Business Scenarios Research Articles

Excel – a new way to join the dots

Professional judgment is an essential and expected graduate skill. The ability to make considered judgments based on sound critical thinking must be developed progressively by students throughout their lifelong learning journey. To support Business School students critical thinking development, an innovative series of interactive and scaffolded tutorial tools were created in Excel. Based on real world business scenarios, students develop the necessary skills to justify and make robust professional judgments. Used as supportive tutorial activities with formative feedback opportunities, students learnt how to perform the necessary steps and argue related justifications. To go deeper, students further question the unresolved and unreasonable, determine the impacts of what if scenarios and make confident decisions that influence professional judgments. This innovative interactive approach provides students with several autonomy and self-efficacy experiences and brings students confidently into the realm of doing (Schwartz et al., 2012). It is adaptive to professional judgment based units of study across all disciplines. For adaptation in more technical and practice based domains, the Excel tutorial worksheet contained background information for the business world scenario. At each sub decision point, data validation and conditional formatting tools have been adopted to allow students to explore drop down possible choices. These are subsequently linked to possible justifications, further information required questions, what if diagrams, and descriptors of how these influence critical justifications. To highlight connection to logical thinking, a “Green to go” colour change code is used which allows students to confirm their understanding or seek further support. Working with students in tutorial time and using the MS Excel text colour function, teaching staff model critical thinking and professional business world expectations. The file’s interactive decision making process, supportive explanatory notes and tips are unveiled so the professional judgment is made in partnership between students and staff. This tool can also be used to develop critical thinking for extended written response decisions. This adaption is designed as a step by step supportive essay planner and response template. Within the Excel worksheet, the essay question is broken down into separate sectional row tasks (introduction, discussion of theories, related application, conclusion). Each sectional row contains an in tutorial discussion box (completed in the expansive social tutorial time), your own response box and, using the Excel data validation tool, a drop down marking rubric. Students are encouraged to complete a full essay response and, via the share function, forward their Excel response to the teaching team who provide formative feedback. The approach’s visual and supported critical thinking path assists students to form their own opinions from many perspectives, make judgments and, most importantly, by enhancing student engagement, experience, and self-efficacy, aids deeper student learning (Cahill & Bloch-Schulman, 2012, Turner & Baskerville, 2013). The presentation will showcase the initiative’s interactive and highly effective model of critical thinking and decision making.

Entrepreneurial Innovation Mediation among Marketing Strategies and Business Sustainability in Ethiopia

Present study was conducted to examine the predicators of marketing strategies on the organizational performance with mediation of entrepreneurship innovation in Sustainable business scenario. The researchers had designed both descriptive and inferential statistics and different methodologies. The sampling technique was both non-probability and probability incorporating simple random sampling technique. The data for this study were obtained from Oromia International Bank, Ethiopia as the representative organization with a survey of 425 customers of Oromia International Bank, those served in sectors and modern organizations staff of Bule-Hora branch, Ethiopia. The researchers, finally come up with the result, of less marketing strategy implementation and the decreasing the organization performance which are mainly associated with poor leaders capacity, Work environment and poor Employees commitment and poor technology adoption ,related predicators were among the major problems while adoption of mediation of entrepreneurship innovation . Leader’s capacity is single of the most promising ways to increase organization performance in Ethiopia. The researchers recommended that the concerned body had to have applied so as to end up with the problems observed in marketing strategy implementation, control the predicators, and in turn provide good marketing strategy implementation as well as good organization performance.

Entrepreneurial opportunities as expressions of personal identities: interpretative engagement through personal value structures

ABSTRACT Entrepreneurial identities have a significant influence on new venture emergence. Yet, an entrepreneur’s (meaning-constructing) interpretive engagement with situations such as entrepreneurial opportunities remain relatively unexplained. This paper explores how entrepreneurs’ personal identities influence their interpretive engagement with entrepreneurial opportunities. We presented 34 entrepreneurs with three business scenarios and, using verbal protocols and content analysis techniques, inductively identified seven individual value types. We find that these value types vary among individual founders, revealing distinct personal identities (as personal value structures). These types are reflections of exogenously and endogenously oriented personal identities that depict how individuals perceive scenarios as situations that represent the environment as exogenous (scenarios as what is) or as endogenously constructed (scenarios as what could be). Therefore, we contribute to the entrepreneurship literature by highlighting the significance of personal identities as representations of entrepreneurial goals that give rise to different framings of situations as entrepreneurial opportunities as these become expressions of their personal identities.

