Focal Company Research Articles

CHURN PREDICTION PELANGGAN MENGGUNAKAN CRISP-DM (Studi Kasus Pelanggan TelkomFlexi Bandung)

Nowadays, the need to stay ahead of the competencies is one of the company's focus. In an effort to stay afloat in the competitive conditions, companies can perform a variety of information technology development. One of the information technologies that are currently being intensively developed is the use of Data Mining. Data Mining provides benefits to process data into useful information for a company. The main pont of the research on this journal is to establish data mining models to identify TelkomFlexi postpaid customers who have the possibility to move to another provider (churn analysis).Churn analysis is done so that the company can choose the most appropriate strategy in retaining customers. Type of data mining is used to churn analysis is classification.

Commercial Opportunities and Ethical Pitfalls in Personalized Medicine: A Myriad of Reasons to Revisit the Myriad Genetics Saga

In 1996, the US-based biotechnology company Myriad Genetics began offering genetic diagnostic tests for mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Since that time, Myriad has been a forerunner in the field of personalized medicine through the use of effective commercialization strategies which have been emulated by other commercial biotechnology companies. Myriad’s strategies include patent acquisition and active enforcement, direct-to-consumer advertising, diversification, and trade secrets. These business models have raised substantial ethical controversy and criticism, often related to the company’s focus on market dominance and the potential conflict between private sector profitability and the promotion of public health. However, these strategies have enabled Myriad to survive the economic challenges that have affected the biotechnology sector and to become financially successful in the field of personalized medicine. Our critical assessment of the legal, economic and ethical aspects of Myriad’s practices over this period allows the identification of the company’s more effective business models. It also discusses of the consequences of implementing economically viable models without first carrying out broader reflection on the socio-cultural, ethical and political contexts in which they would apply.

Revealing an invisible giant: A comprehensive survey into return practices within original (closed-loop) supply chains

Forward supply chain actors are increasingly involved in the full life cycle of their products and the packaging used. Where in the past these were disposed of via (public) waste management systems or sold in cascade markets, now returns management becomes key to focal companies. Moreover, recent literature emphasizes that returns can be a value creator rather than a cost of business as it can save the environment, provide critical resources and customer value. But relevant, up-to-date data on returns and return practices is scarce, whereas such data is essential to show the potential value of returns and make a business case for returns management to practitioners. Based on a global survey among manufacturers/wholesalers/retailers and third party service providers, this paper presents comprehensive descriptive statistics on and analysis of current return practices. We develop and test propositions on the drivers, volumes and value of different returns along the life cycle; show the inefficiencies in current return practices leading to value destruction instead of the advocated value creation; and compare return practices in different regions and industries. We also provide recommendations for converting value destruction into value creation. Although progress is slow, there are hopeful signals that the potential of returns managements will be unlocked in the near future.

Evaluating green supplier development programs with a grey-analytical network process-based methodology

Under circumstances of increasing environmental pressures from markets and regulators, focal companies in supply chains have recognized the importance of greening their supply chain through green supplier development programs. Various studies have started to explore the inter-relationships between green supply chain management and supplier performance. Much of this performance can be achieved only with suppliers’ involvement in green supplier development programs. But, the literature focusing on green supplier development programs and supplier involvement propensity is very limited. In addition, formal tools and models for focal companies to evaluate these inter-relationships, especially considering propensity of suppliers’ involvement, are even rarer. To help address this gap in the literature, we introduce a grey analytical network process-based (grey ANP-based) model to identify green supplier development programs that will effectively improve suppliers’ performance. We further comprehensively evaluate green supplier development programs with explicit consideration of suppliers’ involvement propensity levels. A real world example is introduced to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model. We end with a discussion of managerial implications and present some directions for further research.

