Post on 19-Mar-2023
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Vol.9, Issue 4, April 2019
Corporations are being pushed to dial down their single-minded pursuit of financial gain and pay
closer attention to their impact on employees, customers, communities, and the environment. But
changing an organization’s DNA may require upending the existing business model and lowering
profitability, at least in the short term. The authors’ (Julie Battilana et al.) research suggests that
successful dual-purpose companies build a commitment to creating both economic and social value
into their core activities. This approach, which they call hybrid organizing, includes setting and
monitoring social goals alongside financial ones; structuring the organization to support both; hiring
and mobilizing employees to embrace them; and practicing dual-minded leadership.
INSIDE THE ISSUE
Thought Window
News Window
Column Window
Article Window Leading Journals Window
New Acquisitions Window
E-Journals Window
- Page 02 - Page 03-06 - Page 07-11 - Page 12-16 - Page 17--19 - Page 20-21 - Page 22
THE DUAL-PURPOSE PLAYBOOK
THE PROBLEM Corporations are being pushed to dial down their single-minded pursuit of financial gain and pay closer attention to their impact on society. But how can a company balance the two?
THE RESEARCH The authors have studied companies around the globe that pursuer financial and social goals simultaneously. They find that the successful ones build a commitment to both economic and social value into their core organizational activities.
THE SOLUTION Companies that want to do well and do good should focus on four key management practices: setting and monitoring dual goals; structuring the organization to support both goals; hiring and socializing employees to embrace them; and practicing dual-minded leadership.
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Vol.9, Issue 4, April 2019
Country needs collective of scholars, intellectuals -
President President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday inaugurated
the Innovate Sri Lanka 2019 exhibition to mark the
60th anniversary of the Jayawardenapura University,
at the BMICH premises. Picture shows the President
and University Vice Chancellor Professor Sampath. The intervention of scholars and intellectuals is a
priority need more than the functions of politicians
in overcoming the economic and social challenges
facing the country, President Maithripala Sirisena
said.
"As such, a collective of scholars and intellectuals is required by the country to overcome challenges facing
the nation," the President said, when he opened the “Innovate Sri Lanka 2019’ Exhibition at the BMICH
Colombo yesterday. The Exhibition organised by the University Council for innovation, intervention and venture creation to mark
the 60th anniversary of the Sri Jayewardenepura University will continue today (April 3).
Postgraduate Institute of Management inaugurates
MBA 6th batch in UAE
The Postgraduate Institute of Management
(PIM), the nations’ management mentor,
created another milestone by inaugurating
the sixth batch of MBA students in the
United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Sri Lanka Consul General in the UAE Charitha Yattagoda was the chief guest. He appreciated the yeomen
service rendered by the PIM in reaching out to the deserving Sri Lankan professionals in the Middle East in
offering the most prestigious MBA in Sri Lanka.
PIM Director Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri addressing the gathering stated the committed strategic plan execution
of PIM resulting in having vibrant study groups not only in the UAE but also in Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and
Bangladesh as well.
He emphasised the pioneering role played by the PIM during the past 30 years in producing over 3000 CEOS
and over 3000 senior managers. The dynamic members of the PIM Alumni UAE chapter led by Kusal
Nanayakkara played a pivotal role in arranging this impactful inauguration. ……………
April 03, 2019
April 05, 2019
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PIMA alumni demystify digital risk myopia on
digital disruption in financial services Organising committee
‘Demystifying Risk Myopia in Digital
Disruption in Financial Services’ was
organised as a part of the Continuous
Professional Development (CPD) Program
of PIMA’s event calendar.
PIMA has been actively involved in various academic/professional development programs and carrying out
social activities, over the past two decades. This program on ‘Demystifying Risk Myopia in Digital Disruption
in Financial Services focused mainly on reducing or eliminating the gap in risk management. The event was
well attended with a full house, from disciplines such as risk management, finance and audit in the sectors
banking and finance, as well as the top corporate leaders (both PIMA and non PIMA).
This event was held at Hotel Kingsbury, Colombo. The forum featured two keynotes by Hatton National Bank
Deputy General Manager – Risk and Chief Risk Officer Damith Pallewatte and CICRA Holdings Group
Director and CEO Boshan Dayaratne respectively.
