Expansion Strategy Research Articles

Exploring different horizons

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This paper explored the different strategies for international expansion that small and medium sized enterprises Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Oneiros: The Sports Club: navigating the growth path

Learning outcomes After completion of the case study, the students will be able to analyze the challenges and opportunities associated with business expansion in any business, assess the significance of leveraging existing strengths versus exploring new markets for organizational growth, evaluate the implications of regional consolidation versus national expansion strategies, develop strategic thinking and decision-making skills in a competitive business landscape and understand the nuances of market dynamics, brand recognition and operational challenges in diverse geographical regions. Case overview/synopsis Oneiros – The Sports Club stood poised at a pivotal juncture, grappling with a strategic quandary that encapsulates the divergent visions of its leadership. The narrative unfolded in Surat, a vibrant city in the state of Gujarat where contrasting viewpoints champion the familiar stability of local success against the lure of uncharted state and national territories. Ms Hemali Shah advocated for consolidating the club’s triumphs in Gujarat, emphasizing on the parameters of brand loyalty and operational mastery. In stark contrast, Mr Robin Patel envisioned a bold expansion strategy across the state, aiming for brand recognition and a paradigm shift to regional prominence. Caught amidst these competing visions, Mr Sumit Lathia who was aspiring for the club’s national presence navigated the complexities of market dynamics and business model, oscillating between preserving familiarity and embracing the allure of ambition. This case study highlights the nuanced strategic dilemmas faced by Oneiros, offering a captivating exploration of growth strategies in a competitive landscape. With insights from various perspectives within the organization, this case study navigates the complexities of growth, market dynamics and the balance between familiarity and ambition. This case study offers valuable insights and practical applications for students pursuing regular Master of Business Administration (MBA) and executive MBA programs, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate studies in entrepreneurship and strategic management. By examining the strategic decisions and operational challenges faced by Lathia and Oneiros – The Sports Club, students can gain a deeper understanding of key concepts such as public–private partnerships, market expansion strategies, customer segmentation and revenue diversification. Complexity academic level This case study is positioned within the decision-making or business development modules of the curriculum. It serves as a platform to apply theoretical concepts of strategic decision-making, market analysis and growth strategies to a real-world scenario. This case study prompts students to critically evaluate expansion dilemmas and devise strategic solutions. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code Strategy.

Liquidity Management Practices and Financial Performance of Microfinance Banks in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Microfinance banks are financial institutions that provide loans, insurance, saving platforms and other financial products to various individuals. Thus, these institutions require sufficient liquid assets to enable them to meet their routine financial obligations. However, in Kenya, microfinance banks have been recording a declining trend regarding their financial performance over time, leading to grave concerns. Thus, this study aimed to assess cash management practices and their effect on Nairobi City County’s MFB's financial performance. The analysis and elucidation of the literature was facilitated by the examination of the Keynesian Liquidity theory. A descriptive research design with a regression analysis model was embraced in determining the predictor variable’s impact on the explained variable. Data review guide was then utilized to gather secondary data, which was obtained from the CBK and covered the years 2017 to 2022. According to the study, operational cash flow management and cash management significantly and favorably impacted the financial performance of Kenyan microfinance institutions. Nonetheless, the financial performance of Kenya's microfinance institutions was significantly impacted negatively by operational efficiency management. As per the study's findings, microfinance banks in Kenya carry out cash budget preparation, bank reconciliation, cash inflow and outflow recording, cash expense payment, and cash surplus investment. As a result, they manage their funds carefully. Furthermore, the stability and functioning of the financial system depend heavily on efficient cash flow management. It entails keeping an eye on money coming in from investments, sales, and outside funding sources as well as tracking money going out to pay for bills, obligations, and loan repayments. Microfinance banks are able to balance inflows and outflows, lower the risk of liquidity crises, and take advantage of growth possibilities by managing cash flow well. This allows microfinance institutions to make well-informed choices regarding debt management, expansion strategies, and investments—all of which are essential for overall financial success. To maximize the beneficial effects on financial performance, the study recommends adhering to the statutory minimum liquidity ratio. Since excessive liquidity and illiquidity reduce the institutions' profitability, microfinance banks should implement effective cash management procedures.

An Efficient and Stable Registration Framework for Large Point Clouds at Two Different Moments

Point cloud registration plays a great role in many application scenarios; however, the registration of large-scale point clouds for actual different moments suffers from the problems of low efficiency, low accuracy, and a lack of stability. In this paper, we propose a registration framework for large-scale point clouds at different moments, which firstly downsamples large-scale point clouds using a random sampling method, then performs a random expansion strategy to make up for the loss of information caused by the random sampling, then completes the first registration by a deep learning network based on the extraction of keypoints and feature descriptors in combination with RANSAC, and finally completes the registration using the point-to-point ICP method. We conducted validation experiments and application experiments on large-scale point clouds of key train components, and the experimental results are much higher in accuracy or efficiency than other methods, which proves the effectiveness of our framework, which can be applied to actual large-scale point clouds.

