Enabling situational awareness of business processes
- Authors: Zhao, Xiaohui , Yongchareon, Sira , Cho, Nam-Wook
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Business Process Management Journal Vol. 27, no. 3 (2021), p. 779-795
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- Description: Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explore the ways of integrating situational awareness into business process management for the purpose of realising hyper automated business processes. Such business processes will help improve their customer experiences, enhance the reliability of service delivery and lower the operational cost for a more competitive and sustainable business. Design/methodology/approach: Ontology has been deployed to establish the context modelling method, and the event handling mechanisms are developed on the basis of event calculus. An approach on performance of the proposed approach has been evaluation by checking the cost savings from the simulation of a large number of business processes. Findings: In this research, the authors have formalised the context presentation for a business process with a focus on rules and entities to support context perception; proposed a system architecture to illustrate the structure and constitution of a supporting system for intelligent and situation aware business process management; developed real-time event elicitation and interpretation mechanisms to operationalise the perception of contextual dynamics and real-time responses; and evaluated the applicability of the proposed approaches and the performance improvement to business processes. Originality/value: This paper presents a framework covering process context modelling, system architecture and real-time event handling mechanisms to support situational awareness of business processes. The reported research is based on our previous work on radio frequency identification-enabled applications and context-aware business process management with substantial extension to process context modelling and process simulation. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
The determinants of bank branch location in India : an empirical investigation
- Authors: Zhang, Quanda , Arora, Rashmi , Colombage, Sisira
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Bank Marketing Vol. 39, no. 5 (2021), p. 856-870
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- Description: Purpose: Bank branching plays a significant role in a wide range of economic activities. Existing studies on determinants of bank branching activities largely focus on developed countries; studies devoted to developing countries are scant. The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of bank branching activities in one of the largest developing country India. Design/methodology/approach: The authors employ a unique longitudinal data to study the determinants of bank branch location in India. These data are collected at the state level covering 25 Indian states for the period 2006–2017. The authors employ Poisson regression that are better suited for modeling counted dependent variable. Findings: First, region and bank specific factors such as size of population and bank deposits influence location of bank branches. Second, the relationship between these factors and branch locations is heterogeneous across different types of banks and across states with different business environments. Practical implications: First, from the view of banks, considering the factors of branch location are crucial in order to set out branching strategy. Irrespective of policy measures aimed at promoting financial inclusion in India, the authors show that banks consider economic activities in the region in locating their branches. Second, from the view of policy makers and regulators, such branching strategy could potentially contribute to financial exclusion. As a result, population in the less developed regions may be excluded from accessing financial services. Hence, policy makers and regulators should take into this account when formulating policies aimed at promoting financial inclusion. Originality/value: First, while existing studies largely focus on developed countries, studies devoted to developing countries are scant. To the best of our knowledge, the authors have not come across any study that investigates the determinants of bank branch location in India, so the authors reasonably believe that this study is a first-of-its-kind. Second, the study provides a new perspective concerning how regional and bank specific factors influence banks of different ownership in locating branches. Third, while traditional regression used to be a method of choice among early studies, the authors employ Poisson regression that is better suited for modeling counted dependent variable. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Workplace Guanxi: Its dispositional antecedents and mediating role in the affectivity-job satisfaction relationship
- Authors: Zhai, Qingguo , Lindorff, Margaret , Cooper, Brian
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Business Ethics Vol. 117, no. 3 (2013), p. 541-551
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- Description: This paper examines dispositional sources of workplace guanxi and the mediating role of workplace guanxi on the affectivity and job satisfaction relationship. Data were collected from 808 respondents in multiple industries in a city in China's northeast. The study found that both positive affectivity and negative affectivity have an effect on supervisor-subordinate guanxi and co-worker guanxi, which supports the proposition that workplace guanxi has a dispositional source. Supervisor-subordinate guanxi has a positive relationship with job satisfaction, although co-worker guanxi is not significantly related to job satisfaction. The research also found a mediating role of supervisor-subordinate guanxi on the affectivity and job satisfaction relationship, which suggests that supervisor-subordinate guanxi can extend the influence of affectivity to job satisfaction. Taken together, these results suggest that in a high power distance country such as China, supervisor-subordinate guanxi plays a more important role than co-worker guanxi in influencing job satisfaction. Theoretically, this study suggests the as yet unexplored possibility of dispositional antecedents of workplace guanxi and the role of workplace guanxi on the relationship between dispositions and workplace attitudes such as job satisfaction. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.
