bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motivation and job satisfaction
Authors: Tietjen Mark A. , Myers Robert M.
Published: July 2002

The movement of workers to act in a desired manner has always consumed the thoughts of managers. In many ways, this goal has been reached through incentive programs, corporate pep talks, and other types of conditional administrative policy, However, as the workers adjust their behaviour in response to one of the aforementioned stimuli, is job satisfaction actualized? The instilling of satisfaction within workers is a crucial task of management. Satisfaction creates confidence, loyalty and ultimately improved quality in the output of the employed. Satisfaction, though, is not the simple result of an incentive program. Employees will most likely not take any more pride in their work even if they win the weekend getaway for having the highest sales. This paper reviews the literature of motivational theorists and draws from their approaches to job satisfaction and the role of motivation within job satisfaction. The theories of Frederick Herzberg and Edwin Locke are presented chronologically to show how Locke’s theory was a response to Herzberg’s theory. By understanding these theories, managers can focus on strategies of creating job satisfaction. This is followed by a brief examination of Kenneth Blanchard and Paul Hersey’s theory on leadership within management and how this art is changing through time.
Interim management of international strategic alliances
Authors: Werther William B.
Published: July 2002

Leadership decisions are among the most vexing issues that face an alliance partnership. Permanent leaders imply expectations about their treatment as employees, even after they are no longer an ideal fit. Staffing from among the partners’ human resources assumes that talent is not in short supply and implies a potential favoritism in the operation of the alliance. Interim management offers a unique and superior, albeit not perfect, alternative. Interim leaders may be particularly effective at facilitating an alliance start‐up and when the alliance is to transition from one stage of the organization’s life cycle to the next.
Enhancing the customer experience: contributions from information technology
Authors: Dawes Jillian , Rowley Jennifer
Published: July 2002

Consumers in a wide range of contexts whether purchasing goods or services are increasingly using technology. The role of people in the delivery of services is diminishing as companies strive to lower costs and consumers become less inclined to wait or queue. Through a number of case studies, the impact of technology in the provision of services is scrutinised and the common characteristics of the service experience in such applications are identified. As customers become more proficient at taking on an IT role, traditional models of the service experience may need to be revisited. Specifically, models will need to reflect a greater participation by the customer, a diminishing role for service personnel, and the blurring of the back and front office divide.
Customer orientation and performance: a study of SMEs
Authors: Appiah‐Adu Kwaku , Singh Satyendra
Published: July 2002

This study examined the customer orientation ‐ performance link in small‐ and medium‐sized businesses and tested for the possible effects of innovation orientation, market dynamism and competitive intensity on the degree of customer orientation among these firms. Specific performance measures used were new product success, sales growth and return on investment (ROI). Based on constructs of these measures, a research scale was developed for the study and data were collected via a self‐administered mail survey among a UK samples of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The results show a positive effect of customer orientation on SME performance. There are also findings on the varied influences of innovation orientation and the competitive environment on the levels of SME customer orientation. In the light of existing literature, implications of our findings for SME managers, the study’s limitations and future research directions are subsequently addressed.
The Aeneid and The Virginian: copywriting, origin myths and their consumption
Authors: Walle A.H.
Published: July 2002

Literary art is often embraced by a people because it provides answers to life’s questions and showcases idealized heroes who function as respected role models. By analyzing the popularity of universally loved literary masterpieces, it becomes possible to gain a greater understanding of how a specific people respond in uniform fashion to symbolic communications. In order to examine this phenomenon, parallels between Virgil’s The Aeneid (which was addressed to ancient Romans just as the Empire was being established) and Owen Wister’s The Virginian (which provided a symbolic hero for the USA at exactly the time when that country was emerging as an industrialized world power) will be compared. Significantly, in many cases, almost all members of a culture react to stimuli in parallel, universal, or identical ways. This tendency is important for marketers who seek to influence a wide and diverse market in similar ways. The implications of this analysis are of value to strategic planners who want to understand how consumers respond to symbolically charged products.
Stop strategic planning … and create shareholder value!
Authors: McDonald Terry
Published: July 2002

Focuses on risk to shareholder wealth creation attached to the use of certain well known strategic planning processes. The subject is presented in the context of experience primarily gained during a major organisational change that was brought about in a large Australian industrial company. A process linking management training and involvement, activity based costing, economic value added analysis, market participation analysis, market positioning choice and organisational structure is discussed. The scope of this paper encompasses planning processes used in commercial organisations. Three very important questions arise. How can directors and managers gain access to accurate, non‐judgemental, non‐institutionally biased information so that sound, value creating, strategic decisions can be made? How can directors and managers ensure that the design of the company’s structure, activity system and processes will enable and support their chosen strategic direction? How can directors and managers overcome the “institutional imperative” and bring about the structural changes required for effective strategy implementation? The author proposes that a business planning process known as value creating management (VCM) offers effective answers to the above questions.
Technological capabilities and Samsung Electronics’ international production network in East Asia
Authors: Kim Youngsoo
Published: July 2002

