Key Managers Research Articles

Evaluation of women's participation and empowerment in community land rehabilitation programs: Lesson drawn from Wera District, Southern Ethiopia

Local people’s socio-economic and natural resources, especially forest resources, have been affected by land degradation in Ethiopia in the past years. To combat this problem, rehabilitation of community-based degraded land has been performed since 1979. Rehabilitation of degraded land (RDL) is important for forest management strategy regarding the regeneration of degraded forests and related resources through women’s empowerment. Because empowered women are key users and managers of resources from rehabilitated land such as forest resources, which leads to sustainable utilization of forest products. The aim of the study was to evaluate women’s participation and empowerment in decision-making regarding the rehabilitation intervention. A total of 120 women households (60 user and 60 non-user women) were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using a household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interviews. The results revealed that there is a significant difference between user and non-user women in fetching water and fuelwood collection time. Furthermore, RDL contributes to improving user women’s economic status and social relationships such as livelihood opportunity, social network, build-up of trust and changes in social assets. The result also indicated that women able to participate in forest-related meetings, land use management, use and control of assets, decision-making, and in soil and water conservation measures. Further, user women had greater awareness compared to non-users due to participation in different meetings and other decision-making activities. The findings suggest that consideration of women’s participation in decision-making regarding the community land rehabilitation program is important to empower women equally with men.

Investigating local policy instruments for different types of urban agriculture in four European cities: A case study analysis on the use and effectiveness of the applied policy instruments

Over the last decades, urban agriculture (UA) and controlled environmental agriculture (CEA) have been growing in many urban areas of the world to supply fresh food locally and to provide multiple benefits for the sustainable development of urban landscapes. Municipal policies and regulatory tools are increasingly employed to support UA/CEA and minimize practical challenges. However, especially in Europe, there is a lack of systematic reviews that evaluate the impacts of city-level food policies for UA/CEA and their effectiveness as perceived by local responsible actors. To address this gap, this study presents a qualitative overview of municipal policies that affect UA/CEA. We reviewed more than 83 policy documents and manuscripts and performed an online structured survey targeting key local managers or employees of UA and innovative CEA systems in four EU cities – Barcelona (Spain), Lyon (France), Trieste and Udine (Italy). We assessed policy tools, especially for three identified types of UA (allotment gardens, community gardens and closed spaces using CEA) by mainly focusing on public and private institutions and including aspects concerning land use planning, health and environmental policies. The findings demonstrate how the four cities’ municipal governments specifically designed and combined a multiplicity of policy instruments to enable, regulate and acknowledge UA/CEA as part of the urban metabolism and landscape. The policy instruments were shaped by different local governance and institutional structures as well as by the local actors and community practitioners and their growing interest in UA/CEA.

Metrics as the new normal – exploring the evolution of audience metrics as a decision-making tool in Swedish newsrooms 1995-2022

This paper explores the implementation process of digital audience metrics as a key strategy in Swedish legacy news production during the last three decades. The historical adoption of metrics in the newsroom is not new but has grown fast (from analogue audience measurements in the 1950s and monthly statistics of unique visitors in the 1990s to a wide range of real-time data). This trend is important because Swedish news organisations have invested heavily in data analytics, which involves integrating metrics-driven journalism into a particularly strong and homogenous tradition of professional autonomy. Based on interviews with key senior managers and supported by the analysis of trade publications, as well as published interviews, the findings reveal three chronologically overlapping periods: the naïve stage of ‘getting online’, the destructive period of ‘social media prominence’, and the end of the ‘paywall hesitation’. This trend has led to a new equilibrium in which audience metrics are perceived as better aligned with the professional values of news selection. More importantly, the industry-wide embrace of metrics as guidance for more relevant and rational news production revolves around two main factors: First, although metrics are tied to organisational targets, they remain under editorial control. Second, the degree of granularity and diversification of metrics allow for wider support of their use for strategic purposes.

