Nicholas O'Regan

• PhD
• Head of Faculty at University of the West of England, Bristol

In this paper, we examine how managers 'make meaning' of business tournament rituals (BTRs)-recognition-based contests in which participating firms get social endorsements and winners receive prestigious awards. In exploring two UK BTRs, we found that managerial orienting systems, made up of beliefs about the identity of their firm, competitors, an...

This paper investigates the impact of four drivers of Governance diversity, namely gender, tenure, age, and educational attainment, on strategic direction and variation. It then incorporates corporate financial results as a moderating variable, testing how it impacts the links between board diversity and strategic variation. Strategic variation or...

The emergence of global value chains (GVCs) appears due to the rise of international trade deregulation and market liberalization over the past decades. The rise of information and communication technologies, which supports knowledge‐intensive activities, has also radically transformed value capture across GVCs and raises the bar for value‐creating...

The guest editors would welcome contributions that clearly articulate their theoretical as well as practical implications of implementing open innovation (OI) approaches in different contexts. Contributing authors may use different methodological approaches including quantitative or qualitative research methods to reveal new insights on open innova...

Organizational agility, that is the ability to anticipate or respond quickly to external changes, is essential to survive and compete in today's turbulent landscape, characterized by technological advancements and digitalization. Research on capabilities that enable firms to be agile in the so called VUCA environments, is still nascent. Hence, it i...

Pandemics and epidemics occur regularly, yet their impact on firm behaviours is under‐researched. COVID‐19 provides a unique opportunity to examine the impact of a once‐in‐a‐century pandemic – given its scope, swift spread, health and economic devastation – on firms’ behaviours. Attention is the critical and initial step of the environmental adapta...

Purpose The purpose of this introduction is fourfold: (1) to articulate the reasons for the special issue; (2) to highlight some of the fundamental issues related to the management research on COVID-19; (3) to introduce the authors and to summarize their contributions to this special issue; and (4) to provide some suggestions for future research pe...

Bricolage and effectuation have emerged as new theoretical perspectives describing entrepreneurial behavior (EB). Bricolage emphasizes the creative use of available resources, while effectuation uses available means as a starting point and encourages firms to engage in affordable loss, pre‐commitment, flexibility, and experimentation as independent...

Designing a modular product architecture and corresponding organization design may enable firms to internationalize more effectively and efficiently. Open and closed, integrated, and modular product architectures may be associated with increasing product market and firm internationalization. We postulate that the more open and modular the product a...

The relationship between innovation, product design, and industry co‐evolution remains under‐theorized. This article discusses gaps in knowledge and introduces the contributing papers in this special issue.

This interview with James Timpson, Chief Executive of Timpson retailers, explores his innovative approach to recruitment and empowerment in the workplace. James Timpson is passionate about the employment of ex-offenders, working closely with the prison service in the United Kingdom and creating a workplace that invests in its employees. This interv...

This interview with Dame Inga Beale, one of the most distinguished corporate leaders in the United Kingdom, explores her ideas around creative leadership of Lloyd’s of London in the cyber asset market. Uniqueness of Beale’s approach stems from the deep-seated social purpose of insurance to support development of trust in a complex asset management...

A recent interview with Vicki Heywood, Chair of the Royal Society of the Arts (RSA) highlights the role that arts can play in dealing with complex problems in society today and particularly from an international perspective. The message from this interview resonates with recent literature on leadership that also recognises the importance of the art...

We examined Business Model (BM) designs - performance relationship and the moderating effects of firm age and external environment on this relationship. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of simultaneously operating dual BM designs (i.e. novelty and efficiency) on firm performance and contingent effect of firm age on this relationship. Based o...

Call for papers for a special issue on: Organizations design products: how different architectural pairings emerge and sustain over time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and theorize the process of managerial feedback in relation to change in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach This research embraces a qualitative methodology in the context of manufacturing SMEs. Drawing on 30 in-depth interviews, and observations conducted with various...

In response to hypercompetition, globalisation and increasing consumer expectations, many manufacturing firms have embraced lean manufacturing (LM). The primary goal of LM is to reduce/eliminate waste (muda). There is broad consensus as to what constitutes waste, but not on LM implementation. Implementation is not prescriptive with each firm relyin...

