Nerys Fuller-Love

Networks in small manufacturing firms

The theories of networks have become more popular in recent years when discussing business structures. It can be said that co‐operation is seen as a theory that plays an important role in the survival of many small and medium sized businesses. Co‐operative and networking strategies amongst business in Mid Wales has brought them many benefits and a competitive advantage that they would not be able to afford on their own. These issues were investigated in this research into the practical value of networks in small manufacturing companies. The aim of this study is to look at the provision for small business by analysing their value, by noting the implications, and providing recommendations for the future of networking amongst small and medium sized enterprises. The small manufacturing businesses in this study saw that networking was a very cost‐effective way compared to other strategies to improve their performance. The businesses co‐operate in order to share information and resources and to undertake joint projects. By exchanging information and know‐how, networks can be an important tool for small business entrepreneurs to improve their businesses.

Entrepreneurship and rural economic development: a scenario analysis approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to advocate the use of scenario analysis to develop foresight for the improvement of policies supporting rural entrepreneurship and illustrate the approach with an application in Mid Wales.Design/methodology/approach – A general overview of the economic problems of rural areas and their manifestation in the case study of Mid Wales is followed by an outline of the origins and approach of scenario analysis. Application of the technique involved a group of policy makers and entrepreneurs undertaking a structured programme of scenario development. The resulting scenarios, their usefulness for enterprise support, and wider implications are summarised.Findings – The scenario analysis exercise enabled key stakeholders to confront and deal with considerable uncertainties by developing a shared understanding of the barriers to small firm growth and rural economic regeneration.Research limitations/implications – A major conclusion is that effective approaches for support of ru...

Competition or co-operation? Strategic information management in the National Health Service: A case study of the ceredigion NHS trust

This paper investigates the strategic planning for information management in the National Health Service (NHS). The purpose of the study is to establish whether the use of information technology (IT) to encourage competition in the NHS is effective. The approach taken to implement IT within the NHS is examined with a view to determining whether the increase in competition has led to changes in the way IT systems are developed and managed. The role of IT in increasing the competitiveness of hospitals has been crucial. This paper looks at the role of information management in encouraging competition, and whether it leads to greater efficiency and improvements in patient care. This paper examines firstly the strategy for information management in the NHS; secondly, the IT strategy in Wales and specifically in the Ceredigion NHS Trust; and thirdly, examines four developmental pilot projects. The conclusion is that the strategy of encouraging competing pilot projects is counter-productive. The pilot projects are too ambitious given the lack of previous investment in IT and that the projects themselves, although worthwhile from a developmental point of view, need substantial investment before they can be implemented. Only one of the projects has been implemented despite partial success for two of the other projects. The successful projects had the support and involvement of the senior management and this may have had an effect on the decision making process. Hospitals in the NHS, faced with tight financial constraints, will need to co-operate with other organisations in order to develop integrated systems for better patient health care.

Entrepreneurs' Perceptions of Business Networks: Does Gender Matter?

This paper looks at perceptions of entrepreneurial networks and the gender differences in networking. Womens networks tend to be more limited and to focus on family and friends, whereas male entrepreneurs generally have wider networks. The results of the study indicate that female entrepreneurs have a significantly more positive attitude towards networking, especially once the business has been established. The main benefits of networks for both men and women are better business contacts, sharing knowledge, problem solving and social aspects. Female entrepreneurs also believe that networks can provide them with learning opportunities and enable them to develop management skills.

How information technology shapes strategy in the steel industry: A case study of British Steel

This paper investigates the impact of information technology (IT) on the strategic management of British Steel. The purpose of the study is to establish whether the implementation of technological changes in the steel industry in Britain is as a result of a deliberate strategy or in response to competitive forces. The reasons for making these changes, how they are implemented and evaluated are examined including factors such as the impact on the organization and the resistance to change. The paper is divided into two sections; comparing and contrasting British Steels IT strategy with that of one of its subsidiaries, British Steel Distribution. The conclusion is that competitive forces have an impact on both the IT strategy of these organizations and the way that IT is used to shape the overall strategy.

Gender differences in early group formation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish whether different gender groups develop in similar or dissimilar ways to conventional group formation patterns. Focussing primarily on Tuckmans model of group development, male, female and mixed gender learning networks (groups) of entrepreneurs were observed over a six month period, with the observations recorded and analysed, to establish whether different gender networks of business people adhere to Tuckmans model of group development in terms of early development and cohesion through the forming, storming and norming stages.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 100 entrepreneurs were recruited in Autumn 2009/Spring 2010 and allocated to three different gender networks, male, female and mixed, in Ireland and Wales (six networks in total), as part of the Sustainable Learning Networks Ireland Wales (SLNIW, for detailed information about SLNIW see www.slniw.com) INTERREG 4A funded project. The groups began networking in January 2010, observed by imp...

