Browsing by Author "Allen, Robby A."

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    Antecedents of Cybersecurity Implementation: A Study of the Cyber-Preparedness of U.K. Social Enterprises
    (IEEE, 2020-06-10) White, Gareth R. T.; Allen, Robby A.; Samuel, Anthony; Abdullah, Ahmed; Thomas, Robert J.
    The cybersecurity of organizations is a subject of perennial concern as they are subject to mounting threats in an increasingly digitalized world. While commercial and charitable organizations have been the objects of cybersecurity research, social enterprises (SEs) have remained unexplored. As SEs have become increasingly important features of social and economic development, so their prominence as potential targets of cybercrime also increases. In order to address this knowledge gap, this article examines the factors that influence the cyber-preparedness of SEs in the U.K. Through the use of semistructured interviews with SE owner-managers, these factors are found to comprise the characteristics of the enterprise, the characteristics of the enterprise management, resource constraints, experience of cyberattacks, usage of IT, and awareness of cybersecurity schemes and resources. These insights provide valuable guidance for SE owner-managers, SE support agencies, and policy-makers when considering the cybersecurity of SEs. These findings are of immediate concern to SEs but also to other organizations that are engaged in partnerships with them as SEs may afford “gateway” opportunities to those with malicious intent.
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    The attribution of expertise: modelling relational and organisational factors
    (Inderscience, 2025) Allen, Robby A.; White, Gareth R. T.
    The term ‘expert’ is frequently encountered both in the management literature and in the common parlance of business. However, the relational dimension of ‘expertise’ has received little academic attention and lacks clear theoretical underpinning. This study addresses this gap through an exploration of how sources of expertise are identified and utilised in a UK Government Department. A series of semi-structured interviews were used to explore the activities and experiences of 19 staff. The study identifies the complex interactions among institutional, personal and task-related factors. From this, it develops a comprehensive model of the attribution of expertise. This model could be used by organisations to develop appropriate strategies for the management of expert resources and decision making. This study addresses the paucity of empirical research that examines the relational dimensions of the attribution of expertise.
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    Conceptualizing, defining, and modelling supply chain management : an objective oriented approach.
    (2022-08) Alkebaisi, Hussain K; Allen, Robby A.; Hameed, Amer
    Although it has been more than three decades since the term Supply Chain Management (SCM) was first introduced, there are still divergent views and different interpretations amongst scholars and practitioners about its meaning. The literature lacks consensus on a precise definition of SCM and presents a plethora of different perspectives. A unified conceptual or theoretical model has not yet been acknowledged, and the existing frameworks lack the call for a holistic model that encompasses the essence of the concept. With this disagreement on what SCM is, there are repeated calls to achieve consensus on a unified definition, a unified understanding, a unified conceptual model, and a unified framework of SCM. The argument in the literature is that achieving consensus among scholars and practitioners will improve research and practice and the SCM discipline. The literature revealed that the prevalent and the most recommended approach of conceptualising SCM is the process orientation. However, there is no evidence in the literature that an objective-oriented approach was investigated in resolving those theoretical issues, and neither has a Grounded Theory research method been applied to that end.Through an objective-orientated approach and applying the grounded theory method, it is found that the majority of the theory behind SCM is about managing business activities and achieving business goals through the communication, cooperation, collaboration, and integration within and across firms in a supply chain or network. The proposed name of the identified theory is ‘Business Relations Management Theory.’ The theory states that individuals, organisations, societies and nations achieve better performance and outcomes through communication, cooperation, collaboration, and integration. A literature-based thematic analysis showed that SCM is being used as a synonym for Supply Management, Business Relations Management (BRM), or a combination of both. Also, an assessment survey that included more than 200 managers and employees from different countries showed unclear or limited understanding of the identified theory and perspective of BRM. Accordingly, this research presents the theory and perspective of BRM and asserts that the term Supply Chain Management (SCM) should be replaced with Business Relations Management (BRM). SCM, as a term, limits the benefits of communication, cooperation, collaboration, and integration to a chain or network of firms and enterprises within the production sector. In contrast, the Business Relations Management (BRM) concept generalises the benefits to all sectors and all stakeholders, including the final customers, consumers, and services recipients. In addition, universities or business schools are advised to replace SCM with ‘Supply Management’ or another name that combines supply and demand management fields. A Feedback survey included a group of managers and employees from different sectors in Bahrain showed a high level of satisfaction and acceptance of the outcomes of this research, the researcher’s argument, and recommendations. The feedback survey outcomes led to the conclusion that the objective orientation was an effective approach to conceptualise SCM, and there is a probability of higher acceptance of the outcomes of this research and, consequently, achieving consensus among academics and practitioners.
