Managerial Gap Research Articles

EXCELLENCE MODEL IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT: THE CAETÉS ECOLOGICAL STATION CASE

Abstract The Model of Excellence in Public Management (MEGP) stands out for the results from the management of protected areas. This study aimed to analyze the applicability of this model to improve the effectiveness in management of the Pernambuco conservation units. As a reference, the Ecological Station chosen was Caetés, the first State unit deployed with a management plan and participatory management. Adapting the model to the unit management conditions and, through workshops with managers, the MEGP criteria were analyzed, the existing management practices identified and the results presented. The analysis revealed managerial gaps that interfere with the unit management and the use of the model helps to improve it, also improving outcomes for biodiversity conservation policies.

Identity, Positioning, Brand Image and Brand Equity Comparison.

The management of marketing has as presupposition the understanding of the relations between market and consumption, as well as, the concepts related to the maximization of the results of the company. In this way, an article was elaborated in search of the understanding of the existing relations between brand identity, positioning, brand image and brand equity. In this context, qualitative-quantitative research was sought to describe the existing relationships between concepts, as well as the conceptual and managerial gaps arising from their management. As a result of this work we have the analysis of the conceptual and operational gaps of these concepts.

The role of social capital in regional innovation systems: Creative social capital and its institutionalization process

AbstractIn the literature on regional innovation systems, one strand of study has identified a number of gaps that limit the efficiency and effectiveness of regional innovation systems, including so‐called ‘managerial gaps’, ‘structural holes’, ‘innovation gaps’, and ‘valleys of death’. Our project aims to demonstrate how social capital, in a creative tension that balances bonding and bridging elements, may contribute to reducing these specific gaps identified in the regional innovation systems literature. This perspective is analysed within a particular context: the Mondragon Cooperative Group in the Basque Country.

Developing the WH2 framework for environmental sustainability in logistics service providers: A taxonomy of green initiatives

This paper aims to provide a novel taxonomy of green initiatives and to investigate their diffusion among logistics service providers (LSPs). The term ‘green initiative’ has been defined as a multifaceted concept which incorporates three perspectives: the managerial perspective (the aim), the organisational perspective (the practices), and the technological perspective (the technological tools). Starting from a systematic literature review, we developed the WH2framework to identify a taxonomy of green aims, green practices and technological tools that can be used by LSPs to achieve their environmental sustainability (ES) strategies. A web-based document analysis methodology was carried out to investigate the degree of diffusion of green initiatives in 464 LSPs. This methodology was conducted through six main steps: 1) document search; 2) document selection; 3) manual analysis; 4) computer-assisted analysis; 5) confirmation analysis; 6) triangulation of findings. The results highlight that the LSPs investigated tend to plan their ES strategies without setting out in an integrated manner the green aims related to the different typologies of service provided and mainly neglect those related to logistics and management services. As for the green practices, their low level of diffusion shows the attempt of LSPs to combine management and environmental efficiency without a defined ES strategy roadmap. As for the technological tools, the results highlight that these are more commonly adopted than green practices. Nevertheless, LSPs tend to adopt traditional systems instead of collaborative technologies. The results make it possible to identify three main gaps among LSPs: a technological gap, a cultural gap, a managerial gap.

A Normative Model for Assessing SME IT Effectiveness

Information technology (IT) is a key enabler of modern small businesses, yet fostering reliably effective IT systems remains a significant challenge. This paper presents a light weight IT effectiveness model for small businesses to assess their IT and formulate strategies for improvement. Employing an action research approach we investigate a mixed method analysis of 120 survey responses from small family businesses and user participation in 10 semi-structured interviews. We then conduct critical reflection to identify refinements which are validated using 72 survey responses from university students. The results present compelling evidence that employees’ normative patterns (norms) are a significant driver of IT effectiveness in a second order PLS predictive model able to explain 26% of observed variance. A norms-based approach to IT effectiveness helps fill a significant research and managerial gap for organizations unable or unwilling to adopt IT best practice frameworks used by large organizations. Our findings imply that comparing norms to IT best practices may offer a less technical approach to assessing IT operations, which may be well suited to small businesses. Although further investigation cycles are needed to systematically test this model, we encourage small business managers to: 1) anticipate IT risks and mitigate them; 2) identify measures of IT performance, and monitor them, and 3) review/synchronize business and IT goals.