Instantaneous access to firms' resources, any-time, any-where dominates contemporary discourse on business systems transformations. The advent of utility computing through cloud based resource development has therefore altered both the perception of IT resources and the expectations of their use in practice. Drawing on the resource based view as a...

Universities, across the globe, are increasingly judged on social and economic impact. An important initiative in the UK is the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, which assessed the wider impact of university research. The Impact Case Studies, produced for REF 2014, provide a rich new source of information to explore the wider impact of Busi...

This interview with Lord Michael Bichard, one of the most distinguished public sector leaders in the United Kingdom, explores his ideas around the relationship between leadership, creativity, and innovation. A champion of place-based approaches to public services, where citizens are actively involved in service design, delivery, and appraisal, Bich...

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the European economy. A critical challenge faced by SME leaders, as a consequence of the continuing digital technology revolution, is how to optimally align business strategy with digital technology to fully leverage the potential offered by these technologies in pursuit of longev...

This paper explores the validity of national, regional or global strategies in the provision of a music industry product service system. Quantitative analysis of cross-section data from over 70,000 respondents from 15 geographically spread countries identified a homogeneous group of so-called ‘Out of Touch’ consumers characterized by a shared attit...

Unprecedented changes in the nature and prevalence of digital technology have significant implications for leadership theory, practice and development that, as yet, remain largely unexplored in mainstream academic literature. This article features an interview with Rick Haythornthwaite, Chairman of global businesses including Centrica and MasterCar...

Structured Abstract: Purpose – Recognizing the heterogeneity of services, this paper attempts to clarify the characteristics of forward and the corresponding reverse supply chains of different services. Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops a two-dimensional typology matrix, representing four main clusters of services according to the de...

Purpose – The authors examine the role of entrepreneurial business models in the reverse supply chain of apparel/fashion retailers. The purpose of this paper is to offer an alternative approach to the “return to the point of origin” prevalent in the reverse chain of manufacturers but less technically and economically feasible in the case of apparel...

This paper contributes to the growing multidisciplinary body of literature on subjective well-being by investigating the longitudinal stability and impact of societal cultural values (SCVs) - as opposed to the more common organizational values - on job satisfaction. It is assumed that SCVs evolve slowly; hence, their impact on job satisfaction is l...

Politics, power, and influence impact upon strategy, where the intention to produce a foreign policy-based strategic defence review was forgone during last-minute adjustments and compromises over money.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature suggests CSR initiatives extend beyond meeting the immediate interests of stakeholders of for-profit enterprises, offering the potential to also enhance performance. Growing disillusionment of for-profit business models has drawn attention to social entrepreneurship and social innovation to ease soci...

The extant literature argues that nonmarket strategies can establish, sustain, or enhance a firm’s competitive advantage. Less clear is how and why effective nonmarket strategies influence a firm’s competitiveness. Moreover, the extant literature tends to examine the two building blocks of nonmarket strategy—corporate social responsibility (CSR) an...

Cloud computing initiatives support multinational corporations in optimizing resource utilisation and at the same time provide ubiquitous capacity to satisfy expectations of users within it. However, research carried out in the early 1990s demonstrated consequences when there were mismatches between business and IT strategies. The advent of utility...

This research has responded to the need for diagnostic reference tools explicitly linking the influence of environmental uncertainty and performance within the supply chain. Uncertainty is a key factor influencing performance and an important measure of the operating environment. We develop and demonstrate a novel reference methodology based on dat...

Strategic foresight promotes the enactment of organizationally useful actions and repertoires which enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of firms embedded in high-velocity environments.

Supporting information systems requires both thought and action, which managers should consider in a consistent roadmap before ‘crossing the Rubicon’ to adopt such systems.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how strategy is developed and implemented within a subsidiary of a global organization, the relationship between subsidiary and headquarters and the need for continuous change and adaption to remain relevant. Furthermore, this case study describes a successful process of invention and adoption....

We examine the effects of international and product diversification through mergers and acquisitions (M&As) on the firm's risk–return profile. We identify the rewards from different types of M&As and investigate whether becoming a global firm is a value-enhancing strategy. Drawing on the theoretical work of Vachani (Journal of International Busines...

Significant growth in online file-sharing activity associated with widespread access to broadband internet, coincided with a decline in reported revenues from incumbents of the information industries, which include music and film companies. Two strategic approaches proposed to recapture these revenues are stronger legislation to deter illegal file-...

