Strategic Focus Research Articles

Building Future Leaders: The Power of Brand Knowledge in Shaping the Younger Generation

In the dynamic landscape of leadership development, cultivating future leaders requires a strategic focus on instilling brand knowledge as a powerful tool. Recognizing the profound impact that brand awareness can have on shaping the younger generation, this approach goes beyond traditional leadership training. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and embodying the values, ethos, and narrative of a brand, empowering emerging leaders to navigate complexities with authenticity and purpose. This integration of brand knowledge not only equips them with a strong foundation for decision-making but also fosters a sense of identity and commitment, ultimately contributing to the development of visionary and impactful leaders poised to shape the future. The conceptual model was developed based on four main variables, namely Brand Knowledge Acquisition, Leadership Development Programs, Digital Literacy and Social Media Engagement to Leadership Effectiveness with Brand Integration and Education Level. For analyzing purposes, data was collected from a representative sample of 200 both male and female individual who were aged between 16 to 28 from Colombo metropolitan. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. SPSS version 25 statistical package was used for data analysis. The findings of the study conclude that Brand Knowledge Acquisition, Leadership Development Programs, Digital Literacy and Social Media Engagement have significant impact on Leadership Effectiveness with Brand Integration. And also, Education Level moderate the relation between the power of brand knowledge and Leadership Effectiveness with Brand Integration.

Results from a retrospective case finding and re-engagement exercise for people previously diagnosed with hepatitis C virus to increase uptake of directly acting antiviral treatment

BackgroundDirect acting antivirals (DAAs) for the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have shifted the World Health Organisation global strategic focus to the elimination of HCV by 2030. In England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) led a national ‘patient re-engagement exercise’, using routine surveillance data, which was delivered through the HCV Operational Delivery Networks (ODNs) with support from National Health Service England (NHSE), to help find and support people with a positive HCV PCR test result to access treatment. We report a quantitative evaluation of outcomes of this exercise.MethodsIndividuals with a recorded positive HCV antibody or PCR result between 1996 and 2017 were identified using UKHSA’s records of HCV laboratory diagnosis. Linkage with established health-care datasets helped to enhance patient identification and minimise attempts to contact deceased or previously treated individuals. From September to November 2018 each ODN was provided with a local list of diagnosed individuals. ODNs were asked to perform further data quality checks through local systems and then write to each individual’s GP to inform them that the individual would be contacted by the ODN to offer confirmatory HCV PCR testing, assessment and treatment unless the GP advised otherwise. Outcomes of interest were receipt of treatment, a negative PCR result, and death. Data were collected in 2022.ResultsOf 176,555 individuals with a positive HCV laboratory report, 55,329 individuals were included in the exercise following linkage to healthcare datasets and data reconciliation. Participants in the study had a median age of 51 years (IQR: 43, 59), 36,779 (66.5%) were males, 47,668 (86.2%) were diagnosed before 2016 and 11,148 (20.2%) lived in London. Of the study population, 7,442 (13.4%) had evidence of treatment after the re-engagement exercise commenced, 6,435 (11.6%) were reported as PCR negative (96% had no previous treatment records), 4,195 (7.6%) had prescription data indicating treatment before the exercise commenced or were reported to have been treated previously by their ODN, and 2,990 (5.4%) had died. The status of 32,802 (59.3%) people remains unknown.ConclusionsA substantial number of those included had treatment recorded after the exercise commenced, however, many more remain unengaged. Evaluation of the exercise highlighted areas that could be streamlined to improve future exercises.

Strategic insights from a Delphi study: enhancing employment for multiply marginalized people with disabilities.

