Strategic Change Research Articles

PERCEIVED LEGITIMACY OF INSIDER VS. OUTSIDER SUCCESSORS AND ITS IMPACT ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN THE ACCRA METROPOLIS

Succession planning is a critical process for ensuring organizational continuity and performance, with the selection of insider or outsider successors playing a pivotal role. This study examines the perceived legitimacy of insider versus outsider successors and their impact on organizational performance within the Accra metropolis. Using the upper echelons theory as a framework, the study employed a quantitative research design with a sample size of 300 participants, comprising employees and stakeholders from organizations that had undergone leadership transitions within the last three years. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including correlation and regression analyses. The findings revealed a strong positive relationship between perceived legitimacy and organizational performance, with perceived legitimacy accounting for 90.9% of the variance in performance outcomes. Insider successors were viewed as fostering continuity and alignment with organizational culture, while outsider successors were associated with innovation and strategic change. These results highlight the importance of transparent and credible selection processes in leadership transitions. The study underscores the relevance of the upper echelons theory in understanding leadership dynamics and provides practical recommendations for improving organizational outcomes through effective succession planning.

A configurational approach to strategic change in family firms

ABSTRACT Strategic change is essential for an organization’s long-term performance and survival. Research has investigated how governance structures, organizational values, capabilities, and firm size, in isolation from one another, influence family firms’ strategic change, yet insights in family firm literature suggest the need to examine the fit among these dimensions. We employ a configurational approach and a framework built from models of fit in family firm literature to examine the interdependence among these dimensions. Using a primary dataset of 275 Belgian private family firms and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), we identify six configurations leading to high levels of strategic change and three configurations explaining low levels of strategic change. This study contributes to the literature by advancing our understanding of how multiple interdependent dimensions, namely, governance structures, organizational values, capabilities, and firm size, combine to better explain strategic change levels in family firms. The findings also provide concrete formulas for practitioners to create a fit among specific factors in these dimensions to promote strategic change.

Lessons learnt from the localisation of WASH programs for those most overlooked in Cambodia

ABSTRACT Cambodia aims to achieve 100 per cent rural sanitation coverage by 2025; however, a concern remains for communities overlooked in “challenging environments”. The Sanitation in Challenging Environments (SCE) Program has advocated for these communities since 2008 through targeted and collaborative projects. Strategic changes made in response to key events resulted in a collective action approach and release of national targets. Additionally, evolution in program management from foreign volunteers to Khmer staff ensured continuity and growth of the program through COVID-19. Using Outcome Harvesting methodology, we conducted a retrospective evaluation of the history of the SCE Program to generate lessons learnt. Analysis revealed insights and systemic challenges for two interrelated themes: communities most overlooked in conventional programming, and localisation of international programs. The SCE Program demonstrates the positive impact and necessity of both localisation and targeted programs for those most overlooked, and we present recommendations for global practitioners working in similar contexts.

Improving the effectiveness of climate change adaptation measures

To a large degree, economic metrics and mechanisms underpin the design of adaptation policies. Such a focus has undesired consequences on the effectiveness of adaptation measures as well as on our ability to prevent incommensurable losses. The article puts forward four strategic changes in adaptation policy that shift the focus away from markets and toward community-level visions of what a liveable future entails. These changes involve accommodating diverse ethical positions, through decision-making processes that are rich in information, include diverse perspectives, and are transparent with respect to the value trade-offs they entail; reflecting social norms in adaptation, through community-led initiatives whereby local priorities and cultural expressions are given centre-stage in the design of adaptation responses; limiting path dependence, through champions within key institutions that are prepared to affect change in times of disruptive climate disasters; and enfranchising marginalised groups, notably by incorporating multiple knowledges and worldviews in adaptation policy, promoting deliberation and negotiation, and subverting exclusionary practices.

Improving Strategic Planning and Ensuring the Development of Enterprises Based on Relational Strategies

The article is aimed at improving the strategic planning processes at enterprises through the effective implementation and use of relational strategies. These strategies are aimed at increasing the competitiveness, sustainability, and adaptability of enterprises in the face of rapidly changing market realities. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of relational strategies as a strategic planning tool that can contribute to the development of more effective strategic initiatives. The methodological basis of the study includes the use of evolutionary planning, which involves building a long-term model of enterprise development, a methodology for implementing strategic changes that allows assessing the organization’s ability to adapt to innovations, and a systematic planning approach to detail key milestones for achieving strategic goals. The main result of the study was the identification of the peculiarities of forming a relational strategy of an enterprise. Relational strategies are based on the creation of bilateral relations between the enterprise and other market participants, which contributes to the formation of mutually beneficial cooperation. The main goal is to obtain relational rent and ensure sustainable development of the enterprise through collaboration. The key elements of a relational strategy are an understanding of the concept of “relational rent” and the importance of “relational assets”. The study reveals the importance of relational strategies in modern strategic planning of enterprises, highlighting them as an important tool for achieving competitive advantage, sustainability and effective adaptation to dynamic market conditions