Measuring supply chain visibility in the apparel industry

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to propose an innovative quantitative approach to measure visibility in outbound supply chains and to implement it in order to evaluate the current degree of visibility that focal companies operating in the apparel industry have on their supply chains.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on an in‐depth literature review on supply chain visibility and on 11 case studies in the apparel industry.FindingsThe outcome of the paper is twofold. First, it proposes a metric for measuring visibility in complex outbound supply chains. Second, it analyses the quantity and quality of visible information in eleven companies belonging to the apparel industry, comparing visibility on outbound supply chains vs inbound supply chains.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the paper shows the usefulness of the proposed metrics in supporting value assessment, a structured tool is still to be developed. Moreover, the visibility metric is suitable for benchmarking analyses, but the sample presented in the study is still limited and should be enlarged by further studies, also considering other industries.Originality/valueThe metrics so far proposed by researchers to assess the level of visibility in complex supply networks are mainly focused on the upstream supply chain; this paper fills the gap by proposing a quantitative metric for assessing the degree of visibility on the outbound supply chain. Moreover, some interesting insights about visibility in the apparel industry have been found on the basis of 11 case studies.

The Impact of Board Interlocks on Auditor Choice and Audit Fees

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueThis paper uses uniqueDanish data to examine whether non‐executive directors draw on both direct and indirect ties in the network of interlocking directorates to impact auditor choice, and whether this impact has consequences for audit fees.Research Findings/InsightThe paper finds clear evidence that non‐executive directors draw on their networks to impact auditor choice, and evidence that clients pay an audit fee premium when non‐executive directors are connected to audit firms outside the focal company. The relationship between non‐executive directors and auditors is well established inDenmark and exhibits features that currently emerge in international debates and regulations. Therefore, the national context offers an interesting setting for empirical evidence of whether international aspirations are likely to be realized.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsAudit‐related corporate governance research has predominantly adopted the agency theory paradigm and has only drawn on alternative theoretical perspectives to a limited extent. We draw on the literature about board interlocks and social network theory in order to develop a study that aims to increase our understanding of the non‐executive director–auditor relationship and the role that board networks have in governing auditor choice decisions. The study identifies interlocks as an infrastructure for differentiation in the audit market and determines that such differentiation is associated with an audit fee premium for audit firms. The findings indicate that personal experiences with auditors are shared among non‐executive directors and that audit attributes other than low cost audit, auditor size, and industry specialism, are important in the audit market.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsOur findings support continued efforts to strengthen the relationship between non‐executive directors and auditors. Our findings also indicate that board interlocks may constitute a mechanism that mitigates the audit market failure that arises because of a lack of auditor differentiation.

The Influence of Corporate Social Reporting to Company's Value in a Developing Economy

The article examines the influence of corporate responsibility (CR) reporting to listed company's value. Society encourages companies to be socially responsible and to communicate these results to stakeholders. However, company's focus on social disclosure means additional costs. Content analysis is implemented to evaluate CR reporting. Companies are ranked according to CR reporting results, and comparative analysis with valuation indicators is carried out.Companies with high CR reporting level, have no higher accounting based and market based valuation indicators. The results show that companies with a market value and book value showing the highest rates are far from socially accountable.

Extending the ERP system: considering the business relationship portfolio

Purpose– Research has shown that companies focus their internal processes when they adopt enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. However, the ERP systems need to expand their functionality to include customers and suppliers (with e-commerce functionality) to reach their full potential. The purpose of this paper is to consider business relationships as a resource but also a limitation when companies strive to get an extended ERP system.Design/methodology/approach– The paper presents an illustrative case study of an industrial company's process of developing an extended ERP and how the company's portfolio of business relationships has affected the solution. The analysis is supported by the markets-as-networks theory.Findings– The process of developing an extended ERP system needs to incorporate the company's business partners (customers and suppliers). It is a simultaneously bottom-up and top-down process given that the operative frontline staff hold the knowledge about the company's business relationships while the corporate management has the means of extending the ERP system functionality and align it with the focal company's strategy.Research limitations/implications– Companies need to consider the fact that the technological and financial status of their customers and suppliers differ. Thus, an effective and flexible extended ERP system needs to include both a high-end and low-end solution as well as understand that a full interorganizational integration might not be realistic.Originality/value– The paper puts forth business relationship portfolios as an important factor to consider when extending the ERP system functionality in the supply chain and toward customers.

