Increasing competitiveness during a major crisis

PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsFirms can optimize innovation outcomes by creating portfolios containing both exploitation and exploration projects. Development of ambidexterity capabilities helps attainment of such aims as companies will be more able to manage the inherent paradoxes of an integrated portfolio and the need to balance formality and flexibility in the approach.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Resilient organizations are better positioned to manage major crises and restore the status quo or achieve levels of performance that exceed pre-disruption standards. Successful navigation of a crisis situation can be achieved if key resilience drivers are identified and the firm is equipped with sufficient social and human capital and has an open culture. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsPop singer Mariah Carey is not the only one to have penned song lyrics suggesting we “Fly like a bird, take to the sky”. The notion of soaring above the earth is still an exciting one for many of us as we take a flight to a holiday destination. There will even be hard‐nosed business executives honest enough to admit that, even though they are technically working, flying can be fun.Practical implicationsProvides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to digest format.

PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsLeadership and entrepreneurship both have gender connotations. Business continues to operate within a male hierarchical model making it difficult for women to reach the pinnacle of top business positions. Women who have broken through the so‐called glass ceiling to achieve senior management positions, or who have spearheaded innovative businesses have often felt the need to adapt a more masculine persona in order to do so. The female business executive who arrives in the boardroom suitably “suited and booted” only weeks after giving birth, or the entrepreneur who relinquishes a collaborative team working approach to push her new product into the limelight demonstrate the adoption of a masculine model of success.Practical implicationsThe paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to digest format.

Knowledge transfer and absorptive capacity of a small firm enhance the use of its existing, typically limited resources and contribute to building knowledge competency and thus sustainable competitive advantage. Existing knowledge on the role of absorptive capacity in knowledge competency enhancement of rapidly internationalizing firms is scarce. Thus, the focus of this study is on knowledge transfer and absorptive capacity in a small multinational enterprise (MNE). Based on a single case study, we analyse the antecedents that increase and/or hinder absorptive capacity of the small MNE and discuss what kind of consequences being a small MNE have on knowledge transfer, and, eventually, on the firm's capability development in its quest for competitive advantage. The results indicate that by utilizing ICT communication and by encouraging informal communication, a small MNE can overcome the resource constraints related to rapid and early internationalization and the problems this creates for knowledge transfer mechanisms.

