Synopsis Steve Holder had already worked with Matsapha College for ten years as the organization ... more Synopsis Steve Holder had already worked with Matsapha College for ten years as the organization matured its macadamia orchard to the point of yielding sufficient proceeds to assist in the support of the colleges educational endeavors in Swaziland. Now Matsapha College was entertaining the possibility of launching a separate entity, Kumnandzi Macadamia Importers, to be a stateside distributor of both Matsapha's macadamia nuts and that of other growers in the region, with the prospect of producing additional revenue to help sponsor education. The Board of Matsapha College is interested in the idea of having the College prosper from added macadamia sales, but members have mixed opinions about the direction and form this growth should take. Before any major decisions are made, Steve learns that the organization should do some self-reflection and decide what Kumnandzi Macadamia Importers is all about before proceeding. Specifically, the Matsapha College Board of Directors needs to a...
This paper develops a theoretical framework to examine the impact of human resource management or... more This paper develops a theoretical framework to examine the impact of human resource management orientation on the transfer of knowledge within MNCs. Adaptive, Exportive, and Integrative are the three common strategic human resource orientations employed by MNCs to achieve either internal (intra-organization) or external (between organization and environment) or both internal and external consistency. The different types of orientations create different level of cooperation and competition among MNC subsidiaries and headquarter located in different countries. This influences knowledge transfer in MNCs by influencing motivation of exchange partners, transmission channel, level of cultural similarities among units, and quality of the relationship (e.g., trust). Additionally, an MNC's human resource management orientation influences the directionality ofknowledge transfer (upward, downward, and lateral) between subsidiary/ subsidiary and headquarters/subsidiary.IntroductionKnowledge has been proposed as a potential source of sustainable competitive advantage for firms (Gupta To date, much of the research in the knowledge management area has focused on inter-organizational transfer ofknowledge either within a country or across boundaries (Bjorkman, Bamer-Rasmussen «fe Li, 2004). Presumably, intra-organization knowledge transfer is easier than inter-organizational knowledge transfer (e.g., Kogut «fe Zander, 1992). However, this assumption oversimplifies the problems faced by MNCs, whose subsidiaries operate across different milieus and in different national cultures. While subsidiaries coexist with the other organizational units in a similar organizational culture, they cannot remain isolated from their local and national environments (i.e., host country cultures) which affects the participating units' culture. The complexities of managing subsidiaries, which are subject to cultural variations in their host countries, may make the intra-organization transfer of knowledge similar to inter-organization transfer of knowledge between organizations. While sharing a common schema with other subsidiaries of a common parent, they are also subject to certain variability among their membership. For an individual subsidiary, everyday market activity exposes it to a host of economic, institutional, competitive, and other pressures extant in the host country's culture. As the focal subsidiary becomes assimilated into the host country's culture, the subsidiary's efforts to accommodate cultural expectations consistent with their specific operating domain may shape or distort their internal environment relative to other subsidiaries. Thus, in an MNC, subsidiaries' organizational cultures may not be exactly the same, even though they share a common parent company. It does not matter whether the resultant variation that occurs reflects intentional (e.g., directed learning) or unintentional coping behaviors, the result is that the knowledge transfer process among subsidiary units in an MNC may closely resemble that of inter-organizational transfers between unrelated businesses. …
Finding cases appropriate for teaching information technology courses is a persistent problem for... more Finding cases appropriate for teaching information technology courses is a persistent problem for instructors. This article is written as a teaching case and is intended for use by instructors in educating students about information technology. The case information is factual and deals with genuine information technology situations at a real-world educational institution. The case offers the opportunity to generate student discussion in the areas of corporate and IT governance, IT infrastructure, IT architecture, open source software, outsourcing and other topics.
Synopsis Paula Hendricks, Director of Marketing for Rapid Reel Lawn Master Company (RRLMC), taske... more Synopsis Paula Hendricks, Director of Marketing for Rapid Reel Lawn Master Company (RRLMC), tasked with developing a plan to exploit the current trend in lawn mower purchasing patterns must craft a strategic proposal for the executive planning committee. RRLMC, a manufacturer of reel mowers, experienced an increase in sales due to a confluence of factors: high gasoline prices, increased concern with the environment, the trend toward smaller yards and a focus on health and exercise. Paula needed to develop a plan for the company to sustain the bonanza and determine whether this trend offered new opportunities for marketing. Research methodology The data for the case were collected through examination of a major reel lawn mower manufacturer in the USA, through experience teaching and using the market segmentation process, as well as personal interviews and secondary research on the history of firms within the industry. The results of a literature review have been incorporated to flesh...
Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, Dec 15, 2009
Schools of all types and sizes are exploring the merits and facets of online learning approaches;... more Schools of all types and sizes are exploring the merits and facets of online learning approaches; but, the online delivery literature has focused on "best practices" generated primarily through the experiences of larger schools that are on the leading edge of this innovation. Small public schools, on the other hand, are faced with unique challenges in profiting from the advice of these first movers. Small schools are hampered as a result of severely constrained resources, among which are personnel, money, infrastructure, and time. These factors limit the ability of small public institutions to fully adopt widely approved online best practices. This article reviews contemporary research on the implementation of online learning, examines one small public school's experience as a case study, discusses the disparities between the capabilities of large versus small public institutions of higher education, and outlines implications for other small schools that wish to pursue online education.
MNC home country government policies/events may not resonate well with HCN employees. If HCN empl... more MNC home country government policies/events may not resonate well with HCN employees. If HCN employees disagree with the MNC's home country policies or events, such policies or events may provoke or stir emotions toward the MNC's home country thus increasing the MNC's political risk. Exploring the issue of a MNC's home country policies or events impact on the HCN employees' organizational commitment, we develop a conceptual model and propositions that consider the characteristics of the MNC, the policy/ event, and the individual.
Distrust of leaders is sky-rocketing. Restoring trust, accountability, and leadership is crucial.... more Distrust of leaders is sky-rocketing. Restoring trust, accountability, and leadership is crucial. We define leadership and then seek to develop five precursors all leaders must use before they can lead effectively. Thereafter, we apply them to our own experiences as leaders in a broad range of endeavors in the following organizational types: corporate, military, government, academic, and not-for-profit.
The case was compiled from personal experience, interviews, and secondary data. This case is inte... more The case was compiled from personal experience, interviews, and secondary data. This case is intended to be used as the basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of a management situation.
Using the lens of institutional theory and the legitimization construct, we discuss how new ventu... more Using the lens of institutional theory and the legitimization construct, we discuss how new ventures select an organizational structure, how new ventures obtain legitimacy for their organizational structure, and change institutional norms. We examine how institutional forces may influence the organizational structure of new ventures in both established and new fields and discuss how institutional theory may provide an explanation of the organizational structures available to new venture firms entering into established business fields. Additionally, institutional theory is evoked to better understand the process by which new ventures may establish an organizational structure where no institutionalized (legitimated) structure currently exists.
Case description Dean Adams was given notice to develop an online program with the School of Busi... more Case description Dean Adams was given notice to develop an online program with the School of Business Administration as a prototype of online education for the rest of the University. A major task which faced the Dean involved working with University information technology (IT) staff and faculty to choose a learning management system (LMS) to support the online program. After talking with the Chief Information Officer at Seacoast University and appointing a committee made up of IT staff and faculty, the Dean was presented with the committee's recommendation that focussed on two major decisions: first, choosing the LMS product for the University, and second, choosing to locate the LMS product and server either on-campus or off-campus. In the course of considering whether or not to accept the committee's recommendations, Dean Adams weighed the evaluations and justifications as outlined by the committee in the context of Seacoast University's IT situation.
A presidential administration transition is a crucial time for establishing an effective governan... more A presidential administration transition is a crucial time for establishing an effective governance style and reflects the president's own personality. Presidents are concerned with building a coherent, cohesive team as they move from their electoral victory to implementing their vision for the country through legislative successes. A successful president displays an entrepreneurial mind-set as he proceeds throughout his 1st year to achieve early legislative victories, which establish the president as an effective president. This entrepreneurial approach requires cold-blooded politics and eschews inordinate concern for individuals, issues, and policies, and, this entrepreneurial approach is predicated on nimble governance and shrewd implementation. Nimble governance is choosing among alternative priorities, avoiding blunders, and maneuvering in the face of opposition. Shrewd implementation results in a few, carefully selected initiatives that are announced early, lobbied energetically, enacted swiftly, and executed boldly. These criteria are applied to the inaugural year of the Clinton presidency.
