Strategic Imperatives Research Articles

Break Out of Your Technological Comfort Zone by Connecting the Dots

Accelerating the dynamics of technological change presents business leaders with complex innovation risks, be they manifested as opportunities or threats, and challenges to bridge the widening strategy-technology chasm. We propose a decision-support tool in the form of a new strategic lens to make sense of evolving technologies within the context of a company's strategy by transforming both the company's strategic imperatives and the technological landscape to the same functional domain through the use of corpus linguistics and interpretive text networks. This approach facilitates a strategic conversation in a company by leveling the playing field between leadership and technologists in a transparent and inclusive process. We present a real-world case study to illustrate how business leaders can proactively use this tool to create the future.

A Framework of Strategic Approaches to Membership Growth in Nonprofit Community Sport

Engaging in strategic planning may help leaders of community sport organizations (CSOs) to develop strategic thinking as well as build capacity to sustain and expand their programs despite environmental uncertainty. This study proposes a framework for understanding how the membership growth strategies of CSOs are shaped based on their environment. Semi-structured interviews with presidents of CSOs, alongside analysis of strategic plan documents, were used to identify strategic imperatives that CSO leaders considered when formulating their organizational strategies. These imperatives were grouped into two dimensions: organizational readiness for growth and environmental dynamism. These dimensions were then juxtaposed to create a matrix of four strategic approaches: Trailblazers, Enhancers, Maintainers, and Carers. Each approach is described in detail and implications for strategic management in community sport are discussed.

To Fit in or Stand Out? Competing Priorities Shape the Adoption and Consequences of HPWS

Building on institutional theory and the notion of vertical alignment in the strategic human resource management (SHRM) literature, I undertake a nuanced examination of the antecedents and consequences of high-performance work systems (HPWS). I suggest that firm age and market entry timing (i.e., first-mover vs. late-mover timing) jointly shape the strategic imperatives and resource constraints faced by focal firms – in turn influencing the relative attractiveness of legitimacy vs. distinctiveness as incentives for HPWS adoption. I further argue that industry peers’ HPWS use will differentially influence the effect of focal firms’ HPWS use on product sales based on the distinct needs of first-movers and late-movers. Using longitudinal data on 3,218 firm-year observations from seven waves of data between 2005 and 2017, I demonstrate that the effect of industry peers’ HPWS use on focal firms’ decision to adopt HPWS is contingent on the competing priorities firms face as a function of their age and market entry timing. The findings also indicate that firms benefit more from HPWS use in the form of increased product sales when HPWS investments align with the strategic imperatives associated with their market entry timing and the pressures exerted by the institutional contexts in which they are embedded. This paper advances our understanding of when firms adopt HPWS and under which circumstances HPWS benefit firm performance.

Стратегические императивы инвестиционного вектора экономического развития Северо-Кавказского федерального округа

The strategic imperatives of the investment vector of development of the economic space of the North Caucasus Federal District, correlated through the analysis and evaluation of key indicators of the investment attractiveness of regional subsystems carried out in the framework of this study, allowed the authors to clarify some definitions used to establish the categorical parameters and tools that underlie the formation of its investment development paradigm. The investment risks and investment opportunities studied in the framework of the study served to form views on the strategic priorities for developing the investment potential of the North Caucasus Federal District.

Green Supply Chain Management, Challenges, and Technological Opportunities

Supply chain management (SCM) requires the integration and coordination of business processes and the alignment of the strategy throughout the supply chain to satisfy end customers. Therefore, the business processes must be integrated and coordinated. In addition, strategic imperatives have to be harmonized, including environmental sustainability. We are particularly interested in Green supply-chain management (GSCM), which can be defined as the integration of environmental thinking into supply chain management, including product design, the manufacturing processes, and the management of the product at the end of its useful life. The evolution and the progress in technology and the new supply management methods have drastically changed the way things are done in recent industries, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things or Blockchain. This study explores the impact of technologies on green supply chain management as a facilitator or as an obstacle, based on some prominent case studies reported in the literature.