The Palestinian Conflict and the Further IT Use From the Greek and Turkish Hotels

ABSTRACTThe current conflict in Palestine substantially affects tourism and hotel operations in the Eastern Mediterranean. The study examines the Palestinian conflict's effect on the hotel industry's willingness to further use information technology (IT) as a means for handling the crisis. Two nationwide studies were conducted in the hotels of Greece and Turkey. Each study includes the perspectives of a sample of 400 hotel managers and evaluates the chaordic systems and dynamics related to the Palestinian conflict and the further use of IT in the hotels. By employing fsQCA and NCA, both studies generated the same three solutions: (i) IT orientation, (ii) the Palestine effect, and (iii) IT externalisation. The study contributes to theoretical and methodological perspectives whilst providing several managerial implications concerning the IT‐related strategic change of hotels due to the Palestinian conflict.

Implementation of knowledge distillation in developing a prediction model to know the performance of air transportation vocational education using machine learning

The object of this research is the performance of air transportation vocational education. The problem in this research that must be solved is the complexity of the model in machine learning which requires a long processing time and requires high resources, so the knowledge transfer process in knowledge distillation must be carried out carefully so that the student model can capture and reproduce knowledge from the teacher's model. without loss of accuracy and problems such as Good Corporate Governance, Organizational Flexibility, and Strategic Change Management variables, which are interrelated and difficult to model accurately. The results obtained are in the form of a model that can predict vocational education performance by utilizing machine learning and knowledge distillation. The interpretation of this research is to apply the XGBoost machine learning algorithm and knowledge distillation. The characteristics and characteristics obtained are that the teacher model has the best performance in terms of loss, while the student model with distillation shows a significant reduction in loss compared to training without distillation. Thus, the distillation process is proven to help student models capture knowledge from teacher models, producing prediction accuracy of up to 90 % and being an efficient alternative in predicting the influence of main factors on the performance of air transportation vocational education. These findings are expected to provide a significant contribution to the development of more efficient and effective prediction models in the context of vocational education, especially in the field of air transportation

Assessing earnings quality metrics and the impact of interest rate fluctuations in the financial services sector in the Iraq stock market

This investigation analyzes how fluctuations in interest rates impact metrics of profit quality within Iraq's monetary administrations division from 2012 through 2022. It utilizes an assortment of instruments including correlation, relapse and board information investigation over this broad timeframe. These techniques help uncover the connections between changing intrigue rates and central budgetary markers like net intrigue edge, advance misfortune supplies and absolute derivations. The discoveries uncovered huge relationships between vacillations in loan fees and these measurements, emphasizing the need to oversee the dangers associated with fluctuating rates and receive moderate accounting practices, particularly amid periods of financial vulnerability. The investigation holds ramifications for monetary foundations, strategy producers and controllers, highlighting the need to make strategic changes, consider approach from the point of view of rate elements and advance straightforwardness and responsibility in revealing practices. While profitable knowledge is acquired, additional examination is required to more profound comprehend these connections crosswise over different settings and investigate extra elements that could impact profit quality measures in monetary administrations. Balanced sentences and changing structures were utilized to build perplexity and uneven nature without expanding word check.

Projecting temperature-related dengue burden in the Philippines under various socioeconomic pathway scenarios

IntroductionAs climate change advances, the looming threat of dengue fever, intricately tied to rising temperatures, intensifies, posing a substantial and enduring public health challenge in the Philippines. This study aims to investigate the historical and projected excess dengue disease burden attributable to temperature to help inform climate change policies, and guide resource allocation for strategic climate change and dengue disease interventions.MethodsThe study utilized established temperature-dengue risk functions to estimate the historical dengue burden attributable to increased temperatures. Future projections were derived using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios to estimate the excess dengue burden on a national scale. Current health burden estimates were calculated by charting the attributable fraction per epidemiological week against the exponential risk function.ResultsProjections indicate a substantial increase in temperature-related dengue incidence across all SSP climate scenarios by 2100. Between 2010-2019, 72.1% of reported dengue cases in the Philippines were attributable to temperature, demonstrating that temperature is a significant driver in dengue transmission. The highest attributable fractions were observed between the warm-dry season to early rainy season (Epi Weeks 15–25). Southern, periequatorial areas, particularly those undergoing rapid urbanization, had the highest temperature-related dengue incidence.DiscussionThe findings emphasize the critical interplay between climate change and socioeconomic factors in shaping future dengue risk. By incorporating future climate scenarios and provincial-level projections, this study provides valuable insights for policy planning, early warning systems, and public health programming. Strengthening health infrastructure, promoting sustainable urban development, and implementing effective vector control measures are crucial to mitigating the future dengue burden in the Philippines.