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    Examining operational wastes within Greek banking operations
    (Emerald, 2019-02-28) Allen, Robby A.; Panagoulis, Giannis; White, Gareth R. T.
    In order to address operational effectiveness in the banking sector caused by the 2008 global economic crisis, this study examines the nature of operational wastes that exist within four large Greek banks. A Delphi study was undertaken with ten managers and ten employees. The waste of underutilised people is found to be the dominant form of waste present and affecting the efficiency of banking operations. This has implications for managers of banking operations needing to address efficiencies in an increasingly competitive global economic environment. The paper also highlights the drawbacks of analysing typologies of waste across organisations and industrial sectors.
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    Exploring positive and negative intersectionality effects: an employment study of neurodiverse UK military veterans
    (Taylor & Francis, 2023-12-15) Allen, Robby A.; Dickmann, Michael; Priscott, Tamsin; White, Gareth R. T.
    Intersectional studies have examined the impact of personal characteristics upon employment experience, but little attention has been given to specificities of the neurodiverse and the military veteran. Both may possess skills and abilities that are desirable but there are several negative stereotypes that impact the acquisition and retention of work. Additionally, talent sourcing practices by employers can favour neurotypical people with a civilian background. Adopting a multi-method approach, this study explores barriers to employment and how they are compounded at the intersection of being a neurodiverse veteran (NDV). We surveyed 232 people with a medically diagnosed condition and conducted 21 semi-structured interviews to explore NDVs’ views about how the recruitment process and HR practices impact their employment relationship. Extant studies often depict the intersection of qualities to be disadvantageous for the populations studied, however, our research suggests that NDVs can have highly beneficial work capabilities. Our practical contribution includes the identification of key positive and negative aspects in the employment of NDVs and how organizations can refine their talent sourcing and management. Our theoretical contribution is made through a framework depicting the influences on NDVs’ employment relationships and a set of propositions that illuminate the intersectionality of neurodiverse and military veterans at work.
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    Human capital neurodiversity: an examination of stereotype threat anticipation
    (Emerald, 2021-02-08) Priscott, Tamsin; Allen, Robby A.
    Purpose The purpose of the study was to test the assumption of similarities between neurodivergents and other minority groups regarding their reaction to stereotype threat. In addition, it aimed to identify the source of stereotype threat and the neurodivergent's response to it. Design/methodology/approach Two studies were conducted. Study 1 employed three exercises consisting of brochures, learning sets and posters to test organisational cues, notions of intelligence and situational cues. It collected data from 53 participants to establish whether stereotype threat observed in visible difference such as race, gender and intelligence is equally relevant to neurodiversity. Study 2 consisted of interviews with 44 participants to establish stereotype threat source, reaction and effect on declaration of invisible difference. Findings Neurodivergents, defined by their invisible difference, react similarly to those with a visible difference with respect to organisational cues and stereotype threat. They will cognisantly define their behaviours depending upon those cues and stereotype threat. In doing so, they draw upon previous personal and work experiences. After the event, they will make a comparison to their assessment. If it is similar to their assessment, it reinforces it; however, if it is dissimilar, the neurodivergent will make an adjustment to the assessment. In both cases, the experience will form part of a future threat assessment. Research limitations/implications The research is limited by its interpretivist nature and sample comprising personnel within a UK government organisation. Practical implications The research has practical implications for employers, providing managers with a model to understand the impact a neurodivergents' previous experiences can have on their ability to interact within the workplace. Such understanding can provide insight into how best to utilise human capital. Originality/value This study makes a contribution to theory by expanding knowledge of neurodiversity in the workplace and by identifying the neurodivergents' reaction to the anticipation of a stereotype threat. In addition, it offers the stereotype threat anticipation conceptual model as a representation of the cognitive decisions made by neurodivergents to conceal or reveal their invisible difference.
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    The perceived characteristics of 'Knowledgeable' by UK MOD procurement function staff
    (IEOM Society, 2017-07-31) Allen, Robby A.; Renfrey, Simon
    A neglected aspect of the nature of expertise and knowledge is how personnel in public procurement are perceived. The purpose of this paper is to examine the characteristics of procurement staff who are perceived to be knowledgeable and those who are not. Fifty-eight UK Ministry of Defence procurement function staff completed an online survey. The study shows that how procurement personnel are regarded by colleagues is inclined towards ascribed attributes and this paper presents a delineation of those attributes to allow for greater understanding. An awareness of the perceptions of others has practical importance for procurement personnel and managers as it allows for the better understanding of how they are perceived and in doing so empowers them to build on strengths and identify areas for improvement. The study’s originality lies in the provision of an important insight into how staff within a complex and usually difficult to access public sector procurement environment are perceived by their colleagues.
