Professor George Lodorfos

Purpose - This study examined the relationship between ethical work climates (EWCs) and supplier selection decisions (SSD), and the moderating roles of party politics and personal values on this relationship. Design/methodology/approach - A total of 600 senior level personnel from 40 Nigerian public organizations were surveyed using structured questionnaires. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses developed for the study after assessing construct reliability and validity. Findings - Results show that both high and low levels of external political pressures significantly reduce the perception that organisational SSDs are ruled-based and pro-social in nature. Furthermore, regardless of the level of perception of instrumental personal values by employees, instrumental ethical climates significantly determine SSDs; principled/cosmopolitan climate and benevolent/cosmopolitan climate only become significant perceptible determinants when there is less room for the accommodation of personal goals during SSD processes. Research limitations/implications - This study only examined the relationship between ethical climate perceptions and supplier selection decisions without controlling for the effects of some important possible intervening variables on this relationship. Therefore, the study encouraged future researcher to enhance the generalizability of our findings by incorporate relevant control variables in the model, as well as examining other decision phases in the public buying process. Originality/value – This study is original to the extent that only a few studies in the literature are devoted to perceptions of EWCs in African organizations, and no previous studies have examined this phenomenon in relation to SSDs in Nigerian public firms. Key Words: Ethical Work Climates, Supplier Selection Decisions, Public Sector, Nigeria, Party Politics, and Personal Values.

This article focuses on the effectiveness of the service delivery system (SDS) and re-examines its influence on customers' perceived service quality. In this study, the influence of four specific indicators of the SDS' effectiveness (namely front line employees' role performance, their adaptability to individual customer needs, the effectiveness of their coordination and the effectiveness of the service process' control) on perceived service quality is tested. In doing so, a hierarchical approach integrating both managers' and customers' views have been taken. The results confirm the positive influence of three variables on perceived service quality (role performance, effectiveness of coordination and effectiveness of process' control). On the contrary, the influence of employees' adaptability was not found significant.

This paper is an historical review of the interaction of organizational and technological change in the chemical, agro-food and pharmaceutical industries. These sectors have at various times had strong linkages to each other, through ownership and technology, such that they have been described collectively as 'the chemicals and related products industry'. Convergence such as this and subsequent divergence are among the organizational changes examined in this paper. Specifically, we focus on mergers, acquisitions, de-mergers and divestments as the mechanism by which such changes have taken place in the boundaries of the industry and its firms. Another important organizational change is also mentioned here, though it is analyzed in more detail elsewhere, namely the increasingly networked nature of the innovating firm and the increasingly distributed nature of the innovation process, also a significant aspect of the changing face of the chemical industry. We trace the developing strategies of chemical and related products firms in response to increasing costs and declining returns to effort in RandD, declining demand for its products, and globalization of production, markets and RandD itself. These strategies were initially to diversify into, or increase their reliance on, higher value-added areas such as drugs, agrochemicals, designer crops, speciality chemicals, advanced materials and catalysts, with an increased RandD focus on the life sciences. This trend interacted with the appearance of biotechnology and subsequently of new techniques of product discovery, design and screening based on IT and biotechnology, and of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. We argue that the chemical and related products industry has reinvented itself as, firstly a life sciences industry and a more traditional chemicals and materials industry, and then by a further division of the life sciences industry into agro-food and pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile parallel, demand-oriented strategies have included location of RandD in the business units of multidivisional firms, with a central RandD unit for longer term exploratory research; mergers and acquisitions that secure a stronger footing in countries that represent important markets to the firm concerned; acquisitions by agrochemical firms of seed and plant-breeding companies; and acquisitions by pharmaceutical companies of US prescription management companies.

This paper examines the determinants that influence consumers' intention to purchase organic products. Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour (TPB) provides the conceptual framework of the research and the appropriateness of the theory is tested. A survey of 144 consumers was used to determine the beliefs which determine consumers' intent to purchase organic food. Furthermore, attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control were examined to determine whether they affect consumers' intention to make organic products purchases. The findings offer considerable support for the robustness of the TPB in explaining intention in the sample. In addition, empirical evidence suggest that price, availability of organic products, product information and the subjective opinions of others are important determinants of consumers intent to buy organic products. The results are consistent with previous research.

Using a firm-level dataset of manufacturing firms, this study examines the economic returns to R&D in the UK. It contributes to the literature of innovation by investigating two firm-specific characteristics (firm size and R&D strategy) that may influence what a company itself gets for its own research efforts (private returns to R&D). The findings indicate that, on average, the rate of return to R&D is 0.33. However, the results show that the economic payoff for larger firms as well as for organisations that followed an R&D-intensive strategy is significantly higher, allowing such firms to improve their corporate performance. In contrast, the analysis indicates that less R&D-intensive and smaller firms cannot successfully appropriate the economic benefits of industrial research. The implications of these findings for academic research and regional economic development are discussed.