Gender issues in key account management research: A systematic literature review and avenues for future research

In many academic disciplines, including psychology, sociology, and management studies, there is broad interest in gender issues. But does this hold true for the literature on key account management, global account management, or strategic account management? Anecdotal evidence suggests that key account management, in practice, is still a rather male domain. Is this reflected in extant research, either through a discussion of the role of female key account managers or through the absence of such a discussion? This study first presents a systematic literature review of the key account management literature regarding research on gender issues. The results show that academic interest in gender issues in key account management has been very limited. It then argues for the necessity for increased scholarly research into gender issues in key account management and it develops numerous avenues for future research along the lines of (1) actors, (2) activities, and (3) resources in key account management as well as (4) relationship atmosphere and the environment in which key account management relationship are being managed.

A decade of nature: Evolving approaches to Melbourne’s ‘nature in the city’

Cities have important roles in biodiversity restoration and management. Local municipalities, as key land managers, play critical roles since some species are restricted to small patches of urban habitat, and some are considered threatened. Evolving approaches to urban nature policy, strategy and implementation demonstrate increasing sophistication and complexity, with approaches transitioning towards the adoption of more complex objectives, that address a wider range of urban nature forms, species and ecosystems. These objectives are increasingly underpinned by urban ecology research, citizen science participation and political championing. This paper adopts a ‘dialogue’-adapted research approach to examine the evolution of the City of Melbourne’s urban nature policies and actions across the decade from 2010 to 2020. We identify the key factors that enabled the endorsement and implementation of this capital city’s Nature in the City strategy, analysing the science-policy interface and governance aspects that underpinned this significant policy transition. Through interviews and workshops with a range of actors involved in the implementation of the City of Melbourne’s urban nature policies and activities over the last 10 years, we identify lessons learned that can be applied in other cities by urban land managers. In doing so, we argue that Melbourne’s focus on biodiversity conservation and opportunities for restoration of species and ecological processes constitute important innovations in urban landscape policy.

Challenges of implementation of the preventive chemotherapy neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana.

The Neglected Tropical Diseases programme since its implementation has improved the lives of many in the tropical and sub-tropical areas. Though witnessed many successes, the programme is continually facing challenges thus, preventing the attainment of various objectives. This study seeks to assess the challenges of implementation of the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana. The thematic analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative data collected from 18 key public health managers selected through purposive and snowballing procedures from the national, regional and district levels of Ghana Health Service. Data collection was done through in-depth interviews using semi-structured interview guides in line with the objective of the study. The Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme though received funding from external sources, faces multiple challenges which cut across financial, human and capital resources to external control. Specifically, inadequate resources, dwindling volunteerism, poor social mobilization, weak governmental commitment and weak monitoring were major challenges to implementation. These factors work individually and in combination to impede effective implementation. Ensuring state ownership, re-structuring implementation approaches to include top-down and bottom-up approaches and building capacity in monitoring and evaluation are recommended in order to meet the programme objectives and ensure sustainability. This study forms part of an original study on Implementation of the NTDs programme in Ghana. Aside the key issues discussed, it presents first-hand information on major implementation challenges that are relevant to researchers, students, practitioners and the general public and will apply widely to vertically implemented programmes in Ghana.

Competencies of Travel Department Students in e-Commerce- Based Business

Contributing to research on industrial revolution 4.0 era , this study investigates e-commerce practices carried out by tourist travel businesses in relation to the preparation of human resources in the tourism education sector. Key informant managers in two cities, Bali and Yogyakarta were interviewed to explore their adopted employee training and development models. The resulting data, triangulated by informal observation and document study, were analyzed using a theoretical framework that emphasizes seven indicators of interdependent employee development. The findings indicate that the global-oriented education management will be able to answer various needs in the job market through curriculum reconstruction with a digital human approach.

