Drivers of Supply Network Governance: An Explorative Study of the Dutch Chemical Industry.

The authors identify a number of drivers of supply network governance, a widely appraised governance form aimed at reaping the benefits of both vertical integration and market exchange. Case studies conducted in the Dutch chemical industry are used to explore these drivers. The findings identify interdependence of organizational activities and asset-specific investments as the key drivers of supply network governance in the chemical industry. Firms enjoy relational rents and tend to share knowledge in supply network relationships, however these factors seem to strengthen supply network relationships rather than create them.

Green Owl and the Corn Maiden

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to engage a different notion of feminism in accounting by addressing the issues of feminism, balance, and integration as a means of understanding differently the world for which one accounts. The ideas are communicated by the sharing of experiences through myth and storytelling.

Design/methodology/approach: An alternative lens for understanding the giving of accounts is proposed, drawing on earlier feminist accounting literature as well as storytelling and myth.

Findings: Including the subjective and intersubjective approaches to experiencing and understanding the world recommends an approach whereby both the feminine-intuitive and the masculine-rational processes are integrated in constructing decision models and accounts.

Research limitations/implications: Through an expanded view of values that can be included in reporting or recounting a different model is seen, and different decisions are enabled. The primary limitation is having to use words to convey one’s subjective and intersubjective understandings. The written medium is not the most natural language for such an undertaking.

Practical implications: By enabling the inclusion of more feminine values, a way is opened to engage more holistically with the society in which decisions are embedded.

Originality/value: Drawing on the storytelling tradition, a holistic model is suggested that can lead to emergence of a more balanced societal reporting.

Keywords: Feminism, Integration, Accounting, Storytelling, Myths

Paper type: Research paper

Mediation within Irish Construction Industry: Identifying Success Factors for Appropriate Competencies and Processes

The construction industry notoriously excels at dispute creation both in Ireland and abroad. This paper examines mediation in the Irish construction industry as a means of conflict and dispute resolution. It aims to identify success factors for appropriate competencies and processes required by mediators and other parties operating in the construction industry. Methodology includes a thorough review of the literature, followed by detailed interviews from industry experts to elicit and highlight the core competencies required. To aid in the analysis, qualitative analysis using mind mapping software was used. The findings suggest that facilitative mediation was best suited for the Irish construction industry. 13 and 17 success factors were identified as key skills necessary for a mediator and for a successful mediation process. For the skills, it ranges across behavioural, technical and intellectual skills. The mediation process factors can be split into actions of the mediator and other parties in the dispute. The results are similar to those identified in other countries and provide a good reference point for the development of the global construction industry. By following the findings of this report mediators and parties in dispute can improve processes and be more successful in mediation outcomes as a means of resolving conflicts and dispute.