One of the key objectives of this study is to identify the main barriers to internationalization for Bangladeshi SMEs. To fulfil this objective a hierarchical, 2 order model with four constructs was developed and tested using PLS path modelling .The four constructs identified from the literature review as the main areas that could hinder Bangladeshi SMEs internationalisation process are political, economic, social and technological. These represents the four first order variables that in the second order are constructed by 18 (manifest variables) indicators. The findings suggest that, political barriers seem to be the most influential barriers for the internationalization of Bangladeshi SMEs as they explain 83% of the overall variance. Followed by the social barriers with 79% of the overall variance, economic barriers with77% and technological barriers with 70%. Though the ranking has been done based on the relative power of individual constructs, the magnitude of difference is relatively small. Therefore, it can be argued that all these constructs are significant and therefore should be given equal attention. Similarly the PLS path model analysis shows that political and social barriers are more dominating over economic and technological barriers in Bangladesh. This study extends our knowledge on the barriers to Bangladeshi SMEs’ internationalization. Therefore, academic researchers will be able to study more in depth the identified constructs and will assist policy makers and practitioners to develop internationalisation strategies and set up strategic priorities.

This paper examines the determinants of consumers’ attitudes and intentions to exhibit brand loyal behaviour. Specifically, this study employed the theory of planned behaviour to investigate the antecedent factors contributing to an individual’s brand choice decision within the over-thecounter (OTC) pharmaceutical market. In addition, several hypotheses in relation to the theory of planned behaviour were investigated. A survey of 118 OTC consumers was used to determine if beliefs about trustworthiness, price and past experience determine consumers attitude towards OTC brand choice. Furthermore, attitudes and subjective norms were examined to determine whether they affect consumers’ intention to repurchase from the same brand. This study’s empirical evidence suggest that direct experience with the brand, price tolerance, brand trust and the subjective opinions of others are important determinants of repeat purchase behaviour of OTC pharmaceutical products. Price sensitivity had a significant effect on attitude to repurchase, which in turn affected intention to repeat purchase, whilst past experience with the brand is critical in determining trustworthiness beliefs, price sensitivity and purchase behaviour

This paper investigates the factors determining e-consumers re-purchasing behaviour in the ebusiness to consumer market. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is used as a theoretical framework to interpret consumers’ behaviour in the online environment and to study the antecedents of e-purchasing decisions. This study adopted a quantitative methodological approach within the context of the online CD, Books, music, magazines and DVDs purchasing industry, surveying 211 consumers with prior purchasing experience in this range of products. The questionnaires were designed using local focus groups from a similar population to identify the most salient beliefs influencing consumers’ attitude towards e-purchasing. Notably, these beliefs were found to be ‘trust’, ‘security’ and ‘convenience’. The survey’s results (n=211), revealed that consumers’ attitude towards past e-purchases had significant impact on their intent to re-purchase and that the consumers’ experience with an e-brand significantly affected their beliefs regarding the importance of trust, security and convenience in the online environment.

Design/methodology/approach – This study has collected primary data through questionnaires from 212 Bangladeshi SMEs. A mixed method data analysis technique is used to analyse firms from micro and macro level. Following the running example based case study approach, this paper has developed and validated a partial least square based structural model (PLS-SEM) to assess the key barriers to entering foreign markets. Findings – In entering into foreign markets, and emerging economies, this study has identified key socio-economic barriers faced by Bangladeshi SMEs. Additionally, the study has successfully framed the obstacles as a second order hierarchical model. Originality/value – Consider that foreign market entry is perhaps more affected by social barriers as explained by existing theories, including the Uppsala model. Using institutional interpretation, this study reveals that in developing countries, SME international market expansion is more sensitive to the existence of economic barriers.

This year's Academy of Marketing Conference took place during a time of economic uncertainty. It also witnessed a transition from a period of sustained growth and economic development linked to (apparently) unlimited market development to one where there is far greater emphasis on sustainability, effective governance and ultimately survival. The academic world is not immune from these pressures. However, from the evidence of the 300 papers accepted for this Conference, it is clear that marketing scholarship remains robust, innovative and in its rightful place at the heart of intellectual and practical debate about the role of markets and marketing in a rapidly changing external environment. The articles in this edition of the Journal of Marketing Management are based on a selection of prize winning papers presented at this year's conference © Westburn Publishers Ltd.

This paper aims to examine the strategy formation process in SMEs with reference to the impact of the micro-politics of ownership and control. Based on 34 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with senior managers from nine small firms during the course of three years, this article examines issues of ownership and control and the resulting punctuation upon strategy formation processes that occurs when these issues are in disequilibrium. The paper begins to redress the imbalance in the literature that has neglected the impact of micro-politics in SMEs' strategy formation processes. The authors then argue that - during periods when power positions are evolving - a key factor is the duration for the power structure to settle. Whilst accepting that these shifts are inevitable in organisations, an extended period of redistribution of power - and the politics associated with that - can cause strategic drift.

