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A single physical process may often be described equally well as computing several different mathematical functions—none of which is explanatorily privileged. How, then, should the computational identity of a physical system be determined? Some computational mechanists hold that computation is individuated only by either narrow physical or functional properties. Even if some individuative role is attributed to environmental factors, it is rather limited. The computational semanticist holds that computation is individuated, at least in part, by semantic properties. She claims that the mechanistic account lacks the resources to individuate the computations performed by some systems, thereby leaving interesting cases of computational indeterminacy unaddressed. This article examines some of these views, and claims that more cases of computational indeterminacy can be addressed, if the system-environment interaction plays a greater role in individuating computations. A new, long-arm functional strategy for individuating computation is advanced.

Purpose Iran is currently among the countries with high energy consumption levels. Based on the statistics published on the country's hydrocarbon balance sheet, the industrial sector was the largest energy user of all the sectors, followed by the household and transportation sectors. Besides, production lines account for the highest percentage of the industrial sector energy consumption. Accordingly, this paper aims to investigate the effects of coordinated energy management and manufacturing strategies to increase energy management performance. Design/methodology/approach This paper collected the required information on energy management and manufacturing from the experts of petrochemical companies; and oil and gas refineries and then examined their relationship. Moreover, the questionnaire tool was used to measure the independent variable. Findings The evaluations showed that organizations with coordinated and uncoordinated strategies do not exhibit equal energy management performance. Organizations with a coordinated combination of strategies have higher energy management performance than those with an uncoordinated combination of strategies. Combinations such as 11, 22, 33 and 44 are among the more coordinated combinations, which lead to higher performance. Originality/value Reviewing the studies in this regard revealed that limited and a handful of research papers were carried out on organizations' energy management strategies. None of the existing research has considered energy management strategies as a subsystem of an organization or specified its coordination with manufacturing strategies. However, this research has delved into this issue and our findings confirm certain assumptions of past studies and contribute to evaluating its effects on energy management performance.

Plant functional traits have been used to obtain maximum information on plant growth and resource-use strategy. Westoby (1998) developed a functional strategy called LHS (specific leaf area, plant height and seed weight) and these traits are assumed to encompass the main functional differences among plant species because leaf, plant morphological and reproductive traits play an important role in any type of the functional classification systems. The study area is Persembe Plateau is situated in the eastern part of central Black Sea region of Turkey and included a subalpine area. It is characterized by the presence of meanders. The aim of the study is to classify plant species which occupied different habitat types from steppe to meanders by using LHS traits and to find which of these traits were significantly associated with plant species in different habitat types in a subalpine region. It has been found significant differences with respect to LHS and clonal traits in plant species in different habitats. In aquatic habitats, clonal traits were dominant because these species have no seed production. As a result, it has been found that different habitats cause changes in resource use patterns, plant height and seed weight of plant species.

The article describes organizational and methodological components of using strategic management within a framework of corporate governance and development. The authors have formed a range of methodological provisions, regarding the choice of a marketing strategy by the corporate enterprise. They identified the main recourse flows within the framework of the used strategies. They also determined the strategic management components, required for providing efficiency of the corporations’ physical resources formation and use. They developed a graphical model for the determination of the corporation’s strategic position on the market. It was proved that a functional strategy involves a close correlation between the management and incorporated ownership relations, manifesting itself in a strategy in the field of finance of the corporation, ensuring corporation industrial stability, effective use of physical resources, the formation of the cash resources funds in the established amount, real property management and caretaking control, etc. The authors offered a methodology for conducting a strategic evaluation of the corporation in the basic market conditions.

PurposeDrawing on expectancy theory, this research explores how and when volunteers’ motivational drives for volunteering relate to organizational policies and practices. The paper analyses four areas of motivational association – affiliation, beliefs, career development and egoistic motives – together with organizational human resource (HR) policies and practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a qualitative approach and through 17 interviews of the volunteer managers associated with 13 non-profit organizations (NPOs) examined that how through HR policies and practices, an NPO efficiently taps motivational drives of volunteers and maintains their spirit of volunteering.FindingsThe findings of the study indicated that the same behaviour may serve different functions for different individuals. Most of the motivational drives need to be tapped with specific tasks and events to become a source of fulfilment for volunteers, this plays a vital role in their decisions to continue volunteering. NPOs’ HR practices without volunteers’ motivation cannot serve any purpose. In the same vein, volunteers’ motivation cannot sustain for a longer period if it is not properly linked with organizational HR practices.Research limitations/implicationsThe research findings may lack generalizability because of the selected research approach.Originality/valueA great part of existing research, not previously captured in literature, is focussed on the assessment of the motivational underpinnings with respect to HR policies and practices.

Developments and changes in the business climate in industry era 4.0 now requires companies to be more careful in making to a decision that is comprehensive which later will underlie keput usan that is strategy . By formulating a strategy means the company has made a formulation of what must be done both at the corporate level (company), business and functional. In this study will be discussed about how the functional level strategy carried out by PT. Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) / KAI at UPT (Technical Implementation Unit) Jatinegara Locomotive Dipo . UPT (Technical Implementation Unit) Jatinegara locomotive depot, a workshop for its fleet of locomotives busiest in Pul au serve the needs of Java in a series of long distance train relation 1 Jakarta area of operations throughout the regions of oper ation in Java. As a UPT which is very influential on the smooth supply of railroad services , an effective and efficient strategy is certainly needed . In the study, it will simulate the kaizen method in the UPT (Technical Implementation Unit) of the Jatinegara Locomotive Dipo in carrying out its functional strategy by making direct observations and comparing qualitative data from interviews .

The purpose of the article shows that formulating a strategy is an important and necessary process because it helps to unite the efforts of many people and, through their coordinated work, achieve the set purposes: how to achieve the goals, what to do and how to direct the efforts of the company and its individual employees determines the strategy of the company. The problems that organizations face and how they can be solved are highly relevant in today's economy. Methodology. A scientific approach to solving problematic issues allows us to model possible situations and avoid negative consequences due to the wrong strategic policy of the organization. The main purpose of this article is to identify methodological approaches to the evaluation of the characteristics, properties of the enterprise development strategy and the introduction of classification strategies based on the performance indicators of enterprises that characterize the effectiveness of their functioning in the market. Results. Changing the environment in which an enterprise operates in a market economy forces the company to adapt to new conditions, that is, to formulate its strategy. Increasing the intensity of production, the maximum use of financial and labor resources, determine the need for new methods and approaches, that is, the strategy of enterprise development. In a competitive market, it is impossible to be successful by providing low-quality services or offering low-quality goods. Before developing business management processes, a functional strategy must be developed. Practical implications. Strategies at any level usually do not have resources or the ability to use resources in such a way as to ensure complete confidence in success. As a result, the final and important criterion is the risk assessment of less than the achievement of strategic goals. Acceptance of unavoidable risks is part of the work of strategists in the modern world, and the ability to clearly articulate the nature and extent of risk is the first step in reducing its impact. If the risk is defined as unacceptable, it is necessary to revise the tasks, changes in concepts, increase resources, or some complex of these actions. Improvement of the regulatory framework of strategic planning should include mechanisms, a number of regulatory documents and bills, the adoption of which will be carried out by the scientific and technological development of enterprises. The proposed specification of factors that influence the choice of strategy, the comparative characteristics of management systems, the proposed ways to increase the set of decision-making rules will help determine the main areas of activity of the enterprise.