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    Servants and masters: an activity theory investigation of human-AI roles in the performance of work
    (Wiley, 2022-10-22) Allen, Robby A.; White, Gareth R. T.; Clement, Claire E.; Alexander, Paul; Samuel, Anthony
    Organizations considering AI adoption must be mindful of media that portrays dystopian future scenarios. While machine sentience remains philosophically and ethically moot, the future implications of AI adoption are unclear. The issues that surround AI adoption need to be examined but there are a lack of implementations cases around which empirical research can be undertaken and practical experience can be gained. AI adoption needs to be considered from multiple viewpoints including, but not necessarily limited to the social, ethical and legal issues, and not merely be reduced to questions of financial return or organizational efficiency.
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    Socio-economic sustainability of Halal food production: an examination of poultry processing in Malaysia
    (The IJM.com, 2021-05-24) White, Gareth R. T.; Razak, A. A.; Thomas, A. J.; Allen, Robby A.
    While significant research exists in the area of sustainable food supply chains, information pertaining specifically to the Halal supply chain is limited, with very little information being available on the economic and social sustainability of Halal facilities. Through a multi-staged research methodology, this study undertakes a single company case study of a Malaysian slaughter facility. It attempts to understand the deep-rooted issues surrounding why Halal slaughterhouses struggle to maintain socio-economic sustainability even though demand for Halal food within Malaysia has increased significantly over recent years. This research contributes to the knowledge of food supply chain sustainability through exploration of the idiosyncrasies of Halal food production. It proposes and adopts a Dynamic Mapping technique that enabled the capture of internal and external process knowledge, and the simulation of what-if scenarios to determine the effect of the complex interplay of multiple systems upon the economic and social sustainability of the organization. The study finds that both external and internal issues affect the sustainability of the company. From an internal perspective, the slaughtering operation is characterized by the ritualized requirements of the Muslim faith. The slaughtering operation is the primary source of capacity constraint. Dynamic Mapping identified that with a clear lack of formalized business improvement approaches that focus on improving the bottleneck constraint, additional demand will only serve to exacerbate the situation and create a serious threat to the economic viability of the company.
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    Sources of expertise in social enterprises
    (Wiley, 2020-07-09) Allen, Robby A.
    Social enterprises draw upon multifarious sources of expertise in pursuit of their social and business goals. The social enterprise's first source of expertise is that of their own relational experience derived from their previous employment or experiences and context expertise developed from a deep understanding of their own business. They seek advice from a wide expert‐support network favoring those associated with business acumen more than any other. The expert‐support network consists of eight distinct categories that are described in a comprehensive model.
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    A study of attitudes towards threat in the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Commercial Function
    (British Academy of Management, 2017-09-07) Allen, Robby A.; White, Gareth R. T.
    Against a background of continuing change and increasing pressures public sector procurement staff are being required to do more with less. The aim of this study was to establish whether Ministry of Defence Commercial Officers sense that they are under threat and assess what those primary sources of threat are. Data was acquired through in-depth interviews with procurement practitioners from two key Ministry of Defence sites at Bristol and Corsham in the South West of England. The study finds that threat is perceived to exist and categorises them as internal (self, FDRS, line management and reputation) and external (Budgetary, legislative, policy/political pressure and risk). These threats are shown to negatively affect behaviour and the efficient running of the procurement function. Access to the MOD commercial function is necessarily restricted to those outside of the organisation and the data and findings presented in this study are therefore an important contribution to our knowledge of the internal workings of the Department and the procurement personnel within it.
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    University-Industry collaboration through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships in the UK: an extension of Activity Theory
    (The International Journal of Management, 2019-10-31) White, Gareth R. T.; Abdullah, Ahmed; Cicmil, Svetlana; Allen, Robby A.; Thomas, Robert
    The mechanisms for stimulating innovation are perennial subjects of concern. Despite the recognition of their importance they remain troublesome undertakings for individual organisations and national economies. The literature has only recently begun to recognise the importance of the micro-relations that exist between individuals and their effect upon the efficacy of these mechanisms. However, the intricacies of these micro-relationships remain underexplored. Through an extended period of immersion of around two years in each of three organisations this study identifies the nature of the tensions that beset the micro-relations between individuals in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships in the United Kingdom. The research proffers an extension to the Activity Framework in order to explicitly recognise the dimension of ‘Tacit Skills’.