Does service innovation mirror product innovation? A multi-method study with successful evidence case from Turkey

This study is an attempt to analyse differences between product and service innovation processes. There is almost consensus among scholars about the steps and approaches regarding product innovation. Yet, for service innovation perspectives, scholars do not suggest a dominating paradigm. Moreover, due to nature of services (e.g., intangibility, perishability), suggesting a prescribed and almost a determined blueprint for service innovation process is challenging. In this study, we primarily aimed at examining and investigating differences between product and service innovation processes via a prominent and market leader company operating in Turkey. We followed qualitative approach and enriched our insights with interviews conducted with key responsible managers from the focal company. Insights emphasised key differences between product and service innovation processes and built on these differences, we provided suggestions. Further implications and limitations are also discussed.

Discontinuity in interaction. findings from two cases in the Italian context

The paper focuses on discontinuity in interaction by investigating the evolving phases in business to business relationships. From the theoretical point of view, the paper deals with the topic of discontinuity considered to be an unexplored aspect of interaction. Methodologically, the paper proposes a comparison between two cases of focal interactions, one in the home appliances sector and one in the fashion industry. In particular, the paper shows the relationship between a focal supplier company and a big and important customer. The paper ends with the proposal of a possible conceptual dichotomy of discontinuity in interaction, by describing two possible concepts to be further developed and studied in future research. L’articolo analizza la discontinuita nell’interazione investigando l’evoluzione delle relazioni di business tra le imprese. Dal punto di vista teorico, l’articolo mette in evidenza come il tema della discontinuita rappresenti un ambito inesplorato degli studi sull’interazione. Metodologicamente, viene proposta una comparazione tra due casi di interazioni focali, una nel settore delle home appliances, l’altra nel comparto moda. In particolare, l’articolo presenta lo studio della relazione tra una impresa fornitrice ed un grande cliente. Come risultato di questa analisi, gli autori propongono una tassonomia della discontinuita nell’interazione, attraverso la descrizione di due possibili concetti da studiare e ulteriormente sviluppare in futura attivita di ricerca.

Implementation of the Theoretical Concept of Green Procurement and Supplier Selection in Estonian Shipbuilding Industry

Industrial companies are to an increasing extent faced with requirements for better sustainability performance. Green market expands and green purchasing is regarded as a contribution to sustainable development. This paper examines impacts of implementing environmental management systems on enterprises' competitiveness in international supply chains at the example of Estonian ship- building enterprises. The theoretical concept of supplier selection process is used. The alignment problems of green procurement requirements and conditions are considered. The paper focuses on the relationships in the chain affecting the procurement and selection processes. The ship's chain and life cycle of the product specifics are also provided. Management of sustainability in ship design requires a methodology targeted towards physically large and complex systems with long life spans and multiple stakeholders. For the purpose of this paper, only the environmental aspects of sustainability are considered. This paper introduces and discusses the green supplier selection and green purchasing as environmental management tools and how in general they can be used to improve a system's environmental performance, corporate social responsibility to be environmentally friendly, ensure sustainable development and pure environment. A question is raised about Estonian possibilities to participate in the global competitive chains through the green supplier selection process. The paper analyses effects of implementing environmental management systems on enterprises' competitiveness in international supply chains and problems involved in alignment of green procurement requirements and conditions. An objective is to map the implementation of an environmental management system in ship-building enterprises, and based on that, their participation in international supply chains. The paper focuses on the relationships in the chain that affect the procurement and selection processes. It represents an analytical-conceptual approach as well as a pilot study on green procurement based on Estonian ship-building enterprises. The theoretical concept of supplier selection process developed by Igarashi et al. (2013) in the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is used. The author explores the possibilities of and obstacles to implementing this concept. An in-depth empirical research, i.e. interviews with representatives of ship-building enterprises, is intended in next stages of the research. Another aim is to explore how the green outsourcing companies could contribute to strengthening their competitiveness in the supply chain. What are the benefits of the green business strategy process for enterprises in the supply chains? Estonian companies are mostly young, during the privatization process large enterprises were split up, new firms and foreign investments were small. In most cases they are outsourcing firms and produce intermediate goods (not high-value-added end- products) in value chains. Therefore, they do not have sufficient power to influence the product chains. Environmental regulations may be inhibiting the development of relatively small businesses. Estonian companies are only part of the chain, even if the end product is made here (e.g., log homes, furniture and other wood products), these are sold through the Nordic countries. In contrast, the shipbuilding industry is a relatively independent branch. Providers participating in important segments of a product's life cycle are represented locally. There are also a small number of focal final product companies. The first section of this paper opens the background of green procurement and supplier selection. The second section focuses on the relationships that exist in the chain affecting the procurement and selection processes. The third section covers the environmental requirements in the supply chain. The fourth section provides an overview of the ship's chain and life cycle of the product specifics. The main part uses and supports Igarashi, de Boer and Fet's (2013) theoretical concept of green supplier selection process, which is based on 60 articles containing the keywordsgreen procurement´, ´supplier selectionandgreen purchasing´. Finally, utilisation sample of the GSS concept in Estonian shipbuilding industry is given. Data for the research were taken from the Estonian Quality Association database. The shipbuilding and repair activities are sorted out from among the metal and engineering industries, based on the most commonly used environmental management standard ISO 14001. Additionally, for example, ABB, E-Profiil, Toci, and other known suppliers of important offshore installations and large

