This book examines the impact of industry 4.0, and constructs a strategic digital transformation operational framework to prepare for it. It begins by examining the background of industry 4.0, exploring the industrial internet, new business models and disruptive technologies, as well as the challenges that this revolution brings for industries and manager. The research enhances our understanding of strategic digital transformation framework within industry 4.0. It will be valuable reading for academics working in the field of industry 4.0 and strategy, as well as practitioners interested in enhancing their firms' readiness for industry 4.0.

Higgins makes clear that corporate strategy, regardless of how elegantly conceived, how comprehensive its scope or how forward-looking its thrust, does not provide competitive advantage until it is communicated, understood, valued, and acted upon by a variety of key corporate stakeholders. His book is thus developed to advance the theory and practice of corporate strategy communications. With two chapters devoted to conceptual foundations and empirical research, plus five new case studies illustrating his points, Higgins's book not only builds on existing research in strategic planning and management and reputation management, but offers new research findings as well. Interdisciplinary, integrative, and international in scope, the book will be of special interest to corporate management, strategic planners, corporate communications and investor relations executives, and other professionals in the investment community, and to academics with similar research and teaching interests.

Higgins argues that companies that communicate effectively to key constituencies risk less by making their strategies known than by hiding them. Among the important payoffs Higgins identifies are an improved climate within the investment community; better relationships with suppliers, customers, and strategic partners; improved employee morale and motivation; and, in some cases, a boost to share price and the enhancement of shareholder value. He begins with an overall strategic framework, illustrating how effective corporate strategy communications can improve a firM's strategic credibility, then follows with case studies--unavailable until now--each written specifically for this book, and covering such situations as a merger, a failed takeover attempt, and a management campaign to elevate share price and shareholder value at a major chemical company. He ends with an examination of the international challenges and opportunities involved in cross-cultural strategy communications. The book also presents for the first time, the results of a major international study of corporate strategy communications. Included in this study were 1800 executives and analysts from the U.S., Europe, and Japan. The job of strategy communications is never done, concludes Higgins. Communications during bad times, as well as good, are critically important.

Economic and business growth is driven by the continuous re-evaluation and optimization of current policies and practices. By implementing more effective procedures, businesses can increase their levels of competitiveness. Factors Affecting Firm Competitiveness and Performance in the Modern Business World is an authoritative reference source for the latest scholarly research on the most appropriate measures and initiatives for firms to become more competitive within various sectors. Incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives through theoretical foundations and real-world case studies, this book is ideally designed for professionals, practitioners, upper-level students, policy makers, and managers interested in the optimization of business performance.

This book explores the factors that contribute to high corporate growth, presenting a new conceptual model for research into this phenomenon. Building on existing research, the authors present a new conceptual research model that links multidimensional variables, such as entrepreneurial orientation, and human capital, with the perceived availability of different forms of financing for high-growth companies and with the measures that these firms take to overcome financial constraints and thus influence their financial performance. With this model the authors aim to enhance our understanding of the specifics of financing high growth companies and demonstrate how the availability of financial resources is one of the most important determinants of promoting development and enterprise growth. Empirically tested on a random sample of high-growth companies from Slovenia, the book seeks to make a contribution to research and enhance our understanding of the various factors involved in high growth firms.

This book examines key aspects of the increasingly important phenomenon of reshoring - the decision of companies to reverse offshoring by bringing manufacturing back from overseas. The aim is to equip readers with a full understanding of the current extent of reshoring, its drivers, and the associated opportunities and challenges. The impact of governments' economic policies on the location choices of entrepreneurs in an era of globalization is carefully analyzed, drawing on experiences in the United States and Italy, where contrasting encouragement is provided for reshoring decisions. The effect on reshoring of recent developments regarding technology, the environment, and other factors is assessed in depth, and readers will also find close scrutiny of the relationship between reshoring and manufacturing performance. The book will be of interest to all academics, researchers, and practitioners with an interest in the manufacturing industry and will be an excellent teaching aid for a variety of courses in different disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

In Superconnect, Richard Koch and Greg Lockwood show that success is less about who you are than how you connect a chance meeting with an old colleague leads to a swanky new job; two businessmen collaborate online and cofound a successful start-up; a friend introduces a promising entrepreneur to a millionaire looking to invest. But why do these lucky breaks always happen to other people? Personal and professional networks shape everything we do, but simply knowing that they exist won t help you harness your connections for maximum success. With an eye toward business applications, Superconnect outlines the new rules of our densely linked society. At the core of the analysis are three simple network components strong relationships, weak relationships, and hubs that interact in surprising, counterintuitive ways. Understanding how these components mesh, and connecting unrelated people, is the way to achieve in today s hyper-connected world."

Addressing the area of shared leadership, also known as collective or distributed leadership, this edited book embraces the underlying idea that leadership is a dynamic process that intersects closely with followership. While some authors present rigorously researched qualitative and quantitative case studies that investigate the dynamics of followership in distributive leadership in terms of collective decision-making, leadership identity, roles and demographic composition of groups in a variety of settings, other authors take a critical look at distributed leadership models by viewing them through the lens of nature and ecosystems as well as human development processes. The chapters aim to inspire readers to challenge the current definition of leadership and explore more inclusive and holistic paradigms. Distributed Leadership provides a comprehensive and constructive contribution to the field of leadership and will be an essential read for academics and scholar-practitioners interested in business management.