- Description: C1
Thriving at work as a mediator of the relationship between workplace support and life satisfaction
- Authors: Zhai, Qingguo , Wang, Saifang , Weadon, Helen
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Management & Organization Vol. 26, no. 2 (Mar 2020), p. 168-184
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- Description: Conservation of resources theory is employed to examine the effect of workplace support on thriving at work and the mediation of thriving at work on the workplace support and life satisfaction relationship using data on white-collar workers in China. We find that workplace support is positively related to thriving at work and thriving at work is positively related to life satisfaction. We also find that thriving at work fully mediates the relationship between life satisfaction and supervisor support, while the relationship between life satisfaction and coworker support is partially mediated by thriving at work. Consistent with the COR caravan and spillover hypothesis, we conclude that thriving at work is a mechanism that transmits the positive effects of workplace support on life satisfaction. The research findings suggest that an increase in workplace support can benefit both individuals and organizations by improving individuals' thriving at work and life satisfaction.
Towards a third level of analysis in the work-life balance debate: Incorporating a 'society' perspective
- Authors: Zacharias, Nadine
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: The international journal of knowledge, culture & change management Vol. 5, no. 8 (2006), p. 195-201
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- Description: The concept of ‘work-life balance’ has been researched from three main but largely separate perspectives: Business, individual and society. Much research has attempted to link ‘work-life balance’ initiatives to ‘bottom line’ performance and to make a ‘business case’ for their introduction. Studies that have focused on employees using ‘work-life balance’ policies have shown that the issues around a satisfactory combination of work and private life spheres are still mainly perceived as an individual (female) concern. It is only recently that the issues have been regarded as a phenomenon of broader social significance because the negative consequences of the increased inability of finding a ‘balance’ are becoming more and more obvious in Western societies. In this paper, I argue that the discussion around ‘work-life balance’ has to be more inclusive and needs to integrate the three perspectives to take the debate to a new level. The underlying theme is that of values, attitudes and beliefs that are held in organisations, individuals and societies and of the ways in which their interplay predicts the ability to achieve a personal ‘work-life balance’. It is argued that those values, attitudes and beliefs are innately gendered. By adding a ‘society’ perspective to the equation, in the form of a critical ‘gender lens’, it is possible to detect deeply held and widely shared assumptions within national cultures that create gendered social structures which currently hinder the reconciliation of work and private life spheres.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001776
Work-life balance : 'Good weather' policies or agenda for social change?: A cross-country comparison of parental leave provisions in Australia and Sweden
- Authors: Zacharias, Nadine
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Employment Relations Review Vol. 12, no. 2 (2006), p. 32-47
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- Description: It has been suggested that work-life balance policies are good weather policies, which have been implemented in times of a favourable economic environment and/or high demand for labour but may be withdrawn once those conditions deteriorate. This paper outlines three critical limitations of the management-oriented work-life balance literature. I argue that organisational approaches alone cannot bring about more balanced work-life conditions and that the scope of the current discussion needs to be systematically broadened to incorporate insights provided by research in other disciplines.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005219
Hosting friends versus hosting relatives : Is blood thicker than water?
- Authors: Yousuf, Mohammad , Backer, Elisa
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Tourism Research Vol. 19, no. 4 (2017), p. 435-446
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- Description: Little research has been undertaken to examine visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel from the perspective of hosts. Additionally, little research has explored the differences between VFs and VRs, treating VFR as one homogenous group. This research examined the hosts' perspective of hosting friends versus relatives through in-depth interviews with 34 local residents in three contrasting destinations in Australia. Key differences were found between the experiences of hosting friends versus relatives, with immigration a key aspect in impacting the outcome. This is the first study to examine hosting friends versus relatives and to consider how immigration and destination impact VFR travel experiences for hosts.
