22,595 research outputs found

    Traceability system for capturing, processing and providing consumer-relevant information about wood products: System solution and its economic feasibility

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    Current research and practice reports indicate the existence of purchase barriers concerning eco-friendly products, e.g. wood products. These can be ascribed to consumers' mistrust regarding the non-observable environmental impact of wood products. To counter the mistrust, wood products are commonly endowed with eco-labels, which may be perceived mostly as a marketing tool, therefore not fulfilling their intended purpose. Current studies have shown that providing consumers with wood product information based on traceability systems increases product trust and purchase intentions, with those information items most valued by consumers being identified as well. Based on this, the paper proposes a traceability information system for the capturing, processing, and provision of product information using examples of wood furniture. Furthermore, a cost-benefit model for the proposed solution is developed. The calculations indicate the possibility of implementing traceability at the item level based on a four-layer system architecture enabling the capture and delivery of all information valued by consumers at acceptable costs. The proposed system helps to overcome purchase barriers of eco-friendly products, increasing consumers' product trust and purchase intentions

    Do Acquirer Capabilities Affect Acquisition Performance? Examining Strategic and Effectiveness Capabilities in Acquirers

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    This paper examines acquisition performance from the perspective of acquirer capabilities. It argues that the strategic capabilities underpinning a firm’s competitive strategy can be utilized to create economic value in acquisitions. Acquirers with strong cost leadership capabilities are expected to leverage these capabilities to reduce post-acquisition costs as they integrate acquisition targets. Acquirers with strong differentiation capabilities are expected to utilize their strategic capabilities to increase post-acquisition revenues by improving branding, product design, sales, and services in their targets. We also explore the affect of an acquirer’s effectiveness capabilities on acquisition performance. Lastly, we examine how acquirer’s organize these capabilities, either at the business unit or corporate-level, in order to maximize their affect on acquisition performance. Based on a sample of 204 horizontal acquisitions occurring in the banking industry, we find support for the link between acquirer cost leadership capabilities and post-acquisition cost reduction. Acquirer effectiveness capabilities are associated with improvements in post-acquisition revenues and profitability. We conclude that a better understanding of the competitive capabilities of acquirers is important to understanding acquisition performance. This contributes directly to horizontal acquisition research, but can be extended to several areas of strategy research on M&As including: diversifying acquisitions, acquirer experience, and how acquirers can avoid “synergy traps”.Acquisitions ; Acquirer Capabilities ; Strategic Capabilities ; Effectiveness Capabilities ; Acquisition Performance

    Devising a Corporate Facility Location Strategy to Maximize Shareholder Wealth

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    Location decisions should consider all related impacts upon a firm’s shareholder wealth. Overall, firm cost savings available at alternative locations need to be carefully examined in addition to a location’s impact on corporate sales revenues. This article reviews relevant literature, discusses recent location decision considerations for several companies and empirically tests a model seeking to measure the impact corporate relocation decisions have upon shareholder wealth. In addition, a classification and listing of corporate location considerations is put forth to supplement the anecdotal illustrations discussed herein. Together these represent a "primer" for professionals and executives involved in corporate facility location decisions.

    Do management accounting systems influence organizational change or vice-versa? Evidence from a case of constructive research in the Healthcare Sector

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    The paper aims to analyze the process of change of management accounting system (MAS) as a consequence of changes in the complexity of organizational structure in healthcare. It analyzes the process of change of MAS according with the theoretical frameworks of Habermas (1987) and Laughlin (1991).In this organizational changes are seen as the consequence of the interaction between tangible and intangible elements of the organization and between the organization and the external environment. The process of change was not studied from an external standpoint, but through an active participation and contribution of the researchers in the process of change itself. Using a constructive approach, the researchers were actively involved with the actors of the change in developing the process of change, and in facilitating the overcoming of some cultural gaps and resistance which could arise in professional organization. The paper provides empirical insights of the characteristics of the process of change of MAS in a Heath Care setting with a particular focus on aspects characterizing the process of change itself. Finding suggests the importance of putting high attention in the development of the process of change and underlines how the attention to peculiarities of the organization, in to this phase, could make the MAS able to impact on the behaviours and culture of professionals.Management Accounting Change, Healthcare Accounting, Habermas

    Should Cost Reviews and Supply Chain Integration: A Case Study at ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems

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    Abstract Title: Should Cost Reviews and Supply Chain Integration: A Case Study at ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems Author: Andrew Cardinali Supervisors: Henrik Wallström - Ph. D., Candidate Packaging Logistics, Department of Design Sciences Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University Mats Johnsson - Ph.D., Associate Professor Packaging Logistics, Department of Design Sciences Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University Klas Hagelin - VA/VE Manager ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems Problem Discussion: Competition in the global economy has lead companies to seek different ways to remain competitive and profitable. Growth though mergers and acquisitions and global sourcing are alternatives available to organizations to promote growth and reduce costs. The case study organization has chosen both methods as part of their business strategy. In addition the firm has recently implemented a strategic cost management program known as should-cost. This cost reduction method has received little attention in academic studies in general, and specifically, in regards to its relationship with the current concepts of supply chain integration. Furthermore it is considered whether this cost reduction program, in addition to its primary purpose as a cost savings tool, could promote integration and if so can the insights gained from the study be used to improve the should-cost program to further develop the integration process? Purpose: An exploration of the relationship between the strategic cost management program, known as should-cost, and supply chain integration is one aim of this study. Achieving this goal helps fill a gap in the relevant academic literature. An additional goal is to demonstrate how should-cost can promote integration within a firm. The final aspiration of this study is to use the results of the study to further develop should-cost not only as a strategic cost reduction method but also as an aid to integration. Method and Limits: This is an exploratory study and common with this type of research the case study method was chosen. Given the deductive nature of the paper a review of the relevant literature was the starting point of the project. From there data was gathered from multiple sources at the subject firm. The primary sources of data were interviews, documents and archival artifacts, and participant observation. This data was then analyzed in order to explore the issues raised in the problem discussion. The main limitation of this study is that interviews were primarily conducted with management personnel and not the purchasing staff. Conclusion: Should-cost was found to aid internal integration. In particular, by developing the knowledge and skills of the purchasing personal it was found to increase functional coordination and improve communication between functional groups. Additionally, by raising the knowledge and skills of the purchasing staff, should-cost promotes integration by raising the strategic value of the purchasing function. Although not a stated purpose of this study, should-cost, by revealing potential suppliers for improved relations via supplier development, aids external integratio

    COMPETITION AND CONTESTABILITY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN BANKING MARKETS

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    This abstract will be reformatted upon submission. You don't need to format for line-breaks here!!!!! This will be a new paragraph but you can't indent - sorry. This study analyzes the evolution of competitive conditions in the Banking industries of fourteen Central and Eastern European (CEE) transition economies using firm-level data. The results of the competition analysis suggest that the banking markets of CEE countries cannot be characterized by the bipolar cases of either perfect competition or monopoly over 1993-2000 except for FYR of Macedonia and Slovakia. That is, banks earned their revenues as if operating under conditions of monopolistic competition in that period. Furthermore, the cross-sectional analysis of competitive structure reveals initially a decreasing trend between 1993 and 1996 and a subsequent increasing trend in competitive conditions after 1996. Large banks in transition countries operate in a relatively more competitive environment compared to small banks, or in other words, competition is lower in local markets compared to national and international markets.Bank Competition; Contestability; Transition Economies
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