PurposeThe purpose of this research paper is to study the relationship between entrepreneurial marketing strategy (EMS), institutional environment (IE) and business performance (BP). Further, it examines the role of gender and entrepreneurial experience (EE) as moderators of EMS-BP and IE-BP relationships.Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature review, the authors proposed a conceptual model that was tested using a quantitative approach. Questionnaires were filled by 202 owners/entrepreneurs of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Egypt. Because of the absence of a formal population-frame for the Egyptian SMEs, non-probability quota sampling technique was used that considered differences in gender and EE. SmartPLS software was used for data analysis.FindingsThe results indicated that EMS has significant positive effect on BP. IE has significant positive effect on EMS but insignificant effect on BP. Gender was found to be moderating significantly both the EMS-BP and IE-BP relationships. However, EE was found to be an insignificant moderator in the EMS-BP relationship.Practical implicationsThe findings communicate insights to the SMEs on the importance of undertaking proactive, risk-taking and innovative activities while creating and delivering value to their customers. Also, it encapsulates further implications for policymakers to promote a better IE for entrepreneurship in Egypt.Originality/valueThis study contributes conceptually to the interdisciplinary research that investigated the integration between entrepreneurship and marketing as a successful functional strategy in SMEs and its effect on enhancing BP and market share. Empirically, it adds value to the available literature on contemporary strategic entrepreneurship by analysing these IE-EMS-EE-Gender-BP relationships in a promising, yet under-researched, transitional economy.

Remotely sensed estimates represent relevant tools for assessing biodiversity distribution, yet their relationships with functional groups across drylands have never been evaluated. We assessed relationship between bio-indicators derived by the ESA Diversity II project and distribution of terrestrial vertebrates in five drylands. Twenty seven bio-indicators were derived from MERIS data, including averages and inter-annual variability of seasonally aggregated proxies for net primary production, rainfall, soil moisture, rain use efficiency, and soil moisture use efficiency. For each dryland, the functional strategy of 739 terrestrial vertebrates was summarized into functional groups and predicted functional species richness was related with bio-indicators. Water availability was better related with functional species richness than net primary production estimates, suggesting water availability as a critical aspect shaping vertebrate distribution in drylands. Body size appeared as an important functional trait influencing vertebrate distribution across drylands, especially in small-sized species associated with water availability. Selected functional traits, quality of species presence data, and ecological modelling approaches affected analyses relating bio-indicators to vertebrate distribution. The 27 bio-indicators showed potential for biodiversity distribution assessments, and may be taken into consideration in future studies with appropriate model adaptations. The followed methodological approach could be applied to other drylands and even other ecosystems.

The concept of sustainable development and the concept of market-oriented management of the enterprise (marketing management) are continuing to develop. Sustainable development of the enterprise is presented as one of the priority functional strategies of marketing management. The incompleteness of the substantiation of conceptual provisions, as well as the development of scientific and methodological framework for the assessment and management of the sustainable development of an enterprise, was the basis for conducting a scientific search in this direction. The main objectives of the study have been defined as evaluating the achieved level of sustainable development of the enterprise on the basis of the improved methods; working out a project for sustainable development of the enterprise; integrating a sustainable development strategy into the system of marketing management of an enterprise to harmonize interests with internal and external stakeholder key groups. It has been substantiated that sustainable development of an enterprise is the process of a conscious choice by a subject of marketing management of the enterprise activities to ensure economic, social and environmental performance by means of preparation and adoption of management decisions through a reflexive influence on the interests of stakeholder key groups and increasing market orientation. Using the method of scientific generalization there have been given methodological approaches to understanding the sustainable development, as well as methodological approaches to assessing the generalized factor of sustainable development of the enterprise and their main contradictions. This fact allowed to improve the methods for assessing the sustainable development of the enterprise, approbation of which established the level of sustainable development of a number of enterprises. There have been presented the main stages and expected results of the approved sustainable development project of NPO Donventilyator LLC. Implementation of the developed functional strategy of sustainable development was carried out on the basis of “Balanced Scorecard” toolkit and controlling for harmonization of marketing management purposes and the interests of key stakeholders.

The article determines the importance of staff motivation as the main lever of personnel management; the analysis of various approaches of modern scientific schools to the strategic management of staff motivation; clarified the concept of motivational strategy as a long-term program of actions to implement the concept of using and developing the potential of the personnel of enterprises a structural-logical scheme of strategic management of staff motivation was developed; it is proved that the motivational strategy is the leading determinant of HR optimization and can be considered both in the context of the overall strategic management of the enterprise, and as an independent functional strategy of the enterprise; it is proved that the effectiveness of the introduction of a motivational strategy is due to the observance of fundamental principles; a scientific and practical approach to the development of a motivational strategy is proposed, the essence of which is to single out the stages of developing a motivational strategy as a system component in substantiating the general development strategy of an enterprise aimed at achieving its goals.

Sanguisorba dodecandra Moretti is an endemic plant of the Alps of the Lombardy region (Northern Italy). Differently from most endemic species, this plant grows in diverse environments, and it is often very abundant and a distinctive element of some mountain and sub-alpine agro-ecosystems. The ecological features and the role of this species in some mountain agricultural activities are poorly investigated. This article shows the results of a synecological analysis of S. dodecandra and the evaluation of its functional strategy. Furthermore, its forage value was investigated and melissopalynological analysis was used to characterize the honey produced in an area where this species grows. The ecological analysis defined this plant as euriecious and ruderal/competitive-ruderal strategist. Bromatological analysis showed a good forage value, confirming the ethnobotanical knowledge concerning this species. In fact, it has good protein content (12.92 ± 1.89%) and non-fiber carbohydrates (47.12 ± 3.62%) in pre-flowering. S. dodecandra pollen was identified as a “frequent pollen” in the honey, showing that this plant is attractive to honeybees. This research allowed a deeper knowledge of S. dodecandra ecology and showed that this species is a resource for traditional and sustainable agricultural activities of the Lombardy Alps such as pastoralism and beekeeping.

