Report III (SA) in the Greek publicly listed enterprises. This research is based on a case study analysis of six publicly listed enterprises (three of them are traded in the high capitalization index and another three in the medium‐low capitalization index of the Athens Stock Exchange). The main purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of international corporate governance codes impact in the relevant local laws and regulations, as well as the adopted best practices.Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative research is carried out to address the research topic, using primary and secondary data. The primary source of this study is the professional experience of the author in the field of corporate governance within publicly listed enterprises, whereas secondary sources are the international corporate governance codes, Greek corporate governance laws, regul...
TL;DR: In this paper, the paradigms debate can be interpreted as a twentieth-century instance of the methodenstreit in nineteenth-century social science, and is argued to resolve along the faultlines of mainline organizational analysis and its periphery.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper is concerned with the quantitative/qualitative divide as a particular feature of recent methodological debate in organization research. While substantively this divide is questionable and problematic, it has figured prominently in the so‐called “paradigm wars”. The purpose of this paper is to relate these controversies to a similar debate in economics and draw out the implications of this comparison for the methodological practice of organization research.Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a conceptual critique.Findings – The paradigms debate can be interpreted as a twentieth‐century instance of the methodenstreit in nineteenth‐century social science, and is argued to resolve along the faultlines of mainline organizational analysis and its periphery. Further methodological progress in the field requires the abandoning of paradigmatic duality in recognition of methodological plurality as a defining feature of organization research.Originality/value – Management m...
TL;DR: In this paper, the explanatory power of memetics for socio-cultural evolutionary theory, for organisational adaptation, and emergent patterns of traits is reviewed. But, the focus of this paper is not on the technical details of memetic research, but on the potential applications, future advances, and prompt consideration about resuming methodological research initiatives that draw extensively from biology into organizational and managements science.
Abstract: Purpose – The initial purpose of this paper is to review the explanatory power that memetics promised for socio‐cultural evolutionary theory, for organisational adaptation, and emergent patterns of traits. Second, to argue that philosophical accusations and premature demands have retarded a science of memetics; regardless, isolated demonstrations of empirical research feasibility suggest a pragmatic resolution. Third, to speculate about practical applications, future advances, and prompt consideration about resuming methodological research initiatives that draw extensively from biology into organisational and managements science.Design/methodology/approach – Owing to present methodological immaturity of cultural science then a high conceptual level of meta‐methodology is required. This scope necessarily overlooks specific technical details. Life‐science principles are well known in comparison to the embryonic memetic and cultural sciences. The meme‐gene analogy builds a bridge across which we can draw can...
TL;DR: In this paper, an analysis of commercial organizational space in the city of Sheffield, UK is provided as the subject of study which employs English Heritage's Historic Landscape Characterization dataset to explore temporal characteristics of commercial space within a broader context of change, at the citywide scale.
Abstract: Purpose – The analogy of the city as an evolving system is an enduring one that is both universally acknowledged and greatly researched in equal measure. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the potential for urban characterization studies, emerging from the fields of cultural heritage and landscape, to provide a rich source of data for exploring the characteristics of spatial adaptation and innovation over time.Design/methodology/approach – An analysis of commercial organizational space in the city of Sheffield, UK is provided here as the subject of study which employs English Heritage's Historic Landscape Characterization dataset to explore temporal characteristics of commercial space within a broader context of change, at the city‐wide scale.Findings – It is proposed here that to achieve culturally sustainable development against a context of urban “deterritorialization” and homogenization the very character and distinctiveness of innovation and change needs to be explicitly acknowledged. An evol...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors highlight creativity's vital role in a new approach in the higher education world which can improve the current university instructional strategies post financial crisis, focusing on a three dimensional framework: where to play the game of creativity; how to deliver creativity to business students; and how to win in implementing this game.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to highlight for the first time, creativity's vital role in a new approach in the higher education world which can improve the current university instructional strategies post financial crisisDesign/methodology/approach – The paper offers a theoretical framework which has emerged from literature review and personal business and educational experiences of the authors It seeks to provide synthetically some answers/“solutions”, focusing on a three dimensional framework: where to play the game of creativity; how to deliver creativity to business students, meaning by what structures and methods; and how to win in implementing this gameFindings – Many researchers appeared to focus on making their findings applicable to the entire education system paying little attention to issues specific to the business education sector Succinctly, the focus of the papers is on “how to do it” part, which provides several realistic insights on how to connect communities into the game of creativity
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of mergers on the systematic risk of bidder firms in the airline industry has been evaluated using two different market models, one with pre-merger data and the other with post-mergers data.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of the current study was first to identify the motives for mergers, and second to examine the effect of mergers on the systematic risk of bidder firms in the airline industry.Design/methodology/approach – To evaluate the effect of mergers in the systematic risk, two different market models are estimated for each company in the sample, one with pre‐merger data and one with post‐merger data. Then the results obtained from the two data sets are compared so as to identify possible differences.Findings – The study has identified three diving motives behind the merges, namely cost efficiency, economies of scale, and market power. All of these motives are expected to affect the new firm's earnings stream and in turn affect its systematic risk. With the use of the market model the individual merger results are mixed and in line with the relevant literature. Nonetheless, the average results showed a decrease in the post‐merger systematic risk.Research limitations/implications – A reduced post...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the management programs of the top 20 Turkish universities' business schools, in terms of whether their curricula include any critical content and suggested that critical management studies has not found resonance in Turkey.
