Strategic Impact Research Articles

Strategic flood impact mitigation in developing countries’ urban road networks: Application to Hanoi

Due to climate change, the frequency and scale of flood events worldwide are increasing dramatically. Flood impacts are especially acute in developing countries, where they often revert years of progress in sustainable development and poverty reduction. This paper introduces an optimization-based decision support tool for selecting cost-efficient flood mitigation investments in developing countries’ urban areas. The core of the tool is a scenario-based, multi-period, bi-objective Mixed Integer Linear Programming model which minimizes infrastructure damage and traffic congestion in urban road networks. The tool was developed in collaboration with Vietnamese stakeholders (e.g., local communities and government authorities), and integrates data and inputs from other disciplines, including social science, transport economics, climatology and hydrology. A metaheuristic, combining a Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure with a Variable Neighborhood Descent algorithm, is developed to solve large scale problem instances. An extensive computational campaign on randomly generated instances demonstrates the efficiency of the metaheuristic in solving realistic problems with hundreds of interdependent flood mitigation interventions. Finally, the applicability of the interdisciplinary approach is demonstrated on a real case study to generate a 20-year plan of mitigation investments for the urban area of Hanoi. Policy implications and impacts of the study are also discussed.

The Impact of Strategic Intelligence on Achieving Administrative Innovation in Company Management (Chapter One – Study Methodology and Previous Studies)

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between strategic intelligence and managerial creativity. The researchers adopted a descriptive-analytical approach in data collection and analysis, utilizing personal interviews, field visits to company sites, and a questionnaire. The study aimed to diagnose this cause-and-effect relationship and analyze strategic intelligence's impact on managerial creativity. The study concluded several significant findings, notably: the existence of significant correlational relationships between the study variables at the level of the studied private industrial companies. Additionally, a significant impact was found between these variables at the level of these studied private industrial companies.

Can data science achieve the ideal of evidence-based decision-making in environmental regulation?

Data science, including big data analytics and machine-learning techniques, is increasingly utilized in environmental governance. This study explores the perspectives of environmental experts on the limitations of data science in evidence-based environmental regulations. Based on semi-structured interviews with 20 environmental experts, this study examines three key limitations: the lack of local specificity in big data, the uncertainty of the environment as an open system, and the opacity of machine learning. The main findings of the study are as follows: First, the lack of spatial and temporal specificity in big data poses challenges in using them as regulatory evidence, requiring revalidation through traditional assessment methods. Second, while machine learning performs well in closed virtual environments, it is susceptible to the fluid and uncertain nature of the environment in an open world. Third, the lack of causal explanation owing to the inscrutability of deep learning limits its utility for regulatory evidence. The study concludes that while the applicability of data science to evidence-based decision-making in environmental regulation is limited, it can still be utilized in data-driven environmental governance without the need for region-specific information or a high burden of decision-making responsibility. This includes tasks such as strategic environmental impact assessments, policy resource allocation, or environmental policy prioritization.

Efficiency of Public Procurement Function in Moroocco

Public procurement, involving the public sector’s purchase of goods, services, or works from the pri-vate sector, accounts for 13-20% of global GDP (The World Bank, 2020). In Morocco, this sector rep-resents 17% of GDP (The World Bank, 2014) and is a crucial source of business for SMEs, which make up 95% of all businesses (Augier, Castel & El Malki, 2019). The efficiency of public procure-ment is a central issue in research due to its strategic, economic, and managerial impact (Kakwezi & Nyeko, 2019). While past research often focused on practical assessments (Flynn & Davis, 2014) and overlooked the market structure (KLEMPERER, 1999), based on a renewal of the game auction model for first price sealed bid auctions, along with both a qualitative and quantitative empirical research , this paper examines Moroccan public procurement efficiency from a market-based, game auction model perspective. It demonstrates that Morocco’s predominant open tender procedure exhibits pat-terns of an efficient game auction model with a Bayesian Nash equilibrium expression , suggesting opportunities for maintaining and improving the open tender meachnism itself and the surrounding procurement mechanisms.

Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Human Health: A Systematic Review

Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Human Health: A Systematic Review

Bamboo in a storm: the Russia-Ukraine war and Vietnam’s foreign policy (2022–2024)

This article examines the strategic impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Vietnam’s foreign policy and Vietnam’s responses to the war. It argues that although the war has triggered diverse, even opposing, responses from Vietnam’s ruling elite, it has not changed the general direction of Vietnam’s foreign policy because it has not directly and fundamentally affected Vietnam’s quest for security, resources, and identity. However, the war posed moral and strategic dilemmas for Hanoi, tore the web of geopolitical partnerships upon which Vietnam relied to secure its place in the world, and threatened to shake Russia’s unique and critical role in Vietnam’s foreign relations. Hanoi responded by reinforcing the current paradigm of its foreign policy, performing a delicate balancing act between the great powers, and deepening ties with the major powerhouses in its surrounding region. By taking ‘one step backward, then two steps forward’ in its relations with the United States, Hanoi succeeded in keeping both Moscow and Washington close to itself despite their mutual hostility. Its loyalty to Moscow helped to keep Russia on its side rather than on Beijing’s side in the South China Sea. In the long term, however, the costs of this ‘bamboo diplomacy’ may outweigh its benefits.

