Business Narrative Research Articles

Enterprise Web Accessibility Levels Amongst the Forbes 250: Where Art Thou O Virtuous Leader?

The research team measured the enterprise web accessibility levels of the Forbes 250 largest enterprises using the fully automatic accessibility evaluation tool Sortsite, and presented the compliance of the evaluated websites to WCAG 1.0, WCAG 2.0 and Section 508 accessibility levels. Given the recent attention to organizational leaders having ethical duties towards their dedicated employees, we propose that ‘societal citizenship behaviour’ concerns ethical duties of organizational leaders towards society in general and in particular to those who have less means to assert their needs. In effect, we found enterprise website accessibility levels to be in need of significant improvement. An interpretation of a positive path forward to better enterprise website accessibility levels is put forth based on a focus-group interaction and using BNML—a novel Business Narrative Modelling Language.

Facilitating qualitative research in business studies: Using the business narrative to model value creation

This is a conceptual paper supported by empirical research giving details of a new Business Narrative Modelling Language (BNML). The need for BNML arose given a growing dissatisfaction with qualitative research approaches and also due to the need to bring entrepreneurs, especially those with little training in management theory, closer to the academic (as well as practitioner) discussion of innovation and strategy for value creation. We aim primarily for an improved communication process of events which can be described using the narrative, in the discussion of the value creation process. Our findings, illustrated through a case study, should be of interest to both researchers and practitioners alike. Key words: Empirical research, qualitative research approaches, dissatisfaction, entrepreneurs, improved communication, Business Narrative Modelling Language (BNML).

The role of storyboards and scrapbooks in propagating entrepreneurial value in family business settings

The concepts of entrepreneurial narrative and biography are an emerging field of entrepreneurship research, but there is more to entrepreneurial narrative and biography than written words. Consequentially, this research paper considers the use of scrapbooks and storyboards as active narrative tools for propagating value in family business narratives by conducting a semiotic analysis of a storyboard displayed within a family business in rural Scotland. The use of scrapbooks and storyboards are purposeful activities which form part of a biographical process imparting a sense of continuity linking history, possible futures and tradition. This study extends the analysis of entrepreneurial narrative by considering a different narrative dimension, namely that of scrapbooks and storyboards and makes a contribution to the extant literature of entrepreneurship and small business by highlighting the necessity of conducting empirical research into narrative forms such as storyboards and scrapbooks and their impact upon the biographical process in business.

The Leader's Guide to Storytelling. Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative

The Leader's Guide to Storytelling. Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative

The Leaders' Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative

The Leaders' Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative

Patterns of disaster

Inside Issue 1 Effective leadership response to crisis Managing two crucial strategic initiatives: • The winning formula for growth: course, capability and conviction • Overcoming the barriers to effective innovation Best practice for communicating strategy to stakeholders: • How storytelling can drive strategic change • Effective storytelling: strategic business narrative techniques Volume 34 Number 1 2006 ISSN 1087-8572

Effective storytelling: strategic business narrative techniques

PurposeAs more and more firms grasp that narrative is central to addressing many of today's key leadership challenges – for example, articulating the risks and opportunities identified by strategic management tools like strategic plans, scenario analysis, and dilemma resolution – the question becomes: how is a CEO to make effective use of storytelling?Design/methodology/approachNarrative – also known as storytelling – comprises an array of tools, each suitable to a different business purpose. The author lists these tools and summarizes how to use them effectively.FindingsEven executives who are naturally talented at narrative also need to learn to target their approach to the particular issue facing the company.Practical implicationsWhile leading companies increasingly recognize the need to train leaders to use artful narrative to inspire and guide their organization to respond effectively to these strategic challenges, the reality is that most organizations need help to get the full benefits of using storytelling.Originalityl/valueWhen introducing storytelling a sharp focus needs to be kept on the business purpose being pursued with the tool, as well as on the different narrative patterns associated with different purposes.

Book Review: Stephen Denning: The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative

Book Review: Stephen Denning: The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling: Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative

Applying Stories of the Environment to Business: What Business People Can Learn From the Virtues in Environmental Narratives

The use of narrative to communicate and convey particular points of view in society has increasingly become the focus of academic attention in recent years. In particular, MacIntyre. (1985, 1988, 1990, 1999) has paid attention to the role of narrative in the conflict between different traditions when developing his virtue approach to ethics. Whilst there has been continued debate about the application of virtue approaches, some arguing that it is incompatible with business, I disagree and have already argued for a form of virtue that will focus business on society’s needs rather than better business itself. Here I continue to develop the argument in two ways. First, I will explore the predominant business narrative and offer some comment on the ‘virtues’ that it promotes. However, rather than accepting this narrative, I want to challenge it with a narrative from the environmental tradition. I consider how adopting the virtues promoted by an environmental narrative it would shape business practices and challenge current business conventions. As a second step, I will focus on how we can change managers’ perceptions of business to reflect these environmentally based virtues.

Capital city: New York City and the men behind America's rise to economic dominance, 1860-1900

In Capital City Kessner describes how New York City emerged from the Civil War as the dominant metropolis in the country and the driving force behind America's subsequent growth. This is a masterful fusion of political and urban history with biography and business narrative. 8 page photo insert.