Capacidades dinâmicas e inovações orientadas à sustentabilidade em instituições de ensino superior: um estudo de caso

Abstract This paper aims to analyze the Dynamic Capabilities (DC) from their micro-foundations (sensing, seizing, and reconfiguration) that help in sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI) activities (organizational optimization, organizational transformation, and systems building) and that lead to the development of innovations in the context of higher education institutions (HEIs). This research has a descriptive and exploratory nature, developed through a case study in an HEI located in the northeast region of Brazil. The study was based on interviews with key sustainability managers within the institution and on research of institutional documents related to the subject. As a result, the existence of specific sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring microfoundations for HEIs that can enable SOI in the three levels of activities studied was verified, highlighting important relationships between them. This work contributes to the advancement of knowledge about SOI activities in HEIs by identifying the microfoundations that drive such activities and addressing a gap in studies on microfoundations of SOI dynamic capabilities and activities in higher education institutions. In practical terms, this article can serve as a basis for HEIs managers to understand what they need to do to drive SOI activities, especially in building systems for the development of innovations with social and economic impact for territories beyond institutional boundaries.

Prevencia finančnej krízy v podniku pomocou analýzy scenárov

External threats in the global environment and the resulting economic consequences, e.g. the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the rise in energy prices, and rising inflation, make corporates give more attention to the prevention of crises. Since some adverse events are less predictable, the need for greater preparedness and associated risk assessment using various methods and techniques, e.g. scenario analysis, is in place. The article aims to present the results of a case study focused on managing a service enterprise during a financial crisis using scenario analysis to prevent bankruptcy. The results of this case study in a specific service enterprise point to the need to pay attention to scenario analysis, with the help of which the enterprise can think about future development and possible economic consequences and take appropriate measures to avoid a crisis or ankruptcy. Processed results benefit board members, key process managers, risk experts, regulators, etc., not only in the business sector but also in the public sector in Slovakia and other countries worldwide.

A competency framework for strategic planning managers in multi-business holding organisations

Abstract Nowadays, the business environment is dynamic and constantly changing, which intensifies competition among companies. The complexity of competition in multi-business holding companies is higher than in other organisations due to the complexities of different industries and their uncertainties in terms of investment policies and corporate strategies. Such companies need a strategic plan to align business requirements with their various functions. In this regard, strategic planning managers (SPMs) have a significant role in analysing possible business scenarios and putting optimal plans in place to guarantee their implementation in a specific timeline. This study aims to identify and discuss the necessary competencies and capabilities of this cohort of managers. In the present article, a qualitative approach was adopted, and the findings are based on observations in a case study multi-discipline holding organisation. The viewpoints of the key managers were obtained, and a competency framework was developed. The results indicate that the professional competencies of SPMs can be explained in terms of the two aspects of (1) strategy formulation and (2) strategy implementation. A framework is presented in this paper that summarises the viewpoints of managers in the case study organisation on the requisite competencies of SPMs. Although prior studies explain the general competencies of managers from a universal perspective, this study steps beyond the borders of such models and extends the literature on the professional competencies of a specific and most influential cohort of business managers in holding organisations through an in-depth case study.

Information Technology Infrastructure and Organisational Sustainability of Petroleum Tank Farms in South-South, Nigeria

The examination assessed the connection between information technology infrastructure and organisational sustainability (with environmental sustainability and economic sustainability as proxies) of petroleum tank farms in South-South, Nigeria. The theory of technology-organisation-environment framework was the underlying theory and the underpinning philosophy is positivism. A cross-sectional survey approach was used, and questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The Krejcie & Morgan’s formula was used to determine a sample size of 262, from a population of 820 key managers. The sample size was adjusted by 10% to 288 respondents, to provide for non-responses and outliers. The hypotheses were tested using the structural equation model, at 0.05 level of significance. The analyses showed that information technology infrastructure has positive significant relationship with the proxies of organisational sustainability. The investigation concludes that information technology infrastructure positively and significantly enhances organisational sustainability. This underscores the need for managers to recognize the pivotal role of information technology infrastructure in boosting environmental sustainability and economic sustainability. Therefore, Managers of petroleum tank farms should effectively provide their teams with IT support for collaborative work regardless of time and place. Also, Management of petroleum tank farms should put in place, appropriate technology that allows effective recording and reporting of outcome for people using their services and ensuring that the selection, implementation, use, maintenance and improvement of technological solution, is included in their organizations’ strategic service planning.