The employment landscape for multiply marginalized people with disabilities presents significant challenges, exacerbated by intersecting identities such as race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, poverty, and geography. Recent studies highlight the compounded employment disparities faced by this group, including discriminatory hiring practices, inadequate accommodations, and uneven gains in employment during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Our study employed a three-round Delphi process with 20 diverse experts across 14 states across the United States (U.S.) to formulate recommendations for improving employment experiences for multiply marginalized people with disabilities. The panel's insights were gathered through surveys administered online, with each round designed to refine the collective recommendations. This iterative process aimed to build a consensus on the most effective policy and practice recommendations for improving employment outcomes within this population. The Delphi study identified key areas for strategic focus, including emergency preparedness, education and training, transportation, assistive technology, workplace accommodations, and combating discrimination and stigma. Notable recommendations included improving emergency preparedness training, enhancing employment education, increasing funding for accessible transportation and assistive technology, and promoting inclusive hiring practices. The study also emphasized the need for policies supporting telework and simplifying disability-related benefits. The findings highlight the critical role of tailored strategies to address employment challenges faced by people with disabilities from marginalized communities. Meaningfully and fully implementing these recommendations would create a more inclusive environment that improves employment outcomes for multiply marginalized people with disabilities.

The Effect Of Product Development, Price, And After-Sales Service On Purchase Intention Mediated By Electronic Word Of Mouth On Ryu Brand Power Tool Products In Jakarta, Indonesia

This study explores the impact of product development, pricing strategies, and after-sales service on purchase intention, with a specific focus on the mediating role of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) in the context of RYU brand power tool products in Jakarta, Indonesia. The research aims to identify how these key factors influence consumer behavior and decision-making processes in a competitive market environment. Data were collected through surveys from a sample of consumers in Jakarta, and the relationships between variables were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings reveal that product development and price significantly affect purchase intention, while after-sales service exerts a moderate influence. Moreover, eWOM is found to be a critical mediator that amplifies the impact of these factors on purchase intention. This study provides valuable insights for marketers and business practitioners in enhancing consumer engagement and driving sales through strategic focus on product innovation, competitive pricing, and effective after-sales services, while leveraging the power of eWOM.

Evaluating perceived value and expected value gaps based on patient experience during outpatient encounters: An empirical study in China

BackgroundImproving the quality of care relies on understanding patients' perceptions and expectations based on their experiences. The study aimed to determine the gaps between patients’ perceived value and expected value, and to identify critical areas for outpatient service improvement. MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted in China from November 2020 to February 2021. A sample of 572 outpatients, randomly selected from a comprehensive tertiary public hospital, was surveyed using a validated patient perceived value questionnaire. Importance-performance analysis was used to evaluate the differences between patients' perceived and expected value. ResultsThe scores of patients’ expected value for outpatient services were significantly higher than their perceived value in all 29 items and 8 dimensions. The items with the highest and lowest gaps were “short waiting time” (−1.52) and “hospital reputation and popularity” (−0.24) respectively, and the dimensions of price and efficiency (functional value) were located in the quadrant of high expectation and low perception. ConclusionOur findings are useful for hospital administrators and policymakers to identify strategic focus areas and allocate resources rationally and effectively. We suggest healthcare providers should take measures to narrow the gaps, especially in terms of service efficiency and price.

THE DIGITAL ENTERPRISE LANDSCAP: HOW DESI METRICS SHAPE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE EU

The European Union’s (EU) economic growth is increasingly driven by digitalization across all areas, including the digital transformation of businesses. This paper explores how the digital transformation of enterprises could influence economic growth in the EU by analyzing data from the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) and economic metrics from Eurostat for the post-pandemic period (2021-2022). This paper uses econometric techniques like Panel Corrected Standard Errors (PCSEs) and Robust Regression with Huber Iteration (RRHI) to investigate the cause-and-effect relationships between digitalization and economic factors such as GDP growth rate and real GDP per capita growth. The results show that different digital strategies have varying effects on economic performance. The paper also emphasizes the critical role of real labor productivity in connecting digital transformation with economic performance. The implications of this paper highlight the need for nuanced policy strategies that foster digital skills, improve technological infrastructure and support the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in their digitalization efforts in order to achieve the ambitious objectives of the EUs Digital Decade. The results also propose a strategic focus on specific technologies that offer immediate economic advantages and enable a stronger incorporation of digital progress across various business operations in the member states.

