The thesis extends the understanding of the constellations of logics in Japanse management practices in Asia and the West (Goodrick and Reay, 2011; Thornton et al., 2012). By adopting comparative ethnographic case studies, it explores cultural meanings of "family" corporation, market and religion logics in each subsidiary's site: Thailand, Taiwan, Belgium and the US. In doing so, this thesis contributes to the institutional logic approach in four ways. First, the finding that logics are culturally interpeted imposes a serious limitation on the institutional logic approach based on the analysis of Western society (Thornton et al., 2012). Secondly, the finding that Japanese "family" logics and Theravada Buddhism are strengthening each other directly supports the presupposition of amplificaion (Greenwood et al.,2010;2011). Third, the finding that the constellations of logics are ongoing and continuously formed in relation to geographical locations strongly questions "segmenting" (Goodrick and Reay, 2011). Finally, the finding that the boundaries of the organisation communities are not "segmented" to Japanese expatriates but constructed through actors' profiles raises the importance of actors' profiles (Suddaby et al., 2012).

With the growing and more accessible computational power, the demand for robust and sophisticated computerised optimisation is increasing for logistical problems. By making good use of computational technologies, the research in this thesis concentrates on efficient fleet management by studying a class of vehicle routing problems and developing efficient solution algorithms. The literature review in this thesis looks at VRPs from various development angles. The search reveals that from the problem modelling side clear efforts are made to bring the classical VRP models closer to reality by developing various variants. However, apart from the real VRP applications (termed as 'rich' VRPs), it is also noticeable that these classical VRP based variants address merely one or two additional characteristics from the real routing problem issues, concentrating on either operational (fleet management) or tactical (fleet acquisition) aspects. This thesis certainly hopes to add to one of those good efforts which have helped in bringing the VRPs closer to reality through addressing both the operational as well as the tactical aspects. On the solution methodologies development side, the proposed research noted some considerable and impressive developments. Although, it is well established that the VRPs belong to the NP-hard combinatorial class of problems, there are considerable efforts on the development of exact methods. However the literature is full of a variety of heuristic methodologies including the classical and the most modern hybrid approaches. Among the hybrid approaches, the most recent one noted is mat-heuristics that combine heuristics and mathematical programming techniques to solve combinatorial optimisation problems. The mat-heuristics approaches appear to be comparatively in its infant age at this point in time. However this is an exciting area of research which seeks more attention in the literature. Hence, a good part of this research is devoted to the development of a hybrid approach that combines heuristics and mathematical programming techniques. When reviewing the specific literature on the VRP problems focused in this thesis, the vehicle routing problem with backhauls (VRPB) and the multiple trip vehicle routing problem (MT-VRP), there is not sufficient development on the problem modelling side in terms of bringing these two problems closer to the reality. Hence, to fill the gap this thesis introduces and investigates a new variant, the multiple trip vehicle routing problem with backhauls (MT-VRPB) that combines the above two variants of the VRP. The problem is first described thoroughly and a new ILP (Integer Linear Programming) mathematical formulation of the MT-VRPB along with its possible variations is presented. The MT-VRPB is then solved optimally by using CPLEX along with providing an illustrative example showing the validation of the mathematical formulation. As part of the contribution, a large set of MT-VRPB data instances is created which is made available for future benchmarking. The CPLEX implementation produced optimal solutions for a good number of small and medium size data instances of the MT-VRPB and generated lower bounds for all instances. The CPLEX success may be considered as modest, but the produced results proved very important for the validation of the heuristic results produced in the thesis. To solve the larger instances of the MT-VRPB, a two level VNS algorithm called 'Two-Level VNS' is developed. It was noticed from the literature that the choice of using VNS for the VRPs has increased in recent literature due to its simplicity and speed. However our initial experiments with the classical VNS indicated that the algorithm is more inclined towards the intensification side. Hence, the Two-Level VNS is designed to obtain a maximum balance of the diversification and the intensification during the search process. It is achieved by incorporating a sub-set of neighbourhood structures and a sus-set of local search refinement routines and hence, a full set of neighbourhood structures and a full set of local search refinement routines at two levels of the algorithm respectively. The algorithm found very encouraging results when compared with the solutions found by CPLEX. These findings in this thesis demonstrate the power of VNS yet again in terms of its speed, simplicity and efficiency. To investigate this new variant further, we developed an algorithm belonging to the new class of the hybrid methodologies, i.e., mat-heuristics. A hybrid collaborative sequential mat-heuristic approach called the CSMH to solve the MT-VRPB is developed. The exact method approach produced in Chapter 4 is then hybridised with the Two-Level VNS algorithm developed in Chapter 5. The overall performance of the CSMH remained very encouraging in terms of the solution quality and the time taken on average compared with the CPLEX and the Two-Level VNS meta-heuristic. To demonstrate the power and effectiveness of our methodologies, we tested the designed algorithms on the two special versions of the VRP (i.e., VRPB and MT-VRP) to assess whether they are efficient and dynamic enough to solve a range of VRP variants. Hence the Two-Level VNS and the CSMH algorithms developed to solve the MT-VRPB are adapted accordingly and implemented to solve the two above variants separately. The algorithms produced very competitive results for the benchmark data sets when compared to the best known solutions from the literature. The successful implementations of these algorithms on the three VRP models with only minor amendments prove their generalizability and their robustness. The results in this research show that significant cost savings could be obtained by choosing the right fleet size and better vehicle utilisations with multiple trips and backhauling. Hence, the research proved the justification of studying this interesting combination. Moreover, the problem modelling, efficient algorithm design and implementation, and the research results reveal some vital information and implications from the managerial point of view in terms of making the tactical (fleet acquisition) and the operational (fleet management) decisions in a more informative manner.

