Designing brands and managing organizational politics: A qualitative case study of employer brand creation

This study explores intra-organizational processes and structures within the creation of an employer brand. Drawing on a practice perspective that analytically differentiates between practitioners, praxis, and practices, we present a qualitative case study of an employer branding project in a large industrial company. Our theorized account of the case demonstrates the managerial complexities and dynamics of employer brand creation. Based on a detailed content analysis, we identify three distinct sets of activities of employer brand creation: (1) defining and demarcating employer branding, (2) developing and maintaining cooperation within employer brand creation, and (3) confirming and contesting management ideas and structures beyond employer branding. Our study contributes to employer branding research by highlighting how employer brand creation is entangled within strategic, functional design of an employer brand and managing organizational power relations and differing interests. Furthermore, this study particularly emphasizes the emerging character of employer branding and the impact of an established social infrastructure within employer brand creation.     

Werbe-Management in jungen Wachstumsunternehmen

New ventures with above-average growth potential vary significantly with regard to their success and show on average high failure rates which may be traced back to their lack of reputation in the market. This study examines whether systematic advertising planning and control can exert a positive influence on new venture performance and whether these effects vary across life cycle stages. The research model is based upon the contingent resource-based view and has been tested with a sample of 181 new ventures with high growth potential. Findings indicate that, indeed, a large portion of new venture performance can be explained by targeted planning and control methods and tools. As regards advertising control, a moderating effect of life cycle stages emerges: While a negative relationship between advertising control and performance exists in early stages, this relationship becomes significantly positive in later stages.     

Notwendigkeit und Instrumente eines ganzheitlichen Risikomanagements für Mittelständler, Gewerbe-treibende und Freiberufler

Zusammenfassung  Bei inhabergeführten Unternehmen besteht eine enge Verknüpfung zwischen privaten und gesch?ftlichen Finanzen. Die isolierte Betrachtung eines der beiden Bereiche führt notwendigerweise zu Fehlsteuerungen. Als Gegenma?nahme muss das Risikomanagement das Zusammenspiel der gesch?ftlichen und privaten Seite des Unternehmens vollst?ndig abbilden. Neben dem Eigenkapital als verm?gensbildender Substanz ist dabei vor allem die private und gesch?ftliche Risikosituation des Unternehmers von zentraler Bedeutung. Die zwischen beiden Bereichen auftretenden Interdependenzen begründen die Notwendigkeit eines ganzheitlichen Risikomanagements. Es zeigt sich, dass neben dem Schutz des Privatverm?gens die integrierte Beratung durch Finanzinstitute von entscheidender Bedeutung bei der Schlie?ung der Lücke in der Eigenkapitalausstattung von Mittelst?ndlern ist.

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Integrated risk management for owner-managed companies — Necessity and instruments

Summary  In owner-managed companies, there usually is a strong connection between private finances and those relating to business. Consequently risk management has to take into full consideration the interaction of private and business matters. Therefore not only equity in its function as risk capital but also the private and business risk situation of the entrepreneur become subjects of major importance. The interdependencies between both problem sets establish the necessity of an integrated risk management. Apart from the protection of private capital the integrated consultation by financial institutions is of crucial importance when it comes to closing the existing gap in the equity endowment of medium-sized businesses.

     

A School Feeding Supply Chain Framework: Critical Factors for Sustainable Program Design

School feeding is an established development aid intervention with multiple objectives including education, nutrition, and value transfer. Traditionally run by international organizations in low‐income settings, school feeding programs have had a substantial impact in many less‐developed countries. However, recent rethinking by the World Bank and the World Food Programme has prompted a shift toward long‐term, sustainable solutions that rely more upon local resources, local capacity, and community participation. Supply chain management, which is critical to program delivery, is vital to developing a sustainable approach to school feeding. We propose a theoretical framework that identifies the internal and external factors that shape the supply chain and connects them to the objectives and performance measures of sustainable programs. Drawing upon supply chain management theory, current school feeding practices, and expert feedback, this article contributes to development aid logistics and program transitioning with a focus on sustainable program design. It aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to school feeding and relevant supply chain issues, a framework to identify sustainability problems in school feeding supply chains, and a starting point for further research on program design.