The Effective Technology- and Resource-Management Strategy of Established Japanese Company: A Case Study of Toraya, a Traditional Japanese Confectioner

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kana Sugimoto ◽  
◽  
Takao Someya ◽  
Shin’ya Nagasawa
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Sustainable Competitive Advantage ◽  
Consumer Experience ◽  
Effective Technology ◽  
Organization Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the effectiveness of the management strategies of the traditional Japanese confectioner Toraya. Rapid technological development and the demands of knowledgeable customers have made growth more difficult for manufacturers. We assume that the practices of longestablished manufacturers are best for others to follow. Toraya has been a high-value-added confectioner for almost 500 years. The reasons for its sustained competitiveness are described in this paper. We use the 3Cs analysis to clarify the business circumstances of the Japanese confection industry, the 4Ps analysis to explore Toraya’s structure, the strategic experimental module analysis to show the reliable value that Toraya offers its customers, and the Value, Rarity, Inimitability, and Organization analysis to explain its long-term success. The results reveal that Toraya has employed a low-technology strategy utilizing artisanal skill instead of machines and provides an excellent consumer experience that attracts customers. This is a sustainable competitive advantage because it takes years to establish and is not easily imitated. However, Toraya’s simple and effective management practices could be adopted as industry best practices.

Investigation of a New Approach to Predict Water Quality Extremes with a Case Study of Chemical Determinands in Stream Water

1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 25-33
Author(s):  
A. J. Jakeman ◽  
P. G. Whitehead ◽  
A. Robson ◽  
J. A. Taylor ◽  
J. Bai
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Probability Distributions ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Hybrid Modelling ◽  
Trend Model ◽  
Environmental Extremes ◽  
Modelling Approach

The paper illustrates analysis of the assumptions of the statistical component of a hybrid modelling approach for predicting environmental extremes. This shows how to assess the applicability of the approach to water quality problems. The analysis involves data on stream acidity from the Birkenes catchment in Norway. The modelling approach is hybrid in that it uses: (1) a deterministic or process-based description to simulate (non-stationary) long term trend values of environmental variables, and (2) probability distributions which are superimposed on the trend values to characterise the frequency of shorter term concentrations. This permits assessment of management strategies and of sensitivity to climate variables by adjusting the values of major forcing variables in the trend model. Knowledge of the variability about the trend is provided by: (a) identification of an appropriate parametric form of the probability density function (pdf) of the environmental attribute (e.g. stream acidity variables) whose extremes are of interest, and (b) estimation of pdf parameters using the output of the trend model.

scholarly journals Tracking Changes on Soil Structure and Organic Carbon Sequestration after 30 Years of Different Tillage and Management Practices

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 291
Author(s):  
Ramón Bienes ◽  
Maria Jose Marques ◽  
Blanca Sastre ◽  
Andrés García-Díaz ◽  
Iris Esparza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Wilting Point

Long-term field trials are essential for monitoring the effects of sustainable land management strategies for adaptation and mitigation to climate change. The influence of more than thirty years of different management is analyzed on extensive crops under three tillage systems, conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT), and no-tillage (NT), and with two crop rotations, monoculture winter-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and wheat-vetch (Triticum aestivum L.-Vicia sativa L.), widely present in the center of Spain. The soil under NT experienced the largest change in organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, macroaggregate stability, and bulk density. In the MT and NT treatments, SOC content was still increasing after 32 years, being 26.5 and 32.2 Mg ha−1, respectively, compared to 20.8 Mg ha−1 in CT. The SOC stratification (ratio of SOC at the topsoil/SOC at the layer underneath), an indicator of soil conservation, increased with decreasing tillage intensity (2.32, 1.36, and 1.01 for NT, MT, and CT respectively). Tillage intensity affected the majority of soil parameters, except the water stable aggregates, infiltration, and porosity. The NT treatment increased available water, but only in monocropping. More water was retained at the permanent wilting point in NT treatments, which can be a disadvantage in dry periods of these edaphoclimatic conditions.

