bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring trust inside organisations
Authors: Dietz Graham , Den Hartog Deanne N.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which measures and operationalisations of intra‐organisational trust reflect the essential elements of the existing conceptualisation of trust inside the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an overview of the essential points from the rich variety of competing conceptualisations and definitions in the management and organisational literatures. It draws on this overview to present a framework of issues for researchers to consider when designing research based on trust. This framework is then used to analyse the content of 14 recently published empirical measures of intra‐organisational trust. It is noted for each measure the form that trust takes, the content, the sources of evidence and the identity of the recipient, as well as matters related to the wording of items.

Findings

The paper highlights where existing measures match the theory, but also shows a number of “blind‐spots” or contradictions, particularly over the content of the trust belief, the selection of possible sources of evidence for trust, and inconsistencies in the identity of the referent.

Research limitations/implications

It offers researchers some recommendations for future research designed to capture trust among different parties in organisations, and contains an Appendix with 14 measures for intra‐organisational trust.

Originality/value

The value of the paper is twofold: it provides an overview of the conceptualisation literature, and a detailed content‐analysis of several different measures for trust. This should prove useful in helping researchers refine their research designs in the future.
Instruction via chat reference: does co‐browse help?
Authors: Graves Stephanie J. , Desai Christina M.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to determine whether instruction would be welcomed by instant messaging (IM)/chat users, whether instruction is possible in this medium, whether it can be effectively provided, and if the use of co‐browsing enhances learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies were conducted in which IM/chat reference transcripts were analyzed and patron surveys collected. This research paper compares results from these studies, the first based on use of text‐only IM software, the second using commercial chat software with a co‐browse feature.

Findings

Findings indicate that patrons welcome instruction, whether they ask for it or not, and are satisfied with chat/IM as an instructional medium. Librarians usually provide instruction, though they are more likely to do so if patrons ask for it, directly or indirectly. Co‐browsing was used little and did not increase the amount of instruction provided. Patron question format had an impact on the likelihood of co‐browsing. Despite a high rate of technical difficulties, co‐browsing was very well received by survey respondents.

Practical implications

Findings suggest more training on the importance of instruction in virtual reference is needed.

Originality/value

Providing instruction via reference is an established practice at the physical reference desk, yet few studies of instruction in virtual reference have been conducted and none on co‐browsing as an instructional tool. This study addresses the need for research on instruction in the virtual reference environment.
Ill‐structured problems and the reference consultation
Authors: Fields Anne M.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To apply the concept of ill‐structured problems and learner expertise to the reference consultation.

Design/methodology/approach

Research literature from the 1960s forward regarding ill‐structured problems and learner expertise in a variety of disciplines was surveyed. Resulting characteristics of expert problem‐solvers were used to suggest applications to the reference consultation.

Findings

Librarians can structure the reference consultation to better meet students' needs as information problem solvers.

Research limitations/implications

The method described appears to have sound basis in research into cognitive development and reflective thinking, but it has not been empirically demonstrated in the reference environment. Empirical research with reference librarians and students would be a logical next step.

Originality/value

Research into ill‐structured problems and learner expertise is ongoing in information retrieval systems. It has not been applied to the reference consultation.
Knowledge management and the links to HRM
Authors: Gloet Marianne
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To explore linkages between knowledge management (KM) and human resource management (HRM) as a means of developing leadership and management capabilities to support sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of relevant literature is explored initially. A framework linking KM and HRM is then applied to the development of leadership and management capabilities to support sustainability.

Findings

Provides a means by which to promote sustainability through effective KM and HRM linkages and suggests means by which organisations can develop leadership and management capabilities to support sustainability across business, environmental and social justice contexts.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap in current literature by providing managers with a framework for addressing sustainability issues and for developing individual and organisational capabilities to support sustainability through KM and HRM practices.
Quality management practices and their relationship with customer satisfaction and productivity improvement
Authors: Terziovski Milé
Published: September 2006

Purpose

There is considerable confusion surrounding the applied role and business value of TQM. Anecdotal evidence and empirical studies in the literature suggest considerable variability in the performance of TQM. The purpose of the paper is to test the strength of the relationship between quality management practice and two key operational performance measures: productivity improvement and customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A large database consisting of 962 responses from Australian manufacturing firms and 379 responses from New Zealand manufacturing firms is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The major finding of the paper is that multiple quality management practices when implemented simultaneously have a significant and positive effect on productivity improvement and customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The results presented in this paper are drawn from one industry at one point in time. Generalising the results to other industries should be done with caution. This study, therefore, aims to motivate further research on the link between quality strategies and organisational performance.