International Journal of Commerce and Management, 2011
Purpose-The success of knowledge transfer very much depends on a company's ability to effectively... more Purpose-The success of knowledge transfer very much depends on a company's ability to effectively manage their knowledge transfer process. The purpose of this paper is to argue that a critical component in understanding knowledge transfer in the international arena is the speed of that knowledge transfer (and those factors that influence that speed) within a multinational enterprise (MNE). Design/methodology/approach-In this paper, social capital theory is used to argue that social capital is related to the speed of knowledge transfer within an MNE. The three dimensions of social capital, i.e. relational, dimensional, and cognitive, facilitate the transfer process and effect the rapidity of technology transfer. Findings-The role of knowledge transfer speed in MNEs knowledge management has been neglected and, yet, the speed of knowledge transfer is critical for MNE organizations to build or maintain their competitive advantage. A critical component in understanding knowledge transfer in the international arena is the speed of that knowledge transfer (and those factors that influence that speed) between different units. Originality/value-This study examines social capital to better understand knowledge management at the intra-firm level of an MNE. The success of knowledge transfer very much depends on a company's ability to effectively manage that knowledge transfer process. Using social capital theory, we argued that the three dimensions of social capital (relational, dimensional, and cognitive) are related to the speed of knowledge transfer from the parent company to the foreign subsidiary.
A global mindset is argued to be critical for managers to develop their firms' current and future... more A global mindset is argued to be critical for managers to develop their firms' current and future international success. An international assignment is considered to be one of the most powerful means of developing a global mindset. The skill sets, cognitive complexity, and expanded networks resulting from an international assignment provide expatriates with unique and often tacit knowledge. Yet, every overseas assignment is not successful and not every foreign assignment results in the expatriate gaining a broadened perspective and enhanced skill sets. We develop a model that explicates how an individual's cultural intelligence will affect the relationship between an international assignment experience and the development of a global mindset; and, we suggest that a moderatorcultural intelligencemust play a role in the transformation of the international experience into a global mindset.
International Journal of Commerce and Management, 2011
Purpose – The success of knowledge transfer very much depends on a company's ability to effec... more Purpose – The success of knowledge transfer very much depends on a company's ability to effectively manage their knowledge transfer process. The purpose of this paper is to argue that a critical component in understanding knowledge transfer in the international arena is the speed of that knowledge transfer (and those factors that influence that speed) within a multinational enterprise (MNE).
Synopsis Steve Holder had already worked with Matsapha College for ten years as the organization ... more Synopsis Steve Holder had already worked with Matsapha College for ten years as the organization matured its macadamia orchard to the point of yielding sufficient proceeds to assist in the support of the colleges educational endeavors in Swaziland. Now Matsapha College was entertaining the possibility of launching a separate entity, Kumnandzi Macadamia Importers, to be a stateside distributor of both Matsapha's macadamia nuts and that of other growers in the region, with the prospect of producing additional revenue to help sponsor education. The Board of Matsapha College is interested in the idea of having the College prosper from added macadamia sales, but members have mixed opinions about the direction and form this growth should take. Before any major decisions are made, Steve learns that the organization should do some self-reflection and decide what Kumnandzi Macadamia Importers is all about before proceeding. Specifically, the Matsapha College Board of Directors needs to a...
This paper develops a theoretical framework to examine the impact of human resource management or... more This paper develops a theoretical framework to examine the impact of human resource management orientation on the transfer of knowledge within MNCs. Adaptive, Exportive, and Integrative are the three common strategic human resource orientations employed by MNCs to achieve either internal (intra-organization) or external (between organization and environment) or both internal and external consistency. The different types of orientations create different level of cooperation and competition among MNC subsidiaries and headquarter located in different countries. This influences knowledge transfer in MNCs by influencing motivation of exchange partners, transmission channel, level of cultural similarities among units, and quality of the relationship (e.g., trust). Additionally, an MNC's human resource management orientation influences the directionality ofknowledge transfer (upward, downward, and lateral) between subsidiary/ subsidiary and headquarters/subsidiary.IntroductionKnowledge has been proposed as a potential source of sustainable competitive advantage for firms (Gupta To date, much of the research in the knowledge management area has focused on inter-organizational transfer ofknowledge either within a country or across boundaries (Bjorkman, Bamer-Rasmussen «fe Li, 2004). Presumably, intra-organization knowledge transfer is easier than inter-organizational knowledge transfer (e.g., Kogut «fe Zander, 1992). However, this assumption oversimplifies the problems faced by