Limits of end-state planning

Peer reviewedPreprin

The governance of tensions in strategic alliances

University of Technology, Sydney. Faculty of Business.The focus of this thesis is the study of strategic tensions between organisations engaged in a dyadic alliance relationship and the influence that the partnering firms’ corporate strategies may bring to bear on the governance of the alliance venture and the subsequent performance of these partnerships. Prior research on alliance outcomes has largely ignored the relationship between strategic fit, alliance process and evolution. This is despite the clear demonstration, in Doz’s (1996) longitudinal study of alliances, that the initial structural conditions and subsequent evolutionary processes influence alliance outcomes (see also Noorderhaven, 2005). The literature review examines both academics’ and practitioners’ various definitions and terminologies used to describe alliances. Three scholars, Arthur (1996) (whose view of organisations is embedded in institutional theory) and Das and Teng (2001) (whose perspective of alliances is as organisations emerged in internal tension), essentially share a similar perspective. This is that alliances are based on a tentative equilibrium of reciprocal opposing forces that can quite readily shift if one force gains strength. In this thesis, theoretical contributions and models, along with empirical findings that inform an understanding of the dynamics and processes of coevolution that shape the alliance development process, were evaluated, with the evolution of paradigms and paradoxes that influence and shape the logic behind the adoption of an alliance strategy being identified as providing a basis for explanation. The primary research question for this thesis was how internal tensions between partners influence alliance performance and the value appropriated by individual partners. To answer this question, it was necessary to understand the origins and drivers of internal tensions in an alliance. Alliance tensions are influenced by the environment, structural choices and contextual, structuring, organizational and discursive processes that broadly shape the effective implementation of an alliance strategy. To answer criticisms of fragmented contributions to the strategic management agenda (Ansoff, 1987; McKierman and Carter, 2004) a research model was developed to guide and Teng's (2001) classification framework for investigating alliance structures and tension. The research findings suggest that overall tension levels and sub-systemic dialectic tensions (i.e. short-term versus long-term; flexibility versus rigidity; collaboration versus competition; common versus private benefits) evolve over time and reconstitute relationships and shape the evolutionary trajectory of an alliance. The case studies findings suggest a process of accelerating tensions and significant imbalances in their configuration will favour certain outcomes. All propositions formulated in this thesis were supported by the findings of the studies. The main contribution of my research is to extend current theory by examining converging and diverging forces/tensions and their impact on alliance value creation. This was done through the use of a dynamic model based on organisational learning and strategy theory. The governance process of alliance resources, in the context of the value creation process and perceived risk, is a key strategic element that influences internal tensions and alliance evolution. The in-depth seven qualitative case studies approach was an appropriate research methodology because of the complexity of the phenomena investigated. Since the process elements involved are not accessible though traditional quantitative methods (Doz, 1996; Arino and de la Torre, 1998), a longitudinal case studies approach was followed to monitor the interactions between the partners. However the design simultaneously constrained the testing of the findings. It would have been useful to have data from a larger sample of firms within these industries. Future studies that would include larger data sets would provide the opportunity to explore and test the model at different points in the supply chain. In conclusion, the research identified the origin of internal alliance tensions as the product of the variance between partner’s strategic intent for alliance conditions (perceived normative collaborative conditions), actual alliance conditions and perceived risk. This sets the groundwork for future research which will examine the degree to which the individual tensions are determinants of alliance performance, and obtain a deeper understanding of the interrelationships between the tensions identified in the proposed model

An Undergraduate’s Guide to Trumpet Repertoire

Most undergraduate students begin their degrees with little to no resourceful knowledge about where to find trumpet repertoire, let alone how to approach certain music and learn to play it correctly. Often, this lack of information impedes the first year or two of their degree as they figure out how to approach trumpet music by trial and error. While many method books and collections exist already to help younger students, there is no literature out there that specifically targets the undergraduate player with the intent to help them efficiently move past this early learning curve and help them build the vocabulary to discuss and practice the standard repertoire of an undergraduate trumpet degree. I’ve created a collection of the most standard repertoire for young players with extensive notes on how to approach, practice, and perform each piece or excerpt. I hope that this book can help the undergraduate trumpet player to more efficiently move from a beginning player to an informed musician