The duo joined Commercial Bank Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director Sanath Manatunge and
Dialog Axiata Plc Digital Services Vice President Fariq Cader for a panel discussion moderated by Daily FT
Editor Nisthar Cassim. Industry insights shared by the keynote speakers, followed by the interactive panel
discussions with experts in the industry, added much value to the evening which ended up with fellowship and
cocktails. …………………..
Gayani De Alwis re-elected CILT Chairperson The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Sri Lanka, held its 35th Annual General Meeting
(AGM) on March 29, 2019, at the Victorian of the Kingsbury Hotel, attended by an impressive gathering of
its members. Gayani de Alwis CMILT, was re-elected uncontested for a second term as the Chairperson of
CILT. The three Vice Chairpersons who were re-elected were Dr Namalie Sirisoma CMILT, Channaka de
Alwis CMILT and Gihan Jayasinghe CMILT. Chaminda Perera CMILT, was elected as the General
Secretary, while Upali Gunawardena FCILT, was re-elected as Treasurer.
Gayani de Alwis is an experienced supply chain professional with over two decades of experience in the
profession, locally and overseas. She was the former Director of Customer Service of Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd.
She was the founding Chairperson of Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) and is also the Global Vice
Chairperson of WiLAT South Asia. She has been an active Chartered member of CILT Council since 2011.
Gayani de Alwis, CMILT (Chairperson), Chaminda Perera,
CMILT (Secretary), Upali Gunawardena, FCILT ( Treasurer)
and Vasantha Dias (Secretary General)
April 01, 2019
April 04, 2019
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CIPM Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri’s address in Fiji
wins accolades
CIPM Sri Lanka Immediate Past President Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri’s
speech on ‘Aging population and its impact on the organisation’ which
he delivered at the Executive Forum organised by the Fiji Institute
of Human Resources on 15 March was well received with accolades
from the participants. The Executive Forum was held in conjunction
with the Asia Pacific Federation of Human Resource Management (APFHRM) meeting held in Nadi, Republic of Fiji. CIPM Sri Lanka PresidentDhammika Fernando, who is the Vice President of the APFHRM, was also present at the event. “An aging population can make a significant impact on an organisation and its plans. This is an inescapable fact and needs to be taken into consideration when organisations embark on their strategic planning initiatives. All areas of an organisation will potentially be impacted in the time to come if HR alternatives and decisions are not made in a timely manner in facing the phenomenon of aging population,” said Prof. Dharmasiri. Prof. Ajantha’s well researched speech focused on demographics and statistics of an aging population and the changing dynamics which impacts organisations as well as the environmental and economic aspects of this phenomenon. Prof. Ajantha has been invited to address the members of the Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA) at the OPA Auditorium on Thursday 25 April on the topic of ‘Aging population and its impact on the organisation’. …………………….
April 12, 2019
April 10, 2019
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Public officers visit Indonesian Department of
Industry with PIM
Participants at the Department of Industry and Trade
The Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) conducted its sixth international management program in
Indonesia with its number one ranked university, Universitas Gadjah Mada (MMUGM). The program
revolved around ‘Strategic Management’.
The participants while learning the conceptual aspects of strategic management in the lecture room sessions
were also brought into contact with public and private sector management experts in Indonesia. The
participants were addressed by senior officials at the Jakarta Smart City, Department of Industry and Trade in
Sleman Government, Ghratama Pustaka Yogyakarta and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan. The exposure to the
Department of Industry and Trade in Sleman Government was unique, where the strategic planning and
implementation process at a region level was discussed in detail. The program was in line with PIM’s strategic
partnership building, initiated by PIM Director Prof. Ajantha S. Dharmasiri. The program in its entirety was
coordinated by PIM Faculty Member and Management Consultant Dilhan V. Goonetilleke.
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri
Lanka holds its 35th agm The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Sri Lanka held its 35thAnnual General Meeting
(AGM) on March 29 at the Victorian of Kingsbury Hotel attended by a large gathering of their members.
Gayani de Alwis CMILT was re-elected uncontested for a second term as the chairperson of CILT. The three
Vice chairpersons who were reelected were Dr Namalie Sirisoma CMILT, Channaka de Alwis CMILT and
Gihan Jayasinghe CMILT. Chaminda Perera CMILT elected as the Hon. General Secretary and Upali
Gunawardena FCILT was re-elected as the Hon. Treasurer.