Strategic imperatives of using institutional indicators of economic security in the management of sustainable development

The subject of the study is the strategic imperatives of sustainable development management, which are understood as dominant priorities for a certain period of time. In this context, at this stage, they are most closely related to economic and national security and their institutional indicators. The purpose of the article is to define a set of institutional indicators, problems and possibilities of their use in accordance with the strategic imperatives of managing sustainable development. The methodological basis of the article is the methods and approaches of economic, institutional and theory of sustainable development. In particular, historical, monographic, system-structural analysis and synthesis, indicative are used. Results of the article. As a result of the study, it was found that institutional indicators of sustainable development are related to various spheres of activity: social, industrial and economic, monetary policy and currency regulation, public administration. They are different in nature, but they are united by normative and threshold values and constraints as favorable or critical for sustainable development. This concerns the quantification of the impact of formal and informal institutions, as well as the emergence of pseudo-institutions. Therefore, the institutional system and its dynamics – the modernization of existing institutions and the creation of new institutions – are of strategic importance for sustainable development. Field of application of results. Local self-government bodies, business structures, institutions of the social sphere, institutions of higher education. Conclusions. The interrelationship of the institutional environment, the presence of threats to sustainable development and the state of economic security of the country testify to the legality of using institutional indicators in the management of sustainable development. Under the condition of further research of the institutional components of economic security, a much more accurate and detailed description of the institutional component of sustainable development, the development of methods for its assessment, the determination of indicators, indices, and threshold values can be achieved. Regarding the institutions of civil society, as well as the institutions of sustainable development, they need further development. Therefore, the reorganization of economic security priorities and institutional modernization can be delayed for a long time, which should not be allowed. If the national government is able to combine the protection of national interests with the course of de-corruption, detinization, then this will be a big step forward on the way to institutional modernization and the system of economic security, and processes of sustainable development.

Traded Without Restraint? Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons

Abstract Prescriptive analyses of small arms and light weapons (salw) transfer regimes have been advanced, but comparative assessment of the selling and importing of this weaponry is undeveloped. That includes examples of major arms sellers transferring this weaponry into locations embroiled in armed conflict. After surveying existing salw restraints and their shortcomings, the extent to which due diligence risk considerations shape relevant arms selling conduct is considered. Existing explanatory frameworks discussed are found incomplete. Accordingly a model is outlined addressing impediments to the due diligence risk assessments required to meet international humanitarian and human rights legal obligations. For salw sellers, they include executive dominance of sale purchase decisions; strategic imperatives; economic and commercial incentives; and capacity to conduct independent auditing of arms sales conduct. Within conflict afflicted recipient locations, they include defective public accountability; corruption; impunity; and inability to effect peaceful dispute settlement. Utilising these determinants, dyads embracing major salw sellers transferring this weaponry into locations of persisting armed conflict are considered.

Britain and the Protection of the Gulf During the Second World War: The Ad hoc Defence of a Peripheral Theatre

The Gulf, a little-studied theatre of the Second World War, grew in importance to the area's leading power, Britain, as well as the Allies, as war progressed. All three Axis powers at one time or another tested Britain's ability to discharge its defence obligations, which included the protection of tiny Arab shaikhdoms and guarding nearby waters. With Britain's strategic imperatives lying elsewhere, British officials on the spot received scant resources to enact a scheme of defence for the Gulf and instead largely relied on makeshift measures. This article provides the first account of Britain's ad hoc defence arrangements in the region, and, in doing so, offers a window into the organisational, manpower and materiel attention major powers with overseas possessions give peripheral theatres.

Conceptualizing cross-sectoral partnership building in two small central Appalachian towns

Abstract This article highlights the efforts of two rural communities located in Central Appalachia to address the conflicts and economic and social challenges that have arisen in each as a result of the decline of coal mining. Documenting and analyzing the processes and narratives gleaned from the authors’ long-term interaction with stakeholders in the two communities through field tours, community meetings, individual conversations, and group workshops revealed specific social and economic forces, including neoliberal ideology and the realities of its assumptions and public policies, as key forces shaping current community challenges. This article assesses the effectiveness of cross-sectoral partnerships constructed in both case communities aimed at addressing resource dependence, social legitimation, exchange needs, and strategic collaboration imperatives. We used Meadows’ systems thinking construct to identify the system elements that informed this analysis and to assess the efficacy of cross-sector partnership building in questioning dominant imaginaries and creating novel ways of being within communities undergoing transition from what have otherwise been economically and socially oppressive conditions. We found that stakeholders within the two communities have often struggled to maintain the cross-sectoral partnerships they have sought to create, let alone understand fully the outcomes of any intervention they might launch, despite their best intentions and plans. A lack of continuing communication among relevant stakeholders, limitations to encouraging citizens’ agential activities, and adopting strategies within the assumptions of the dominant neoliberal paradigm were among the main hindrances to realizing effective partnerships in the communities we analyzed.

