| 1. |
- Andersson, Annika, 1961-, et al.
(författare)
-
Contracted ERP projects : sequential progress, mutual learning, relationships, control and conflicts
- 2011
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Managing Projects in Business/Emerald. - : Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. - 1753-8378 .- 1753-8386. ; 4:3, s. 458-479
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the sequential nature that enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects tend to take and to describe how the buyer typically behaves concerning the need for control and learning in and in-between ERP projects.Design/methodology/approach – Results come from an in-depth case study of sequential ERP projects. The respondents were a major Swedish retailer and a supplier who undertook upgrading of an ERP system with six separate and sequential projects. The research was framed by independent pre- and post-interviews in three buyer companies' from different areas of business.Findings – Results suggest that success is associated with mutual learning between supplier and buyer organizations that lead to reasonably amicable working relationships. Control considerations run through these projects and conflicts appear minimal in the sequential treatment. Insightful interpretation comes not only from empirical reflection on interactions in an in-depth case study, but also from concepts available in decision making and project marketing as well.Research limitations/implications – Case studies present in-depth understanding but have generalization limitations. Also the case study was accomplished in Sweden and thus knowledge about behaviour in other countries and cultures is needed.Practical implications – Managers investing in relationships and learning in an initial project probably suffer in terms of satisfaction and profitability at that stage but could accomplish more effective, satisfying and profitable situations over time. In particular, appreciation of the nature of the sequential project development, mutual control, delivery and learning in these projects could be useful in understanding the buyer behaviour in ERP projects.Originality/value – Learning is important in projects but how do the buyers behave? A description of the sequential nature of ERP projects and the learning process both within the buyer's company and within the supplier's company is established. Tables are created that describe how the gap in the mutual learning process decreases in-between projects in business-to-business projects.
|
|
| 2. |
- Lindberg, Erik, 1953-, et al.
(författare)
-
Management by objectives : The Swedish experience in upper secondary schools
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Journal of Educational Administration. - : Emerald. - 0022-0639 .- 0957-8234. ; 49:1, s. 62-74
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – This paper seeks to explore how managing by objectives (MBO) has been adopted in Swedish schools and to reflect on some of the consequences in a longitudinal study. Results relate to whether introduction has increased student performance and whether it works as a tool for the principals to create more effective schools. Design/methodology/approach – A comparative cross-sectional study was made on the adoption of MBO as perceived by principals in upper secondary schools in Sweden. Initially, a mail questionnaire was distributed to every principal in Swedish upper secondary schools, which determined the extent to which mandated MBO practices were being implemented. Ten years later, the study was replicated, which made initial and subsequent practices comparable. Findings – Principals' perceptions suggest that the effects of MBO have diminished over the ten-year period. Ancillary measures of student performance correlated to MBO practices appeared statistically insignificant, or perhaps even negative. Thus, the change appears to have produced unimproved student performance, frustrated principals and perhaps somewhat less stressed teachers. Practical implications – These findings have implications on the direction the management of upper secondary schools subject to central direction may take. Although MBO may improve efficiency in staff performance, it appears to have little effect on effectiveness, if student performance is used as a criterion. Originality/value – Adoption measures of MBO have been obtained and associated with student performance for the first time.
|
|
| 3. |
- Wilson, Timothy L., 1938-
(författare)
-
Reflections on Lindblom and some present observations
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Anvesha. - Mumbai : IES Management College & Research Centre. - 0974-5467. ; 4:1, s. 28-37
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The year 2009 was the 50th anniversary of the seminal paper written by Charles Lindblom. In effect, he described “real life” policy formulation and rationalized how simple appreciation of the process could lead to better policy. That paper remains relevant because of the expressed equivalence between decision making and policy formulation. The four publications of Lindblom associated with muddling are reviewed here and reflected in four studies involving this author in Sweden as viewed through the lens of Lindblom. Situations involving after-sales service, creative projects, buyer behavior under conditions of uncertainty and crises in projects were found to relate to Lindblom’s basic theses as well as some observations in present business education. Clearly, tenets of Lindblom’s work remain applicable in aspects of present business operations.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Wilson, Timothy, 1938-
(författare)
-
Projects as organizing vehicles and elements of change
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Human Resource Management Review. - 1053-4822 .- 1873-7889. ; :Special Issue
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It has been generally recognized that project management approach to getting things done is increasing lately. This article, however, focuses on the organizational implications of the same. We assert first that an organizational form associated with the main project tasks be replicated in firms whose businesses tend to be seriously affected by individual projects of a type where innovation and/or creativity are involved. Second, we relate two examples of projects, changing organizational approaches—one at the firm level and another at the industry level.
|
|
| 6. |
- Muhsin Salim, Masoud, et al.
