Academic literature on the topic 'Business Administration, General|Business Administration, Management'

Introduction. The course of processes of situational control and regulation in the business administration of business processes in corporations’ potential management has become the subject of the study. Purpose. The article aims to deepen the theoretical and methodological foundations of assessing the efficiency of business administration of an entrepreneurial corporatized business company in the context of optimizing its organizational and economic development. Results. The system of formalized quantitative assessments of organizational and managerial analysis of the enterprise has been formed. It allows, in a number of cases, to identify certain aspects of compliance with the desirable characteristics of the level of business administration of business processes in order to ensure the rational use of the potential of corporations. The methodical approach for optimizing the density and the radius of administration of business processes of the corporation in the context of rational use of its organizational and economic potential has been proposed. The need to consider certain corrective adjustments (coefficients) for the influence of a number of important factors has been specified. Among these factors, we can identify the following ones: the characteristic of the transport and logistics component of individual strategic business units of the corporation, their organizational and technical level of production, the quality of the impact of structural changes in the strategic potential of the corporation relative to each strategic business units etc. The research has been conducted on the basis of a conditional example of business process optimization of a corporation. The company has a head office and separate strategic business units in different cities of Ukraine, in terms of increasing the efficiency of using its production and economic, organizational and economic potential on the basis of improving the value of the weighted average radius and the density of administration. We have analysed the average weighted areas of corporation administration with respect to the coordinates of the real and optimal administration centre. Conclusions as for the necessity of introduction of measures aimed at reducing the distance between real and optimal administrative centres have been made. It will certainly help to increase the effectiveness of the impact of the level of administration on business processes of the corporation. The offered approach to optimize the density and the radius of administration of business processes of the corporation in the context of rational use of its organizational and economic potential will allow improving the efficiency of the processes of situational control and regulation in business administration of corporations in the conditions of constant dynamic transformations of market space.

Higher education institutions (HEIs) could be among organizations without effective programs for preserving tacit knowledge (TK) when knowledge workers retire, quit, take a leave of absence, or are terminated. The theoretical underpinnings of this study were neuroscience related to brain learning physiology, transformational leadership theory, succession planning theory, and knowledge management theory. Research questions addressed (a) what is the level of awareness of the role of tacit knowledge in the administration of higher education, (b) what methods exist for capturing, sharing, and creating tacit knowledge that can be effectively integrated in succession planning, and (c) what unique elements exist in the administration of higher-education that either support or prevent tacit knowledge preservation, sharing, and creation through succession planning initiatives. Data collection involved interviews and document review at a Midwestern college. Findings included the need for trust and open communication and leader behavior to support optimal TK transfer. Participants were aware of TK and its importance and recognized a connection between TK and succession planning. Participants suggested high level activities; emphasized debriefing for verifying TK transfer, transfer of roles and responsibilities over time, continued access to mentors, and allocation of adequate time to deploy these steps in succession planning. The researcher developed a nine-step process model for integrating TK in institutions with a formal succession planning program. This process model includes organization-wide education and communication focused on the concepts of TK and involves steps for capture, measurement, and sustained retention of all forms of TK as part of institutional culture.

Ethical leadership can be a key driver of corporate behavior but it is an individual's sense of ethics that has an impact on business success. The specific problem was that despite the plethora of academic, government, and industry studies, it remained unclear whether investing in ethics provided a competitive advantage for businesses. The purpose of this qualitative, ethnographic case study was to examine how the internal stakeholders in a single business defined and applied ethics and what elements of the business culture and competitive environment affected decision-making. The research was a practical application of the stakeholder theory, normative ethics and competitive analysis theory. The dissertation research was conducted using JWD Technologies (pseudonym) which is a for profit engineering and manufacturing business located in the southeastern United States. Through this research, the business values and culture were demonstrated through a focus on pride in the quality of the delivered product through a disciplined, continuous improvement, cooperation and teamwork with the customer and the worksite team, and leadership excellence. Key leadership characteristics included being engaged, accessible, credible, trustworthy, stable, and able to relate to the people. The keys for optimizing the culture were moral fortitude including a strong ethical tone, voicing opinions, transparent communications, and individual accountability, consistent with prior literature. The informants demonstrated that effective ethical behavior includes going beyond the practices required by law, consistent with prior literature. Finally, the informants identified ethical values used to achieve future business to deliver a differential value. Recommendations for practice include the practical application of the stakeholder theory, normative ethics, and competitive analysis theory and recommendations on the use of ethnography in a business ethics environment. Recommendations on future research include broadening research applicability with a focus on a broader stakeholder set, competition, and competitive advantage to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and ethics theory application with a focus on reputation and ethical leadership flow down.

In emerging economies, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are threatened by continuous political and economic changes. In such uncertain environments, knowledge is the distinctive factor for the achievement of a competitive advantage. However, limited funds and pressure from competitors force SMEs to seek for external sources of knowledge.