Performance related pay: A case study of a small business

NERYS FULLER-LOVE IS DIRECTOR OF THE Centre of Business Studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales, and Professor R. W. Scapens is director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Accounting and Finance at the University of Manchester, England. This paper aims to investigate the impact of the implementation of performance related pay on a small company. Performance rewards schemes have been used for centuries to reward improved productivity through increased payments or benefits. Although there is evidence to show that these schemes do increase productivity there are also doubts as to their effectiveness. Small firms have several stages of growing pains on the way to success or failure. What are the characteristics of successful small firms? Willingness to improve management through training and by bringing in professional managers from outside have been found to be a positive factor in their success. This is principally because the stages of growth in a small firm involve different management skills. For example, how does a small firm move from direct supervision of a few workers to indirect management when the number of employees increases? This paper attempts to link together these two themes, that of performance reward schemes and the management and control of a small business. It illustrates how a small manufacturing company implemented a bonus scheme in order to improve productivity and ease the transition from an informal management system to more structured formal systems. The reason for introducing the bonus payments, how they were implemented and evaluated are examined in this case study. Some of the factors investigated include the impact on the organisation, the effect of change, the resistance to change.

Entrepreneurial groups in Ireland and Wales : A preliminary typology of entrepreneurs using a marketing segmentation approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use a marketing segmentation approach based upon attitudes and perceptions of centrality, trust, communication, conflict resolution, benefits and satisfaction to create a typology of network members specifically for entrepreneurs as actors in entrepreneurial business networks.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a survey of individuals drawn from six entrepreneurial networks located within West Wales and South‐East Ireland. Initial analysis utilised exploratory factor analysis, which was then used as a base for cluster analysis. Validity was established using ANOVA (continuous data) and Chi‐square (categorical data) tests, while reliability was examined through Cronbach alphas.Findings – The findings indicate that a four segment structure existed. Each of the four segments were found to be significantly different regarding attitudes towards centrality, trust, communication, conflict resolution, benefits and satisfaction. The four network member segments ar...

The role of action research in the development of learning networks for entrepreneurs

Developing sustainable learning networks for entrepreneurs is the core objective of the Sustainable Learning Networks in Ireland and Wales (SLNIW) project. One research team drawn from the Centre for Enterprise Development and Regional Economy at Waterford Institute of Technology and the School of Management and Business from Aberystwyth University has contributed to the understanding of how to create sustainable business learning networks for entrepreneurs. The research findings are attributed to action research by the conduction of two separate cycles in the forum of research projects. The first cycle, called Female Entrepreneurs in Ireland and Wales, produced findings that were reflected on and investigated further by the research team through the establishment of the second cycle named SLNIW. This paper discusses the two action research cycles through the action sets of planning, action, observing and reflecting and the contribution of the development of understanding and practice of networking for entrepreneurs through the production of guidelines for establishing sustainable learning networks.

Exploring Causes, Taxonomies, Mechanisms and Barriers Influencing Knowledge Transfer: Empirical Studies in NGOs

Knowledge transfer is one of the significant elements in the knowledge management process. Knowledge transferors share different types of knowledge with the recipients with a view to fulfilling the latters knowledge needs. The importance of identifying the appropriate knowledge transfer mechanisms and the barriers to knowledge transfer are paramount. However, neither the knowledge management literature nor the NGO-sector literature has adequately addressed the issues of causes of knowledge transfer, taxonomies of knowledge, mechanisms and barriers of knowledge transfer in comprehensive way in the context of the Bangladeshi NGO sector. The highest number of NGOs in the world is deployed in Bangladesh. Little is known about such transfer within the NGO context based in Bangladesh. This paper makes an endeavour to bridge these grey areas of knowledge management and NGO-sector. Having collected the qualitative data from Bangladeshi NGOs and using the content analysis technique, the study identified the causes of knowledge transfer, taxonomies of knowledge, mechanisms of knowledge transfer and the barriers to knowledge transfer in the context of Bangladesh. By understanding the mechanisms and the determinants of knowledge transfer, company and NGO managers and public policy makers can influence knowledge transfer more effectively. Future researchers may extend this study by carrying out similar research in a different context.