Purpose With the passage of the Affordable Health Care Act in the USA, many companies are investing in corporate wellness programs as a way to reduce healthcare costs and increase productivity of their workforces. Increasing healthcare expenditures and the pandemic of obesity and chronic diseases are driving forces to the development and implementation of workplace wellness programs across the globe. Companies expect to experience a return on their investment through lower healthcare costs and increased productivity. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach In this study, 109 business professionals were surveyed (primarily almost equally divided between Russian and Americans citizens) to examine their health-promoting and health risk behaviors. Demographics were compared in an effort to identify the key differences in order to pinpoint development opportunities to increase efficiencies among target populations. Findings According to the results, nationality was related to certain differences in health-promoting behaviors, participation rates and frequency of wellness programs offered by employers. No differences were found among different age groups. The results indicated that not even a single wellness program design is appropriate for all companies or even one company across all locations. Research limitations/implications Although there were no general conclusions have been drawn nor have the influencing factors for the different behaviors of the various target groups been adequately examined in this exploratory study, there were baselines developed for future research. Originality/value Few empirical studies exists that measure the perceived value of corporate wellness programs, especially among different cultural settings. In effect, wellness programs need to be developed specifically for the target population, with considerations to perceived value differences.
Small businesses and entrepreneurs face barriers to entering new markets, such as access to capital. Crowdfunding is one method for financing new ventures. The purpose of this article is to explore how crowdfunding can ease barriers of entry into new markets. Drawing from strategic management, planning, marketing, and technology acceptance literature, we present a conceptual model to explain the use of crowdfunding by small businesses and entrepreneurs. Factors that impact individuals’ propensity to utilize crowdfunding as a source of capital include ease of use, intention to use, attitudes toward use, and effectiveness.
This examination of location strategy implementation by Pittsburgh-based service firms, particularly eco-friendly initiatives, was pursued via a case-study approach. The factors selected for comparison were site size and cost; air, rail, highway, and waterway systems; zoning restrictions; proximity to markets/suppliers/competitors; and environmental impact issues. The study included five service-based firms, most of which made decisions concerning new locations within the last few years, and highlighted those factors most significant in the location strategies of local service firms. Findings evidence proximity to market/suppliers/competitors was the most heavily weighted factor in site selection among Pittsburgh-based service firms. The least considered factor in site selection was economic impact. Further, while each firm practiced various eco-friendly initiatives, those initiatives were largely intended to reduce firm costs rather than minimize environmental impact.
Managing supply chain relationships or working with suppliers to meet the goal of waste reduction are essential functions for successful businesses. There are several disruption risks associated in supply chains, of which few can argue that the disruption of communication, especially product identification and data capture, is the most important potential bottlenecks. It is important in a lean environment to identify potentially disruptive supply chain events for each node in the network. The use of RFID and related IT-intensive technologies can greatly aid management in its quest for more robust and agile supply chains, especially in an offshoring/outsourcing environment.
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