Terry Mangles

Organisational learning style, competencies and learning systems in small, UK manufacturing firms

Organisational learning is increasingly being mentioned in the literature as a mechanism for assisting the market performance of small firms. There exists, however, limited empirical evidence on either the benefits conferred by organisational learning and the learning systems utilised to manage the process. A survey of small UK manufacturing firms was undertaken to acquire data on whether a relationship exists between learning style and the competencies exhibited by organisations. The survey also sought to determine the nature of learning systems used by small manufacturing firms. The results suggest that as firms move from a lower‐level to a higher‐level learning style, this is accompanied by competence enhancement that can contribute to improving organisational capability. It also appears that a higher‐level learning style is accompanied by the adoption of a more formalised learning system inside the organisation. The implications of these findings are discussed and proposals presented on the needs for further research.

Relationship marketing in online business‐to‐business markets

The Internet has the potential to alter many aspects of current marketing theory and practice. Most early research studies have focused on the role of the Internet as a promotional tool. More recently, case‐based studies are beginning to emerge on how the Internet may alter the marketing management process. There is a need to compliment these studies with additional quantitative research. This study examines the influence of marketing style on the utilisation of the Internet among small UK manufacturing firms. Insufficient evidence was found to support the view that relationship‐orientated firms, when compared with transactionally‐orientated competitors, exhibit differing perceptions about the nature of online markets. Quantitative differences were identified, however, in relation to use of information management systems and the management of internal organisational processes. The implications of these findings are discussed and proposals made concerning the need for further research.

Business networks: assisting knowledge management and competence acquisition within UK manufacturing firms

In both literature and policy documents, small and medium‐size enterprises (SMEs) are being advised to form networks as a route for acquiring the knowledge required to survive in rapidly changing and/or highly competitive markets. There is, however, only limited anecdotal evidence of the positive contribution that networks are a way of upgrading organisational learning and thereby enhancing the performance of small firms. Additionally, there appears to be minimal guidance available on how small firms might exploit networks as a route for improving their capabilities to acquire and utilise knowledge to enhance future performance. To acquire additional empirical data on these issues, a survey was undertaken to examine the learning style of small UK manufacturing firms participating in some form of cooperative relationship with other members of their market supply chain. Learning style in the survey was measured by seeking response to a scale which permits assessment of the degree to which the respondent firm is exhibiting a single‐ versus double‐loop learning style. A survey of small firms advisers to gain their view of the organisational competency was measured using a scale that identifies those areas of capability that have significant impact on the performance of small firms. Results indicate that firms involved in networks tend to adopt a double‐loop (or higher‐order) learning style, whereas non‐network firms mainly appear to be autonomous single‐loop learners. When compared with non‐network firms, respondent organisations who participate in networks tend to have a better developed, more formalised knowledge management system. Furthermore, small firm advisers perceive that the creation of a formalised knowledge management system is reflected by such firms exhibiting a higher level of organisational competence across some of the areas of marketing, HRM and information management. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to how small firms might be assisted in becoming involved in learning networks as a path for improving their knowledge management capabilities. Some qualitative, illustrative examples of small business learning networks are provided. Additionally, proposals are presented on the need for further research.

Relationship Marketing, Knowledge Management Systems and E-Commerce Operations in Small UK Accountancy Practices

Some firms are using relationship marketing linked to knowledge management systems to achieve competitive advantage. Limited empirical evidence exists on the contribution that relationship marketing and knowledge management systems can make towards market success. E-commerce provides an opportunity to assess possible relationships that may exist between relationship marketing; knowledge management systems and market performance. A survey of small UK accounting practices suggests that adopting a relationship marketing orientation can enhance market performance. Those practices, which have adopted a relationship marketing orientation, tend to have established knowledge management systems and be involved in ecommerce. The implications of these findings are discussed and proposals made about further research needs.

Knowledge‐based services and the Internet: an investigation of small UK accountancy practices

The role of organisational learning in knowledge acquisition for competitive advantage is increasingly found in the literature. Various researchers have used qualitative, single firm case studies to validate a relationship between learning, knowledge and firms exhibiting strong market performance. There is, however, limited empirical evidence on the relative importance of the learning style and management systems required to support the effective marketing of knowledge‐based services. The Internet is an excellent research tool to empirically assess the possible relationships between learning style, knowledge systems and revisions in operational practices. A survey of small UK accountancy practices was undertaken to acquire data on learning style, knowledge systems and market performance. The results and their implications in relation to organisations’ use of the Internet are discussed and proposals are presented for further research.

Health Care and Higher Education: The Diary Approach for Management Development

A project to determine employee development needs of Plymouth Polytechnic and Derriford Hospital NHS senior technicians revealed employer and employee variance in opinions over desired managerial competences. Job analysis through the use of time diaries permitted construction of a detailed description of current job roles for both organizations. This information was then used to research the views of senior technicians on how their performance could be enhanced through provision of an employee development programme. The study validated the capability of the time diary technique to generate detailed, quantitative information on job role activities. Variance in the training needs for the two organizations was identified. In the case of NHS technicians it was possible to define areas where provision of a new training scheme would be beneficial. Their counterparts in higher education revealed a much lower degree of interest in the provision of external assistance to develop further their managerial skills. Co...

HEALTH CARE AND HIGHER EDUCATION: THE TIME DIARY APPROACH FOR MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT

Discusses a project which aimed to determine the employee development needs of Plymouth Polytechnic and Derriford Hospital NHS senior technicians. Using the time diary approach, it revealed employer and employee variance in opinions over desired managerial competences and variance in the training needs for the two organizations. In the case of NHS technicians it was possible to define areas where provision of a new training scheme would be beneficial. Their counterparts in higher education revealed a much lower degree of interest in the provision of external assistance to develop their managerial skills further. Concludes that the Polytechnic would need to implement structural changes to the work environment before introducing any new training schemes for technical staff.

Continuing Professional Development Needs of Accounting Technicians in the UK

Opportunity exists to enhance organisational productivity in the UK financial services sector by upgrading the task role of accounting technicians. This can be achieved only if appropriate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) provision is in place. The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) supported a Plymouth Business School national survey to determine CPD priority areas and preferred modes of training delivery. The study revealed that technician CPD provision on a national scale is inadequate and proposals are made on how this situation might be remedied in the future.