Marketing strategies for brands have shifted its focus on relationships and value creation that directly links to brand loyalty, is the main focus of this paper and two key factors: brand experience and brand commitment, within automotive sector, are investigated to examine relative relationships. These factors have already been established to have a connection to brand loyalty. However, as brand commitment consists of both affective and continuance commitment, it is still somewhat unclear about which of these aspects of commitment has the greatest, or most important impact on brand loyalty. Moreover, the existing research and literature surrounding the brand experience construct is extensive. However, it is not entirely clear regarding this construct¡¯s relationship to brand loyalty. While some authors claim that it affects brand loyalty directly, others have found that it is a dependent variable, which, alone does not have any immediate effect on brand loyalty. This study also investigates a connection between brand experience and brand loyalty as far as automotive sector is concerned, both with and without commitment as a mediator. As a result, continuance commitment was found to not have any considerable impact on the consumer¡¯s loyalty towards a brand, it is assumed that factors such as price and other available alternatives dos not influence this desire to maintain said relationship.

Abstract

The food and drink industry is one of the world’s largest manufacturing sectors and an integral part of the world’s social, economic and cultural mix. As well as contributing to the economic development of nations, manufacturers have a key strategic role to play in ensuring fair trade between nations and future food security against the combined effects of climate change, higher global demand and increasing pressure on finite resources.

In an uncertain market environment, ensuring the highest quality and food safety, improving prosperity and fair trade agreements require the industry, policymakers and society to work together towards these goals. There is also a need for an increased emphasis within the industry and its full supply chain network on the broader social and economic impact of food and drink production, distribution, purchasing and consumption.

In this chapter, the authors undertake a literature and secondary data review and analyse what makes the European food and drink industry one of the world’s leading manufacturing sectors. This chapter provides an overview of the industry and the current state of the sector. It covers issues relating to manufacturing, consumers’ purchasing behaviours, distribution, marketing and retail, and the wider environmental trends, structures and economics of the industry. Finally, it presents some likely future trajectories in terms of social, consumer and regulatory trends, such as technological, marketing and production practices that develop and, in many cases, lead to new business models and paradigms.

Psychological resilience has received much attention in academic research and practical applications due to its effectiveness in helping individuals to cope with pressure. However, few studies have examined how resource-based responses to constraints affect the psychological resilience of entrepreneurs, as well as the role these resources play in helping entrepreneurs overcome constraints. A study of four cases with six activities from Vietnam and Japan found that entrepreneurs who have succeeded in dealing with constraints attribute them to specific problematic components within a specific activity (partial constraint), rather than the entire resource (entire constraint). They resolve these constraints by selecting and creating new activities that utilise other components and a combination of constraining and non-constraining elements. This is supposed to be the relationship between resource analysis and the construction of psychological resilience. This implies a practical step-by-step process for recognizing partial constraints and leveraging resource components, which can be applied in entrepreneurial training programs.

This study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurship and well-being, contributing the debate in the literature as to how entrepreneurship relates to resilience, optimism and well-being. While existing studies acknowledge that entrepreneurship contributes to economic indicators like GDP growth and employment, they seldom explore its direct impact on well-being. By reviewing literature on entrepreneurial versus non-entrepreneurial thinking and their effects on well-being, this paper identifies that entrepreneurial thinking promotes well-being through increased income, self-employment, and financial security. However, it remains unclear how entrepreneurial thinking directly targets well-being. The study emphasises the need for future research to explore how entrepreneurial mindsets help individuals perceive and respond to daily challenges and adversity positively, ultimately enhancing their fulfilment. This investigation aims to expand the scope of entrepreneurship research to include psychological well-being, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship's impact on human welfare.

This paper explains how Leeds Beckett University (LBU) has developed a supply chain “collective” to deliver on its anchor mission. The supply chain collective is made up of 300 small and medium enterprises who trade with LBU. These organizations by subscribing to anchor principles, have access to LBU’s specialist business support advice and consultancy services provided by its Business School. This partnership arrangement offers the following benefits: it supports a shift to local purchasing and carbon reduction, provides direct business support to help small local businesses grow, and creates enriched service-learning opportunities for students and researchers.   This paper briefly explains how LBU defines its role within the Leeds City Anchor Network, how it has adapted its purchasing strategy to incorporate social value considerations, how it developed part of its supply chain as a small and medium enterprise (SME) “collective”, and how the Leeds Business School has begun to build mutually beneficial relationships by using this new supply chain as a conduit for positive regional engagement.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the chapter is to provide an overview of sustainability debates and a rationale for the book.

Method: A literature review was conducted prior to starting this book project, and this literature review is analysed and situated within a debate the book fosters.

Originality/Value: The paper outlines debate in the field of sustainability and provide a rationale for the book focusing on human sustainability, thus contributing towards extending knowledge on the sustainability concept and debates.

