Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate a set of competencies that characterizes effective public middle managers. Design/methodology/approach A total of 20 middle managers from several public agencies were interviewed in person using the behavioral event interview technique. In all, 80 stories were deductively coded based on the existing National Civil Service Agency’s managerial competency dictionary and inductively examined through a thematic analysis to discover new themes. Findings This study’s findings suggest that communication, organizing, information seeking, analytical thinking and planning competencies are common competencies, but essential for effective public middle managers. Conversely, achievement orientation, leadership, directiveness, persuasiveness and innovation are competencies that characterize effective public middle managers and distinguish them from average performers. In addition, some other new competencies inductively obtained using a thematic analysis are also important for effective public managers: adherence to laws and regulations, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and technical competencies (technology management, human resource management and financial management). Research limitations/implications The research was undertaken using 20 samples divided into superior and average performers; thus, it is limited to developing competency levels to new competencies. Originality/value This study identifies the competencies necessary for effective middle managers within the public sector context. Conducting behavioral event interviews with two distinct groups provides empirically unique behavioral evidence of competencies that characterize effective public middle managers and enables to discover new competencies.

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Purpose This study aims to develop a business process maturity model, especially on operation processes, based on the characteristics of each organisational growth stage, to increase small and medium enterprises (SMEs) growth. With this information, SMEs can identify their needs and priorities for business process improvement based on the characteristics that are inherent in the organisation. Design/methodology/approach The proposed model was developed by reviewing the literature on previous studies related to the organisational life cycle and its characteristics, as well as a business process maturity model. Furthermore, historical case studies were conducted to validate the proposed model. Case study objects in this research were fashion industry companies that have grown from an SME scale to national level. Findings The results of this research indicate that the characteristics of each growth stage are different, which led to increased complexity and maturity of business processes run. Therefore, SMEs should pay attention to their growth stages, as a basis to improve their business process maturity, especially on the critical processes, which are evaluate products performance, design products and services and monitor sales. Through this model, SMEs can determine the business’ current growth stage and use the proposed model as guidance for business process improvement to accelerate organisational growth. Research limitations/implications Validation of the proposed model was done by conducting a historical case study. To generalise the model, it is recommended to survey similar industry and test quantitatively using statistical methods. However, further research can be used in other industries that might yield different results. Besides, this research can also be developed in the supporting process categories. Practical implications This study provides a practical guide for SMEs to identify their current growth stage, and implement the measurement of business process maturity level. Maturity level standard at every growth stage can be used in determining the priority of business process improvement to drive organisational growth. Originality/value Through this research, the BPMM method was developed to enable SMEs to implement a self-evaluation process without seeking external assistance and assess their needs through a clear and understandable scale allowing for further development of the business. By using this method, SMEs can manage their business processes maturity level to encourage its growth.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to formulate a knowledge management strategy model that aligns with the organisational growth stage and the characteristics of the business processes at every growth stage. The difference in characteristics at each growth stage has an impact on the characteristics of business processes, such as decision making and the period of process execution. Design/methodology/approach This research focussed on three fashion companies in Indonesia, and data were collected using a historical case-study method. Data collection was performed through in-depth interviews with the business owners, directors and managers, by direct observation, and through the collection of secondary data from the companies’ documents. Findings Through this research, a knowledge management strategy based on organisational growth stages was produced. It was found that when an organisation is at the entrepreneurial stage, the knowledge management strategy focussed on humans with tacit knowledge as well as explicit knowledge. At the growth stage, a transformation of tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge, especially at the individual level, is required, whereas at the expansion stage, the focus of the knowledge management strategy is on a system usage at the organisation level. Research limitations/implications Research using the case studies method has a limitation in the generalisation of the model. The knowledge management strategy generated in this study is unique to the fashion industry, where if the research were performed in other industries, there is a possibility for different results. Moreover, the characteristics of the business processes that are examined in this study are limited to the period of implementation and level of interaction. Other more detailed dimensions such as task variety and task analysability can be used to obtain more detailed characteristics of business processes. Practical implications Using the knowledge management strategies model formulated at every growth stage, the company owner can specify a knowledge management strategy that suits the organisation’s goal. Also, the results of this research can provide information on the priority for developing a knowledge management system aligned with the company’s growth. Originality/value The knowledge management strategy formulation from the organisational development point of view has not been investigated previously. In fact, the needs of the organisation, along with its growth, will change. Therefore, this research provides a new perspective which is more dynamic and can be integrated into formulating the knowledge management strategy.