44 new and upgraded members were inducted after the AGM proceedings were over. Capt Rohith Fernando
was inducted as a fellow member. EFL was inducted as a Gold Corporate Partner.
CILT is a leading global professional body associated with the logistics and transport industry. The Institute
holds unparalleled international recognition and works towards achieving its objectives of promoting and
encouraging the art and science of logistics and transport through its membership and its educational
qualifications. With a global membership of over 35,000 from 35 countries across the globe, CILT provides a
professional identity to those in the ever expanding logistics and transport sector. It is a strong, active and a
unified professional association that is able to speak with authority on strategic issues affecting businesses and
people in the industry and support their careers.
unified professional association that is able to speak with authority on strategic issues affecting businesses and
people in the industry and support their careers.
April 18, 2019
April 20, 2019
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Vol.9, Issue 4, April 2019
Exalting People Professionals: Explore, Expand
and Excel
Handing over the hosting of
World HR Congress 2020 to
Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri representing
CIPM, Sri Lanka, in Chicago, by WFPMA
former President Peter Wilson from
Australia and current President Leyla
Nascimento from Brazil
The most premier HR event in the world
will come to Colombo in 2020. It will bring
prestige to the pearl of the Indian Ocean. We have selected a simply significant theme with
wide-ranging implications ‘Exalting People Professionals: Explore, Expand and Excel’.
Today’s column is a look at the prospects to Sri Lanka in hosting such a premier event,
with multi-faceted benefits.
Overview Exalting is all about promoting, elevating, acclaiming, or strengthening. In exalting people professionals, what
we want to showcase is the lasting value of the most precious resource in any organisation. It is an invitation
to all people managers to explore the fascinating facets of human resource management. It in turn will invite
them to expand their knowledge, skills and attitudes. In doing so, they will exceed performance expectations
in exceling themselves.
The main overarching theme was carefully selected also to incorporate global, regional and local best
practices. One’s best practice can be someone else’s next practice. The Chartered Institute of Personnel
Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka is geared to generate a memorable mega event in showcasing what talented
Sri Lankans can offer to the world.
The steering committee with CIPM President Dhammika Fernando being the chairman and me, the immediate
past president, being the deputy-chairman, are making steady progress in making a lofty dream a lasting
reality.
It is an opportunity not only for HR managers but all ‘people professionals’ to sharpen their skills and to
upgrade themselves with cutting-edge knowledge. In an era where rapid change is the only unchanged reality,
the World HR Congress will be an oasis for knowledge-thirsty managers who handle people, deal with people
and get work done through people.
World HR Congress and WPFMA World HR Congress is initiated by the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA).
Reflecting its international origins and concerns, the meeting location moves among its member countries.
The World Congress has been held since 1986 in twelve different countries. ……………………….
April 04,2019
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Poignant pondering on a patriarch
By Prof.Ajantha Dharmasiri
Almost five months have gone. It is with a profound sense of sadness that we experienced the demise of our
veteran teacher, respected author, legal luminary, an accomplished ambassador, an eminent public servant and
an amazing human being, Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria.
He was a patriarch for the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), passionately involving in multiple
fronts for the progress of it during the past two decades, as a longstanding member of the Board of
Management, Board of Study and the Faculty. This column attempts to capture his invaluable contribution,
both intellectually and interactively to the country in general and to the PIM in specific.
Overview
“Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven,
Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.”
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie
As the above stated quote from Longfellow highlights, great men and women on earth fade to this world and
‘blossom in heaven’. We witness the untimely demise of late Prof. Uditha Liyanage, the legendary marketing
guru of Sri Lanka. Then the sought-after Economics scholar of Sri Lanka Dr. Saman Kelegama. Now, PIM
misses another great giant of it, in fact, one of its patriarchs.
The word patriarch is typically associated with a caring fatherly figure. Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria was
exactly such for us. He was the mentor for late Prof. Uditha Liyanage, who indeed was my mentor. Let me
sincerely share some glimpses of the prolific performance of Dr. Weerasooria, in adding vital value to PIM. I
prefer to use five Ps, namely provider, producer, proposer, protector and preventer.
He was a provider for us
Dr. Weerasooria provided his rare knowledge in the realms of business law. Having authored over 20 books
including the seminal legal publication in Australia, we were so privileged to be partners of his wonderful
knowledge sharing process. There were always bouquets and never a brickbat with regards to his teaching
contribution.