Organizational inscriptions of network pictures: A meso-level analysis

This paper deals with organizational inscriptions of managerial cognitions elaborating on the emerging concept of network pictures. While previous studies on network pictures have concentrated on individual managers' cognitive views of business networks, this study operates on a focal company level (meso-level) and is concerned with how managerial cognitions are manifested in organizational artifacts, which in turn guide business activities. The paper presents a typological model of traces of such inscriptions, which, thereby, becomes a means to capture managers' interactive sense-making of a company's network. We identify organizational inscriptions of managerial cognitions in the areas of strategy, organization, systems, processes, and budgets. Using a comparative-static case study involving mergers and acquisitions of a focal company over time, we exemplify the different organizational inscriptions.

Network partner knowledge and internal relationships influencing customer relationship quality and company performance

PurposeMarketing is the area of coexistence of various research traditions with regard to relational phenomena. This study aims to contribute to limiting the gap between these traditions by testing the influence of network partner knowledge and internal relationship quality on company performance and customer relationship quality.Design/methodology/approachThis is a research paper where hypotheses are derived from prior studies referring to relationship marketing, B2B networks and internal marketing. The hypotheses are tested by using a sample of 264 companies operating in B2B markets and by structural equation modeling.FindingsCustomer relationship quality is empirically supported here as a factor mediating influence of network partner knowledge and internal relationship quality on company performance. The proposition of this paper is that company ability to deal effectively with a network in which it is embedded (including internal network) is the antecedent of dealing with customer relationships effectively. The moderator effects of the dominant profile of business are also discussed.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the research are presented with regard to the sampling method, research technique/scope and cultural context. The research results may be treated as a direction for further studies exploring connections between constructs from various approaches to relational phenomena in marketing.Practical implicationsThis study brings strategic insights into knowledge of business relationships, by investigating empirically whether the focal company may benefit from their external and internal relationships.Originality/valueTo the best of the author's knowledge, there has been no study examining the proposed set of inter‐related research constructs so far.

Innovation and Sustainability in the Supply Chain of a Cosmetics Company: a Case Study

The article analyses the induction process of technological innovations that consider economic, social and environmental concerns throughout the supply chain, in accordance with the proposals of sustainable development. Specifically, it examines the role of focal companies as innovation inductors for their supply chains. The article presents a debate with regards to innovation, sustainability and supply chain management and analyses the concept of sustainable innovation, as well as management models that bridge the gap between these themes. A case study conducted with a cosmetics company of Brazilian origin and presence in Latin America, is presented. This case study demonstrates that sustainable innovation driven by the focal company requires the engagement of its suppliers in order to reduce the negative social and environmental impacts throughout the product’s life cycle. Moreover, it illustrates that is possible to implement innovations that generate net social and environmental benefits for all members of the supply chain.

STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT IN THE BRAZILIAN AUTOMOTIVE CHAIN

The research objective is verifying the strategic alignment of supply practices between automakers and suppliers in the Brazilian automotive supply chains. It makes an exploratory-descriptive study of objectives, using quantitative/qualitative procedures and inductive reasoning. The concept used for analyzing the alignment of practices was based on Vachon et al. (2009). The main conclusion of this study is that suppliers and automakers seem to align their supply strategy, giving support to a desirable situation of single chain project. The subsidiary conclusion is the lack of relationship between intensity of the link and misalignment in these companies. The main contributions are the analysis of the relationship established in tiers that are the furthest removed from the focal companies; identification of practices that support the expansion of a new model of arrangements implemented by automakers in Brazil; and understanding of the processes that companies have adopted in order to manage their supply chains and the implications of these activities for the competitiveness of both the company and the supply chain as a whole.

Celebrating the Fransaskois Voice: la nouvelle dramaturgie de La Troupe du Jour

Theatre for the Fransaskois Voice Following a theatre workshop offered by the Commission culturelle fransaskoise at College Mathieu in Gravelbourg during the summer of 1984, Alphonse Gaudet, Carmen Gareau, and Michel Quirion were inspired by Claudia Gendron (Gaudet, email 3 June) to establish a French theatre company in Saskatoon (Gaudet, email 15 June). Determined to develop a fransaskois theatre which highlighted self-exploration, self-definition, selfacceptance, and self-celebration, the three created La Troupe du Jour (LTDJ) in 1985. A devised piece, Azarie (October 1985) marked the debut of what was to become the company's focus on new play development. It repositioned the language debate in Saskatchewan by investigating the cultural marginalization of elderly Fransaskois in the provincial nursing-home system (Lusignan 7). The material hit a nerve with its public; the show became an instant success. Bypassing the repertories of Quebec and France, founding members became resolute in their endeavour to bring the fransaskois experience to their public. The first season's program announced their goals: [...] le reve est faire du theatre francophone, communautaire et professionnel, qui reflete la realite fransaskoise [...]. C'est par la creation et des representations textes fransaskois que la troupe espere developper un nouveau sens theatral dans la communaute francophone. (Qtd. in Forsyth 141) They incorporated LTDJ as a non-profit company in 1985 with Gaudet as its first artistic director. The time was ripe de passer a un theatre 'fait maison' qui serait le reflet du peuple fransaskois, sa langue, ses defis, ses mythes (Bonetto 3). This paper explores two questions. The first, What defines fransaskois playwrights?, draws attention to a binary feature I refer to as dis/bislocation and re-examines the notion of minority status as it applies to French-Canadians living outside Quebec. The second, How has LTDJ cultivated fransaskois playwriting?, examines the mechanisms LTDJ has instituted to develop new work since the arrival of Denis Rouleau. Dis/Bislocation of the Fransaskois Saskatchewan's first French settlers were a heterogeneous lot, hailing from Quebec, France, Belgium, and the United States (Beaulieu par. 25). (1) Linguistically compatible despite cultural differences, they merged into an unusual minority population due to extraordinary circumstances, as Roger A. Lalonde noted in 1974: Ces gens ont ete metamorphoses par l'experience l'expatriation, par les mesures repressives contre le francais et par tous les autres evenements survenus au cours leur histoire. Tous cela faisait d'eux des > (2). (Qtd. in Beaulieu par. 25) Settlers straddled two geographies, both there in linguistic expression and social customs, and here in practice, living and negotiating the tensions in the gap between the two. LTDJ's fransaskois playwrights follow this pattern: like the first settlers, linguistic compatibility and cultural hybridity are features they share. Geographically and culturally severed from the place where their French originated (dislocation), these individuals constantly negotiate two francophonies (bislocation), the formative one from the pays d'origine which is hors contexte in the geographical present, and the current one which dynamically lives and transforms in a Saskatchewan context. Unless a fransaskois playwright is a recent transplant from Quebec or has been assimilated into Quebec culture, joual plays an inconsequential role in the linguistic idiosyncrasies found in fransaskois plays. David Baudemont writes in an idiom particular to France, specifically to Alsace where German and French cohabit; Ian C. Nelson, a Francophile originating from Nottingham, England, has adopted an Ile-de-France French distinctively coloured by French argot; Madeleine BlaisDahlem and Raoul Granger incorporate certain spoken idiosyncrasies of quebecois in their writing, but belie their Quebec origins with a standard French that occasionally is encroached upon by English constructs, such as syntax, vocabulary, and colloquial expressions. …

