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Full-Text Articles in Business

Whole Foods Case Analysis, Michael Lenard (Class Of 2017) Jan 2017

Whole Foods Case Analysis, Michael Lenard (Class Of 2017)

Writing Across the Curriculum

Since its debut in 1980, Whole Foods Market has been a pioneer in the natural and organic food industry, and with America’s rising interest in these healthy, alternative products, the company found itself experiencing many years of success and growth throughout the 20th century. As the demand for natural foods has grown more rapidly over the last fifteen years, Whole Foods has paradoxically experienced a plateau in its success.


What's In Your Leadership Toolbox?, Barbara M. Tarasovich, Bridget M. Lyons Mar 2015

What's In Your Leadership Toolbox?, Barbara M. Tarasovich, Bridget M. Lyons

WCBT Faculty Publications

Senior finance executives play a pivotal role in achieving corporate strategic vision, fostering growth, and enhancing return on invested capital. But their role is becoming more and more complex. In addition to traditional functions, they and their finance teams must now do financial modeling, integrate data analytics, handle strategies for cyber security and complicated risk management, and more. To find out what capabilities must today's financial leaders have to be successful, the authors interviewed CFOs and human resources (HR) executives and identified the key required competencies. They identified six competencies frequently named by finance and HR executives that they believe …


Ethical Implications Of Friendly Takeovers: A Financial Manager’S Story, Barbara Tarasovich Oct 2013

Ethical Implications Of Friendly Takeovers: A Financial Manager’S Story, Barbara Tarasovich

WCBT Faculty Publications

Case study in which Bernadette was heading the corporate acquisitions team. It was important for Bernadette to be certain that there was no unethical behavior on the part of the project and management team responsible for the acquisition and integration of these companies. The pressures to achieve synergies can often result in people problems, cultural value, and ethical differences that impede the smooth integration of companies. For each acquisition, Bernadette needed to ensure that the newly acquired assets were secure. In addition, she had to ensure that the acquired companies were not employing inappropriate accounting practices in order to inflate …


Adroll: A Case Study Of Entrepreneurial Growth, Todd A. Finkle Jan 2013

Adroll: A Case Study Of Entrepreneurial Growth, Todd A. Finkle

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This case study examines the background, start up, and growth of one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States, AdRoll. It explores the various strategic factors related to the growth of AdRoll and how these issues must be addressed in order to maintain its level of growth.This case study is especially interesting not only because it focuses on one of the fastest-growing firms in the country, but also because it addresses on an understudied topic within the field of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial growth.


How First Mover Advantages And Agglomeration Economies Affect Foreign Entry Survival, Jing'an Tang, Ben S. Liu Jul 2012

How First Mover Advantages And Agglomeration Economies Affect Foreign Entry Survival, Jing'an Tang, Ben S. Liu

WCBT Faculty Publications

While entry timing literatures suggest firms to enter a foreign market as pioneers to gain the first mover advantages, studies on entry locations recommend firms to enter a market where there is already a critical mass of their peers, i.e., to be late movers in order to benefit from the agglomeration effects. As two important dimensions of foreign entry strategy, entry timing and location literatures seem to offer opposite recommendations. To resolve this apparent paradox, this study builds a network-based foreign entry and performance model. We argue that these two dimensions of market entry are interdependent. Entry strategies that can …


Signaling, Resource-Based Power, And Pre-Ipo Organizational Change, John S. Pearlstein, Robert D. Hamilton Jan 2012

Signaling, Resource-Based Power, And Pre-Ipo Organizational Change, John S. Pearlstein, Robert D. Hamilton

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

The theory presented suggests that underwriters are both advisors and independent agents in the issuer’s attempt to send “signals” of quality to investors by making pre-IPO organizational changes. These pre-IPO gambits are intended to increase IPO proceeds, and preemptively address potential investor concerns that would deter them from subscribing. These organizational changes initially can financially benefit founders, early investors and underwriters. But they can also have a longterm impact that some issuers, especially founders, would prefer to avoid. Utilizing signaling and resource-based power, we find that underwriter power is significantly associated with making pre-IPO gambits and lower levels of underpricing.


A Transformational Change Program In It - The Case Of A Global Consumer Products Company, Barbara M. Tarasovich, Bridget Lyons Aug 2011

A Transformational Change Program In It - The Case Of A Global Consumer Products Company, Barbara M. Tarasovich, Bridget Lyons

WCBT Faculty Publications

This paper presents a framework for development of a transformational change management program (Flamholtz and Randle, 2008) in an information technology (IT) organization of a global Fortune 200 consumer products company. The goal of the transformation was to build leading edge global IT service offerings, to internal and ultimately external customers. the program played a pivotal role in the company's "Path to Growth" Strategy. This strategy included very specific targets for sales, margins and earnings growth over a five year period. The case illustrates how a well conceived change program, integrated with an organization's overall strategic plan, is a competitive …


The Shape Of Marketing Research In 2021, Anca C. Micu, Kim Dedeker, Ian Lewis, Robert Moran, Oded Netzer, Joseph T. Plummer, Joel Rubinson Mar 2011

The Shape Of Marketing Research In 2021, Anca C. Micu, Kim Dedeker, Ian Lewis, Robert Moran, Oded Netzer, Joseph T. Plummer, Joel Rubinson

WCBT Faculty Publications

From an organizational strategy perspective, attributing changes to sweeping environmental triggers or long-term strategic planning means taking either an ecological or strategic viewpoint. The ecological-versus-strategic debate centers on the issue of environmental determinism versus strategic choice. Marketing research, as an industry, is faced with having to adapt to environmental changes (mostly technology-driven) with autonomous processes that vary from one company to another. Marketing research paves the way to customer relationship building, through which the marketing function introduces the customer to the firm. There is an increasing body of both academic and trade literature that addresses the strategic role of marketing …


The Effects Of Entrepreneurial Orientation And Commitment To Objectives On Performance, Mark Simon, Chanel Stachel, Jeffrey G. Covin Jan 2011

The Effects Of Entrepreneurial Orientation And Commitment To Objectives On Performance, Mark Simon, Chanel Stachel, Jeffrey G. Covin

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

The relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and performance is often moderated by different factors. Specifically, scholars have called for research examining whether commitment to long-term objectives improves EO’s effectiveness, believing that commitment may help firms overcome obstacles associated with EO. In response, we collected survey data from executives in 126 small, high-technology firms, and found that EO and commitment to objectives enhanced sales growth. In addition, the study determined that commitment to objectives was associated with greater increased sales growth of companies high in EO, as compared to those low in EO.


“Choice Of Service, Choice Of Cost”- A Transformational Change Program In It - The Case Of A Global Consumer Products Company: Case Study, Barbara M. Tarasovich, Bridget Lyons Jan 2011

“Choice Of Service, Choice Of Cost”- A Transformational Change Program In It - The Case Of A Global Consumer Products Company: Case Study, Barbara M. Tarasovich, Bridget Lyons

WCBT Faculty Publications

This paper presents a framework for development of a transformational change management program (Flamholtz and Randle, 2008) in an information technology (IT) organization of a global Fortune 200 consumer products company. The goal of the transformation was to build leading edge global IT service offerings, to internal and ultimately external customers. The program played a pivotal role in the company’s "Path to Growth" Strategy. This strategy included very specific targets for sales, margins and earnings growth over a five-year period. The case illustrates how a well conceived change program, integrated with an organization’s overall strategic plan, is a competitive advantage.


Narrative Approach To Corporate Strategy: Empirical Foundations, Michael S. Carriger Jan 2011

Narrative Approach To Corporate Strategy: Empirical Foundations, Michael S. Carriger

WCBT Faculty Publications

Purpose - This paper aims to present theoretical and empirical foundations for the use of a particular type of narrative skillfully deployed by senior leaders in an organization as an effective tool for creating, disseminating and executing corporate strategy. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents original research on the effectiveness of the use of a "springboard story" as a leadership tool. Findings - Data are presented to substantiate that a "springboard story" presentation of corporate strategy and competitive advantage is more effective at producing a consistent and confident choice of competitive advantage among an audience than a presentation of corporate strategy …


The Function Of Narrative In Leadership: Theoretical Foundations And Empirical Evidence, Michael S. Carriger Dec 2010

The Function Of Narrative In Leadership: Theoretical Foundations And Empirical Evidence, Michael S. Carriger

WCBT Faculty Publications

This research is focused on the differential impacts of narrative and facts and figures on the understanding of corporate strategy or competitive advantage. In this way a theoretical (philosophical) foundation can be laid for narrative and the understanding of corporate strategy. Additionally, much needed theoretically sound, empirical validation can be offered for the use of narrative and storytelling by leaders within organizations as a means of creating, disseminating,and executing strategy. Employing a model derived from the tension between modern and post-modern thinking about the nature of ideas and concepts a conceptual framework is offered to try to explain the possible …


International Clustering And Foreign Subsidiary Performance, Jing'an Tang Aug 2010

International Clustering And Foreign Subsidiary Performance, Jing'an Tang

WCBT Faculty Publications

The article discusses the development and testing of a network-based model of international clustering and foreign subsidiary performance in an attempt to determine how multinational companies (MNC) enter a foreign country to build their own foreign cluster. It focuses on the foreign peer network (FPN) to incorporate both the social and economic interactions within a cluster. An FPN is described as a set of social and economic relations among a group of foreign subsidiaries that are from the same home country and run same or similar businesses within a common geographic area in the host country. The initial condition of …


Narrative Vs. Powerpoint: For Leaders, It May Not Be A Matter Of Fact, Michael S. Carriger Jan 2010

Narrative Vs. Powerpoint: For Leaders, It May Not Be A Matter Of Fact, Michael S. Carriger

WCBT Faculty Publications

This paper aims to argue that narratives, skillfully deployed by senior leaders in an organization, can be a very effective tool for creating, disseminating and executing corporate strategy. The paper presents a model for narrative use by leaders and a practical guide to implementing the model. Preliminary and anecdotal data are presented to substantiation a case for leaders' use of narrative as an alternative means for conveying corporate strategy. Implications for the practical use of narratives by leaders are explored by this paper.


Finance Flies High: How Unilever Redesigned The Finance Function To Build Brand Value And Drive Growth, Barbara M. Tarasovich, Bridget Lyons Oct 2009

Finance Flies High: How Unilever Redesigned The Finance Function To Build Brand Value And Drive Growth, Barbara M. Tarasovich, Bridget Lyons

WCBT Faculty Publications

Unilever's finance team played a key role in the success of their brands. The company achieved its fourth consecutive year of accelerating organic sales growth from less than 0.5% in 2004 to more than 7% in 2008, according to Jim Lawrence, Unilever's CFO. Its strategy is to focus on volume growth and strengthening the competitive position of the company's brands. In this article, the authors examine how the finance function at Unilever was redesigned to deliver the firm's strategic goals, including an emphasis on volume growth and competitive position of its brands. Beginning in 2005, the finance team at Unilever …


Strategic Flexibility And Smes: The Role Of Information Technology For Managing Internal And External Relations, Stephen K. Callaway, Kevin Celuch, Gregory B. Murphy Jan 2009

Strategic Flexibility And Smes: The Role Of Information Technology For Managing Internal And External Relations, Stephen K. Callaway, Kevin Celuch, Gregory B. Murphy

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

The purpose of the current study was to assess the impact of information technology on strategic flexibility for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Results of the study show that under conditions of low environmental dynamism, IT capabilities are associated with greater reactive strategic flexibility. Specifically, IT capabilities enabling the management of internal activities was significant. Under conditions of high environmental dynamism, IT capabilities are associated with greater proactive strategic flexibility. Specifically, IT capabilities enabling the management of competitor information was significant. Managerial as well as future research implications are discussed.


Pre-Acquisition Characteristics Of The Acquirers, Rupendra Paliwal Mar 2008

Pre-Acquisition Characteristics Of The Acquirers, Rupendra Paliwal

WCBT Faculty Publications

Existing empirical literature has extensively analyzed post-acquisition performance of the acquirers to evaluate success of the takeover. The academic literature tends to agree that target shareholders benefit from takeovers; however takeovers benefits for acquiring firm’s shareholders have been questioned. A majority of empirical literature indicate acquisition announcements are associated with a decrease in acquiring shareholder’s wealth. While pre-acquisition characteristics of takeover targets have been extensively analyzed, empirical literature has not directly and comprehensively analyzed pre-acquisition financial and operating characteristics of the acquiring firms. In this paper, I examine pre-acquisition operating performance and governance characteristics of acquirers. Results suggest that bidders …


Which Ties Matter When? The Strategic Impact Of Network Linkages On Foreign Subsidiary Survival, Jing'an Tang, Paul W. Beamish Aug 2006

Which Ties Matter When? The Strategic Impact Of Network Linkages On Foreign Subsidiary Survival, Jing'an Tang, Paul W. Beamish

WCBT Faculty Publications

In addition to enriching the network theory by specifying the conditions under which business networks affect firm performance, our study contributes to the international strategic alliances literature in answering the questions of when to ally and with whom to ally for managers dealing with international expansions.


Introducing The Balanced Scorecard: Creating Metrics To Measure Performance, Andra Gumbus Aug 2005

Introducing The Balanced Scorecard: Creating Metrics To Measure Performance, Andra Gumbus

WCBT Faculty Publications

This experiential exercise presents the concept of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and applies it in a university setting. The Balanced Scorecard was developed 12 years ago and has grown in popularity and is used by more than 50% of the Fortune 500 companies as a performance measurement and strategic management tool. The BSC expands the traditional financial measures into three other dimensions to capture a balanced approach to measure performance in an organization. These additional dimensions are as follows: Customer Focus, Competence/Employee Learning and Growth, and Operational Efficiency. The exercise uses an analogy of a race car driver who relies …


Ricardo Semler: Creating Organizational Change, Christopher York, Peter A. Maresco Jul 2005

Ricardo Semler: Creating Organizational Change, Christopher York, Peter A. Maresco

WCBT Faculty Publications

A review of "Creating Organizational Change" by Ricardo Semler.


Achieving Growth In The Luxury Market, Peter A. Maresco, Bridget M. Lyons May 2005

Achieving Growth In The Luxury Market, Peter A. Maresco, Bridget M. Lyons

WCBT Faculty Publications

Founded in 1928 as a luxury hotel-reservation processing company, The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd, which is headquartered in New York City, has evolved into a highly recognizable luxury brand within the luxury hotel market. The company has spent the last decade transforming itself from a reservation-processing company into a luxury powerhouse. Leading Hotels provides a compelling lesson in how to effectively achieve growth in the luxury market and today has positioned itself to meet its vision: To become the preeminent provider of products and services to luxury hotels and to the luxury marketplace. This article looks at how …


Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Ipos* But Were Afraid To Ask, Joseph E. Levangie Jan 2005

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Ipos* But Were Afraid To Ask, Joseph E. Levangie

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Many entrepreneurs want to reach high to the heavens to achieve unlimited success. These hardworking, often underappreciated, venturers often crave fame and fortune as they strive to create their personal business legacy. One strategic path many have wandered down is that of the Initial Public Offering (IPO), whereby shares of the company are sold to the public. The IPO has many strong attractions. Large amounts of capital can be brought into the company.The company’s stock can be used as currency to acquire other companies. Early investors realize a good ROI. Employees can perceive real value in their stock options. Customers, …


How Unilever Hpc-Na Sold Its Employees On The Balanced Scorecard, Bridget Lyons, Andra Gumbus Apr 2004

How Unilever Hpc-Na Sold Its Employees On The Balanced Scorecard, Bridget Lyons, Andra Gumbus

WCBT Faculty Publications

Unilever Home & Personal Care-North America (HPC-NA) not only takes marketing its products very seriously, but it heavily promotes its balanced scorecard to employees as well. No wonder Unilever HPC-NA successfully designed a unique strategy to communicate awareness of the BSC while encouraging its participation and use. Their experiences should prove valuable to other organizations implementing a balanced scorecard and to those just beginning to formulate a communications approach to internal stakeholders about its role, significance, and use. The Unilever HPC-NA marketing campaign provides an effective strategy that other firms may consider when marketing a balanced scorecard internally. The HPC-NA …


The Balanced Scorecard At Philips Electronics, Andra Gumbus, Bridget M. Lyons Nov 2002

The Balanced Scorecard At Philips Electronics, Andra Gumbus, Bridget M. Lyons

WCBT Faculty Publications

The drive to implement the balanced scorecard at Philips Electronics came from the top down - as a directive from the Board of Management in Europe to all Philips divisions and companies worldwide. The directive went to each of the companies and their quality departments, with the effort in the medical division headed by the Quality Steering Committee that reports to the president of Philips Medical Systems. Philips Electronics has used the balanced scorecard to align company vision, focus employees on how they fit into the big picture, and educate them on what drives the business. An essential aid to …


Pitney Bowes Calls For New Metrics, Mark Green, Jeanine Garrity, Andra Gumbus, Bridget Lyons May 2002

Pitney Bowes Calls For New Metrics, Mark Green, Jeanine Garrity, Andra Gumbus, Bridget Lyons

WCBT Faculty Publications

The importance of measuring strategy and action plans is here to stay. That is why savvy companies are using a scorecard. Pitney Bowes Inc. is one company that believes in the balanced scorecard. At PBI the basis is in place with a newly defined mission statement, individual objectives linked to the mission, and metrics designed to measure progress toward achieving those objectives. The company has been successful on several fronts. In fact, the balanced scorecard approach helped PBI to improve a process in its core business and ultimately saved the company millions.


The Relationship Between Transitory Organizational Structures And Non-Linear Environments, Valentin H. Pashtenko, Matthew H. Roy, Sanjiv S. Dugal Jan 2000

The Relationship Between Transitory Organizational Structures And Non-Linear Environments, Valentin H. Pashtenko, Matthew H. Roy, Sanjiv S. Dugal

WCBT Faculty Publications

Examines non-linear adaptation to change in the high-technology environment of the computer industry. These environments are defined, and the efficacy of different organizational adaptations is assessed with respect to these environments. Results from our analyses show that there is a direct and causal relationship between the employment of non-linear organizational archetypes and organizational effectiveness within high-technology industries.


Customer Service And Satisfaction: Competitive Advantage And Beyond, Stanley Bazan Jan 1998

Customer Service And Satisfaction: Competitive Advantage And Beyond, Stanley Bazan

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This article examines how excellence in customer service and satisfaction can be a major source of competitive advantage and profits for small businesses. The costs and causes of poor service and satisfaction are discussed and special emphasis is given to the value of the lifelong customer. Methods to pursue the goal of completely satisfying customers 100 percent of the time are examined. Leadership, aggressive problem solving, problem-solving teams, and assessment of customer service are among the topics reviewed.