Invasive species may act as a functional filter on native communities by differentially affecting species with different trait values. Across environments, invasive plants typically display traits associated with high resource acquisition and fast growth. Conversely, native plants, especially those in water-limited environments, tend to adopt one of two functional strategies: fast growth during high resource availability to avoid stress (resource-acquisitive), or slow growth during resource-poor conditions to tolerate stress (resource-conservative). While invasive competition can be a strong filter on these groups, many invaders also alter the structure of native communities through their accumulation of litter. How fast-growing invaders with litter shift native functional communities remains unknown. To elucidate these functional shifts, I manipulated invasive annual grasses and their litter in an annual grassland and followed the demographic rates of six native annual forb species that varied in their functional strategy. Live grass competition alone decreased per capita growth rates of resource-acquisitive natives and had no effect on resource-conservative natives. The presence of litter, however, decreased growth rates in both functional types of natives, with stronger declines in resource-acquisitive species through differential effects on seed set and germination. Invaders in this system thus create an unfavorable environment for natives through litter, limiting the capacity of both resource-acquisitive and resource-conservative native forbs to maintain high population growth. These findings suggest that grass invasions have the potential to dramatically shift the functional composition of native communities through the time-lagged effects of their litter.

From the southwestern termination of the Agulhas current, anticyclonic eddies are emitted and drift across the South Atlantic Ocean. This study is based on a FORSA (Following Ocean Rings in the South Atlantic) oceanographic cruise, from Cape Town (South AFRica) to Arraial do Cabo (Brazil) in June 2015, during which three eddies of different ages (E1, 7 months; E3, 11 months; E5, 24 months) from the Agulhas current were sampled for microplankton identification and determination of functional traits. The stations where sampling occurred at each eddy included a control outside the eddy and three stations inside the eddy—border, midway (between the border and center), and center (identified through satellite images of sea level anomaly—SLA). Functional traits were determined based on microscopic observations and consultation of the literature. An evident decay in the Agulhas eddies toward the west was observed, and each eddy proved to be different. E1 represented a younger and more robust structure. At the same time, the other eddies, E3 and E5, were more alike with similar physical, chemical, and ecological characteristics and almost the same indices values of functional diversity, demonstrating that although their species compositions were different, the strategies used by the species were the same. The most crucial ecological trait for microplankton was nutrition mode. The microplankton contained mainly mixotrophic dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria adapted to oligotrophic conditions. The functional strategy of microplankton did not differ among the eddies and stations, with mixotrophy being the most striking trait. Therefore, the older eddies’ microplankton community fits the neutrality theory, whereby species perform similar ecological functions, and the younger eddy fits in the niche complementarity. Even with the species composition being different in each eddy and/or within the same eddy, the functional strategy was the same, with scarce resources and species selected that best use any source of nutrients or use evolutionary advantages to live in an oligotrophic environment.

The functional strategy map (FSM) is a tool used to capture the organizations' supply chain strategy. Its product, the strategy map, allows the organizations to apply the Conceptual System Assessment and Reformulation methodology (CSAR) with a multi-objective perspective to rethink the business strategy. The aim of this study is to optimize a company business strategy of corrugate cardboard boxes, with its strategic and tactical relations and problems obtained with the CSAR methodology and the FSM tool, as well as its operational priorities identified by the analytical hierarchy process, which is a tool to support multicriteria decision-making. This proposal, with a mixed methodology approach, generates multiple improvements, such as the reduction of the overall cost, the optimal fill rate operations, and the articulation of the strategic and functional decisions in this organization, which are based on a cost competitive strategy. The results were validated by the financial assessments that ensure an attractive return of the investment and the articulation between the business strategies with its functional plans.

the study is a remedial instruction strategy to improve reading ability of children with developmental dyslexia, strategy belongs to Structured Literacy category which align resources, knowledge, programs and standard explicit practices in a systematic and progressive way, the proposal include Testing Effect and some practices from PhAB/DI and WIST. The study report the first part of the project, a test to detect Developmental Dyslexia in order to detect children who do fit the strategy, every test consist in a set of tests and its relationships, the purpose is to use the results as first input of the software system and a continuous support the strategy on two axis, axis one: will help in the monitoring and sequential tracking of lessons and tests, in order to maintain systematic control. Axis two: will keep a statistical model of development for every children, this model is based on classical reading models (Dual-Route model of Coltheart and the theory Double Deficit of Wolf) and data from the tracking of lessons and tests, model will mirror the development model of reading process and will make recommendation to tutors about any observation of development of reading process. The methodology give a brief and useful account of participant’s profiles. The findings of this study are very similar to previous research studies on remedial training, show smooth tendencies but do not show clear relationships between variables, the early evaluation of the software system support was considered as a solid support of strategy and the continuous evaluations along with the strategy in a diagnostic-intervention approach was considered as a viable and functional strategy.

Mediterranean high mountain grasslands are shaped by climatic stress and understanding their functional adaptations can contribute to better understanding ecosystems’ response to global change. The present work analyses the plant functional traits of high-elevation grasslands growing in Mediterranean limestone mountains to explore, at the community level, the presence of different plant strategies for resource use (conservative vs. acquisitive) and functional diversity syndromes (convergent or divergent). Thus, we compared the functional composition and diversity of the above-ground traits related to resource acquisition strategies of subalpine and alpine calcareous grasslands in the central Apennines, a mountain region characterized by a dry-summer Mediterranean climate. We used georeferenced vegetation plots and field-measured plant functional traits (plant maximum height, specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content) for the dominant species of two characteristic vegetation types: the subalpine Sesleria juncifolia community and the alpine Silene acaulis community. Both communities are of particular conservation concern and are rich in endemic species for which plant functional traits are measured here for the first time. We analysed the functional composition and diversity using the community-weighted mean trait index and the functional diversity using Rao’s function, and we assessed how much the observed pattern deviated from a random distribution by calculating the respective standardized effect sizes. The results highlighted that an acquisitive resource use strategy and relatively higher functional diversity of leaf traits prevail in the alpine S. acaulis community, optimizing a rapid carbon gain, which would help overcome the constraints exerted by the short growing season. The divergent functional strategy underlines the co-occurrence of different leaf traits in the alpine grasslands, which shows good adaptation to a microhabitat-rich environment. Conversely, in the subalpine S. juncifolia grassland, a conservative resource use strategy and relatively lower functional diversity of the leaf traits are likely related to a high level resistance to aridity over a longer growing season. Our outcomes indicate the preadaptation strategy of the subalpine S. juncifolia grassland to shift upwards to the alpine zone that will become warmer and drier as a result of anthropogenic climate change., Mediterranean high mountain grasslands are shaped by climatic stress and understanding their functional adaptations can contribute to better understanding ecosystems’ response to global change. We analysed, at the community level, above-ground plant strategies for resource use and functional diversity syndrome in calcareous grasslands. We observed a more acquisitive resource use strategy and a higher functional diversity in the alpine with respect to the subalpine grasslands in which instead plant traits look more conservative. Subalpine grasses seem more resistant to aridity and well preadapted for shifting upwards into the alpine zone which is getting warmer and drier.

