Pursuit Of Competitive Advantage Research Articles

Strategies of resources development in human with accessing the competitive right of the organization

In the context of contemporary organizations, Human Resource Development (HRD) has become a key strategy in the pursuit of competitive advantage. By referring to a variety of established studies and theories, emphasis is placed on the importance of investment in training and development, the creation of a positive organizational culture, the use of technology in learning, succession strategies and career development, as well as ongoing feedback and evaluation to drive organizational performance. The method of research carried out in this research is the study of literature by looking for literature according to the context in the research. Research results show that SDM development strategies can help organizations to adapt, grow, and gain an edge in a highly competitive and dynamic business environment.

LINKING CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND DEMAND FOR HALAL LOGISTICS — EVIDENCE FROM BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

This study aims to investigate elements associated with consumer behavior towards the demand for halal logistics, namely concern about halal (COHA), knowledge of halal (KNHA), awareness of halal logistics (AWHL), and perceptions of halal logistics (PEHL). This research applied a quantitative methodology that gathered primary data from Muslim consumers residing in Brunei Darussalam. Data were collected using an online self-administrated survey questionnaire, and regression and correlation analyses were tested to investigate the proposed hypotheses. The result demonstrates that COHA, KNHA, AWHL, and PEHL constructs significantly influence demand for halal logistics (DEHL). All four elements show a medium to strong positive correlation with the dependent variable, inferring that the independent variables and the DEHL construct are closely related or associated — suggesting that an increase in the independent variables will increase DEHL and vice versa. This research does not fully represent the general consumers in Brunei markets as this research solely focuses on Muslims. Future research on non-Muslim consumers might be an option to give a bigger picture of the need for halal logistics in Brunei Darussalam. This study is beneficial to relevant stakeholders such as halal businesses, logistics service providers (LSP), policymakers, and consumers to reconsider the extent of halal logistics in not only safeguarding halal integrity across the logistics chain but also its significance in shaping continuous and viable demands in the pursuit of competitive advantage. This paper is among the first attempts to investigate Muslim consumer demand for halal logistics in Brunei, considering that past research focused heavily on Malaysian and Indonesian markets. This paper could contribute to future theoretical and empirical studies and suggest practical initiatives towards relevant stakeholders.

The Impact of Brand Awareness on Customer Loyalty in Selected Food and Beverage Businesses in Lagos State Nigeria

The pursuit of competitive advantage and increase in customer brand loyalty post-pandemic have compelled businesses to be strategic, particularly regarding brand awareness decisions. However, shaping brand management, increasing brand awareness development and adaptation which are critical activities in modern marketing has been an issue in developing nations like Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to examine effect of brand awareness on customer-loyalty in the food and beverage industry in Lagos State, Nigeria. This study used survey research design facilitated through a structured research instrument. Using quantitative method six hundred respondents from the selected food and beverage companies in Lagos state participated and data was collected using questionnaire. A total of 600 copies of questionnaire were administered to the respondents with a response rate of 100.00%. The collected data was analyzed and presented both in descriptive and inferential analysis. The findings of this study revealed that brand awareness have significant positive effect on customer loyalty. Based on the findings of this study it is concluded that brand awareness (brand impression, brand competence, and brand value) are a strategic tool for achieving customer loyalty in food and beverage industry in Lagos state, Nigeria and that brand awareness has significant effect on customer loyalty in food and beverage industry in Lagos state, Nigeria. Hence, this study recommends that the food and beverage industries in Lagos state, Nigeria should apply brand impression, competence, management and value in order to maintain customer brand loyalty and competitive advantage

The impact of emotional intelligence, cross-functional teams and interorganizational networks on operational effectiveness

PurposeThis article aims to examine the influence of emotional intelligence on cross-functional teams, the formation of interorganizational networks and the impact of all three dimensions on operational effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis was based on 250 valid questionnaires collected from organizations in the Valle del Cauca region in Colombia in the service sector. The variables were analyzed using structural equation modeling to identify their relationships.FindingsThe results suggest that emotional intelligence contributes to establishing cross-functional teams but does not impact the development of interorganizational networks, influencing operational effectiveness only indirectly through the cross-functional teams. Contrary to what the literature suggests, interorganizational networks do not influence the operational effectiveness of organizations. Hence, in the pursuit of competitive advantage, companies in the studied region should encourage the creation of cross-functional teams within their organizations to maximize the returns received through the optimization of operational effectiveness.Practical implicationsOrganizations are comprised of individuals whose emotional intelligence competencies and abilities enable them to form effective cross-functional teams. Furthermore, cross-functional teams that effectively establish relationships with other organizations are frequently employed in global, interorganizational collaboration environments like joint ventures and alliances. Cross-functional teams that fulfill their aims have the potential to benefit the organization's performance by boosting operational effectiveness and, therefore, its competitiveness.Originality/valueThe value of this article lies in providing a better understanding of the capabilities and strategies of organizations in the construction of interorganizational networks intended to improve their competitiveness. However, before operational effectiveness and a sustainable competitive advantage can be achieved, the role of the individuals comprising the cross-functional teams should be managed through the appropriate application of the concepts of emotional intelligence.