Product life cycle techniques: SMEs maintenance strategies

The food and beverage subsector of the industry is expanding. As the opportunities available to businesses grow, competition to maintain market share intensifies as the loss of a product diminishes its competitiveness. This leads to accumulating unsold products in the inventory even though increased sales volume could generate cash. Because the product cannot compete until the market reacts, it is not sold. Product demand rises in response to capacity constraints but must still be fulfilled. Increased sales are necessary to retain consumers during market expansion or contraction periods. By evaluating the literature, this study ascertains the most effective courses of action for two business scenarios. This study identifies product life cycle strategies supported by mixed marketing techniques in research indexed at least SINA 3, Scopus, or WOS between 2013 and 2023. According to the study, a business can flourish by offering discounts or special services to customers willing to wait while sales capacity increases.

DRA Global: implementing digital transformation through change management in a project consultancy firm

Learning outcomes After reading and discussing the case study, students should be able to identify the reasons why the company needed to digitise and how this links to the company’s strategy around technology and innovation, analyse the digitalisation implementation process followed in the case study by using an organisational change management model and make recommendations and propose a solution for the protagonist to consider for the successful roll-out of the digitalisation project. Case overview/synopsis DRA Projects is part of the DRA Global business based in South Africa. The company is known locally in the mining and engineering industry for its project development, delivery, execution and operations capabilities. Digital transformation is a key strategic focus in the industry, as clients seek digitised integrated systems. For this client offering, J.C. Heslinga, managing director of DRA Projects, was tasked with leading the digitalisation of the project delivery system. From July 2020 until July 2022, Heslinga led the implementation team through different organisational change stages. As the next phase included rolling out digitalisation to pilot projects and engaging employees and clients in the new process, Heslinga wondered if enough was done to ready the business for this change. The end users would be executing the changes, so their adoption will be imperative for successfully rolling out digitalisation. The case study concludes with Heslinga pondering the approach needed for the next phase. The case study focuses on the digitalisation implementation process through the lens of organisational change. The case study presents an opportunity to analyse and identify the theories and models used in organisational change within a real-life business context. The organisational change learnings can be adapted to help students with any transformation changes in similar business scenarios. Complexity academic level Postgraduate- and master’s-level students and business executives attending short courses will benefit from the learnings. The learnings can be applied to improve decision-making, organisational behaviour and strategic implementation using the fundamental principles of organisational change. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 6: Human resource management

Economic and Environmental Efficiencies of Organizations: Role of Technological Advancements and Circular Economy Practices

There are two concepts which encompass the new business order worldwide; this has vast implications, especially in the Indian business scenario. The first blanket is the phenomena of digitalization which was present in the undercurrents of all the business activities from the past two decades, and second one is circular economy practices. But in today’s Indian scenario, after the popular reform of “Notebandi”, forcing digitalization of the currency puts it to the forefront of all economic activities, especially in India. The economic reform of demonetization highlighted digitalization of economic transactions in the public eye. The phenomenon of digitalization is commonly referred to as the bundle of novel technologies that aim to improve things constantly. Organizations must take advantage of emerging technology to ensure that operations are both economically and environmentally feasible. Technologies based on sustainable solutions might aid companies in becoming more sustainable and economical. Therefore, this research is derived through the desire to measure the economic and environmental performance and how they were influenced by technology and circular practices of Indian Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies as they are most suited for this research. The sample (n = 203) was derived from senior managers of these companies. The study utilized Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach to analyze the results, it was found that digital transformation and circular economy practices are pervasive in nature and influence both Economic and Environmental performance of Indian FMCG companies. One of the main contributions of the study is that it also examines the relationship between technological advancements and economic and environmental performance directly; to date, there is not a single study, to the author’s knowledge, to have studied this relationship.