I have seen his vibrancy as a speaker standing tall behind the podium with stature and stamina in capturing a
student audience for hours. I have also seen him coming with a stick and feebly confining to a chair, still with
the amazing capability of captivating the crowd with solid learning filled with personal experiences and
prolific humour. He was such a passionate learning provider for all of us at PIM.
He was a producer for us
I recall with gratitude the immense contribution of him in producing the amended PIM ordinance. The first
ordinance that came into effect in 1986 paved way for the creation of the one and only premier postgraduate
entity dedicated to management in Sri Lanka. As time passed by, we observed some aspects of our ordinance
that needed to be revised based on changing times. One such key area was the composition of the board of
management that comprised of 20 members. …………………
April 04, 2019
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Ven. Rahula’s Sathyodaya: Let truth be
awakened in top leaders and CEB people
Two events bearing on each other
Two events that had no direct connection to each other but could have a bearing took
place in Sri Lanka last week. One was the AFP report about an unconventional method
used by the country’s power producer, Ceylon Electricity Board or CEB, to solve the
ongoing power crisis in the country. The other was the release of the English translation
of Ven. Walpola Rahula’s 1932 book, Sathyodaya, in Colombo.
CEB’s plead for mercy of rain gods
According to AFP report, after failing to stimulate rains via seeding the clouds, CEB is said to have resorted
to invoking the mercy of ‘Rain Gods’ to deliver rains to catchment areas. If Gods had answered its call, it
could have produced at most a quarter of the power needed by the country through hydropower generation.
The strategy adopted by CEB to invoke God’s mercy has been simple. Take some precious scarce water from
reservoirs feeding the power plants, take that supposed to be holy water in a motorcade to be seen by all to
Anuradhapura and make an offering to the Sacred Sri Maha Bodhi in what was called ‘Pen Puja’ or Sacred
Water-Offering Ritual.
This is an instance of human emotions and fears giving way to their rational side when faced with unsolvable
problems. But, this is not the first time the Homo sapiens or Man the Wise had sought the assistance of
supernatural powers to provide solutions to its mundane issues. They had done so on innumerable occasions
in the past as documented by Oxford Historian Yuval Noah Harari in Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind,
published in 2011. The modus operandi has been to project them as virtuous people worthy of being supported
by these divine powers.
But, Bhagawat Geeta, a sacred Hindu text, has warned those mortal humans seeking divine assistance. It has
said that ‘God does not reward the virtuous nor does he punish the wicked’. What it means is that both
rewards and punishments are in the human plane to be handled by humans and not by divine powers.
Animals don’t seek refuge of supernatural powers
The difference between animals and humans is that animals do not seek the support of divine powers to
resolve their problems.
They have an inbuilt genetic code that would guide them in such instances. There were enough stories that
when Asian tsunami hit the shores of Sri Lanka in 2004 that animals had fled to safe places before even
humans could think so. Over the years of evolution, humans have deactivated that genetic code and as a result,
have to place themselves at the mercy of supernatural powers when they are faced with mundane problems.
These emotional fears of humans, passed from generation to generation, have been deeply ingrained in their
psyche making it easy to trigger fears compared to building confidence in them. It also has provided a golden
opportunity for crafty people to exploit such fears in fellow humans for their own benefits. ……………….
That solution is to give them a talisman that would protect them from the malefic effects. The king, advised
Kautilya, can produce this talisman and sell it at his own price thereby bringing additional revenue to royal
coffers.
April 01, 2019
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USJ does it: Bold attempt at combining innovation
with art By W.A.Wijewardena
Relying on manpower or divine powers?
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura or USJ, celebrating its
60th Anniversary as a recognised university this year, had hosted
two main events to mark it. One involved in kicking-off of USJ’s
long-term vision of becoming the University of Innovation,
tag-lined ‘Innovate Sri Lanka’. The other was the staging of
the in-house produced performingart in the style of a musical
titled ‘Sandesavali Kavinaluwa’. This was a dramatic recreation
of five different Sandesa Kavyas or poetical works using birds
as messengers to plead with guardian deities for boons. These five Sandesas belonged to the
Jayewardenepura-Kotte period of Sri Lanka’s history when Parakramabahu, the Sixth, ruled Lanka during
1411-66 CE.