Persepsi Kepala SMK terhadap Topik Materi Pelatihan Intrapreneur

The pros side says that, in order to increase the skill, training is needed. On the other hand, the contras side states that, although the training has been planned sophisticatedly, the implementation still employs conventional ways. This article presents four research findings, including topics of intrapreneurship material as an important component of the training quality. By sufficient intrapreneur skill, the managerial gap between school managerial and both businessman and entrepreneur hopefully can be reduced. Four issues discussed are the validity and reliability of intrapreneurship material topics, the present picture of training material for principal candidate, and the description of training model for principal candidate

Administrative and Legislative Scrutiny of Existing Computer Waste Management Practices in Pakistan

Electronic-waste (E-waste) management is one of the global emerging issues. The current study has been carried out to evaluate the existing computer waste management (CWM) in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Study focuses on managerial gap analysis and determination of potential occupational impacts from current CWM practices. System observation and waste quantification are the tools used in field, while interviews and questionnaire based surveys were also conducted. The results reveal that approximately 624.15 tons of computer waste (CW) is generated in the twin cities per year. Approximately 825kg of monitors and 1125kg of CPUs wastes are generated in Twin cities per day. Associated authorities like CDA, Ministry of Climate Change and EPA were interviewed for legal compliance. There is the lack of rules implementation on E-waste management. However, legislations made by concerned authorities exist in the country but are not practically enforced. Further concerns observed during the study include lack of using basic PPEs and employing child labor in their adolescence. Implementation of existing laws along with basic occupational health and safety rules in the system may play a better role to attenuate the load of waste from the very important cities of Pakistan.

Public Administration Training and Development in Africa: The Case of the Republic of South Africa

South Africa is a developmental state that suffers from a lack of management capacity in the public service. Hence, a national imperative focuses on addressing talent management and building a cohort of qualified and competent public servants. The synergistic link between public sector management and the content of public administration can be associated with and contribute to addressing critical skills shortages in the public service. Training in this regard with the demand for and supply of competent managers raises some serious consideration. Given that academicians and scholars often criticize the history and evolution of education and training in public administration as being overly administrative and outdated, how has the need for a transformative management-governance context advanced in South Africa? In this regard, a range of “soft skills” deemed necessary for the developmental agenda in South Africa is a focal point of contemporary public administration. From a training perspective, methodologies include problem-based learning, performance-oriented and situation-emergent training, project management approach to managerial problems, and emphasis placed on indigenous management knowledge in a developmental context. We hope that these innovative approaches would address the wide managerial gap in the public administration environment.

Modern Rice Technologies and Productivity in the Philippines: Disentangling Technology from Managerial Gaps

AbstractUsing cross‐sectional farm‐level data from 3,164 rice‐farming households in the Philippines, we measure the impact of modern rice technologies on farm productivity while disentangling technology gaps (the distance between production frontiers) from managerial gaps (differences in technical efficiency). To do so, we combine a recently developed stochastic production frontier framework with impact evaluation techniques to control for biases stemming from observables and unobservables. First, we find an adequate control group using propensity score matching to mitigate the effect of biases from observable variables. Then, we test for biases that might arise from unobserved variables using a stochastic frontier framework corrected for self‐selection. Finally, we estimate meta‐frontiers to assess productivity differences between adopters and non‐adopters. The analysis shows that the adoption of certified seeds has a significant and positive impact on productivity, efficiency and net income in rice farming.

The Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation in ASEAN and Its Member States

The aim of this article is twofold. Firstly, it aims to provide empirical evidence of science, technology and innovation governance in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the supranational and national levels. Secondly, the article aims to compare and contrast this governance with national policies. The evidence suggests that policies are integrated at the supranational level, where governance is characterised by intergovernmental and comitological features. ‘Vision 2020’ provided a cooperative context that triggered policies at the national level, but those policies differed in their primary goals: the financial goal of stimulating research and development, increasing the diffusion of technology, reducing managerial gaps in running businesses and implementing systems for facilitating change. In particular, the primary goals of national policies generally resulted in performance dimensions that did not correspond with such goals.

The Managerial Gap and how coaching can help

This article considers two models that could potentially be useful to coaching psychologists as they seek to help clients identify their organisational roles and their willingness and ability to carry out such roles. The first model considered is that of the Managerial Escalator which seeks to help individual employees identify and cope with their likely accumulation of managerial responsibilities, particularly dealing with any Managerial Gap. The second, and linked, model is that of Role Set Analysis. This is a particularly effective technique to help clients identify their evolving role and priorities.

