ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to depict a theoretical proposal for analyzing the influence of three facets of an organization's dependence on the survival of interorganizational networks: on the environment, on the other members and on the network. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: This paper assists business leaders in showing the dependence tensions of enterprises on the market and networks. The understanding of relational changes and benefits provided by the network during its evolution also has an impact on enterprises' dependency. This paper is therefore original as it makes the contribution essential to a nascent stream of research. Key methodological aspects: The conceptualization of this study is based on the Resource Dependence Theory to direct network survival. The methodology of the paper is based on a theoretical essay for the formation of an analytical background of the subject. It presents an insight in a manner that sheds light on the subject and sets the stage for future research. Summary of key results: Does not apply. In this article, we did not make an empirical investigation. Key considerations/conclusions: The conceptualization of this study has been based solely on the Resource Dependency Theory to direct network survival. Furthermore, additional research is needed to empirically validate the framework.
PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the impact of social features of an inter-organizational network on organizational learning and, in turn, on its performance. Specifically, this paper focuses on the following social features: proximity among members, trust among members, trust in network management, commitment among members, members' engagement and exchange of information.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on evidence from a survey involving 101 organizations that integrate the Cooperation Networks established in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The authors analyze data by using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Furthermore, they advance to also measuring "subjective" variables to business excellence.FindingsThe authors find that trust in network management and information exchange is positively associated with organizational learning. In turn, organizational learning appears to impact network members' performance positively. Arguably, no results about the impact of proximity among members, trust among members and commitment among members are interesting to activate a discussion on the role of region cultural dimensions in shaping the impact of social features underlying the inter-organizational networks on organizational learning.Research limitations/implicationsThis study can be enriched by considering moderating variables in the relationships between the social conditions underlying inter-organizational network and learning.Practical implicationsThe authors critically discuss the social features underlying the inter-organizational networks that impact learning among network members and how these aspects may be addressed to improve performance.Originality/valueGiven the focus of this empirical analysis, the authors advance the idea that regional culture is the layer of culture that most powerfully inspires the social features of networks, and shapes organizational learning.
O presente artigo tem como objetivo avaliar a geração de valor percebida na educação superior. O delineamento teórico desse trabalho foi orientado essencialmente sob as definições de geração de valor, atividades acadêmicas e suporte organizacional no ensino superior, bem como saídas de conhecimento e habilidade adquiridas. Realizou-se uma pesquisa quantitativa do tipo survey por meio da aplicação de um questionário. A população alvo deste estudo são os egressos e alunos em fase final de curso de graduação de uma IES pública sediada no estado do RS, sul do Brasil. Obteve-se uma amostra de 1220 respondentes. Os dados foram analisados através de estatística descritiva e multivariada. Dentre os principais resultados dessa pesquisa, pode-se destacar que a formação de seis fatores de análise das atividades acadêmicas e suporte organizacional e quatro fatores que abordam saídas de conhecimento e habilidades adquiridas. Quanto a esses fatores, os resultados indicam que houveram diferenças de percepção significativas entre os grupos de homens e mulheres, alunos matriculados e egressos, faixa de renda e o fato de o indivíduo trabalhar ou não em sua área de estudos no curso que realiza. A conclusão desse trabalho é que a geração de valor é uma necessidade premente nas IES e algumas atividades e ações específicas contribuem de maneira mais efetiva para a concepção de valor, nesse caso do ponto de vista do estudante.
Objetivo: Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar os valores Lean e sua relação e sua variação diante de medidas de maturidade e de efetividade da Gestão de Processos. Método: O método do trabalho consiste em uma pesquisa quantitativa caracterizada como survey, na qual a coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um questionário. Obteve-se uma amostra válida de 1003 respostas da instituição estudada. A análise de dados foi realizada por meio de estatísticas descritivas, da análise fatorial exploratória (AFE), da correlação de Pearson, da análise de cluster e do teste t e do teste Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Os resultados permitem identificar uma relação positiva entre a melhoria contínua e o pensamento a longo prazo e a maior efetividade e maturidade de processos. Pode-se verificar, também, que a efetividade é maior no cluster em que a maturidade é maior. Contribuições: Como conclusãodeste trabalho, pode-se afirmar que os valores Lean funcionam como fundamentos para a gestão baseada em processos. Os valores Lean são elementos basilares para gerar melhorias operacionais e organizacionais na condução e na realização das atividades de uma organização pública. Além disso, os resultados deste artigo contribuem para que os gestores trabalhem na consecução de parâmetros de padronização e de melhoria de processos.