Improving Sales Forecasting by Combining Key Account Managers’ Inputs and Models Such as SARIMA, LSTM, and Facebook Prophet

Sales forecasting is important for a company to plan its production. The quality of its forecasts influences finances and the product availability. The impact of sales forecasts on a company may result on an immobilization of cash flow by causing a high stock level, which is the opposite of out-of-stock impact. The purpose of this study was to find a suitable model for predicting the best company sales forecasts that has a better accuracy or production plan. The proposed method includes an adjustment of the prediction model by including the key account managers’ expertise as qualitative forecasting method. This adjustment was analyzed using different time series forecasting techniques such as exponential smoothing, seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average and Facebook Prophet. These techniques were compared in parallel with neural network approaches such as long-short term memory. Comparisons were made using root mean square error and residual stock to determine whether the forecasts were too optimistic or pessimistic. The proposed model is dynamic. Adjustments of the qualitative inputs could directly influence the proposed values obtained using different quantitative methods.

Special Interest Tourism Activities Planning in Cikawari Waterfall through Risk Analysis and Tourist Interest in Visiting

Every activity at a tourist attraction will have risks. This is no exception for special interest tourism, which has a higher risk than other tourism activities. From the perspective of tourists, they tend to avoid destinations with high potential risks, which also affects their decisions. Cikawari Waterfall is one of the natural tourist attractions in the West Bandung Regency area. Planning for tourism activities at these attractions requires further assessment of the planned provision of special interest activities and facilities (rafting). This study aims to determine the feasibility of the special interest tourism plan by considering the safety risks in tourist attractions and the interest of tourists in visiting. This study uses mixed research methods (qualitative and quantitative) with a purposive sampling technique. This study involved interviews with three key tourism managers and a survey of 118 tourists who visited Cikawari Waterfall. The results showed that tourists consider the risk aspect when visiting. The qualitative and quantitative studies also show that Cikawari Waterfall is considered safe enough against the risk of accidents to visit because there are not many rocks, and the current is not too heavy. The location is easily accessible, so tourists are highly interested in visiting Cikawari Waterfall. In addition, the coordination built in the application of crisis management by the two managers strengthens the position of Cikawari Waterfall to be visited so that tourists do not need to feel anxious when visiting.

Социальные, психологические и организационные факторы, влияющие на психологическую безопасность образовательной среды

According to data of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, various forms of violations of human behavior are seen in the education and youth environment, including through immersion in destructive ideologies on the Internet. These data write down the need to study the factors affecting the psychological safety of the environment, especially the educational and youth environment (students and schoolchildren). In this regard, the purpose of the study is to identify the influence of social, psychological and organizational factors on the psychological safety of the educational environment. The study was conducted based on big data analysis of 164 schools. They include data from schools on the following indicators: “suicides”, “suicide attempts”, “crimes”, “psychological competencies of managers”, “staff turnover”, etc. The statistical method of big data analysis is the leading one in describing the results of the study. Factor analysis was used to describe a multidimensional model of psychological safety of the educational environment. A two-sample F-test was used to compare the sample populations. The results of the study allowed us to identify factors influencing the psychological safety of the educational environment: high turnover of teaching staff, lack of psychological competencies in the administration of educational organizations, the number of suicidal attempts, a large number of representations of the prosecutor's office, etc. The results of the study made it possible to form instructions to the executive authorities of the Republic of Tatarstan signed by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan – Chairman of the Anti-Terrorist Commission in the Republic of Tatarstan. The instructions are aimed at improving the effectiveness of the psychological service in education; the formation of psychological competencies of key managers responsible for the organization of psychological, social and educational activities; the inclusion in the job descriptions of key managers responsible for the organization of psychological, social and educational activities of new labor functions for the formation of psychological security of the educational environment, as well as the identification and support of students in need of socio-psychological support.