Value innovation and marketing capabilities in dynamic environments: a dynamic capability perspective

ABSTRACT In highly competitive markets, organizations need to engage in the disruptive type of innovation to create superior value for customers. Drawing on the dynamic capabilities view; this paper explores value innovation as a dynamic capability for reconfiguring the resource-base of the organization in pursuit of competitive advantage. This paper first investigates the mediating role of operational marketing capabilities, namely pricing, product development, channel management, and marketing implementation, in the relationship between value innovation and organizational outcomes. Secondly, it explores the moderating effects of environmental dynamism in terms of market turbulence and technological turbulence in the relationship between value innovation and marketing capabilities. The study, employing structural equation modelling, is based on data from 414 senior managers. The findings indicate that value innovation positively affects these operational marketing capabilities, which in turn leads to enhanced organizational outcomes. Further, in more turbulent environments, the relationship between value innovation and operational marketing capabilities is stronger.

Assessing star value: The influence of prior performance and visibility on compensation strategy

AbstractThe greatest competition among rivals in many industries is not for market share but human capital. In the so‐called talent war, organisations compete aggressively to attract star employees—individuals with disproportionate productivity and external visibility—in pursuit of competitive advantage. Building on human capital and resource‐based view theories, we argue that firms' compensation strategies are influenced by the intangible assets that define stars. With data from Major League Baseball, we find that organisations are likely to pay higher wages to stars based on their prior performance and visibility. Furthermore, our data indicate that firm competitive position influences which of these intangible assets holds greater value for managers. We discuss the implications of these findings for organisations waging a war for talent and suggest directions for future research on a matter that is far from over.

Plural forms and differentiation strategies in the agri‐food sector: Evidence from the U.S. wine industry

AbstractThis article investigates how measurement ability, trust, and the pursuit of differentiation strategies influence the adoption of plural forms in an agri‐food system. We analyze a unique dataset of 314 winegrape sourcing choices from 74 wineries located in five U.S. states, investigating how the pursuit of differentiation influences the likelihood of adoption of a plural form—that is, the simultaneous adoption of a formal arrangement (i.e., vertical integration or long‐term formal contract) and an informal arrangement (i.e., informal contracts or spot‐market transactions). Consistent with previous studies, measurement ability and the existence of trust are both associated with a higher likelihood of adoption of informal arrangements in comparison to formal arrangements. Moreover, we show that the likelihood of adoption of a plural form increases as the differentiation potential of a winegrape variety also increases. Finally, we find that the use of plural forms is associated with a reduction in the importance of trust in the relationships with external suppliers. This study is important because it sheds light on the role of plural forms in the pursuit of competitive advantage in an agri‐food system. Overall, it suggests that the current interpretations of the idea of “vertical coordination” may be enlarged to encompass a greater deal of organizational diversity.

Exploring antecedents of innovations for small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises' environmental sustainability: An interpretative framework

AbstractThe need to pursue sustainable development has become a central topic in Western countries due to citizens' greater sensitivity to improving environmental and social conditions. Companies can reach this objective more easily through green innovations, which are now considered a strategic opportunity that simultaneously allows for adherence to sustainable development criteria and the pursuit of competitive advantages. Scholars have identified the determinants that encourage companies to adopt green innovations, but the outcomes of their investigations thus far have often been ambiguous and contradictory. Our paper proposes an interpretative framework for addressing such inconsistencies. Using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) methodology, we validate this framework on a sample of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and show that SMEs' choices are influenced by cultural elements and stimulated by the prospect of obtaining economic advantages over competitors. SMEs also pay close attention to stakeholder solicitations, while public administration does not affect their eco‐innovating choices. The results have policy implications for executives and insiders.

Way off the mark? Open innovation failures: Decoding what really matters to chart the future course of action

With the increasing need for firms to implement innovation in their pursuit of competitive advantage, open innovation has attracted the growing attention of academics and practitioners. However, the current literature has been lopsided, focussing predominantly on the myriad benefits of open innovation. We argue that eulogising only the positive aspects of open innovation is insufficient to help firms and motivate future research. Therefore, we recommend increased attention to the dark side of open innovation, which includes failures that can occur at various stages of the open innovation process. A review of the existing literature reveals that although researchers have, time and again, attempted to document failure in open innovation, this literature is comparatively sparse and fragmented. The extant literature also exhibits an apparent lack of effort to encourage future research, as evidenced by the absence of a comprehensive literature review. We aim to address this research gap by reviewing 76 studies identified by applying a stringent search protocol consistent with the systematic literature review (SLR) methodology. The contributions of this SLR include (a) development of a research profile of the relevant literature, (b) identification of five thematic areas, (c) elucidation of research gaps and suggestion of potential research questions as an agenda for future research on failures in open innovation, (d) formulation of a conceptual framework comprising the antecedents and outcomes of open innovation failure and (e) presentation of the various theoretical and managerial implications for scholars and practitioners.