Analysis of the wave solutions of the nonlinear evolution equations help of advanced exp⁡(-φ(ξ))-expansion scheme

With the assistance of emblematic calculation programming, the current paper explores the specific voyaging wave arrangements from the general (2+1)- layered nonlinear development conditions by utilizing the advanced exp⁡(-φ(ξ))-expansion with time-partial boundaries. As a result, the used technique is effectively utilized and recently created some precise voyaging wave arrangements. The recently created arrangements have been communicated regarding mathematical and exaggerated capabilities. The created arrangements have been inquired into their comparing condition with the guide of the emblematic calculation programming Maple. The elements of nonlinear wave arrangements are analyzed and shown by maple18 in 3D, and 2D plots, and form plots with explicit upsides of the mind boggling boundaries are plotted. The advanced exp⁡(-φ(ξ))-expansion strategy is a solid treatment for looking through fundamental nonlinear waves that enhance an assortment of water waves in the long-frequency system that emerges in designing fields.

Organizational Diffusion: What India Tells Us about How the Far Right Wins

Presenting a world-first data set of 2,831 constitutive organizations of history's largest far-right interorganizational network, this article presents a new explanation for far-right normalization: organizational diffusion. Providing, for the first time, empirical evidence of the large network characteristics of the Indian far right, this article paints a picture of what this network actually looks like, how far it has spread, and what explains its success. In doing so, this explanation unearths a far-right strategy of covert civil society expansion that has largely evaded the party-focused extant study of global far-right electoral mobilization. Identifying this strategy of organizational diffusion, this article argues that it produces three effects that produce broad, flexible, and durable mobilizations: segmented representation, reputational control, and leadership accommodation. Organizational diffusion, present in far-right mobilizations as diverse as Ma Ba Tha, Nippon Kaigi, and the Thai military, presents an important far-right mobilizing tool that exhorts scholars to refocus on covert civil society expansion as a key mechanism of far-right normalization.

Enhancing Income for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) through Ginger Value Addition: Opportunities, Strategies and Market Insights

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the most valuable spices globally, known for its culinary, medicinal, and industrial uses. As a primary cash crop in many regions, it offers substantial income opportunities for smallholder farmers. However, the traditional farming and marketing methods often limit the potential earnings of smallholder farmers. This review explores the concept of value addition in ginger, focussing on post-harvest processing, product diversification, packaging innovations, and market expansion strategies. It further highlights how Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can leverage these techniques to improve profitability and sustainability. The paper also discusses the challenges faced by FPOs, such as financial constraints and market access barriers, while highlighting opportunities supported by government policies and technological advancements. Advanced processing techniques, improved package, branding, and exploring new markets would achieve profitability and sustainability of FPOs. The reduction of value chain and directly paying to the farmers give opportunity to the consumers to get the ginger products at better prices.

Total Synthesis Analysis of Pseuboyenes D

In this work, we propose a total synthesis route for the antifungal agent Pseuboyenes D, a compound derived from Pseudallescheria boydii CS-793. Pseuboyenes D exhibits antifungal activity comparable to Amphotericin B while offering the advantage of a simpler structure, making it a promising candidate for clinical applications. The system became the focus of this analysis due to its regioselectivity, and after exploration, a [2+2] photocycloaddition and ring expansion strategy was adopted to construct the key bridged ring system. The route employs readily available substrates and mild reaction conditions, making it scalable and suitable for large-scale production. Computational analysis of the regioselectivity of the photocycloaddition revealed that the bridged adduct was thermodynamically favored over the fused system. The synthetic route was further diversified by incorporating functional group modifications using TMS derivatives, enhancing the potential for pharmacological applications. Overall, this work establishes an efficient and scalable synthetic pathway for Pseuboyenes D, paving the way for future applications in antifungal drug development.

Netflix and the Transnationalisation of Teen Television

With the renewed popularity of teen television, SVOD services such as Netflix are increasingly investing in the production and distribution of teen series. Netflix is one of the first SVOD service to have adapted the genre outside of the western world. This transnationalisation of teen television is, we argue, infused with the streamer increasing emphasis on diversity. Based on a qualitative analysis of Netflix’s teen series trailers, this contribution explores how the streamer (a) challenges existing televisual conventions and (b) establishes its cultural authority through distinct negotiations of the global and the local. We highlight four dimensions of Netflix’s transnationalisation of teen television and conclude that, more than mere diversification of its catalog, Netflix managed to encapsulate different dimensions of diversity within the teen genre as part, on the one hand of its transnational strategy of expansion, and, on the other hand, its cultural politics.

Improving racial/ethnic health equity and naloxone access among people at risk for opioid overdose: A simulation modeling analysis of community-based naloxone distribution strategies in Massachusetts, United States.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a surge in opioid overdose deaths (OODs) in Massachusetts, USA, particularly among Black and Hispanic/Latinx populations. Despite the increasing racial and ethnic disparities in OODs, there was no compensatory increase in naloxone distributed to these groups. We aimed to evaluate two community-based naloxone expansion strategies, with the objective of identifying approaches that could mitigate mortality and racial and ethnic disparities in OODs. Individual-based simulation model. We measured naloxone availability using naloxone kits per OOD and evaluated scenarios of achieving higher benchmarks for naloxone availability (i.e. 40, 60 and 80 kits per OOD) from 2022 levels (overall: 26.0, White: 28.8, Black: 17.3, Hispanic/Latinx: 18.9). We compared two naloxone distribution strategies: (1) proportional distribution: achieving the benchmark ratio at the overall population level while distributing additional kits proportional to the 2022 level for each racial/ethnic group (at 40 kits per OOD benchmark: overall: 40, White: 44.3, Black: 26.6, Hispanic/Latinx: 29.1), and (2) equity-focused distribution: achieving the benchmark ratio among each racial/ethnic group (at 40 kits per OOD benchmark: 40 for all groups). Massachusetts, United States. People at risk of OOD. Annual number and rate of OODs, total healthcare costs of increasing naloxone availability. Both naloxone distribution strategies yielded comparable predicted reductions in total OODs in 2025 and incurred similar incremental costs. However, the relative reduction in the rate of OODs differed across groups. For achieving an 80 kits per OOD benchmark, proportional distribution resulted in a projected 6.7%, 6.5% and 7.1% reduction in annual OODs in 2025 among White, Black and Hispanic/Latinx populations, respectively. In contrast, equity-focused distribution achieved a reduction of 5.7%, 11.3% and 10.2% in the respective groups. In all scenarios, the cost per OOD averted was lower than the generally accepted thresholds for cost per life saved. An equity-focused naloxone distribution strategy designed to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in naloxone availability could improve health equity among racial and ethnic groups while potentially improving overall population health at lower healthcare costs per opioid overdose death averted than a proportional distribution strategy.

Mountains of meaning: the empty signification of environmental sustainability in Norwegian second-home planning

Municipal land-use planning for second-home development has become increasingly contentious in Norway, with particular concern regarding its environmental impacts. In this article, we investigate how environmental sustainability is interpreted and practiced in local second-home planning by comparing two neighbouring municipalities straddling the popular downhill ski destination of Norefjell. By applying the analytical concept of the empty signifier, we illustrate how different significations of environmental sustainability in the two municipalities allow local authorities to justify contrasting strategies for second-home expansion despite the cost to nature. The article further indicates the broader possibilities and problems resulting from the malleability of environmental sustainability in second-home planning against the urgent need to deal with climate and nature crises.

The Biosynthesis and Applications of Protein Lipidation.

Protein lipidation dramatically affects protein structure, localization, and trafficking via remodeling protein-membrane and protein-protein interactions through hydrophobic lipid moieties. Understanding the biosynthesis of lipidated proteins, whether natural ones or mimetics, is crucial for reconstructing, validating, and studying the molecular mechanisms and biological functions of protein lipidation. In this Perspective, we first provide an overview of the natural enzymatic biosynthetic pathways of protein lipidation in mammalian cells, focusing on the enzymatic machineries and their chemical linkages. We then discuss strategies to biosynthesize protein lipidation in mammalian cells by engineering modification machineries and substrates. Additionally, we explore site-specific protein lipidation biosynthesis in vitro via enzyme-mediated ligations and in vivo primarily through genetic code expansion strategies. We also discuss the use of small molecule tools to modulate the process of protein lipidation biosynthesis. Finally, we provide concluding remarks and discuss future directions for the biosynthesis and applications of protein lipidation.

Precursor-Directed Biosynthesis of Panepoxydone Derivatives with Nitric Oxide Production Inhibitory Activity.