© 2017, © Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: The latest research in the field of employer branding highlights a mix of marketing principles and recruitment practices, based on the concept that, just as customers have perceptions of an organisation’s brand, then so do other stakeholders including employees. However, the emphasis has been on organisations, which predominantly operate in developed countries typically with Westernised-individualistic cultures. This paper aims to investigate employer branding for service organisations’ image and attraction as an employer in a non-Western culture. Design/methodology/approach: This study examines the perceptions of human resources’ professionals and practitioners on the role of employer branding in employer attractiveness and talent management, within Mauritian banking sector. The data collection for this qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with senior managers from Mauritian banking organisations, including multinational enterprises, small business unit banks and Mauritian banks. Findings: Analysis of the findings showed that organisations, and banks in this case, are increasingly competing to attract highly skilled personnel in various professional areas; therefore, those organisations that attract the best talent will have a distinct edge in the marketplace. Furthermore, findings from the semi-structured interviews with senior managers suggest that employer branding remains at the embryonic stage within the Mauritian banking sector; therefore, a clear need exists for a more developed strategy. Research limitations/implications: The outcomes of this study call for re-engineering with regards to managerial collaboration in organisations for the successful design and implementation of the employer branding strategy. The empirical findings from the Mauritian banking sector show that the strategic position occupied by the human resource function is still at an embryonic stage as regards with the competitiveness of banks as service organisations. Practical implications: The study presents a need for the development and maintenance of long-term collaborative and trust-based relationships between the human resource and marketing functions. Originality/value: The insights provided through this study addresses the dearth of academic research on employer branding on the African continent while providing invaluable information from a human resource professional perspective.

To date, there has been no investigation into the roles and interrelationships of various stakeholder groups in developing place branding. Similarly, there is limited previous research that examines the links between stakeholders, place branding and sustainable businesses' development. This study is based on in-depth semi-structured interviews with representatives from a diverse group of key stakeholders including local authorities, investment agencies, private sector representatives and local businesses as well as a number of follow up interviews with key representatives from the business community within the 'City of Liverpool', UK. These included stakeholders that have both the power and the interest to develop place branding and implement a strategic plan that support's businesses' development. A relationship framework demonstrating the dynamic roles of different stakeholders in place branding has been proposed as a platform for business development. Copyright © 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

The marketing field first took an interest in brand loyalty on an academic level through Copeland’s work in 1923 (cited in Kabiraj and Shanmugan 2011, p. 288), with the understanding that brand loyalty existed only at the behavioural level. At this time, brand loyalty was measured using factors such as purchase sequences, percentage of total purchases, and purchase probability (Kumar and Advani 2005; Kabiraj and Shanmugan 2011; Iglesias et al. 2011). This notion led to a focus on price, functionality, and quality when marketing products and services, with the expectation that customers would develop a repeated purchase pattern if these factors met the customer’s criteria. However, another level of loyalty was revealed during the 1950s, as brand loyalty became an increasingly popular research area. Several researchers, such as Cunningham (1967), Day (1969) and Jacoby (1971), began to recognise that the attitudinal aspects of brand loyalty were just as important as the behavioural aspects. As it became apparent that brands often held an emotional component as well as a functional one, marketing strategies shifted to focus on relationships and value creation (Iglesias et al. 2011). Wel et al. (2011) explained the two components of the phenomenon that is brand loyalty, by stating that in addition to having the intention to repurchase a brand, brand loyalists also have to hold some degree of emotional connection and/or commitment towards the brand.

Using a micro-economic perspective, this study explores the type, scale and impact of innovation activities that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) undertake with focus on the sub-national level. Based on a representative sample of 250 independent SMEs, based in the Leeds City Region (LCR) and using quantitative methods, this study provides evidence of the types of innovation that are most likely to result in achieving policy aims associated with for example the development of international markets or growth of employment opportunities. The findings show that there is a need for aligning business support for innovation with human capital (education/training) interventions. Furthermore, the findings provide a strong evidence base, at the local level, to inform the development of innovation policy and illustrate the connections between different types of innovation SMEs’ growth at regional level.

This study investigates the effects of immediate and delayed financial incentives on the probability of users downloading a mobile shopping application (app) and the moderating effects of app confidence and app usage. The study uses an online experiment with 264 participants. Findings suggest that both immediate and delayed financial incentives (discount; double point rewards) result in a higher probability of app download compared to non-financial incentives (i.e. personalised experience). However, there is no significant difference between the immediate and delayed rewards. The study also found that the effects of the financial incentives are reduced for higher-app-usage respondents, and perceived app confidence has a negative effect on the probability of downloading the app, which challenges the existing understanding of self-efficacy effects on app adoption. The study advances conceptual understanding of users’ motivation in technology adoption and informs strategic marketing decisions in targeting users with different motivation needs.