Significance By linking seasonality of climate and changing human behavior, we demonstrate that collaboration on global efforts for prompt and intensive intervention is fundamental to coping with future pandemic waves of COVID-19. We propose that this collaboration can be started in locations with typically high population density and international travel, followed by other high-risk locations. We believe this tiered intervention strategy can greatly integrate global efforts and is effective and practical to improve the global emergency response to COVID-19 and many other infectious diseases., Emerging evidence suggests a resurgence of COVID-19 in the coming years. It is thus critical to optimize emergency response planning from a broad, integrated perspective. We developed a mathematical model incorporating climate-driven variation in community transmissions and movement-modulated spatial diffusions of COVID-19 into various intervention scenarios. We find that an intensive 8-wk intervention targeting the reduction of local transmissibility and international travel is efficient and effective. Practically, we suggest a tiered implementation of this strategy where interventions are first implemented at locations in what we call the Global Intervention Hub, followed by timely interventions in secondary high-risk locations. We argue that thinking globally, categorizing locations in a hub-and-spoke intervention network, and acting locally, applying interventions at high-risk areas, is a functional strategy to avert the tremendous burden that would otherwise be placed on public health and society.

This paper studies how strategy - formally defined as 'the smallest set of (core) choices to optimally guide the other choices' - relates to the strategist, for example, whether an optimal strategy should depend on who is CEO. The paper first studies why different people may systematically consider different decisions 'strategic' - with marketing people developing a marketing-centric strategy and favoring the marketing side of business - and derives two rational mechanisms for this outcome, one confidence-based and the other implementation-based. It then studies why it matters that it is the CEO and important decision makers (rather than an outsider) who formulate the strategy and shows that outsider-strategists often face a tradeoff between the quality of a strategy and its likelihood of implementation, whereas the CEO's involvement helps implementation because it generates commitment, thus linking strategy formulation and implementation. In some sense, the paper thus explains why strategy is the quintessential responsibility of the CEO. Moreover, it shows that the optimal strategy should depend on who is CEO. It then turns that question around and studies strategy as a tool for exerting leadership, asking when the set of strategic decisions are exactly the decisions a CEO should control to give effective guidance. It finally shows how a CEO's vision, in the sense of a strong belief, about strategic decisions makes it more likely that the CEO will propose a strategy and that that strategy will be implemented. But strong vision about the wrong decisions, such as subordinate or others' decisions, may be detrimental to strategy and its implementation.

QUESTIONS: (a) Will seed banks develop on extensive green roofs (EGRs) – prime examples of novel ecosystems – as in (semi‐)natural systems? If so, which type of seed bank (transient or persistent) can be expected? (b) Do EGR characteristics, such as roof age and substrate depth, influence seed bank seed density and species richness? (c) Can differences in successional stages be noticed in the seed bank and vegetation on EGRs? LOCATION: Flanders and Brussels regions of Belgium. METHODS: We conducted a field sampling campaign in which the vegetation and seed bank of 109 EGRs were sampled. Information on roof characteristics (e.g. age, substrate depth) was also collected. Seedling emergence was monitored under standardized greenhouse conditions. Species traits were collected from several existing databases. Data analysis consisted of (generalized) linear mixed modelling. RESULTS: A total of 18,466 seedlings from 139 different species emerged in the seed bank analysis. Average similarity between vegetation and the seed bank was low, and the majority of species could be considered spontaneous colonizers. Most species were classified as having a transient seed bank. Life forms were shown to be significantly different between vegetation and seed bank. Older EGRs had higher seed bank species richness and seed density, both of which were also positively influenced by sampling date and the vegetation species richness. A discrepancy between seed bank and vegetation successional state, characterized by functional signatures, was present for EGRs. CONCLUSIONS: EGRs do develop seed banks and show parallels with seed banks in other novel ecosystems. Seed bank species richness and seed density are influenced by temporal and vegetation related factors. We can also confirm EGR seed bank succession and the discrepancy between seed bank and vegetation successional state, as often observed in natural and novel systems. Furthermore, we argue that seed banks can function as biodiversity reservoirs, which can be considered in EGR vegetation restoration if a set of several conditions is fulfilled. Overall, this study explores seed bank analysis on EGR as a novel ecosystem model. It thereby provides multiple insights in processes impacting EGR plant species diversity, both on and in the soil. ispartof: APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE vol:21 issue:3 pages:419-430 status: published

The research is devoted to the assessment of the scientific approaches to the identification of classification features of the strategy and its types distinguished in accordance with the mentioned features. The research object is the activities of tourist companies and this determines the choice of strategies typical for the tourism field. It is substantiated that the scientific approaches to the classification of strategies are various in specific literature because of obscurity in the strategy definition, vagueness and plurality of its classified features. Due to the current research the authors have improved the classified model of strategies for tourist companies that will result in making effective management decisions directed to the development of enterprise potential under conditions of unstable and unpredictable external environment. The paper singles out the peculiarities of functioning the tourism branch, which are the following : high sensitivity to the changes in external environment; the high level of competition in the field; dynamics and the lack of necessity for the use of «far-seeing» strategies; insufficiency of information provision for the application of traditional western models and matric methods of strategy development; time gap between obtaining the service and its consumption; a great number of intermediaries; seasonal swings in demands; the sudden shift of external environment caused by cyclicity, globalization, political decisions of separate countries and etc. The article shows essential differences in the development of financial strategies of small-scale enterprises and stock companies of tourist business. It is substantiated that small-scale enterprises develop strategies directed to a higher level of personal services, occupational competence, ability and experience in designing, the best knowledge of regional conditions and flexible decisions caused by the peculiarities of the received orders. Taking into account the peculiarities of functioning tourist companies of small- and middle-scale business, and according to the classification proposed, the author suggests the following priority in strategies: the 1-st priority is focusing on differentiation; the 2-nd priority is differentiation; the 3-d priority is focusing on expenditures; the 4-th priority is the leadership according to the expenditures.