A Perspective on Digital Transformation Among Indian Exporting Firms

The objective of this prospective study is to demonstrate the challenges faced by business organizations while adapting to the new digital landscape. The idea is to assist in breaking down the complex process of digital transformation and strengthen the management perspective in the area. The study argues how manufacturing exporting firms could develop a digital transformation strategy that includes a different aspect of the strategy tailored to the nature of the Indian exporting firms. Dealing with different aspects of digital transformation, the study discusses different perspectives such as core competencies, internal drivers of digital transformation (IDDT) and external drivers of digital transformation (EDDT), enablers of digital transformation (EDT), new capabilities required and strategic imperatives of digital transformation. Synthesizing digitalization through these lenses can help in developing and implementing a successful digital transformation strategy.

Meeting the Strategic Imperatives of Trade Enterprise Development

Methods. Research methods include the method of scientific generalization, analysis and synthesis to identify key external and internal factors influencing the activities of the enterprise; statistical methods of generalization of information. Results. The article analyzes the external and internal environments of LLC «Wine Bureau» and on this basis the strategic imperatives of the enterprise are determined. The analysis identified the company’s main competitors in the profile niche, determined the share of wine consumption in the group of alcoholic beverages in Ukraine, as well as formed and identified internal factors influencing the company’s activities. Determined the market share of the «Wine Bureau» and opportunities to improve the company`s internal potential. On the basis of strategic decisions, a decision tree was built, according to which the company’s highest priority is entering new markets. Among the results were identified that the highest priority is given to the company’s entry into new markets, as this is facilitated by the current situation. The company sufficiently uses its own potential and can increase its own market share, sales due to additional borrowed funds. Novelty. The novelty of the work lies in the formed approach to assessing the strategic position of the enterprise and the development on the basis of this strategic imperatives, which consists in a comprehensive review of exogenous and endogenous factors. Practical value. The practical significance of the work lies in the development of strategic imperatives of the enterprise based on the analysis of the impact of socioeconomic phenomena of macro-scale, calculation of the company’s market share and financial stability. In conclusion, in the future it is possible to expand the set of methods that assess the strategic potential of the enterprise and contribute to the construction of a hierarchical structure of decisions. Further research will include the use of modern Internet-marketing technologies to analyze the enterprise and its environment.

American Cold War Strategy and the Absence of “Swift and Effective Retribution” for the 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing

ABSTRACT Ronald Reagan entered the White House in 1981 as the president who promised to confront the foreign enemies of the United States. Whilst the Soviet Union remained the single greatest threat to the United States, the 1979 hostage crisis in Iran dramatically raised concerns over international terrorism. Reagan’s approach to this threat was unequivocal – those responsible would be subject to “swift and effective retribution”. In 1983, one of the most devastating acts of international terrorism in American history confronted Reagan – the bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon. Despite Reagan’s earlier pledge, those believed to have been responsible for this attack – Iran and its surrogate, Hezbollah – avoided punishment. This analysis explains the discrepancy between Reagan’s rhetoric and his actions by examining how strategic imperatives related to the Cold War helped deter a military reprisal against both Iran and Hezbollah.

Improvement of the system of institutional support of sustainable environmental management of the Carpathian region and the Euroregion “Bug”

Purpose. The aim of the study is to improve the organizational structure of institutional support of sustainable environmental management in the Carpathian region and the Euroregion “Bug”.
 Methodology / approach. The general theoretical scientific methods, fundamental principles of environmental economics, cross-border cooperation, which are highlighted in the works of both Ukrainian and foreign scientists on economic problems of ensuring sustainable environmental management, were used as the methodological basis of the study. To perform the tasks, the following research methods were used: monographic (to study the principles of environmental management); system-structural (to study the essence and content of institutional support of sustainable environmental management); institutional (to assess the relationship and research the cross-effect between regional and local authorities); abstract-logical (theoretical and methodical generalizations and formulation of conclusions).
 Results. The developed theoretical-and-methodological, and applied provisions for improving the system of institutional support of sustainable environmental management were logically brought to the level of specific proposals suitable for implementation into the practice of public administration and local government in the context of cross-border cooperation. It was proposed to develop the Concept of balanced development of cross-border and border regions for 2022–2026, highlighting the state of implementation of current tasks, prospects for projects, cross-border cooperation agreements, integration of border regions to the European information and intellectual domain as well as monitoring the state of their implementation in the future. All of that will provide an opportunity to get sustainable development and improvement of the reputation of the border areas of Ukraine from the ecological, economic, and social points of view.
 Originality / scientific novelty. It was formed and scientifically substantiated from the standpoint of an integrated approach and synergistic effect, necessary strategic imperatives and preconditions for developing a strategy of cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and neighbouring countries on the terms of joint implementation of Strategies, programs, and agreements that correspond to the strategic directions of ecological, economic, and social development of each country and region, outline the needs and future goals of cross-border cooperation to avoid isolated development of only one of the parties in the context of cross-border and Euroregional cooperation.
 Practical value / implications. A system model of institutional support for cross-border cooperation is developed, which interacts with elements of the internal and external environment in particular based on a single regulatory framework, which will serve as a doctrine of environmentally balanced development and will allow implementation in practice a comprehensive approach of solving environmental, economic and social transboundary problems and ensure environmental protection based on complementary requirements established in border and cross-border regions.