A Method to Screen, Assess, and Prepare Open Data for Use

Open data's value-creating capabilities and innovation potential are widely recognized, resulting in a notable increase in the number of published open data sources. A crucial challenge for companies intending to leverage open data is to identify suitable open datasets that support specific business scenarios and prepare these datasets for use. Researchers have developed several open data assessment techniques, but those are restricted in scope, do not consider the use context, and are not embedded in the complete set of activities required for open data consumption in enterprises. Therefore, our research aims to develop prescriptive knowledge in the form of a meaningful method to screen, assess, and prepare open data for use in an enterprise setting. Our findings complement existing open data assessment techniques by providing methodological guidance to prepare open data of uncertain quality for use in a value-adding and demand-oriented manner, enabled by knowledge graphs and linked data concepts. From an academic perspective, our research conceptualizes open data preparation as a purposeful and value-creating process.

Does the UK Companies Act of 2006 matter for the private companies? Evidence from real and accruals earnings management practices

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine both accruals and real earnings management in a large sample of private companies in the UK using data from 2002 to 2009 following the implementation of the UK Act of 2006.Design/methodology/approachA panel data analysis using GMM has been adopted to examine the objectives of the study and answer the research questions.FindingsThe results of this study showed that the imposition of the Companies Act of 2006, on its own, did lead to changes in earnings management behaviour, in both accruals-based earnings and real earnings management. Moreover, this study also found that firms that chose to provide IFRS financial statements tended to show less discretionary earnings management, however, it tended to have no impact on real earnings management.Practical implicationsIn accordance with the research findings, standard setters with some insight tend to determine how capital markets see the information provided under the legislation such as the UK Act of 2006 in developed countries and thereby ensure long-term sustainability in a modern and sophisticated financial world. This study provides an insight into the successful implementation of the UK act of 2006, and its influence on the aspect of financial reporting.Originality/valueThe novel conclusion reached in the study is that there exists a strong and direct link between the smooth implementation of UK Act of 2006 and the practices of both accruals and real earnings management in real-world business and financial scenarios, particularly, in private companies.

A Study of Consumer Awareness for Green Marketing

In current business scenario environmental issues plays an important role in business. In most of the country’s government is concerned about the environmental problems. In today’s business environmentally, sustainable development has become a key issue. Thus, Green marketing is one of the strategies a firm can adopt to achieve this. Green Marketing refers to the process of selling products and /or services based on their environmental benefits. Such a product or service should be eco-friendly in itself or produced in an eco-friendly way. In today’s environmentally conscious world the word “Green” has become a buzz word. Green causes are increasingly popular with public making green marketing good for public relations and sales. Green Marketing has been defined by AMA as “The study of the positive and negative aspects of marketing activities on pollution, energy depletion and non-energy resource depletion”. However, one of the basic assumptions of green marketing is that potential consumers would be willing to pay more for a “green” product. The present paper tries to analyse the awareness and willingness of the consumer to buy green products.

An Empirical Study on Core Data Asset Identification in Data Governance

Data governance aims to optimize the value derived from data assets and effectively mitigate data-related risks. The rapid growth of data assets increases the risk of data breaches. One key solution to reduce this risk is to classify data assets according to their business value and criticality to the enterprises, allocating limited resources to protect core data assets. The existing methods rely on the experience of professionals and cannot identify core data assets across business scenarios. This work conducts an empirical study to address this issue. First, we utilized data lineage graphs with expert-labeled core data assets to investigate the experience of data users on core data asset identification from a scenario perspective. Then, we explored the structural features of core data assets on data lineage graphs from an abstraction perspective. Finally, one expert seminar was conducted to derive a set of universal indicators to identify core data assets by synthesizing the results from the two perspectives. User and field studies were conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the indicators.

Strategic Trends in Management by Competencies: A Bibliometric Review

Purpose: The objective of this study was to present a current and exhaustive analysis of the contributions and studies carried out by experts regarding strategic management by competencies as a result of a bibliometric review.
 