Practical implications

The main implication that emerges from the paper is that managers in manufacturing firms should place more emphasis on “soft” quality management practices (e.g. unity of purpose/elimination of barriers between individuals and departments) and less emphasis on “hard” practices (e.g. process control).

Originality/value

The paper fulfils an identified need on the value of quality practice and offers practical implications to managers and stimulates further research on the relationship between quality practice and operational performance in non‐manufacturing industries.
Business networking in the Chinese context
Authors: Szeto Ricky , Wright Philip C. , Cheng Edward
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Business ethics has become a controversial topic as China integrates more closely into the world economy and there are signs of convergence within global professions. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to studyguanxiand business ethics in China within the context of social capital development, with a view to creating a more balanced interpretation that provides insights for Westerners wishing to conduct business in China.

Design/methodology/approach

In terms of methodology, the work is based on the results of a recent survey conducted among Chinese executives in southern China.

Findings

The major findings suggest that the processes of developing social capital and the nurturing of company‐to‐company relationships need to be planned carefully. Thus, no one individual should be responsible for the China connection, although the appointment of a team leader is essential, otherwise the Chinese side would become confused. Negotiations always are to be conducted on a team basis and always approved at the highest levels in the corporate structure.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this paper include the difficulties of obtaining any research sample in China. Thus, we refer to the work of Weiss, (Learning From Strangers, Free Press, New York.) and use a snowball sample.

Originality/value

The practical implications of the paper are thatguanxi(a type of social capital), can be managed and that corruption does not have to result from the use ofguanxi‐based relationships. Thus, the originality arises out of the practical implications, in that for the first time, Western concepts of social capital and Asian concepts ofguanxihave been compared, leading to practical recommendations for Western managers.
Evaluating the market reaction to UK divestitures
Authors: Cao Jack , Owen Sian , Yawson Alfred
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To determine whether the abnormal returns accruing to UK companies undertaking a divestiture are different when the unit sold is in the UK or elsewhere and to specifically hypothesize that returns generated by a domestic sale will be higher than those resulting from an overseas sale.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 668 divestitures reported on securities data corporation (SDC) Platinum database, and share price data from DataStream, both abnormal returns and cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) are calculated around the announcement date using the market model.

Findings

That the announcement of a divestiture generates positive abnormal returns for shareholders. Further, that the announcement of a UK divestiture generates a significantly larger positive market reaction than the announcement of an overseas divestiture. For the divestiture of units located outside the UK it is found that the largest CARs are generated when the buying firm is based in the UK.

Originality/value

Here the existing work on divestiture announcement effects is extended by taking into account the location of the divested unit and the location of the buying firm. This allows one to investigate whether market reaction to an announcement of a divestiture is influenced by both the location of the unit sold and the location of the buying company.
An exploratory empirical investigation of environmental audit programs in S&P 500 companies
Authors: Bae SangHoo , Seol Inshik
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between environmental audit programs and various organizational characteristics in S&P 500 companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the study are derived from two different sources. First, environmental audit related data were obtained from the corporate environmental profiles database (CEPD) which is published by the Investor Research Responsibility Center (IRRC). All firms who responded to the survey between 1998 and 2003 were included for the study. In total, 192 firms responded during this time period. Second, other firm specific and industry data were obtained from research insight (i.e. COMPUSTAT) database, which is published by Standard and Poor's.

Findings

The results show that an increasing number of companies are adopting environmental audit programs and industry‐specific factors affect an organization's decision to adopt environmental audit programs.

Research limitations/implications

Since the paper relies on the survey data, one of the limitations of the study is possible self‐selection bias in the sample. Caution is needed before the results may be generalized. One promising area of future research is to investigate the relationship between the firm‐specific characteristics identified in this study and the performance (both financial and non‐financial) of the organization.