Revisiting Strategy in a Time of Crisis

The season of upheaval brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is a critical occasion for libraries to revisit their organizational strategies. Strategy includes two complementary dimensions: alignment with the environment and the pursuit of competitive advantage. Rapid changes in the environment call for practicing strategic thinking iteratively rather than engaging in a fixed rhythm of multi-year planning. An effective library strategy displays four key attributes: (1) It responds to the concerns of diverse stakeholders. (2) It is flexible enough to adapt to emerging conditions. (3) It enacts organizational mission but can also help to reshape it. (4) It integrates with organization development to achieve success with and through people.

Competences of the Executive Secretariat in project management

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the perception of the project manager regarding the Executive Secretary’s contribution in project management. The pursuit of competitive advantage has led organizations to be concerned with project management and the communication difficulties and a lack of leadership during the process are cited among the reasons that compromise project success. In order to relate the powers of the Executive Secretary with the competences of the project team, was used the Brazilian Curriculum Guidelines of the Executive Secretariat Course and the skill set proposed by the International Project Management Association, for the construction of a theoretical model, which was analyzed by structural equation modeling. The results showed that the Executive Secretary is a contributive member of the project management team who enables efficient management of projects. With this result, we found that project managers may seek Executive Secretariat support to achieve project success.

The Effects of employee perception of training effectiveness on organizational commitment

In order to cope with rapid changes in current business environment, the pursuit of competitive advantage through the optimal use of human capital is one of the most important strategies to the firms. The employee training plays a key role in cultivating human capital, which can not only bring higher organizational performance but also create strong corporate values. Considering the fact that unique organizational culture in each firm affects the attitudes of organizational members in various ways, we sought to explore the role of organizational culture in order to examine how employee perception of training effectiveness affects organizational commitment. For this purpose, this study tests the relationship between employee perception of training effectiveness and organizational commitment and moderating effects by two types of organizational cultures in this relationship. Based on the analyses of the HCCP data, the results of this study showed that the employee perception of training effectiveness has a significant positive relationship on organizational commitment and that the relationship is constant in the clan-oriented organizational culture, whereas it is significantly weakened under the market-oriented organizational culture.

Understanding strategy

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The term strategy has become diluted and unhelpful in the process of organizations’ pursuit of competitive advantage. This briefing looks at addressing the issues around the term strategy. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Multi-model Software Process Improvement based on C2M and MR-MPS-SW Models

The pursuit of competitive advantage has boosted organizations to improve their development processes. With this, a range of maturity models for software development processes has emerged on the market. In this sense, research efforts have been increasingly necessary to understand how organizations should deal with the various maturity models, given the heterogeneity of the characteristics of these models. In this context, this work aims to propose a mapping between MR-MPS-SW and C2M models. The proposed mapping was reviewed and evaluated by five experts with experience in software process improvement. This mapping allowed us to identify that 82.2% of C2M practices with some type of coverage for the expected MR-MPS-SW results. Finally, it is possible to see that the models here mapped are not conflicting, but rather complementary, with C2M being partially adherent to MR-MPS-SW.

Knowledge acquisition efficiency, strategic renewal frequency and firm performance in high velocity environments

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate what type of knowledge enhances the frequency of strategic renewal for organizations operating in high velocity environments. It also investigates whether strategic renewal frequency is beneficial, rather than harmful in such environments.Design/methodology/approachThe study followed a two-step data collection process involving pilot interviews and an on-site survey data collection procedure. The authors first conducted face-to-face pilot interviews with 16 fashion retailers lasting 30 min to 2 h. They then tested their hypotheses by using a sample of 152 South Korean fashion retailers, as the fashion industry is a prototypical high velocity environment.FindingsFirms that have a higher rate of strategic renewal frequency outperform those with a lower one. Moreover, the frequency of strategic renewal mitigates the ill effects of lack of legitimacy not imbued by a franchisor’s backing. Finally, firms can increase the frequency of their strategic renewal efforts by accessing knowledge from their main customers more efficiently.Originality/valueThe results of this study provide a refined picture of the role of knowledge acquisition efficiency and strategic renewal frequency in the pursuit of competitive advantage in high velocity environments.