This portfolio considers the manner in which family businesses network. Networks are vital for small and micro-businesses but within current research mono-rationalist approaches, where the business is studied in relative isolation from the social component, predominate, despite an acceptance that in family businesses a family and a business co-exist. The report and papers within this portfolio argue that alternative perspectives on family business networks exist and can form appropriate frameworks for research. Specifically, an expansion of current network theory to include factors not directly relevant to the business but which by existing may influence the business is proposed, characterised here as theories of multiple rationalities. Multi-rational perspectives on family business networks offer, it is argued, greater understanding of the co-existence of family, friendship and business networks. This portfolio contains four components. A report sets family business research in context and summarises the over-arching conclusions of the portfolio. Output One comprises a literature review using secondary sources to examine current developments in family business research. Notably, discussion surrounding multiple-rationalities in the strategy literature is pertinent to the study of networks and provides the basis for the schematic model developed in Output One. Output Two considers family businesses in a peri-urban area, providing evidence to support the use of multi-rational approaches and concludes with two illustrative case studies which allow the additional network links visible using multi-rational perspectives to be viewed. Output Three presents a case study of a family with a distinct and on-going pattern of business start-up, whose approaches to networking are explored from a multi-rational perspective. In addition to the business implications, the implications for policy and business support research are considerable. If family businesses draw on networks for business support, understanding networks should form a vital part of both policy and the business support landscape.

This research project investigates the roles of Personnel/Human Resource Specialists in the formulation of corporate strategy. It aims at providing a better understanding of the current practice in comparison to "best practice" as prescribed by the leading literature. To this end a comprehensive literature review on strategy formulation and Human Resource Management (IBM) has been conducted. The core ideas from the leading literature have been concatenated in an integrated model of Human Resources( HR) in strategy formulation. This research project focuses exclusively on the first stage of the strategy process, namely formulation and blacks out the subsequent stages of implementation and evaluation. Particular emphasis is given to the rational, analytical aspect of strategy formulation. The elaborate model of integration delivered the basis for a detailed questionnaire which was used the means of collecting primary data. This questionnaire was sent out to over 100 key personnel in leading financial services companies in Scotland. The survey was the first of its kind to be conducted with an exclusive focus on the emerging Scottish financial community. The Scottish Financial sector employs 209.000 people and responses were received from 33 different companies which between them had 107.629 staff on their payrolls. The results of the study draw a detailed picture of the extent to which the proposed strategic activities are carried out by the HR functions of the leading Scottish institutions. The results furthermore indicate that Human Resources pecialists are still finding it difficult to adapt a more strategic approach towards the management of employees. This study identified the analytical part of the strategy formulation process, i. e. the scanning of a company's environment for opportunities as well as the internal analysis of the firm as a weak point in the management of HR and as an area often neglected by Human Resource specialists. Due to this self-inflicted abstinence a vacuum is created and the influence that environmental changes can have on a firm's HR might well be underestimated. This lack of facts and data also meant that HR functions are often only partially integrated in the strategic decision-making process. The study identified this lethargy as the main area where improvements can be made and makes recommendations to industry and teaching academics alike. Finally, at the level of researchers and writers, this research project gives an opportunity to either replicate or validate the research findings or to widen the field by conducting further studies in this area.