 Theoretical framework: Recent literature, in the last decade, has reported the increase of the need for companies to obtain a sustainable competitive advantage. So, this study about trends in management by competencies becomes essential to review all these works.
 
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The bibliometric study was conducted using the SCOPUS database, examining 624 publications from 1966 to 2023. The main findings of this review show that only in the 21st century did the idea of people management by competencies models stand out in the scientific and business scenario.
 
 Findings: The evidence shows that the concept of "management," present in 75% of the clusters found (high occurrence), strongly correlates with the theme of the people management model by competencies. The symbiosis between them can become one of the most important strengths (competitive differential) in a significantly changing business scenario.
 
 Research, Practical & Social implications: We suggest a future research agenda and highlight the contributions made to other leaders and human resource managers.
 
 Originality/Value: The bibliometric analysis allows us to identify that research has been carried out that contributed with elements to the models of competencies and their advances, in order to understand the model of competency management as an integrated and strategic system of evaluation and improvement of the organizations and/or people that compose it.

A multi-dimensional trust attestation solution in 5G-IoT

The core missions of IoT are to sense data, transmit data and give feedback to the real world based on the calculation of the sensed data. The trust of sensing source data and transmission network is extremely important to IoT security. 5G-IoT with its low latency, wide connectivity and high-speed transmission extends the business scenarios of IoT, yet it also brings new challenges to trust proof solutions of IoT. Currently, there is a lack of efficient and reliable trust proof solutions for massive dynamically connected nodes, while the existing solutions have high computational complexity and can't adapt to time-sensitive services in 5G-IoT scenarios. In order to solve the above problems, this paper proposes an adaptive multi-dimensional trust proof solution. Firstly, the static and dynamic attributes of sensing nodes are metricized, and the historical interaction as well as the recommendation information are combined with the comprehensive metric of sensing nodes, and a multi-dimensional fine-grained trusted metric model is established in this paper. Then, based on the comprehensive metrics, the sensing nodes are logically grouped and assigned with service levels to achieve the screening and isolation of malicious nodes. At the same time, the proposed solution reduces the energy consumption of the metric process and optimizes the impact of real-time metrics on the interaction latency. Simulation experiments show that the solution can accurately and efficiently identify malicious nodes and effectively guarantee the safe and trustworthy operation of 5G-IoT nodes, while having a small impact on the latency of the 5G network.

Formulating the potentials of clustering of event data over multiple entities for decision support: a network embeddings approach

ABSTRACT Event data from business processes evidence their patterns, behaviors, and dysfunctions. Analytics techniques like clustering and sorting can reveal relevant insights, when data are correlated with a single case identifier. However, when multiple entities are involved, unidimensional models are challenged. We introduce a novel method for analyzing business processes involving multiple interacting entity types. Our approach employs embedding representations to capture pairwise similarities among entity types and their interrelationships. An optimization problem encompasses similarity matrices, cross-entity relationship matrices, and embeddings. An iterative algorithm refines this model, yielding embedding representations and cluster assignments for each entity type. Formulating our method across three diverse business scenarios demonstrates its practicality and potential. Our results, through a proof of concept using real-world data, underscore the value of accounting for the multifaceted nature of business processes, showing substantial improvements and qualitative distinctions compared to unidimensional models.

From Buzzword to Biz World: Realizing Blockchain’s Potential in the International Business Context

Initially making its name as the backbone technology of Bitcoin, blockchain has been referred to as a distributed ledger, public database, Internet of value, digital infrastructure, network, and platform. Compared with fluctuating cryptocurrency and non-fungible token (NFT) markets, applications of blockchain technology in more diverse business scenarios have received less attention. By analyzing 16 international business use cases under eight categories of blockchain-based solutions, this article offers a contextualized understanding of the potential for blockchain to become a general-purpose technology (GPT). It discusses how the extensiveness, evolvability, and enabling (3Es) aspects of blockchain influence the value, vision, and viability (3Vs) required for successful real-world applications. The article discusses how firms can draw on lessons from failed cases and good practices of existing cases to enhance the 3Vs for blockchain adoption.