New Product Development Strategy and its Impact on MSME Growth: A Bibliometric Analysis

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the research landscape surrounding New Product Development (NPD) strategies and their impact on the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Through a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer, key themes and trends were identified, including the centrality of SME growth, the critical role of finance and government policy, the importance of resilience in response to external shocks like COVID-19, and the strategic focus on marketing and competitive advantage. The findings suggest that tailored financial products, supportive government policies, and an emphasis on digital transformation are essential for enhancing SME growth. Additionally, fostering an innovative and customer-oriented business culture is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. These insights provide practical implications for policymakers, business leaders, and financial institutions, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to supporting SME development in dynamic market environments.

Sustainability: Is It a Strategic Management Research Fashion?

This article aims to identify the relationship between sustainability and strategic management to determine whether sustainability can be considered a strategic management research fashion. This involves a bibliometric analysis of recent academic literature from 2021 to 2023 to identify the latest academic research, key trends, collaboration and keyword networks within this relationship. The analysis was conducted using two datasets from the Scopus database. These datasets focus on English-language journal articles on business, management and accounting. The first covers academic research on strategic management, while the second expands to sustainability and sustainable development. The results show that strategic management research focusing on sustainability has recently grown faster (24.70%) and with higher funding frequency (22.4%) than the whole strategic management research field (14.30% and 17.5%, respectively). Furthermore, the geographical analysis of co-authorship identified articles from 88 countries, suggesting a broad interest in this relationship. Notably, the strategic management network mapping revealed a unique, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability cluster. Moreover, extended mapping revealed four clusters: strategic and innovation-driven sustainability, operational corporate sustainability, crisis management and environmental economics, and sustainable supply chain and resource management. The thematic analysis further highlights well-developed sustainability and strategic management research topics like digitalisation, circular economy, sustainable supply chain management, sustainable development goals, industry 4.0, COVID-19, environmental sustainability, etc. that are contributing to the progress of sustainability and strategic management research. The results thus confirm the rapid growth and widespread coverage of research on sustainability and strategic management, highlighting sustainability as a strategic management research fashion.

Enhancing Productivity Through Business Analytics and Human Capital

This paper explores the strategic integration of business analytics and human capital to enhance organizational productivity. It examines the role of business analytics in facilitating informed decision-making and optimizing human capital management to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. The research investigates how investments in human capital, particularly in developing digital competencies, improve individual performance and significantly contribute to organizational success. Through a detailed analysis of the intersection between advanced analytics and effective human resource practices, the study highlights these elements' transformational impact on enhancing productivity and driving innovation within modern organizations. The findings emphasize the necessity of developing a culture that encourages continuous learning and data-driven decision-making to fully realize the benefits of integrating business analytics with human capital. The paper concludes that a strategic focus on nurturing talent and leveraging analytical tools is crucial for achieving and sustaining enhanced organizational performance.

The Landscape of Products for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Scientific and Patent Systematic Review.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a complication of diabetes that occurs in 40 - 60 million individuals worldwide and is associated with other chronic diseases. However, there are no review studies that present the state-of- the- art and technologies developed to circumvent this important health problem. This review was conducted based on scientific papers and patents. The papers were retrieved from Lilacs, PubMed, and Web of Science databases, and the patents from INPI, ESPACENET, WIPO, and GOOGLE PATENTS. Thus, a sample consisting of 14 scientific articles and 667 patents was analyzed. From the analysis of the data, we drew an overview of the development of biomedical technologies for DPN and detected the pioneering spirit of China, the USA, and Japan in the area, with a focus on the treatment of DPN. Based on this, we carried out a SWOT analysis to help direct future efforts in the area, which should focus primarily on developing technologies for prevention, early diagnosis, and, above all, cure of the disease to reduce the important impact of this disease in various sectors of society. This study finds a concentration of diabetic peripheral neuropathy products, especially therapeutic drugs, in high-income countries. It highlights the need for global collaboration and strategic focus on therapeutic adherence and preventive strategies to effectively manage DPN.