Resumo: Com o intuito de fortalecer a sua competitividade, micro e pequenas empresas têm adotado como estratégia participarem de redes interorganizacionais em razão de benefícios associados. Porém, do ponto de vista empírico, observa-se que empresas saem ou trocam de redes. No estudo teve-se como objetivo identificar os motivos que levam uma empresa a trocar de rede de cooperação. A consecução deste trabalho ocorreu por intermédio de uma pesquisa qualitativa de natureza exploratória, sendo o instrumento de coleta uma entrevista semiestruturada com o proprietário de uma empresa do setor supermercadista que decidiu trocar de rede de cooperação, e três empresários que saíram de redes de diferentes ramos de atividade e os presidentes dessas três redes. Os resultados demonstraram que, apesar dos muitos benefícios oriundos da participação em redes, se algumas das perspectivas individuais que as empresas tinham ao entrar na rede não forem correspondidas, ocorre a insatisfação, fazendo com que as empresas busquem novas oportunidades. Com os resultados do estudo, espera-se ter contribuído para ajudar os empresários e gestores na decisão de entrar e/ou sair de uma rede de cooperação.Palavras-chave: Redes interorganizacionais. Troca de rede. Problemas. Reasons that take a company to change the cooperation networkAbstract: In order to strengthen their competitiveness, micro and small companies have adopted as strategy to participate in interorganizational networks, due to associated benefits. However, from the empirical point of view, it is observed that companies leave or switch networks. The study aims to identify the reasons that lead a company to change cooperation network. This work was carried out through a qualitative research of an exploratory nature. The collection instrument was a semi-structured interview with the owner of a supermarket company that decided to exchange a cooperation network, and 3 entrepreneurs who left networks different branches of activity and the presidents of these 3 networks. The results showed that despite the many benefits of participating in networks, if some of the individual perspectives that companies had when entering the network are not met, dissatisfaction occurs causing companies to seek new opportunities. With the results of the study it is hoped to have contributed to helping entrepreneurs and managers in the decision to enter and/or leave a cooperation network.Keywords: Interorganizational networks. Network exchange. Problems.
PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of knowledge management (KM) drivers on perceived KM results in a public higher education institution. A structured theoretical model based on leadership, people, processes, knowledge processes, technology, learning and KM results was developed and tested.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted with the employees of a public higher education institution where an administrative reform was initiated. A valid sample of 257 respondents was obtained. The data were obtained from the application of a structured questionnaire based on the KM drivers and their results. A five-point Likert-type scale was used to measure respondents' answers. The main data analysis technique was structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results indicate knowledge processes, leadership and people factors have a positive and significant impact on KM results. On the other hand, organizational processes, technology and learning factors were not significant. However, the service length of servants in the institution influences the perception of knowledge drivers.Practical implicationsPublic institutions should be attentive to people with more time of service because they may have difficulties with technological advances, reorganization of processes and adaptation to new ways of sharing knowledge.Originality/valueThis study advances on the analysis of KM results in the public sector and tests the moderation effect of time of service.
PurposeThe purpose of this article was to evaluate the causal influence of Lean management practices on knowledge waste within the context of higher education institutions (HEIs). The peculiarities of knowledge impress upon organizations the need to think about reducing knowledge waste as a crucial practice. The Lean philosophy and practices therefore stand out as an appropriate management perspective, particularly given Lean's focus on waste elimination. However, little is known about the influence of Lean practices on reducing knowledge waste.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research instrument was distributed to professors and technical and administrative staff across three types of HEI in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The validated and pretested survey was circulated to the target population via an online method to explore eight constructs and 38 items concerning Lean and knowledge and waste.FindingsThe results of the survey indicated that all hypotheses were supported. The sum total of 837 responses showed that the Lean relationships (internal organizational paths) were more obvious where leadership support proved to have a positive effect on continuous improvement, training, and customer involvement. Moreover, the significant and negative effects of the Lean practices studied on knowledge waste was also supported, including for example, the interaction between HEIs and its client base.Originality/valueHEIs are knowledge generators. Therefore, the necessity of avoiding and reducing knowledge waste is even greater. This study also differentiates itself from the "traditional" knowledge loss studies by investigating knowledge while the employees are still part of an organization and not after they have left taking the knowledge away with them.
In order to analyze the empirical instabilities and adopt new validation procedures for the Organizational Citizenship Behavior—Knowledge Workers (OCB-KW) Scale this study was organized in two stages. In the first stage, studies were read for a general characterization of the production of works that used the OCB-KW and from these data, it was possible to characterize applications of the scale and assess their possible instabilities. In the second stage of analysis, a secondary database was used and subjected to the parallel analysis, and then to the exploratory factor analysis for the initial estimation and validation of the constructs, and in a third moment, the confirmatory estimation of the constructs and the comparison of different models. From the comparison indices between models, it can be concluded that the best structure for the Organizational Citizenship Behavior—Knowledge Workers Scale is built from five dimensions correlated with each other.