Innovative management strategies for building and sustaining a digital initiatives department with limited resources

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Collaborative Management ◽  
Strong Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Other Information

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer and explore innovative strategies for building and sustaining digital initiatives at information organizations. Although the examples provided are based on case studies at an academic library, the practices are rooted in project management principles and therefore applicable to all library types, museums, archives and other information organizations. The innovative strategies on staffing and funding will be particularly useful to organizations faced with monetary and staffing shortages and highlights collaborative management practices. Design/methodology/approach Concept of strategic and collaborative management practices led by an experienced project manager cross-trained in management, technical and soft skills enables the successful development and sustainability of digital initiatives. A cross-trained librarian’s management practices of leading the Digital Scholarship Initiatives at a particular university will be examined as a case study and aided with literature supporting the need for digital initiatives leaders to have training beyond the credentials of librarian, curator, archivist or historian in the technologically savvy twenty-first century ecology of information centers. Findings The innovative strategies implemented in the case study yielded increases in the number of hours of digital lab usage, digital projects developed, seminars or workshops presented, attendance of library hosted events, number of programs implemented and awareness on campus, all with limited staff and funding. The variety and level of production and marketing is instrumental to the growth and sustainability of digital initiatives. Practical implications The innovative strategies emphasized in this paper use the concept of borrowed or shared time to start staffing needs and is particularly helpful to organizations that do not have a strong line of dedicated staffing or funding to begin building digital initiatives. Offers small ways to start immediately while setting the stage to plan for big ideas for the future. Originality/value This paper suggests a credentialed information expert, such as a librarian, archivist or curator, that is, also cross-trained in project management and technology is the key to not only successfully leading digital initiatives but is instrumental for its sustainability and the marketing, growth and future of digital initiatives.

scholarly journals Exploring Farmers’ Management Practices and Values of Ecosystem Services in an Agroecosystem Context—A Case Study from the Eastern Cape, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Junior Choruma ◽  
Oghenekaro Nelson Odume
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Agricultural Management ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Provisioning Ecosystem Services

Globally, farmers remain the key ecosystem managers responsible for increasing food production while simultaneously reducing the associated negative environmental impacts. However, research investigating how farmers’ agricultural management practices are influenced by the values they assign to ecosystem services is scarce in South Africa. To address this gap, a survey of farmers’ agricultural management practices and the values they assigned towards ecosystem services was conducted in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Results from the survey show that farmers assign a high value on food provisioning ecosystem services compared to other ecosystem services. Irrigation and fertiliser decisions were mostly based on achieving maximum crop yields or good crop quality. The majority of farmers (86%) indicated a willingness to receive payments for ecosystem services (PES) to manage their farms in a more ecosystems-oriented manner. To encourage farmers to shift from managing ecosystems for single ecosystem services such as food provision to managing ecosystems for multiple ecosystem services, market-oriented plans such as PES may be employed. Effective measures for sustainable intensification of food production will depend on the inclusion of farmers in the development of land management strategies and practices as well as increasing farmers’ awareness and knowledge of the ecosystem services concept.

Knowledge Management Strategies Implementation in Innovation Intensive Firms

2009 ◽  
pp. 169-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Guadamillas-Gomez ◽  
Mario J. Donate-Manzanares
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Corporate Culture ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Managerial Perspective

This chapter analyses the implementation of knowledge management strategies (KMS) in technologyintensive firms. Firstly, a review of KMS in the knowledge management (KM) literature is carried out in order to conceptually establish the focus of the chapter. Next, some key factors for successful KM implementation, such as corporate culture, technological systems, ethical leadership, human resources management practices and organizational flexibility are identified and explained. After that, the case study of two firms which have successfully implemented a KMS in innovation-intensive industries, such as electronics and information technologies, is shown. Finally, and based on the results of the case study, some suggestions are extracted and recommendations are made from a managerial perspective in order to implement a KMS effectively.