Reconciling Rigor Versus Relevance: Lessons from Humanitarian Fleet Management

This position paper reframes the ongoing relevance versus rigor debate in operations research (OR) as a Kuhnian epistemological crisis, in which the dominant paradigm of quantitative modeling shows signs of exhaustion. Humanitarian fleet management is presented as an empirical case of extensive operations theory, which has not been implemented by the stakeholders who paid for its production. We propose a possible way out of the crisis by combining “hard” and “soft” OR, illustrating the potential with a selected problem structuring method. Optimization solutions can become more productive by first surfacing the organizational context of decision-making. The illustration emphasizes that hard and soft OR are not binary opposites but interlocking, mutually empowering components which expand the evidence base. Shifting the current paradigm toward more engaged scholarship could counteract the ongoing theoretical drift, for more strategic impact on the pressing problems of today.

Effects of Strategic Sourcing on Cost Reduction: A Case Study of Manufacturing Companies in Bangladesh

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of strategic sourcing on cost reduction: a case study of manufacturing companies in Bangladesh. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study on strategic sourcing's impact on cost reduction in Bangladeshi manufacturing firms demonstrated significant positive results. It showed that strategic sourcing led to notable reductions in procurement costs, enhanced supplier management, negotiation, and risk mitigation strategies. The findings underscored the importance of aligning procurement strategies with organizational goals for sustainable cost reductions and competitive advantages in the sector. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Transaction cost economics (TCE), resource-based view (RBV) & contingency theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the effects of strategic sourcing on cost reduction: a case study of manufacturing companies in Bangladesh. Provide training and capacity-building programs for managers and procurement professionals in Bangladeshi manufacturing companies to enhance their understanding and implementation of strategic sourcing strategies. Advocate for policy reforms that support the development of a more transparent, competitive, and efficient supplier market in Bangladesh.

Guardians of the Nation: An Analysis of the Indian Special Forces and Their Strategic Impact

Guardians of the Nation: An Analysis of the Indian Special Forces and Their Strategic Impact

THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN A MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT: ANALYSIS, CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES

The contemporary business world is characterized by rapid changes, globalization, and digital transformation, demanding adaptability and an innovative approach to resource management from organizations. Among these, human resources stand out as a key asset that determines an organization’s ability to develop, compete, and achieve sustainable success. This academic paper profoundly analyzes the significance of human resources in the modern organizational context, emphasizing their strategic importance and impact on achieving organizational goals. The paper reveals the concept of human resources, encompassing not only recruitment and staff administration but also their development, motivation, performance evaluation, and well-being. It extends beyond traditional personnel management to include aspects of organizational culture, leadership, and change management. Significant attention is given to the role of multicultural human resources in a globalized world, their impact on innovation, creativity, and enhancing an organization’s global competitiveness.Analyzing various approaches and definitions, the author emphasizes the necessity of integrating strategic human resource planning with cultural awareness and effective communication strategies to achieve the company’s strategic goals. The influence of digital technologies on human resource management is discussed, including the challenges of remote work and the need to ensure productivity and engagement in the digital era.The work underscores the importance of a deep understanding of cultural differences, the ability to create an inclusive work environment, develop intercultural interaction skills, and adaptability. This approach enables companies to better understand and meet the requirements of a diverse clientele, fosters innovation, and opens new opportunities for growth. The conclusions of the study highlight that successful human resource management in today’s dynamic and complex business environment requires a comprehensive approach that considers both traditional aspects and contemporary challenges. A profound understanding and effective management of human resources are crucial for ensuring competitiveness, innovative development, and sustainable success of organizations.

Research on Critical Factors in University-Corporation Social Responsibility

Abstract This study investigated three factors of strategic philanthropy, social impact, and social participation in university-corporation joint implementation of social responsibility. This study employed Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to systematically analyze complex issues of social responsibility. The participants included enterprise and university staff who used to carry out social responsibility projects, and 20 valid questionnaires were collected. Synthesized critical factors from literature included policy benefit, social impact, and community participation, which were further divided into five sub-phases, including fifteen criteria in total. Finally, based on the importance, factors that influenced university and corporate joint implementation of social responsibility were ranked and discussed on their priority. This study expects to provide practical suggestions to university and corporate joint implementation of social responsibility projects. Keywords: Strategic philanthropy, Social impact, Community participation, University social responsibility, Corporate social responsibility.