For several decades, organisational buying decisions have been modelled using assumptions hinged on the rational economic theory of the firm, one of which argues that firms are rational entities who will always be objective in their buying decisions. In the recent past however, evidence from interdisciplinary empirical studies based on behavioural theory of the firm as well as behavioural economics have raised questions on the ability of rational economics to fully explain the observed irrational buying behaviour of firms, thus calling for more empirical research on the buying decision behaviour of non-commercial firms (especially in non-western contexts where few studies are currently found to exist). In line with the current gap in the literature, this thesis aimed at identifying and assessing the relative importance of a broad range of behavioural and non-economic variables that can explain the strategic supplier selection behaviour of public sector organisations in Nigeria, and the impact such decisions have on performance. Using the organisational buyer determinant framework developed by Webster and Wind (1972), this study develops and test a conceptual model comprising government policies and party politics (environmental determinants), time pressure and social ties (social determinants), position and organisational ethical work climates (organisational determinants), and personal values and personal experience (individual determinants) as important causal-explanatory factors of public sector buying behaviour. The analysis of survey response data from a national sample of 341 senior staff and top management team (TMT) members in 40 public sector organisation in Nigeria shows that government policy requirements, social ties of organisational actors, party politics, decision-makers’ experience, and the perception of instrumental ethical work climates are respectively the most important determinants of strategic supplier selection decisions, followed in descending order of importance by: the perception of rules ethical work climates, self-enhancement personal values, position on organisational structure, self-transcendent personal values and the perception of time pressure. Findings also show that availability of requisite funding, rather than which supplier is selected per se, is more important in determining performance. The implications of this study’s findings to theory and practice are also discussed.

This study focuses on the notion of Perceived Service Complexity (PSC). PSC captures ‘the difficulty to assimilate the service delivery process, as perceived by frontline employees (FLEs)’ and is conceptualized and measured through the development and validation of a multidimensional construct consisting of three factors (Task-Related, Customer-Derived and ‘Service Nature’-Derived Complexity). The findings add to the organizational frontline literature and advance scholarly understanding of how aspects of FLEs’ working environment shape their ability to assimilate the service delivery process and successfully perform their roles during their interactions with customers. Based on these findings, managerial practice can be informed of the distinct elements that shape FLEs’ perceived service complexity as well as of its ramifications for designing successfully service delivery systems for different types of services.

This paper develops and tests a conceptual model of supplier selection decisions in the public sector. The study seeks to determine the relative importance of a broad range of non-economic variables in explaining supplier selection decisions during strategic organizational purchases. Data were collected from a national sample of 341 senior staff and top management team (TMT) members in 40 public sector organizations in Nigeria using structured questionnaires. Results of structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis shows that government policy requirements, social ties of organizational actors, party politics, decision-makers’ experience, and the perception of instrumental ethical work climates are, respectively, the most important determinants of strategic supplier selection decisions, followed in descending order of importance by: the perception of rules ethical work climates, self-enhancement personal values, CEOs’ structural position, self-transcendent personal values and the perception of time pressure. Findings also indicate that the choice of a supplier per se is not an important determinant of organizational performance.

Using a micro-economic perspective, this study explores the type, scale and impact of innovation activities that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) undertake with focus on the sub-national level. Based on a representative sample of 250 independent SMEs, based in the Leeds City Region (LCR) and using quantitative methods, this study provides evidence of the types of innovation that are most likely to result in achieving policy aims associated with for example the development of international markets or growth of employment opportunities. The findings show that there is a need for aligning business support for innovation with human capital (education/training) interventions. Furthermore, the findings provide a strong evidence base, at the local level, to inform the development of innovation policy and illustrate the connections between different types of innovation SMEs’ growth at regional level.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of literatures and previous studies on the relationship between strategic planning and performance and propose conceptual designs and hypotheses using multidimensional constructs to advance the understanding of this relationship, contribute to existing debates in the extant literature and make recommendations. Design/methodology/approach A semi-systematic literature and previous studies (studied by various groups of researchers within diverse disciplines) review approach has been used in this paper to contribute to the debate on whether strategic planning affects performance and how. Using more recent knowledge about the strategic planning concept, the semi-systematic review looked at how research within strategic planning has progressed over the past five decades and its relationship with performance. Findings In the past, the strategic planning performance relationship has been treated as a black box and this paper proposes that the conceptualisation of a number of constructs and the inclusion of strategy implementation will help converting the black box into a white box. To strengthen support for the debate regarding the relationship between strategic planning and performance this paper proposes a further conceptual/operational design, mathematical expressions and hypotheses to be tested empirically in further studies. The proposal provides a conceptualisation of the major constructs (strategy development; strategy implementation; and performance), and the use of strategy implementation as a mediator and/or as a moderator in the planning performance relationship. Research limitations/implications This study is limited due to fact that the findings have not been tested empirically, it is not a cross-sectional and/or a longitudinal research and only a limited number of dimensions of strategy development and strategy implementation have been used. In addition, the approach used is a semi-systematic review followed by quantitative thinking, which, in turn, typically assumes the relevance of and a warrant mainly from a positivist epistemology. Originality/value The proposed design developed in this paper ensures that core issues in planning performance relationships research are addressed. Furthermore, the inclusion of strategy implementation in planning performance relationship studies means that the whole chain of activities in the strategy process is being considered, drawing a complete and comprehensive conclusion on how strategic planning affects an organisation’s performance. In addition, by separating strategy implementation and by not combining it with formulation/formation activities will theoretically and analytically help to evaluate the importance or role of each stage of the strategy process. Moreover, the conceptualisation and operationalisation of the key concepts as multidimensional constructs contribute to past research gaps. Finally, this paper provides some clarity to many contradictory findings concerning the strategic planning and performance relationship.