Aligning product design with the supply chain: a case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the alignment between product design and the supply chain and to identify how this alignment impacts on a firm's supply chain responsiveness and resilience.Design/methodology/approach – An in‐depth case study methodology was adopted to uncover the strategies undertaken by one of the UK's fastest growing fashion retailers to create a competitive advantage through its management of the product design/supply chain alignment.Findings – The findings of this case illustrate that not only is the alignment of product design with the supply chain important in improving competitive advantage for the focal company, but it also has a significant impact in improving supply chain resilience and supply chain responsiveness. This case illustrates how fundamental shifts in the organisation, particularly in integrating product design and supply chain have enabled the repositioning of the company from a low priced fashion store to becoming a leading global fast fashion r...

Integration of demand forecasts in ABC‐XYZ analysis: practical investigation at an industrial company

PurposeItem classification based on ABC‐XYZ analysis is of high importance for strategic supply and inventory control. It is common to perform the analysis with past consumption data. In this context, the purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that an integration of demand forecasts can improve the performance of item classification, in particular the performance of ABC‐XYZ analysis.Design/methodology/approachFor the study, real data of an industrial enterprise in the mechanical engineering sector (focal company) were analyzed and evaluated.FindingsThe study shows that a comprehensive data analysis of the focal company can recommend a specific implementation of the ABC‐XYZ classification. In contrast to the classic method of making the ABC‐XYZ analysis based on consumption data only, the approach developed in this paper offers considerable advantages. These are quantifiable in respect to an assumed optimal reference classification.Originality/valueThe evaluation of the results is very promising and applicable to other branches besides mechanical engineering.

Using the social system of a supply chain to improve a focal organization’s operating performance

In this paper, we explore how a large organization, operating in a mature, asset-intensive industry, used the social system of a key supply chain to generate significant improvement in operating performance (e.g., inventory turnover ratio improved from 0.8 to 3.2 in 5 years). A case study approach was used to study a steel rail supply chain involving an Australian railway company as the focal company. This supply chain consisted of two other companies: a steel manufacturer and a bulk transporter. Multiple forms of data were collected and analyzed, including models and process maps of the supply chain, published and internal documents, Enterprise Resource Planning system reports, and in-depth interviews of 31 key personnel involved in the supply chain. We found that the organizations had invested heavily in formal systems, such as governance processes and information technology systems. However, it was the informal mechanisms across and within the social system which made the greatest contribution to the resulting improvements. This suggests that organizations may be able to achieve significant operating performance outcomes at far lower cost and in shorter time frames by working through the existing social systems instead of focusing excessively on formal governance and IT systems.

Contextualizing the relationship between self-commitment and performance: Environmental and behavioural uncertainty in (cross-border) alliances of SMEs

Cooperation based on self-commitment of the partners is relevant for successful alliances in the context of uncertainty. However, the performance impact of self-commitment can be contingent on the type of uncertainty. Based on the distinction between environmental uncertainty and behavioural uncertainty, we analyse the contingent effect of cooperation based on self-commitment in national and international alliances with focal companies from both market economies and transition economies (n = 181). Our analysis reveals that cooperation based on self-commitment has a positive relationship with performance when the focal company is from a transition economy, irrespective of whether it is engaged in a national or an international alliance. We conclude that the performance effect of cooperation based on self-commitment is contingent upon the geographic origin of the focal company.