This paper examines the effects of internationalization (international diversification) and diversification across industries (product diversification) through mergers and acquisitions (M&As) on the firm’s risk-return profile. Drawing on the theoretical work of Vachani (1991) and Rugman and Verbeke’s (2004) metrics, we classify firms according to t...

In this paper we draw on the theory of dynamic capabilities to examine development of the only surviving family-owned Liverpool shipping company. The Bibby Line was founded in 1807 to take advantage of the growing sea-trade based in Liverpool. The company remained in shipping until the mid-1960s, when a series of external crises led the owner, Dere...

This paper examines organizational foresight from a relational perspective. In doing this, we present relational incumbency as a transient conceptual framework to explore how the organizing social relationships and interactions of lower participants may influence organizational foresightfulness. The research employed an exploratory case-based appro...

Businesses that combined cost leadership and differentiation strategies reported the greatest satisfaction with overall performance, but political and economic instability associated with trade sanctions continue to be a key concern for executives in Iran.

Inflation in India is correlated with major economic variables which can be adjusted to targeted inflation while adopting a flexible and dynamic strategic policy framework.

How well a firm develops and manages its dynamic capabilities can determine whether it will be passively reactive to stakeholders’ concerns or pro-actively seek new opportunities from changes in the market environment. Top-level management needs to have a clear and dedicated vision toward these strategy changes. Drawing on the so-called dynamic cap...

Firm size is found to affect strategic decisions significantly, whereas technology and market stability stimulate product development and innovation.

A number of key factors impact mobile phone use for personal agency in various settings, including non-conventional ways not thought of before even by the designers and creators of this technology.

Product and process innovation are well established and now the attention is turning to value co-creation.

Performance management is an increasingly perilous and challenging activity for many firms, and involves understanding the drivers of performance as well as its measurement. Academics tend to see performance in terms of rationality, whereas business leaders tend to interpret drivers of overall performance in a broader context. When global crises an...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how strategy is developed and implemented in an organisation with an unusual ownership model. Partnerships are not a prevalent form of ownership but as this case demonstrates they can be extremely effective. Furthermore this case demonstrates how logical incrementalism can be used to implement m...

Purpose This paper seeks to investigate what the marketing field can learn, with regard to the academic/practitioner divide, from other management disciplines that have a range of different relationships with their respective practitioners. Design/methodology/approach The authors carried out 68 interviews of academics, practitioners and experts/co...

This study of plastics processing companies in the United Kingdom finds little evidence to support a link between the competitive environment and firm performance whereas differences in performance are more likely attributable to firm-specific factors.

Purpose The focus of extant strategy literature is on for‐profit organisations and within these group public organisations. There are other forms of organisations and following the deep recession of 2008 there is greater interest in other forms of organisation. In this case study and interview the aim is to examine strategy, strategic decisions and...

Purpose This editorial aims to provide an overview of the current state of research in the UK and proposes some future directions for research for family business scholars. Design/methodology/approach This article is an editorial with commentary about recent developments in understanding research gaps in the field of family business research. Fin...

Purpose – Mergers and acquisitions are among the most intensely used strategic decisions. Yet research by both academics and consulting groups suggests that many mergers and acquisitions fail to add value. On the other hand there are many companies that successfully use mergers and acquisition to grow and add shareholder value. One such company is...

With research funds being squeezed, it is imperative that research is seen to make a difference and can demonstrate societal value.

Purpose This paper aims to articulate strategic dilemmas faced by a Chief Executive of a highly successful company and how such dilemmas were resolved. Design/methodology/approach The case is based on a semi‐structured interview with Mr Jeremy Darroch – Chief Executive of BSkyB – and analysis of documentary evidence. Findings It is often difficul...

Repositioning enables firms to shift their business efforts to profitable areas, as their size is not an all-encompassing determinant of performance and the aggressive pursuit of market share can ultimately be destructive to their value.

The Editors would like to place on record their appreciation to all the authors for their contributions to this inaugural issue, as well as to anonymous referees in the double‐blind review process for their constructive comments. They would also like to acknowledge the members of the Editorial Board who have contributed to the launch of the journal...

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between business‐level strategy and organisational performance and to test the applicability of Porter's generic strategies in explaining differences in the performance of organisations. Design/methodology/approach – The study was focussed on manufacturing firms in the UK belonging...

