Smarter Outsourcing for Grantmakers

With the subsequent downturn in the economy, outsourcing became an even more attractive opption for some funders. Today, more than ever, grantmakers facing fluctations in the economy need to work more resourcefully, efficiently, and effectively. This paper will explore why grantmakers choose to outsource, what functions are typically contracted out, and how an outsourcing arrangement is best managed, based on the lessons TCC Group--and our clients--have learned over the past 30 years

Workforce Intermediaries: Powering Regional Economies in the New Century

Examines the role of workforce intermediary organizations in developing local strategies and funding, and coordinating the efforts of stakeholders in regional economic development. Outlines the qualities of successful workforce intermediary organizations

Investigating the impact of networking capability on firm innovation performance:using the resource-action-performance framework

The author's final peer reviewed version can be found by following the URI link. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Purpose The experience of successful firms has proven that one of the most important ways to promote co-learning and create successful networked innovations is the proper application of inter-organizational knowledge mechanisms. This study aims to use a resource-action-performance framework to open the black box on the relationship between networking capability and innovation performance. The research population embraces companies in the Iranian automotive industry. Design/methodology/approach Due to the latent nature of the variables studied, the required data are collected through a web-based cross-sectional survey. First, the content validity of the measurement tool is evaluated by experts. Then, a pre-test is conducted to assess the reliability of the measurement tool. All data are gathered by the Iranian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (IVMA) and Iranian Auto Parts Manufacturers Association (IAPMA) samples. The power analysis method and G*Power software are used to determine the sample size. Moreover, SmartPLS 3 and IBM SPSS 25 software are used for data analysis of the conceptual model and relating hypotheses. Findings The results of this study indicated that the relationships between networking capability, inter-organizational knowledge mechanisms and inter-organizational learning result in a self-reinforcing loop, with a marked impact on firm innovation performance. Originality/value Since there is little understanding of the interdependencies of networking capability, inter-organizational knowledge mechanisms, co-learning and their effect on firm innovation performance, most previous research studies have focused on only one or two of the above-mentioned variables. Thus, their cumulative effect has not examined yet. Looking at inter-organizational relationships from a network perspective and knowledge-based view (KBV), and to consider the simultaneous effect of knowledge mechanisms and learning as intermediary actions alongside, to consider the performance effect of the capability-building process, are the main advantages of this research

Analysing the impact of digital transformation on corporate travel management

The research field in digital transformation has increased empirical study concentrating on value creation to customers. Rather, few attentions have contributed on digital transformation on internal services. Digital transformation has been defined as a series of actions in digital and strategic changes to rethink use of technologies and capability development to bring efficiency and effective. A standalone digital transformation strategy prioritizes business decisions and requires managers to capture digital opportunities and minimize threats in implementation. Therefore, the corresponding development of managerial capabilities contributes to better understanding of strategic changes on individuals who could affect or be affected. Corporate travel expense as the second controllable expense after salaries gains attentions from enterprise about travel cost control and expenditure management. The use of technology could automize and monitor travel expenditures and analysis. Travel management activities are composed as different steps. This study only focuses on activities in travel reporting step and aims to study the impact of digital transformation on travel reporting process and managerial capabilities. The study was conducted as a single-case study. The empirical data was collected by semi structured interviews, secondary data received from case company, and participant observation. The research design is based on systematic combining approach which allows an explorative understanding on theory and empirical phenomena. The study has identified that the objects of digital transformation in travel reporting activities are maximizing technology capability, improving travel policy compliance and controlling cost. The completion of strategic objectives not only require use of advanced technologies, also managerial capabilities to sense, seize and transform possible opportunities. Drawing from the single case study, the contributions are twofold. Firstly, strategic and operational changes associated with travel policy compliance of travel reporting workflow are identified. Secondly, the changes in business culture, leadership, commitment and triadic relationship enable development of managerial capabilities in digital transformation: the guidance of executives’ strategic belief is essential to shape right managerial cognition; right belief on business and business environment yields assumptions and behaviors in managers, teams and individuals; corresponding managerial skills shapes managerial human capital and develop capacity of social capital; adaptive managerial skills allow managers to perceive and evaluate relationship priorities about paths of firm development to concur strategic changes. The further research recommendation is to explore the impact of digital transformation in other corporate travel management activities apart from the reporting process, and to deeply study the importance of triadic relationship development to enhance managerial social capital to implement digital transformation

Resources for Child Caring: An Early Childhood Intermediary?

While Minnesota's early childhood (EC) system has many assets, the existing high degree of fragmentation creates resource accessibility problems for both families and providers. Recently, there has been a growing call for a unified voice to facilitate change in Minnesota's early childhood system. This presents an opportunity for an organization like Resources for Child Caring (RCC), a well?established regional organization, to assume a prominent role in efforts to reform the EC system by becoming an intermediary organization. Becoming an intermediary would provide RCC an opportunity to grow and become a leader in efforts to improve services and outcomes for Minnesota's children.Before taking this path, RCC will need to carefully consider the benefits and consequences of such a change and whether such a move would fit the mission and vision of the organization. To help RCC assess its capacity for growth and to fulfill an intermediary role, we conducted an in?depth study of the organization's current state, as well as research on the Minnesota early childhood field and existing models of intermediary organizations. This report presents our literature review, organizational audit of current conditions, and organizational gap analysis

The Nonprofit Marketplace: Bridging the Information Gap in Philanthropy

Argues for improving the supply of and demand for information and strengthening intermediaries and interactions to boost strategic grantmaking, effective nonprofit operations, and dialogue about transparency, organizational performance, and social impact

Measuring microfinance access : building on existing cross-country data

Given the acknowledged need for a new effort to expand the set of available data on direct access to financial services, including a focus on access by those at low income, Honohan provides a selective review of the diverse sources of data that exist and considers how best to build on them. He proposes a basic framework within which to consider the analysis of the interesting questions: (1) How does access affect poverty and productivity? and (2) What hinders access? The author discusses existing and potential contribution of household and business user surveys, surveys of providers and their regulators, and surveys of experts, and assesses their relative strengths.Banks&Banking Reform,Environmental Economics&Policies,Health Economics&Finance,Poverty Assessment,Governance Indicators