Risk based meat safety assurance system – An introduction to key concepts for future training of official veterinarians

More than a decade ago, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) sparked a substantial modernisation effort in traditional meat safety systems in Europe by publishing a range of EFSA opinions that were followed, from 2014 to 2019, by amendments to relevant EU legislation. A novel, risk-based meat safety assurance system (RB-MSAS) was proposed to address the latest, most relevant meat-borne hazards and protect human health as well as animal health and welfare. This new framework was thought to offer substantial advantages with regard to the combination and longitudinal integration of prevention and control measures along the meat production chain. Official veterinarians (OVs) are expected to take on a central role as risk managers in RB-MSAS and will benefit from the use of harmonised epidemiological indicators (HEIs) and food chain information (FCI). In this article, we aim to provide an introduction to the key concepts of RB-MSAS and elaborate on the potential training needs of OVs as key risk managers in this novel framework. To this end, we present an overview of the components of an RB-MSAS along with the main factors that may hamper its development vis-à-vis the current status of the European meat inspection system. We state key future challenges related to the conceptual and practical implementation of a RB-MSAS and give potential solutions. In addition, the technical description of the HEIs proposed by EFSA for different animal species and at specific stages of the food chain is provided, as is their use to categorise farms and abattoirs according to the risk and to conduct risk-based meat inspection. Finally, advanced training tools for OVs enabling them to effectively and efficiently operate as risk managers in the future RB-MSAS environment are outlined.

Barriers to BIM for facilities management adoption in Nigeria: a multivariate analysis

PurposeBuilding information modelling (BIM) has been established in the literature as a successful platform that creates an intelligent virtual model for processing data from conceptual design through construction to operational stage of a facility. However, its adoption for facilities management (FM) provision in Nigeria has been slow due to inherent barriers. The aim of this paper is to (1) assess and categorise using factor analysis BIM for FM barriers and (2) model the barriers using stakeholders' personal/professional attributes.Design/methodology/approachAnchored on quantitative research design, 205 copies of structured questionnaire were distributed to key stakeholders and facilities managers in Nigeria's three strategic cities while 135 valid responses were received giving a response rate of 65.8%. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics while multiple regression analysis was used to model the barriers. Kruskal Wallis test was used to test the only hypothesis postulated for the study.FindingsThe study established lack of awareness of BIM for FM, poor supporting infrastructure for Internet services, and lack of education and training as the top three rated barriers militating against adoption of BIM for FM in Nigeria while corruption, widespread mistakes and errors and cultural issues were established as the three least rated barriers. Besides, findings also established eight underlying factors that explained 23 barrier factors used for the study which were subsequently used to develop eight regression models. In effect, gender, professional affiliation, organisation, experience, education, expertise, BIM for FM project type, and location were found to statistically predict the 8 extracted factors driving perceived barriers of BIM for FM adoption in Nigeria.Practical implicationsThe study has provided a framework of barrier factors to help stakeholders identify specific barriers for which appropriate measures can be taken to ameliorate consequences of the perceived barriers. Meanwhile, an improved and rejuvenated advocacy on inherent benefits of BIM for facilities management by frontline stakeholders could potentially steer up interests and increased participation of stakeholders on BIM for FM.Originality/valueThe unique study developed the first ever regression model that links BIM for FM barriers to professional attributes of facilities management stakeholders in Nigeria.

Key factors affecting succession planning in the leadership of public hospital in Iran: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT Objective We aimed to identify the key factors affecting succession planning in the leadership of Iranian public hospitals. Method The present study used an exploratory, qualitative design. Fifteen key informants and managers working in public hospitals and the Vice-Chancellor for Development of Iran University Medical Sciences were recruited through purposive sampling. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with participants from May to June 2020. Data analysis was applied parallel with data collection through a content analysis approach using MAXQDA 11. Results Based on the interviews and extracted data, the findings were identified in five main themes: (1) Strategic goals and needs assessment in line with the organization's goals, (2) Strategic communication and organizational structure, (3) Talent identification and empowerment, (4) Development and excellence of qualified individuals, and (5) Monitoring of succession planning programs. Conclusion It is suggested that public hospitals apply comprehensive support and commitment in implementing succession planning programs. This way, there will be improvements in organizational decisions and policies, and capable and qualified individuals will be used in critical positions. Furthermore, this would also lead to increased work quality, increased personnel motivation, reduced resource wastage, and improved employee career path.