Applying Turner's three-process theory of power to the study of power relations in a troubled information systems implementation
- Authors: Ye, Michelle , de Salas, Kristy , Ollington, Nadia , McKay, Judy
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Journal of Information Systems Vol. 21, no. (2017), p. 1-25
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- Description: This paper explores the nature and exercise of power in an interpretive case study of a troubled information systems (IS) implementation in a university in the Asia Pacific region using Turner's Three-Process Theory of Power based on Social Identity Theory and Self-Categorisation Theory. The findings demonstrate the value of Turner's theoretical lens as well as its insufficiency for explaining all power related activities. This research has led to the development of an extended Three-Process Theory of Power by adding the alternative components that emerged from the data in the case study in relation to the nature and exercises of power. Based on the findings, we further recommend specific guidelines for IS theoreticians and practitioners including advice to project managers on a range of key issues. Thus, this paper contributes theorising the sources of power and tactical applications of power in given situations, particularly in IS implementation projects. © 2017 Ye, de Salas, Ollington & McKay.
Traditional ecological knowledge in nontraditional communities: a case study in Jiuzhaigou National Park
- Authors: Wright, Wendy , Wang, Yan , Tang, Ya
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Park and Recreation Administration Vol. 31, no. 3 (2013), p. 77-95
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- Description: Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is increasingly recognised as a useful if not imperative source of information for successful and sustainable management of natural resources and protected areas. Such knowledge is often held by local and indigenous people and is at risk where communities are no longer actively connected with the environment in their daily lives. Jiuzhaigou National Park (JNP) is located in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Northern Sichuan Province in south western China. Prior to the establishment of the park, nine Tibetan villages were located in the area and indigenous Tibetan communities still exist within the park. Members of these communities are now largely dependent on park gate fees and other tourism-related activities for their livelihoods so that, for most members of the community, TEK is no longer applied on a daily basis. This research uses a qualitative approach to investigate whether TEK is held by local people who live and work in JNP. Despite rapid social and economic change, evidence of TEK in the form of location specific knowledge and knowledge of environmental linkages was documented during this preliminary study. Older residents within JNP still hold a great deal of knowledge about past and current distributions of plants and animals, as well as traditional and alternative land management approaches, however this study found little evidence of local capacity building and power sharing based upon this knowledge. Park staff also hold substantial place-based ecological knowledge even though few have a formal education in natural resource management or ecology. In addition, staff and residents have significant insights into emerging natural resource management issues both within and outside the park boundaries. A management approach that better integrates local knowledge, including traditional knowledge of ecosystem management is advocated for JNP. ism). ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR
Malaysian and Australian male and female middle managers
- Authors: Wood, Glenice , Jogulu, Uma
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: The international journal of knowledge, Culture amd Change Management Vol. 6, no. 3 (2006), p. 109-119
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- Description: This paper outlines the rise of women in management worldwide, and considers why so few women achieve senior or executive management positions. This slow advance of women into senior roles is unexpected given that the changes in organisations today are believed to require more ‘feminine leadership’. A decrease in the emphasis on masculine characteristics for managers is reported, and a requirement that more ‘feminine leadership’ needs to be adopted by organisations in order to ensure their survival in the future (Powell, Butterfield & Parent, 2002, p.189). Recent empirical research reports that there are differences in leadership style between male and female managers, and the findings suggest that women exhibit more transformational leadership than their male counterparts, with this style being strongly equated with effective leadership (Eagly, Johannesen-Schmidt, van Engen, 2003). However, these findings are based on western research, and it may be that cross cultural research will yield a different picture (House, Hanges, Javidan, Dorfman, & Gupta, 2004). Leadership and leadership styles may be conceptualised differently in a more paternalistic society. To explore this possibility, a cross cultural study was conducted in Malaysia and Australia. It is hypothesised that countries that are paternalistic in cultural values will exhibit a stronger constraint on women in management roles, which may impact on workplace attitudes, aspirations for promotion and style of leadership exhibited. Therefore, it is possible that the career advancement of women may be more problematic for Malaysian managerial women than their Australian counterparts. Results from an initial pilot study in Malaysia and Australia are outlined, and highlight some interesting similarities and differences to what are reported in the western literature.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001775
Gender stereotypical attitudes : Past, present and future influences on women's career advancement
- Authors: Wood, Glenice
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Equal Opportunities International Vol. 27, no. 7 (2008), p. 613-628
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- Description: The purpose of this paper is to describe a longitudinal study which followed up middle managers who had participated in a survey on attitudes to promotion eight years earlier. The aim was to contact a sample of these individuals to ascertain their current views on women's career advancement in management.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003006152