The Effect of Organizational Flexibility on Organizational Ambidexterity in Higher Education Institutions in Iraq

The purpose of this research is to examine how different dimensions of organizational flexibility (strategic, structural, and operational) impact organizational ambidexterity within the higher education sector in Iraq. To collect data, a survey instrument is used and a quantitative approach is adopted, with 85 academic staff members participating out of a targeted sample size of 295 lecturers from colleges and institutes within Duhok Polytechnic University (DPU) located in Duhok city, Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Structural Equation Modelling is utilized to determine the direction of the relationship between the variables. Based on the study, it was found that Structure Flexibility has a positive and significant impact on both Exploration and Exploitation of organizational ambidexterity. Additionally, Operational Flexibility also had a significant and positive effect on Exploration and Exploitation. However, the effect of Strategy Flexibility on organizational ambidexterity (Exploration and Exploitation was not significant and surpassed the significance level of 0.05. In addition to the findings, this study addresses the key policy implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research regarding higher education institutions.

A Review of Corporate Social Responsibility and Its Role in Value Creation

This research explores the strategic impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on companies, emphasizing its role in brand perception and stakeholder relationships. CSR integrates social and environmental responsibilities, holding companies accountable to themselves and their communities. The study examines diverse CSR initiatives, including environmental actions, charitable activities, volunteering, and ethical labor practices. Stakeholders prioritize CSR, impacting a company's attractiveness to customers, employees, and investors. The literature review traces CSR's evolution, highlighting successful and failed efforts and emphasizing genuine commitment. The study compares CSR with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), elucidating their distinct focuses. The outcomes and results section underscores positive impacts, such as enhanced reputation, better risk management, increased employee satisfaction, and stable workplaces. In conclusion, CSR emerges as a critical tool for creating shared value, building strong relationships, and ensuring long-term success for companies.

Preparing for Pandemics: Reflecting on the Impact of Strategic Elements in the COVID-19 Influenced Online Travel Agencies' Marketing Mix

The landscape of online hotel booking, particularly through online travel agencies (OTAs), witnessed a transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift triggered intense competition among OTA marketers. Interestingly, amidst this competitive environment, while causal predictive models exist that focus on moderate to high effects of major features on Price and hotel BI, the strategic impact of minor features has largely been overlooked. To address this gap, a frequency analysis involving a comprehensive sample of 63 OTAs identified four minor features. Subsequently, a partial least squares structural equation modeling approach explored 499 consumers’ perceptions. Two features were shown to be significant (COVID-19 Hygiene Label, Price Discount), with COVID-19 Hygiene Label mediating Price. However, Scarcity and Loyalty Program showed no direct or mediating effects. The model accounted for a strategic 29.8% R2. As COVID-19 is an ongoing recurring issue and preparation for future pandemics is prudent, the results provide valuable insights for OTA app developers aiming to gain additional predictive marginal performance advantages (i.e., .10 or greater). Implications and suggestions for future research are also offered.

Due Diligence Associated with Risk Management and Linked to Management Control

Abstract Objective Due Diligence is considered an internal practice that analyzes and identifies the actual situation of an organization. Having a strategic relevance and impact on Mergers and Acquisitions, it provides a solid foundation for the final decision or negotiation. Given this relevance, it is considered an input for Management tools to have information precisely collected and oriented. Methodology The aim of this article is to confirm, through empirical research, namely a case study, conducted in Portuguese enterprises, the importance of Due Diligence and its role in Risk Management, assessing its usefulness as a management control tool and its potential impact on the performance of Portuguese SMEs. Findings Managers recognize that there is a lack of empirical research in this area, especially in terms of its impact on SMEs. Value added Few studies relate to the practices of Due Diligence associated with Risk Management and linked to Management control in SMEs in order to increase transparency and performance. Recommendations This study confirms the contribution Due Diligence can have to Risk Management and the consequent impact on performance when used linked to a Management control tool.

Driving enterprise transformation

This study investigates how organisational and geographical factors affect the efficacy of business architecture in enterprises. Employing a quantitative research methodology, the research analyses data from a diverse range of organisations using ordinal logistic regression. The findings validate the hypothesis that factors like organisational alignment, industry sector, geographic region, organisational size, and adoption duration significantly influence business architecture's maturity and strategic impact. The study contributes to the understanding of business architecture's role in organisational strategy, highlighting the importance of contextual factors. It suggests that business architecture strategies should be tailored to specific organisational contexts, offering valuable insights for policy formulation and organisational strategy development. This research provides a foundation for future studies and practical applications in business architecture and enterprise transformation, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach considering different organisational and regional characteristics.

Intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound has an outcome-relevant impact on surgery of primary and metastatic liver lesions

Abstract Purpose Complete resection of the affected tissue remains the best curative treatment option for liver-derived tumors and colorectal liver metastases. In addition to preoperative cross-sectional imaging, contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound (CE-IOUS) plays a crucial role in the detection and localization of all liver lesions. However, its exact role is unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and oncological impact of using CE-IOUS in the surgical treatment of these diseases. Materials and Methods Over the three-year study period, 206 patients with primary liver tumors and hepatic metastases were enrolled in this prospective, monocentric study to evaluate the impact of CE-IOUS in liver surgery. Secondary outcomes included comparing the sensitivity and specificity of CE-IOUS with existing preoperative imaging modalities and identifying preoperative parameters that could predict a strategic impact of CE-IOUS. In addition, the oncological significance of CE-IOUS was evaluated using a case-cohort design with a minimum follow-up of 18 months. Results CE-IOUS findings led to a change in surgical strategy in 34% of cases (n=70/206). The accuracy in cases with a major change could be confirmed histopathologically in 71.4% of cases (n=25/35). The impact could not be predicted using parameters assumed to be clinically relevant. An oncological benefit of a CE-IOUS adapted surgical approach was demonstrated in patients suffering from HCC and colorectal liver metastases. Conclusion CE-IOUS may significantly increase R0 resection rates and should therefore be used routinely as an additional staging method, especially in complex liver surgery.

The strategic significance of Ethiopia's hydroelectric energy exports on Horn of Africa regional integration

ABSTRACT This article seeks to explore the compelling strategic impact of Ethiopia's hydroelectric energy exports on the regional integration of the Horn of Africa. The study employed a qualitative research approach that impeccably integrated primary and secondary data sources. The study shades light on the extensive implications of Ethiopia’s energy exports on socio-economic, political, and security dimensions. Economically, these exports foster a sense of mutual reliance among neighboring states, pooling resources for collective development, expanding regional markets, and driving industrialization. Socially, the initiative cultivates invaluable people-to-people relationships among communities with interconnected fates and destinies. From a security standpoint, it actively engages in diplomatic strategies to avert water-related tensions and emphasizes cooperative approaches. Politically, the exportation of hydroelectric energy is poised to significantly redefine the existing power dynamics in the Horn of Africa, sparking transformative collaboration and integration at a regional level. Furthermore, Ethiopia's hydroelectric energy will decisively reshape the competitive landscape related to shared water resources in the Nile River basin. However, the realization of these initiatives hinges on effective reservoir management and responsible hydroelectric energy exports.

Strategic impact of knowledge entrepreneurship on foreign direct investment in Nigeria

The study investigated the strategic impact of knowledge entrepreneurship on Foreign Direct investment in Nigeria. This study examined the rate of foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria because the country has witnessed massive downward sliding of foreign direct investment in recent times. To solve this problem, this study is aimed at ascertaining the nature of impact Knowledge entrepreneurship has on foreign direct investment. The study also investigated the cause of the massive downward sliding of foreign direct investment in Nigeria. This study adopted the survey design. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the 200 staff of selected foreign direct investment firms in Nigeria. Findings revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between knowledge entrepreneurship and Foreign Direct investment in Nigeria. This means that the knowledge of Foreign Direct Investment opportunity in another country will accelerate the action of the entrepreneur in taking advantage of the opportunity to make profit in that country. This is in tandem with Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship. Knowledge entrepreneurship has the potency to attract foreign direct investment hence the positive and significant correlation. The study also found that knowledge entrepreneurship has resulted in technological transfer to Nigeria and employment generation as well as increased profitability and market share of the FDI operating in Nigeria.The study concludes that knowledge entrepreneurship is a viable business model in Nigeria and that the reason for the massive and downward sliding of Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria currently is as a result of the national challenges of high insecurity and exchange rate volatility.

Feeding the World: How Tariff and Quota Policies Influence Global Food Sales Volumes-An Indonesian Perspective

This research seeks to assess the impact of Indonesia's tariff and quota policies on global food trade. It uses the Systematic Literature Review technique to thoroughly analyse the impact of various trade policies on market dynamics, with a particular focus on economic, social and environmental dimensions. The results emphasise Indonesia's important position in the world food market, providing valuable insights into the complex relationship between national priorities and international trade responsibilities. It highlights the importance of these rules in influencing global trade tactics, providing crucial insights for policymakers, economists, and business executives. This extensive analysis examines Indonesia's strategic impact and the wider consequences of its policies on global food security and market stability. The research implications are an important reference for understanding the complex dynamics of global market forces, focusing on the delicate balance between national policymaking and international trade commitments.