(författare)
-
Stakeholder salience in public and private firms : results from Tanzania
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Journal of African Business. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1522-8916 .- 1522-9076. ; 12:2, s. 252-267
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It has become evident that Western concepts of business and management must be evaluated within their realms of application. The objective of this research was to analyze the effects of stakeholder attributes of power, legitimacy, and urgency on the stakeholder salience of shareholders, employees, customers, and community in state-owned and privatized firms in Tanzania. In general, the framework developed and used in Western studies proved useful in characterizing Tanzanian management perceptions toward stakeholders. That is, when using a common questionnaire, results were obtained that linked stakeholder saliency with underlying attributes. Nevertheless, the saliency profile for stakeholders was different in the Tanzanian culture from previous studies in the United States and Spain. In a Tanzanian context, employees, customers, and community attained inferior status compared to the results obtained in developed countries for which the theory had been developed. Profiles were also different in comparing state-owned and privatized firms in Tanzania. Results indicated that the effects on salience are similar for shareholders but different for the remaining stakeholder groups in the two categories of firms. Some policy recommendations are made as a consequence of observations, and the need for further work is acknowledged.
|
|
| 7. |
- Wilson, Timothy, 1938-
(författare)
-
On the shoulders of giants : Drucker on management
- 2010
-
Ingår i: HRM Review. - : IUP Publications online. ; , s. 17-21
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- For this issue, we turn to Peter F Drucker, the father of management for a basic understanding of management. Specifically, we look at his assertions concerning the functions of a business and the role knowledge players have in these businesses. Clearly, these topics are of interest and importance because executives continually find themselves redefining their businesses in terms of available resources and competition, depending more and more upon knowledge workers. The material is also put into some perspective with regard to our own research findings and recommendations made for today's managers or executives.
|
|
| 8. |
- Zackariasson, Peter, et al.
(författare)
-
Paradigm shifts in the video game industry
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal. - : Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. - 1059-5422. ; 20:2, s. 139-151
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify, characterize, and discuss paradigm shifts thathave occurred in the video game industry with some emphasis on competition and competitiveness.Design/methodology/approach – Basically, the paper depends upon a review of the literatureassociated with video game development. Past history is taken from texts and academic papersdealing with the subject. More current observations are taken from the business and popular press.These observations are placed within a context associated with the classic papers on industryevolution, paradigms, paradigm shifts, competition, and competitiveness.Findings – It is difficult to capture present shifts in such a fast-growing industry, but these shiftsseem clear: the original entry of video games into the arcade sector that led to the industry and thedemise of pinball; the development of the home cartridge and console that made the industry ahome-based phenomenon; the entry of independent game-publishers that made the industry atwo-tiered one; and the development of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs)that changed the way games are played.Originality/value – The video game industry is an interesting one to follow. To an extent, itsdevelopment characterizes our generation – fast paced, technologically oriented, and targeted towardthe young and young at heart. This paper takes the subject away from a historical or anecdotalapproach and places it within the context of industry evolution, paradigms, and paradigm shifts. Itthus should be of value to students of not only video games, but also the evolution of rapidly growingindustries and establishment of competitive advantages.
|
|
| 9. |
- Zackariasson, Peter, et al.
(författare)
-
Virtual identities and market segmentation in marketing in and through massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs)
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Services Marketing Quarterly. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1533-2969 .- 1533-2977. ; 31:3, s. 275-295
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It has been asserted that the emergence of virtual worlds has changed the ways that business may be conducted. In massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) a participant is given the opportunity to not only create an identity of how they would like to appear but also select individual activities. Clearly, this opportunity may carry marketing implications because marketers are given the opportunity to consider potential customers as they might like to be. Background in self-identity and buying behavior, the nature of MMOGs, taxonomy of gamers, and the construction of identity is sketched. Five propositions are developed that summarize our observations from this foundation.
|
|
| 10. |
- Hällgren, Markus, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
-
Opportunities for learning from crises in projects
- 2011
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Managing Projects in Business. - : Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. - 1753-8378. ; 4:2, s. 196-217
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Concepts of learning are extended to the non-routine case of crises in projects. Design/methodology/approach: The multiple case protocol described by Yin and his six sources of evidence were utilized in the study. Observations were contemporaneous and somewhere between direct and participative. Bias was avoided by having the observer on site, but not part of the project team. A diary recorded events; company notes and records substantiated observations. Findings: The study contributes to the understanding of the need that project managers have to adapt to changes from plan and the coincidental learning that occurs in the workplace. Both cumulative and abrupt crises treated by project/site teams and corporate staff are described. A necessary and sufficiency approach was used to rationalize the organizational learning. The necessary condition was that the episodes could be described in terms used by Gherardi in her treatment of routine learning. As a sufficiency condition we discussed the systemic approach in which these episodes are handled. Research limitations/implications: Because research was built on case studies, one has the reservations commonly associated with this approach. Extension from and agreement with previous studies, however, lend to acceptance of the study. Practical implications: Results suggest that crises can be managed in accordance with four general responses associated with learning within the organization. The responses themselves are associated with five organizational practices that aid management in general. Originality/value: The value of the work is that it extends basic concepts of organizational learning to treating crises in projects, which are both by definition unique.
|
|