This special issue explores the impacts of behavioral strategy on management practice. Behavioral strategy can best contribute to management practice by shifting its focus from individual decision biases to the design of behaviorally informed decision processes at the level of the firm. This introduction identifies three types of organizational decision processes, shows how they interact with individual and group biases, and proposes a model showing how managers can design and deploy these processes to shape the strategy of the firm. It then introduces the articles in this special issue and discusses their contributions to the future of behavioral strategy.

The article explores the use of аdministrative instruments in implementing functional strategies competitiveness management. Due to providing strategic financial management competitiveness the use of administrative levers of control in the formulation and implementation of financial strategies were investigated. System of financial policies forming by individual policies of general financial strategy, which is an administrative levers of influence on implementation strategies, was proposed. Structure strategic alternatives of financial and investment strategy implementation based on the decomposition and decision tree was formed. To select strategic alternatives, to identify strategic gaps and evaluate deviations from specified target markers in the implementation of financial policies using GAP-analysis that is a tool of management analysis was proposed. Key words: functional strategy, financial strategy, competitiveness management, financial policy, administrative instruments, GAP-analysis.

This study aimed to analyze to what extent a model of management with people from a Higher Education Institution takes characteristics of competitive advantage , according to Lacombe and Tonelli´s proposal (2001). For doing so, we tried to establish a relationship between people and competitivity in the functional strategy, according to several authors` views .Besides , an analysis of the trajectory of the Human Resources area was performed (ARH) for the management with people , paying attention to the nuances that each term assumes . The methodology used was the case study with documental and bibliographical search, characterized as an exploratory study under a qualitative and quantitative approach . The data collection was performed through questionnaires devoted to course coordinators, professors and administrative employees of the instituiton,and, for some of the questions , the Likert scale was adopted . The results of the study show that these instituitons don´t have a competititve management with people , once people do not identify this management as such; they don´t participate of the elaboration of the Model of Management with people and neither can they identify how this model is created , as they do not participate of the strategic decisions and are not informed about them either.

An algorithm to estimate the evolution of learning curves on the whole of a training data base, based on the results obtained from a portion and using a functional strategy, is introduced. We approximate iteratively the sought value at the desired time, independently of the learning technique used and once a point in the process, called prediction level, has been passed. The proposal proves to be formally correct with respect to our working hypotheses and includes a reliable proximity condition. This allows the user to fix a convergence threshold with respect to the accuracy finally achievable, which extends the concept of stopping criterion and seems to be effective even in the presence of distorting observations. Our aim is to evaluate the training effort, supporting decision making in order to reduce the need for both human and computational resources during the learning process. The proposal is of interest in at least three operational procedures. The first is the anticipation of accuracy gain, with the purpose of measuring how much work is needed to achieve a certain degree of performance. The second relates the comparison of efficiency between systems at training time, with the objective of completing this task only for the one that best suits our requirements. The prediction of accuracy is also a valuable item of information for customizing systems, since we can estimate in advance the impact of settings on both the performance and the development costs. Using the generation of part-of-speech taggers as an example application, the experimental results are consistent with our expectations.

In this article technology of development of information support system of management of food enterprise is presented. In the article, the information support system for food business management is considered as a functional strategy, along with other functional strategies - personnel development, marketing, technological strategy. Attention is emphasized that the system of information support of management of food enterprise should overcome a kind of double helix of transformation: market transformation of internal and external business environment and transition to business processes in which the material component in the structure of production is inferior to the primacy of information. It is stated that all components of the enterprise strategy are determinants of the management information support system or act as a basis for forming the criteria of the strategy of development of information resources as a whole or its individual components. The main types of information resources as components of the information support system of food business management are highlighted in the work. Such resources are specific (technological) information resources that are used directly to perform functions, operations, and business processes. Also, these resources are non-specific (developing) information resources that are used to empower individual employees, units and the organization as a whole. The main information opportunities of an employee who performs the functions of a separate business process in a food enterprise are analyzed separately. The article states that the system of information support of food enterprise management can be of two types: the system of increasing the intensity of use of information resources and the system of increasing the role of information resources of the food enterprise.

Scientific and technological progress has led to the creation of analysis tools that have revolutionized traditional studies in morphology and plant ecology. Recently developed methods and tools which, on the basis of leaf samples, allow for geometric morphometric analyses and the evaluation of functional strategies are good examples. These methods, still little used, have never been applied on leaf samples to simultaneously obtain information on their morphometry and the ecology of the plants. This article discusses the effectiveness of modern leaf analysis tools for geometric morphometrics (outline analysis) and studies of functional strategies based on the competitor‐stress tolerator‐ruderal (CSR) scheme, using a study of a steno‐endemic plant of the Alps, Primula albenensis Banfi et Ferl. as an example. These aspects were analyzed using leaf samples collected in the only two areas where this species grows. CSR analyses revealed that P. albenensis is not a stress‐tolerant species (C:S:R = 37:1:62), as previously thought. Moreover, no significant intraspecific differences in functional strategy were revealed. Instead, outline analysis highlighted a significant difference (p

Purpose - – the purpose of the research paper is to observe and analyse how major companies in the the Baltic States behave during the last business cycle in terms of inventory management in order to identify different inventory management strategies. Research methodology – - statistical analysis from year 2007 to year 2012 encompassing 1387 largest businesses in the Baltics by their operating revenue. In the research paper clustering and mainly comparison methods are applied. Findings – research paper shows that major companies in Baltic States mainly behave cyclically and there has been little evidence of industries behaving counter-cyclically during anticipation of recession however there has been some indication of industries that increase inventories in anticipation of recovery mainly in Latvia. Research limitations – time, geography and scope limitations in terms of financial indicator that in the future research by the author needs to be addressed in order to provide a holistic view on the issue. Research implications – - research paper demonstrates that various industries adapt different strategies during the business cycle and there are differences both on country and industry levels. Originality – - first paper that analyses in-scope major Baltic state companies behaviours during the last business cycle on both country and industry level. DOI : https://doi.org/10.3846/cibmee.2019.0 42

The main problem faced by PDAM TKR Tangerang Regency is the low coverage of drinking water services for domestic customers or the community. Whereas services for non-domestic customers such as companies and apartments, Tangerang TKR PDAM is considered to have provided good and optimal services. The service provided by the Tangerang Regency TKR PDAM is done unevenly. This problem can be found in the difference in service quality between domestic and non-domestic consumers. This study focuses on the problem of less than optimal service to domestic customers by the Tangerang TKR PDAM. Public value theory by Mark Moore becomes the basic theory used to measure the success of a company in providing good and optimal service to the community. Company achievements are assessed in terms of service, results and trust. The strategy needed to realize this public value is the Strategy Master initiated by Higgins which includes corporate strategy, business strategy, functional strategy and enterprise strategy. This study recommends that to realize a good and optimal Public Value, Tangerang Regency TKR PDAM is deemed necessary to use the Strategy Master in its entirety and comprehensively in an effort to serve the community as domestic customers. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26905/pjiap.v4i1.2411

