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Building a Performance Assessment Model for Social Enterprises-Views on Social Value Creation
Chang-Lin Yang,
Rong-Hwa Huang,
Yun-Chen Lee
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
1-9
Received:
8 December 2013
Published:
10 January 2014
Abstract: This study develops a comprehensive performance evaluation model that not only considers enterprise business operations but also presents conclusions regarding its social mission and impact. The performance measurement model includes three dimensions: essence of social enterprise, social impact and business operations. This study used analytic network process (ANP) to determine the importance weight of each dimension, issue and assessment indicator. The proposed model can hopefully help managers of social enterprises to achieve performance benchmarks. Furthermore, this study uses three case studies to demonstrate the practicability of the proposed performance measurement model. This study can also help social entrepreneurs achieve social missions.
Abstract: This study develops a comprehensive performance evaluation model that not only considers enterprise business operations but also presents conclusions regarding its social mission and impact. The performance measurement model includes three dimensions: essence of social enterprise, social impact and business operations. This study used analytic netw...
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The Use of Video Data in Project Management Research
Eskander Howsawi,
David Eager,
Ravindra Bagia,
Klaus Niebecker
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
10-15
Received:
9 January 2014
Published:
20 February 2014
Abstract: In project management research, on site involvement is recognized as being effective practice for getting primary data, understanding the project tasks being examined and gaining context awareness. However, it is impossible for investigators to be present on site for every project they intend to investigate since project can be difficult to access, or may be undisclosed during the implementation stage, or may have been completed a long time ago. Reading the project reports and documents will provide a substantial amount of information, but there is always more to any project than written information alone; project practitioners are well aware of this fact. Advancements in technology since the beginning of the 20th century enable the film making of projects; possibly the main purpose of that film making is to produce documentaries. Based on the facts that the camera can capture a wealth of details and rich complexity that it is impossible or very difficult to capture by other means and the eye and ear can acquire a great deal of information that it is practically impossible to write simultaneously a question arises, can the use of video data be beneficial in project management research? This article reports the experience of the authors in employing video data in historic project management research. In researching British aviation projects during the period of the Second World War the authors uses the approach of content analysis to examine more than 250 hours of video data. A classification scheme of video data is presented in this paper. The advantages of and suggestions managing the usage of video are data also shown in this paper, in addition to caution concerning what may influence the effective usage of video data.
Abstract: In project management research, on site involvement is recognized as being effective practice for getting primary data, understanding the project tasks being examined and gaining context awareness. However, it is impossible for investigators to be present on site for every project they intend to investigate since project can be difficult to access,...
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Assessing the Link between service Innovation and Performance in Telecommunication Industry
Ogunnaike,
Olaleke Oluseye,
Ibidunni,
Stephen Ayodotun,
Adetowubo-King,
Sunday
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
16-23
Received:
9 January 2014
Published:
20 February 2014
Abstract: Literature search has revealed that despite the dominance of services in modern economies, and their rapid growth worldwide, there are limited researches in the area of service innovation. This study attempted to bridge the gap by ascertaining the nature of relationship between innovation and firm performance. The study adopted a mixture of expost-facto and survey research design. The sources of data for the study were both primary and secondary. The research instrument was developed and it was subjected to both validity and reliability measures and was found to be valid and reliable for the study. Simple random sampling technique was adopted for the study. Three hypotheses were formulated and subjected to inferential statistical tests such as correlation and regression. It was discovered that service process innovation, service modification and service innovation structure are significantly related to firm performance. It was recommended that firms should put in place service innovation structure that is coupled with quality improvement practices in order to sustain and enhance its competitive advantage and customer patronage.
Abstract: Literature search has revealed that despite the dominance of services in modern economies, and their rapid growth worldwide, there are limited researches in the area of service innovation. This study attempted to bridge the gap by ascertaining the nature of relationship between innovation and firm performance. The study adopted a mixture of expost-...
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The Consumer Behavior in different Retail Formats in Brazil
Sergio Silva Braga Junior,
Evandro Luiz Lopes,
Eduardo Guilherme Satolo,
Dirceu da Silva,
Sergio Luiz do Amaral Moretti
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
24-34
Received:
29 January 2014
Published:
28 February 2014
Abstract: Research demonstrates the applicability of the RSQ scale within the Brazilian context in different retail formats and compares the consumers´ perceptions for each format. Three surveys comprising 690 consumers from retail shop were performed in different formats (banking service, sports shop and clothes shop) in São Paulo SP Brazil, due to its first ranking within the Brazilian market. Data collection was performed through direct contact with clients. Modeling of structural equations with estimation matrix by partial minimum squares showed that RSQ scale identified the five theoretical factors of perceived quality and made possible the verification of greater and less relevant points in each retail format. High coefficients of determination were underscored in data analyses to determine the factors Personal Interactions and Trust. The Brazilian market is being underscored within the international scenario due to its increasing consumption and rapid recovery after several world economical crises. The analysis of perceived quality of services by Brazilian firms is highly relevant for the understanding of consumers´ profile and for tying strategies of services with consumers´ expectations. Although gaps exist in service quality measuring scales, current analysis used the scale invented by Dabholkar, Thorpe and Rentz (1996) denominated RSQ – Retail Service Quality. The scale presents the required amplitude to measure constructs in all retail sectors, as shown in current investigation. By employing the scale´s criteria, the relevance and originality of current study lies in the identification and comparison of the different qualities perceived by consumers for each retail format analyzed.
Abstract: Research demonstrates the applicability of the RSQ scale within the Brazilian context in different retail formats and compares the consumers´ perceptions for each format. Three surveys comprising 690 consumers from retail shop were performed in different formats (banking service, sports shop and clothes shop) in São Paulo SP Brazil, due to its firs...
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Managing Small to Medium Enterprises Suppliers in Developing Countries- A Case of SMEs in Harare, Zimbabwe
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2014
Pages:
35-43
Received:
11 February 2014
Published:
20 March 2014
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the challenges which are being experienced between the buying organizations and the Small to Medium Enterprises Suppliers (SMEs) in the Supply Chain in Zimbabwe. Objectives of the study are to assess the role of SMEs in the economic development, to analyze challenges faced when dealing with SMEs in procurement, to identify factors that hinder SMEs from being reliable partners in supply chain, and to come up with strategies for ensuring that SMEs become reliable partners in supply chain. This study adopted a qualitative research design because it provided flexibility and afforded the researcher the opportunity to conduct an in-depth research. The population for this study was made up of 595 SMEs suppliers in the Harare central business district (CBD) and 20 officials from the Small Enterprises Development Corporation (SEDCO). This study used stratified random sampling technique when selecting participants from SMEs suppliers while SEDCO officials were selected using simple random sampling. The study showed that SMEs were important to the economic development of Zimbabwe and there was a need for companies to support them through procurement. Nevertheless, it was held that SMEs suppliers were very unreliable, provides poor quality materials and performed below standard. The study revealed that ignorance about the importance of accounting information, lack of capacity, and lack of separation between ownership and management of SMEs hindered some organizations from being accountable. It is recommended that adoption of professional procurement ethics is important, need for supplier evaluation, effective communication, and the need for SMEs to formalize their business operations and maintain accounting records. There is a need for separation of ownership and control of business affairs. This would ensure more accountability.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the challenges which are being experienced between the buying organizations and the Small to Medium Enterprises Suppliers (SMEs) in the Supply Chain in Zimbabwe. Objectives of the study are to assess the role of SMEs in the economic development, to analyze challenges faced when dealing with SME...
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