Sustainability and inclusiveness in a competitive market: A study of faith-based hospitals in India

Introduction: The Christian Healthcare Network is the largest faith-based healthcare network in India, functioning, most often, in the hard-to-reach and underdeveloped areas. It is facing serious challenges such as being forced to comply with the recent changes in government regulations, policies, and globalized market situations. Such changes in the social and financial environment are driving hospitals to adopt newer strategies to remain sustainable. Some of the mission hospitals are compromising their mission goals for which they were founded. If financial viability becomes the goal, social responsibility to the community and the true meaning of mission gets distorted. Their mission must remain the primary belief system, which legitimizes the structural arrangements and ideology of business. Mission and business must go hand-in-hand. Methods: An embedded case study method was used to purposively study 16 selected cases of Christian faith-based hospitals (FBHs) pan India with the objective to understand the nature of services employed, the role played by FBHs in India in different contexts, their challenges in the changing business environment, and how successful they were in remaining both sustainable and inclusive at the same time. Results: The study found that despite the variation in the services and infrastructure of mission hospitals across India, these facilities have had an on-going commitment and a long-standing operation with regard to population health. In their different settings, they are either the only service provider or the referral centre for the public facilities and the trusted choice of the middle- and lower-middle class population. The least sustainable and inclusive among them seem to have deviated from their founding objectives due to market changes, but more than a quarter of them were successful in remaining inclusive and sustainable. In pursuit of competitive advantages, some of them remained sustainable by dropping their inclusiveness, while a few ended up in existential crisis because of their adhesiveness to inclusivism. The challenges of attracting professionals, generating funds for development, and operating within the ethical boundaries set by the church are well addressed by the models which are sustainable and inclusive. Conclusion: In the context of drastic changes in both internal and external environments, some of the FBHs lost their business, some lost their mission and a few got corporatized. But a few remain successful in terms of inclusiveness and sustainability by innovative strategies.

Under pressure

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Supply chain strategies and resource efficiencies are integral to the pursuit of competitive advantage for manufacturing organizations that have to contend with natural resource scarcity. Bridging strategy has been identified as the frontrunner in terms of effective strategies to boost competitive advantage. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Building an integrated conceptual model of competitive learning capability

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the overarching role of learning capabilities by presenting a framework to describe how learning capability development is captured by combining the three main elements of internal marketing orientation, exploratory capabilities and resource recombination.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper building upon the theoretical integration approach of Mayer and Sparrowe (2013) to establish competitive empowerment through learning capability development, effective internal response and resources recombination.FindingsThe competitive learning capability model provides a firm’s foundation for theorizing organizational competitive models from an internal perspective, by mastering learning capability development at the centre of the model.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper emphasizes the competitive connotation of learning capabilities as a construct in strategic management. It shows the underlying role of learning across organizational processes; hence, its theoretical significance through the learning capabilities model.Practical implicationsThis paper argues that learning is at the centre of organizational competitiveness. Firms can achieve more fruitful results by continuously implementing resource integration strategies built on their learned experiences.Originality/valueThe principal significance of this paper lies in the achievement of conceptualizing learning from a strategic management perspective. Insight in this area helps bridge organizational efforts in pursuit of competitive advantage by exploiting key core learning competencies embedded in a firm’s resources and capabilities.

Environmental Protection and Corporate Responsibility: The Perspectives of Senior Managers and CxOs in China

In the mid-2000s, China’s environmental crisis had become a major social and political ‘hot spot’. In the interest of civic conciliation, national stability, and performance legitimacy, the Chinese government responded by introducing the ‘Scientific Approach to Development’ as part of the 11th Five-Year Plan in 2005. It signaled a significant policy shift, in which the government reoriented China’s national goals away from ‘Growth First’ policies and toward a model of sustainable development. In this study, we explore how Chinese business leaders reacted to this significant policy change. Specifically, our aim is three-fold: (1) to identify how senior managers and CxOs (executives or owners of enterprises, including CEOs, CFOs, CSOs) of Chinese firms responded to the explicit and systemic introduction of environmental management in the 11th Five-Year Plan; (2) examine motivations and justifications associated with their responses; (3) and explore contexts in which different motivations connected to organizational change and its management. In our study, we examine the perspectives of 72 senior managers and CxOs in China. We find that the integration of environmental management and corporate responsibility policies was predominately driven by national, international, and market contexts, and motivated by instrumental, relational, and moral considerations. We identify complex strategies and implementation plans that transformed government directives into multiple and overlapping business strategies. The main contribution of our study is the identification of specific sets of strategies employed by firms to concurrently comply with government directives and seek profits. Broadly speaking, these environmental management strategies are divided into compliance, a pursuit of competitive advantage, and a structural integration of environmental management.

In the pursuit of competitive advantage in ophthalmology services

In the pursuit of competitive advantage in ophthalmology services