This volume discusses the importance of adopting entrepreneurial and innovation practices in the public sector, as mechanisms for detecting, dealing with and including citizens' social needs, with a reflection on positive determination of their quality of life. It focuses on critical reflection and rethinking the articulation between the dimensions of transformation - entrepreneurship and innovation - of New Public Management (NPM). In this way the book contributes to deepening knowledge about the implications of this change in the organizational paradigm of the public sector for citizens' quality of life, which is treated multi-dimensionally here, including citizens' well-being, purchasing power, happiness, trust, safety, experience and satisfaction. The volume constitutes a reference guide for decision makers, managers and policy makers engaged in the public sector who want to differentiate their performance by fostering entrepreneurial and innovative practices in the scope of public administration that can enhance citizens' quality of life. This volume is also a reference guide for scholars, policy makers and practitioners interested on public innovation.

This book bridges two essential aspects of assessing and achieving business excellence in 21st-century organizations. The author argues that transnational companies face a twofold challenge: managing global knowledge networks and multicultural project teams on the one hand; and interacting and collaborating across boundaries using global communication technologies, on the other. The author also argues that this dual challenge calls for the creation of a business excellence program that fits and thrives within these multicultural environments. In response, he reviews corporate practices in quality management and business excellence frameworks that have been extensively used on a transnational scale to drive organizational performance. The book approaches quality management as an element that is no longer a choice, but has now become a necessity if companies want to compete in highly globalized environments.

The authors of this important book analyse the pitfalls and risks of doing business in ASEAN countries that are mostly absent in Western markets, covering various strategic, external, operational, and legal-cultural challenges for international companies. Doing Business in ASEAN Emerging Markets crucially addresses how to resolve those barriers. Encompassing issues of governance and leadership standards, the authors present case studies and practical solutions underpinned by academic research. Helping executives learn how to implement high international standards and maintain sensitivity to socio-cultural and political Asian contexts, the book highlights the need to create an international diverse and unified leadership team that will take better decisions and effectively deal with risks, and apply best corporate governance practices within an Asian context.

A key question for China, which has for some time been a leading global manufacturing base, is whether China can progress from being a traditional centre of manufacturing to becoming a centre for innovation. In this book, Shang-Ling Jui focuses on China's software industry and examines the complete innovation value chain of software in its key phases of innovation, standards definition, development and marketing. He argues that, except for software development, these key phases are of high added-value and that without adopting the concept of independent innovation as a guiding ideology, China's software enterprises - like India's - would have an uncertain future. In other words, the lack of core competence in the development of China's software industry might restrain the industry from taking the leading position and drive it towards becoming no more than the software workshop of multinationals over the long term. Shang-Ling Jui contends that China's software industry should and can possess its own complete innovation value chain. Having worked in China's software industry for many years, the author provides an inside-out perspective - identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the industry and defining the challenges in China's transition from "Made in China" to "Innovated in China."

The effects of globalization strategies of multinational enterprises (MNEs) on national and local development are explored and analyzed here and implications of these effects for policy makers are highlighted. Containing contributions from international business scholars, the text addresses this previously little explored but critically important issue for the future of the world economy.

This book addresses the rapidly changing Business-to-Business (B2B) marketing communication landscape, in particular the shrinking of marketing budgets and the increasing demand for measurable results. Despite the rapid drop of print media usage, the authors suggest the need for increased accountability for the use of advertising media and highlight ways to boost effectiveness. The book provides a robust analysis of the current B2B environment along with a research-informed illustration of the future. Aiming to fill a gap in existing literature and offer new research findings, this study offers a comprehensive guide to assist practitioners in decision-making and a stimulating analysis of the B2B marketing communications landscape which will be of great interest to academics of marketing and communications.

Taking the business model as point of departure, this open access book explores how companies and organizations can contribute to a more sustainable future by designing innovative models that are both sustainable and profitable. Based upon years of research, it draws together theoretical foundations and existing literature on the topic of sustainable business alongside case studies and practical solutions. After examining the theoretical foundations of sustainable business model innovation, the authors present their own framework - RESTART. Consisting of seven factors, this framework can be the basis for restarting any business model. The final section outlines a research agenda for sustainable business informed by the perspectives and frameworks put forward in this book.