Pengaruh Pengangguran, Kemiskinan dan Indeks Pembangunan Manusia Terhadap Upah Minimum di Provinsi BantenTahun 2008-2023

During 2008-2023 , the Banten region experienced various social, monetary, and strategic changes that could affect the minimum wage level for the workforce. In this situation, it is important to distinguish the fundamental elements that affect the minium wage. such as unemployment, poverty, and Human Development Index (HDI).The purpose of this study is to determine how the influence of unemployment, poverty, and Human Development Index on the minimum wage in Banten province period 2008-2023. The Data used in this study is a time series data sourced from BPS Banten 2008-2023. This study uses the method of analysis of multiple linear regression using EVIEWS application. This study provides the results that unemployment (X1), poverty (X2) and Human Development Index (X3) simultaneously (together) significantly affect poverty (Y) in Banten province period 2008-2023.

How does CEO personality affect new product development performance? The partial mediating role of strategic schema change

Purpose This study aims to explore the direct impact of various personality traits of the CEO on new product development (NPD) performance, as well as the mediating role of strategic schema changes in the relation among these key variables. Design/methodology/approach The research focuses on Chinese science and technology enterprises. A total of 659 valid responses from CEOs and senior managers have been analyzed to test the hypotheses. Findings The results reveal that CEO’s conscientiousness and agreeableness negatively correlate with NPD performance and strategic schema changes. CEO traits such as extroversion, openness to experience and emotional stability are positively associated with both variables. Furthermore, the study confirms that strategic schema changes partially mediate the relation between CEO personality traits and NPD performance. Research limitations/implications This study focuses only on the relation between CEOs’ Big Five personality traits and NPD performance. However, other personality traits such as narcissism or dark personality traits may also influence NPD performance. Future research should explore the effect of a broader range of CEO personality traits on corporate performance. And, this paper primarily investigates the mediating role of strategic schema change between CEO personality and NPD performance, drawing on personality psychology and strategic cognition. However, other important theoretical perspectives, such as organizational resources and binary learning, may offer additional insights into the relation between CEO personality and NPD performance. Future research could delve deeper into these perspectives at multiple levels for a more comprehensive understanding. Originality/value The findings broaden the application of personality psychology within innovation management, offering valuable practical insights and new perspectives for technology enterprises seeking to enhance new product performance.

Intentional Strategic Changes in the National Institute on Aging's RCMAR Program: Broadening its Scope and Reach to Strengthen its Impact.

Since 1997, the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) program, supported by the Division of Behavioral and Social Research (BSR) at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), has served as BSR's flagship mentoring program for early-career scientists from diverse backgrounds. The program has undergone significant changes over time, adapting to meet institutional and societal needs. This article highlights the motivations behind programmatic shifts in the fifth funding cycle (2018-2023) and the guiding principles for RCMAR VI (2023-present). Key developments in RCMAR V included launching RCMARs focused on Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD), refining the emphasis on behavioral and social research, and decoupling workforce diversity from health disparities research. Building on lessons learned from the prior funding cycle, which faced challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and leadership transitions, RCMAR VI offers enriched research, training, and mentorship opportunities while introducing equitable governance structures and clearer, broader expectations for success. The RCMAR National Coordinating Center plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration, standardizing evaluation, and broadening the program's impact. With a renewed emphasis on high-priority behavioral and social research on aging, AD/ADRD, and health disparities, RCMAR VI is poised to diversify the scientific workforce and advance discoveries.