This article focuses on the effectiveness of the Service Delivery System (SDS) and re-examines its influence on customers’ perceived service quality. In this study, the influence of SDS effectiveness’ most important dimensions (front line employees’ role performance, their adaptability to individual customer needs, the effectiveness of the coordination and the effectiveness of the process’ control) on perceived service quality is tested, following a hierarchical approach. The results confirm the positive influence of three variables on perceived service quality (role performance, effectiveness of coordination and effectiveness of process’ control). On the contrary, the influence of employees’ adaptability was not found significant.

Purpose – The cultural element in M&As' integration process has been identified as one of the key issues that may help explain the failure of many mergers and acquisitions. Yet what needs to be done to improve cultural integration in order to enhance M&As' success has received relatively little attention. This study attempts to examine the role played by culture and provide a framework for enhancing the success of mergers and acquisitions. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on 32 interviews with senior managers of 16 merger and acquisition deals in the chemical industry. Findings – The study finds that culture differences between the merging firms are a key element affecting effectiveness of the integration process and consequently the success of M&As. Furthermore, the study finds that, although managers agree that cultural differences create organisational challenges, yet the attention given to cultural integration issues during M&As are at best tenuous and in some cases reactive. This study, therefore, suggest a four staged approach in dealing with cultural differences. Practical implications – The managerial implication of this finding is that cultural fit constitutes a key factor in M&As' success and should be given the necessary attention at all stages of M&As. The tentative conclusion to be drawn here is that good pre‐merger planning with culture placed at the heart of integration strategies and implementation and the creation of a positive atmosphere for the change – before initiating any actual consolidation of human and physical assets – are likely to contribute to acquisition success and value creation. Originality/value – This article provides a framework for managing culture in mergers and acquisitions.

Copyright © 2015 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. This article focuses on the effectiveness of the service delivery system (SDS) and re-examines its influence on customers' perceived service quality. In this study, the influence of four specific indicators of the SDS' effectiveness (namely front line employees' role performance, their adaptability to individual customer needs, the effectiveness of their coordination and the effectiveness of the service process' control) on perceived service quality is tested. In doing so, a hierarchical approach integrating both managers' and customers' views have been taken. The results confirm the positive influence of three variables on perceived service quality (role performance, effectiveness of coordination and effectiveness of process' control). On the contrary, the influence of employees' adaptability was not found significant.

The application was made on behalf of the undergraduate courses team who sought to enhance the first year experience by engaging students in the practice of business. The intention was to develop and signpost enterprising qualities and characteristics in first year learners and develop confidence as well as competence. The undergraduate review for FBL commenced in September 2009. This offered an opportunity to innovate and build good practice in enterprise learning as a pilot to inform the undergraduate review. The team sought to provide a coherent and relevant set of learning experiences that could be achieved outside structured curriculum that would enable learning through live projects.

This paper examines the impact of structural distortions on resource allocation among industries, regions (provinces), and ownerships in China, using data from 2003 to 2019. This paper innovatively develops an empirical model to measure multi-dimensional structural distortions and assesses the resource misallocation degrees regarding industries, regions, and ownerships. The results indicate that China’s most serious resource misallocation is related to industries, followed by regions and ownerships, and the most severe capital misallocation is associated with ownership, and labor misallocation exists in industries. The present study contributes to the literature by creating an innovative two-layer empirical model to address the limitations of Hsieh and Klenow’s model. The findings have identified which group (industry, region, and ownership) is excessive or insufficient in resource usage, and the results have profound policy and practical implications.

The role of leadership during times of crisis has attracted significant attention in academic literature; however, the impact of crisis leadership on mitigating supply chain disruptions in the healthcare sector remains a relatively under-researched area. This study aims to bridge the gap in supply chain leadership theory. We employed an inductive approach to develop a crisis leadership theory focused on mitigating supply chain disruptions within the healthcare sector. To gather insights, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 33 participants from the healthcare sector who navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis. Drawing on the participants' experiences and utilising Gioia’s framework, we established a three-order data structure encompassing Leadership Attention Scope (LAS), Crisis Leadership (CL), and Mitigation of Supply Chain Disruption Strategies (MSCD). Furthermore, we developed a conceptual model based on the interplay of these three constructs. The model elucidates the Attention-Based View (ABV) and Upper Echelon Theory (UET) in the context of healthcare crisis, explaining the role of crisis leaders. This study significantly contributes to the ABV, UET, and supply chain risk management theories. Additionally, the findings provide valuable guidance for healthcare professionals, including chief medical officers, procurement managers, healthcare centre directors, policymakers, and OPD staff involved in addressing healthcare supply chain disruptions. Finally, we outline the study's limitations and suggest directions for future research.