Practical implications

The results of the study can provide useful information to organizations that are planning to implement environmental auditing program.

Originality/value

The study is one the first for investigating the characteristics between companies with environmental audit programs and those who do not using an entire set of S&P 500 firms. Even though there have been some studies regarding environmental auditing, few have investigated the entire population of S&P 500 companies.
Determining the significance of the citizens' advice bureau as an industrial relations actor
Authors: Abbott Brian
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper draws on established and more recent concepts of an industrial relations actor and applies them to the citizens' advice bureau (CAB). The purpose of this is to determine the significance of the CAB as an industrial relations actor and to identify limitations associated with traditional concepts of what constitutes an actor.

Design/methodology/approach

Eight bureaux from contrasting localities in Greater London participated in the research. CAB advisers providing employment advice and clients with work related problems were interviewed.

Findings

Provides information on what constitutes an industrial relations actor and the significance of the CAB as a new industrial relations actor.

Originality/value

The paper addresses a gap on new industrial relations actors particularly in relation to their importance. It suggests that new bodies can be classified as industrial relations actors and that they are significant, particularly in the absence of a strong labour movement.
Forced employment contract change and the psychological contract
Authors: Saunders Mark N.K. , Thornhill Adrian
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To explore the implications for all employees' psychological contracts of a forced change from permanent to temporary employment status for some employees within an organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample of 30 employees, stratified by employment status was selected. Each employee undertook a structured card sort of possible emotional responses to change followed by an in‐depth interview to explore and explain their categorisation of these responses.

Findings

The nature of psychological contracts and organisational attachments for both permanent employees and forced temporary workers is complex. Permanent employees generally continue to exhibit relational forms of attachment to the organisation. These, they believe, are reciprocated by the organisation. Reactions from forced temporary workers are more varied. After a period of denial, some develop a more calculative approach to their interactions. Others maintain aspects of their previously developed relational attachments. Only some temporary workers appear to recognise that their future direction is no longer a concern of the organisation.

Research limitations/implications

Although only based upon one organisation, the findings suggest that the process of psychological contract adjustment is likely to emerge through gradual re‐interpretation, rather than through re‐negotiation.

Practical implications

Management actions need to be recognised as important in re‐defining the nature of psychological contracts. The transitional nature of this process may be prolonged where management imposes transactional contracts and where communication and negotiation to create clear expectations is lacking.

Originality/value

The findings provide new insights into the implications of forcing employees from permanent to temporary contracts for their, and remaining permanent employees', psychological contracts.
A window open to the whole world
Authors: Chen Xuyan , Shen Liyun
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The paper aims to focus on the “Window of Shanghai”, a cooperative program initiated by Shanghai Library that aims to connect people and promote understanding, by the donation of new books published in China to foreign libraries, especially those that are functioning as the major local information gateway for people of various communities and/or with different cultural origins.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a review of the program.

Findings

The paper shows that the purpose of the program, to cooperate with overseas partners – public libraries and other information institutions – to introduce and spread Chinese language and culture through the donation of Chinese domestic publications, has provided opportunities and future challenges. The program has helped Chinese migrants around the world to be better understood and identified, and has contributed to aiding the continuation of their languages, customs and traditions in subsequent generations.

Originality/value

The paper provides information on a program that is helping to spread Chinese language and culture.
Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS
Authors: Wenhong Ju
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to call for the application of marketing in the library area, especially libraries supported by public budget. Draws directly on experiences within the Library of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Design/methodology/approach

Gives a summary of the current situation, analyzes problems and suggests new methods and provides a case study.

Findings

Explores and evaluates the use of marketing tools, service promotion experiences and new techniques in a large library context and explores the boundaries between real and virtual libraries and service provision.

Originality/value

A case study of service provision promotion practices, discusses user‐centered web site design, and how market‐oriented problem solutions can help to enhance a library's customer relationships.
How does a dandelion seed from overseas root and thrive?
Authors: Zhan Changzhi , Zhang Hongxia
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The concept of quality management blossomed first in Japan and later in US and UK industry. Since then, the theory of quality management has been growing rapidly. It has become a management philosophy and has taken shape in a series of international standards in the ISO 9000 series. This article aims to describe how total quality management (TQM) – a dandelion seed from overseas ‐ turned an ordinary library into something different.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is a general review of the progress made in Hainan University Library.

