Business Process Oriented Autopoietic Knowledge Management Support System Design

One of the approaches connected with the use of knowledge management systems in organisations is process oriented knowledge management. This approach assumes that knowledge management (KM) processes are focused on the aspect of their usage context in the form of tasks performed by business process participants. One of the trends in the development of process oriented knowledge management is treating such solutions as autopoietic systems. This approach assumes a range of additional characteristics of a technical and social solution being built. Autonomy, clearly defined boundaries of a system, lack of a direct impact on a system from outside, self-organisation and adaptation mechanisms required in such systems indicate the need for a new perspective on the integration. This paper will present analysis of the theory of process oriented knowledge management and an autopoietic system, as well as proposing a model for building such business process oriented autopoietic knowledge management support systems

Identifying and enabling core management competencies and compliance factors in high reliability organisations : a study in organisational risk management psychology and training: A small n modified grounded theory qualitative analysis

High reliability entities governed by statutory regulations are required to comply with safety guidelines and specifications. When fatalities or serious injuries occur in otherwise preventable accidents these entities are routinely exonerated from any responsibility by claiming to have ‘systemic management problems’ and their managing coalitions have been able to hide behind the ‘corporate veil’. This thesis maintains that the core managerial competencies needed to prevent preventable accidents, can be acquired through training, particularly if their mastery is mandated by a strong regulatory and compliance regime. The cases chosen for analysis revealed ten core managerial and organisational competencies and compliance as issues of concern, in a small n study Commission of Inquiry and Coronial reports. Other than ‘acts of God’, most accidents resulting in fatalities and serious injury, occur in organisations where prior knowledge of a potential accident existed and this knowledge was not utilised. Most accidents in high reliability organisations might have been prevented if the cascade of events leading to the accidents could have been interrupted. The competencies, revealed by the research as necessary to intervene in the unfolding of preventable accidents, are generally not taught in orthodox management studies programs in higher education institutions. However, when these competencies are inadequate they not only result in accidents but also cause orthodox management problems such as production delays and losses, costly litigation, increasing indemnity insurance and erosion of an organisation’s credibility in the marketplace

The Cogs and Wheels of Reflexive Law - Business Disclosure under the Modern Slavery Act

In response to the novel challenges posed by labour exploitation in the contemporary business context, recent years have witnessed an increasing adoption of reflexive law in the form of slavery disclosure, s. 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA) being the latest attempt in this regard. Given that the pragmatic usages and effects of reflexive law have been explored far less to date than its conceptual and jurisprudential implications, this article seeks to put matters right by critically examining the use of this regulatory mode in the context of s.54. It also aims to contribute to the broader appraisal of regulatory methods by comparing reflexive laws to the traditional regulatory dichotomy which has long dominated debates on globalised business and human rights

A systems approach to TQM for integrating quality and environmental management.

Thesis (M.Comm.) - University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.Total Quality Management (TQM) is both enthusiastically praised and severely criticised in the management literature. The current study discusses various problems related to TQM and suggests a model for TQM to attempt to alleviate these problems. This model integrates quality and environmental management basing the system on a combination of the ISO 9002 and ISO 14001 standards. A number of perspectives, which are consequences of the model, are discussed, including integration, participation and multi-criteria decision making. Different strands of Systems Theory are presented as providing insights that should assist in successfully addressing these perspectives. General Systems Theory is described as providing perspectives regarding integration and Soft Systems Thinking as providing perspectives regarding participation. Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodologies are not normally seen as part of Systems Thinking but the compatibility of these two approaches is argued and the utility for TQM of the link between MCDM and Systems Thinking indicated. Critical Systems Thinking is suggested as providing the theoretical perspectives to define a multimethodology framework linking three methodologies, Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), Strategic Assumptions Surfacing and Testing (SAST) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This framework is suggested as providing the diversity of perspectives needed to promote participation in the process and to give a sense of direction in the multifaceted management intervention on the problem of progressing toward a combined ISO 9002114001 system. T!Us framework was implemented at Mondi Kraft, Richards-Bay Mill via three workshops following an Action Research based process. This process is described and the data emanating from the workshops analysed and discussed. The process succeeded in the objective of promoting organisational learning on two levels. First, the introduction of the three new methodologies increased management knowledge by providing extra problem solving methods. Second, the issues and models discussed during the workshops heightened management awareness of quality and environmental matters across a wide front and, through the AHP ratings, management was able to prioritise these issues for later action. A number of recommendations and items for possible further research flowed from this study and are discussed

Understanding the trajectory of employee volunteerism : an exploratory case study in the Omani public sector