Transformation Toward Technology Company (Techco), a Framework for Mobile Network Operators in Iran

Sharing, outsourcing, and partnership are shown as solutions to increase efficiency. Mobile Network Operators (MNO), used to outsource some functions and make partnerships, but the sharing perspective is still not clear. This paper aims to provide a framework in which MNOs share and utilize their resources more efficiently. Qualitative research was done through the analysis of website reports, documents, and interviews to find MNOs' current and future strategic focus as well as the dimensions of a united network. The MNOs' two main strategies are enhancing core business and developing digital services. The article found an overall paradigm of the sharing resources (network and frequency) as well as some signals for business model evolution. It introduces a two-component framework in which a United Network is created to enhance core business and a new business model to develop digital services. It bolds the importance of network efficiency and the barriers, needs, and motivations of the United Network. To increase efficiency, the industry needs a coopetition framework in which a trust company that is a subsidiary of MNOs, maintains and develops a united network, and the Techcos compete to develop digital services.

Human Resource Management in the Digital Era: Case Study of Recruitment and Career Development in the Indonesian Banking Sector

In this digital era, the changes that occur in a company move quickly, so companies must be able to adapt and have a strategy so as not to be disturbed by current developments, one of which is managing and paying attention to the quality of human resources. well, which can start with quality recruitment patterns and appropriate career development, including in the banking sector. The aim of this research is to find out how human resources are managed, especially patterns of worker recruitment and career development carried out by the banking sector in Indonesia. The method used in this research is descriptive analysis, with the main data source being the financial reports of BRI and Bank Mandiri. The research results show that there are similarities in the recruitment and career development patterns of the four banks, namely the use of digital technology in recruitment and career development, digital skills possessed by workers, and competency-based career development. Apart from similarities, there are also several differences, including the recruitment methods used and career development programs, which are influenced by the company's strategic focus.

Navigating the evolving landscape of atopic dermatitis: Challenges and future opportunities: The 4th Davos declaration.

The 4th Davos Declaration was developed during the Global Allergy Forum in Davos which aimed to elevate the care of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) by uniting experts and stakeholders. The forum addressed the high prevalence of AD, with a strategic focus on advancing research, treatment, and management to meet the evolving challenges in the field. This multidisciplinary forum brought together top leaders from research, clinical practice, policy, and patient advocacy to discuss the critical aspects of AD, including neuroimmunology, environmental factors, comorbidities, and breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The discussions were geared towards fostering a collaborative approach to integrate these advancements into practical, patient-centric care. The forum underlined the mounting burden of AD, attributing it to significant environmental and lifestyle changes. It acknowledged the progress in understanding AD and in developing targeted therapies but recognized a gap in translating these innovations into clinical practice. Emphasis was placed on the need for enhanced awareness, education, and stakeholder engagement to address this gap effectively and to consider environmental and lifestyle factors in a comprehensive disease management strategy. The 4th Davos Declaration marks a significant milestone in the journey to improve care for people with AD. By promoting a holistic approach that combines research, education, and clinical application, the Forum sets a roadmap for stakeholders to collaborate to improve patient outcomes in AD, reflecting a commitment to adapt and respond to the dynamic challenges of AD in a changing world.

Harnessing artificial intelligence microscopy to improve diagnostics for soil-transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis: a review of recent advances and future pathways.

This opinion piece aims to explore the transformative potential of integrating artificial intelligence with digital microscopy to enhance diagnostics for soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis (SCH), two pervasive neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). By aligning innovative artificial intelligence-driven solutions with WHO's strategic objectives and calls for better, more accessible, and more integrated diagnostics, we highlight the latest advancements that may support improved health outcomes in affected communities. The review covers recent advancements in artificial intelligence-based diagnostic technologies, emphasizing automated egg detection and quantification. These technologies promise to mitigate challenges such as human error and the need for skilled technicians. The findings have significant implications for public health, ethical considerations and regulatory pathways, particularly in resource-limited settings. The authors advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration and a strategic focus on meeting WHO target product profiles to ensure uptake, ultimately to support reaching WHO NTD targets.

