Journal of Strategy and Management

Laura Baker; Stephan Sonnenburg

2013 Journal of Strategy and Management

doi: 10.1108/17554251311322404

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is multifold. First, an understanding for creativity in an organizational setting is elaborated. Second, the emergence of creativity as a universal phenomenon is discussed. Third, an integrated framework focusing upon processes and group composition to affect co‐creativity is developed. Additionally, this paper begins an intercultural exploration for business and managerial purposes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is a literature search of theoretical and empirical plus cultural studies to support this paper that includes a process model for future application. Since there are cultural studies available mostly about individual countries in the Arab world the cultural variables will be isolated and they will be referred to in order to exemplify an assessment of creativity in MENA. Findings – This paper contributes to the literature by exploring answers to the business world's questions of what could be barriers and enhancers of creativity not only in the Western world but also in the Arab world. In order to stimulate co‐creativity as quickly and as effectively as possible in the Arab world, there must be flexibility, generosity, loyalty, trust, fairness, shared communication and synthesized ideas. Most probably these factors are universal for co‐creativity. Originality/value – Organizations are striving for transformation in order to be creative and/or innovative. Precisely, transformation needs co‐creativity as most transforming acts in organizations are based on interactive situations. However until now, it is not clear what co‐creativity is and how to foster co‐creativity. The value of this paper is to integrate a universal definition and understanding of co‐creativity while examining the cultural context of MENA.

Yazid Abdullahi Abubakar

2013 Journal of Strategy and Management

doi: 10.1108/17554251311322413

Purpose – While it has been speculated for some time that technology market development at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) will create millions of new entrepreneurs in developing countries, as the BOP is the largest untapped market, to date, there is hardly any macro‐level cross‐country study investigating the extent to which such market development at the BOP influences new business formation “rates” in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of technology market development at the BOP in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector in influencing new business formation rates in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach – The study draws on cross‐country data from developing countries from World Resources Institute and the World Bank. Several steps were taken to ensure robustness. Findings – First, a connection is established between a developing country's level BOP market for ICT and the county's “rate” of new business formation. Second, it is suggested that the level of industry specialization in a developing country enhances the relationship between BOP markets for ICT and new business formation in a developing country. Third, the empirical analysis is based upon a rigorously‐collected authoritative multi‐country data from World Bank that answers the concern voiced by researchers. Fourth, the results suggest that the established link between ICT and economic growth in developing countries may be occurring through “new business formation” acting as a mediator between the two. Research limitations/implications – Implications are drawn for policy and further research. Originality/value – The study establishes a macro‐level connection between a developing country's level of BOP market for ICT and its “rate” of new business formation.

Golam Mostafa Khan; Syed Jamal Uddin

2013 Journal of Strategy and Management

doi: 10.1108/17554251311322422

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine and illustrate how a relatively young Islamic financial institution has successfully gone international. Despite the fact there are many larger financial institutions in the Arabian Gulf, they either failed to identify the opportunity or were reluctant to go international. But Arcapita seem to have capitalized on this apparently untapped niche market in the international arena through its unique policies and strategies. Design/methodology/approach – Relevant data and literature have been collected from publicly available sources. Basic company information was collected from company annual reports, press releases, and web sites. The Bankscope database has been used to generate the bank's comparative financial performance. Findings – Islamic Investment banking is a relatively new development. This is essentially a niche market and Arcapita has not only identified this opportunity but also has become internationally successful within a short period of time. The case illustrates how the company raises funds from the Middle East region and then invests in the USA, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Originality/value – Being the first of its kind in conforming to the Shari’a Principles (Islamic Law) fully in its business, Arcapita's progress to date is quite spectacular. This comprehensive teaching case study provides the company history and background, as well as insights into its operational and organizational realities, strategies and management practices. Academics, students and practitioners from the region and beyond will find this case study interesting and useful.

Lydia Barza

2013 Journal of Strategy and Management

doi: 10.1108/17554251311322431

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the reasons for businesses to partner with schools from the point of view of both stakeholders. Understanding the process by which schools and business entities collaborate with the goal of improving student achievement is important to ensure success and anticipate barriers. Pitfalls and keys to success are outlined. Recommendations for school and business leaders interested in forming partnerships based on lessons learned from the literature are provided. Design/methodology/approach – The paper achieves this aim by reviewing the literature on school‐business partnership formation and assessment. Findings – Characteristics of successful school‐business partnerships are discussed. Practical implications – Both business and education leaders will be able to assess the value and scope of such partnership arrangements and be able to determine if their current or planned endeavours encompass the identified keys to success. Originality/value – This paper concisely examines the major, practical issues involved for those interested in forming school‐business partnerships and synthesizes the research on program evaluations while placing the issue in the context of current trends in corporate social responsibility programs.

Tim Rogmans

2013 Journal of Strategy and Management

doi: 10.1108/17554251311322440

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop and test propositions on location and entry mode decision making by foreign direct investors in the Middle East region. Design/methodology/approach – Case study approach, based on in‐depth interviews with decision makers of multinational companies operating in the Middle East. Findings – The results show that foreign investors in the Middle East prefer to maintain the highest level of ownership and control permitted in a country, even in the face of political risk. Originality/value – Location and entry mode decision making has typically been studied using quantitative methods. This research uses a case study approach and develops a new model of entry mode decision making, demonstrating that experienced foreign investors do not view joint ventures as an effective mechanism to manage political risk, but prefer to keep political risk management in‐house.