Students in many countries have problems with learning of mathematics. Many students do not like mathematics. Teachers and parents are mostly aware that the style of teaching of mathematics and “the atmosphere” around mathematics are the main reasons for this state. For the society it is clear that something must be changed. Maybe methods of teaching, maybe the whole system? Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw 18 years ago proposed the idea of Young Explorer's Club (YEC) as the environment where students can discover knowledge by making experiments. Learning by experimenting, by own activity of learners makes the whole educational process more interesting and less frustrating for students. This also applies to mathematics education. Experiences from mathematical Young Explorer's Clubs established at the Centre for Creative Mathematics Learning at the Faculty of Mathematics University of Bialystok as the possible way to more effective mathematics education will be presented in the paper. Experimenting and using functional strategy of teaching of mathematics is the basic form of activity in the Clubs.

Purpose This paper aims to develop a strategy model which explains what organisations should focus on in their strategy work, both in terms of the environment and how the strategy is implemented. In addition, the purpose is to demonstrate how this can influence and improve the organisations’ performance. Design/methodology/approach The study uses different state-of-the-art strategy approaches to create and validate a solid and causal strategy model, which was validated by making use of a questionnaire. Findings The nature of strategy is complex, and organisations are indeed facing more complex tasks which require that internal resources are available to meet the environmental demands, develop an effective strategy for today and tomorrow, implement the strategy and execute the action plans. A model consisting of five areas divided up in strategy content (productivity, flexibility and innovation) and strategy process (execution and culture) has been validated, and the empirical results indicate that execution and innovation are the areas in which organizations face the greatest challenges. Originality/value Suggesting a new strategy model designed to evaluate companies’ strategy work.

IntroductionWe pass an intriguing time of information overabundance always available to anybody. As a society, we still record rather over-qualified labor force, due to the general habit of looking for at least the bachelor degree, and nevertheless to the numerous universities striving for survival on the market, and therefore enrapturing and attracting the high-school graduates.As hiring opportunities, after years of distraction, we presently undergo a process of job requirements standardization, the focus being on the soft skills that 20-30 years ago used to be disregarded. And we also live a time of boosting the entrepreneurial spirit and enhancement of the SMEs activity. Given these features, one may say that strategic thinking should have been progressively imposed itself as a valuable tool able to sustain or impede the success of a business.Unfortunately, even if there is a propensity of superior managerial staff towards capitalization of strategic thinking at the overall business level, when it comes about its downward spread by means of functional strategies that compose it, both enthusiasm and awareness lose ground. Consequently, unless they somehow implement coherent functional strategies also aligned to the generic business strategy, both already functioning companies and start-ups with great potential could be deprived of their best outcomes.On the other hand, as proven by human experience, all types of strategies could work and be effective in certain conditions. Even more, no one can say that one strategy is better than another or guarantee some strategies' success. In this light, the difference lays in the handy and clever interlock of the country specific advantages and firm(-tobe) specific advantages. For achieving this specific aim, vertical (alignment) and horizontal (coherence) integration of each functional strategy, whatever they are, must be ensured.Therefore, the present paper does encourage decision-makers to focus on the logic and consistency of the business itself, on what are the requirements necessary to satisfy, rather than on what is fancy and glamorous as concepts and practices.Prerequisites of the integration processStrategy, its creation and downward propagationOver the years, many analogies have been made between chess and military strategy, as well as, later on, chess and business strategy. The simple explanation lies in the fact that not only the military actions, but also the business ones are concerned with competition and a whole list of tactics to be applied in order to succeed in dealing with adversaries. Besides the survival that both parties are looking for, this is also about identifying the most suitable strategy for assuring the gain. The means is the critical resource found at hand, no matter if we refer to tangible resource (assets, capital) or intangible, such as human resource, knowledge, etc. By wisely using them, the competitor on the market - or the battlefield - may gain such a great advantage that the others will be daunted.As in chess, a good strategist does not come into the business with a single preset strategy because this will most likely lead him to failure. Having a single focus in mind causes rigid attitudes and possible loss of opportunities. Instead of striving alone to find the most ingenious and effective strategies that are currently at work in some other organization, the managerial staff should take a holistic view of their own organization and look for integrating business drivers, processes, technology, knowledge, human and organizational factors.In the end, every organization's best chance for success is not copy-pasting the other organizations' strategies, but creating its own customized one. This, with outstanding implementation, is an undeniable sign of good management.Basically, irrespective of the definition, the essence of the business strategy is considered to be about identifying the most effective way of going ahead, and therefore making the right decision in picking the most suitable resources and methods to make that plan happen. …

Recent research has shown that the intraspecific variability of plant competitor–stress tolerator–ruderal (CSR) functional strategy can represent an adaptive response to climate. This research analysed the CSR strategy of Campanula elatinoides Moretti and the shape of its leaf blades at an intraspecific level. Results were related to the environmental characteristics of the various sampling areas in order to highlight the adaptation of this species to the environment and to climate in particular. CSR strategy analysis was evaluated considering seven sampling areas located in the Italian Alps where this species grows. The analysis of leaf blade shape was carried out on the same leaves used for the analysis of the CSR strategy, while the environmental characteristics of the sampling areas were evaluated by synecological analysis. Campanula elatinoides presents more stress tolerant and competitive individuals (C = 46.6 %, S = 31.4 %, R = 22.0 %) with cordate leaf blades wider at the base in the sampling area at the lowest elevation where it grows with more thermophilic, heliophilous and xerophilous species. These characteristics represent adaptations of this species to the climatic conditions of that area. This research has shown that the intraspecific variability of CSR strategy could be greater than previously thought and that functional strategy analysis can be useful to understand the adaptation of plants to climate.

In sustainable construction/production, the social dimension regarding owner and community satisfaction has received the least focus. To promote social sustainability, the multilevel strategies of contractors should be developed for owner and community satisfaction. However, a literature review shows that there are few studies on how multilevel strategies influence such satisfaction. Hence, this study aimed to analyze such influences. A survey was conducted to gather data from the Thai construction industry, and these data were then analyzed by a structural equation model (SEM). The results, for the first time, highlight that corporate strategy influences business strategy (direct influence = 0.98), which in turn influences functional strategy (direct influence = 0.93). Additionally, only functional strategy influences owner (direct influence = 0.84) and community satisfaction (direct influence = 0.66). Furthermore, parenting, cooperation, and equipment/machinery substrategies obtain the highest weights within the management levels of corporation, business, and function (regression weights = 0.49, 0.48, and 0.55), respectively. The work productivity and site organization indicators have the largest weights for owner and community satisfaction (regression weights = 0.47 and 0.57), respectively. The findings provide a guideline that helps contractors allocate their available resources to substrategies according to their regression weights, enhancing owner and community satisfaction.