Being from Abroad: CEO Foreignness and MNE Regional Strategic Focus

Being from Abroad: CEO Foreignness and MNE Regional Strategic Focus

Analyzing Strategies for Climate Resilience: An ISM MICMAC Approach with a Focus on Sustainable Development

In every sector, climate change necessitates proactive strategies that can enhance adaptability. The urgency for efficient frameworks that minimize risks and increase adaptation is further underscored by extreme weather events. In this study, we use Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and MICMAC (Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification) techniques to investigate the extent of alignment between strategies for building climate resilience and sustainable development goals. This research seeks to comprehend how various measures combine to ensure a society’s resilience and sustainability. A model showing relationships between key strategies is developed using ISM. MICMAC analysis splits these strategies into clusters based on their influence or dependence as well as informs about which strategy has more impacts compared to others in terms of implementation priority. None of the recovery actions fell under ‘Autonomous Variables’ implying their absolute relevance in boosting climatic resilience. However, there are some other variables, such as Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS), Electric Vehicles (EVs), Forest Restoration (FR), Green Manufacturing (GM), etc., which were found to be linkage variables in this system. They build interconnections within the rest of the system. Climate Resilience (CR) was thus identified as the sole dependent variable since none met this criterion better than all others, thereby arguing for a comprehensive approach on how best to integrate these with one another to work best together. Independent variables, including Environment (Env.), Transportation (Trans), Industry (Ind), and Carbon Sequestration (CS) were found to have the highest driving power, serving as key drivers for achieving climate resilience. The study outlines different strategies and their implementation to achieve the objective of climate resilience. The study provides concrete, evidence-based policy recommendations to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Strengthening independent variables and enhancing linkage strategies can have a cascading positive effect, significantly improving climate resilience. The study emphasizes the significance of a cohesive, multi-dimensional approach, informed decision-making, and strategic focus to ensure a sustainable and resilient future. The work presents a clear strategy for implementing climate resilience measures for policymakers, stakeholders, and practitioners.

Digital Transformation in SMEs Emerging Technological Tools and Technologies for Enhancing the SME's Strategies and Outcomes

This study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of digital transformation which involves the integration of digital technology into all sectors of SMEs, resulting in increased efficiency and enhanced customer service, enables SMEs to reduce overall expenditure by optimizing operational and marketing costs, thereby allowing to focus on value-adding activities, supports SMEs' technology innovation development models and strategies for fostering technological innovation within SMEs. The research identifies the difficulties encountered by SMEs during the implementation of digital transformation initiatives. Additionally, it seeks to acknowledge emerging trends in digital transformation that may affect SMEs and offer advice on proactively embracing technological advancements to sustain competitiveness. This is a mixed-method research project utilizing systematic review and deductive methods to gather qualitative data.Top of FormBottom of Form SMEs currently employing digital transformation were purposefully selected based on criteria such as authorship, publication date, sample size, and variables for this study. Furthermore, this research involved conducting thorough interviews and observations to delve into the technological innovations pursued by the participants. It was found that there are some factors of digital transformation in SMEs' technology innovation: Enhanced Operational Efficiency, Improved Customer Engagement, Global Market Access, Data driven decision making. Hence, Digital transformation in SMEs contribute autonomously to the expenses of technological innovation to foster business sustainability. This necessitates a strategic focus on enhancing consumer services and fostering a favorable attitude toward innovation in SMEs' business practices and development through technology. This study examines obstacles to SME technology innovation in production, business models, technology adoption, and strategic approaches, without analyzing costs related to SME-driven digital transformation. Future studies could investigate obstacles across various SME sectors to enhance digital tools, underscore the significance of SMEs adopting technology, integrating strategic supply chain management, and broadening their business strategies to attain sustainable development.