The Problem of Chronic Refugee Communities: Applying Complexity Theory to the Situation Along the Thai–Myanmar Border

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ora-Orn Poocharoen ◽  
Jeffrey D. Straussman ◽  
David E. Guinn
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Complexity Theory ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Policy Options ◽  
Time Dynamic ◽  
Adaptive Techniques ◽  
Dynamic Development ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Intractable long-term or chronic refugee communities present serious challenges to common refugee-management strategies. We argue that they are best understood and managed by using adaptive techniques drawn from complexity theory. To illustrate this strategy, we use the refugee communities situated along the Thai–Myanmar border as a case study. The article outlines the key elements of complexity theory, the complexity lens, for use in analysis of the problem. It then applies the complexity lens to the case study: identifying and describing the actors and networks that compose the complex system of the Thai–My refugees (the complex system) and the dynamic developments within that community over time (dynamic development). Based on this analysis, the article utilizes the complexity lens to evaluate the policy options commonly offered for the management of this ongoing refugee situation.

scholarly journals Harnessing values to save the rhinoceros: insights from Namibia

Oryx ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff R. Muntifering ◽  
Wayne L. Linklater ◽  
Susan G. Clark ◽  
Simson !Uri-≠Khob ◽  
John K. Kasaona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Joint Venture ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Regional Governance ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Individual Values ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Simple Economic

AbstractThe rate at which the poaching of rhinoceroses has escalated since 2010 poses a threat to the long-term persistence of extant rhinoceros populations. The policy response has primarily called for increased investment in military-style enforcement strategies largely based upon simple economic models of rational crime. However, effective solutions will probably require a context-specific, stakeholder-driven mix of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms grounded in theory that represents human behaviour more realistically. Using a problem-oriented approach we illustrate in theory and practice how community-based strategies that explicitly incorporate local values and institutions are a foundation for combating rhinoceros poaching effectively in specific contexts. A case study from Namibia demonstrates how coupling a locally devised rhinoceros monitoring regime with joint-venture tourism partnerships as a legitimate land use can reconcile individual values represented within a diverse stakeholder group and manifests as both formal and informal community enforcement. We suggest a social learning approach as a means by which international, national and regional governance can recognize and promote solutions that may help empower local communities to implement rhinoceros management strategies that align individual values with the long-term health of rhinoceros populations.

scholarly journals Management Strategies and Landscape Diversity in Commonly Governed Mountain Pastures: A Case Study from Austrian Alps

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-231
Author(s):  
Peter Kurz
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Landscape Patterns ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Alpine Pasture ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Limestone Alps ◽  
Landscape Ecosystems

AbstractThe paper explores the relationships between alpine pasture management and pastoral landscape ecosystems, based on research set in the Austrian limestone Alps. The focus of inquiry is laid upon the different management practices employed by pasturing communities. Therefore, the concept of “farming styles”, as introduced by Ploeg (1994) is adapted. Five different types of alpine pasture management could be identified. Those types are investigated further on their impacts on natural environments of vegetation- and landscape patterns, taking diversity of plant communities as an indicator. It is figured out that management strategies as a central factor shaping diversity in mountain pastureland shall be considered in the design of agro-environmental policies and in nature conservation.

scholarly journals Human Resource Management practices that translate into sustainable competitive advantage

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Ewa Bułat
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Sustainable Competitive Advantage ◽  
Hrm Practices

 Aim: The aim of the paper is to delve into the Human Resource Management (HRM) practices which undoubtedly translate into enhanced business performance. The article combines the theoretical study of HRM with its application to professional practice in order to provide a comprehensive analysis of the reasons and ways of implementing good HRM processes. Design/Research methods: A desk case study approach has been adopted to conduct a descriptive-comparative analysis of two prosperous corporations operating in distinct sectors. Conclusions/findings: It is suggested that the analysed companies have been consistently outperforming their competitors due to their HRM practices which can be linked back to the seminal motivation theories and concepts relating HRM to performance. It seems that especially the application of AMO framework and Path-Goal Theory to workplace scenarios can yield good results, regardless of the industry. Originality/value of the article: This study not only provides an insight into the HRM practices which appear to contribute most to improved productivity, but it also attempts to shed some light on the how and why of their application. So far, much of the empirical research has confirmed a significant statistical connection between HRM practices and business success, but relatively little attention has been paid to understanding the exact mechanisms through which conceptual HRM practices can be implemented. An attempt to address this gap is the value added of the paper. Implications: The findings may prompt the upper echelons of power in companies to fit the appropriate HR practices into their business strategies to achieve the organisational objectives.  

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