BUSINESS PROBLEMS
AUTHOR: SHEHZAD GHORI
1. Open Innovation’s “Multiunit Back-End Problem”
Seran1 and Bez (2021) Emphasis that the issue at hand is the challenge of engaging business units in open innovation initiatives within a corporation. Business units may be hesitant to participate in such initiatives due to concerns about the compatibility of startup technologies with their needs, potential cannibalization of their own digital innovations, and the additional burden of tasks like attracting and evaluating startups. Additionally, internal rivalry among business units can hinder collaboration and knowledge sharing, which are crucial for the success of joint projects in open innovation. It’s clear that finding managerial solutions to overcome these challenges is essential for fostering a culture of innovation and cooperation within the organization.
2. Exploring business students’ creative problem-solving preferences
Philip A. Titus and Steven Koppitsch (2018) States that The ANOVA results suggest that business student preferences for Creative Problem Solving (CPS) vary depending on the task and stage. It appears that students have moderately positive attitudes towards CPS overall, but there are differences in preferences for stages like problem finding, solution evaluation, and fact finding. Business educators may need to focus on improving students’ attitudes towards problem finding, as it was reported as the least-preferred stage. Students showed a stronger preference for problem analysis, solution implementing, and solution finding, indicating an action-oriented approach. These findings can guide the design of instructional interventions to address less-preferred CPS tasks and stages. It’s important for future employees to appreciate the importance of finding new business opportunities, making risky decisions, and enjoying the learning process.
3. Global Competition’s Perfect Storm: Why Business and Labor Cannot Solve Their Problems Alone
Rousseau and Batt (2007) The researchers have raised important questions about the feasibility of proposals by Unchiselled and Kochan in relation to American firms being globally competitive. The idea of supporting quality of work and life for workers, retirees, and their families is an important aspect of American competitiveness, but it requires new policies and institutions tailored for competing in a global economy. This includes macroeconomic policies to address deficits, fair trade agreements, and global labour standards that uplift working people worldwide. To bring about these changes, it’s crucial to establish global labour standards that don’t penalize responsible nations, promote worker access to capital for economic security, and encourage broader participation in firm ownership and entrepreneurship. Collaborative efforts among labour, management, and government are essential to create structures and institutions that align with the demands of global competition. In summary, addressing the challenges of today’s economy requires a collective effort from all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions and policies that prioritize the well-being of workers and ensure sustainable economic growth.
4. Today’s Solution and Tomorrow’s Problem: THE BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING RISK MANAGEMENT PUZZLE
Yuwei Shi (2007) Indicates that Modularization has indeed brought significant cost advantages to various industries, such as manufacturing and financial services. By unbundling resources and pooling capacities, companies can streamline their operations, reduce costs, and increase flexibility in responding to changing demands. For example, in the electronics industry, supply chain modularization has allowed manufacturers to separate design, engineering, and manufacturing resources, leading to cost reductions through capacity pooling with contract manufacturers. The trend towards modularization and standardization in IT and business functions is driven by firms aiming to focus on their core competencies and operate as networked organizations. By standardizing processes, products, communication standards, and organizational structures, companies can enhance their networkability and efficiency. This shift towards standardization extends beyond programming protocols to encompass business processes and organizational architecture. While modularization and standardization offer benefits in terms of specialization and cost efficiency, they also require significant financial and organizational commitments from clients. Some clients may opt for custom solutions to avoid the complexities associated with modularization, but this approach can be more costly and limit the adoption of industry best practices encoded in standardized modules. Overall, the move towards modularization and standardization presents opportunities for vendors to optimize their resources and capabilities, enhance specialization, and offer tailored solutions to meet the evolving needs of clients in a rapidly changing business landscape.
5. Business Ethics: New Perspectives on Old Problems
David Vogel (1991) Emphasize that article delves into the historical roots of how we perceive and discuss business ethics, highlighting the evolution of ethical standards in the context of contemporary and historical business practices. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the political aspects of business ethics and how public perceptions of ethical behaviour in business have evolved over time. The author explores why certain business activities are viewed as ethical or unethical by different segments of society and how ethical standards for managers and companies have shifted over the years. Although many of the ethical dilemmas faced by businesses today may seem unique, the article argues that they are often rooted in the nature of market economies and human behaviour. By tracing these issues back to their historical and ethical origins, the article underscores the ongoing moral dialogue surrounding business ethics and the increasing expectations placed on business leaders to uphold ethical standards. Despite public perceptions that ethical standards in business have declined, the article suggests that, objectively, the ethical conduct of most businesses has improved over the decades. This improvement is attributed to the critical scrutiny and ethical debates that have shaped public policy and business practices. The continuous examination of the moral character of business decisions, while not new, has played a crucial role in the historical development of capitalism. Ultimately, the article highlights the significance of ethical discourse in shaping the ethical conduct of businesses and the broader societal impact of ethical considerations in the business world.