Childlessness and women managers : 'Choice', context and discourses
- Authors: Wood, Glenice , Newton, Janice
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Gender, Work and Organization Vol. 13, no. 4 (2006), p. 338-358
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- Description: Childlessness is increasing and might reflect acceptance of diversity, scope for individual choice and a creative 'social imaginary' about being feminine without being a mother. Childlessness also appears to have a contextual manifestation arising from the recognition that the long-hours work culture in many organizations does not support appropriate parenting. A qualitative study of Australian managers reveals the contradictory discourses of childlessness around enlightened equality, maternalism, an elusive, ideal 'work-life balance' and individualism. The article explores a contextually nuanced, dynamic, generative theory of agency which does not hinge on the mother-child dyad, in explaining women managers' choices to remain childless. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2006.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003002074
Career advancement in Australian middle managers : A follow-up study
- Authors: Wood, Glenice
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Women in Management Review Vol. 21, no. 4 (2006), p. 277-293
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- Description: Purpose - The current study followed up middle managers who had participated in a survey on attitudes to promotion in 1996. The vast majority of the original sample had responded favourably to the question: "Do you want to obtain a senior management position during your managerial career?" In addition, respondents were asked "How confident are you that this will happen?" and "How soon do you feel this will happen?" The aim of this follow up qualitative study is to contact as many of these individuals as possible, to explore the outcome to these questions, and to track what has happened to them in their management careers over the past eight years. Design/methodology/approach - Interviews were conducted with 19 male and 11 female managers. Outcomes of promotion aspirations were sought, and factors that contributed to success and personal strategies that may have been set in place were explored, as were factors that had hindered their progress. In addition, views were sought on future aspirations for promotion. Findings - Results indicated gender differences in outcome of promotion, in both proportions of women achieving senior roles, and the time it took for males and females to obtain these promotions with more male middle managers achieving their promotion to senior roles, in less time, than their female colleagues. Practical implications - The findings were considered in relation to the ongoing career advancement of men and women in management, and in particular, the continuing disproportionate numbers of men and women in senior management roles. Originality/value - As a follow-up study, confirms that fewer female managers are being promoted to senior roles despite an obvious desire on their part such promotion and their confidence in obtaining it fairly quickly. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001778
What does it take to get to the top : Do middle and senior managers agree?
- Authors: Wood, Glenice
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Women in Management Review Vol. 18, no. 3/4 (2003), p. 122-131
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- Description: Women constitute only approximately 3-5 per cent of Australian senior managers. One possible explanation of their failure to enter senior management in greater numbers is that women in management may have differing perceptions of the necessary prerequisites for promotion to senior roles. This study explored this possibility with 351 male and 156 female Australian middle managers, whose views were contrasted with senior managers’ perceptions. Gender differences in perception were found between middle managers and middle and senior managers in terms of the importance placed on personal qualities such as attractiveness, deference to superiors, likeability, personality, popularity and powerful allies (perceived charisma) as attributes considered necessary for achieving senior management promotion. In particular, female middle managers believed more strongly than their male counterparts, that senior managers would value the personal qualities encompassed in perceived charisma when considering middle managers for further promotion. However, senior managers did not consider this group of attributes to be important in promotion-seeking behaviour.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000613
Structuring ambiguity : teaching public relations through a 'world world' virtual consultancy
- Authors: Wolstencroft, David , Edmondson, Elizabeth
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asia Pacific Public Relations Journal Vol. 10, no. (2009 2009), p.
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- Description: Public Relations education has several major challenges, including integrating ‘theory with practice’, simulating the modern workplace in the classroom, and assisting students in navigating personal and professional ambiguities and transition points. This article presents a narrative and reflection on an attempt to design curriculum that meets these pedagogical challenges. A solution is proposed by the authors in the form of a virtual Public Relations consultancy and learning environment, or interactive educational ‘game’. As will be demonstrated, this virtual learning environment or ‘game’ was inspired by Kolb’s learning cycle, and requires student groups to navigate successive waves of ambiguity, often presented in ways that differ from other university subjects and anticipated life experiences. By tailoring learning goals, assessment criteria and tasks to focus on particular elements and phases of Kolb’s learning cycle, this semester long curriculum integrates Public Relations theory with practical teambased learning. It is anticipated that this game will assist students to develop traditional academic and vocational skills, while also providing experiences to consolidate substantive cognitive and educational advances. Additionally, we envisage advances in confidence, team work skills, and the capacity to navigate and structure ambiguity.
