Laura Bacali

Comparative Study Regarding Organizational Culture: Nonprofit Organization and Profit-Oriented Organization

This article presents the results of a comparative case study that identifies and analyzes the organizational culture differences between a nonprofit organization and a profit-oriented organization. For the analysis of the organizational culture, we used the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) that approaches: dominant characteristics, organizational leadership, human resource management, organizational glue, strategic objectives, and success criteria of an organization. The participants of the study are executive employees and management members of the targeted organizations which facilitate local socioeconomic development. This case study identifies (1) the type of dominant organizational culture, (2) differences between the existent organizational culture and preferred organizational culture, and (3) differences between characteristics of existent cultural organization and characteristics of organizational culture that facilitates innovation in the targeted nonprofit organization and profit-oriented organization.

A Real Options-Based Framework for Strategic Decision-Making in Hostile, Turbulent and Ultra-Volatile Environments

The resources required by modern military action are essential in establishing a favorable force balance and thus become a critical landmark in strategic decision making. The imbalance in resources is of utmost importance and needs to be analyzed in full relation with the current dynamic and volatile environment. Decisions made based on such resource dynamics are rapid, intuitive and can be easily transferred into practical approaches provided that the complexity of the processes characteristic of combat environments is fully taken into account. Moreover, the dynamic management of portfolios needs to also include options. Additionally, strategic decisions must be harmonized with operational and tactical decisions while integrating all available means by which to employ resources and meeting the deadline set by the features of real time situations. Traditional approaches like discounted cash flow/ net present value (DCF/ NPV) cannot provide the flexibility required by the changes in combat environment. Unlike the financial options focused on bonds, stocks, financial rates, military real options (MRO) evaluate military resources and bonds and are thus advantageous under uncertain and ultra-volatile conditions. Thus, strategic decision makers need to not only deter against losses, but to also understand how to preserve the opportunity to act in turbulent times.