Purpose This study examines how different configurations of network characteristics influence marketing technology (MarTech) adoption among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. Drawing on network theory, institutional theory, and absorptive capacity, the research investigates the complex interplay among network centrality, tie-strength diversity, and institutional contexts in shaping technology adoption outcomes. Through a comparative analysis of two distinct emerging markets, the study develops a deeper understanding of how institutional development levels affect network effectiveness while revealing specific mechanisms through which firms leverage their network positions for successful technology adoption. The research particularly focuses on how different network configurations create unique pathways to adoption success across varying institutional contexts. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a multi-stage mixed-method approach, collecting and analyzing data from SMEs in Ghana and India that have undertaken marketing technology adoption initiatives. The research design combines polynomial regression analysis with fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to identify complex patterns of network configurations leading to successful adoption. This methodological approach enables the identification of both linear and non-linear effects while revealing multiple equifinal pathways to adoption success. Comprehensive robustness checks, including 2SLS estimation, quantile regression, and detailed endogeneity analyses, ensure the validity of the findings. Findings The results reveal a complex, curvilinear relationship between network centrality and technology adoption, with benefits diminishing beyond specific thresholds that vary systematically with institutional development levels. Network configuration effectiveness is moderated by tie-strength diversity, with optimal configurations differing between high- and low-institutional-void contexts. Five distinct configurational pathways to successful adoption emerge, demonstrating equifinality in network strategies. Absorptive capacity acts as a crucial capability multiplier, particularly pronounced in environments with significant institutional voids. Cross-country analysis reveals stronger network effects in Ghana than in India, with the difference widening at higher levels of adoption sophistication. Research limitations/implications The study advances network theory by introducing the concept of network efficiency thresholds and demonstrating how institutional contexts shape optimal network configurations. For practitioners, it provides specific guidance for network portfolio optimization across different institutional environments, including concrete strategies for relationship management and capability development. The findings inform policymakers about the need for differentiated support strategies based on institutional development levels, suggesting specific mechanisms for enhancing absorptive capacity and facilitating network formation. The research also offers insights into digital ecosystem development in emerging markets, recommending platforms that support both strong and weak tie formation. Originality/value This study makes several contributions to network and institutional theories. It challenges linear assumptions about network benefits by revealing how institutional contexts fundamentally alter network effectiveness. The paper identifies specific mechanisms through which firms adapt their network configurations to compensate for institutional weaknesses while demonstrating how absorptive capacity's value varies systematically with institutional development. The findings advance understanding of technology adoption in emerging markets by revealing multiple successful configurational pathways, providing both theoretical advancement and practical guidance for managing digital transformation in institutionally complex environments.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – For numerous people around the world, sport is a major part of their lives. Its popularity is evident in the degree of both active and passive involvement that prevails. Considerable scope therefore exists for sport to help a variety of interested parties to obtain income, additional value and influence. These include such as individual participants, organizations, sporting bodies, industries and governments. Such opportunities have risen further in recent decades as a result of gradual increases in professionalism and commercialism. But enjoying a high profile comes at a price. Conventional firms can vouch for that. In the wake of well-documented scandals that seriously damaged trust in business, the public quite rightly demanded that companies should demonstrate greater transparency and integrity. Sport has obviously not been without its problems either. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Consistent with predictions, the link between innovation capability and firm performance is significant in the presence of performance measurement. Performance measurement can, thus, be used as a tool for improving the performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through innovation capability. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – This paper comments on the understanding and use of “right to request” flexible working arrangements, from both an employee and manager/organization perspective. There was a considerable knowledge deficit among employees making requests for flexible working, and also among their managers, and a high level of informality in the processing of requests. Managers play a critical role in structuring both the procedure and the substantive outcomes of flexible working arrangement (FWA) requests. Managers’ personal experience and levels of commitment to FWAs are critical in the process. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds impartial comments and places the article in context. Findings – Organizations have often been defined as complex social systems that must possess an ability to adjust and morph in response to their competitive environment. Learning is essential to compete and thrive. The business world in which firms operate in is both volatile and uncertain. Economic shocks are seemingly becoming ever more frequent, and the effects of globalization remain ongoing. Such factors guarantee that the current unpredictability is not going anywhere soon. Only companies that are resilient can hope to conquer the many tough challenges that will confront them. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose – Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Among the rubble following the global financial crisis from 2008 onwards, several commentators believed that the behaviour, and perceived behaviour, of banks and other financial institutions would kick start the process of moving towards enhanced ethical standards. Business schools, the media, politicians and high profile members of the finance community all came were all at the receiving end of huge amounts of opprobrium from the public, and it was thought it would be in all of their interest to win that four our back in order to prop up the creaking financial systems. Practical implications – Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – What makes a good training course? This question feels relatively unasked given its importance, and there are few more important questions any human resources (HR) department or any other could pose. With an average budget in an organization of $1 million annually, there is a vast amount of resources that go into ensuring that the employees receive the best, most relevant training possible. As such, are we convinced that HR departments have the right information at their fingertips to assess just what makes the optimal training course for their people and organization? Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – We are, as we are constantly reminded, in a knowledge economy, and as such are liable to succumb to different market forces and variations than in previous paradigms. However if this is true, there is a central irony to our development of business activities in this area, in that there seems to be somewhat of a vacuum of knowledge about the knowledge economy. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – This paper considers the ways that multi-national corporations can go about their search for the best worldwide talent. It suggests that information and communications technology (ICT) has a key role to play, and examines how companies try to combine the use of ICT with global talent management. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – “Postpone! In the name of fashion!” does not quite have the same ring to it as the song title “Stop! In the name of love!” How about “No, no, no, don't throw my dress away!” Not as memorable as “Don't throw my love away!” All silliness aside, fashion and music are two industries that have much in common. They both have a strong association with lifestyle, particularly in terms of what is currently “cool” or “in vogue.” Both fashion and music are related to youth culture, where what is popular today can be considered decidedly uncool tomorrow without any obvious reason. While the music industry may have a greater ability to adapt to rapidly changing fashions in songs, for the garment industry, matching supply to demand is not as simple. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to digest format.