The aim of my thesis is to demonstrate how my research aids the academic understanding of the sub-disciplinary field of hospitality management development. I evaluate the extent to which the unique features of the UK hospitality industry and the characteristics of hospitality management influence the training and development regime of managers. I also explore the relationship of hospitality management development processes with organisational systems and how the nature of hospitality managerial roles and skills influence the development of managers in the UK hospitality industry. I view management development from a contingent perspective, asserting that this evolves in response to both internal operating requirements and influences external to the organisation. I provide a critical analysis of key literatures in management development, culminating with the development of my own conceptual framework. I then review the nature of the hospitality industry, and hospitality management development as practised in the UK. This enables me to develop a theoretical framework for understanding management development practices in the British hospitality industry. My commentary presents a critical reflection on nine of my academic writings in the sub-discipline of hospitality management development. From a realist research approach, I assess my contribution to this field, through reviewing my research journey as evidenced by the articles chosen for this submission. I seek to demonstrate progression in my understanding of hospitality management development, and the factors influencing its scope and character, through the development of the conceptual framework. I summarise my contribution to academic understanding within this area using three themes, namely macro-environmental and industry structural influences, organisation environment dimensions and identifying development needs through exploring hospitality managerial roles and skills. Assessing the opportunities to develop this area of research further, I suggest a need for further study of management development processes at both macro-and micro levels of the industry; for investigation of the relational and subjective human aspects of hospitality management development; greater focus on individual management learning; and for more critical research studies which explore the operation of power and politics within hospitality management development.

No description available.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSRD) have received much attention in the literature. However, a review of previous studies has revealed that the current discussions on CSR and CSRD do not go beyond the disciplinary perspective (e. g. management, accounting, and ethics) and ignore the possibility of conceptualisation of CSR and CSRD based on other values, such as religion. Many of these studies have proposed different theories to explain why corporations disclose or do not disclose social responsibility information. The various CSRD theories exclude religion as a foundation in explaining why organisations should disclose social responsibility information, and also in making assessment of the performance of organisations in terms of fulfilling their obligation to God. These theories have been developed mainly in the context of the liberal market, and may not offer full justification of CSR and CSRD practices in a dissimilar socio-culture, such as the case of Islamic financial institutions (IFIs). While values and principles that have been central to Islamic teaching and philosophy are directly related to the notion of CSR, there are some empirical studies that have attempted to investigate the relationships between those Values and CSR and CSRD. The mainstream of existing studies has tended to examine the gap between the expectation of social disclosure and the actual disclosure practice in Islamic business organisations such as IFIs. In order to understand the practice of CSR and CSRD by IFIs, it is also important to investigate the perception of the managers who are in charge of producing corporate reports, and to understand the reasons and rationales behind disclosing or non-disclosing social responsibility information. In addition, there is a lack of comprehensive studies comparing the practice of CSRD in IFIs with its conventional counterparts, as such a comparison offers an insight into the nature of CSRD in IFIs, which are influenced by the value of Islam. To achieve this objective, this study conducted a mix of qualitative and quantitative research. On the quantitative part, 42 financial institutions, divided equally between IFIs and conventional financial institutions (CFls), were studied. The content analysis method was utilised to compare the extent and level of CSRD in the annual reports between IFIs and CFIs. On the qualitative research side, interviews were utilised to seek the perspectives, attitudes and opinions of IFIs'managers on CSR and CSRD. This study presents evidence that Islamic values have driven the business practice of IFIs and consequently influenced CSR and CSRD. The principle of accountability to Almighty Allah was found as the prominent driver for CSR and CSRD in IFIs. This accountability is based on the relationship between individuals and businesses, and Almighty Allah. Accountability in this context means not only a duty to report performance, but performing ethically in the first place. This notion of accountability from an Islamic perspective provides a different dimension to the concept of CSR and CSRD, which was not identified in the existing framework and literature. This study has therefore contributed to our understanding and knowledge of CSR, and CSRD in particular, in the business environment of IFIs.