The messages delivered by these two events, respectively, were in contrast with each other. The first one was
concerned with the commercial application of scientific and engineering inventions created mainly by USJ’s
students and academic staff. It is a project relying on human efforts, abilities and skills for success.
The other was to engage the five messenger birds to appeal to God Upulvan to protect ‘the university named
the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to be established in the capital city’ in the future. It relied on divinity to
deliver success to the university.
Paradox of seeking divine intervention to protect university in an era of science and technology
Apparently at first sight, these two events offer a paradox. The first one calls for human power to build the
university. The second one appeals to the supernatural powers to do the job.
This is not in line with the thinking of two prominent former Vice Chancellors of USJ. Its founding Vice
Chancellor, Ven. Weliwitiye Sri Soratha Thero, is reported to have advised the students that they should be
‘challenging, probing and critical’. The wisdom so enunciated by the erudite Buddhist scholar required
students follow principles of scientific inquiry when making decisions. Thus, a belief should not be accepted
unless it is validated by evidence.
USJ’s fifth Vice Chancellor, Ven. Walpola Rahula Thero, in a booklet published in 1932 titled Sathyodaya
had advised fellow Sri Lankans not to seek boons from divinity because they are inferior to humans. This
book can be downloaded from the digital repository of USJ at http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1791.
Both these erudite Buddhist scholars preferred human power to divine powers.
Science and technology has no meaning without creativity
But at close examination, it is clear that there is no paradox in the two events hosted by USJ. In fact, they are
complimentary to each other. The first one relates to USJ’s role as a catalyst in framing Sri Lanka’s future
based on science and technology combined with entrepreneurship. As a nation aspiring to become a rich
country within the next 25 to 30 year period, Sri Lanka’s future depends on being a nation of creativity.
It is the responsibility of Sri Lanka’s universities, higher learning institutions and research institutions
to deliver the country to the new phase of technological development. In this sense, USJ’s vision to
make it an innovative university will help the country to fill a much needed vacuum. ………………
April 08, 2019
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Colombo – The one and only! Diyasaru wetland park is a
must-visit place
The Colombo City - Accredited!
Last year in October something quite interesting happened. Now I think most of you would be jumping to a
conclusion, which indicates how much we know about things political but not at all about very important
developments with respect to our nation’s attributes.
I am not going to argue about the vital importance of politics but I am a serious subscriber to the concept of
Sri Lanka is much too politicised and we live and breathe politics and our actions are seriously shaped by our
political views rather than national views. In my view we really must make an effort to depoliticise politics
and that would be seriously beneficial to our country.
However, to indicate what happened in last October, our capital Colombo became a globally accepted
Wetland City and among the cities bestowed with that fame and positioning, Colombo is the only capital city
in the list. Colombo city in this instance refers to the Colombo Metropolitan region, which encompass six
local authorities. Thus it captures both the administrative capital as well as the commercial capital.
Now such an accomplishment is very important in this day and age of cities becoming environmental
nightmares. The world’s most number of polluted cities in terms of air quality is in India. The reason being
urbanisation is perceived as an ongoing concern across the world in all countries and this unbridled growth of
cities is giving rise to a multitude of issues. That is the reason for the title Colombo – The one and only!
However, this unique positioning and acceptance have escaped most of us, and including even those living
and breathing within its confines. Sadly most of those appear to take almost the contrarian position towards
ensuring sustenance of the position that has been bestowed.
Urbanisation and wetlands
A defining mega-trend today is urbanisation. It has been estimated that 50% of the population reside in cities
and by 2050 this number is expected to rise significantly. The emphasis of the concept of wetland cities was to
appreciate and recognise some pioneering cities that have managed to ensure healthy coexistence of wetlands
while the cities grew right around.
It is no secret that as a result of the quest for land, when cities grow wetlands become the first casualty. They
also utilise wetlands for wastelands as such areas are destined for solid waste disposal. ……………..
April 04, 2019
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On time – Only for a week! A must-change!
By Prof.Ajith de Alwis
We are in April and the month where we witness the declaration of a new year as per our traditional practice.
It is that period of time when a huge majority of our population, which certainly can be counted in millions,
intends to act in unison and quite consciously too.
Time settings like 2:09, 2:42, 3:54 and 7:40 are not an issue for stopping or starting an activity. In fact we
would be quite specific about knowing the time to the exact minute and any mistakes in action may cause
serious worries too. We keep an eagle eye on the clock or for an announcement over the media or to identify
with the bursting of crackers as the time to act.