MNCs, whose subsidiaries operate across different milieus and in different national cultures. While subsidiaries coexist with the other organizational units in a similar organizational culture, they cannot remain isolated from their local and national environments (i.e., host country cultures) which affects the participating units' culture. The complexities of managing subsidiaries, which are subject to cultural variations in their host countries, may make the intra-organization transfer of knowledge similar to inter-organization transfer of knowledge between organizations. While sharing a common schema with other subsidiaries of a common parent, they are also subject to certain variability among their membership. For an individual subsidiary, everyday market activity exposes it to a host of economic, institutional, competitive, and other pressures extant in the host country's culture. As the focal subsidiary becomes assimilated into the host country's culture, the subsidiary's efforts to accommodate cultural expectations consistent with their specific operating domain may shape or distort their internal environment relative to other subsidiaries. Thus, in an MNC, subsidiaries' organizational cultures may not be exactly the same, even though they share a common parent company. It does not matter whether the resultant variation that occurs reflects intentional (e.g., directed learning) or unintentional coping behaviors, the result is that the knowledge transfer process among subsidiary units in an MNC may closely resemble that of inter-organizational transfers between unrelated businesses. …
Finding cases appropriate for teaching information technology courses is a persistent problem for... more Finding cases appropriate for teaching information technology courses is a persistent problem for instructors. This article is written as a teaching case and is intended for use by instructors in educating students about information technology. The case information is factual and deals with genuine information technology situations at a real-world educational institution. The case offers the opportunity to generate student discussion in the areas of corporate and IT governance, IT infrastructure, IT architecture, open source software, outsourcing and other topics.
Synopsis Paula Hendricks, Director of Marketing for Rapid Reel Lawn Master Company (RRLMC), taske... more Synopsis Paula Hendricks, Director of Marketing for Rapid Reel Lawn Master Company (RRLMC), tasked with developing a plan to exploit the current trend in lawn mower purchasing patterns must craft a strategic proposal for the executive planning committee. RRLMC, a manufacturer of reel mowers, experienced an increase in sales due to a confluence of factors: high gasoline prices, increased concern with the environment, the trend toward smaller yards and a focus on health and exercise. Paula needed to develop a plan for the company to sustain the bonanza and determine whether this trend offered new opportunities for marketing. Research methodology The data for the case were collected through examination of a major reel lawn mower manufacturer in the USA, through experience teaching and using the market segmentation process, as well as personal interviews and secondary research on the history of firms within the industry. The results of a literature review have been incorporated to flesh...
Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, Dec 15, 2009
Schools of all types and sizes are exploring the merits and facets of online learning approaches;... more Schools of all types and sizes are exploring the merits and facets of online learning approaches; but, the online delivery literature has focused on "best practices" generated primarily through the experiences of larger schools that are on the leading edge of this innovation. Small public schools, on the other hand, are faced with unique challenges in profiting from the advice of these first movers. Small schools are hampered as a result of severely constrained resources, among which are personnel, money, infrastructure, and time. These factors limit the ability of small public institutions to fully adopt widely approved online best practices. This article reviews contemporary research on the implementation of online learning, examines one small public school's experience as a case study, discusses the disparities between the capabilities of large versus small public institutions of higher education, and outlines implications for other small schools that wish to pursue online education.
MNC home country government policies/events may not resonate well with HCN employees. If HCN empl... more MNC home country government policies/events may not resonate well with HCN employees. If HCN employees disagree with the MNC's home country policies or events, such policies or events may provoke or stir emotions toward the MNC's home country thus increasing the MNC's political risk. Exploring the issue of a MNC's home country policies or events impact on the HCN employees' organizational commitment, we develop a conceptual model and propositions that consider the characteristics of the MNC, the policy/ event, and the individual.
Distrust of leaders is sky-rocketing. Restoring trust, accountability, and leadership is crucial.... more Distrust of leaders is sky-rocketing. Restoring trust, accountability, and leadership is crucial. We define leadership and then seek to develop five precursors all leaders must use before they can lead effectively. Thereafter, we apply them to our own experiences as leaders in a broad range of endeavors in the following organizational types: corporate, military, government, academic, and not-for-profit.
The case was compiled from personal experience, interviews, and secondary data. This case is inte... more The case was compiled from personal experience, interviews, and secondary data. This case is intended to be used as the basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of a management situation.