Purpose As few studies have explored the causal relationship between both the triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability and the lean practices in higher education institutions (HEIs), the purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationships between lean practices and sustainable practices in Brazilian HEIs.
Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted with 454 public and private HEIs workers in Brazil. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations modeling were used for data analysis.
Findings The results support the hypotheses of the study that HEI lean practices are positively related to environmental, economic and social practices in HEIs.
Practical implications HEI managers must evaluate the use of lean practices in the organizational processes, to identify their weaknesses and to improve the aspects that influence a balanced TBL of sustainability practices.
Social implications The findings highlight the importance of leadership as a support for the workers, as a continuous improvement practice on a daily basis and a focus on the student as a basic principle of HEI success.
Originality/value This article provides new measurement and structural models to analyze Lean thinking practices as the predictors of sustainability practices. The work could assist any HEI in prioritizing its strategies and actions and to contribute to excellence in decision-making. This study could contribute as a source of empirical data for transferability in other contexts for HEIs.
Purpose Sustainability has become a global concern to deal with complex and unprecedent survival, social, political and peace issues. Higher education institutions play a key role in this transformation. This paper aims to conduct a comparative analysis by continents of innovation and sustainability barriers in universities. The document also offers opportunities and potential actions for universities to create initiatives to minimize barriers and move towards a sustainable future.
Design/methodology/approach To carry out the study, 25 closed questions, composed of a five-point Likert scale, were applied to 283 university representatives (rectors, managers or specialists in the area of innovation and sustainability), to check the degree of application of the questionnaire.
Findings From an exploratory statistical analysis, it was found that the main barriers were lacking of planning and focus, lacking of environmental committee, lacking of applicability and continuity of actions and resistance to changes. Among continents, Africa and Oceania presented the best innovation and sustainability indicators in universities. The main approach of this exploratory study on barriers in universities is as an international research, whose findings showed that several barriers currently prevent universities from getting involved in sustainable development efforts. However, as we debate sustainable development, which is gaining momentum, universities are supposed to move forward to overcome barriers for the sake of implementing goals and initiatives. In addition, universities must seize opportunities to contribute through innovation in teaching, research and initiatives to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals.
Research limitations/implications This study has two main limitations: first, online research has involved professionals working in the field of sustainable development in higher education. Second, there were no interviews conducted to gather personal information with students and servers. However, the broad scope of the study and its strong international base provide important results that enable the design of an adequate profile of sustainability and innovation challenges that are currently found in universities.
Practical implications The study showed that there is lack of knowledge management to connect science, technology, innovation and sustainability, to improve management conditions, innovate, make decisions, support initiatives, create incentives and control mechanisms. Trends suggest that future professional activities involve skills in dealing with complex problems, sometimes in careers and jobs yet to be created. Traditional teaching methods are generally only prepared for routine tasks and for existing jobs, thus requiring the creation of new approaches capable of stimulating creativity and autonomy, which are essential for the present and future demands of innovation and sustainability.
Social implications The exploratory study on barriers in universities brings international research as main approach, which made it possible to check that several barriers currently prevent universities from getting involved in sustainable development efforts. However, as we debate sustainable development, which is gaining momentum, it is important that universities should move forward to overcome the barriers to implementation of goals and initiatives. In addition, universities should take advantage of opportunities to contribute through innovation in teaching, research and action to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals.
Originality/value Developed countries are leaders in promoting sustainability, while developing or underdeveloped countries are laggards. In this approach, the study sought to verify the differences through a comparative analysis across continents. As for originality and innovation, this paper presents an international study in the view of specialists who respond based on the experience of their university.
AbstractWe propose a Pandemic Risk Perception Scale. Our scale comprises two constructs, Dread Risk and Personal Exposure, divided into five dimensions: Infection Risk, Emotional Health Risk, Health System Risk,Financial Risk, and Alimentary Risk. Using multidimensional item response theory, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling on two samples of respondents, our results show that Alimentary Risk, Health System Risk, and Emotional Health Risk are the main dimensions of risk perception for the COVID‐19 pandemic. Furthermore, Infection Risk has a minor impact on the pandemic's risk perception, suggesting the presence of different dynamics between personal and general risk perceptions for the COVID‐19 pandemic.