Now technology has come in, making the process even smoother. Kohokoho, an app that I downloaded to my
mobile, ensured that I will be able to keep to the absolute time and with a brief explanation of why I should be
behaving like that – the charithra!
You will be cajoled to savour traditional cookies made for the period via another apps – savour the kavili from
Instagram or Facebook posts. Some children may actually indulge in traditional Avurudu games on their tabs
perhaps much counter to what the tradition expects.
The specific timeliness by the population certainly must be a world record of sorts. Eating the same thing,
wearing the same colour, and facing a unique direction at one particular time has to be considered special. It
also demonstrates that we the Sri Lankans can work according to the clock and together as well.
When this week in April passes into history, then why do we have to usher in the usual sentences and excuses
‘this is Sri Lanka,’ ‘Nobody will come on time so let’s go a little later’? The first sentence in a meeting is an
apology for starting late, etc.
I am also aware of almost a joke from the past, that while standing on the railway
station platform when you see a train which looks like it is arriving on the dot,
you are informed that no it is not a train on time but one that is 24 hours late!
Well, things most certainly have improved with railway from the past with multiple
apps available to serve me well. I am not exactly bemused by this thought and the
realisation that for more than 50 weeks of the year the norm that we espouse is usually
not on time! Why do we carry the stigma of Sri Lankan time and the light-hearted attitude
towards keeping to time? Yet we can quite easily ensure that we can fit in well to a unique
rhythm guided by some fixed times as well.
The Sinhala-Hindu New Year time in Sri Lanka demonstrates a population more or less
showing excellent discipline. We tick with the clock with the usual smile on our faces.
It is again the same smile that will appear during the other 50 weeks when we remark that
this is the way things happen here too. Something is not quite right.
If I do not eat kiribath quite specifically prepared as per a set of recommendations at 3:54
facing east I am not quite sure my next year is going to be exactly prosperous. I wonder if
I do wait till 18 April 4:52 in the morning to head towards my workplace as that is the time
recommended to leave for work in the New Year that I do not have to apply for leave as
times do indicate how I should start work.
I like the new compass feature in the app specially prepared for us. However, the direction
required means I may have to go through the window of my house, and that is a bit disturbing.
Yet this time I leave the house even perhaps before the dawn break I am not quite sure of
finding the bus to take me to the office at that time – that may mean killing time in the bus stand as only the
time of leaving is indicated with all the other factors not specified. …………………….
April 18, 2019
13
How strategic is your strategy?
The word strategy has become colloquial in usage today; as a word loosely
used today, and also commonly used in places where it should not be.
Often when we need to perform a task or improve something, we use the
term ‘we must have a strategy’.
However, strategy has a broader and a deeper meaning than its current use.
Its intended meaning is very different to current understanding. This diffused
knowledge results in a negative impact on some of the practices, thinking
processes and actions adopted by leaders and their teams in organisations today.
In fact, some leaders and teams go to the extent of complaining that strategy
has no bearing on business results and instead blame strategy.
In my opinion the primary reason is due to leaders lacking in understanding of what strategy is, they also do
not act on the wisdoms and teachings of strategy.
Thus, the aim of this article is to clarify the basics of strategy and help leaders craft and execute strategy to
win, especially in the market place.
Firstly, let us focus on a very basic question, which we often do not ask – ‘What is a strategy?’
Strategy: Is it operational effectiveness?
What really is strategy? Many believe strategy is all about making improvements. However, are not
improvements essential to enhance productivity and day-to-day activities?
None would concur that we should not make improvements to what we do daily. We must relentlessly strive
to improve what we did yesterday, today and continue tomorrow.
This in my mind is Operational Effectiveness (OE). It is about doing things more effectively and/or efficiently
today than yesterday.
OE needs to be embedded in the workings of an organisation and something we need to do every day.
Management tools and techniques such as total quality management, total productive maintenance, 5S, 6-
Sigma, etc. will certainly have a significant impact in improving business operations and processes and yield
good results.
April 05, 2019
Moreover, there are consultants and companies who can
assist businesses to implement these programs. However,
all that is available to one company is also available to all
others and the only differentiating factor will be the level
of execution. This kind of operational effectiveness and
improvements about doing things better is necessary but
not sufficient to compete in today’s highly-competitive
market.