Panepoxydone is a natural NF-кB inhibitor isolated from basidiomycetes belonging to the genus Panus and Lentinus. It is biosynthesized from prenylhydroquinone through successive hydroxylation, epoxidation, and reduction reactions. In this study, we establish an efficient precursor-directed biosynthesis strategy for the structural expansion of panepoxydone based on its biosynthetic pathway. Supplementation of the panepoxydone-producing strain, Panus rudis, with various prenylhydroquinone analogues enabled the production of fourteen previously undescribed panepoxydone derivatives, panepoxyquinoid A-N (2-14). The obtained panepoxydone derivatives together with their parental molecules were evaluated for their inhibitory activity on LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 1, 5-6, 10-11, and 14-15 displayed significant suppressive effects on LPS-induced NO production with IC50 values ranging from 4.3 to 30.1 μM.

A qualitative analysis on dairy farming policies and its stakeholder’s perspective in Indian dairy sector

This paper critically reviews the role of dairy farming policies and interventions required by the different government agencies and their associations. This article explains the divergence in formulation and implementation of dairy development policies and schemes (DDPS) in the Indian dairy sector. This paper is based on qualitative research representing a diverse range of epistemological, theoretical, and disciplinary perspectives. Review of Literature is to access databases from peer-reviewed journals and published survey reports of statutory and non-statutory bodies in the dairy farming sector. Dairy farmers/dairy entrepreneurs/milk producers are the respondents and information gathered through detailed telephonic interviews and audio recordings due to COVID-19 outbreak. Sample size ranges from 5–10 responses from stakeholders involved in dairy farming in Milk Supply Chain (MSC). Thematic Analysis (TA) is used for identifying, analyzing and interpreting patterns of text and its meaning (‘themes’) using NVIVO 10 software. Benefit of this research are also academicians, researchers and agriculture scientists for further research in the field of dairy farming and MSC. This paper develops a fair understanding about risks and challenges among small-medium size farmers in effective implementation of dairy development programmes and schemes. Dairy producers,processors and enterprises are able to formulate better marketing strategies for future market expansion of desi cow milk. Grounded Theory (GT), an iterative process based on the perception and concerns of respondents gathered from initial data is a novelty of this research. Study is only limited to qualitative approaches with small sample sizes. There is a need to investigate other statistical methods to validate the research.

Research on Netflix’s Expansion and Competitive Strategies in the Global Markets

This study examines Netflix’s global expansion and competitive strategies, emphasizing their importance in the rapidly evolving entertainment industry. Netflix’s transformation from a DVD rental service to a leading global streaming platform highlights the significance of localized content, technological innovation, and original content production. The analysis identifies three major challenges for Netflix: navigating diverse regulatory environments, sustaining long-term subscriber growth, and managing content saturation and quality. Proposed solutions include partnering with local streaming services, enhancing recommendation algorithms, and focusing on producing high-quality content. The research offers valuable insights into effective global market entry strategies, underscoring Netflix’s role in fostering cross-cultural exchange and contributing to a more interconnected global community. Although the study relies on secondary data, it underscores the need for future research incorporating primary data to deepen understanding of Netflix’s strategies and their long-term sustainability. By addressing these challenges, Netflix can continue to thrive in the competitive global market and maintain its position as a pioneer in the entertainment industry.

Improving the ablative properties of silicone rubber by adding aluminum foil/expanded perlite

In this study, aluminum foil (AF) and expanded perlite (EP) were used as the reinforcing fillers to improve the ablation properties of phenyl methyl vinyl silicone rubber composites. The expansion and caramelization of char layer enhanced the ablation and thermal insulation performance of silicone rubber-based composites. The improved bonding of char layer provided a good basis for enhancing ablative properties. The presence of EP increased the emissivity of the char layer which improved the heat radiation properties during ablation process, and it was advantageous to lower surface temperature and reduce thermal erosion. The graphitic degree of char layer was increased which improved high-temperature and oxidative resistance. SEM observations revealed that the surface and cross-section of the char layer were densified, as characterized by the pore size distribution analysis. The above results indicated that the ablation and anti-erosion resistance as well as thermal insulation behavior of silicone rubbers were significantly improved by implementing the expansion and caramelization strategy, which exhibit promising applications as flexible anti-ablation materials for thermal protection purposes.