Discusses the Korean conglomerate Samsung in the context of world and regional business and economics. Presents a case study and rationale for the growth of Samsung, tracing its history and progress to the present day. Discusses particularly international production capability and decision making.
Resistance: a constructive tool for change management
Authors: Waddell Dianne , Sohal Amrik S.
Published: July 2002

Traditionally, resistance has been cast as adversarial ‐ the enemy of change that must be defeated if change is to be successful. While it is apparent that classical management theory viewed resistance in such a manner, recent literature contains much evidence that suggests resistance may indeed be useful and is not to be simply discounted. Present day suggestions and prescriptions for managing resistance have evidently disregarded this research and left little room for utility in resistance. This paper argues that the difficulty of organisational change is often exacerbated by the mismanagement of resistance derived from a simple set of assumptions that misunderstand resistance’s essential nature. It is suggested that management may greatly benefit from techniques that carefully manage resistance to change by looking for ways of utilising it rather than overcoming it.
Competitive advantage through anticipation, innovation and relationships
Authors: Kandampully Jay , Duddy Ria
Published: July 2002

While service quality has proved an essential ingredient in convincing customers to choose one organisation over another, many organisations have realised that maintaining excellence on a consistent basis is imperative if they are to gain customer loyalty. This long‐term perspective has created a strong shift in orienting service strategy towards a service promise. Moreover, in the present competitive setting, if one were to understand the lifetime value of a customer, creating and maintaining long‐term relationships with the customer and other stakeholders is paramount to an organisation’s market leadership. Relentless advances in technology have rendered products and services with ever shorter life cycles and, hence, diminished customer appeal. This paper argues that firms are required not only to improve, but to innovate products and services and anticipate customer needs on a continuous basis. It is highlighted here that, in order to maintain a long‐term relationship with the customer, firms need to demonstrate their ability to think for the customer, and to conceive and implement new ways to serve them better. Moreover, in order to develop and maintain customer relationships, an organisation needs the assistance and partnership of their respective stakeholders; for example, employees, suppliers and distributors.
Marketing and operations management: an integrated approach to new ways of delivering value
Authors: Walters David
Published: July 2002

The respective roles of marketing and operations management in contributing to effective strategy are considered. This article considers both the technological developments and the changes in management perspectives. Technology has presented management with increased flexibility in the strategic positions available. Some argue (Porter, 1996) that technological developments have been viewed as opportunities to increase productivity rather than to shift the organisations strategic direction. An increasing application of value as a customer requirement has resulted in a corporate value proposition: a statement of how superior value is to be created and delivered. Operations strategy has typically been described as being supportive (to the overall organisational strategy) or exceptionally as a major element of an organisations competitive advantage. A number of authors have identified operations strategies which link manufacturing operations and strategic management. A missing link is an exploration of the marketing/operations interface and how this may lead to an effective value based strategy.
Excellence in client/server information system implementations: understanding the STS connection
Authors: Kavan C. Bruce , O’Hara Margaret T. , Patterson Edward C. , Bostrom Robert P.
Published: July 2002

This paper uses the Socio‐Technical Systems (STS) model as a conceptual framework to explore client/server information system implementations, and demonstrates the logical disconnect between traditionally developed mainframe systems and the flexibility required to meet rapidly changing environments. Such flexibility can be afforded by client/server and web enabled technologies; however, to exploit these technologies, managers must improve the interaction between the technical and social systems of the organization during the information systems development process. In this paper, conditions for successful implementations are presented along with a technology migration model based upon the characteristics of and flexibility afforded by these newer technologies.
Toward a new theory of the firm: a critique of stakeholder “theory”
Authors: Key Susan
Published: July 2002

Argues that stakeholder theory may be an appropriate model to describe firm behavior and replace the dominant paradigm, the economic model of the firm. However, current conceptualizations of stakeholder theory do not meet the requirements of scientific theory. Thus, looks at the historic roots of stakeholder “theory”, critiques its current form, and suggests steps that may be taken for stakeholder theory to satisfy the conceptual requirements of theory. Specifically suggests that contractual interests may underlie stakeholder relationships just as they do the agency relationship between managers and stockholders as prescribed by traditional economic theory.
Addressing the divergence between environmental strategy formulation and implementation
Authors: James Philip , Ghobadian Abby , Viney Howard , Liu Jonathan
Published: July 2002