6. Use of focus groups in business ethics research: potential, problems and paths to progress
Cowton and Downs (2015) Point out that recognition of focus groups as a valuable qualitative research method in the realm of business ethics. Transparency in conducting and reporting on focus group studies is crucial for ensuring the trustworthiness and credibility of research findings. Encouraging researchers to provide detailed insights into their methodologies and reasons for using focus groups will not only enhance the quality of their work but also contribute to building a robust body of knowledge for future studies. The role of editors and referees in promoting transparency is key in advancing research practices. By fostering greater transparency, we can pave the way for more in-depth analyses of research practices and potentially improve the overall quality of business ethics research. It’s also worth considering similar reviews for other qualitative research methods to further enhance the field.
7. E-Government Systems in Developing Countries: Issues and Concerns – Discussion
Rahul De (2006) The impact of e-governance on the relationship between the state and society raises questions about inserting technological systems into larger social systems. The underlying assumptions behind e-governance implementations and the potential for social convergence in behavioural patterns amid technological convergence are important considerations. Projects like Bhoomi, focused on digitizing land records in Karnataka, demonstrate meticulous technological implementation but may face disparities and challenges at the grassroots level, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the social context. The introduction of new technology affects tasks and skills within government organizations. In the SARI project, while citizens found it convenient to email applications, it increased the workload for taluk employees without additional incentives, leading to challenges in sustaining the initiative.
8. Acquisition Financing: Does How You Pay for It Have Implications for Success?
Gillis et al (2009) emphasis that understanding how deals are financed is crucial for management researchers, as it provides insights into the motivations behind acquisitions. The study indicates that acquisitions financed with easy money, such as overvalued shares or internal cash, are less likely to be driven by sound strategic reasoning. The findings highlight the importance of considering the actual sources of financing in management research and suggest that distinguishing among easy money acquisitions could benefit investors.
9. Examining the influence of supply chain glitches on shareholder wealth: does the reason matter?
Dam et al (2015) the study investigated the impact of supply chain glitches on shareholder value and found that, while there is still a negative effect on shareholder value it is significantly lower compared to a previous period covered by another study. Firm size and debt-equity ratio were identified as significant moderating factors in this relationship, suggesting that larger firms and those with specific financial structures experience different impacts. However, growth prospects and timing did not show significant influences on shareholder wealth reaction. Additionally, the study highlighted the importance of glitch reasons, noting that glitches arising from supply-side reasons are evaluated less severely than those from catastrophic, regulatory, and infrastructural reasons. The findings suggest potential advancements in supply chain management theory and practice, indicating a potential evolution toward more robust supply chains. However, the study acknowledges the need for further research to understand how firms can prevent and mitigate supply chain disruptions and glitches effectively.
10. New restriction on interest deductibility on acquisition debt.
Parawan (2012) emphasis that operations in France, reinforcing the need for compliance. The constraints imposed by the amendment need to be harmonized with existing obligations on French advisory firms dealing with foreign fund structures, particularly in the context of permanent establishment issues faced by foreign funds in LBO (leveraged buyout) transactions. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a separation between the advisory role of French teams and decision-making by the foreign principal.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the primary challenge addressed is the engagement of business units in open innovation initiatives within a corporation. Hesitancy from business units may stem from concerns about the compatibility of startup technologies with their needs, potential cannibalization of their digital innovations, and the additional burdens associated with tasks such as attracting and evaluating startups. Internal rivalry among business units is identified as a potential hindrance to collaboration and knowledge sharing, essential for the success of joint projects in open innovation. Overcoming these challenges through managerial solutions is deemed crucial for fostering a culture of innovation and cooperation within the organization. In the context of business student preferences for Creative Problem Solving (CPS), the study suggests that attitudes vary depending on the task and stage. While students exhibit moderately positive attitudes towards CPS overall, there are differences in preferences for stages like problem finding, solution evaluation, and fact finding. Addressing less-preferred CPS tasks, particularly problem finding, in instructional interventions is recommended to better prepare future employees for appreciating the importance of finding new business opportunities, making risky decisions, and enjoying the learning process.
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