Olympics: Improving the Competition Strategy in Each Skill Technique of Elite Swimmers for the 400 meters Freestyle

Background. In swimming championships, strategy setting is considered to be the main factor, especially in the middle and long-distance events. Implementing a strategic change can indirectly affect the final results. Objectives. The study aimed to find out whether there were any significant differences in reaction time (RT), final time (FT), and strategy for each split time (ST) in the men’s and women’s 400 meters freestyle events at the Olympic Games held in Tokyo (2021), Rio de Janeiro (2016), and London (2012). Materials and methods. This study used quantitative methods with a sample size of 48 athletes. The data source included using the secondary data. Descriptive statistics are presented in the form of means and standard deviations. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to test the normality of the data. To compare RT, FT, and ST data, the one-way ANOVA test was conducted. The linear regression test was used to determine the effect of RT on the first ST. Results. The findings of this study indicate that there were differences in the RT of male athletes during the 3 Olympics. The study also revealed variations in average speed. In general, swimmers accelerated their speed at ST1 and ST8. This occurred at the Tokyo 2021 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics, while at the London 2012 Olympics, swimmers accelerated their speed only at ST1. Additionally, the results demonstrated that RT had an influence of 0.381 (14 %) on the first ST in male athletes, whereas the influence in female athletes was less marked — 0.066 (4 %). Conclusions. This study concludes that ST1 and ST8 are the most crucial components in the 400 meters freestyle swimming for both male and female athletes. Coaches and athletes must be very careful in carrying out special training at the tapering stage so that athletes can achieve the right time to produce the best performance.

The pursuit of environmental justice: the adjudicative role of advisory opinions of creating obligations on States in respect of climate change

Currently, there are pending requests for advisory opinions regarding State obligations on climate change before both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR). Additionally, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) recently issued its advisory opinion on Climate Change and International Law on 21 May 2024. This article aims to compare these requests, analysing their contextual backgrounds and the extent of States’ involvement in the advisory proceedings. The aim is to examine the jurisdictional scope and future prospects of the proceedings before the two courts and the tribunal by exploring the distinct normative, practical and political strategies shaping each request. Furthermore, the article assesses how these factors influence the framing of the requests for advisory opinions and shape the contributions received by interested States. By providing a holistic analysis of these legal interpretations, the author evaluates the potential impact of the aforementioned opinions on the future behaviour of States and the development of international law. Ultimately, this analysis aims to inspire the progress of strategic climate change litigation and inform about potential enhancements in the interpretation and development of future international agreements.

Empowering lecturers: How culture, training, and rewards drive performance with Islamic work ethics as the key

This research aims to address the gap in understanding key factors influencing Lecturer Performance in Islamic-based higher education, particularly the roles of Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB), Employee Engagement, and Islamic Work Ethic (IWE). The study explores how Cultural Change and Training impact Lecturer Performance through OCB and Employee Engagement as mediators, with IWE moderating these relationships. Using survey methodology, data were collected from lecturers in Islamic-based institutions in Aceh through structured questionnaires measuring these variables. The analysis, conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS, highlights the significant roles of OCB, Employee Engagement, and IWE in enhancing performance. The findings also reveal how Islamic values influence the interplay between management practices and performance outcomes. While the reliance on self-reported data and focus on specific variables may limit the study, it contributes valuable insights into the importance of strategic Cultural Change and Training initiatives in fostering a supportive organizational culture, aligning employee behavior with institutional goals, and advancing lecturer development and institutional success.

Operational Excellence by Implementation of 5S Concepts and Lean Management Practices in Vivarium

Modern vivarium operation requires collective efforts by cross-functional teams especially within the collaborative research organizations for the successful outcomes of comprehensive laboratory animal care program. The drug discovery with rapid screening turnovers and innovative approaches demands infrastructure expansion by increasing several other capabilities in vivarium. The strategic portfolio changes and therapeutic areas closure retained several high-end equipment’s left unused that eventually occupied space in the barrier system which intricate daily operations and space management became challenging over the period. The vivarium facility was under continuous improvement by the quality assurance program based on monthly independent audit reports and compiled the compliance including animal welfare standards of at least 5 years period. Corporate initiatives such as Kaizen events, 5S concepts, Gemba walk and green labs certifications were implemented systematically at various phases across the organization including vivarium. The leadership team was a driving force behind the lean management practices and its implementation. The quality assurance program was able to bring out several improved operational processes notably by creating an additional quarantine space; repurposing high-end equipment for other investigators to support their ongoing programs; effective space utilization by creating in-house diagnostic laboratory; donating low-density animal racks for academic institutions as part of educational outreach efforts; containment of solid radioactive waste disposal by compaction process for longer half-life radioisotopes. In conclusion, lean management practices collectively demonstrated a measurable outcome in terms of continuous process improvement, effective vivarium management by ensuring compliance based on periodical observations without compromising animal welfare, conservation of energy and resources, effective space utilization and systematic implementation of 5S concepts by repurposing of equipment to other laboratories. Overall, the system-driven process has improved the standards with better performance that eventually enhanced the quality and productivity at the laboratory animal facility

The inverted-U relationship between innovation performance feedback and digital transformation: evidence from China

