In relation to product-driven research and development, the subject of innovation within service ... more In relation to product-driven research and development, the subject of innovation within service sector industries appears to have been somewhat neglected [1]. To date, the emerging economies have tended to build their economic success upon their ability to manufacture product and secure commodities at a greatly reduced cost. As these economies develop, they too are investing in the service sector. As we speak, both India and China are producing graduates, technological infrastructures, and service capability: these large developing economies will not stand still and allow the developed economies to monopolise the high-value-add end of the service exchange – the knowledge creation and transfer process [2][3]. Service innovation, through the application of service science, offers service providers and manufacturers a means of securing knowledge leadership.
Purpose The financial crisis of 2008 resulted in calls for change. Commentators suggested that co... more Purpose The financial crisis of 2008 resulted in calls for change. Commentators suggested that co-operatives, in particular credit unions, could provide accountability and sustainability through their open governance and mutual status. However, such suggestions assumed that co-operative principles and practice continued to underpin the efficacy of co-operative banking, and that credit unions, one of the most prevalent forms of co-operative banking, could offer a viable financial alternative. Instead, in the case of Cyprus, the financial crisis and the associated aftershocks triggered the nationalisation and demutualisation of credit unions. This prompted the researchers to question both the viability of a co-operative banking future and the extent to which co-operative principles were shaping decision making, governance, accountability and sustainability. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach was adopted to explore the degree to wh...
VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems
PurposeProject management scholars and practitioners have long debated how best to harness social... more PurposeProject management scholars and practitioners have long debated how best to harness social interactions to optimise knowledge exchange and enhance stakeholder alignment and value. This study aims to assist project managers to understand and manage fuzziness and create enduring front-end value. It views the project life cycle as a potential source of co-created value. The paper uses a social capital lens to provide a deeper understanding of the project front-end; it uses a three-dimensional view (structural, relational, cognitive) to explore how stakeholder social capital can overcome front-end fuzziness to enhance decision-making and, thus, value creation.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with senior managers from teleconnections companies, which, when combined with secondary data, established the impact, nature and dimensions of social capital within a project management setting.FindingsThe research found that social capital can help to red...
Purpose The marketing literature uses five different experience terms that are supposed to repres... more Purpose The marketing literature uses five different experience terms that are supposed to represent different streams of research. Many papers do not provide a definition, most of the used definitions are unclear, the different experience terms have similar dimensionality and are regularly used interchangeably or have the same meaning. In addition, the existing definitions are not adequately informed from other disciplines that have engaged with experience. This paper aims to build a comprehensive conceptual framework of experience in marketing informed by related disciplines aiming to provide a more holistic definition of the term. Design/methodology/approach This research follows previously established procedures by conducting a systematic literature review of experience. From the approximately 5,000 sources identified in three disciplines, 267 sources were selected, marketing (148), philosophy (90) and psychology (29). To address definitional issues the analysis focused on enlig...
ABSTRACT A simple but effective approach to the analysis of market opportunities is outlined. It ... more ABSTRACT A simple but effective approach to the analysis of market opportunities is outlined. It is argued that for small enterprises the link between business development and management development is clear and direct: the consequence being that useful techniques have to be explored and discovered in a partnership with managers, not prescribed on the basis of what other larger firms might do. A process is described that has been tested with the managers of numerous small enterprises as they struggled to come to terms with the implications for their business of the liberalisation of the European market in 1992.
... investigated what the professional saw as being meaningful to them and how they considered it... more ... investigated what the professional saw as being meaningful to them and how they considered it ... Participants will deal with real life projects, tackle real problems, develop and implement real ... and business development, at least in relation to executive level MBA programmes, can ...
Vine Very Informal Newsletter on Library Automation, 2009
... Refereed: Yes. Authors: Paton, R and Karunaratne, N. ... University of Glasgow, University Av... more ... Refereed: Yes. Authors: Paton, R and Karunaratne, N. ... University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom tel: +44 (0)141 330 2000 The University of Glasgow is a registered Scottish charity: registration number SC004401 About Enlighten. ...
Ashridge Management and Business Research, Resources and Articles. Ashridge Homepage; |; About ..... more Ashridge Management and Business Research, Resources and Articles. Ashridge Homepage; |; About ... Pathways Masters in Management; Masters in Organisation Consulting; Masters in ... Masters in Sustainability and Responsibility; Doctorate in Organisational Change; E-sharing ...
