Corporate parenting

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings EMNCs are finding themselves ideally placed to dominate emerging markets in the luxury fashion industry, and challenge established MNCs. Originality The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Corporate parenting and corporate entrepreneurship in media company

Purpose; The study aimed to understand how the multi-business company creates value through a combined effort of Corporate Parenting (CP) and Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE). The parenting-fit matrix was used to describe CP, while CE four model was used to describe CE. Research methodology: This study is qualitative applied research using a case study approach conducted on a multi-business media company. Data was obtained primarily through interviews with senior executives representing the holding company and 18 subsidiaries. Questionnaires were also distributed to executives to develop a parenting-fit matrix and CE model. Results: This study shows that the 18 subsidiaries of the multi-business company fall under four different cells. The CE model applied at the parent company level is the enabler. Limitations: The limitation of this study mainly lies in the measurement method's reliability for corporate parenting and corporate entrepreneurship. Contribution: This study shows that, apart from the parent company, the development of new businesses can also be carried out by the subsidiary companies using the CE producer model.

Corporate parenting advantage: Conceptual, methodological, and empirical considerations

The pioneering work of Campbell et al. (1995a) presented four ways a corporate parent either creates or destroys value for the companies it owns. They are (a) stand alone, (b) linkage, (c) central functions and services, and (d) corporate development. Despite widespread acceptance of the concept of parenting advantage, empirical research remains scarce. Examining the methodological issues, this research describes the development of an instrument to measure the four strategies. An exploratory factor analysis yielded six distinct factors, accounting for 74.11% of the variance. The results partially validated the a priori classification scheme. A few factors partly reflected the measurement items (variables) gleaned from the four basic strategies. The factors are represented by a hybrid of items from different strategies. The paper concluded that the original conceptualizations of the strategies need to be better scrutinized and that further refinement of the operational definitions is also necessary.

The Mission Mentoring Programme: an initiative for council employees to become mentors to looked after children

The Mission Mentoring Programme is an innovative scheme that supports council employees to become mentors for looked after children. It was first piloted in 2015, proved successful with rewarding outcomes and has continued to grow and attract interest. This article presents a case study of a young man who participated in the programme and found it helpful for his transition to adulthood and intended employment. It summarises his views and experiences along with those of his mentor and the virtual school headteacher who established the programme. The article begins with a review of the literature on mentoring interventions and sets the background to the programme. Key themes identified highlight the importance of the matching process between mentor and mentee, potential ways of developing the corporate parenting role, destigmatising the care experience and improving children's life chances. The article concludes with a discussion of the programme's potential contribution to welfare services and ways in which it might develop.

When corporate parenting aids strategic clarity

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Many firms today opt to seek growth through a diversification strategy. Success becomes likelier when the company is able to access key resources and capabilities and adopts a corporate parenting approach that is both appropriate and highly focused. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Strategy beyond the business unit level: corporate parenting in focus

Purpose The gap between management theory and practice has been much criticized. To help bridge the divide, a synthesis of empirical, theoretical and practice literature is offered, along with an application of the widely used VRIO framework, to contend that developing a focused corporate parenting approach as a core competence serves as a source of competitive advantage for diversified companies. Design/methodology/approach A synthesis of empirical, theoretical and practice literature is presented, beginning with a discussion of why and how firms diversify; the relative performance of firms that pursue related and unrelated diversification; an application of the resource-based view, core competencies and the VRIO framework; a description of focused corporate parenting as a core competency; a prescription for how diversified firms can implement a focused corporate parenting approach; and implications for research. Findings Developing a focused corporate parenting approach as a core competence serves as a source of competitive advantage for diversified companies. Research limitations/implications The synthesis of empirical, theoretical and practice literature presented provides a foundation for future research into the impact of focused corporate parenting on diversified firm performance. Practical implications The paper includes a prescription for how diversified firms can implement a focused corporate parenting approach. Originality/value The application of the resource-based view and core competency theories to corporate parenting provides managers with the rationale for and methodology to focus their corporate parenting activities.

Examining the Effects of Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union League (CamCCUL) on Satisfaction of Members in Affiliated Credit Unions

Aim: This study set out to examine the effects of Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union League (CamCCUL) on the satisfaction of members in affiliated Credit Unions. In a world where heightened competition keeps elevating the pivotal role of customer as economic bottom line-drivers, exploring the role corporate parenting plays on both intermediary and ultimate customers is a timely development in research on customer satisfaction. Study Design: An exploratory and cross-sectional design was adopted, including 138 Credit Unions. This stratified random sample was optimally established using the Taro Yamane formula. Place and Duration: This study was conducted between April 2016 and November 2018, with secondary data collected for a forty years period, 1973 to 2015 (with mitigation for missing data). Methodology: Secondary data for this study was obtained from CamCCUL archives. Augmented Dickey Fuller and Philip Perron tests revealed that the data was stationary for all the variables used. The Jacque-Bera test showed normality and Durbin Watson showed no autocorrelation. Tables were used to present the data obtained while the multiple regression was technique of analyses. Conclusion: The findings revealed that CamCCUL affects 84.34 percent of closed accounts in its affiliated Credit Unions induced by membership dissatisfaction.The researcher therefore recommends that the Ministry of Finance should facilitate the creation of additional leagues which will help to increase the intensity of competition among leagues. Additionally, the Credit Unions should be granted the opportunity to choose to be affiliated or remain autonomous even with supplementary conditions to ensure financial security for their members.

An Analysis of Managerial Challenges of Affiliated Credit Unions to Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union League (CamCCUL)

Aim: This study seeks to analyse the managerial challenges that affiliated Credit Unions to Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union League (CamCCUL) are exposed to. The prevalence of Credit Unions with limited managerial capacities in most Cameroonian communities both in rural and urban areas invites corporate parenting from bigger support and supervisory organizations like CamCCUL. This parenting relationship between CamCCUL and her affiliates presumes superior managerial capabilities to affiliates which in most cases is a misplaced expectation. This is prompted by the fact that these institutions affect a multitude of lives both directly and indirectly. The Agency and Stakeholder theories served as foundation. Study Design: The study adopted a survey and causal exploratory design with both qualitative and quantitative parameters. The focus of the researcher was to explore managerial challenges from the managers themselves and members of credit unions who are better placed to gauge the effectiveness of managerial actions in terms of the service they receive. Place and Duration: This study was conducted between April 2016 and November 2018, involving 138 of the 210 Credit Unions operating mostly in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. Methodology: The major instrument for data collection was questionnaire and a pilot study of 50 copies was carried out across various Chapters of CamCCUL. With a population of 210, a stratified sample of 138 was obtained using the Taro Yamane Formula.The primary data was tested to be reliable with a 0.701 consistency coefficient using Cronbach alpha. The study employed Chi-Square as a tool of analysis to measure Credit Unions’ affiliation to CamCCUL and specific Managerial Challenges. Findings: The findings revealed that affiliate Credit Unions to face numerous managerial challenges ranging from structural to resources deficiencies. The most alarming of these problems were the lack of autonomy to take managerial decisions and threats from CamCCUL supervisors. Conclusion: The study concluded that CamCCUL as a league is not operating solely to achieve its mission and has rather kept its affiliated Credit Unions in a tight corner. The researchers recommended that the regulating authorities should render Credit Unions more autonomous where possible. Additionally, there should be well-structured and comprehensive governance policies for the management of all affiliated Credit Unions to comply with.