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Factors Affecting the Adoption of Social Media as a Business Platform: A Study
among Student Entrepreneurs in Malaysia
Social media has been identified as a platform for student entrepreneurs to sell products and
services, and to interact and connect with customers. However, the factors contributing to the
adoption of social media as a platform among student entrepreneurs in Malaysia have not been
established. This article aims to identify factors affecting the adoption of social media as a
business platform among student entrepreneurs in Malaysia. This study employed a cross-
sectional design and quantitative data was collected from 300 selected student entrepreneurs
listed in the 'entrepreneurship centers in all public universities in Peninsular Malaysia. Findings
suggest that performance expectancy, perceived trust, perceived enjoyment and perceived risk
have a Significant positive effect on the adoption of social media. It is noted that there is a
Significant positive moderating effect of social influence between the relationship of facilitating
conditions and the adoption of social media. Student entrepreneurs adopt social media as a
business platform if they believe it improves their performance. Risk and trust are the most
important factors influencing the adoption of social media as a business platform. Based on the
findings, government agencies should promote social media as a business platform by instilling
trust in the system with the hope that it will positively affect students' entrepreneurial activities
using social media as a business platform
Perceived Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction: A Missing Link in Indian
Banking Sector
The purpose of the article is to recognize the moderating effect of customer knowledge on
perceived service quality and customer satisfaction through customer value evaluation in the
Indian banking sector. This knowledge can considerably streamline the effort banks invest in
acquiring the right kind of customers. The results of the study indicated that perceptions of
service quality positively impacted customer value evaluation. Moreover. customer knowledge
strengthened the relationship that the empathy and responsiveness dimensions of service quality
had with customer value evaluation and moderated the relationship that reliability and tangibility
dimensions had with customer value evaluation
Vol.9, Issue 4, April 2019
Che Nawi Noorshella, Al Mamun Abdulla, Nasir Noorul Azwin, Muniady Rajennd; Factors
Affecting the Adoption of Social Media as a Business Platform: A Study among Student
Entrepreneurs in Malaysia; VISION. March 2019, Vol.23 Number. 01, p.01
Nambiar Bindu, Ramanathan Hareesh, Rana Sudhir, Prashar Sanjeev; Perceived Service
Quality and Customer Satisfaction: A Missing Link in Indian Banking Sector; VISION. March
2019, Vol.23 Number. 01, p.44
18
Empirical Study on Perceived Value and Attitude of Millennials Towards Social
Media Advertising: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach
The purpose of the article is to provide a comprehensive advertising model. which examines
the impact of the identified predictors such as entertainment. informativeness. irritation.
credibility. incentives and personalization on social media advertising value (SMAV) and further
see the impact of SMAV on the attitudes of millennials towards social media advertising
(ATSMA). A quantitative and deductive approach of research was followed. where data were
collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 478 Indian social media users. The model
developed was validated using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis
followed
by structural equation modelling to test the relationships between the identified predictors and
SMAV. The results confirm the relationship between identified predictors and SMA V. Also.
positive relationship has been found out between SMAV and A TSMA. Further. in the research
article. there is a detailed discussion on results. implications. limitations and directions for future
work
Examining the Role of Workplace Spirituality and Teacher Self-efficacy on
Organizational Citizenship Behaviour of Secondary School Teachers: An Indian
Scenario
Research on workplace spirituality is on the rise primarily because of the win-win situation it
creates for both employees and organizations. Spirituality at work has been associated with many
individual-level work behaviour and attitudes. Also, self-efficacy is another significant
construct which considerably affects individual work experiences. The current study focuses on
the relationship between workplace spirituality, self-efficacy and organizational citizenship
behaviour (OCB) in secondary school teachers. It examines whether spirituality and teacher
efficacy could predict citizenship behaviour of teachers. Additionally, the influence of pirituality
on self-efficacy is also looked at. Data were collected from 353 teachers working in state-run
schools in one of the southern states in India. Using structural equation modeling, the study finds
that positive relationships exist between different dimensions of workplace spirituality, teacher
efficacy and two categories of OCBs. The study contributes to the growing empirical research on
workplace spirituality and the underexplored area of teacher OCB.