Unveiling the role of city commercial banks in influencing land financialization: Evidence from China

Local financial development is crucial for advancing regional financial supply side structural reform, enabling local governments to leverage financial instruments to effectively mobilize land resources and foster competitive growth. The introduction of numerous financial products linked to land-related rights and interests has resulted in a pronounced transmission and interconnection of fiscal and financial risks across regions. This study examines the impact of local financial development on land financialization in China using panel data from prefecture-level cities and detailed information on land mortgages. The findings indicate that the establishment of city commercial banks (CCBs) contributes to the progress of land financialization by incentivizing local government financing vehicles to participate in land mortgage financing, increasing the transfer of debt risks to the financial sector. Notably, the impact of CCBs on land financialization is more pronounced in regions with urban agglomeration, high GDP manipulation, inadequate local financial regulation, and robust implicit government guarantees. Further analysis reveals that CCB establishment has negative spillover effects on land financialization in neighboring areas, while expansion strategies such as establishing intercity branches, engaging in cross-regional mergers, and relaxing regulations have mitigated the rise of land financialization at the regional level. This study provides policy recommendations that focus on reducing local governments’ reliance on land financing and enhancing the prevention and management of financial risks.

Ever-shifting border: West Bank case study, Palestine

ABSTRACT In 1949, the West Bank “Green Line” (or the “Armistice Line”) was established and drawn on maps of Palestine, but it is not a firm border: the line is continuously shifting due to its elastic and virtual nature. The border in the region has shifted to accommodate Israeli expansion strategies. Colonies, checkpoints, military areas, security zones, and a physical wall are the driving forces of border elasticity and dynamics. This study aims to shed light on the chronological border shifting by Israel, leading to changes in the current border situation on the ground. The research presented here focuses on a study area of 30 × 30-km sq, in which the border was shifted many times inside the West Bank region. Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies were used as the main analytical tool. The outcomes of the research are maps illustrating the border shifts and its reasons.

Exploring the geographical equity-efficiency tradeoff in cycling infrastructure planning

Cycling is affordable, healthy, and sustainable, but access to destinations on low-stress safe cycling routes in most cities is both limited and unevenly distributed. Many cities are expanding cycling networks to improve safety, increase cycling mode share, and increase diversity in access to cycling, however resources remain limited which requires prioritization of infrastructure. When proposed infrastructure locations are optimized to provide the highest average access to opportunities using a utilitarian definition of accessibility, marginalized groups and locations may be further left behind. This occurs since the greatest gains to network connectivity, using a utility definition, come from expansions inside or directly adjacent to the densest network areas. We compare utilitarian and equity-driven planning strategies for cycling network expansion and explore tradeoffs in spatial coverage, equity, and efficiency, using Toronto, Canada as a case study. We find that optimizing accessibility in several small regions instead of city-wide leads to an infrastructure plan that is more spatially dispersed. Further, we show that an optimization model targeting low-access areas produces an infrastructure plan with more regions meeting a minimum threshold of accessibility but with lower average accessibility gains, indicating the presence of an equity-efficiency tradeoff. We also find that infrastructure projects that maximize a region's accessibility to jobs are often located outside that region, challenging political perceptions of "local" infrastructure and benefits. These results inform planning, advocacy, design, and policy, and shed light on spatial and socio-demographic equity tradeoffs in deciding where to add cycling infrastructure.

Tennis teaching assistance model based on double chain shared unsupervised action recognition algorithm

The traditional self-supervised methods based on skeleton data frequently categorize the various enhancements of a given sample as positive examples, while the remaining samples are designated as negative examples. This approach results in a significant imbalance in the ratio of positive to negative samples, which in turn constrains the efficacy of samples with identical semantic information. Therefore, to further improve the training quality in tennis teaching and enhance the accuracy of action recognition, a dual chain sharing unsupervised action recognition algorithm has been proposed. This study first designs a skeleton topology data augmentation method based on the physical connections of human joints to obtain advanced semantic embeddings. Then, an improved positive sample expansion strategy is utilized to enhance the diversity and quality of training data. Next, an unsupervised learning mechanism is employed to autonomously learn and recognize complex patterns of tennis movements. To measure the performance of the model, tests were conducted on its accuracy, F1 score, recognition time, and fitting degree. The experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm could reach its optimal state after 23 iterations of training, and its F1 value reached 0.918, with an average accuracy of 92.9 % and an average recognition time of 7.4 s. The research algorithms were superior to the multi-input branch graph convolutional network action recognition algorithms used for comparison, pull-push contrastive loss action recognition algorithms, and multi-granularity anchor contrastive representation learning action recognition algorithms. Its accuracy was leading by 8.6 %-23.5 %, and the recognition time has been reduced by 2.3s-7.4 s. In addition, in terms of the fitting degree of action recognition, compared with other methods, the proposed method had a fitting degree of up to 95.7 %, which was at least 8.1 % higher. This research method can improve the timeliness of feedback from trainers by accurately and quickly recognizing movements, helping coaches develop more targeted training plans, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of tennis teaching.