Using the lens of institutional theory and the legitimization construct, we discuss how new ventu... more Using the lens of institutional theory and the legitimization construct, we discuss how new ventures select an organizational structure, how new ventures obtain legitimacy for their organizational structure, and change institutional norms. We examine how institutional forces may influence the organizational structure of new ventures in both established and new fields and discuss how institutional theory may provide an explanation of the organizational structures available to new venture firms entering into established business fields. Additionally, institutional theory is evoked to better understand the process by which new ventures may establish an organizational structure where no institutionalized (legitimated) structure currently exists.
Case description Dean Adams was given notice to develop an online program with the School of Busi... more Case description Dean Adams was given notice to develop an online program with the School of Business Administration as a prototype of online education for the rest of the University. A major task which faced the Dean involved working with University information technology (IT) staff and faculty to choose a learning management system (LMS) to support the online program. After talking with the Chief Information Officer at Seacoast University and appointing a committee made up of IT staff and faculty, the Dean was presented with the committee's recommendation that focussed on two major decisions: first, choosing the LMS product for the University, and second, choosing to locate the LMS product and server either on-campus or off-campus. In the course of considering whether or not to accept the committee's recommendations, Dean Adams weighed the evaluations and justifications as outlined by the committee in the context of Seacoast University's IT situation.
A presidential administration transition is a crucial time for establishing an effective governan... more A presidential administration transition is a crucial time for establishing an effective governance style and reflects the president's own personality. Presidents are concerned with building a coherent, cohesive team as they move from their electoral victory to implementing their vision for the country through legislative successes. A successful president displays an entrepreneurial mind-set as he proceeds throughout his 1st year to achieve early legislative victories, which establish the president as an effective president. This entrepreneurial approach requires cold-blooded politics and eschews inordinate concern for individuals, issues, and policies, and, this entrepreneurial approach is predicated on nimble governance and shrewd implementation. Nimble governance is choosing among alternative priorities, avoiding blunders, and maneuvering in the face of opposition. Shrewd implementation results in a few, carefully selected initiatives that are announced early, lobbied energetically, enacted swiftly, and executed boldly. These criteria are applied to the inaugural year of the Clinton presidency.
International Journal of Commerce and Management, 2011
Purpose-The success of knowledge transfer very much depends on a company's ability to effectively... more Purpose-The success of knowledge transfer very much depends on a company's ability to effectively manage their knowledge transfer process. The purpose of this paper is to argue that a critical component in understanding knowledge transfer in the international arena is the speed of that knowledge transfer (and those factors that influence that speed) within a multinational enterprise (MNE). Design/methodology/approach-In this paper, social capital theory is used to argue that social capital is related to the speed of knowledge transfer within an MNE. The three dimensions of social capital, i.e. relational, dimensional, and cognitive, facilitate the transfer process and effect the rapidity of technology transfer. Findings-The role of knowledge transfer speed in MNEs knowledge management has been neglected and, yet, the speed of knowledge transfer is critical for MNE organizations to build or maintain their competitive advantage. A critical component in understanding knowledge transfer in the international arena is the speed of that knowledge transfer (and those factors that influence that speed) between different units. Originality/value-This study examines social capital to better understand knowledge management at the intra-firm level of an MNE. The success of knowledge transfer very much depends on a company's ability to effectively manage that knowledge transfer process. Using social capital theory, we argued that the three dimensions of social capital (relational, dimensional, and cognitive) are related to the speed of knowledge transfer from the parent company to the foreign subsidiary.
A global mindset is argued to be critical for managers to develop their firms' current and future... more A global mindset is argued to be critical for managers to develop their firms' current and future international success. An international assignment is considered to be one of the most powerful means of developing a global mindset. The skill sets, cognitive complexity, and expanded networks resulting from an international assignment provide expatriates with unique and often tacit knowledge. Yet, every overseas assignment is not successful and not every foreign assignment results in the expatriate gaining a broadened perspective and enhanced skill sets. We develop a model that explicates how an individual's cultural intelligence will affect the relationship between an international assignment experience and the development of a global mindset; and, we suggest that a moderatorcultural intelligencemust play a role in the transformation of the international experience into a global mindset.
International Journal of Commerce and Management, 2011
Purpose – The success of knowledge transfer very much depends on a company's ability to effec... more Purpose – The success of knowledge transfer very much depends on a company's ability to effectively manage their knowledge transfer process. The purpose of this paper is to argue that a critical component in understanding knowledge transfer in the international arena is the speed of that knowledge transfer (and those factors that influence that speed) within a multinational enterprise (MNE).
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Papers by Al Lovvorn