The study explored volunteerism in the context of the public sector in Oman where it took the Library for Community Initiative (L4CI) as a primary case unit of study. This study employs single case study strategies that facilitate the exploration of this EV project which presents a unique situation where it is officially located within a public institution (government-owned university) but funded by a private sector company. Applying a systemic lense, the voluntary project in this study found to act as an independent system that succeeded to bring together both sectors in a long-term partnership.The literature review conducted showed that employee volunteerism (EV) in the context of the corporate struggles to keep the core principles of volunteerism valid. Interventions from employers have been criticised in many studies for steering and capitalising the EV programs to satisfy the best interest of the enterprises. Previous studies failed to explore the systemic factors contributing to the construction of the EV programs and their impact on the existing structure and agency. To examine this notion further, this study was created to explore “volunteerism” within employee volunteering programs and the factors that contribute to the development of the EV system’s practices and functions that support the basic principles of volunteerism. It explored how participants perceived the L4CI project from the perspective of ‘volunteerism’ principles and benefits sought. The application of systemic thinking ’s concepts and tools provided a holistic view of the EV as an interconnected system and enabled the exploration of its components to establish relationships between them. Systemic thinking provided a lens proved influential in developing a holistic view of the EV system by acknowledging its independent and explore factors that allowed participants to pursue a certain level of the agency when constructing its organisational and operational structures.Chapter one overviewed the problem and the significance of the selected unit of the case study. The significance of the case study stands on its uniqueness for being a long-term EV program, initiated by employee (bottom-up) and situated in a public organisation. The chapter introduced the volunteerism movement in Oman before it offered a factual brief of the L4CI. Moving to chapter two, the discussion focused on focused on specifying main gaps within the literature of employee volunteerism and how the study is using systems thinking concepts and tools to explore them.Within the theoretical realm, the study adopts an interpretive soft systems lens on outlining the basis for choosing interpretive paradigms from a subjective view. In chapter three, justifications that support a qualitative inquiry through semi-structured interviews and the rationale behind adopting content and thematic analyses to achieve the aim of this study are discussed and explained. Fieldwork was detailed to describe the data collection process and elaborate on the data analysis procedures applied throughout the study. Chapter five was dedicated to demonstrating the process and results of the data analysis using various tools and software.The finding of the study suggests that volunteerism in the context of corporates can be achieved when employers and employees agree to keep its principles untouched. The L4CI found to exemplify a way-out when its examined system structured proved to respect volunteerism’ criteria including free-will, unpaid, personal and offering benefit to other parties. Factors influencing the formation of the EV project in this case study found to be temporal and event-based. The holistic view revealed various factors arising from multiple levels of investigations. These levels included external, institutional and EV group level.The conclusion of this study discussed how these findings contribute to our understanding of the EV systems by answering the main questions and satisfying objectives listed. The findings suggest the need to understand the spiritual principles of volunteerism before companies can design their EV programs. The findings also suggest that the formation of the EV project in this case study was influenced by temporal and event-base factors. By developing a holistic picture, multiple factors from external, institutional, and EV group levels were pronounced to play a varied role in the formation of the identity, operational structure, and organisational structure of the EV system. The study concluded with recommendations and specified further areas for studies

Design Innovation Networks: Critical factors that can contribute to successful collaborative development of innovative products

My study starts from the assumption that, in the post-industrial economy, organisations are surrounded by increasing complexities in their external environment. The dynamic and unpredictable conditions of external environments cause internal instabilities which force organisations to find a survival strategy. Many studies suggest that the development of innovative products is an important strategy in this economy. However, it is a very high risk activity. To develop innovative products, many organisations, in particular small and medium-sized businesses, experience two main problems: (i) high, fixed costs and uncertainties during the product development process and (ii) the limitations of their in-house resources and knowledge. Based on the tensions between the dynamic changes and unpredictability of external economic and market conditions, and the problems and limitations of product development within organisations, my study suggests that organisation networks are helpful for the development of innovative products. My study comprises two stages. First, it investigates both theoretical and empirical studies related to the concept of networks in different areas: philosophy, biology, system theory and socioeconomics. Based on the analysis of these studies, it suggests that collaborative networks of multidisciplinary organisations are helpful in the development of innovative products in the post­industrial economy. Secondly, my study focuses on the examination of key factors, the effects of each factor, and the level of mutuality of these factors within successful collaborative networks. Four successful collaborative networks created for the development of innovative products within the UK during 1997- 2003 are qualitatively examined. The main research focus concerns the structural relations between the collaborative organisations, particularly the interactions between the main points of contact. The research findings suggest sixteen key factors, and nine out of them emerge to be dominant: (1) mutual trust, (2) equal valuing of working role, (3) clear agreement of the collaborative benefits, ( 4) an effective communication protocol, (5) flexible collaborative product development, (6) open information sharing, (7) mutual understanding between the parties, (8) commitment at all levels, and (9) innovation culture of each organisation

IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES: CHALLENGES IN BANGLADESHI GARMENT INDUSTRY

Human activities have had a significant influence on global business with sustainable development challenges in the social, environmental and economic context of businesses. As an important part of the global garment industry, Bangladesh also has many more challenges in terms of sustainability. Though a significant percentage of GDP growth of Bangladesh is contributed by the garment sector, it has some loopholes with respect to social and environmental issues. This research reviews existing literature on supply chain, sustainable supply chain, sustainable development implementation and practices. It specially focuses on the garment industry in Bangladesh. However, the purpose of this research is to apply the dimensions of the sustainability supply chain implementation and underpin the practices. It has developed a definition and conceptual framework with constructive viewpoint and also this study presents the exploratory case study based research and empirical contributions in the sustainable supply chain practice and evaluation of sustainable implementation in social issues such as workers’ health and safety, wages issues, environmental issues like as hazards pollution prevention and treatment; as well as evaluation and suggestions for improvement in sustainability within the garment industry. The research has presented an inspiring panorama of the initiatives that have been developed throughout the world for sustainable natural resource management and improved societal development. Sustainability is an important driving force for future competitive advantage. Although there are a lot of garment factories, where various initiatives for sustainability have already started, it is worth assessing the relationship and contribution it has on the supply chain. While the industry struggles towards sustainability, there is a concern about whether they receive expected gains from buyers for that. The research questions were developed based on the literature review and present circumstances. However, the results of this research indicate that sustainability implementation and practices are more challenging, still the prime issues under review like health and safety issues, poor wage structure, pollution, regulation, stakeholder awareness etc. Another important indication received from the findings is that there is a low contribution for improving cost efficiency by using green materials and green production. So, it is important to consider ways on how to increase the cost efficiency while moving towards a sustainable concept which is related to the economic aspect. This will have a high impact on survival since there is huge competition coming from the garment industries in Asia

Influences of the use of management systems on the moral attitudes and behaviours of small and medium sized enterprises : measuring the dynamic interplay of morality, environment and managing systems

The author designs a comprehensive model to characterise and optimise sustainable performance of small and medium sized enterprises SMEs - in the overall context of physical environment, society, economy and business. This model embraces issues of morality, management system, and environment and uses a corresponding measurement tool to discuss the interplay of these issues with the intention of leading SMEs to continuous improvement. For the design, issues of system thinking have been applied to cope with the complexity of the interplay of the elements. The model and the measurement tool are tested by a longitudinal survey of 27 SMEs in Switzerland and Germany. An outstanding issue of this survey is the interviewing of people from different hierarchical levels and departments of the companies (total: 212 individuals); it provides a comprehensive view of companies' attitudes and behaviours. The survey illustrates that a standardised management system is not decisive for the implementation of an increasingly dynamic and circular system with intensive integration of people. The implementation merely depends on the (moral) attitudes and behaviours of owners or top managers and employees. But SMEs with standardised (especially environmental) management systems generally demonstrate more outcomes towards embedded morality, circularity and integration as well as effectiveness and sustainable performance. Through the design and development of a comprehensive SME model and measuring tool, the author broadens the gap of narrowing SME research concerning optimised performance on individual issues and positions of individual companies to an overall context of society, economy, business and physical environment

The Life Cycle Management and Intellectual Capital factors that influence sustainability integration in organisational processes

Following the suggestions of the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative publications on Life Cycle Management (LCM) as a business management approach to improve sustainability performance, this research explored LCM as a promising research area that could help identify the factors that influence the integration of sustainability aspects into organisational processes. The initial research strategy was comprised of LCM literature analysis to explore LCM and identify potential factors that could direct the data collection. The analysis of the LCM literature shows that LCM is vaguely described. This research analysis puts into context the various LCM approaches through the introduction of the four LCM elements. The LCM elements were used as a frame to analyse the LCM cases found in the literature and identify the factors that influence integration of sustainability in organisational processes. The next stage of the research strategy was to conduct action research studies to explore in close proximity the integration of sustainability aspects in organisational processes. Two in depth action research studies were conducted, influenced by engaged scholarship. During Case A, the LCM elements were used in practice to influence the project whilst the LCM factors were observed in practice. Case A demonstrated the complexity of sustainability-related information integration in organisational processes and the division of information flows towards different organisational functions to inform their own decision. The analysis highlighted that developing knowledge is a key LCM factor that influences the application of LCM. As the importance of developing knowledge became apparent, a novel sustainability related intellectual capital (SrIC) framework was developed then used during Case B. This framework is shown to assist the sustainability professionals of Company B in enhancing the sustainability related intellectual capital of the company, which in turn led to more effective sustainability integration. This research used LCM as a ‘vehicle’ to explore the integration of sustainability aspects into organisational processes and hence contribute to the LCM literature with the four LCM elements framework of analysis, descriptions of the factors that influence the application of LCM, bringing a focus on the importance of developing knowledge for the effective application of LCM, and identifying the intellectual capital factors that influence the integration of sustainability aspects into organisational processes.EPSR