Our research explores academic-practitioner engagement by undertaking interviews with academics, practitioners, and other experts with relevant engagement experience. The findings highlight the problem of thinking narrowly about the different ways in which engagement takes place, as well as defining narrowly what is a worthwhile activity for manage...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate key strategic decisions involved in turning around a large multinational operating in a dynamic market. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on analysis of archival documents and a semi‐structured interview with the chairman of the company credited with its rescue. Findings – Turna...

Based on a sample of UK manufacturing small- and medium-sized firms in the engineering and electronics industry, the study identifies firm- and industry-specific factors that stimulate R&D outsourcing and assesses the impact of R&D investment and outsourcing on firms' profitability. The findings indicate that (1) R&D investment fosters profitabilit...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how key strategic decisions are made in practice at successful FTSE 100 companies. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a semi‐structured interview with Ms Cynthia Carroll, Chief Executive of Anglo American plc. Findings – The interview outlines a number of important factors on:...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore, from a practical point‐of‐view, a number of key strategic issues that critically influence organisations' competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a semi‐structured interview with Mr Paul Walsh, CEO of Diageo. Diageo is a highly successful company and Mr Walsh has played a...

Purpose – This study aims to examine the moderating effects of external environment and organisational structure in the relationship between business‐level strategy and organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach – The focus of the study is on manufacturing firms in the UK belonging to the electrical and mechanical engineering sectors,...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how key strategic decisions are made in practice at a successful FTSE 100 company. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on semi‐structured interview with the Chief Executive of BP, Dr Tony Hayward. Dr Hayward has introduced his “Forward Agenda” with the aim of turning BP into a more eff...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how key strategic decisions are made in practice at successful FTSE 100 companies. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a semi‐structured interview with the Chairman of Whitbread plc, Reed Elsevier plc, Mr Anthony Habgood. Mr Habgood has a track record in successfully achieving corpo...

Certain strategic issues and challenges relating to financing and capital structure in family businesses are thought of differently from non-family businesses and lead them to employ specific financial policies.

The continuous development of employee potential is dependent on training at every level to acquire improved skills. While attention has been devoted to its contribution within organisations, there is a dearth of research on its effectiveness within the SME sector. The impact of training on performance and profitability in manufacturing SMEs is inv...

This paper examines organic growth and its impact on shareholder value creation. At a conceptual level, organic and external growth are readily defined; yet, at a practical level, decomposing revenue growth into its constituent elements presents methodological challenges. We develop a method to decompose revenue growth into organic growth, external...

Purpose – Although considerable attention in the extant literature has been devoted to knowledge acquisition and transfer within firms, there is a dearth of research on the effectiveness of outside sources of knowledge for technology-based small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, the majority of empirical studies in this area focus on...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how key strategic decisions are made in practice at a successful FTSE 100 company. Design/methodology/ approach – The paper is based on semi-structured interview with the Chief Executive of Cadbury, Mr Todd Stitzer. Mr Stitzer has successfully steered the strategic transformation at Cadbury. Fin...

Purpose Many academics have raised concerns about the growing divide between academia and practice. While more collaborative research has been called for there is a lack of research into the actual practice of academic/practitioner engagement. This research aims to explore the application of strategic management theory and the role of universities...

Purpose – British Telecom (BT) has achieved a classic turnaround that involved divestment and efficiency drives. This interview with Sir Mike Rake, Chairman of BT, sheds light on BT's past development and future growth. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of an interview with Sir Mike Rake, Chairman of BT. Findings – The interv...

Previous studies have shown that small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms make a substantial contribution to national economies in terms of job and wealth creation (Daly & McCann, 1992; Schreyer, 1996). However, many smaller firms face unprecedented change arising from the increasingly competitive and changing environment in which they operate (...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the views of Rod Aldridge OBE on building the strategy of a FTSE 100 company. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of an interview. Findings – The interview with Rod Aldridge brings to life a number of key strategy concepts. The first is the importance of the external environment...

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to determine the views of Professor David Audretsch. Design/methodology/approach – The article takes the form of an interview. Findings – Professor David Audretsch shares his thoughts and advice on an “entrepreneurial society” where there is a rethinking of fundamental economic and business ideas, where in...