Coping With the Changes That Challenge Business and Education Sectors in Thailand 4.0

This paper explores the ideas, and cases based on research that emanate from the application of the contingency theory, resource-based views theory, and the institutional theory to cope with an abruptly changing paradigm. The paper attempts to provide a holistic view of the IR 4.0 impact on the business changes and the usage of technology in the education sector among Thais. This paper stresses the role of the educational sector by creating a shift from static into dynamic triggered by the intense competition in the Thailand markets. Keeping in view such a scenario organization should be pliable and enabled enough to transform existing resources into intellectual resources. This would result in the revitalization of the entire organizational human capital from leaders to teams, and individuals contributing to morally support employee well-being and this would strengthen the reaping extraordinary organization results in terms of output. All this is seen through the lens of IR 4.0 as applied to the current Thai business and education scenario.

Are smart manufacturing systems beneficial for all SMEs? Evidence from Korea

PurposeThrough the resource-based view (RBV) and contingency theory, this study empirically investigates the impacts of smart manufacturing systems' maturity levels on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Moreover, it aims to examine how industry types (i.e. high- and low-tech industries) and human-resource factors (i.e. the proportion of production workers to total workers) as contingency factors influence the effects of smart manufacturing systems.Design/methodology/approachThe study conducted an empirical investigation of a sample of 163 Korean manufacturing SMEs. This study used an ordinary least squares regression to examine the impacts of the maturity levels of smart manufacturing systems on financial performance. Moreover, the impacts on operational efficiency were analysed using data envelopment analysis based on bootstrap methods and Tobit regression.FindingsThe RBV results indicate that the higher the maturity levels of smart manufacturing systems, the higher the financial performance and operational efficiency. Moreover, based on contingency theory, this study reveals that the effect of the maturity levels of smart manufacturing systems on financial performance and operational efficiency depends on firms' industry types and the proportion of production workers.Research limitations/implicationsThis study shows that the introduction of smart manufacturing systems can help SMEs achieve better financial performance and operational efficiency. However, their effectiveness is contingent on firms' industry types and the characteristics of their human resources.Practical implicationsSince the effects of the maturity levels of smart manufacturing systems on SME performance differ depending on their industries and the characteristics of human resources, managers need to consider them when introducing or investing in smart manufacturing systems.Originality/valueBased on the RBV and contingency theory, this is the first empirical study to examine the moderating effects of industry types and the proportion of production workers on the impacts of the maturity levels of smart manufacturing systems on the financial performance and operational efficiency of SMEs.

Management accounting tools for failure prevention and risk management in the context of Indian innovative start-ups: a contingency theory approach

Purpose This paper aims to analyse various failures that Indian innovative start-ups (ISs) are exposed to and proposes interventions from management accounting tools (MATs) that can tackle their failure-causing risks. This paper justifies the applicability of contingency theory (CT) for applying MATs for failure prevention and risk management. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses multimethod research while undertaking two sequential studies. The methods include a Survey via semi-structured interviews of 51 specialists and media reports and the Delphi method. Findings Reasons for the failures of Indian ISs have been identified and grouped based on eight broad underlying risk factors. Appropriate MATs relevant to ISs have been identified and examined by relating them with the risk factors underlying failure. Applicability of CT is shown while using the MATs for failure prevention and risk management of ISs. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to the Indian context. Empirical validation of the applicability of MATs for each type of failure along the lifecycle stages of ISs needs to be undertaken. Practical implications Founders/owners of ISs can use this conceptual framework to tackle the risks underlying the failure of their firms. Policymakers can introduce appropriate policies to enhance the survival of ISs. Researchers can further explore the application of CT for failure prevention and risk management of ISs. Originality/value A conceptual framework has been developed relating failure-causing risk factors relevant to ISs and appropriate MATs, which justifies the applicability of CT.

A Theory of Balanced Leadership

This chapter describes balanced leadership theory. It starts by discussing the need for theories for good practical work. A positioning follows, which locates balanced leadership as a middle-range theory between substantive and grand theories. The chapter continues with some of the required information to make sense of the theory. This includes the philosophical stance, which is critical realism, and the theoretical lens, which is realist social theory and its morphogenetic cycle. A detailed description of the theory follows. This description addresses the theory’s constituting variables (the what), the macro- and micro-processes that explain the flow of activities (the how), the internal functioning and its relation to contingency theory (the why), and finally, the limitations and areas of application where the theory holds (the where/when/who). Various cross-references are made to the subsequent chapters in this book.

Translator Management: A Case Study of the Ming-Dynasty’s Ethnic House

Translator management may be seen as the use of some management methods to manage translators in a certain environment so as to achieve a certain management purpose and improve operational efficiency. The present study applies contingency theory of management to the case study of translator management in the Ethnic House in the Ming Dynasty, focusing on its organisational designs, model of leadership, management methods, and needs and incentives. The findings show that there are no unified models for translator management methods, and today’s translation companies and institutions are expected to follow certain management laws and make certain adjustments based on the external and internal environments as well as the qualifications and needs of managers and translators and establish a system of contingency management in order to promote the healthy and orderly development of the language service industry.

A contingency theory perspective of environmental management: Empirical evidence from entrepreneurial firms

This article examines the roles of organizational structure of decision-making and external pressure in determining the practice of environmental management. Using contingency theory, this study argues that having a decentralized structure, entrepreneurial firms are able to adapt to external pressure while implementing environmental management. The data were drawn from 106 small and medium-sized firms in the United Kingdom. The study found that a decentralized structure is positively associated with the practice of environmental management while external pressure from global awareness and social relationships has less impact on firms’ environmental management. Interestingly, the impact of decentralized structure on environmental management is strengthened in the context of high level of technological dynamic. Overall, the findings of the study have provided some recommendations to theory and practice of environmental management especially in the context of entrepreneurial firms.

The impact of contingency fit on organisational performance: an empirical study

PurposeThe research investigates the effectiveness of the performance measurement alignment approach which claims that measurement diversity (multiple performance measures) should be aligned with organisational contingencies to enhance organisational performance.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical framework is contingency theory. The study is an empirical investigation of the indirect relationship between three contextual factors (business strategy, information technology and organisation size) and organisational performance via multiple performance measures. The results are derived from cross-sectional questionnaire survey data from 132 Libyan companies (response rate of 61%). For data analysis, the research uses mediation regression analysis via Preacher and Hayes' (2004) macro.FindingsThere is a significant indirect effect of business strategy and information technology, but not organisation size, on organisational performance. The measurement diversity approach plays a core mediating role in the relationship between the contingencies and organisational performance.Practical implicationsThe study helps to provide a better understanding of the usefulness of the fit/match between contingencies and Multiple Performance Measures in improving organisational performance.Originality/valueThe empirical evidence supports the central proposition of contingency theory that there is no universally appropriate performance measurement system which applies equally to all organisations in all circumstances. It also provides evidence relating to non–manufacturing and an emerging market context. This research significantly extends the relevant literature by highlighting the relationship between information technology, multiple performance measures and organisational performance. This study is the first to use Preacher and Hayes' (2004) macro to analyse mediation design in the field of contingency-based performance measurement.