No description available.

The subject of this thesis is the management of foreign operations and the switching of modes for international business. Contrary to research on the market entry, the focus here lies on the further development of the initially selected market entry strategy and the question of identifying the right timing and optimal approach for changing strategies (strategy change). Based on a comprehensive review of literature on internationalisation and mode switching, a theoretical concept for decision-making behaviour during a switch is formulated. The hypotheses derived from this are empirically assessed through interviews with top managers and alarge-scale survey of 192 companies (51 % switchers; 49% nonswitchers). Here, the companies surveyed can be classified into five characteristic groups based on the preferred mode, corporate characteristics, timing of the mode decision and mode-switching probability. The results show that the mode switch is an important option for improving performance in foreign markets. Satisfaction with current performance of foreign operation is the main driver for or against the mode switch. When a firm makes the decision to switch modes, it is shown that, through the mode switch, success in the foreign market is significantly improved. Yet the switch is not in itself a prerequisite for success. The study shows that both switchers and non-switchers can be successful. The results also reinforce the assumed relationship between management style and the probability of a mode switch. Clear causal relationships are identified between systematic internationalisation planning and success. In addition, the dwelling time after market entry is shown to be critical; for example, it is established that the mode of "importers" is usually tied to a longer stay in a market than as with other mode strategies. This indicates apath-dependency with certain modes. This study shows that, over the duration of foreign business activity, companies pursue characteristic internationalisation pathways through their choice of mode. With regard to timing in the decision-making process, the conclusion is reached that there should be sufficient time and space for the development, negotiation and evaluation in the sense of using a co-evolutionary perspective. Timing is viewed as a result emerging from co-evolution of internationalisation activities, corporate characteristics, mode strategy, management style and industry influences. Areas for further research are identified and recommendations on how to improve decision making in the management of foreign operation are provided. The study concludes with an explanatory theory on mode switching, based on the theory of pathway dependency.

A trade fair is an exhibition that allows companies to present their products to potential customers, interact with customers, conduct market research including gathering information on competitors. Trade fairs help companies and businesses to develop their marketing strategy and to innovate both their products and processes. Yet there has been little academic research on this. The aim of this thesis is to formulate a theoretical model of how trade fairs act as a medium to create innovation. Specifically academic literature will be reviewed to tease out the main constructs and identify the factors which can be utilised to generate innovation. To measure, understand how these factors interact and verify the constructs of the theoretical model, data was collected from participants at four major trade fairs held in spring 2012 at Munich, Germany. The data was collected from visitors and exhibitors by an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed from the literature and discussion with experts in trade fair organisation and piloted in January 2012. 1,921 visitors and exhibitors completed an online questionnaire and this represented 2.6% of clients on the database of a trade fair management company. The data was analysed using descriptive univariate and multivariate methods. This revealed several antecedents of innovation; these were number and quality of contacts, strength of relationships, degree of social networking and the ability to acquire innovation. The nature of the interaction between these variables and how they contribute to innovation was revealed by using a path modelling approach. The path model also revealed how the future success of visitors and exhibitor companies is affected by directly by innovation and indirectly by the dimensions of acquiring knowledge, social networking, creating contacts and relationship building. From this a business model was created which allowed those organising trade fairs to optimise the underlying dimensions to enhance the generation of innovation and the contribution to business success. As business becomes more global and competitive this insight into the operation of trade fairs is a major contribution to allow business to be sustainable and to grow. The work presented in this thesis is an important contribution to academic knowledge by helping to explain how intangible dimensions such as contact, relationship building and social networking can be measured, modelled and related to the process of innovation and in turn to business survival and growth.