This paper investigates the factors influencing employees’ work engagement with focus on the experiences of employees in Slovenian and Malaysian organizations. Previous research has shown that the closer an employee's engagement is with an organization, the higher the employee's performance. To explore job characteristics that deliver employees’ work engagement, this study employs Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model, focusing on the core elements of task identity, task significance, skill variety, feedback, and autonomy as a lens to investigate this phenomenon in two different countries. Data from organizations in Slovenia and Malaysia were gathered and analyzed using quantitative methodology. The findings highlight the fact that employees’ work engagement is not necessarily employee engagement; whereas the former examines engagement at the psychological level with an individual employee, the latter takes a broader approach in looking at factors that are also organizational. We find that work engagement is affected by job characteristics—task identity, task significance, skill variety, feedback, and autonomy—but these differ according to context, which we have shown can be in relation to the cultural setting of the organization. While in Slovenia, employees’ work engagement is influenced by skill variety and feedback (structure), in Malaysia, work engagement is affected by employees’ task identity and autonomy. These findings speak to a culture of direct communication in Slovenia as opposed to high‐power distance that is often argued in Malaysian organizations. In practice, context must be considered when designing jobs and policies for managing human resources as employees find meaning in work through different job characteristics.

Although there is a growing body of research on gaining legitimacy by entrepreneurial ventures in host markets, studies on the role of governing boards in legitimacy building are typified by a lack of clarity due to the fragmented nature of the extant literature. Drawing on an 11-year period (2011–2021) review of the literature on the role of boards of directors (BoDs) in building legitimacy for entrepreneurial ventures in host markets, we attempt to resolve this lacuna in the extant literature on legitimacy building. Specifically, we develop a unified conceptual framework, which provides clarity by mapping out the intellectual contributions on the dynamics of the role of BoDs in building legitimacy for new entrepreneurial ventures in host markets while highlighting the resultant outcomes of such dynamics in conveying legitimacy.

Although there is a growing body of research on gaining legitimacy by entrepreneurial ventures in host markets, studies on the role of governing boards in legitimacy building are typified by a lack of clarity due to the fragmented nature of the extant literature. Drawing on an 11-year period (2011–2021) review of the literature on the role of boards of directors (BoDs) in building legitimacy for entrepreneurial ventures in host markets, we attempt to resolve this lacuna in the extant literature on legitimacy building. Specifically, we develop a unified conceptual framework, which provides clarity by mapping out the intellectual contributions on the dynamics of the role of BoDs in building legitimacy for new entrepreneurial ventures in host markets while highlighting the resultant outcomes of such dynamics in conveying legitimacy.

This study examines the organizational change process driven by adopting digital technologies in manufacturing. Using the Context‐Mechanism‐Outcome (CMO) framework and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), we analyzed 46 cases from the Chinese manufacturing sector. Our focus was on the internal mechanisms and conditions influencing digital transformation (DT). The findings reveal three distinct DT configuration models: process transformation, large enterprise DT, and platform‐based transformation. Each model highlights unique organizational contexts, constraints, and digital leveraging strategies. These models demonstrate how different contextual factors shape DT approaches, providing insights into how organizations navigate technological transitions. By reframing DT as a dynamic and context‐sensitive process, the study illustrates how traditional manufacturing practices are disrupted and new models are developed. Our findings emphasize aligning DT strategies with organizational goals to enhance implementation success. This research offers actionable guidance for managers, helping them address DT challenges through context‐specific strategies.

Conventional contracting nowadays has disadvantages for fast-changing high-tech industries due to technology and market uncertainty. Observations found that cooperation between firms often operates in more innovative ways which were defined by Gilson et al. (2009) as ‘Contracting for Innovation’. However, their study was conducted in a developed market (i.e. the US) and thus the findings can hardly be used to explain what is observed in emerging markets which have significantly different industrial and market backgrounds. Using qualitative interviews from a case study, this paper aims to investigate contracting for innovation practices in a Chinese strategic alliance. Our findings suggest new functions compared to those in Gilson et al. (2009). This research has enriched ‘Contracting for Innovation’ theory against the background of emerging market with highly uncertain industrial environments.

Using a micro-economic perspective, this study explores the type, scale and impact of innovation activities that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) undertake with focus on the sub-national level. Based on a representative sample of 250 independent SMEs, based in the Leeds City Region (LCR) and using quantitative methods, this study provides evidence of the types of innovation that are most likely to result in achieving policy aims associated with for example the development of international markets or growth of employment opportunities. The findings show that there is a need for aligning business support for innovation with human capital (education/training) interventions. Furthermore, the findings provide a strong evidence base, at the local level, to inform the development of innovation policy and illustrate the connections between different types of innovation SMEs’ growth at regional level.

This book goes beyond environmental protection and looks at sustainability by predominantly focusing on human and social sustainability and this focus is carried into sections of the book that discuss sustainable policies, media and gender.

