Project 3 Moving to the Next Level: A Scoping Study EPSRC EP/D503981/1 Dolores Anon Higon (Aston), Giuliana Battisti (Aston), Neil Burns (Loughborough), Jillian MacBryde (Strathclyde), Beverley Randle (Cardiff), Marek Szwejczewski (Cranfield), Elizabeth Watson (Strathclyde)

Structure of presentation What did we set out to do in the scoping study? Review of scoping study activity to date –What did the literature review tell us? –What did the stakeholder analysis tell us? –Pilot case study Tangible outputs to date –Literature review –Agreed definition and scope of research –Conceptual framework –Conference paper What next with the scoping study? –How does this differ from the original plan? What are our future research plans?

What did we set out to do in the scoping study? gather data to check our belief that companies who do move up the value chain really do achieve productivity gains; deliver a first class literature review that clearly identifies the key research questions; develop a methodology and research instruments, which will allow us to study organisations in-depth to learn what factors contribute to successful repositioning; test research instruments in the field before embarking on a larger scale investigation.

Review of scoping study activity WorkpackageTarget Completion ResponsibilityComments 1. Literature reviewFeb 2006MacBrydeComplete 2. Stakeholder analysisMarch 2006MacBryde & Szwejczewski Complete 3. Secondary data collection and analysisMarch 2006Anon & Giuliana Changed 4.Development of research questions and instruments June 2006BurnsDraft 5. Case studiesSept 2006MacBryde & Szwejczewski Ongoing 6. Develop Full Proposal and Write Final Report for Scoping Study Dec 2006MacBrydeTo do

What did the literature review tell us? There is very little written about the specific issues of how SMEs move up the value chain. There is a lack of proven tools to help firms (particularly SMEs) assess how to move in the value chain and if it is worth moving. There is a gap in the understanding of the connections between what can be done at the firm level to affect productivity at the national level.

What did the stakeholder analysis tell us? There are tools and techniques within the consulting sector, but mainly aimed at larger organisations, and few tested and validated A “how to” guide would be appreciated There was some interest in gaining an understanding of the motives that drive companies to move in the value chain SMEs in particular would like to see more case studies – explaining companies experiences with timescales and costs

Tangible outputs to date Literature review Agreed definition and scope of research Conceptual framework Conference paper Formulation of draft research agenda

Definition of successfully moving up the value chain “changing the sphere of activities that delivers value to the customer, resulting in an increase in the firm’s productivity”

Conceptual Framework

Pilot case study Cemtron Ltd, Dumfermline Tested out research tools to allow finalisation of the case study protocol Highlighted the significance of the relationship with customers to allow the firm to move up the value chain

EurOMA 2006, Glasgow Conference paper and presentation Dissemination of work Inputs from other delegates New collaborators

What next with the scoping study? Complete 4 initial case studies Develop initial models of: –Why companies reposition themselves –What changes –Factors that help and hinder a move Further refine research questions and instruments Develop future research proposal

Scoping study – deviations from plan More time spent on literature review Less emphasis on secondary data analysis and proving the link between repositioning and productivity Changes in scale of involvement of team members

Future research plans Fill the gap in knowledge in relation to SMEs moving up the value chain. Develop “why”, “what” and “how” models What makes an SME take the decision to reposition? What needs to change when they do How do they do it, and what factors help and hinder Use case study research Develop a practical tool for SMEs Further work on understanding the connections between productivity at the level of the firm and at a national level, in this context.

Any Questions? Apologies from the other team members unable to attend. The PI, Dr Jill MacBryde, would be happy for you to direct any questions to her.