There is a widely held view that the performance of firms depends not only on the ability of managers to exploit economic markets but also on their ability to succeed in political markets. To test ...the value of political activism, recent scholarship has probed the impact of corporate political activity (CPA) on firm performance. However, mixed findings and the fragmented nature of the field raise more questions than answers as to the nature of this relationship. This systematic review examines scholarly articles for evidence of the impact of CPA on firm value. The findings suggest that CPA is more valuable in emerging countries and that relational CPA strategies are more common in emerging (versus developed) countries where social capital underlies political and economic exchange. We also document the paucity of research on informational CPA strategies and policy outcomes in the emerging country context. We consider the implications of these findings and others for local and multinational enterprises, and offer suggestions for further research.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPUK
Supply chain visibility (SCV) has been gaining recognition in recent years as a key factor for achieving analytical capabilities and improving supply chain performance. However, levels of SCV ...implementation lag behind current technological advances. This research was motivated by the lack of visibility in inbound logistics, which limits the possibility of managing deviation, in particular concerning changes in arrival time of incoming goods, in large industrial firms. We addressed this problem by adopting a design science approach. In particular, we followed context-intervention-mechanism-outcome (CIMO) logic to map and analyse material and information flows. The problems areas were successively translated via business and functional requirements into technological solutions. We evaluated alternative technologies using controlled experiments that mimicked real-life situations. This study provides guidance for manufacturing companies aiming to enhance deviation management and predictive capabilities by improving visibility in their inbound logistics and potentially extending visibility to other areas, such as internal and outbound flows.
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BFBNIB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Guidelines in the Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation (the CIMO guide) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO, published 2014, updated 2017, section 2.1.3.3, ...Response times of thermometers) recommend that the 63% response time τ for an air temperature sensor be 20 s, although – as airflow speed influences response time – the minimum airflow speed at which this applies should also be specified in the document. A 63% response time τ63 = 20 s implies that 95% of a step change be registered within 3τ63 or 60 s, the WMO recommended averaging interval for air temperature: rapid air temperature changes on this time‐scale are not uncommon, often associated with convective squalls, frontal systems or sea breeze circulations. An alternative way of expressing the effect of the time constant is that in air whose temperature is changing at 0.1 K·min−1 the thermometer would lag by approximately 0.03 K.
To assess whether this response time specification was realistic, we have undertaken an experimental and theoretical study of the time constants of meteorological thermometers. Laboratory wind tunnel tests were undertaken to quantify 63% and 95% response times of 25 commercial 100 Ω platinum resistance thermometers (PRTs) of various sizes (length and sheath diameter) from five manufacturers. The test results revealed a fourfold difference in response times between different sensors: none of the PRTs tested met the CIMO response time guideline at a ventilation speed of 1 m·s−1 assumed typical of passively ventilated thermometer shields such as Stevenson‐type thermometer screens. A theoretical model of the sensors was devised which matched the experimental behaviour with regard to the most important contributing factors, namely ventilation rate and sensor diameter. Finally, suggestions and recommendations for operational air temperature sensor adoption and future sensor development are included.
WMO guidelines recommend a 20 s 63% response time for air temperature sensors. To assess whether this specification was realistic, an experimental and theoretical study of time constants comparing 25 commercial platinum resistance thermometers from five manufacturers was undertaken. None of the PRTs tested met WMO response time guidelines at a ventilation speed of 1 m·s−1 assumed typical of passively ventilated thermometer screens. A theoretical model of the sensors outlined the most important contributing factors, ventilation rate and sensor diameter.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
•The authors contribute to the literature on technology roadmapping practice in the industry by conducting a systematic review specifically on the industry-level practice.•The authors conduct ...in-depth analysis on general technology roadmapping elements with specific attention to the stakeholder involvement efforts in the technology roadmapping process in the industry across breadth, depth, and timing dimensions.•The authors develop design propositions for practitioners in the industry to design stakeholder inclusive technology roadmapping processes.
Technology roadmapping (TRM) has gained prominence in both firm-level and industry-level applications, however, there is a lack of attention in the evolution of TRM processes in the industry. This paper systematically reviews the literature on industry-level TRM between the period 2000 and 2019 by categorically coding 23 journal articles to account for the general facets of TRM and the stakeholder involvement efforts in the process. The paper contributes to the TRM body of knowledge in three ways, first, by creating a portfolio of articles extending on prior reviews in the field and focusing on the industry-level applications between 2000 and 2019. The results show that many researchers combine methods in different stages of TRM, but only a handful of the industries forgo future planning for technology implementation. Second, the efforts and rigour in stakeholder selection and involvement were assessed across breadth, depth, and timing dimensions. Our results show that the overall stakeholder involvement effort is low, and the process can benefit from including thought leaders from diverse domains, especially from firms to instigate interest in technology development and commercialization. Third, based on our findings we developed design propositions for TRM practitioners to improve stakeholder involvement in the process.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Purpose
This systematic literature review focuses on the following future advanced information and communication technologies (ICTs) applied in the maritime transport of cargo: Internet of Things ...(IoT), big data, cloud computing and autonomous ships/vessels (including unmanned ships/vessels). The review question is: “RQ: In what context and by means of what mechanism does the implementation of future advanced ICTs have disruptive impact on maritime transport?”.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper complies with the methodological requirements of systematic reviews. The information analysis and synthesis are based on the CIMO logic, referring to the context (C), intervention (I), mechanism (M) and outcome (O) of the implementation of future advanced ICTs in maritime transport.
Findings
The review identifies the contextual factors and components of the mechanism that lead to the disruptive impact of different types of future advanced ICT interventions on maritime transport.
Research limitations/implications
The review approaches only the most important future advanced ICTs that will disrupt maritime transport.
Practical implications
The maritime transport organizations should consider: intended outcome as intervention trigger; increased efficiency and responsiveness; benchmarking.
Originality/value
For the first time, the CIMO logic is applied in a systematic review focused on future advanced ICTs in maritime transport. The CIMO-DMT model is elaborated as a basis for further research. Ten directions of study are recommended in a future research agenda.
•Development of 5 design propositions to reduce accidents and injuries.•Development of 5 design propositions to change safety behaviours.•Investigation of the mechanisms that underpin safety ...practices to create safety outcomes.
The explanation for what safety interventions work in any particular circumstance remains elusive, resulting in many work-related fatalities and injuries every year. We propose a shift in perspective from a preoccupation with safety interventions and their effects to an elucidation of the generative mechanisms underpinning safety and its contiguous context. Using an analytical framework based on contexts, interventions, mechanisms and outcomes (CIMO) we were able to review 43 empirical studies of safety interventions deployed by leaders in organizations. This motivated the development of 10 design propositions; 5 related to accident and injury reduction and 5 to changing safety behaviours. Greater understanding of the mechanisms by which interventions exert their effects will lead to the design of more context appropriate safety interventions thereby enhancing individual and organizational safety in the future and the development of evidence-based safety.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This study represents the first attempt to operationalize a novel methodological approach that couples the expanded business model canvas (BMC) with an analytical evaluation of business model items ...and incorporates context-intervention-mechanism-outcome logic (CIMO-logic). We applied the designed methodology to analyse ten forest-related business models in eight European countries. This study aims to enhance the understanding of the challenges and opportunities generated by changing forest ownership due to the use of new business models. The adopted procedures both enhance the understanding of existing business models and the associated mechanisms and suggest improvements for existing business models. In other words, these procedures facilitated the understanding of business model dynamics. The changing operational environment forces the traditional forestry industry to adapt, and the analysed European cases indicate that business system innovations should always be considered to meet consumers' needs. The analysed business models are mostly grounded on traditional forestry and mainly include either new services or organizational improvements. The analysed business models introduce new organizational channels for reaching customers, satisfying new customer needs, targeting unique customers, reducing transaction costs, and improving customer relationships.
•We operationalized a novel methodology for business model analysis.•The analysed business models consider either new services or organizational improvements.•Infrastructure and offerings are key factors in the analysed business models.•When designing business models, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms.•Business system innovation should use both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
PurposeThis paper reviews existing research to understand when, how and with what results robotic process automation (RPA) is implemented by organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have ...identified 84 sources across eight databases and have analyzed them through the lens of a context–intervention–mechanism–outcomes framework (CIMO). The CIMO analysis maps the contextual drivers, intervention approaches and value related outcomes associated with RPA implementation.FindingsThe result of the analysis is the identification of four mechanisms explaining the approach organizations take to implement RPA: digitizing business processes, performing knowledge work together with humans, replacing outsourcing with RPA robots and developing a new business model. Therefore, in this paper, in order to reduce RPA literature fragmentation, the authors take into account the digital transformation (DT) perspective, by considering RPA as one example of digital technology.Practical implicationsThis study sensitize organizational adopters to the different mechanisms they can deploy to conduct RPA implementations to achieve different desired outcomes in response to different drivers. Moreover, having a clear picture of the key enablers and associated barriers to the realization of these alternative paths serve as a useful map to guide the implementation process.Originality/valueThe findings contribute to DT research by conceptualizing these mechanisms through which organizations deploy automation tools—such as RPA.
This paper exemplifies a theoretical and methodological evaluation of IT Initiatives. It discusses post-implementation modifications (ERP-PIM) to enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for the ...purpose of business process optimization (BPO) from a Context-Initiative-Mechanism-Outcome (CIMO) perspective. CIMO suggests that context and mechanisms are factors triggering causal effects responsible for outcomes derived from technology initiatives. Through conceptualization, data collection/analysis, and retroduction, the paper proposes a middle-range theory to facilitate the explanation of outcomes from diverse post-implementation initiatives. Data from multiple case study identifies situational and action-formation mechanisms, and actions as essential to realizing the desired outcomes. The proposed ERP-PIM-CIMO theory encapsulates: (i) Business Process Optimization (BPO) as context, (ii) ERP-PIM as structure, (iii) Business Process Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Flexibility as observable events, (iv) ERP capability as causal mechanism, (v) actions as necessary for the actualization of mechanism, and finally (vi) effort and cost, knowledge, and training as factors influencing actualization.
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BFBNIB, NUK, PILJ, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Management consulting (MC), as a knowledge-based industry, is regarded as fertile ground for digital transformation (DT). However, the changes that DT has introduced to MC are rather limited, ...notwithstanding the many cases of successful DT in the field. This paper is a systemic review of 18 cases presented in the literature concerning the digital transformation (DT) of management consulting companies (MCCs). It builds prescriptive knowledge for researchers and practitioners concerning the different approaches used to employ DT in the management consulting (MC) field. It uses a context–intervention–mechanism–outcome (CIMO) framework analysis with a pool of articles involving cases of DT in management consulting. The main findings of the paper, the mechanisms, are based on correlations between the context, the solution adopted, and the business outcomes identified. Our analysis of the cases, based on the CIMO framework, reveals three mechanisms that explain how DT transforms MC: it supports the platformization of traditional MC; it creates an opportunity for MC through crowdsourcing, in which the consultant acts as a crowd manager; and it changes the consultant-client matching process. Our study presents different layers of DT in the management consulting industry based on the complexity of the solutions identified. The findings are relevant for both MC practitioners concerned with business strategy and MC researchers.
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CEKLJ, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