Ashridge Management and Business Research, Resources and Articles. Ashridge Homepage; |; About ..... more Ashridge Management and Business Research, Resources and Articles. Ashridge Homepage; |; About ... Pathways Masters in Management; Masters in Organisation Consulting; Masters in ... Masters in Sustainability and Responsibility; Doctorate in Organisational Change; E-sharing ...
Competitiveness Review an International Business Journal Incorporating Journal of Global Competitiveness, Jul 26, 2012
ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate, within a non-western context, the... more ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate, within a non-western context, the impact of the psychological contract, relational psychological contract (RPC) and transactional psychological contract (TPC), on organizational commitment (OC) as mediated by transformational leadership (TL). In addition, the paper also explores contractual status: does the theory fit, whether one is employed on a full or part time basis. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical part of the article is based on self-administrated questionnaires completed by 433 respondents from across a range of service industries in the UAE. Findings – The results indicate that both RPC and TPC are positively related to TL. The study did not identify any meaningful relationship between TL and OC. The study also suggests that TL has, at best, only a partial mediating role in relation to the RPC, TPC, and OC. As respondents' contractual status was employed as a control moderator, the paper can also report that part versus full time employment does not influence the outcome regarding the aforementioned relationships. Research limitations/implications – The findings suggest that practitioners and academics alike should note that the nature of the psychological contract employed will impact commitment and retention. Also, consistency of approach is very important when one is searching for sustainable employee commitment. The principle limitations associated with this research relate to the self reporting nature of the study: it both negates meaningful triangulation and qualitative interrogation of the results. Further, the industry level, services, and investigation precludes inter industry comparison, and the context, the UAE, may limit the generalizability of the findings. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the literature by being the first to study the mediation effect of TL on the relationship between RPC, TPC, and OC within a non-western context. In addition, it also suggests that there may be some value in considering employee contractual status with regard to psychological contract and commitment.
n order to meet the ever-increasing demands of the market place, many organizations have sought t... more n order to meet the ever-increasing demands of the market place, many organizations have sought to become more agile and flexible. One potential route to increased flexibility is home working. However, in a service dominant world what is less well considered is the impact of such flexible work practices on co-workers, partners and customers. Some of the human resource management literature provides a positive stance, where both employee and employer benefit from home working arrangements, whereas other studies have challenged and questioned the practice and suggest that the benefits of home working have been overstated. This paper draws on results of a case study investigation to appraise, for the various stakeholders, the qualitative benefits and costs of homeworking.
... Global Online Performance and Service Orientation. Anna Morgan-Thomas (University of Glasgow,... more ... Global Online Performance and Service Orientation. Anna Morgan-Thomas (University of Glasgow, UK) and Robert Paton (University of Glasgow, UK). Copyright ?? 2010. 12 pages. ... Sample PDF Cite Chapter. MLA. Morgan-Thomas, Anna and Robert Paton. ...
ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between management ed... more ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between management education, the performance of German engineering enterprises and the strategic knowledge status of the executives running those enterprises. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based upon the results of an online/posted self-administered questionnaire conducted within Germany, augmented by micro case studies. Findings – Findings suggest that the curricula in German Engineering Faculties fail to fully embrace business and management studies, in particular strategic management which has virtually no presence. Engineers dominate senior management positions within the German machinery and equipment sector yet they display limited knowledge of strategic management tools. There is also evidence that links performance with the application of management knowledge. Research limitations/implications – The study is limited to senior executives within German SMEs from the machinery and equipment sector. It is likely that the findings would be applicable throughout the German engineering industry; however, generalisability to other countries may be limited. Only a single year's performance (2007) was considered and this is also a limitation of the study. This was mitigated by a request that anomalies be noted, such as extraordinary write offs or a windfall profit, within the year in question, this was then taken into account during the analysis. Practical implications – Based on the findings it is suggested that German faculties of engineering should enhance and expand management education, particularly strategic management, thus enhancing future performance potential within German SMEs. Originality/value – This paper examines the level of management education attained by senior engineering executives with a key economic industrial sector in Germany, as such it is one of few such studies which investigates the link between management education and performance.
