Browsing by Author "Allen, Robert Anthony"

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    Antecedents of Cybersecurity Implementation: A Study of the Cyber-Preparedness of U.K. Social Enterprises
    (IEEE, 2020-06-10) White, Gareth R. T.; Allen, Robert Anthony; Samuel, Anthony; Abdullah, Ahmed; Thomas, Robert J.
    The cybersecurity of organizations is a subject of perennial concern as they are subject to mounting threats in an increasingly digitalized world. While commercial and charitable organizations have been the objects of cybersecurity research, social enterprises (SEs) have remained unexplored. As SEs have become increasingly important features of social and economic development, so their prominence as potential targets of cybercrime also increases. In order to address this knowledge gap, this article examines the factors that influence the cyber-preparedness of SEs in the U.K. Through the use of semistructured interviews with SE owner-managers, these factors are found to comprise the characteristics of the enterprise, the characteristics of the enterprise management, resource constraints, experience of cyberattacks, usage of IT, and awareness of cybersecurity schemes and resources. These insights provide valuable guidance for SE owner-managers, SE support agencies, and policy-makers when considering the cybersecurity of SEs. These findings are of immediate concern to SEs but also to other organizations that are engaged in partnerships with them as SEs may afford “gateway” opportunities to those with malicious intent.
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    Examining operational wastes within Greek banking operations
    (Emerald, 2019-02-28) Allen, Robert Anthony; Panagoulis, Giannis; White, Gareth R. T.
    In order to address operational effectiveness in the banking sector caused by the 2008 global economic crisis, this study examines the nature of operational wastes that exist within four large Greek banks. A Delphi study was undertaken with ten managers and ten employees. The waste of underutilised people is found to be the dominant form of waste present and affecting the efficiency of banking operations. This has implications for managers of banking operations needing to address efficiencies in an increasingly competitive global economic environment. The paper also highlights the drawbacks of analysing typologies of waste across organisations and industrial sectors.
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    Human capital neurodiversity: an examination of stereotype threat anticipation
    (Emerald, 2021-02-08) Priscott, Tamsin; Allen, Robert Anthony
    Purpose The purpose of the study was to test the assumption of similarities between neurodivergents and other minority groups regarding their reaction to stereotype threat. In addition, it aimed to identify the source of stereotype threat and the neurodivergent's response to it. Design/methodology/approach Two studies were conducted. Study 1 employed three exercises consisting of brochures, learning sets and posters to test organisational cues, notions of intelligence and situational cues. It collected data from 53 participants to establish whether stereotype threat observed in visible difference such as race, gender and intelligence is equally relevant to neurodiversity. Study 2 consisted of interviews with 44 participants to establish stereotype threat source, reaction and effect on declaration of invisible difference. Findings Neurodivergents, defined by their invisible difference, react similarly to those with a visible difference with respect to organisational cues and stereotype threat. They will cognisantly define their behaviours depending upon those cues and stereotype threat. In doing so, they draw upon previous personal and work experiences. After the event, they will make a comparison to their assessment. If it is similar to their assessment, it reinforces it; however, if it is dissimilar, the neurodivergent will make an adjustment to the assessment. In both cases, the experience will form part of a future threat assessment. Research limitations/implications The research is limited by its interpretivist nature and sample comprising personnel within a UK government organisation. Practical implications The research has practical implications for employers, providing managers with a model to understand the impact a neurodivergents' previous experiences can have on their ability to interact within the workplace. Such understanding can provide insight into how best to utilise human capital. Originality/value This study makes a contribution to theory by expanding knowledge of neurodiversity in the workplace and by identifying the neurodivergents' reaction to the anticipation of a stereotype threat. In addition, it offers the stereotype threat anticipation conceptual model as a representation of the cognitive decisions made by neurodivergents to conceal or reveal their invisible difference.
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    The perceived characteristics of 'Knowledgeable' by UK MOD procurement function staff
    (IEOM Society, 2017-07-31) Allen, Robert Anthony; Renfrey, Simon
    A neglected aspect of the nature of expertise and knowledge is how personnel in public procurement are perceived. The purpose of this paper is to examine the characteristics of procurement staff who are perceived to be knowledgeable and those who are not. Fifty-eight UK Ministry of Defence procurement function staff completed an online survey. The study shows that how procurement personnel are regarded by colleagues is inclined towards ascribed attributes and this paper presents a delineation of those attributes to allow for greater understanding. An awareness of the perceptions of others has practical importance for procurement personnel and managers as it allows for the better understanding of how they are perceived and in doing so empowers them to build on strengths and identify areas for improvement. The study’s originality lies in the provision of an important insight into how staff within a complex and usually difficult to access public sector procurement environment are perceived by their colleagues.
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    Sources of expertise in social enterprises
    (Wiley, 2020-07-09) Allen, Robert Anthony
    Social enterprises draw upon multifarious sources of expertise in pursuit of their social and business goals. The social enterprise's first source of expertise is that of their own relational experience derived from their previous employment or experiences and context expertise developed from a deep understanding of their own business. They seek advice from a wide expert‐support network favoring those associated with business acumen more than any other. The expert‐support network consists of eight distinct categories that are described in a comprehensive model.
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    A study of attitudes towards threat in the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Commercial Function
    (British Academy of Management, 2017-09-07) Allen, Robert Anthony; White, Gareth R. T.
    Against a background of continuing change and increasing pressures public sector procurement staff are being required to do more with less. The aim of this study was to establish whether Ministry of Defence Commercial Officers sense that they are under threat and assess what those primary sources of threat are. Data was acquired through in-depth interviews with procurement practitioners from two key Ministry of Defence sites at Bristol and Corsham in the South West of England. The study finds that threat is perceived to exist and categorises them as internal (self, FDRS, line management and reputation) and external (Budgetary, legislative, policy/political pressure and risk). These threats are shown to negatively affect behaviour and the efficient running of the procurement function. Access to the MOD commercial function is necessarily restricted to those outside of the organisation and the data and findings presented in this study are therefore an important contribution to our knowledge of the internal workings of the Department and the procurement personnel within it.
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    University-Industry collaboration through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships in the UK: an extension of Activity Theory
    (The International Journal of Management, 2019-10-31) White, Gareth R. T.; Abdullah, Ahmed; Cicmil, Svetlana; Allen, Robert Anthony; Thomas, Robert
    The mechanisms for stimulating innovation are perennial subjects of concern. Despite the recognition of their importance they remain troublesome undertakings for individual organisations and national economies. The literature has only recently begun to recognise the importance of the micro-relations that exist between individuals and their effect upon the efficacy of these mechanisms. However, the intricacies of these micro-relationships remain underexplored. Through an extended period of immersion of around two years in each of three organisations this study identifies the nature of the tensions that beset the micro-relations between individuals in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships in the United Kingdom. The research proffers an extension to the Activity Framework in order to explicitly recognise the dimension of ‘Tacit Skills’.