Arora Taanika, Agarwal Bhawna; Empirical Study on Perceived Value and Attitude of
Millennials Towards Social Media Advertising: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach;
VISION. March 2019, Vol.23 Number. 01, p.56
Mahipalan Manju, Sheena, Muhammed Sudheer; Examining the Role of Workplace
Spirituality and Teacher Self-efficacy on Organizational Citizenship Behaviour of Secondary
School Teachers: An Indian Scenario; VISION. March 2019, Vol.23 Number. 01, p.80
19
Exploring Challenges and Solutions Facing STEM Careers in the 21 st Century: A
Human Resource Development Perspective
The Problem: Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions are
recognized by educators and business leaders as being pillars to national economies that vie
for wealth and prosperity. Nonetheless, human resource development (HRD) has
largely been absent from the discussion on potential contributions it may provide
to address recruitment, development, and retention issues that threaten a diverse,
sustained supply of career ready STEM workers. Considering the changing nature of
knowledge-intensive jobs and continuing growth in STEM occupations, HRD's role to
advance STEM careers in the 21 st century is significant.
The Solution: The special issue moves beyond the rhetoric of the STEM teacher shortage and a
skills gap to offer clarity around career readiness and retention in STEM and introduce
HRD's responses through research, practice, and policy making. The issue provides
examples and information that illustrate a range of strategies involving education,
industry, and community partnerships to consider how to advance STEM careers
from a more holistic perspective.
The Stakeholders: Scholars, practitioners, teachers, administrators, industry leaders, and
government officials who hold interest in promoting STEM careers.
Developing Resilient K-12 STEM Teachers
The Problem: The US is currently experiencing a shortage of K-12 science. technology.
engineering. and mathematics (STEM) teachers. especially in high-poverty communities. The
shortage can be explained by both low teacher recruitment and high teacher
turnover; however, the reasons why teachers leave the profession are complex.
The Solution: We argue that teacher professional development programs are often focused on
how teachers can meet the needs of their students but ignore how teachers can build their
own professional resilience. We draw from research in both teacher self-efficacy
and ecological adaptive capacity to propose a revised Teacher-Centered Systemic
Reform Model that identifies adaptive capacity as an outcome goal for individuals and
school systems. School environments are dynamic (e.g., new policies, student needs,
and changing administrators), and as a result, teachers need skills to adapt, enabling
them to be resilient while still meeting students' needs.
The Stakeholders: Professional development. teacher educators, human resource development
(HRD) practitioners, K-12 STEM teachers.
Waite Alina, McDonald S Kimberly; Exploring Challenges and Solutions Facing STEM
Careers in the 21 st Century: A Human Resource Development Perspective; Advance in
Development Human Resources. February 2019, Vol.21 Number. 01, p.03
Wright S Diane, Balgopal M Meena, McMeeking B S Laura, Weinberg E Andrea; Developing
Resilient K-12 STEM Teachers; Advance in Development Human Resources. February 2019, Vol.21
Number. 01, p.16
21
Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration
Volume 11 Issue 1
Entrepreneurial competencies and SMEs’ growth: the mediating role of network competence
Shehnaz Tehseen, Farhad Uddin Ahmed, Zuhaib Hassan Qureshi, Mohammad Jasim Uddin,
Ramayah T
Connecting the dots between brand logo and brand image
Harsandaldeep Kaur, Kanwalroop Kaur
Customer disloyalty in retail banking services: attitudinal and behavioural dimensions
Shakti Bodh Bhatnagar, Jitendra Kumar Mishra, Asif Ali Syed
International Journal of Web Information Systems
Volume 15 Issue 1 OntoGenesis: an architecture for automatic semantic enhancement of data services
Bruno C.N. Oliveira , Alexis Huf , Ivan Luiz Salvadori , Frank Siqueira
An approach to quantify integration quality using feedback on mapping results
Fernando R.S. Serrano , Alvaro A.A. Fernandes , Klitos Christodoulou
A practical guide for understanding online business models
Won Kim
Asian Review of Accounting
Volume 27 Issue 1 Audit fees, perceived audit risk, and the financial crisis of 2008
Hanmei Chen, Shaowen Hua, Zenghui Liu, Mei Zhang
Do letters to shareholders have information content?
Prapaporn Kiattikulwattana
Convergence to IFRS, accounting quality, and the role of regional institutions: evidence from
China
Jun Hao, Minghe Sun, Jennifer Yin
Vol.9, Issue 4, April 2019