Findings

Hainan University Library implemented TQM in July 2004 and passed the authentication of ISO 9000: 2000 in 2005. Management innovation in Hainan University Library gradually became a real eye‐catcher. A national workshop on quality management and performance management in the library was held in April 2006. The library is now a member of IFLA (there are 25 members in China including Macao and Hong Kong); in 2005 the director of the library was elected as a standing committee member of IFLA Academic and Research Libraries Section; and international exchange and cooperation is becoming increasingly active.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates how a silent, ordinary library has made a difference; it is moving away from being an isolated island and moving towards the international arena.
The Guichet du Savoir
Authors: Bazin Patrick
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to intoduce the Guichet du Savoir, an online information service proposed by the Lyon Municipal Library.

Design/methodology/approach

A description of its originality is provided, which is based on three principles: any kind of question is accepted, any question and its answer are immediately published and later archived in a knowledge database easily accessible online; the entire library staff cooperates in providing the answers.

Findings

The Guichet du Savoir is therefore a means of exchange with the public, a dynamic encyclopaedia, as well as a means for managing and emphasizing librarian skills. Since its opening, in March 2004, this service has published more than 13,000 answers and represents one of the main driving forces for the library's modernization.

Originality/value

Of value to librarians who will see how the Guichet du Savoir comes within the scope of a self‐asserting strategy for the library itself, which is no longer perceived as a book sanctuary only, but also as an intermediating force for the circulation and the sharing of knowledge in the information society.
Legal remedies for girls' under‐representation in nontraditional career and technical education
Authors: Eardley Ellen , Manvell Jessica
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to document the extent of girls' under‐representation in nontraditional high school career and technical education courses, examine the role of sex discrimination in these disparities, and identify legal remedies for addressing the problem.

Design/methodology/approach

This article uses high school CTE enrollment data from 12 states to document female students' under‐representation in nontraditional courses and uses wage data to show the negative implications for girls' future earnings. Drawing on the experiences of female students, this study explains how sex discrimination contributes to their low rates of participation in nontraditional training. The study then discusses how laws and regulations at the federal and state levels may provide means to address such discrimination.

Findings

Finds high levels of sex segregation in CTE course enrollment, with female students making up on average 15 percent of students in nontraditional courses and 87 percent in traditionally female fields. Substantial evidence of sex discrimination in CTE makes a strong case for its role in contributing to girls' low enrollment in nontraditional courses. Varied state laws can be utilized to address this underlying cause.

Originality/value

While much research has looked at girls in math and science, less attention has been paid to their participation in nontraditional CTE. This paper offers quantitative evidence of girls' under‐representation in such courses and qualitative evidence of the role sex discrimination plays. Offers a unique solution by showing how state laws can be used to address such discrimination and increase girls' participation in nontraditional training.
Cross‐national differences in job quality among low‐skilled young workers in Europe
Authors: de Grip Andries , Wolbers Maarten H.J.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the extent to which the quality of the jobs of low‐skilled young workers is affected by the structure of education and training systems in various European countries. It focuses on the differences between countries providing fairly general education (internal labour market (ILM) contexts) and countries offering more specific vocational education (occupational labour market (OLM) contexts).

Design/methodology/approach

Logistic regression analyses.

Findings

It is found that low‐skilled young workers are worse off in OLM countries than in ILM ones, with respect to employment in a permanent job, employment in a non‐elementary job and participation in continuing vocational training. However, in OLM countries low‐skilled young workers are less often involuntary part‐time employed than those in ILM countries. With regard to participation in continuing vocational training, the ILM‐OLM contrast is larger in manufacturing than in services; regarding employment in a permanent job the reverse is true.