Purpose This study aims to identify the competencies of small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) entrepreneurs in the software sector and the perceived level of attainment in each competency. It also examines whether these competencies and their levels affect business turnover and growth (in terms of business scale and duration). Design/methodology/approach To accomplish this purpose, the study took a quantitative approach, involving a survey of 33 SME entrepreneurs, which was then processed using statistical tests, including chi-square test, Kruskal–Wallis test and ordinal regression. Findings There were four findings of the study. Firstly, software SME entrepreneurs need 17 competencies, with high levels of soft competencies being required and average levels of technical competencies. Secondly, there are significant differences in perceived levels of customer service orientation (p = 0.089) depending on the scale of the business and in perceived levels of project management (p = 0.087) depending on the duration of the business. Thirdly, customer service orientation (p = 0.031) and project management (p = 0.01) both have a significant influence on business revenues. Fourthly, there were significant gaps in perceived levels of competency (p < 0.05) in achievement orientation, customer service orientation and project management. Originality/value There is existing research that conducts competency mappings at the managerial level in large-scale organizations; however, this sort of research in relation to SME entrepreneurs is still lacking. The present study seeks to fill this gap. It also maps integrated entrepreneurial competencies, including soft and technical competencies; a focus that is lacking in previous studies.

Introducing a technology push to stimulate entrepreneurship in remote areas in developing countries can be examined in the context of a franchising model (social or commercial franchising). The results of this study (fieldwork in Kalimantan, Indonesia) point to a high feasibility of introducing a technology push by a franchising model. The results indicate that the smallholder rubber farmers (community level) and the head of villages, head of district and the government departments (low, middle and high institutional level) support a technology push and are willing to participate. Furthermore almost all stakeholders prefer a franchising model to introduce a technology push with social franchising elements. Additionally, empirical evidence confirmed the main theoretical argument of this research: a technology push carried out by a franchising model can stimulate (social) entrepreneurship in remote villages. This study thus concluded that in order to stimulate (social) entrepreneurship in local communities and with that local economic development, a hybrid franchising (a combination of both commercial and social franchising) model should be used to carry a technology push. Besides his research, he teaches at the Master level on research methodology (see Jonker and Pennink, 2010, Springer Verlag) and teaches on organisational theory in a Bachelor programme. He has also coordinated several development projects in Indonesia and contributed to developments projects in Burkina Faso and Tanzania. Togar M. Simatupang is a Professor of Operations and Supply ChainManagement at the School of Business and Management in Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia. He received his PhD degree from Massey University, New Zealand. He has extensively published in logistics and supply chain management journals. He has been attributed the Highly Commended Award by Emerald Literati Network for his research in supply chain management. His current research and teaching interests focus primarily on supply chain collaboration, operations management and value chain management.Joko Siswanto is a member of the Industrial Management Research Group, Industrial Technology Faculty (FTI), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Indonesia. He received his doctor degree from the Department of Human Resource Management at the University of Twente, the Netherlands in 1999. His research interests are on entrepreneurship and innovation management and human resource management system. He has become a Lecturer in Industrial Engineering Programme at ITB since 1987 for subjects of innovation management, entrepreneurship, and HRM system. He also has conducted series of workshops for industries on competency-based human resource management and system since 2000.

PurposeThis study aims to draw lessons on how talent identification becomes a critical factor in the field of talent management (TM).Design/methodology/approachA simulation approach with three developed scenarios is used in the paper. The first utilised the standard deviation of skewed performance scores, the second applied the standard deviation of normalised data and the third practised a percentile approach. Concerning the normalisation process of employee performance data, the paper proposed a weighted function to address skewness.FindingsThe results indicate that the process of identifying talent using a nine-grid box is sensitive to changes in the classification criteria used, indicating a bias in identifying talent. In sum, using a standard deviation approach using transformation data is the most appropriate choice for use in performance data with a skewed distribution.Practical implicationsThe Government of West Java Province, Indonesia, can use the simulation results to objectively identify excellent civil servants and develop an appropriate TM strategy. A similar process treatment can be implemented in other organisations that have skew distribution issues.Originality/valueThis paper introduces a weighted function approach to address practical problems in the unsymmetrical distribution of employee performance scores when identifying talent using a TM framework. It shows the application of a unique mathematical technique to solve issues found in the field of human resources management systems.

Abstract:Purpose: The purpose of this research is to develop a model that will explain the impact of government policies to the competitiveness of palm oil industry. The model involves two commodities in this industry, namely crude palm oil (CPO) and refined palm oil (RPO), each has different added value.Design/methodology/approach: The model built will define the behavior of government in controlling palm oil industry, and their interactions with macro-environment, in order to improve the competitiveness of the industry. Therefore the first step was to map the main activities in this industry using value chain analysis. After that a conceptual model was built, where the output of the model is competitiveness of the industry based on market share. The third step was model formulation. The model is then utilized to simulate the policy mix given by government in improving the competitiveness of Palm Oil Industry. Findings:The model can accommodate government's policy mix which is then optimized. The model has been built structurally based on hierarchical multi-level system approach, while in the process element, the subprocesses are built using VCA approach. The model can simulate industry performance, and show that such government policy mix can improve the competitiveness of Indonesian palm Oil Industry. Research limitations/implications:The model was developed using only some policies which give direct impact to the competitiveness of the industry. For macro environment input, only price is considered in this model.-231-Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management -http://dx.doi.org/10.3926/jiem.1582 Practical implications: The model can simulate the output of the industry for various government policies mix given to the industry. The techno-economic aspect is also discussed. Originality/value:This research develops a model that can represent the structure and relationship between industry, government and macro environment, using value chain analysis and hierarchical multilevel system approach.