Two pathologies commonly associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis are type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Since diet and medication are two important causes of microbiome fingerprint modifications, new complementary and alternative methods can include wild edible mushrooms, which serve as functional products, given their properties in modulating the microbial pattern at the colon level. A disturbance in microbial balance translates into the occurrence of degenerative dysfunctions that are also associated with other pathologies, such as obesity, colon cancer. The metagenomic study has enabled the identification of some competitive microbiological and biochemical biomarkers which allow the development of innovative strategies in controling microbial disbalance from human gut. Thus, the aim of this review was to present the significant findings related to human microbiome modulation via the prebiotic effects of wild edible mushrooms as a complementary strategy to modern treatment. Certain mushroom species have been approached and their effects on the microbiota fingerprint of two major target groups are highlighted.

This article analyzes the most important aspects of the formation and implementation of innovative strategies of the region in the current conditions of development of the domestic economy. Problems of research, study and application of effective methods and mechanisms of transition to an innovative way of development is of concern not only to the leadership, but also to the scientific sector. The demand to form an innovatively oriented economy based on the latest knowledge and technologies predetermined the importance of developing methodological approaches to the formation of a mechanism for implementing the regions innovative strategies. Today, all regions of the Russian Federation are focused on the introduction of innovations in all spheres of management, the result of which will contribute to the socio-economic development of regional and national economic systems. However, there are certain legal and regulatory problems affecting the mechanism for implementing innovations. Innovative development strategies of the region can be presented as a goal-oriented process of forming and implementing decisions of strategic management decisions related to the generation of product, technological, process, and marketing innovations. The innovative strategy as an innovation management tool is a functional strategy aimed at transforming the regions economic opportunities into an investment climate favourable for innovation, with the aim of developing innovative entrepreneurship.

Due to increasing significance of business model innovation and ongoing difficulties encountered in implementing formally developed strategies, there is a compelling case for studying the functional strategy processes from fresh perspectives. This research intends to examine the significance of alternative forms of functional strategy process and organizational context and to explore how they are related to operational performance. The survey-based study will be administered via an online questionnaire. Sample data will be taken from Canadian manufacturing sector and the analysis will use basic and advanced statistical techniques (including factor analysis and regression/path analysis) to examine the co-relations and possible causality between strategy process, context and performance constructs. The findings will make contribution to strategic management theory by way of validating an empirically-based alternative model of functional strategy. This deeper understanding of functional strategy processes, context and performance will, in turn, help organizations to study effective types of functional strategy process under a given set of circumstances and develop functional capabilities that will support chosen strategic priorities to stay competitive in the market under specific and changing organizational contexts.

In this chapter we explain a process which delivers selection of measurement aligned to your business goals. We start on how to identify what is important to measure in your business model and end in examples of measures exposing performance to shareholders. We explain how to distinguish what market needs from firm chooses to address and then measure. We bring “house of value” as example how to build on business strategy the functional strategy and then link to processes which generate value. We bring six supply chain driver objectives linked to measures for functional and innovative type of supply chain; this helps us understand how business strategy can be translated to supply chain metrics. Once we know that, we move to hints about how to define metrics for process levels. Finally we come with explanation of purpose, timeliness, and level in process measurement. We have seen often a misuse of those in performance measurement system in many companies. We break down process measurement into three coexisting measurement dimensions, e.g., effectiveness, efficiency, and adherence. We illustrate with examples measurement of effectiveness, efficiency, and adherence. Last but not least, we bring examples how you could and should link your measurement system to bigger picture, enabling shareholders to understand overall business performance.

This paper explored variation of student numerical and figural reasoning approaches across different pattern generalization types and across grade level. An instrument was designed for this purpose. The instrument was given to a sample of 1232 students from grades 4 to 11 from five schools in Lebanon. Analysis of data showed that the numerical reasoning approach seems to be more dominant than the figural reasoning approach for the near and far pattern generalization types but not for the immediate generalization type. The findings showed that for the recursive strategy, the numerical reasoning approach seems to be more dominant than the figural reasoning approach for each of the three pattern generalization types. However, the figural reasoning approach seems to be more dominant than the numerical reasoning approach for the functional strategy, for each generalization type. The findings also showed that the numerical reasoning was more dominant than the figural reasoning in lower grade levels (grades 4 an...

Literature in sociolinguistics has provided numerous examples of the use of code-switching in natural languages. In this article the author asserts that code-switching has been used in the novel Bengithi lizokuna (‘I thought it would rain’) by N Sibiya, as an indication of change in society. In the past, the mixing of codes was not readily embraced by some members of Zulu society, especially by reviewers for publishing houses. The contention was that the introduction of foreign elements would contaminate the language in one way or another and would also lower the standard. However, in the case of Sibiya's novel, contentious language use such as code-switching was accepted by the publishers as it was recognised as a functional strategy. The different uses of code-switching in the novel will be examined to determine what they might reveal about contemporary Zulu society. The findings revealed that Zulu society is no longer monolingual, but bilingual and this goes hand in hand with being erudite, elitist and...

Este trabajo investigativo presenta el análisis sobre la incidencia que tiene la implementación de tecnologías en la productividad y competitividad de las PYMES de la confección del sector El Hueco, de la ciudad de Medellín, hasta el año 2013, enfocando la tecnología como estrategia funcional para el fortalecimiento de la calidad productiva y competitiva. A partir de lo anterior, se desarrolla un proceso investigativo donde la orientación del diseño metodológico de la investigación corresponde a un estudio descriptivo-cuantitativo, no experimental; se trabajó con una población de 1.034. Los valores de p y q para el cálculo de la muestra se encontraron por prueba piloto, con estos parámetros se realizó dicho cálculo y arrojó como resultado 71. Se utilizó la encuesta estructurada como instrumento único para la recolección de la información, se implementó un diseño digital aplicado en la nube, bajo el modelo Likert. Se encontró que un alto porcentaje de las empresas encuestadas son clasificadas como pequeñas por el número de empleados y que en su mayoría se dedican a la fabricación de ropa para damas y caballeros de uso personal y laboral, de igual forma los resultados muestran que las PYMES de la confección del sector El Hueco de Medellín, no utilizan maquinaria especializada para sus procesos productivos, ni utilizan las ciencias computacionales como estrategia en los procesos administrativos. Se concluye entonces que la implementación de nuevas tecnologías realmente puede convertirse en la estrategia efectiva para fortalecer la productividad y competitividad de estas pequeñas empresas.