Originality/value

It is shown that the labour market position of low‐skilled young workers is affected by the structure of education and training systems in various European countries. The upgrading of the skills demanded in the European “knowledge economies” will therefore have less severe consequences for low‐skilled young workers in ILM countries than in OLM countries, since the acquisition of occupationally specific skills is organized differently between the two institutional contexts.
Estimating the size of the Cypriot underground economy
Authors: Duygun Fethi Meryem , Fethi Sami , Turan Katircioglu Salih
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To measure the size of underground economy and the amount of tax evasion in Cyprus by employing monetary and non‐monetary approaches over the period 1960‐2003 and to compare the Cyprus figures with some European experience existing in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Annual data covering the 1960‐2003 period were applied to several approaches for measuring the size of underground economy and the amount of tax evasion in Cyprus. These approaches are: employment discrepancy; simple currency ratio; transaction and currency demand.

Findings

On the basis of the results obtained from this study: firstly, in Cyprus the average ratio of the underground economy and tax evasion to official GDP is estimated at 9.41 and 0.31 percent of GDP respectively for the study period, and secondly, in the two time intervals where Cypriots figures are internationally comparable with the often quoted EU underground economy figures, the figures for Cyprus are estimated as 5.96 percent of GDP in 1994‐95 and 5.67 percent of GDP in 1996‐97 whereas the figures for some European Union (EU) members are 18.05 percent of GDP in 1994‐95 and 18.76 percent of GDP in 1996‐97.

Research limitations/implications

Findings of this study suggest that the issue of the underground economy is still in need of further investigation, firstly, to reach reliable results since each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses and yield different results, secondly, to find out the best method selection on a well‐established theory, and finally, to employ reliable data estimating measurement.

Practical implications

Both EU and Cypriot authorities can utilize this study to analyse the extent of Cypriot underground economy with respect to the other EU members. Such attempts can be useful in developing policies and implementing actions and measures to eliminate underground economy activities.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind with recent data to measure the size of underground economy and tax evasion for the Cypriot economy by employing various approaches.
European armaments collaboration and integration
Authors: Kenny Brian
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The paper seeks to address the European Union's emerging role in the management of international security challenges and its implications for collaboration in armaments procurement. While the former is about integrating member governments at policy level, the latter concerns organising states' defence industries into a cohesive and competitive supply base.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical frameworks include historic‐comparative analysis and the bureaucratic politics model. Independent variable comprises state actors and interest groups, while the dependent variable comprises the outcomes in terms of defence policy and armaments collaboration decisions. European armaments integration is considered, contrasting liberal inter‐governmentalism and neo‐functionalism theory. Case study data are derived from official EU document sources.

Findings

In general, national governments tend to protect important industrial actors irrespective of ownership. Bringing market and defence issues closer challenges the traditional separation between “low” and “high” politics. The collaboration in armaments acquisition isad hocand somewhat piecemeal in nature. Structures have evolved in an attempt to integrate the armaments process with spill‐over effect at policy level fostering armaments integration, helped by a more favourably structured and organised defence industry symptomatic of neo‐functionalism. Co‐ordination of European defence policy and armaments procurement through EDA should, in theory, lead to longer‐term co‐ordination, co‐operation and integration between the member states. The latter may see it in their interests to integrate as they come to recognize that EU institutions lack the capabilities to make policies realistic.

Originality/value

European armaments procurement and integration is not well researched; nor are the theoretical issues well understood. An explanation (model) of European armaments procurement integration is developed, along with an identification of key facilitators.
Interorganisational collaboration at UK World Heritage Sites
Authors: Wilson Lesley‐Ann , Boyle Emily
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This study aims to identify the extent of intended interorganisational collaboration in the implementation of management objectives at World Heritage Sites (WHSs). These sites represent a unique management challenge in terms of the number and diversity of organisations involved both in terms of ownership and in the interface between the site and the wider tourism environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on content analysis of 12 management plans. Analysis focuses on the types and frequency of organisations involved in the joint implementation of sustainable tourism objectives. Ratio analysis is used to develop a ratio of collaboration which provides a measure of the numbers of organisations involved and the level of collaborative activity across sites.