Abstract: Purpose – Critical management studies (CMS), as an unorthodox management perspective, has become more and more accepted in Western business schools The purpose of this paper is to problematize its circulation area and interrogate to what extent CMS has penetrated Turkish academiaDesign/methodology/approach – The paper reviews papers presented and published in The National Management/Organization Conference which has been held annually for the last 19 years In addition, the paper examines the management programs of the top 20 Turkish universities' business schools, in terms of whether their curricula include any critical contentFindings – It is suggested that CMS has not found resonance in Turkey This case is argued on a set of dynamics as follows: the Americanization process in knowledge producing, economic integration into American vision, late industrialization, bureaucratic political tradition, statism, and some cultural characteristicsOriginality/value – Studies employing critical management arg
TL;DR: The results of the predictive method show that non‐financial information, which becomes significant in the developed models, helps financial ratios to...
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on the development of a business failure prediction model on a sample of small and medium‐sized firms with head offices located in the region of Castilla y Leon (Spain), in order to prove the significance of non‐financial information on the prediction of business failure.Design/methodology/approach – In order to reach the authors' aim, one of the most used predictive statistical methods in this field (logistic regression) is applied, in which the authors consider financial ratios and non‐financial information as potential variables to predict failure. But before developing the respective models, in order to reduce the number of variables, a principal components analysis (PCA) is first applied. Then, the achieved results with this analysis are used in the prediction step, so as to estimate the models.Findings – The results of the predictive method show that non‐financial information, which becomes significant in the developed models, helps financial ratios to...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a methodological re-reading of a recent research process that analyzed the spatial and architectural dynamics in a Finnish university organization, and the incorporation of architectural visions and representations into the analysis is argued to enhance our understanding of the emergence of particular social-material collectives.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to advance the methodological self‐understanding of the emerging field of organizational space and architecture by employing concepts and frameworks from multi‐paradigm and mixed methods research.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a methodological re‐reading of a recent research process that analyzed the spatial and architectural dynamics in a Finnish university organization.Findings – While the analysis of architectural meanings is often grounded in researcher‐participants auto‐ethnographic experiences, triangulating personal insights with other methods is important for the validity and richness of the subsequent description of spatial dynamics and its outcomes. Especially, the incorporation of architectural visions and representations into the analysis is argued to enhance our understanding of the emergence of particular social‐material collectives.Originality/value – Although there is a steady stream of empirical studies on the meanings of organizati...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show how research that is approached from multiple perspectives, using multiple methods, can help to illuminate the complex and contested nature of the purpose and practice of apprenticeship schemes in England.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how research that is approached from multiple perspectives, using multiple methods, can help to illuminate the complex and contested nature of the purpose and practice of apprenticeship schemes in England. The author contends that understanding the various participants involved in the schemes helps to reveal how policy at the macro level is adapted at the micro level to suit different groups. The author argues that the usefulness in such an approach provides a greater understanding of the plurality of interests and needs at play within the scheme, opening up the apprenticeship scheme agenda to allow divergent voices to be heard.Design/methodology/approach – This is a qualitative empirical paper which adopts a multi‐perspective, multi‐method approach.Findings – The paper highlights a number of areas of contention between different stakeholders involved in the apprenticeship scheme that could affect the success of these schemes.Originality/value – The author's ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore how particular organisational spaces and practices are constructed as mechanisms to encourage desired behaviours in order to indoctrinate young adults to adopt appropriate "enterprising" work attitudes prior to entering the workplace.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to explore how particular organisational spaces and practices are constructed as mechanisms to encourage desired behaviours. Through the example of learning/working spaces within Further Education Colleges, the paper aims to examine how vocational courses, such as the pre‐apprenticeship programme, try to emulate work‐based practices. It also aims to claim that such spaces can be understood as disciplinary technologies aimed at indoctrinating young adults to adopt appropriate “enterprising” work attitudes prior to entering the workplace.Design/methodology/approach – This is a qualitative empirical paper based on two case studies of schemes conducted within North West England.Findings – The paper shows how day‐to‐day practices both support this indoctrination yet at the same time limit its effectiveness. It is shown that the mobilising of space and practice, both in the learning and working environment for specific agendas cannot be totalising as there are always spaces for alterna...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the findings from data gathered from 1,160 individuals who participated over the course of five years in a series of workshops, university courses and business dialogue sessions on the subject of personal and professional excellence.