The Multinational Corporation (MNC) represents an alternative for business sustainability within the value chain, including both suppliers and clients. In the aim for pursuing such endeavor, a conceptual framework including inter-firm knowledge transfer processes from the MNC and experiential learning enhanced by the Academia is explored.

In sum, this dissertation is intended to examine the MNC’s and Academia’s role on the procurement of SMEs’ business sustainability through inter-firm knowledge transfer and experiential learning, in terms of absorptive capacity. More specifically, the impact of technical and technological knowledge transferred from the MNC on one side; and reflective learning on managerial skills and business vision from the Academia on the other side, is analyzed through SMEs’ absorptive capacity. Regarding business sustainability, the effect of the application of newly absorbed knowledge is analyzed in terms of SMEs’ selected indicators for business improvements. As a complement, a qualitative study is included in order to provide support for findings hereby obtained.

Entering into joint ventures for the purpose of addressing resource scarcity and maximizing resources with the goal of increasing competitive advantage has long been an effective strategy for companies in the United States. The question arises as to the value of such an arrangement on the long-term results of joint venture participation, specifically if this alliance strategy influences sustained competitive advantage. This dissertation examined joint ventures for firms involved in defense, technology and aerospace industries using post hoc quantitative analysis of secondary data between 1997 and 2006. This study sought to answer specific research questions to determine if firm performance, research and development intensity, and incremental innovation influences sustained competitive advantage. Results indicated that firm performance was not influenced by joint venture participation. Research and development intensity was influenced; however, results were in the opposite direction of those hypothesized. Incremental innovation among joint venture participants was highly significant for joint venture participation compared to non-participants.

Twenty successful leaders in the United States participated in the study to explore the extent to which emotional intelligence supports leadership potential and success. Competent managers with strong leadership skills are scarce (Cafolla, 2008). According to Goleman (2001), EQ might predict up to 90% of the variance in leadership effectiveness by uncovering strong positive effects of leadership commitment and effectiveness that support strong influences on leadership effectiveness. This modified Delphi study extended research on the emotional intelligence competencies to explore future possibilities of improving leadership success at mid- to high-level management tiers. The results of this study provide evidence to support emotional intelligence and leadership potential, validating the need for EQ as a leadership strategy. The Delphi study results recommended training to increase EQ in leaders and asserted that leaders with high levels of EQ are likely to improve overall organizational results, reduce turnover, reduce fraud and low performance, improve moral, and make organizations a better place to work.

Family businesses represent a key economical asset in the global economy. Leaders of family businesses have implemented internationalization as a key strategy to enhance sustainability and increase profitability in a hypercompetitive global marketplace. Guided by the Uppsala model, the purpose of this case study was to explore how Saudi family business leaders have planned and implemented internationalization. Three leaders from different international Saudi family businesses participated in semistructured interviews. The participants described their experience in achieving successful internationalization for their family businesses. After analyzing the interview data and validating through member checking, 3 main themes emerged: (a) the characteristics of the family business to compete internationally, (b) the characteristics of a suitable international market for family businesses to internationalize, and (c) the characteristics of a successful internationalization opportunity for a Saudi family business. In order to internationalize, Saudi family business leaders identified having a proper strategy, financial capability, qualified resources, well-structured policies, and globally-standardized products or services. Family business leaders should target the international market that is stable, that is secure with regulations, and that is welcoming to foreign investments. Each internationalization opportunity should have close psychic distance, available relationships in the international market, targeted family business motives, demonstrated existing market demand with the ability to satisfy, and proper timing. The findings may promote social change in Saudi family businesses by identifying essential characteristics to maintain the companies' existence and offer a roadmap to compete internationally.

At the beginning of the twenty first century, there was an ongoing debate concerning the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in achieving sustainable competitive advantage (SCA). While external stakeholders required corporations to balance economic, social and environmental dimensions, research indicated a considerable gap about how CSR initiatives could be used to contribute to the community and the corporation’s SCA. The specific problem that was addressed in this study is how CSR initiatives can be used to contribute to the community in the form of sustainable development and the corporation’s SCA. The purpose of this qualitative study, utilizing a single embedded descriptive case study research design, was to achieve a deeper understanding on how CSR initiatives are planned, aligned and implemented in large MNCs in the cement industry and how these initiatives may contribute to the community in the form of sustainable development and the corporation’s SCA. The study used stakeholder theory as the theoretical framework and was based on semi-structured interviews with 24 participants: six executive managers from three MNCs in the cement industry and 18 employed community inhabitants in the areas corresponding to three study corporations. Corporations and participants were purposively selected. The study findings clearly indicated that the strategic approach to CSR (i.e., aligning the corporation goals with the goals of the community) may balance economic value creation with the expectations of local communities. These findings revealed that corporate leaders may likely develop “mutually beneficial” relationships with potential stakeholders. As a result, the corporation can improve reputation and access to finance, capital, market and resources, as well as reduce operational risks and attract better employees. On the other hand, the community can get safe and affordable products and services, access to better job offerings, clean environment and a better quality of life. Understanding how CSR initiatives are planned, aligned and implemented in large MNCs in the cement industry may positively impact the community and the corporation’s SCA. Future research was recommended to explore the elements of organizational culture (i.e., values and beliefs) that affect the sustainable management practices of large MNCs.