Is There a Managerial Gap in Case of Business Succession? Answers from an Evolutionary Viewpoint

Why does a managerial vacuum in case of inter-family business succession occur? Latest insights of entrepreneurship theory and path dependency are used to address this research question. Employing a co-evolutionary view, the managerial vacuum will be conceptualized from both the macro and micro level. Path dependency opens the perspective to a process-oriented interpretation of causes, effects, and managerial implications concerning a period of high uncertainty but at the same time of high importance for family businesses. First research propositions summarize and condense the findings and serve as a benchmark of ongoing research.

Importance of performance information in managerial work

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyse the connection between managerial job and importance of job‐relevant performance information.Design/methodology/approachTwo hypotheses on the relationship of the nature of job to the job‐relevant information are tested by survey data gathered in spring 2008. The data include responses from 76 Finnish CEOs in manufacturing industry. Managerial job, information, and information gap types are extracted by the factor analysis. The hypotheses are tested by the regression analysis.FindingsEvidence shows that the type of job strongly influences the importance of different information types in managerial work. However, information gap does not depend on the type of work but on contextual variables.Research limitations/implicationsThe results limited by the small sample size and industry. Larger data, advanced statistical methods, and different constructs to measure managerial job and contextual variables should be used in further studies.Practical implicationsContingency factors are important in affecting the nature of managerial job. Managerial job largely determines the importance of information but the gap of information depends on contextual environment. It is important to take account of the nature of managerial job in designing information systems.Originality/valueThis study shows that managerial job mediates the effect of contingency factors on the importance of information. However, these factors have a direct effect on the gap of information.

Entrepreneurial Necessities and Managerial Shortfalls of Founders: What Does Entrepreneurship Theory Tell Us?

Founding a new firm is a challenging endeavor. However, many founders lack the available skills in particular in early phases of venturing. This paper addresses this managerial gap and employs entrepreneurship theory to understand cause and effect relationships in this context. Against the background of previous empirical surveys and based on a framework consisting of four entrepreneurial functions, namely innovation, risk management, coordination, and arbitrage, the paper presents research propositions that explain the status of competitiveness of the firm.

A Systems Approach to Corporate Sustainability in Energy Management of Industrial Units

This paper presents a ldquoproof of conceptrdquo system methodology for the energy management of industrial units examining them as socio-technical systems. The cybernetic viable system model (VSM) of Beer is used to consider an industrial unit as a viable organization and through this consideration to diagnose the technical and managerial gaps identifying the Best Interventions Plan according to principles of sustainability. Based on a case study concerning a Fertilizers Production Plant, a framework is developed that could be extensively used for energy management of industrial units. The systems approach of this framework emerges as a unique available tool to implement the principles of sustainability in industrial energy management.

Closing the management skills gap: a call for action

PurposeThis article is intended to provide the necessary tools to attack the causes of management training failures.Design/methodology/approachThe top ten managerial training failures identified from a sample of 323 seasoned managers in rapidly changing organizations are discussed along with specific suggested solutions.FindingsA revised content analysis revealed the most frequently cited causes of why organizations fail to train their managers properly.Originality/valueThe findings provide an up‐to‐date list of the causes of ineffective training and the discussion focuses on ways to close the managerial skills gap by providing specific solutions to identified problems.

Developing strategic self-descriptions of SMEs

It is widely accepted that there exists a managerial gap in many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate successfully in new technologies. One of the problems experienced by intermediaries to SMEs in this respect relates to the poor skills of the latter to reflect on themselves strategically. In this paper a Quick Scan is presented that consultants and technology brokers can use to support managers of SMEs in developing strategic self-descriptions that highlight the need for innovation. The Quick Scan teaches managers to make sense of various strategic concepts. During the use of the Quick Scan it appeared that managers of SMEs have indeed poor skills to reflect upon their companies strategically. It is concluded that managers appreciate the systematic and integral strategic perspective offered to them. Intermediaries value the potential of the Quick Scan to initiate strategic sense-making in the context of SMEs.

Building bridges for innovation: the role of consultants in technology transfer

Recent models of the innovation activity depict the process as non-linear, and characterised by multiple interactions, systems integration and complex networks. This paper examines the implications of technology transfer within such models, identifying the components of managerial capabilities required to absorb and assimilate new inputs of technology required for successful transfer. Particular attention is paid to the intermediary roles which can be played by consultants in bridging the `managerial gap', the changing nature and scope of services offered by consultants and the contributions they can make within technology policy. Implications for government technology transfer mechanisms are discussed and examples of innovative government technology transfer policies are reviewed.