A study into the utilization of value-added services in commercial printing companies

Today\u27s printing industry is in a state of transition. It has become an industry that no longer solely relies on print for sustainability. Thus, printers as well as print service providers are incorporating different strategies into their business models to provide the types of services that customers now require in order to achieve their own business goals (Cummings and Chhita, 2004). This research was conducted in an effort to better understand the impact of these emerging trends. The primary objectives were: 1) to clearly understand the changing business dynamics in the printing industry, 2) to determine whether there is a positive correlation between the number of value-added services being offered and company size, 3) to determine the degree to which fulfillment is offered as a value-added service, and 4) to add to the current base of research on this very important topic. The research sample consisted of databases from the Finishing Resources Inc. and the Binding Industries of America (BIA) databases. Finishing Resources Inc. has 980 members, which are comprised of commercial printers (74.5%) and trade finishers (25.5%). BIA has 115 members, of which 50% are trade finishers and 50% are equipment suppliers. The survey, which was administered via the Internet, consisted of five sections: 1) demographic profile, 2) industry business trends in finishing and distribution, 3) value-added services, 4) fulfillment services, and 5) comments. This thesis is concerned with sections one (demographic profile), three (value-added services) and five (comments). Analysis of the research data revealed key findings, summarized as follows: - Most conventional commercial companies also offer digital printing. - There is no positive correlation between the size of the company in terms of the number of employees and the number of value-added services offered. - E-commerce and fulfillment appear to be the most frequent value-added services offered among conventional commercial printers and digital commercial printers. - The majority companies offered fulfillment in-house as a value-added service. Significant opportunities still remain for future research within various aspects of this research. Two specific areas include adopted profit models as well as a more in-depth study of value-added services probability related to current distribution workflow processes

The Evolution of the Market of the Hungarian Printing Industry after 1989:The End of a Success Story?

This article examines a case study of one industry in order to explore the factors influencing changing performance levels in the industries of post-socialist economies. It explores the influence on industrial performance of a number of once-only non-repetitive factors of market development that were typical of the transition period and compares them with longer term aspects of the market economy. The case that we discuss here is the development of the market for products of the Hungarian printing industry since the late 1980s. During the transition phase, privatisation, deregulation, the abolition of administrative distribution, and radical cuts in subsidies were all among the factors affecting this industry. Its supply chains also changed radically. However, these lost their importance after the transition had been completed and the long term processes of technical development and consumer behaviour became the main determinants of the behaviour of the printing companies.printing industry, post-socialist economies, transition

Study of small businesses’ need for, and interest in, a course on how to produce effective publications

With the advent of PageMaker and other user-friendly publications programs almost anyone can create publications, with or without an understanding of typography or layout and design. These publications represent the organization and affect its image, as well as its bottom line. These software programs allow an organization to produce its own publications and handle its own publicity. This is a great advantage for small entrepreneurial businesses that may not be able to hire a professional to produce brochures, flyers or newsletters. The problem, however, is that unless the person has an understanding of typography and layout and design, the publication may not promote the kind of image the business wants or it may cost the business more money then it can afford to spend on public relations. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a market for a course geared towards small businesses and their publications. The study also produced a syllabus for a course on how to produce effective publications on a small-business budget

A Survey of the Economic Role of Software Platforms in Computer-Based Industries

Software platforms are a critical component of the computer systems underpinning leading– edge products ranging from third– generation mobile phones to video games. After describing some key economic features of computer systems and software platforms, the paper presents case studies of personal computers, video games, personal digital assistants, smart mobile phones, and digital content devices. It then compares several economic aspects of these businesses including their industry evolution, pricing structures, and degrees of integration.software platforms, hardware platforms, network effects, bundling, multi-sided markets

Convincing the crowd: entrepreneurial storytelling in crowdfunding campaigns

This study examines the structure of entrepreneurial stories in pursuit of mobilizing resources from crowds. Based on a comparative analysis of Kickstarter crowdfunding campaigns, we examine in particular how, across different project types, project histories and potential futures are framed and interlinked in narratives to appeal to funders. We find that projects are narrated in different styles—as ongoing journeys” or “results-inprogress”— to convey project value. The former style narrates projects as longer-term endeavors powered by creative initial ideas and a bold vision, inviting audiences to “join the journey”; the latter narrates projects more narrowly as a progression of accomplishments, engaging the audience instrumentally to support next steps. We find that styles are used and combined in different ways, reflecting the tangibility of project outcomes, the sophistication of technology, and the social orientation of projects. Also, successful differ from unsuccessful campaigns in using narratives more coherently. Findings inform research on narrative processes in entrepreneurship and innovation, and research on the mobilization of crowds