In relation to product-driven research and development, the subject of innovation within service ... more In relation to product-driven research and development, the subject of innovation within service sector industries appears to have been somewhat neglected [1]. To date, the emerging economies have tended to build their economic success upon their ability to manufacture product and secure commodities at a greatly reduced cost. As these economies develop, they too are investing in the service sector. As we speak, both India and China are producing graduates, technological infrastructures, and service capability: these large developing economies will not stand still and allow the developed economies to monopolise the high-value-add end of the service exchange – the knowledge creation and transfer process [2][3]. Service innovation, through the application of service science, offers service providers and manufacturers a means of securing knowledge leadership.
Purpose The financial crisis of 2008 resulted in calls for change. Commentators suggested that co... more Purpose The financial crisis of 2008 resulted in calls for change. Commentators suggested that co-operatives, in particular credit unions, could provide accountability and sustainability through their open governance and mutual status. However, such suggestions assumed that co-operative principles and practice continued to underpin the efficacy of co-operative banking, and that credit unions, one of the most prevalent forms of co-operative banking, could offer a viable financial alternative. Instead, in the case of Cyprus, the financial crisis and the associated aftershocks triggered the nationalisation and demutualisation of credit unions. This prompted the researchers to question both the viability of a co-operative banking future and the extent to which co-operative principles were shaping decision making, governance, accountability and sustainability. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach was adopted to explore the degree to wh...
VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems
PurposeProject management scholars and practitioners have long debated how best to harness social... more PurposeProject management scholars and practitioners have long debated how best to harness social interactions to optimise knowledge exchange and enhance stakeholder alignment and value. This study aims to assist project managers to understand and manage fuzziness and create enduring front-end value. It views the project life cycle as a potential source of co-created value. The paper uses a social capital lens to provide a deeper understanding of the project front-end; it uses a three-dimensional view (structural, relational, cognitive) to explore how stakeholder social capital can overcome front-end fuzziness to enhance decision-making and, thus, value creation.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with senior managers from teleconnections companies, which, when combined with secondary data, established the impact, nature and dimensions of social capital within a project management setting.FindingsThe research found that social capital can help to red...
Purpose The marketing literature uses five different experience terms that are supposed to repres... more Purpose The marketing literature uses five different experience terms that are supposed to represent different streams of research. Many papers do not provide a definition, most of the used definitions are unclear, the different experience terms have similar dimensionality and are regularly used interchangeably or have the same meaning. In addition, the existing definitions are not adequately informed from other disciplines that have engaged with experience. This paper aims to build a comprehensive conceptual framework of experience in marketing informed by related disciplines aiming to provide a more holistic definition of the term. Design/methodology/approach This research follows previously established procedures by conducting a systematic literature review of experience. From the approximately 5,000 sources identified in three disciplines, 267 sources were selected, marketing (148), philosophy (90) and psychology (29). To address definitional issues the analysis focused on enlig...
ABSTRACT A simple but effective approach to the analysis of market opportunities is outlined. It ... more ABSTRACT A simple but effective approach to the analysis of market opportunities is outlined. It is argued that for small enterprises the link between business development and management development is clear and direct: the consequence being that useful techniques have to be explored and discovered in a partnership with managers, not prescribed on the basis of what other larger firms might do. A process is described that has been tested with the managers of numerous small enterprises as they struggled to come to terms with the implications for their business of the liberalisation of the European market in 1992.
... investigated what the professional saw as being meaningful to them and how they considered it... more ... investigated what the professional saw as being meaningful to them and how they considered it ... Participants will deal with real life projects, tackle real problems, develop and implement real ... and business development, at least in relation to executive level MBA programmes, can ...
Vine Very Informal Newsletter on Library Automation, 2009
... Refereed: Yes. Authors: Paton, R and Karunaratne, N. ... University of Glasgow, University Av... more ... Refereed: Yes. Authors: Paton, R and Karunaratne, N. ... University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom tel: +44 (0)141 330 2000 The University of Glasgow is a registered Scottish charity: registration number SC004401 About Enlighten. ...
Ashridge Management and Business Research, Resources and Articles. Ashridge Homepage; |; About ..... more Ashridge Management and Business Research, Resources and Articles. Ashridge Homepage; |; About ... Pathways Masters in Management; Masters in Organisation Consulting; Masters in ... Masters in Sustainability and Responsibility; Doctorate in Organisational Change; E-sharing ...
Ashridge Management and Business Research, Resources and Articles. Ashridge Homepage; |; About ..... more Ashridge Management and Business Research, Resources and Articles. Ashridge Homepage; |; About ... Pathways Masters in Management; Masters in Organisation Consulting; Masters in ... Masters in Sustainability and Responsibility; Doctorate in Organisational Change; E-sharing ...
Competitiveness Review an International Business Journal Incorporating Journal of Global Competitiveness, Jul 26, 2012
ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate, within a non-western context, the... more ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate, within a non-western context, the impact of the psychological contract, relational psychological contract (RPC) and transactional psychological contract (TPC), on organizational commitment (OC) as mediated by transformational leadership (TL). In addition, the paper also explores contractual status: does the theory fit, whether one is employed on a full or part time basis. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical part of the article is based on self-administrated questionnaires completed by 433 respondents from across a range of service industries in the UAE. Findings – The results indicate that both RPC and TPC are positively related to TL. The study did not identify any meaningful relationship between TL and OC. The study also suggests that TL has, at best, only a partial mediating role in relation to the RPC, TPC, and OC. As respondents' contractual status was employed as a control moderator, the paper can also report that part versus full time employment does not influence the outcome regarding the aforementioned relationships. Research limitations/implications – The findings suggest that practitioners and academics alike should note that the nature of the psychological contract employed will impact commitment and retention. Also, consistency of approach is very important when one is searching for sustainable employee commitment. The principle limitations associated with this research relate to the self reporting nature of the study: it both negates meaningful triangulation and qualitative interrogation of the results. Further, the industry level, services, and investigation precludes inter industry comparison, and the context, the UAE, may limit the generalizability of the findings. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the literature by being the first to study the mediation effect of TL on the relationship between RPC, TPC, and OC within a non-western context. In addition, it also suggests that there may be some value in considering employee contractual status with regard to psychological contract and commitment.
n order to meet the ever-increasing demands of the market place, many organizations have sought t... more n order to meet the ever-increasing demands of the market place, many organizations have sought to become more agile and flexible. One potential route to increased flexibility is home working. However, in a service dominant world what is less well considered is the impact of such flexible work practices on co-workers, partners and customers. Some of the human resource management literature provides a positive stance, where both employee and employer benefit from home working arrangements, whereas other studies have challenged and questioned the practice and suggest that the benefits of home working have been overstated. This paper draws on results of a case study investigation to appraise, for the various stakeholders, the qualitative benefits and costs of homeworking.
... Global Online Performance and Service Orientation. Anna Morgan-Thomas (University of Glasgow,... more ... Global Online Performance and Service Orientation. Anna Morgan-Thomas (University of Glasgow, UK) and Robert Paton (University of Glasgow, UK). Copyright ?? 2010. 12 pages. ... Sample PDF Cite Chapter. MLA. Morgan-Thomas, Anna and Robert Paton. ...
ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between management ed... more ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between management education, the performance of German engineering enterprises and the strategic knowledge status of the executives running those enterprises. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based upon the results of an online/posted self-administered questionnaire conducted within Germany, augmented by micro case studies. Findings – Findings suggest that the curricula in German Engineering Faculties fail to fully embrace business and management studies, in particular strategic management which has virtually no presence. Engineers dominate senior management positions within the German machinery and equipment sector yet they display limited knowledge of strategic management tools. There is also evidence that links performance with the application of management knowledge. Research limitations/implications – The study is limited to senior executives within German SMEs from the machinery and equipment sector. It is likely that the findings would be applicable throughout the German engineering industry; however, generalisability to other countries may be limited. Only a single year's performance (2007) was considered and this is also a limitation of the study. This was mitigated by a request that anomalies be noted, such as extraordinary write offs or a windfall profit, within the year in question, this was then taken into account during the analysis. Practical implications – Based on the findings it is suggested that German faculties of engineering should enhance and expand management education, particularly strategic management, thus enhancing future performance potential within German SMEs. Originality/value – This paper examines the level of management education attained by senior engineering executives with a key economic industrial sector in Germany, as such it is one of few such studies which investigates the link between management education and performance.
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Papers by Robert Paton