Abstract: Purpose – This article aims to present the findings from data gathered from 1,160 individuals who participated over the course of five years in a series of workshops, university courses and business dialogue sessions on the subject of personal and professional excellence.Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered from dialogue sessions and workshops with LA‐based workforce members, and classroom sessions in higher business education. The shift from general management teaching to focused self‐management dialogues was explained, emerged themes from five years of data gathering were examined and the themes and keywords were visualized and results noted.Findings – The paper finds that in today's rapidly changing world of work, people are seeking ways to reinvent themselves in order to become more resilient. The findings listed in this paper are not exhaustive but should rather be used as a pragmatic tool for further research on the topic.Research limitations/implications – The population used for data w...
TL;DR: This paper examined two professional groups in the UK, namely, doctors and veterinarians, to examine a selection of social interactions, tensions and disagreements between practitioners and non-medical actors and drew on a range of qualitative research methods, particularly structured interview and participant observation, to analyse and interpret these as epistemic conflicts.
Abstract: Purpose – Organizational analysts have long questioned the ways in which professional knowledge becomes powerful. The purpose of this paper is to extend that enquiry by examining two professional groups in the UK – doctors and veterinarians.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines a selection of social interactions, tensions and disagreements between practitioners and non‐medical actors and draws on a range of qualitative research methods, particularly structured interview and participant observation, to analyse and interpret these as “epistemological conflicts”.Findings – Hospital doctors and veterinary surgeons share a common belief that “truth” and “facts” are at the core of their clinical and surgical work. This positivist paradigm underpins a range of practical engagements with bodies and diseases and lends them a sense of ontological security when dealing with people from outside their professions, especially those without medical training. This paper examines the practical effects that such...
TL;DR: Breslin and Jones as mentioned in this paper proposed a more complete and consistent ecological approach to the study of organizations, based on the evolutionary and/or ecological approach for socio-cultural change.
Abstract: The motivation for this special edition had lain restless for several years, never far from surfacing to act on the recent invitation of Aldrich (1999) for scholars to continue thinking about the study of organizations using an evolutionary and/or ecological approach. One of us (Breslin) is committed to generalising Darwinism within the study of socio-cultural change. The other of us (Jones) is specifically concerned with developing a more complete and consistent ecological approach to the study of organizations.
TL;DR: In this paper, Weber's epistemology is used to understand how and why knowledge integration occurs in the creative processes of teams spanning over time and space, and it is argued that Weber's approach could assist researchers in overcoming the dichotomy between rigour and relevance in qualitative research within organization and management studies.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to call for an in‐depth reflection on Weber's research approach based on the notions of adequate causation and objective possibility.Design/methodology/approach – The paper illustrates the main characteristics and premises of the research approach. It further exemplifies its application through a qualitative study that investigates “How” and “Why” knowledge integration occurs in the creative processes of teams spanning over time and space. In so doing, it argues that Weber's epistemology could remain a valid point of reference to shift from the generation of empirical propositions through qualitative research to the quantitative analysis of empirical regularities recurring into a large number of empirical cases.Findings – This paper shows how Weber's research approach could assist researchers in overcoming the dichotomy between rigour and relevance in qualitative research within organization and management studies.Originality/value – The work offers new ways of looki...