Formulation of Proxy Measures: Measuring Business Model for Improving Competitiveness

This paper attempts to develop proxy measures for the business model dimensions (BMDs). In the empirical studies, the primary data with the survey method are not feasible, in some cases. Because either the data required are from distance past or measuring the construct without respondents’ biases is not feasible. The process started with indicators for each business model dimensions and logically linked these indicators with the tactical decision, strategic imperatives and finally to the elements from financial statements. These linkages were developed with the help of four experts and the validity of the same was tested with more experts. Additionally, the validity of the proxy measures was assessed using correlation analysis and paired sample t test. All the validation tests confirmed the suitability of proxy measures for the four business model dimensions. The measures developed in this paper will help academician to conduct the longitudinal studies. On practice front, these measures may help managers to analyze the firm’s performance or competitiveness with reference to BMDs. The current literature is still evolving when it comes to measuring the constructs related to business model dimensions. This paper is an attempt to contribute in that direction.

Exploring the Impact of Submarine Saturation on Strategic Stability in South Asia

Due to the growing rivalry between local and external actors, the Indian Ocean region is increasingly the site of an underwater Cold War. India and Pakistan are actively developing their submarines, contributing to regional maritime saturation. While India plans to increase the number of conventional vessels and nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, Pakistan is working on launching nuclear-capable cruise missiles from diesel-electric submarines. This maritime saturation leads to the emergence of new threats and the revitalisation of old ones. The danger of accidental collisions between nuclear-powered submarines and diesel submarines, in some cases both with nuclear weapons on board, is increasing. Mutual misunderstanding of strategic imperatives and mistrust can lead to accidental conflicts, and incidents on board nuclear submarines. This essay argues that it is necessary to raise awareness of these challenges and of strategic cultures in the region to prevent incidents with nuclear weapons. Keywords: Indian Ocean, People’s Liberation Army Navy, Indian Navy, Pakistan Navy, Submarine

Improving the process of employee recognition: An exploratory study

Background: Employee motivation, retention, replacement, and recruitment of human resources will be key strategic imperatives for health care organizations. Awards and recognition programs that build employee loyalty, overall experience and satisfaction are important requirements for any organization. We conducted a baseline analysis of employee recognition practice in a large hospital.Methods: An exploratory study was conducted using data collected from health care workers, regardless of the category employed. Using web-based survey designed in Google R forms. Questionnaire responses were downloaded, and then analyzed.Results: 331 completed online survey responses. Of these, 87% of the participants were females, 88% were from clinical disciplines, and 48% were working at the hospital for more than ten years. 65% of the respondents were frontline health care workers. 88% of participants indicated that it was meaningful to be appreciated. The employee net promoter score across the surveyed participants was 27% of the participants were categorized as promoters, whilst 47% were detractors. 26% were staff with more than 10 years’ experience had the highest employee promoter score, whilst non-clinical staff had the lowest (-51). Females had a lower net promoter score (-23) when compared to males (-2). Although on bivariate analysis of males (OR 1.42) and staff with a positive attitude (OR 1.09) were more likely to be promoters, these were not statistically significant. Clinical staff showed an increased likelihood of being detractors based on bivariate (OR 1.59) and multivariate analysis (OR 1.72), but were not statistically significant.Conclusions: The study showed a low employee and a secondary finding of a gender difference in the net promoter score, with females scoring less. Further qualitative studies are required to explain the contextual factors surrounding these differences and low promoter scores.