Findings

There is higher commitment towards interorganisational collaboration at complex sites, comprising a range of attractions, compared with single‐focus sites. This was unsurprising, given that complex ownership of sites necessitates collaboration. However, when data relating to site owners was eliminated to reveal a truer picture of collaboration, the findings indicated that single‐focus sites were committed to jointly implementing a higher proportion of objectives compared with complex sites organisations. A number of mechanisms are in place to facilitate collaboration, but again, these are more prominent in the management plans of complex sites. The findings indicate that interorganisational collaboration is currently underutilised in the strategic management of WHSs.

Research limitations/implications

The study is exploratory, given that this is the first time that World Heritage Sites have had published management plans. Measuring comparative activity using ratio analysis is one‐dimensional. The research is also based on intended activity over the next five years and would need to be followed up by further research based on the reality of implemented objectives.

Originality/value

The study assesses the extent of intended interorganisational collaboration in the public‐sector context of WHSs and contributes to the literature in both areas of study.
The effects of nepotism on human resource management
Authors: Arasli Huseyin , Bavik Ali , Ekiz Erdogan H.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential effects of nepotism on human resource management (HRM) practices through the use of Turkish Cypriot hotel employees in three, four, and five star accommodation establishments in Northern Cyprus.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were distributed to full time hotel employees in three, four, and five star hotels in Northern Cyprus. Of the 500 distributed, 257 usable questionnaires were retrieved. A judgmental sampling approach was used.

Findings

The principal finding is that nepotism has a significant negative effect on HRM, job satisfaction, quitting intention, and negative word of mouth. The study also shows that HRM exerts a significant positive effect on job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

This study reveals that nepotism is an unprofessional phenomenon that provides benefits merely to the family members or close friends. Therefore, nepotism paralyzes human resource practices and affects the level of satisfaction among employees. Although the job opportunities are limited in the hotel industry in north Cyprus, employees may think of quitting their jobs or using negative word of mouth if their job satisfaction level is not enhanced. Customers perceive and evaluate the quality by considering the attitude, behavior and tone of the voice of employees. Therefore, priority of satisfaction has to be given to the employees in order to satisfy the customers. There are several limitations to the current study. In future studies, other variables such as role stress, organizational commitment, and different facets of job satisfaction may be used in order to examine the probable relationships. Secondly, future research with larger sample size elsewhere would be productive to provide a support for the generalization of the present findings. Thirdly, this study employed judgmental sampling approach. Future studies may use probability‐sampling approach in order to support the current study findings.

Originality/value

This study is necessary and useful for three reasons. Firstly, it investigates the possible impacts of nepotism on multiple organizational dimensions, which is a relatively virgin area. Secondly, the effects of nepotism have been mostly examined at the macro level resulting in a paucity of empirical research especially at the organizational level. Thirdly, the study provides some propositions and managerial implications to owners, managers, and employees in North Cyprus where the tourism and hospitality industry constitutes an essential part of the economy.
Orders and obedience: structure and agency
Authors: Jackson Michael
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The major thesis of this article is how social contract theory sheds light on the interaction of structure and agency. A minor thesis is to rebut the conclusions drawn from Stanley Milgram's famous obedience experiments.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument rests in large part on an extensive review of authentic, empirical evidence found in studies of medical compliance.

Findings

Patient agency is choosing not to comply with medical orders has over the years forced structural changes in the doctor–patient relations. These changes can be understand through the evolution of three kinds of social contract.

Practical implications

One important implication is that non‐compliance can be a relational choice in one's lifeworld.

Originality/value

No other study has brought together Milgram's evidence with the medical compliance literature to demonstrate the integration of agency and structure.
Children, housing and health
Authors: Stewart J. , Rhoden M.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To consolidate and review current literature that relates children's health to their housing and living environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of published sources which review the relationship between children, housing and health. The sources consolidate research that applies specifically to children and their domestic situation. The paper also reviews literature around municipal tower block estates and the unique health/architecture relationship before turning to children living in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation. An overview of current public health policy that seeks to reintegrate housing and well‐being is undertaken.

Findings

Decent housing lies at the heart of health for all. Generally, the picture is more positive, but action remains slow. Children's needs must be given a higher priority in housing in future to promote physical and emotional well‐being.

Research limitations/implications

It is not an exhaustive list and the sources are mainly UK publications.