This book presents SAP Next-Gen, an innovation community for SAP Leonardo. It is intended for next generation business leaders, Chief Digital Officers, Chief Innovation Officers, Chief Information Officers and IT professionals who are defining the vision, strategy, technologies and organizational changes needed to drive their exponential enterprise and to innovate with purpose. The book opens with an introduction to turning bold ideas into reality with a purpose-driven mindset supporting the 17 United Nations Global Goals. Part 1 focuses on what's at stake including Digital - The New Normal, Exponential Growth, and Innovation in the 21st century. Part 2 introduces readers to the SAP Next-Gen matchmaking model, and readers are invited to join SAP Next-Gen clubs for industries, technologies, and methodologies. Readers also learn about the Silicon Valleys of the world, make vs. buy vs. join, and where to learn more and get engaged with SAP Next-Gen. SAP Next-Gen is an innovation community for SAP Leonardo supporting SAP's 355,000+ customers across 25 industries in 180+ countries. SAP Next-Gen enables customers and partners to connect with academic thought leaders, researchers, and students in the SAP Next-Gen network of 3,200+ educational institutions across 111 countries worldwide, as well as with startups, tech community partners, venture firms, purpose driven partners, and SAP experts.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The New York Times-bestselling author of Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, and Together Is Better offers a bold new approach to business strategy by asking one question: are you playing the finite game or the infinite game? In The Infinite Game, Sinek applies game theory to explore how great businesses achieve long-lasting success. He finds that building long-term value and healthy, enduring growth - that playing the infinite game - is the only thing that matters to your business.

Post-Materialist Business presents a spiritual-based approach to business and management. It uses pluralistic view of spirituality and provides a number of inspiring cases of alternative organizations which go beyond the materialistic mindset of business and serve the common good of society, nature, and future generations.

Making Innovation Las t considers the long term success of a firm. Authored by a trio of top international scholars who present pioneering new work on what it takes to create long term growth, the book examines the internal conditions that are likely to encourage sustainable innovation, as well as what a culture of innovation should look like.

The book addresses the concept of diversity and inclusiveness (D&I) and brings stories from the corporate, practitioners, think tanks and NGOs. It advocates the need and implementation of the D&I concept to build society of the future. It strives to bring out a focused approach in connecting "Theory to Practice". Every chapter delves into a different area and presents real-time practices as well as the challenges and the way forward. The book explains the various levels at which discrimination can occur such as demographic profiles, regional differences, religious alliances, college pedigree, marital status, sexual preferences, physical disability and health differentiation, pregnancy or returning mothers and technology competence. The book cites examples of inclusion from progressive organizations such as ABB India, Marico, TCS, PNB Metlife and Alsthom. Presenting the business case of D&I, the book emphasizes on creating a robust D&I strategy with a road map and alignment through internal and external frameworks as well as periodic audits. The Responsible, Accountable, Consultant and Informed (RACI) matrix is discussed while setting up the D&I analytics framework within the organization. The book also presents the growing role of artificial intelligence tools that can empower employees to participate in the D&I journey of an organization. It shares how tools such as Balloonr, Glint, Organization View, Planbox, Pluto and Waggl have been specially designed to allow employees to anonymously provide ideas and respond to ideas provided by others. Going forward, the D&I practices will have to be more customized than generalized, and this book brings up real evidences to make its point

Social media offers an opportunity for people to enlarge their exposure to information; information about important changes and trends in technology, markets, government policies, or society in general that can facilitate entrepreneurship, business development, and more. Despite the widespread cultural and social effects of social media in the way people communicate and interact, little research has addressed the role of social media in entrepreneurship. This book fills this gap by exploring the influence and consequences social media has on entrepreneurship at the individual level, group level, venture (firm) level and societal level. Specific social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) will be explored as well as topics such as gender, education and socioemotional wealth.

This book provides practical frameworks for anyone hoping to become a successful global leader, and outlines the challenges that international firms face when managing across cultures. It highlights the cognitive, affective, and behavioral actions leaders can take to understand the differences between foreign values and traditions, and how to develop a corporate environment where global leadership can thrive. Drawing on the latest research findings, interviews with executives, and the author's own teaching and consulting experience, this book emphasizes the need to adopt a cultural intelligence that embraces flexibility, openness, curiosity, and empathy. It provides advice and guidance on how to develop universal people management skills and navigate language barriers to avoid cross-cultural miscommunication. This multi-disciplinary book is essential reading for students and researchers of international business and management, I/O psychology, and organizations hoping to interact effectively with employees and clients across borders.

Management Dynamics in Strategic Alliances is a volume in the book series Research in Strategic Alliances that will focus on providing a robust and comprehensive forum for new scholarship in the field of strategic alliances. In particular, the books in the series will cover new views of interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks and models, significant practical problems of alliance organisation and management, and emerging areas of inquiry. The series will also include comprehensive empirical studies of selected segments of business, economic, industrial, government, and non-profit activities with wide prevalence of strategic alliances. Through the ongoing release of focused topical titles, this book series will seek to disseminate theoretical insights and practical management information that will enable interested professionals to gain a rigourous and comprehensive understanding of the field of strategic alliances. Management Dynamics in Strategic Alliances contains contributions by leading scholars in the field of strategic alliance research. The 12 chapters in this volume cover a number of significant topics relating to the management of strategic alliances. The chapters discuss both the broader issues, such as governance structure choice, dynamics of alliance conditions, co-evolutionary dynamics, learning dynamics, and the management of internal tensions, and the more focused problems of controls in inter firm settings, dilemmas of co-operation, value creation in alliance portfolios, and alliance management experiences in the construction and automobile industries. The chapters include empirical as well as conceptual treatments of the selected topics, and collectively present a wide-ranging review of the management dynamics in strategic alliances.