The structure of frontoparallel haptic space is task dependent

In three experiments, we investigated the structure of frontoparallel haptic space. In the first experiment, we asked blindfolded participants to rotate a matching bar so that it felt parallel to the reference bar, the bars could be at various positions in the frontoparallel plane. Large systematic errors were observed, in which orientations that were perceived to be parallel were not physically parallel. In two subsequent experiments, we investigated the origin of these errors. In Experiment 2, we asked participants to verbally report the orientation of haptically presented bars. In this task, participants made errors that were considerably smaller than those made in Experiment 1. In Experiment 3, we asked participants to set bars in a verbally instructed orientation, and they also made errors significantly smaller than those observed in Experiment 1. The data suggest that the errors in the matching task originate from the transfer of the reference orientation to the matching-bar position

Student entrepreneurship: A research agenda

The purpose of this paper is to define the term “Studentpreneur” and stimulate research in the field of Student Entrepreneurship. A research agenda is proposed to further the knowledge of Student Entrepreneurship. The paper identifies Student Entrepreneurship as an emerging phenomenon that provides a dual opportunity. The first is the opportunity to zoom in on one category of entrepreneurs and observe if the traditional theories developed in the “meta category” of entrepreneurs apply to this subcategory; for example, Traits, Psychological tests and Dynamic Capabilities, in a goal to legitimate them further. The second opportunity is to study Studentpreneurs as an exemplary case. Two themes are suggested for the research agenda linked to the latter opportunity: Identity Construction and management of Multiple Identity

Integrating blended teaching and learning to enhance graduate attributes

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of computer based business simulations in higher education as innovative tools of teaching and learning to enhance students' practical understanding of real business problems. Whether the integration of business simulation technologies will enable significant innovation in teaching and learning and will significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of traditional management teaching and learning methods is to be examined

The political economy of e-learning educational development: Strategies, standardisation and scalability

The development of e-learning by government through policy, funding allocations, research-based collaborative projects and alliances has increased recently in both developed and under-developed nations. The paper notes that government, industry and corporate users are increasingly focusing on standardisation issues and the scalability of technology platforms to meet demand. This paper assesses the challenges for further development that e-learning faces in the coming years, including: access to appropriate technology, scalability, measurement, and changed governance structures. © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limite

Sport sponsorship alliances: relationship management for shared value

© 2014, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Purpose – Using a case study of an international sport event, the purpose of this paper is to examine the inter-organisational relationship between a sport event property and its corporate sponsors. Design/methodology/approach – Interviews were conducted with personnel from the national sport organisation responsible for the delivery of this major event, and from four of its corporate sponsorship partners. Findings – The findings indicated that both formal and informal governance were critical to the relationships underpinning these sponsorship alliances. From a dyadic perspective, it was found that the satisfaction of sponsorship partners had two key elements: tangible commercial benefits from the sponsor-sponsee alliance, and the less tangible but nonetheless valuable relationship support within the partnership. In short, partner satisfaction and alliance stability stemmed from relational constructs and the balance of formal governance mechanisms. Originality/value – This paper explores the variables that generate value and maintain alliance stability for improved sponsorship governance. These findings, while focused on a single case study, have implications for research in the field of sponsorship and to the area of business-to-business relationships more broadly

Speakable in Quantum Mechanics

At the 1927 Como conference Bohr spoke the now famous words "It is wrong to think that the task of physics is to find out how nature is. Physics concerns what we can say about nature." However, if the Copenhagen interpretation really holds on to this motto, why then is there this feeling of conflict when comparing it with realist interpretations? Surely what one can say about nature should in a certain sense be interpretation independent. In this paper I take Bohr's motto seriously and develop a quantum logic that avoids assuming any form of realism as much as possible. To illustrate the non-triviality of this motto a similar result is first derived for classical mechanics. It turns out that the logic for classical mechanics is a special case of the derived quantum logic. Finally, some hints are provided in how these logics are to be used in practical situations and I discuss how some realist interpretations relate to these logics

Translating models of organization: Can the Mittelstand move from Bavaria to Geelong?

Copyright © 2015 Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management. In this paper, we examine the increasing global attention being given to the German organizational form of the Mittelstand over the past decade. We do so, especially, in consideration of the construction of Australian analogues to the Mittelstand. Such translations have been posited as a solution to the current crisis facing Australian manufacturing. Translation out of context always poses problems: can a specifically national form of organization, such as the German Mittelstand, be something that can, potentially, be translated to other nations and industrial contexts? The Australian case offers an empirical setting in which to explore understandings of transnational translation of management innovations. Our findings demonstrate how globally theorized models subject to translation align abstract value orientations with local templates. Our discussion focuses on the translation of a Bavarian model of organization into very different locations, such as Geelong, Australia