Practical implications

The UK approach to children, housing and health may be of interest to a number of overseas countries in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified information/resources need and offers readers such as students, academics and practitioners an overview of the UK approach.
Implementation issues influencing the decision to adopt postponement
Authors: Graman Gregory A. , Magazine Michael J.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Postponement (also known as delayed product differentiation) has been shown to be an effective supply chain strategy from an inventory‐reduction, service‐level improvement standpoint. However, there has been relatively little empirical research on identifying the drivers and/or obstacles to a successful implementation of a postponement strategy. This study aims to identify the importance of several managerial issues surrounding the implementation of such a strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory depth interviews with company managers were conducted to identify and examine issues that may affect a successful implementation. Borrowing from the concept of triangulation, the findings are integrated with results reported elsewhere in the literature to understand the interrelated aspects of postponement implementation issues. This approach provides insights that would not be had if the results of each study were viewed independently of one another.

Findings

The identification of managerial issues implies that there is more to implementing a partial postponement strategy than the repositioning of inventories prescribed by a mathematical inventory model. Several issues that may influence a postponement implementation are identified and discussed including product integrity, operations scheduling, and organizational readiness.

Research limitations/implications

The depth interview process is an empirical methodology subject to the limitations of judgmental conclusions, interpreter bias and small sample size. The results of this exploratory study provide a more in‐depth understanding of drivers and obstacles to implementing this supply chain strategy. The findings suggest the need for further investigation of the issues surrounding the decision to adopt postponement.

Practical implications

The findings have broad implications for manufacturing managers regarding the impact of adopting a postponement strategy on several aspects of the operations function.

Originality/value

Although principally exploratory in nature, the investigation demonstrates the need for researchers to identify and better understand the managerial issues surrounding an attempt to implement a specific partial postponement strategy.
The effect of supply chain integration on the alignment between corporate competitive capability and supply chain operational capability
Authors: Wook Kim Soo
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to identify the shape of the interactive relationship between corporate competitive capability and supply chain operational capability for performance improvement, and to investigate the effects of supply chain (SC) integration on such interactive relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Separate moderated regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses of interest in this study on each of three SC integration groups: the independent operation group, the internal integration group, and the external integration group. Three models present the hierarchical addition of items addressing proposed corporate competitive capabilities, SC operational capabilities, and interacting effects, respectively.

Findings

The effect of interaction between corporate competitive capability and SC operational capability on performance improvement becomes insignificant as the developmental stage of SC integration increases. In other words, in firms with a high level of internal integration or external integration, such integration substitutes for the role of the interaction effect between corporate competitive capability and SC operational capability on performance improvement.

Research limitations/implications

In order to characterize more precisely the dynamic positioning of a firm's SCM strategy this paper suggests detailed analyses of structural relationships among the constructs relating to corporate SCM initiatives, SC functional initiatives, performance measures, and the SC integration level are required. For this, replication of the study described in this paper with a sample of the US and European firms would be helpful.

Practical/implications

Performance accumulation from customer satisfaction through market‐based performance to financial performance according to the developmental stage of SC integration suggests the migration path of matching type between corporate competitive capability and SC operational capability from differentiation/customer service capabilities‐logistical capability through innovative marketing capability‐technological capability to cost leadership capability‐structural capability. Such a migration path can be a lever for establishing the dynamic positioning of a firm's SCM strategy.

Originality/value

This research identified the shape of the interactive relationship between corporate competitive capability and SC operational capability for performance improvement and investigated the effects of SC integration on such interactive relationships.
Performance improvement through supply chain collaboration in Europe
Authors: Vereecke Ann , Muylle Steve
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the relationship between supply chain (SC) collaboration and performance improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

In keeping with the extant literature, hypotheses were developed incorporating dimensions of supplier and customer collaboration and performance improvement. Factor analysis and linear statistical models for correlation and analysis of variance were used to test the hypotheses with IMSS 2001 data on 374 firms from the engineering/assembly industry across 11 European countries.

Findings

Only weak empirical support was found for the hypothesized positive relationships between supplier (or customer) collaboration and performance improvement. There was partial empirical support for the impact of collaboration, both with suppliers and customers, on rates of improvement. For information exchange, performance improvement in respect of cost, flexibility, quality, and procurement was supported, whereas for structural collaboration, only improvement in respect of flexibility and procurement was supported. There was strong empirical support for the hypothesized higher levels of collaboration among companies showing higher performance improvement.

Research limitations/implications

Using cross‐sectional (versus longitudinal), perceptual (rather than absolute) data, coming from a principal firm (rather than from each collaborative entity).

Practical implications

This study indicates that firms need to adopt a concerted approach to collaboration both with suppliers and customers in order to reap maximum performance improvement benefits in the area of cost, flexibility, quality, delivery, procurement, and time‐to‐market.

Originality/value

This study goes beyond analytical modeling and case‐study research on the relationship between SC collaboration and performance improvement and offers industry‐based empirical results on consolidated practical and theoretical insights.
Operations management themes, concepts and relationships: a forward retrospective ofIJOPM
Authors: Pilkington Alan , Fitzgerald Robert
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper to investigate the major themes of operations management by analysing citations inIJOPM.It aims to discuss changes in the discipline's sub‐fields and identifies emerging topics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an empirical analysis of citations and co‐citations fromIJOPM. Network and factor analysis are used to analyse and group the data.

Findings

The study demonstrates that the persistent central ideas of operations management concern manufacturing strategy, with specific interests in strategy typologies, best practices, and the resource‐based view. Other central themes are performance measurement, the case study method, and process management. The plotting of subfield trajectories shows that recent studies are seeking a more subtle understanding of operations management by considering its practice in relation to strategy, context and resources. Emerging subjects within the field include supply chain management, lean management systems, theory building from quantitative data and sustainable resource limits to capability.

Originality/value

The study is unique in performing the analysis at the individual publication level rather than following the normal aggregated author co‐citation analysis (ACA) method. The potential problems with citation/co‐citation studies are discussed.
The social question and fundamental principles of modern market economics – there is more agreement than contradiction
Authors: Frambach Hans
Published: September 2006

Purpose

In view of current catchwords like globalisation, internationalisation and flexible markets, it should be remembered that many of the fundamental economic positions which are assigned to those terms were already put forward by promoters of the social question. The questions discussed are whether the social question and modern market economics are related to each other – if at all – and to what extent the strategies of the social question can be helpful, may be even to the solution of present problems.

Design/methodology/approach

Different issues and methods are compared which lead both the Historical School and modern economic theory to similar results. “Historical” hermeneutical and modern analytical (e.g. game theoretic) thinking are described and compared.

Findings

It turns out that parts of the Historical School agree with the fundamental principles of modern market economics. It is also shown (in contrast to widely spread opinions) that von Schmoller can be considered as a great forerunner of the social market economy in many of his views.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis of the social question is restricted to the example of von Schmoller's treatment of the labour question. Comparison is reduced to certain issues such as the role of productivity, free competition, bargaining.

Practical implications

The comparison of different methods of analysis recommends not to thoughtlessly refusing the results of the Historical School. It makes sense to assess some of these old results in relation to the current conditions and circumstances.

Originality/value

The solution to the social question is linked to the harmonious development of individual and social goals, not only based on the exchange of economic quantities but also under consideration of these relationships as an expression of ethics, custom, culture, ideas, education and public opinion – all of which are problems of the present.
Economists and the social question
Authors: Senn Peter R.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the social question, die soziale Frage, is treated in the periodical literature of English language economics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines every reference to the question in the most important English language economic journals.

Findings

Considering that more than a century has passed, there are few references. By 1900, Anglophone economists virtually lost what little interest they ever had in the social question. Continental European economists have always made up the vast majority of those concerned with the social question. There has never been agreement about what the social question is or how to remedy it. It has always been defined very differently at different times and within and among countries. The political, social, economic and cultural contexts are important determinants of discussions about it and policies to address the social problems to which it refers. In order for a social question to be translated into social reform, specific parts of it must become social problems. Political, cultural and social changes in Europe require entire new ways of thinking about social reform. Reasons for this are discussed.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into how the social question is treated in English language periodicals.