Emerald | foresight | Table of Contents

Bubbles: towards a typology

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Nikhilesh Dholakia, Romeo V. Turcan) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – Bubbles – technology, stock market, housing, and more – have punctuated modern economic history with some regularity, and seem to be happening with greater frequency in recent periods. Part of the authors' larger work on a meta-theory of bubbles, this paper aims to compare and contrast bubbles in the fields of entertainment, technology, commodities, housing, and stock markets. It seeks to offer a typology of bubbles. Design/methodology/approach – Using the literature on bubbles and related socioeconomic phenomena, and experience-based insights, the paper compares and contrasts bubbles in different fields, to derive inductively a typology of bubbles. Findings – The paper finds six main types of bubbles, ranging from relatively harmless transient and playful bubbles for some movies at one end, to socially dangerous, contagious, irrational and punctured bubbles at the other end, for stock markets or real estate. Practical implications – Understanding the dimensions that lead to bubbles can provide policymakers with some early intervention tools – to prevent dangerous bubbles. Social implications – The insights into dimensions and processes of bubble formation presented provide society with a way to judge actors (businesses, public policymakers) and institutions in terms of their roles in creating or managing bubbles. Originality/value – The main contribution here is the development of two sets of dimensions – the immediate asset-linked dimensions and somewhat removed but even more powerful meta-dimensions – that contribute to the formation or collapse of bubbles.

Critical uncertainties in time: an experiment in method

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Allan W. Shearer) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe an experiment that asked what kinds of scenarios are perceived as more informative to managers in light of current decisions: scenarios that describe how critical uncertainties might develop; or, scenarios that describe what might happen if the critical uncertainties did, indeed, develop. Design/methodology/approach – Using a commonly identified set of opinions (pending decisions, actors of influence, persistent trends, a surprise-free scenario, and two critical uncertainties), participants were divided into two sub-groups, each of which developed a set of scenarios. Sub-group A articulated futures that described how the critical uncertainties might emerge. Sub-group B articulated futures that described what might follow if the same critical uncertainties developed. Findings – Sub-group A believed their individual scenarios were slightly more logically comprehensible and that their set of scenarios better captured the range of concerns relevant to their pending decisions. Additionally, Sub-group B scored the jointly created surprise-free scenario to be less logically comprehensible than Sub-group A. Practical implications – This article suggests that some managers may find it challenging to see the relevance in temporally distant and uncertain futures into their decision-making activities. Therefore, those involved in strategic planning may find it productive to connect these uncertain futures to the present. Originality/value – This experiment contributes empirical support to the importance of connecting future events to the present day for engaging scenario users.

A conceptual model of HRIS-Trust: an understanding of suppliers'/customers' relationship

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – In this research, the aim is to argue that “trust” is very important in all stages of technology management for human resource management efficiency and effectiveness to improve organizational performance. Therefore the purpose of this paper is to propose the concept and model of “HRIS-trust” for human resource information system (HRIS) suppliers, who will approach HRIS potential customers. Design/methodology/approach – This is an exploratory study; hence, based on the relevant literature review and the authors' own analysis, six propositions were proposed for HRIS-Trust model. Findings – HRIS-Trust is one of the pivotal determinants to help managers make decisions to apply HRIS in the organization in order to achieve sustainable human resource management (HRM) performance. Accordingly, to achieve an effective level of HRIS deployment, HRIS-suppliers and their customers need to have a clear understanding and definition of appropriate terminology of HRIS-trust for operational management systems. Research limitations/implications – As yet this model is untested. Clearly, further research is necessary to test the propositions of the authors' model. Practical implications – In this paper, it is argued that HRIS-trust is very important in relation to HRIS deployment. Therefore, HRIS suppliers need to have an understanding about the factors influencing trust in HRIS, especially how to increase customer trust in their HRIS products. Originality/value – Although many previous studies have demonstrated how an organization can initiate and implement human resource information system (HRIS) efficiently and effectively, very few have investigated factors influencing the trust in HRIS. Hence, this research is one of the first exploratory studies to explore such an issue. In addition, a definition and a model of HRIS-Trust was proposed.

Risk management: the next source of competitive advantage

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Ehsan Elahi) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to show how proper risk management capabilities can lead to competitive advantage for a company. There is much evidence that suggests that the current very high level of volatilities in the business world is going to get worse in the years and decades to come. This trend of increasing uncertainties and the resulting risks for businesses, demands a strategic-level attention to risk management. This strategic-level attention is warranted by the fact that proper risk management capabilities can lead to competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach – The work is conceptual in its approach. The paper also provides many examples from a wide range of industries, as well as the results from other research works to support the finding of the paper. Findings – The paper first shows how firms' perspective of risk management is evolving. It then characterizes the main drivers behind the trend of increasing uncertainties in the business world which results in higher levels of risk exposure for companies. Finally, the paper characterizes four different ways through which proper risk management capabilities can lead to competitive advantage (depending on different risk categories). Originality/value – Although the importance of risk management and its potential strategic role has been widely studied in the literature, the question of how risk management capabilities can turn into a competitive advantage has received less attention. The answer to this question might help firms to better understand the strategic role of risk management and the importance of developing a proper set of risk management capabilities. This paper tries to identify the relationship between risk management capabilities and competitive advantage under different types of risks.

Information filters as one of the means of managing strategic fit in a complex environment

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Leena Ilmola-Sheppard, Osmo Kuusi) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the role of information as a source of resilience in organizations. It presents both a theory based construct of information filters of the environment scanning and a pragmatic tool for managing the process. Design/methodology/approach – The filter construct was tested in three qualitative case studies where the filter setting was changed in order to identify its impact on the results of the environment scan. This paper used Igor Ansoff's theory of information filters as a basis and added the required additional elements by applying complex adaptive systems theory. Findings – The authors were able to define two dimensions: information filters' width and depth, that define the outcome of the environment scanning process. The preliminary testing of the research hypotheses was possible with the new research tool. Research limitations/implications – There was only one case that analyzed the impact of connectivity: the role of feedback loops with the external stakeholders and their impact on the outcome of the scanning process. This interesting finding should be studied further. Practical implications – By applying the filter construct, management is able to either destabilize the organization (for innovation or in order to facilitate a major transformation) or to stabilize the organization (e.g. post-merger integration). Originality/value – This paper is one of the rare pragmatic applications of complex adaptive systems theory.

L'Islam et le reveil Arabe (Islam and the Arab Awakening)

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Jacques Richardson) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100