The Use of Social Media Marketing Activities to Promote a Tourism Destination: A Review

This study reviews the concept of SMMA in tourism context using Al-Ula, in Saudi Arabia, as an example of a tourism destination. The review focuses on ‘what’ the concept entails followed by a discussion on whether SMMA components would provide Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry with opportunities to construct a destination brand image, enhance its attractiveness, and influence tourists' intention to visit. A systematic literature review approach is applied for this purpose. From the review, the SMMA concept is found useful for tourism marketing and entertainment, informativeness, interactivity, personalization, trendiness, and perceived institution credibility are identified as SMMA components with promotional strategy potential. SMMA can benefit Al-Ula by strengthening its brand image by promoting heritage destination activities to attract tourists' intention to visit. The entertainment component for instance can offer tourists virtual tours of Al-Ula’s archaeological sites via engaging videos and interactive experiences. SMMA concept’s usefulness implies its importance as potential valuable promotional strategy for destinations to be shaped into favorable brand image to help increase visibility and engaging tourists towards intention to visit. Tourism operators and governments should now focus on harnessing the potential of SMMA as key to successful destination marketing in the 21st century. The study contributes to academic literature by providing a nuanced understanding of how SMMA can be strategically employed by tourism operators and governments to foster a favorable brand image, increase destination visibility, and stimulate tourist interest. It advocates for a strategic focus on exploiting the full potential of SMMA, positioning it as a cornerstone for successful destination marketing in the 21st century.

Bridging the Digital Divide in Online Retailing: The Effect of a Strategic Focus on E-Commerce Fulfillment Offerings

The digital divide is an area of significant concern as society increases its reliance on the internet for everyday tasks. Retail operations are no exception to this trend where the use of the online sales channel has become ubiquitous. As retailers seek to provide a high-quality customer experience across socioeconomic groups to maximize sales potential, they must find ways to bridge the digital divide and ensure consumer access to their products. Embracing resources and appropriation theory and the consumer transaction cost perspective, we hypothesize on the efficacy of strategically focusing on omnichannel fulfillment offerings and online fulfillment offerings as operational tools retailers can employ to expand access to their products and improve sales to the diverse populations affected by the digital divide. We contribute to the digital divide research in operations management by showing that a strategic focus on e-commerce fulfillment capabilities is associated with a reduction in the negative impact of the digital divide. We further disaggregate the digital divide into its two component parts, infrastructure deficiencies and socioeconomic factors, to delve into the nuances of the hypothesized relationships. The findings indicate that e-commerce fulfillment strategies are broadly effective at ameliorating the negative effects of infrastructural elements of the digital divide while overcoming the socioeconomic-related component of the digital divide is more nuanced. To further understand the complexities of the socioeconomic element of the digital divide, we disaggregate the measure and explore the impact of an emphasis on omnichannel and online fulfillment offerings to help alleviate the impact of the digital divide for the following vulnerable consumer populations: those who are in poverty, those who are over 25 and have less than a high school education, those 65 and older, and individuals with a disability. Our results show that while these vulnerable populations can be aided by carefully selecting which omni or online fulfillment offerings are available to consumers, not all fulfillment offerings are effective.

Strategic choices in going public: ESG performance implications in China

AbstractChoices in going public are important business strategies that can influence Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance through varying levels of regulatory scrutiny, investor expectations, governance improvements, public attention and strategic focus. We investigate the impact of listing approach on ESG performance in China over the period of 2009 to 2022, by comparing the ESG performance of firms going public via initial public offering (IPO) versus reverse merger (RM). Consistent with our institutional, legitimacy and averse‐selection hypotheses, we find that RM firms exhibit significantly lower ESG performance compared with IPO firms, a difference we attribute to the greater performance pressure, higher litigation risk, greater financing constraints and poorer internal controls experienced by RM firms. These factors likely reduce management's willingness to invest in and improve ESG outcomes. However, as time passed, the discrepancy in ESG performance between RM firms and IPO firms gradually diminished. Additionally, the nature of state ownership and reduced competitive pressure in the industry also serve to mitigate the negative impact of RMs on firms' ESG performance. To promote sustainable development, going public via IPO offers a better business strategy, creating shared value among a broader range of stakeholders, including socially responsible investors, advocacy groups and regulators.