Is it reasonable to speak of ‘the’ purchasing strategy, or do different hierarchical levels of analysis need to be distinguished? A fragmented research field and a diverse set of understandings (including misunderstandings) of the scope of strategy development at various levels of analysis make a thorough discussion among researchers and practitioners difficult. Here, the state of the art in the purchasing strategy literature has been structured as a hierarchical framework fostering a multi-stage understanding of strategy development in purchasing. Research suggests that in purchasing, it is difficult to develop a single, all-encompassing strategy. To the contrary, a hierarchy of stages emerges when general strategy is disaggregated into executable and controllable activities: (1) firm strategy; (2) purchasing strategy as a particular functional strategy; (3) category strategies for the multitude of supply markets; (4) effectuation by a set of tactical sourcing levers and (5) strategies for each supplier within a sourcing category. In an effort to conceptualize the research field, this study extended existing stages of strategy development in purchasing and, for the first time, completely integrated sourcing categories and sourcing levers as levels of analysis

Strategy theory is focused on the behavior of dynamical systems that have finite predictable actions, such as game, market, investment, decision making and etc. Strategy is an action with predictable result in the process or dynamical systems. All strategies are based on linear strategy and nonlinear strategy, called super-strategy. If a dynamical system has finite strategies, we are able to use probability distribution of strategy and result function to describe it. That is, any strategy in economic activity is able to be described as probability distribution of super-strategy. If we know it, we’re not only able to control this system on the macro level, but also predict single action on the micro level. In addition, we’re able to deeply study two-person or group strategy processes such as game, investment and marketing when we have figured one-person strategy, such as risky choice and intertemporal choice, all out. This paper is first application of strategy theory on decision making under risk. We found that the weight function in Prospect Theory wasn’t a distortion of the given probability, but a consequence of the probability distribution of decision strategy. Nonlinear strategy made utility, weight function and value function happen. This paper also gave a really mathematical expression of linear strategy function and nonlinear strategy function.

This paper explored variation of strategy use in pattern generalization across different generalization types and across grade level. A test was designed to assess students’ strategy use in pattern generalization tasks. The test was given to a sample of 1232 students from grades 4 to 11 from five schools in Lebanon. The findings of this study showed that the frequency of student strategy use differed according to the generalization type and that the functional and recursive strategies were frequently used in each of the generalization tasks. The use of the recursive strategy decreased, whereas, the use of the functional strategy increased, as the demands of the task changed from constructing a step-by-step solution to finding a general formula. The findings also showed that the use of the recursive strategy increased across grades 4–8 and then it decreased across grades 8–11; whereas the use of the functional strategy increased across grades 4–11.

In the software product line configuration process, certain features are selected based on the stakeholders' needs and preferences regarding the available functional and quality properties. This book chapter presents how a product configuration can be modeled as a decision process and how an optimal strategy representing the stakeholders' desirable configuration can be found. In the decision process model of product configuration, the product is configured by making decisions at a number of decision points. The decisions at each of these decision points contribute to functional and quality attributes of the final product. In order to find an optimal strategy for the decision process, a utility-based approach can be adopted, through which, the strategy with the highest utility is selected as the optimal strategy. In order to define utility for each strategy, a multi-attribute utility function is defined over functional and quality properties of a configured product and a utility elicitation process is then introduced for finding this utility function. The utility elicitation process works based on asking gamble queries over functional and quality requirement from the stakeholder. Using this utility function, the optimal strategy and therefore optimal product configuration is determined.

Conference: 10th International Strategic Management Conference, Rome-Italy, between the dates of June 19-21, 2014. --- Mert, Aslı (Arel Author), Each of industry forces, competitive and functional strategies and organizational performance has been subject to so many studies presented in literature. However, there is a lack of combination of all and consensus on the role of each in restaurant businesses. Thus, this study examines the relationships among industry forces, competitive and functional strategies and organizational performance within the context of “well-known branded” restaurants in Turkish hospitality industry. The study employs a questionnaire that evaluates the attitudes of restaurants of those themes in Istanbul, Turkey without any sampling procedure. Results indicate that competitive strategy of cost leadership is significantly related to bargaining power of suppliers. Functional strategy regarding the brand image relates significantly to the competitive strategy of differentiation. Organizational performance is in a significant relation with functional strategies of human resources and information technologies.

Purpose – Market deregulation in the utilities sector has led to increased competition and rising customer expectations in both established and new markets. This, in turn, has forced organisations such as electricity and telecoms to make rapid, enterprise-wide changes on an increasingly frequent basis which in turn has led to problems with alignment. Misalignment can occur at many levels and can result in misused resources, loss of competitiveness, excessive cycle times, higher costs and loss of agility. The purpose of this paper is twofold. Given the lack of overarching theory, the paper begins by borrowing from contingency, dynamic capability and organisational learning constructs, to explore the role that performance measurement models can bring to improve the alignment between business strategy and functional strategy (level 1 alignment). Second, the paper analyses the role of performance measurement models in developing functional practices aligned with supply chain management (SCM) strategies (level 2 alignment). Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts an exploratory theory-building approach using four case studies. These are used as key supply chains in both established and new business areas within two longitudinal university-industry research partnerships (each of three years duration). Data from repeat interviews (n=42), focus groups (n=10), documentation and observations is analysed and forms the basis for the development of a conceptual framework and a set of related propositions. The data analysis followed Radnor and Boaden's (2004) method for analysing interpretive research. Findings – The findings show the role and impact of performance measurement models and methods on alignment at two levels, i.e. level 1 alignment – between business strategy and functional (SCM) strategy, and level 2 alignment – between the functional strategy (SCM) and SCM routines and practices. Originality/value – To date, there are few studies which explore the development of theory and practice in relation to the role and impact of performance measurement models and methods in improving organisational alignment. This exploratory theory building study makes a contribution to this gap through the development of the conceptual framework and propositions.

Strategy-making is an important yet complex task. The present research examines the issue of strategy mode, that is, the manner or style in which strategy is determined in an organization. Prior researchers have proposed various typologies for strategy modes. However, research into which strategy modes are appropriate to what kinds of firm situations and contexts has been limited. Specifically, there has been no research that explores strategy modes from a marketing environment perspective. Given that research at the intersection of marketing and management disciplines has often produced mutually beneficial, rich insights, we approach strategy modes from a product-market perspective and examine the normative appropriateness of different strategy modes with reference to firms' external and internal environments. The research also explores the relevance and value of combining various strategy modes in regard to different stages of the product-market life cycle. In exploring strategy modes and their combinat...