Despite growing evidence that large UK organisations are increasingly incorporating the environment into corporate strategy, there continues to be considerable scepticism as to whether this is leading to any meaningful action to reduce industry’s environmental impact. One possible explanation is the existence of a “gap” between policy formulation and implementation, and the authors suggest that this may be due to a failure on the part of business to ensure congruence between organisational context, values and capability. Utilising data drawn from a recent survey of corporate environmental policies and practices, the authors explore the interaction of external and internal factors with regard to policy development, and search for evidence of congruence. They conclude that very often policy formulation takes little consideration of the organisation’s capability to implement environmental strategies, and suggest that until this question is taken seriously, a gulf will always exist between what companies aim to do, and what they actually achieve.
Gendered organizational cultures in Canadian work organizations: implications for creating an equitable workplace
Authors: Wicks David , Bradshaw Patricia
Published: July 2002

Results of a survey of Canadian work organizations reveal a broad set of gendered values embedded in organizational cultures. The findings of this study show stereotypically masculine values in the culture of these organizations and a desired change toward a culture that is more friendly, less accepting of established authority and less dominant. In addition, current cultures are perceived to reward men and women differently in terms of the values shown in their behavior, contributing to a discriminatory climate that makes many women feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. This makes many organizational change efforts particularly difficult.
Downsizing failures: an examination of convergence/reorientation and antecedents – processes – outcomes
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Henson Dawn , Knee Kerry
Published: July 2002

Examines varied empirical studies on downsizing which have revealed that, as a result of its aftermath, high percentages of companies have judged these efforts as unsuccessful. Corporate restructuring encompasses multiple forms of change, which are classified into three distinct categories: portfolio, financial and organizational. An analysis of the Freeman and Cameron theoretical framework on downsizing implementation processes is examined in terms of where the process occurs, during periods either of convergence and/or of reorientation, and the results associated with each approach. A case study of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment revealed that restructuring did not provide visible improvements in efficiency, economy and responsiveness. Cultural impact of this intervention revealed negative intergroup reactions, i.e. denial, dissatisfaction. An analysis of Richard Johnson’s model of the antecedents, processes and outcomes of downsizing revealed the impact upon strategy, productivity, human resources and finance. Interrelationships suggested diminished performances of firms which downsized without a lucid blueprint, adversely impacting upon these businesses. Finally, 30 recommendations are given for the human resource executive for effective downsizing, focusing upon: approach, involvement, leadership, communication, preparation, support, cost cutting, measurement, and implementation.
Nominal interest rates and inflation in the Pacific‐Basin countries
Authors: Al‐Khazali Osamah
Published: July 2002

Vector‐autoregression (VAR), integration, and cointegration models are used to investigate the causal relations, dynamic interaction, and a common trend between interest rates and inflation in nine countries in the Pacific‐Basin. This paper finds that for all countries, short‐ and long‐term interest rates and the spread between the long‐term interest rates and inflation are non‐stationary I (1) processes. The nominal interest rates and inflation are not co‐integrated. In addition to this study’s inability to find a unidirectional causality between inflation and interest rates, when the VAR model is used, it also fails to find a consistent positive response either of inflation to shocks in interest rates or of interest rates to shocks in inflation in most of the countries studied. The VAR model results are consistent with the cointegration tests’ results, that is, nominal interest rates are poor predictors for future inflation in the Pacific‐Basin countries.
Embedded systems and the year‐2000 problem (the other year‐2000 problem)
Authors: Frautschi Mark A.
Published: July 2002

In the context of the “year‐2000” problem, focuses on the risk involved in real time clocks and their interactions with associated embedded processors and logic arrays, dedicated electronic control and monitoring logic incorporated into larger systems. These are essential to the operation of a vast portfolio of infrastructures, from medical equipment, to buildings (phone, security, heating, plumbing and lighting), to transportation, to financial networks, to just‐in‐time delivery systems, and so on. According to a recent study, the firmware (permanently loaded instructions) that enables these systems to run is date sensitive and not year‐2000‐compliant in less than 1 percent of the 50 billion microprocessors and microcontrollers used in embedded systems installed worldwide by the end of the twentieth century. This small fraction will fail, causing the systems they control to begin failing around 1 January 2000 and for the first few years of the next century. Presents a pessimistic, illustrative scenario, describing the disruption of essential infrastructure from electric power, to food and fuel distribution, to communications, to financial networks.
Rule breaking and a new opportunistic managerialism
Authors: Young Ann P.
Published: July 2002