Engaging and retaining high potential employees play a key role in enhancing an organization's competitive advantage. Although multiple factors affect engagement and retention, senior leaders play an important role. This study examined senior leaders' use of touch points (intentional interactions) with high potentials as a retention and engagement strategy within one organization. This mixed-method study gathered survey and interview data from high potentials and senior leaders. Study findings revealed that touch points yielded a range of benefits for the company, for leaders, for high potentials, and for talent management within the organization. The benefits appeared to be associated with the frequency and recency of touch points. Based on these findings, senior and executive leaders are advised to engage with high potentials at least quarterly. Organizations are advised to create processes to advocate for, facilitate, and monitor senior leaders' use of touch points to optimize organizational outcomes.

The U.S. aerospace industry strategic leadership fails domestically and internationally, not managing employee thinking and behavior for continuous success in the 21^st century. The problem addressed in this study was to understand the key processes and principles involved in the strategic leadership's shaping of cultural assumptions that may contribute to the industry's failure. The qualitative study explored the shaping of cultural assumptions, as it relates to the organization's relationship to the larger society, in terms of the nature of reality and truth, the nature of human nature, the nature of human activity, and the nature of human relationships for continuous success in the 21^st century. The study was guided by Scharmer's (2009) theory U, leading from the emerging future in relation to transformative change, stressing the needs to think and act differently, Gharajedaghi's (2011) systems theory, and Schein's (2010, 2013) findings on cultural assumptions and humble inquiry. The research question asked, "How does the U.S. aerospace industry's strategic leadership identify experiences affecting the shaping of cultural assumptions for continuous success in the 21^st century?" The study utilized an exploratory qualitative inquiry that enabled access to the personal experiences of 20 U.S. aerospace industry strategic leaders. Themes and patterns were identified in a data set through inductive analysis. The findings matched the reviewed literature and revealed scarce successful attempts to lead from the emerging future through cultural assumptions shaped for continuous success. The findings encourage the majority of the U.S. aerospace industry strategic leadership to overcome internal blockage and initiate a transformative change to avoid organization declines. The successful strategic leaders in the study support the need for co-creating continuous success in the 21^st century.

Academics and practitioners have continually called for more research to provide a deeper understanding of the nonprofit sector in light of its growing importance in society. Peter Drucker's (1985) seminal work suggested that there is much the business sector can learn from the nonprofit sector. Mission drift/creep as a phenomenon in strategic management has received little academic attention even though the practitioner journals are replete with references of its proliferation. The nonprofit sector in particular, a widely diverse group, linked by a Federal tax exemption to conduct business for almost any lawful purpose, seems particularly susceptible. In the absence of a profit motive, managers and stakeholders alike look to the organizations' mission for direction as well as measurements of success. Mission is generally the principal reason for being and therefore is held as a statement upon which public trust is built. Departure either in the form of drift or creep is widely discouraged. The notion that organizations learn, therefore challenges the fundamental premise that missions should remain static.

Extant practitioner literature documents the widespread nature of mission drift within the sector and decries its proliferation. This study attempts to elevate the discourse, bringing attention to the phenomenon of mission drift/creep by first defining it and putting it in proper contextual frame. The study also through research and scholarship attempts to identify the importance of mission in organizational strategy by using secondary studies to examine this role of mission and thereby provide a fuller explanation for the occurrence of mission drift/creep.

This paper utilized a systematic procedure and content analysis to explore the contingency, resource dependency, population ecology, as well as institutional theories, to find meaningful explanations for mission drift/creep's causation in nonprofit organizations and ultimately support or refute the notion that mission drift/creep should be discouraged.

The aim of the article is to present the position of public administration officials with a focus on the Czech Republic as an example of good practice. In today’s globalized society, the term clerk (or official) appears in a rather negative connection, following the organizational structure and bureaucratic apparatus. However, it is difficult to identify from the perspective of the media and the society itself what the view of the officials themselves on their profession and the difficulty of this profession is. The aim of the paper is to describe the position of the official and his/her performance connected with the view of the difficulty of this profession. The paper uses quantitative research methods through a questionnaire survey in public administration aimed at officials as respondents. Other methods used in the paper are analysis, comparison and description. All these methods of research give an overview of the selected view of officials on the performance of their profession in the selected group.