Role of remote transformational leadership on service performance: evidence in Indonesia

AbstractThis study examined and analysed the role of remote transformational leadership in business strategy consensus by considering the contingency of competitive intensity and organisational learning culture. The population of this study are owners or service managers of start-up business companies in the provinces of DIY and East Java. The sampling technique used was a purposive sampling method with a sample size of 231 managers. The data was collected through the distribution of questionnaires and interviews with several key service managers who represent their companies. Euclidean Distance Simple Regression and Euclidean Distance Simple Regression Moderation were used as the statistical processing tools. The results of this study proved a fit between each business strategy typology with each contingency variable examined in this study. It was also found that transformational leadership could strengthen the relationship pattern. The contingency approach is crucial because situations and conditions between organisations may vary depending on the company’s internal (organisational learning culture) and external (competitive intensity) environment, especially in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic. Contingency fit in the organisational strategy needs to be assessed so that the service performance can be improved and sustainable in the long term. This situation and condition will improve when strengthened by the role of remote transformational leadership.

MOBILE MONEY AND ARCHETYPE FOR UNDERSTANDING END-USERS ADOPTION BEHAVIOURAL FACTORS VIZ. SOCIOECONOMIC,CULTURAL AND POLITICAL FACTORS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Whilst there has been considerable research on innovation adoption and diffusion in the rapid growth of mobile money, fewer studies have been conducted on the active engagement with the technology using a reference theory particularly studies in the context of SSA. Past studies of mobile money based on case studies, interviews and reviews of secondary data have focused on potential benefits, features, and implementation. Research studies on mobile money about SSA are mixed. The existing studies on mobile money adoption based on reference theories focused largely on Southeast Asia and developed nations. Most of these studies presume mobile money is readily available but the anus of accepting or rejecting it resides with end-users. This assumption falls short of realities for SSA, because SSA trails behind the rest of the world in modern technological infrastructures. This study investigates the precursors pertinent to understanding the adoption of mobile money in the context SSA as well as the implications of the interplay between technological infrastructures for mobile money with socioeconomic and political forces. The study makes important contributions to the literature and managerial practice by providing adequate understanding of the factors inherent to SSA contributing to poor mobile money adoption behaviour, building a modified TAM for mobile money adoption for SSA and establishing adequate knowledge for policymakers, governments, private investors, and NGOs in mapping-out key factors managers may have control over for investment in mobile money.

Going beyond optimal distinctiveness: Strategic positioning for gaining an audience composition premium

AbstractResearch SummaryA core question in strategy research is how firms should position themselves to gain favorable audience evaluations. Emphasizing the heterogeneity in audience predispositions, we propose that firms can gain an audience composition premium by strategically positioning themselves to gain more (less) attention from audiences with positive (negative) predispositions toward them. We argue that this approach to strategic positioning is more conducive for firms with high dispersion in their audience predispositions and that firms can increase their ability to gain an audience composition premium by engaging with audiences holding moderately diverse evaluative schemas. We employ recommender systems and topic modeling to analyze 152,312 firm‐analyst‐year observations from 1997 to 2018 and 297,931 earnings call transcripts of U.S. public firms and find strong support for our predictions.Managerial SummaryA key question managers encounter is how to increase their firms' evaluations from external evaluators such as security analysts. In this study, we show that firms can increase their aggregate analyst recommendations by influencing the composition of analysts who opt to cover them and gaining evaluations from analysts who have more favorable predispositions toward them (i.e., by gaining an audience composition premium). Our findings also suggest that gaining an audience composition premium is more important for enhancing a firm's aggregate analyst recommendations when there is a higher dispersion in analyst predispositions toward the firm. To increase its ability to gain an audience composition premium, the firm should engage with analysts who exhibit a moderate degree of heterogeneity in their evaluative schemas.