Nardine Collier

A Contingency Approach to Resource-Creation Processes

The resource-based view has provided valuable insights into sources of competitive advantage, but little attention has been paid to the processes of resource creation. To address this shortcoming, this paper reviews the strategy process literature, explaining the theoretical positions and assumptions that underpin different types of process. It then examines the mechanisms by which resources have been found to be created; luck, resource picking, internal development and alliances. Next, a series of resource-creation pathways that illustrate the different routes firm inputs might take on the way to becoming unique and valuable resources is developed. These pathways are also discussed in terms of the strategy processes through which they are developed, and the appropriate resource-creation processes. The review is then extended with the introduction of two contingent variables - task complexity and environmental stability - and the resource-creation processes that are congruent with different combinations of these variables are explored. From this review, one is able to identify the combination of complex task and stable environment likely to be the most conducive to resource creation. Finally, the paper explores opportunities that firms might have to engineer stability and complexity in some parts of their operations with the aim of developing a resource-based advantage.

Using teaching case studies for management research

Teaching case studies are widely deployed in business schools. They are contextually rich in detail, and students learn by applying and adapting theoretical concepts to specific business situations described in the case. This article proposes a new way to use teaching case studies, as research materials for academics. The article addresses three questions: (1) Can teaching cases be used as an alternative to field research? (2) When can teaching case studies be used as secondary data? and (3) How can teaching case studies be used as secondary data? The article concludes that teaching case studies are an unexploited and readily available source of research data, a source which should be considered when going into the field and gathering primary data is not possible.

Strategies for business turnaround and recovery: a review and synthesis

Purpose – Against a backdrop of continued weak economic conditions and with many firms experiencing declining financial performance, this paper presents a synthesis of the business turnaround literature. It aims to identify which turnaround and recovery strategies have been effective historically, based on the evidence provided by previous empirical research.Design/methodology/approach – The authors review literature that includes 22 empirical studies, which investigated business turnarounds in previous recessionary environments. This literature was reviewed in its entirety, rather than as individual contributions, to synthesise the lessons available for businesses operating in todays challenging economic environment.Findings – The literature review revealed convergence in the findings of the prior studies. In total, six effective turnaround strategies were consistently identified and four of these relate to the content of the turnaround, namely: cost efficiencies, asset retrenchment, a focus on the firm...