Energy modeling to compensate for the seasonal lack of electrical and thermal energy depending on the different climates of Iran

Renewable energy sources are in focus for environment-friendly power generation when compared to non-renewable sources. Modeling an energy system of a statistical population can shed light on the possibilities and potential of using renewable resources. In this study, energy modeling of 4 provinces of Iran with different climates is done for 2020 and 2032. The lack of energy caused by seasonal climatic impacts is compensated for by using renewable energy systems. The modeling of three different scenarios is considered to indicate different policies in each energy system strategy. The energy system's past data is gathered and analyzed to predict future data, and then the 2032 energy system is modeled using EnergyPLAN. The results show that there will be a shortage of electrical energy in summers in hot & humid and hot & dry climates, while the energy shortage for cold and temperate & humid climates is the heating demand in winters. Three scenarios of business as usual (BAU), using maximum possible renewable energy (S1), and changing the structure of the energy supply system (S2) are considered with their specification. The results indicate that by using S1, 61.42 TWh of primary energy sources (PES), and by using S2, 136.7 TWh of PES consumption is reduced. Also, for the same scenarios, 29.98 Mt less CO2 is emitted for all climates. The climatic analysis illustrates that using solar in hot & humid and hot & dry, wind and geothermal in cold, and hydropower in hot & humid and temperate & humid climates produce the most amount of renewable potential which not only compensates the lack of seasonal energy but also replace 8% of the total energy needed, previously supplied by fossil fuels. Totally for the 4 provinces, 3250 MW of hydropower, 5625 MW of solar, 650 MW of wind, and 100 MW of geothermal energy are considered while other provinces with the same climate could benefit too based on their geographical specification.

Frequency allocation algorithm

Wireless communication technology's quick advancement has facilitated the ongoing formation of numerous new communication business scenarios and the thorough connectivity of man-machine-object-space. The conflict between few channel resources and high demand is becoming more and more obvious, which adds to the stress on the entire network. In order to enhance communication quality with constrained frequency resources, more optimal channel allocation techniques are urgently required. This paper discusses the increasing demand for frequency resources due to the exponential growth of data traffic, which has necessitated more efficient channel allocation methods to optimize communication quality with limited frequency resources. The evolution of mobile wireless cellular communication systems from the first generation to the current fifth generation, and the imminent emergence of the sixth generation, are also discussed. The paper highlights the importance of ultra-dense networks and device-to-device communication in meeting the capacity and coverage requirements of 5G networks. The advantages and disadvantages of different frequency reuse methods, specifically Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) and water injection algorithm, are analyzed. The paper summarizes these methods' principles and application effects in specific situations, emphasizing the need for appropriate frequency reuse methods to achieve optimal channel allocation and communication quality.

Corporate Social Responsibility – A Conceptual Framework

The present study aims to determine the crucial role of corporate social responsibility in the modern business scenario. This study also examines the number of corporate social responsibility is being practiced in different types of business organization in India and also impact on society. As we aware that, in the large business enterprises, corporate social responsibility is a tool or a mechanism for controlling system. Corporate Social Responsibility is a responsibility, accountability and transference and performance evaluation. Generally corporate social responsibility it is tool that help companies minimize their environmental impact, to adhare to international labour standards, the Corporate Social Responsibility is very much in the organization.

A systematic design of integrated palm-oil biorefinery networks: Identifying sustainable solutions