Extant relevant literature suggests that nonmarket elements such as social ties are important strategic options that may help organisations enhance their competitiveness relative to other competitors when bidding for important supply jobs. However, our current understanding of their effects on organisational outcomes, especially in public supplier selection decisions in emerging economies, is far from complete. Using a sample of 342 experienced senior management team (SMT) members and senior level staff in 40 public sector organisations in Nigeria, this study examined the relative importance of business and political ties as sources of advantage and strategic intelligence for prospective vendors and contractors during strategic supplier selection decisions. Our findings show that both business and political ties are significant predictors of supplier selection outcomes, and their relative importance in the selection outcome is indistinguishable and key to strategic decision making. Overall, our result suggests that both business and political ties can be utilised as sources of important resources by supplier firms.

© 2018 Elsevier Inc. This paper examines the effects of culture and the interaction between cultural distance and salient acquirer characteristics on value creation of acquiring firms based on a sample of 209 firms over the period of 1998–2012. The findings indicate that Chinese acquirer experience wealth gains ranging from 0.45%–1.49% over a 10 day event window. We find cultural distance to exert a negative influence on value creation of acquirers in the short-and long-term. However, the negative returns are significant only in the short-term but not in the long-term. Further evidence shows that acquirer large size, prior experience and high Tobin's q positively moderate the link between cultural distance and value creation. The results suggest that the effect of culture distance is conditioned by the acquirer size, prior experience and Tobin's q implying that acquirer resources and managerial capabilities are important in dealing with and overcoming cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBM&A) cultural challenges.

The debate about socially responsible investment (SRI) portfolio performance compared with its non-SRI counterparts remains inconclusive. This paper contributes to the debate by adding a new approach, examining the issue of a full economic circle through economic boom, recession and recovery. We compare stock performance of two value-weighted investment portfolios: FTSE4Good (SRI portfolios) and FTSE 350 (conventional portfolios) from 2004 to 2011 including 2007 to 2009 financial crash. The results indicate the SRI portfolio performed better and recovered its value quicker in post-crisis than the non-SRI portfolio, indicating that SRI portfolios are more resilient to economic turmoil and market shocks.

Purpose – This paper provides insights on the void between the needs and demands of bank finance from female entrepreneurs and the supply as well as the approaches of banks for that finance. In addition, it creates a conceptual framework recognising a tripartite and dynamic partnership among female entrepreneurs, banks and governments as essential to female entrepreneurship-development, based on Zambia as the context. Design/methodology/approach – Concepts and theories are explained to construct a conceptual framework using the lens of multi-polar network theory and stakeholder engagement theory. In-depth discussions are facilitated through a bilateral partnership between each party and tripartite partnerships among female entrepreneurs, banks and governments. Findings – The framework presents how female entrepreneurs, banks and governments are interconnected in the network as mutually benefiting stakeholders and shows their collective contribution to female entrepreneurship-development within certain contexts. The findings suggest that the sustainable development of female entrepreneurship depends on a dynamic tripartite partnership among female entrepreneurs, banks and governments. Research limitations/implications – The conceptual framework has important implications when setting up a nation’s enterprise development strategies and policies promoting inclusivity and diversity among a nation’s entrepreneurs. The contributions and the dynamic relationship of the three stakeholder groups should be acknowledged and considered in order to achieve the sustainable development female entrepreneur enterprises. The framework can be generalised to other emerging economies with similar social, economic and cultural profiles to Zambia, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries with patriarchal norms. Originality/value – This paper extends multi-polar (network) theory and Stakeholder Management engagement theory, previously explained in homogeneous firms, to more complex and dynamic partnerships among heterogeneous organisations, i.e. female entrepreneurs, banks and governments.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become an essential business tool in a global marketplace characterised by the increasing importance of intellectual property (IP) assets. Due to modern innovative techniques and recent technological advancements, IP now forms a significant proportion of a company's assets. Compared to other industries, firms in the chemical industry constantly generate IP assets, making IP the driving force for creating value within the industry. With the significant expansion of M&A activity ongoing within the industry, IP continues to drive the industry for growth, strategic change, and consolidation. Besides the increasing M&A activity, a more complicated set of dynamics of high M&A failure rate is at work, particularly within the European Union (EU) chemical industry, where the average failure rate sits at 70-90%. Drawing on practice based theory and insights from studies on IP and its management, this study investigates the pre and post- M&A IP management practices of merged chemical firms in the EU to understand the effect of M&A on IP management practices and its implication for M&A success. Thirty-four semi-structured interviews with seven European chemical firms were conducted using a mixed-methods approach. Two face-to-face and three telephone interviews and twenty-nine written responses to the interview questionnaire. Through mainly qualitative data analysis methods of elicitation, observations, document review, and consideration of events surrounding the effect of M&A on IP management practices, the effect of M&A on IP management practices was investigated. Pre- and post- M&A intellectual property management practices of the chemical firms were identified and reviewed, following a developed intellectual property management development process (IPMDP) and an intellectual property management practice (IPMP) model. This study finds that having an intellectual property plan and model is critical to improving due diligence in M&A transactions. It finds that employing and involving IP management experts and including a communication and employee training and development strategy in M&A processes can increase the success of M&A transactions. Based on interpretivists’ objective of gaining understanding, this study contributes to a practice-based view on IP management that the most critical M&A success solution involves firms understanding their IP management practice requirements in M&A.