Rewriting the rules of land reform: counterinsurgency and the property rights gap in wartime Nicaragua

ABSTRACT The use of agrarian reform within civil war to diminish insurgent support and violence has been a key topic within conflict scholarship, particularly in rural societies. Yet, this research has largely overlooked the ways in which the dynamics of counterinsurgency itself shapes land reform institutions – the procedures governing redistribution and legalization. Focusing on Nicaragua’s Contra War (1980–1990) and its longer-term effects, this article illustrates how counterinsurgent warfare can prompt state elites to refashion the rules of agrarian reform and titling in ways that ultimately undermine the state’s ability to regulate land tenure. As the perceived threat posed by the Contra insurgency deepened and peasant producers defected to rebels’ side, the highly centralized revolutionary coalition in power implemented alternative rules structuring land provision to recover rural support and preserve incumbent political power. These new rules permitted the individual and provisional titling of unregistered parcels, widening the property rights gap. The case thus illustrates that the obstacles to wartime agrarian reform may not emerge from state weakness or incompetence, but from how strategic wartime imperatives perversely remake the rules of land redistribution and titling.

Maritime Transportation Dynamics in the Azores Region: Analyzing the Period 1998–2019

The geography over which maritime transportation operates is unique, combining physical, strategic, and commercial imperatives. Physical issues are stable across time, but strategic, especially commercial, considerations continually shift with the ebb and flow of the globalization process. Contextually, the distance that isolates different locations in many cases plays a vital function in these interactions. Distance is the primary element that affects the values of interaction intensities. In fact, the issue is how the intensities were reduced with distance since this reduction is generally not linear. In this regard, this article intends to pursue the issues of the shape and parameters of the distance–decay functions based on the travel time value between islands. In this regard, almost all the Azores Islands were used as a case study. The study results show that the distance–decay functions established the unique dominance of Faial Island, Pico Island, and São Jorge Island, all in the Azores central group; in addition, there was an increase in the number of passengers in those. Moreover, the dominant position is the central islands, and their coexistence with others in the environment makes them more accessible than other islands, showing Terceira Island as a potential maritime passengers’ hub in the Azores. So, with this study, it becomes clear which are the main accessibility issues within the Azores archipelago as well as efficiency should be promoted through the design of policies in maritime passengers’ transportation.

Renewable Energy Transition Strategy for PT.CI to Reduce 50% Emission by 2030

The global and Indonesia energy trend is heading to process of transitioning from fossil fuel to renewable energy (decarbonization) in the purpose of reducing Green House Gas (GHG) effects. Industries as one of the biggest contributors of emission generator expected to participate in this effort, where fuel and electricity play significant roles in running the operation. Many businesses try to participate and state their commitment on this energy transition initiative by increasing the portion of renewable energy within their operation. Meanwhile, business have several uncertainties’ on how the renewable energy will be acquired and will this renewable energy options be available at the time they need it. Campur Plc. (CP) through its subsidiary in Indonesia, PT. Campur Ilmiah (PT. CI) has targeted the entity to reduce 50% of the emission by 2030 with the baseline of 2018, which align with corporate target of 46.2% of emission reduction globally. Uncertainties on achieving this target generated from external and internal factors, and not to forget how to sustainably maintain the achievement. The location of PT.CI in industrial estate need to be considered as limitation because the power and energy supply are regulated. The accessibility, availability and affordability of renewable energy are expected to be handled by the government, industrial estate or other third party in energy business, but the phasing and the achievement up to now has not shown a promising progress. As a business, PT.CI need to have a strategic planning on this energy transition to support the global target as well as shown a positive investment climate in Indonesia. There are four (4) scenarios has been developed and each of the scenarios are explored to identify alternative and possible strategies to still be able achieving the target and how the organization manage these changes. As the conclusion of this research, four (4) strategic imperatives are defined. This research also might be use as the reference of future planning for the similar industries that have the similar target and type of energy mix.

Strategic Imperatives of India: from the Indian Ocean to the Indo-Pacific and Back Again

The article analyzes the change in India's policy towards the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions. The author describes how the perception of the sea by the Indian elites developed, and highlights the factors that contributed to the invention of the concept of Indo-Pacific by Indian experts. The Indian leadership's approach to the Indo-Pacific is now changing as they abandon ambitious security projects beyond the Malayan Barrier while maintaining a cultural and humanitarian presence in the Greater Indo-Pacific.