Contemporary Business Strategy Research Articles

Balancing Differences and Similarities within The Global Economy: Towards A Collaborative Business Strategy

Abstract Collaborative business strategies have been increasingly employed by global companies as a more viable alternative to traditional scale and arbitrage economies. The way companies design and implement their global strategies is closely related to the globalization trends. It has been observed that the process of globalization has impacted the definition of contemporary business strategies. Contemporary business strategies are defined by global collaborative efforts, innovative business processes and potential to achieve competitive advantage at the supranational level. A paradigm shift has resulted in geographic expansion, different organizational structures and relations, and overall higher degree of variety and complexity of business activities. It is also shown that selection of the appropriate strategic choice also depends on regional and cultural factors, and therefore requires expertise and the ability to perceive differences and similarities in order to accomplish effective cross-cultural collaboration. Furthermore, close inter-cultural interaction is one of the crucial requirements for the development of innovative business strategies and attainment of competitive advantage in contemporary global markets.

Anthropology at the bottom of the pyramid

This article explores what anthropology has to say about contemporary business strategies for market expansion among poor consumers in Africa and Asia. Focusing on the activities of global consumer goods company Unilever in India, we show how anthropology can provide valuable insights into the hidden work and power relations involved in transforming an everyday commodity like soap into a composite object, what we call a ‘social good’, that is capable of simultaneously combating disease, tackling poverty and realizing value for shareholders.

Channel Collaboration, Market Orientation and Performance Advantages: Discovering Developed and Emerging Markets

Channel collaboration has occupied an increasingly prominent role in contemporary business strategy, and has been considered a key driver for providing value for the partnering firms involved. Drawing on the resource based theory of the firm, the present study aims to explore the effects of collaborative capability and market orientation on firms' performance advantages in the context of marketing channels. We also investigate whether the firms in developed and emerging markets significantly differ in their capability profiles. The data consists of 545 responses to a survey of small, medium-sized and large companies representing the grocery goods sector (manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers) in nine countries. In line with the theory, channel collaboration enhances positional and performance advantages of firms, and this collaboration is shaped by the type of economy adopted.

Technology transfer perspectives in globalising India (drugs and pharmaceuticals and biotechnology)

The paper briefly outlines the status of technology transfer related issues in drugs & pharma and biotechnology sectors in India. The paper also outlines the contemporary business strategies including R&D and technology transfer models. The study indicates that present technology transfer policies and mechanisms are weak and need to be restructured. The current fiscal incentives and tax concessions etc. available for R&D in industry seem to have outlived and are no longer attractive because of continuous lowering of tariff rates and tax rates in the context of WTO and liberalization of policies. Moreover, the issue of R&D support to industry is not covered in the WTO as in case of subsidies. Therefore, it is advisable for the government to revisit the existing promotional measures for R&D. FDI policies also need to be tailored to encourage Technology transfers and capability building. Recommendations are made for making Technology Transfer more effective for the growth and competitiveness of the industry. A technology transfer management model is suggested.

Intellectual Capital: Who Counts, Controls?

Intellectual capital and related topics including intangibles, innovation, and knowledge have rapidly climbed the management research agenda. Their significance lies in the contribution these assets make to sustained value creation, a central mantra within contemporary business strategy. A premium has been placed on the successful management of such assets, and within this program, the accountancy profession has found itself challenged to devise effective means of counting and controlling them. Driven by a distinctly managerial agenda, the majority of developments within intellectual capital accounting to date have exhibited the negative characteristics that critical accounting researchers associate with the extension of the prevailing accounting calculus into new fields. Nevertheless, in some recent contributions there are indications of how an alternative, more progressive approach, that of intellectual capital self-accounts, might be fashioned. As a consequence, the emergence of intellectual capital may yet provide an opportunity to return to the task of accounting for labor. This aspect of the critical accounting project has become less evident as researchers seeking to promote enabling accounting have directed their focus on a range of “other voices” to be encouraged to tell their own stories “from below.”

Determinants of Expatriate Success: An Empirical Study of Singaporean Expatriates in The Peoples Republic of China

ABSTRACT Globalization of business operations has assumed an increased significance in contemporary business strategy across the developed and developing world. Assignment of staff overseas is one of the most critical areas of the global business operations. While there have been numerous studies on various aspects of expatriate performance, such as selection, training, and compensation of expatriates, these studies have been mostly “americentric” in their scope and approach. Keeping in view the growing importance of China as a favored recipient of Foreign Direct Investment not only from the United States and Europe, but also from other Asian countries such as Japan and Singapore this study has examined factors that determine the success of Singapore expatriates in China. One of the significant findings of the study is that there is a discrepancy between perception of success factors between the expatriates themselves and the human resource directors (HRDs) of the multinational corporations who have an im...

An Exploratory Assessment of Sales Culture Variables: Strategic Implications Within the Banking Industry

Growing, or even simply sustaining, profitability in today's rapidly changing environment is a daunting task. Today's firm must contend with increasing competition, changing customer requirements, and unprecedented technological change. Further, changing government regulations, such as the recent wave of deregulation, have dramatically changed the way business has traditionally been done in certain industries. In such a turbulent environment many firms have discovered that a total organizational sales effort is necessary. For many firms, this means a paradigm shift that involves strengthening their sales culture.The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the sales culture (SC) concept and discuss its importance in contemporary business strategy. First, we will discuss market orientation from a corporate culture perspective. Second, the sales culture component of a market orientation will be defined and examined. Third, an exploratory investigation of constructs associated with sales culture will be investigated using an example taken from an industry that is experiencing rapid change, the banking industry. Finally, strategic implications, limitations and suggestions for future research will be shared.

Challenging Assumptions for Strategic Information Systems Planning: Theoretical Perspectives

A number of well-documented, fundamental assumptions are associated with strategic information systems planning (SISP). A core activity for this domain is the alignment of an organisations systems and technology strategy with its business objectives. The difficulty is the complex and diverse nature of the strategy process itself that renders such a match increasingly problematic. The evidence within the literature relating to SISP suggests that it does not fully mirror contemporary business strategy and contains some fundamentally incorrect assumptions. This paper identifies eight such assumptions that propose a number of challenges for future research directions. Case examples are also presented which reflect the issues posed for exploiting the value of Information Technology (IT) as a strategic opportunity given the approaches adopted for SISP. Finally, a number of challenges to SISP are noted which relate to identified categories, through an ‘IS complexity framework’, of reviewing benefits, managing business change, and assessing organisational competencies for sustainable competitive advantage.

Achieving marketing success through Sun Tze’s Art of Warfare

Explores Sun Tze’s Art of Warfare, a set of 2,300‐year‐old Chinese military strategies which have been found to be analogous to some contemporary business strategies on competition. Uses a systematic approach to develop a model through Sun Tze’s Art of Warfare for businesses to achieve success against competition. Develops a “winning model” which provides a structured framework for the successful deployment of Sun Tze’s ideas in businesses. Uses some mini‐cases to illustrate the applications of the model and a hypothetical case “Entering into a new market” to demonstrate how to formulate winning strategies step‐by‐step by using the model.