Reaching out to the west : An assessment of Chinese students' views regarding foreign-delivered university programs in China
- Authors: Willis, Mike
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Teaching in International Business Vol. 21, no. 1 (2010), p. 53-68
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- Description: This article identifies the views and expectations of Chinese students located in nine cities in China and Hong Kong in regard to the delivery of foreign degree programs within China. This delivery mode is becoming a common form of educational delivery and augments other modes of international activity such as study abroad and distance education. The research has found that students wanted a relatively unadapted course, delivered in English by foreign academics, with a high level of academic and administrative servicing in China. They did not like subjects which had been overly adapted for the Chinese market, since these were viewed to be somewhat lacking in authenticity. However, some very minor areas of adaptation were required to meet some specific local requirements, but in essence students wanted courses which were a close replication of what it would be like to study in the foreign university location, whether it be in America, Australia, or Europe. The value of this research is that it identifies the desire of students for relatively unadapted foreign programs in China. This finding is of use to foreign universities planning courses and programs in China and also adds to the debate about the adaptation or standardization of services in a Chinese context. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Foreign credit cards in China: To adapt or not to adapt?
- Authors: Willis, Mike , Worthington, Stephen
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Asia-Pacific Business Vol. 7, no. 1 (2006), p. 45-77
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- Description: C1
- Description: 2003007236
Sartrean existentialism and ethical decision-making in business
- Authors: West, Andrew
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Business Ethics Vol. 81, no. 1 (2008), p. 15-25
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- Description: A wide range of decision-making models have been offered to assist in making ethical decisions in the workplace. Those that are based on normative moral frameworks typically include elements of traditional moral philosophy such as consequentialist and/or deontological␣ethics. This paper suggests an alternative model drawing on Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialism. Accordingly, the model focuses on making decisions in full awareness of one’s freedom and responsibility. The steps of the model are intended to encourage reflection of one’s projects and one’s situation and the possibility of refusing the expectations of others. A case study involving affirmative action in South Africa is used to demonstrate the workings of the model and a number of strengths and weaknesses are identified. Despite several weaknesses that can be raised regarding existential ethics, the model’s success lies in the way that it reframes ethical dilemmas in terms of individual freedom and responsibility, and in its acceptance and analysis of subjective experiences and personal situations.
Corporate governance convergence and moral relativism
- Authors: West, Andrew
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Corporate Governance-An International Review Vol. 17, no. 1 (2009), p. 107-119
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- Description: Research Question/Issue: This paper frames the debate on corporate governance convergence in terms of the morality underlying corporate governance models. The claims and arguments of moral relativism are presented to provide theoretical structure to the moral aspects of corporate governance convergence, and ultimately the normative question of whether convergence should occur. Research Findings/Results: The morality underlying different models of corporate governance has largely been ignored in the corporate governance convergence literature. A range of moral philosophies and principles that underlie the dominant corporate governance models are identified. This leads to a consideration of the claims and arguments of moral relativism relating to corporate governance. A research agenda around the claims of descriptive and meta-ethical moral relativism, and which ultimately informs the associated normative argument, is then suggested. Theoretical Implications: The application of moral relativism to the debate on corporate governance convergence presents a theoretical structure to the analysis and consideration of its moral aspects. This structure lends itself to further research, both empirical and conceptual. Practical Implications: The claims and arguments of moral relativism provide a means of analyzing calls that are made for a culturally or nationally “appropriate” model of corporate governance. This can assist in providing direction for corporate governance reforms and is of particular relevance for developing countries that have inherited Western corporate governance models through colonialism.
Southern African perceptions of the moral obligations and objectives of corporations
- Authors: West, Andrew
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Sixth Asia Pacific Interdisciplinary Research in Accounting Conference (APIRA 2010) p. 1-22
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- Description: The question of whether or not Southern African countries should adopt a shareholder, a stakeholder, or another approach to corporate governance is relevant both to debates on corporate governance convergence, and the development of the region. Such normative arguments, however, are predicated upon some descriptive understanding. This paper investigates the claims of descriptive moral relativism, that there are differences in moral judgements between individuals/groups, by comparing the beliefs put forward by a group of black Southern African professional accounting students regarding the obligations and objectives of corporations to the underlying morality of the Anglo-American model of corporate governance. While differences were identified with the traditional theoretical Anglo-American model of corporate governance in which social responsibilities are limited or denied, fewer differences were evident when considering a more moderate Anglo-American model in which stakeholder concerns are considered. The relationship of a corporation with its community remains a possible area of difference.