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Replication strategies, knowledge and attention: a study of coffee chains

Article Information:

Title:

Replication strategies, knowledge and attention: a study of coffee chains

Author(s):

Eyal Yaniv, David M. Brock

Journal:

International Journal of Service Industry Management

Year:

2008

Volume:

19

Issue:

3

Page:

379 - 399


ISSN:

0956-4233


DOI:

10.1108/09564230810875020

Publisher:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited


Acknowledgements:

The authors are grateful to Jonathan Brock, Dov Elizur, Avi Carmeli, Shaul Fox, Arie Reichel and two insightful IJSIM reviewers for their contribution to this paper in various phases of its development.

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Abstract:

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose and test a model that uses “organizational attention” as an explanatory factor of knowledge transfer, and apply it to firms pursuing a replication strategy – like McDonalds or Starbucks.

Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from three coffee chains, empirical findings that operationalize and illustrate their different attention profiles are presented, and differences in their replication outcomes are demonstrated. The paper concludes with some qualitative analyses of the linkages between attention and replication success.

Findings – Each chain has a different attention profile, reflected in varying attention to knowledge sources and domains. These profiles are found to be consistent with each three outcome measures of each chain's replication strategy – namely uniformity, accuracy, and distinctiveness.

Research limitations/implications – The paper extends prior understanding of the knowledge based view of the firm, organization, learning, cognitive limits, attention, and templates into an explanatory model of the process of knowledge flows, selection, and effectiveness in implementing replication strategies in service firms.

Originality/value – The proposed model is a pioneering examination of the influence of organizational attention on exploiting knowledge as a strategic resource; and specifically on three indications of the success of the replication strategy, namely accuracy, uniformity, and distinctiveness.

Keywords:

Corporate strategy, Knowledge management, Organizational planning


Article Type:

Research paper


Article URL:

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/09564230810875020

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