Discontinuity in the Environment, Firm Response and Dynamic Capabilities

This paper identifies and focuses on a specific type of environmental development called discontinuity. Discontinuities in the forms of rapid technological innovations, regulatory reforms, institutional overhauls, and socio-cultural developments are the source of opportunities and threats to the firm. Firm responds to these discontinuities in specific ways in sustaining its existence at different points of time. This paper conceptualizes discontinuity and identifies its natures; explores the possible types of responses by the firm, and their enablers. The capability of sensing, seizing and re-shaping are captured to establish the linkages in the framework of interrelations. It posits a set of propositions based on conceptual development and illustration of two cases.

Formulation and Implementation of Environmental Strategies in Printing Firms: A Comparison between the U.S. and Germany

This thesis will guide the reader through the investigation process of a research area previously ignored in the research literature: the formulation and implementation of environmental strategies in printing companies. It will address strategies in printing firms, primarily from a cultural and structural point of view, which are formulated and implemented to help protect the environment and to save resources. The investigation will include a review of previous literature regarding strategy, environmental management and technology, and health and safety management. It will introduce the research questions, the methodology, and the analysis of research findings. Through the exploratory case study method, the researcher will show how some printing companies integrate environmental protection within their strategic decision process. The researcher investigated two small and two large printing firms in the U.S. and Germany to learn how company size and cultural background influence environmental strategy formulation and implementation processes. In addition, the researcher wanted to know about the individual competitive context, adapted by Porter and Kramer (2002) that influences each firm in its strategic decision-process. The analysis of the four case studies shows that the environmental strategies of printing companies differ, depending on each individual company and the competitive forces it faces. Though the history of each firm\u27s environmental strategy development is distinctive, all four companies succeeded in creating a competitive edge, gaining a range of common and in some cases individual benefits. Some key factors driving the firms\u27 strategic decision-making processes kept reappearing in the studies: organizational structure, ownership, location, company size, and the history and cultural background of the company. The factor conditions turned out to be the most important element of the competitive context for all four cases. This involves particularly leadership and personal commitment of the members of the firm (employees, the chairman of the board, the CEO, or the mother organization). The demand conditions seemed to be more important to the small firms than to the large firms investigated. All four companies concentrated on process improvements and the resulting increased efficiency and saved resources, thereby reducing environmental impact and saving costs. From the strategy focus and competitive context of each firm it was possible to ascertain its strategy type: emergent or deliberate. Both small firms deliberately use their environmental stance, and thus have formal strategies. The large firms have an informal feel to their environmental initiatives. The overall goal of this thesis research was to provide the printing industry with valuable information regarding the adoption of environmental strategies. The investigator hoped to help close the gap in the printing literature and to encourage more printing companies to start integrating environmental issues in their strategic decisions in order to become more competitive and socially responsible businesses

Organizational Transformation through Business Models: A Framework for Business Model Design

Organizations are increasingly inter-connected as they source talent, goods and services from other organizations located in disparate parts of the world. They seek new ways of creating value for themselves, customers and partners. They operate outside and across traditional industry boundaries and definitions. These innovations have lead to a focus on business models as a fundamental statement of direction and identity. This paper highlights what is known about the business model concept and where and why it differs from more established concepts of business strategy. It illustrates how the application of business models has transformed organizations. The contribution of this paper is the guidance that it provides for business model design and the insight it provides into business models and their effects on organizations. Following an analysis of how business models can transform organizations, this paper concludes with practical recommendations for business model design

Foreign Direct Investment in Ireland: Policy Implications for Emerging Economies

The increasingly important role of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in the global economy is linked to questions of how the foreign direct investment (FDI) they control impacts on overall economic activity in the recipient countries. Of specific interest is the policy context in which such FDI flows into the developing country and how a government can influence the impact of those flows. This paper reviews some of the literature in two key contextual areas, namely, when the host country policy regime promotes FDI selectively, and secondly, where it promotes the creation of industrial clusters. It explores the insights of this literature for the development of the strong MNE sector in the Irish economy and draws lessons from the Irish experience for emerging economies.Note: Length: