Employees first, customers second and shareholders third? Towards a modern HR philosophy

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 6-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Goals ◽  
True Value ◽  
The Social ◽  
Global Companies ◽  
Brand Ambassadors ◽  
Southwest Airlines ◽  
Goals And Objectives ◽  
Whole Foods

Purpose The purpose of this research paper is to place an emphasis on the philosophy of “employees first, customers second, and shareholders third”. Design/methodology/approach It outlines the advantages of this philosophy and illustrates with examples of global companies including Google, Virgin, Alibaba, Facebook, LinkedIn, FedEx Corporation, Southwest Airlines, Whole Foods, and Costco. Findings It concludes to treat your employees as assets and convert them into your brand ambassadors to accomplish organizational goals and objectives. Practical implications These strategies can be applied in any industry and in any size of organization. Social implications The social implications of this research suggests that leaders can achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness by adopting these strategies. Originality/value It substantiates that employees are the true value creators for any organization. It explores soft leadership and elaborates the changing mindsets of the employees globally. It enlightens to treat people as people and partners, not as workers.

Innovative tools and techniques to ensure effective employee engagement

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Global Companies ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Employee Disengagement ◽  
Tools And Techniques ◽  
Southwest Airlines

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer innovative tools and techniques to ensure employee engagement. Design/methodology/approach The paper outlines the reasons for employee disengagement and enlightens the advantages of employee engagement for both employees and organizations. It unfolds several research findings on employee engagement and illustrates with the examples of global companies including Cummins, DHL Express, Southwest Airlines, Google, and Virgin. Findings It concludes that employee engagement is a two-way street. Practical implications The tools and techniques adopted by leaders can be applied in any industry and in any size of organization. Social implications The social implications of this research suggest that leaders can ensure employee engagement by following these innovative tools and techniques. Originality/value It implores both employers and employees to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities to achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness.

Use and measurement of social media for SMEs

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret McCann ◽  
Alexis Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
True Value ◽  
Current Thinking ◽  
The Social ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Media Applications ◽  
Goals And Objectives

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate why small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are using social media and how they should measure its return on investment (ROI). The measurement of economic value associated with the use of social media by business is discussed in order to construct a model designed for analysing the ROI of social media for SMEs. The importance of a planned entry into the social media arena, formulation of measurable goals and objectives and understanding the business process are presented as vital pre-cursors to measuring, and indeed attaining, ROI. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review was compiled to explore the current thinking that exists on business use and measurement of social media in mainstream academic literature and other business-oriented publications. Primary research in the form of a survey was conducted with SMEs to determine the usefulness of social media and how SMEs measure its ROI. Findings – SMEs find some social media applications more valuable than others but 65 per cent of the companies surveyed did not measure the ROI. An overarching framework, aimed at SMEs, is presented which advocates that SMEs should take a strategic focus and plan their use of social media, and draw insight from both quantitative and qualitative data when measuring ROI. Originality/value – Most existing research on social media is related to large organisations and tends to focus on technical and commercial use rather than examining the value and ROI gained from social media from an SME perspective. This paper offers a simple framework to help SMEs plan their use of social media as well as measure its true value.

Innovative tools and techniques to overcome HR challenges globally

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
M.S. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Business Environment ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Senior Leaders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Dynamic ◽  
Organizational Excellence ◽  
The Social ◽  
Global Companies ◽  
Tools And Techniques

Purpose The purpose of this research paper is to address the current challenges in HR and offer innovative tools and techniques to craft a modern HR philosophy. Design/methodology/approach It illustrates with examples of global companies, including Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, FedEx Corporation, Mayo Clinic, Rolls-Royce, Shell, Ford, Boston Consulting Group, Nissan, and Cadbury, that are noted for innovative HR practices. Findings It concludes that global organizations and senior leaders must address the current HR challenges and adopt innovative tools and techniques to stay relevant and competent in the present global dynamic business environment to achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness. Practical implications The tools and techniques adopted to achieve a modern HR philosophy can be applied in any industry and in any size of organization. Social implications The social implications of this research suggest that HR leaders can achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness by adopting these innovative tools and techniques. Originality/value It advises placing more emphasis on leadership than on leaders because leaders are mortal, whereas leadership is immortal. It explains the role of HR leaders and CEOs in crafting a modern HR philosophy.

Tools and techniques to resolve organizational conflicts amicably

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Social Implications ◽  
Management Styles ◽  
Conflict Management Styles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
People Orientation ◽  
Conflict Handling ◽  
Tools And Techniques ◽  
Goals And Objectives ◽  
Organizational Conflicts

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer tools and techniques to resolve organizational conflicts amicably. Design/methodology/approach The paper explains types, merits and demerits of conflicts. It outlines innovative tools and techniques to resolve conflicts. It unveils five conflict management styles. It draws a blueprint to resolve conflicts amicably. Findings It enlightens that conflicts cannot be eliminated in organizations. They can only be minimized if leaders adopt proactive attitude. Practical implications The tools and techniques to resolve conflicts can be applied in any industry and in any size of organization. Social implications The social implications of this research suggest that leaders can resolve conflicts amicably with people-orientation without compromising their goals and objectives. Originality/value It offers appropriate conflict-handling styles and modes as per the conflict and context. It offers practical ideas and innovative tools and techniques to resolve conflicts.

Strategies for chief executives to build the organizations of the future

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-31
Author(s):  
M.S. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Social Implications ◽  
Chief Executives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Network ◽  
Differentiation Strategy ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Future ◽  
Global Companies ◽  
Tools And Techniques ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to help CEOs understand the capabilities and mechanisms that they need to adopt today to build successful organizations in the future. Design/methodology/approach It illustrates with examples of global companies including Blockbuster, Nokia, Kodak and Sears that failed to embrace change while Google, Amazon, Apple and Facebook succeeded in reinventing. It draws a blueprint for CEOs to build organizations in the future. Findings It implores to plan for multiple and emerging visions of the future using a scenario approach. It concludes that CEOs must predict the future, embrace change and adopt innovative tools and techniques to lead the organizations in the future. Practical implications These tools and techniques can be applied by chief executives in any industry and any size of the organization. Social implications The social implications of this research suggest that the chief executives must adopt these tools and techniques to build the organizations of the future. Originality/value It explores organizational network analysis, encourages a focused differentiation strategy and emphasizes differentiated skill-focused structures. It advises integrated efforts from all stakeholders including the organization, employees, human resources and chief executives to reinvent and build organizations of the future.

To be or not to be…at work while ill

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
James MacGregor ◽  
J. Barton Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Social Implications ◽  
Public Employees ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leader Support ◽  
Goal Clarity ◽  
The Social ◽  
Public Sector Organizations ◽  
Organizational Antecedents ◽  
First Time

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the results from two public sector organizations to test a model of the organizational antecedents and health consequences of sickness presenteeism (SP) in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachThe study reports on two surveys of public employees, one including 237 respondents and another of 391 employees. The combined sample allowed for the testing of a model of organizational antecedents and the health consequences of SP.FindingsThe results supported the model, indicating that increased leader support and goal clarity decrease SP indirectly through increased trust. Decreasing presenteeism is associated with decreased sickness absence and better health.Practical implicationsThe key practical application is in encouraging managers and scholars to recognize that the costs of presenteeism are as higher or higher than the costs of absenteeism.Social implicationsThe social implications are clear in helping us recognize that when people come to work sick, they are not productive and are endangering the productivity of others.Originality/valueThis is the first time that research had defined and operationalized a causal model linking antecedents such as leader-member relations, goal clarity and trust with SP and absenteeism.

scholarly journals Strategies for transcending the chaos of societal disruptions

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
John C. Camillus ◽  
Jeffrey E. Baker ◽  
Anushka I. Daunt ◽  
Jungyoon Jang
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Societal Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Real Options Approach ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to offer a strategic management response to societal disruptions of the magnitude triggered by the agricultural, industrial and information revolutions. These pose challenges that are much greater and different in kind than the industry-wide disruptions that businesses have learned to manage. Pandemics, climate change, biotech and artificial intelligence guarantee that such societal disruptions will be an inescapable and recurring reality. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds on the strategic management responses to wicked problems, which possess in microcosm the chaotic ambiguity that characterizes societal disruptions. Findings The authors propose a management process that affirms a sense of identity, identifies robust actions, adopts a real-options approach and uses a platform organization. Research limitations/implications The primary limitation is that the recommendations and findings are extrapolations of organizational practices in analogous situations. No examples of formal management processes specifically designed to address societal disruptions were identified. Practical implications The practical implications are significant. The specific recommendations in the paper directly address strategic management practice in organizations. Social implications The social implications are integral to the motivation of the paper as it describes the intrinsic characteristics of societal change and transformation, enabling organizations to interact with society on a dynamic basis. Originality/value While there has been growing interest and research into business and industry disruptions, the challenge of societal disruptions, which is the focus of this paper, has not been directly addressed.

scholarly journals Can universities save us from disaster?

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Natural Science ◽  
Natural Philosophy ◽  
Social Philosophy ◽  
Political Life ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Basic Task ◽  
The Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to spell out the urgent need to correct structural rationality defects in academia as it exists at present, so that it may become actively and effectively engaged in helping us solve the grave global problems that confront us. Design/methodology/approach The paper spells out an argument for the urgent need to bring about a revolution in academic inquiry so that the basic aim becomes social wisdom and not just specialized knowledge, problems of living being put at the heart of the academic enterprise. Findings Natural science needs to become more like natural philosophy; social science needs to become social methodology or social philosophy; and a basic task of academia needs to become public education about what our problems are and what we need to do about them. Almost every part and aspect of academia needs to change. Research limitations/implications The implication is the urgent need to bring about an intellectual/institutional revolution in academic inquiry, so that the aim becomes wisdom, and not just knowledge. Practical implications There are substantial practical implications for natural science, social inquiry and the humanities, education, social, economic and political life. Social implications There is a need for a new kind of academic inquiry rationally designed and devoted to helping us make social progress towards as good a world as possible. The social implications are profound. Originality/value In the author’s view, bringing about the academic revolution, from knowledge-inquiry to wisdom-inquiry, is the single most important thing needed for the long-term interests of humanity.

The Age of No Retirement

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-164
Author(s):  
Jonathan Collie
Keyword(s):  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Healthy Life ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Era ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Thinking ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the value, often overlooked, inherent within a society where people are living longer, healthier and more productively than ever before. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a summary of the activities, achievements and objectives of “The Age of No Retirement” movement for social change since its inception on 1st October 2014. Findings – The spectacular demand for new thinking and design-led action across all sectors of society to break down the ageist stereotypes that are impeding age-neutral societal progress in the UK. Practical implications – Communities, employers, individuals – EVERYONE – can begin to harness the incredible power of the Xtra 10 (the extra ten years of healthy life expectancy that modern generations can now expect – in the middle of their lives!). Social implications – The social implications are almost limitless – for a new era of over-50 makers, designers, entrepreneurs, workers, leaders, learners, teachers, doers, intergenerational catalysts, etc., the list goes on. Originality/value – The Age of No Retirement is a design-led social enterprise that is driving new thinking in the Age space.

scholarly journals The denial of limits and interior aspects of descent

foresight ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 527-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Slaughter
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
It Infrastructure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Limits To Growth ◽  
The Social ◽  
Economic Indices ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purposes of this paper are as follows. Part one examines the role of denialism in the context of proposals advanced through the much-abused Limits to Growth (LtG) project. Part two uses three sets of criteria (domains of reality, worldviews and values) to characterise some of the interior human and social aspects of the “denial machine.” It uses these criteria to address some vital, but currently under-appreciated “interior” aspects of descent. (N.B. A succinct “primer” or overview of the concept and underpinning rationale for notions of “descent pathways” is provided in the introduction to this special issue.) Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on a number of authoritative sources that track the dimensions of global change and, specifically, the ways that humanity is tracking towards Dystopian overshoot-and-collapse futures. The significance of the LtG project is assessed in this context. Part two employs the criteria noted above to identify and open out the centrality of the human and cultural interiors. Findings – Responses to the LtG project are shown to have deprived humanity of the clarity and will to respond effectively to the emerging global emergency. The rise of climate change denialism has followed suit and made effective responses increasingly difficult. A new focus, however, on some of the dynamics of reality domains, worldviews and values, clarifies both the nature of the problem and prefigures a range of solutions, some of which are briefly outlined. Research limitations/implications – This is primarily a conceptual paper that suggests a range of practical responses. For example, re-purposing parts of the current information technology (IT) infrastructure away from financial and economic indices to those tracking the health of the planet. Also translating the case put forward here for a new generation of Institutions of Foresight (IoFs) into real-world start-ups and examples. Further research is needed into the uses and limitations both of positive and negative views of futures. It is suggested that the latter have more value than is commonly realised. Practical implications – In addition to those stated above, the practical implications include new uses for IT infrastructure based on worldcentric – rather than financial and economic worldviews; designing and implementing a new generation of IoFs; and finding new ways to inform the public of impending Dystopian outcomes without exacerbating avoidance and depression. Social implications – The social implications are profound. Currently, humanity has allowed itself to “tune out” and ignore many of the well-founded “signals” (from the global system) and warnings (from those who have observed and tracked real-world changes). As a result, it has outgrown the capacity of the planet to support the current population, let alone the 10 billion currently projected by the United Nations (UN). Something must give. Applied foresight can provide essential lead time to act before human actions are overwhelmed by forces beyond its control. Originality/value – The paper draws together material from hitherto disparate sources to assess the LtG project. It also deploys key concepts from an integral perspective that shed new light on human and cultural forces that determine how people respond to the prospect of Dystopian futures. In so doing, it provides insight into why we are where we are and also into some of the means by which humanity can respond. Specifically, it suggests a shift from collapse narratives to those of descent.

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