Purpose This paper aims to create a mapping of competitive advantage of nations (CAN) from research using some previous studies and recommend future research. Design/methodology/approach This paper applies a systematic literature review on the most recent studies of CAN. The research gap is analysed based on several categories: implication (strategy and policy, portrait); general characteristics (fundamental issues, indicators and patterns); solution methodology and strategic level (nation and industry). Then, the state-of-the-art analysis is used to develop future research. Findings The results of this study recommend future research of CAN based on the following CAN categories: implication (strategy and policy, portrait); general characteristics (fundamental issues, indicators and patterns); solution methodology and strategic level (nation and industry). Research limitations/implications This literature review has important implications and gives direction for research and teaching, as well as for further investigation of CAN. The limitation lies in the classification of patterns, which requires further study to avoid the ambiguity of grouping. Originality/value This is the first literature review about CAN using categories. It is of value in building future research of CAN in different industries and nations.

Purpose Transport logistics systems in companies with additional public service roles are complex and could benefit from new approaches to performance management. Existing approaches tend to be fragmented; thus, the purpose of this paper is to integrate balanced performance measures, a dynamics model, and the problem-solving method into a new model. Design/methodology/approach An integrated framework is developed by reviewing literature and synthesising attributes of performance measurement systems, system dynamics and problem-solving methods. The framework is then applied to a multiple-role company’s sea transportation system. The study uses statistical methods to identify performance indicators, management interviews with document study to develop a dynamics model, and simulation methods to formulate an improvement plan. Findings The performance measurement design stage allowed for the identification of balanced, aligned performance indicators, while the system dynamics model illuminated the impact of the system components’ interrelationships on performance output. The problem-solving method allowed for analysis of system performance, identification of constraints and formulation of a performance improvement plan. Practical implications This framework can help transport logistics system stakeholders in multiple-role companies avoid silo thinking, misaligned performance objectives, local optima and short-term solutions. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing body of research by introducing a novel framework integrating performance measurement, system dynamics and the problem-solving method. It also addresses a theoretical gap by showing how interconnecting components of sea transportation systems affect transport logistics performance.

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Purpose Companies with multiple roles, as both a profit generator and public service provider, have specific characteristics that differentiate them from single-role companies. However, literature suggests that no performance measurement framework exists to fully suit the characteristics of such companies. This study aims to develop a novel performance-measuring framework to manage logistics performance in multiple-role companies. Design/methodology/approach The framework is developed by combining a literature review and a case study approach as applied to a company with multiple roles. The case study is conducted to identify the characteristics of multiple-role companies, the factors that potentially affect such companies’ logistics performance and criteria for a new framework. The literature review identifies the concepts, performance attributes and indicators from existing frameworks with the potential for incorporation and synthesis in the new framework. Findings This study identified several characteristics, performance drivers and criteria for a logistics performance-measuring framework for multiple-role companies. Additionally, this study successfully developed a new logistics performance-measuring framework that consists of eight performance management stages and an aggregated index to measure overall logistics performance. Practical implications The proposed logistics performance-measuring methodology provides useful guidance for stakeholders of multiple-role companies to plan, organize, execute and evaluate logistics performance. Originality/value This research fills a theoretical gap by explaining the characteristics of logistics systems in multiple-role companies, as well as the factors that may affect such companies’ logistics performance. Further, the proposed framework contributes to academia by integrating performance attributes from several available frameworks to manage objective conflicts, dynamism issues and the inconsistent performance evaluations that exist in companies with multiple roles.

It is undeniable that the Agile software development (SD) framework has been commonly used in information technology projects. However, many of the early adopters failed to implement it properly. Some researchers had proposed a solution by using the adaptation framework as a support, but they cannot clearly explain its development. Furthermore, the correlation between adaptation framework and problem solving is dubious. This study reviews and discusses the literature and empirical studies on the failure of Agile SD implementation by revisiting the supporting framework that used to comprehend the issues in Agile SD implementation. A comparative approach is used to review the literature available in academic databases, such as ProQuest, EBSCO, IEEE, and Scopus, to ensure research originality and novelty. By filtering 87 papers that met the initial criteria, only 4 researchers focused on the area of knowledge management and used the learning process as a supporting framework in Agile SD implementation. However, they did not clearly explain the development of the framework for Agile SD. The author's initial research on a corporation reveals the failure of Agile SD implementation. Soft systems methodology (SSM)-based action research (AR) proposed to identify the real issues in Agile SD implementation. SSMbased AR provides a solution by clarifying the development of a framework using tacit and explicit knowledge to validate the development process. This study can help practitioners and academics understand the process of Agile SD implementation by early adopters who still need assistance with its application. This study is the first to explore Agile SD implementation in a corporation using the experience-based approach, contributing to knowledge improvement. It contributes to the scholarly literature by presenting concepts that combine humancentric aspects and knowledge management to improve the learning in the organization.

Purpose This research aims to examine the smelter industry’s investment competitiveness in Indonesia as well as to find solutions to improve its competitive advantage for the nation. Design/methodology/approach This research applies a sequential mixed-methods approach with a second quantitative phase building on an initial first qualitative phase. The qualitative phase is conducted by interviews to find the root causes of problems as well as solutions to gain smelter industries’ competitiveness. The quantitative phase is conducted by a system dynamics model. A descriptive causal loop diagram is created based on interviews and focus group discussions to describe the problems. The concept of competitive advantage of a nation from Porter’s diamond model is applied in this research. Findings The results reveal the complexity of smelter industries in Indonesia. The paper also addresses the causes of problems and interaction of variables using a causal loop diagram. To gain the smelter industry’s competitiveness, this paper suggests the potential policy development to increase competitiveness of the smelter industry such as policy for different fiscal incentives to each different mineral, effective export duty and exploration obligation. Practical implications The result of this study provides a good basis for government in making policy to improve the competitive advantage of the smelter industry investment in Indonesia. Originality/value This is the first research on smelter industry competitiveness that applies Porter’s diamond model and system dynamics model to find solutions in designing appropriate policy to gain competitiveness.

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This paper aims to compare various Performance Management Systems for business school in order to find the strengths of each standard as inputs to design new model of PMS. There are many critical aspects and gaps notified for new model to improve performance and even recognized that self evaluation performance management is not well developed in school toward a competitive education market. The exploratory study and comparative study methodology were used to develop a conceptual model based upon literature review. An exploratory study approach was used to investigate the way in which PMS actually evolve within business school institution, while comparative study was done to determine relationship among PMS based on literature review and secondary data. Based on information gathered about several standards applied for business school, hopefully, there will be a valuable opportunity to create new PMS model that could cover every weaknesses and strengths that each standard had, and the new model will manage business school performance more comprehensively as well.