This paper presents a comprehensive and systematic analysis of synthesis and design of sustainable palm oil integrated biorefinery networks involving multiple platforms of bioresources for sharing materials, energy, and facilities to obtain a more sustainable solution. There are three main processing platforms consisting of palm oil, palm biomass, and biogas from palm oil mill effluent (POME-biogas). The alternatives are generated from a superstructure of each platform representing different products that can be made and their established processing routes. Utilizations of glycerol, bio-syngas, and CO2, which are by-products of the palm oil, palm biomass, and POME-biogas platforms, respectively, are also considered as three other platforms. Different scenarios of materials, energy, and facility integration among the platforms are analyzed by considering economic benefits together with CO2 emissions, as well as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which includes climate change impact and other environmental impact categories. Analyses of the design of the palm oil integrated biorefinery network with multiple process networks and heat integration point to the achievement of more sustainable solutions for production and consumption compared to the scenario of business as usual (BAU). The sustainable palm oil integrated biorefinery network corresponds to economic improvement and CO2 reduction potential as well as satisfying environmental impacts. The analysis results show that the palm oil integrated biorefinery network alternatives can provide high economic potential and less environmental impacts compared to without any integration. The best non-tradeoff solution proposes the integration of palm biomass and POME-biogas platforms for bio-methanol production and the integration of palm oil platform with glycerol production to produce 1,2-propanediol as an additional product. It offers 23.5 million dollars per year of economic value-added benefit with 2.9 years of payback period while also reducing the environmental impacts. Wind power and river water are selected to maximize profitability options for electricity and freshwater supplies, respectively.

Entrepreneurship in Natural Cosmetics Distribution Logistics Channels in Brazil - Analysis of the entrepreneurial profile of the cosmetics distributor Bothânico Hair

Technological, organizational and market integration changes, which have been taking place in the business environment in Brazil, contribute to significant changes in the search for new ways of understanding how to reinvent itself in a country that cannot guarantee economic stability. With all these changes, people seek a redirection in their professional life and new earning options and financial security. With this, entrepreneurship becomes a reality contextualized by individuals inserted in the business scenario. These individuals look for opportunities that allow them financial stability and often fulfill their dreams of opening their own businesses. The entrepreneur is the engine of the economy, he is an agent of change and motivation to overcome the challenges of commercial oscillation. In the area of natural cosmetics distribution logistics channels, the capacity to innovate, to reinvent business, processes and marketing are crucial for the sustainability of the business. It is important to know the profile and potential of entrepreneurs who work in this very competitive business area. An exploratory study was developed, with a descriptive design, using a questionnaire to obtain information about the profile of the entrepreneurs of the company Bothânico Hair in distribution logistics (case study). As participants in this research, we selected about 12 natural cosmetics professionals working as distributors of a brand of natural products. The results obtained allow us to conclude that entrepreneurs are mostly male individuals, with medium training, experience in the area and able to take risks. Also noteworthy is its ability to identify new opportunities, openness to the adoption of new technologies and interest in innovating operational processes. In the same way, entrepreneurs feel the need to invest in knowledge and professional training that allows for strengthening, greater growth and sustainability of the business. The most outstanding characteristics about the qualities of entrepreneurs were: the ability to identify new opportunities, the ability to create or improve technologies and/or processes and take calculated risks. The data obtained allowed to draw a profile of the distributor of natural cosmetics, listing the ten main items that should be valued in a professional cosmetics entrepreneur.

Strategic Trends in Management by Competencies: A Bibliometric Review

Purpose: The objective of this study was to present a current and exhaustive analysis of the contributions and studies carried out by experts regarding strategic management by competencies as a result of a bibliometric review. Theoretical framework: Recent literature, in the last decade, has reported the increase of the need for companies to obtain a sustainable competitive advantage. So, this study about trends in management by competencies becomes essential to review all these works. Design/Methodology/Approach: The bibliometric study was conducted using the SCOPUS database, examining 624 publications from 1966 to 2023. The main findings of this review show that only in the 21st century did the idea of people management by competencies models stand out in the scientific and business scenario. Findings: The evidence shows that the concept of "management," present in 75% of the clusters found (high occurrence), strongly correlates with the theme of the people management model by competencies. The symbiosis between them can become one of the most important strengths (competitive differential) in a significantly changing business scenario. Research, Practical & Social implications: We suggest a future research agenda and highlight the contributions made to other leaders and human resource managers. Originality/Value: The bibliometric analysis allows us to identify that research has been carried out that contributed with elements to the models of competencies and their advances, in order to understand the model of competency management as an integrated and strategic system of evaluation and improvement of the organizations and/or people that compose it.