ABSTRACT Digital transformation has emerged as a critical subject in high-quality strategic change. Innovation performance feedback serves as a crucial catalyst for strategic modification, offering an opportunity to investigate the response mechanism of digital transformation. This study examines the impact of innovation performance feedback on digital transformation by analysing Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2022, focusing on the imitation mechanism of external ‘black envy’ and ‘white envy’, as well as internal fault-tolerance and accountability. This study produced conclusions in two distinct scenarios. On the one hand, an inverted-U relationship with digital transformation is observed for innovation performance feedback that is below aspirations. The absorptive capacity and accountability mechanism mediate this relationship. Enterprises characterised by favourable business environments, reduced public attention, and non-growth-oriented strategies demonstrate a more significant influence of innovation performance feedback on digital transformation. On the other hand, an inverted-U relationship with digital transformation is similarly observed for innovation performance feedback that is above aspirations. The absorptive capacity and fault-tolerance mechanism mediate this relationship. Non-growth-oriented enterprises exhibit a more significant influence of innovation performance feedback on digital transformation.

Enabling Strategic Change Toward Resilience: A Systematic Review From a Dynamic Capabilities Perspective

ABSTRACTThis study identifies six dynamic capabilities (DCs), which enable corporates' strategic change toward resilience in today's increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) business environment. In this context, pertinent research has proven DCs' conduciveness for corporates to enhance their levels of resilience. Yet, there remain dispersed definitions of such DCs across research fields and a comprehensive synthesis has been missing. The present study addresses this gap through a systematic literature review of 71 articles published in peer‐reviewed journals. It synthesizes six fundamental DCs and their underlying microfoundations fostering resilience, which are mediated by the corporates' idiosyncratic social capital. Our findings thus contribute to the extant literature by providing a synthesis of relevant DCs into an integrated theoretical framework, answering multiple calls in previous research for a better understanding of the corporate resilience‐building process. By doing so, this study paves the way for future research to investigate the effects of DCs on the sustained competitive advantage of corporates in VUCA environments.

Holistic Competitive Strategy: Embracing a Holistic Approach to Establishing a Competitive Edge

Abstract This study examines the integration of Porter’s Five Forces, the Resource-Based View (RBV), and Dynamic Capabilities frameworks as a comprehensive approach for establishing and maintaining competitive advantage in today’s complex business environment. The paper presents real-world examples, including Amazon and Tesla, to demonstrate the practical application and potential challenges of implementing these integrated strategies. These case studies illustrate how successful companies leverage a multifaceted understanding of their competitive landscape, internal strengths, and resource capabilities to outperform rivals and adapt to changing market conditions. By synthesizing these three frameworks, organizations can develop a more nuanced and holistic view of their strategic position. Porter’s Five Forces provides insight into industry structure and competitive dynamics, while the RBV focuses on identifying and leveraging unique internal resources. The Dynamic Capabilities perspective adds a crucial temporal dimension, emphasizing the importance of adapting and reconfiguring resources in response to environmental changes. This integrated approach enables companies to establish and sustain their competitive advantage over time, leading to long-term organizational success. The study further explores the implications of this integrated framework for overcoming resistance to strategic changes within organizations. By providing a comprehensive understanding of external and internal factors influencing competitiveness, this approach can facilitate more effective strategic decision-making and implementation, ultimately contributing to long-term organizational success in a dynamic business.

Developing a Competency Model for Human Resource Directors (HRDs) in Exponential Organizations Undergoing Digital Transformation

The rapid digitalization of organizations has positioned the digital transformation of Human Resources (HR) as a critical trend for the future. In particular, exponential organizations—characterized by their ability to leverage digital technology to achieve disproportionately large impacts relative to their size—require a fundamental shift in the role and competencies of HR professionals. This study focuses on the competencies required of Human Resource Directors (HRDs) within these highly adaptive and scalable organizations, using Shandong Province as a case sample. Grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV), which emphasizes that a firm’s internal resources are essential for sustaining competitive advantage, we argue that HRDs competencies are critical resources for organizations undergoing digital transformation. Through the application of methods such as questionnaire surveys, structural equation modeling, and t-tests, we identified and validated 11 key competency indicators for HRDs in the context of digital transformation. These indicators are grouped into four dimensions based on Dave Ulrich’s framework: Strategic Partner, Change Agent, Administrative Expert, and Employee Champion. Our research organizes these 11 competencies within the four dimensions, providing a structured framework for evaluating the evolving role of HRDs in the digital era. These 11 competencies offer organizations valuable insights, particularly in organizational development, talent acquisition and deployment, employee training and upskilling, and performance evaluation, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the competencies needed for HR leadership in the digital age.