An examination of managerial rule breaking is potentially significant in times of rapid change where advantages have to be gained through flexibility and the effective use of power. This paper is based on a study of middle managers with professional backgrounds in public and private UK health care organizations. It analyses managers’ responses to rules and identifies to what extent they accept, subvert or reinterpret rules, ignore or hide rules, create new rules or manage without rules at all. The conclusion is reached that, within certain organizational, professional, gender and personal parameters, managers demonstrate great versatility. It is suggested that it is not the decision to avoid rules, nor the selection of particular ways to manipulate rules that is significant, but it is the ability of managers to move freely across different modes of behaviour as they deem appropriate that marks out successful opportunistic action.
The University of Derby Electronic Library: a case study of some economic and academic aspects of a local digitised collection
Authors: Brewer Gordon
Published: July 2002

The changing objectives and priorities of the University of Derby Electronic Library (UDEL) are briefly described, from its origins as an electronic reserve project, through its role in delivering online support for distributed learning, to its potential as a core component of a more broadly based electronic library service. Although current costs suggest that it is not scalable into a comprehensive University‐wide service, it is a successful and popular format with a reading list‐based front end. Closer integration with other online resources is important to encourage students to expand their horizons beyond prescribed sources, and offers a possible development route encompassing all of the above functions. This is discussed in terms of both financial and academic implications, and in the context of the increasing availability and importance of access to online resources for both campus‐based and distance learning students. A particular emphasis in future strategy is the need to ensure an appropriate interface between electronic library services and the virtual learning environment being developed within the University.
Dietary assessment of five male sports teams in Greece
Authors: Hassapidou Maria
Published: July 2002

Healthy and suitable nutrition plays an important role in the athletic performance providing the long‐term needs of training and the short‐term needs of competition. In Greece, despite the great interest in sports since ancient times, there is no adequate information regarding the dietary practices and the nutritional status of the athletes today. The anthropometric characteristics and dietary intakes of 47 e´lite male athletes of five different sport teams: rowers, volleyball players, cyclists, weightlifters and distance runners were assessed in this study. Dietary data were collected during the competitive period. The study showed that, although the athletes reported an adequate mean energy and micronutrient intake, the intake of macronutrients was not in balance. Volleyball players and distance runners had lower than recommended carbohydrate intakes, not meeting their fuel requirements. Weightlifters had the highest overconsumption of fat at the expense of carbohydrates. This calls for an urgent need of nutrition education for the athletes in Greece, in order to improve their diet and achieve an optimum athletic performance.
Boosting better break‐times for children: an inspiring start
Authors: McKinley Michelle , Oliver Michele , Livingston Margaret
Published: July 2002

Eating habits are changing, and snacking or “grazing”
is on the increase, especially among children. Most of the convenient,
pre‐packaged snack foods such as fizzy drinks, chocolate, crisps and
biscuits are high in fat, sugar, salt and calories. This has
implications for health. For this reason the Southern Health and Social
Services Board (SHSSB), Northern Ireland, together with the Southern
Education and Library Board (SELB), Northern Ireland, decided to set up
a scheme to reward schools which had a healthy break‐time policy.
Outlines an award scheme called Boost Better Breaks. All nursery,
primary and post‐primary schools in the SHSSB were encouraged to
participate. One of the criteria for qualification was “If any
food is permitted at break‐time only fruit and/or milk can be
taken”. Nursery schools were also allowed to have healthy snacks.
Finds that, of schools in the SHSSB, 9 per cent (27) received the award
on its pilot run, and because of its success the award scheme has now
been extended to playgroups and special schools.
Organic confusion: sustaining competitive advantage
Authors: Hutchins R.K. , Greenhalgh L.A.
Published: July 2002

Examines marketing orientation in the organic produce sector.
Presents results of a consumer survey which indicate that consumers are
confused about the meaning of the term “organic” and that
the current mechanisms for labelling organic produce are ineffective.
Proposes that producers of organic foods should consider consumer
research and strategic marketing planning as mechanisms for sustaining a
market which has greater potential than is currently realized. Contends
that for this endeavour to be successful, senior management figures in
the industry must take the lead and initiate this proposed change in
strategy.
Protective effects of fruits and vegetables in the diet
Authors: Williamson Gary
Published: July 2002

The current recommendation of the World Health Organisation is to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day for optimal health. This is the result of a large body of research into the effect of whole foods and food components on biological systems, combined with epidemiological studies. Presents some of the mechanisms by which these components may act. Shows also the types of fruit and vegetables which would make a good combination for “five‐a‐day”. The benefits from increased consumption of fruit and vegetables vary between individuals but include lowered risks of cancer, heart disease and cataract.
Food choice in later life
Authors: Lilley Jeanette
Published: July 2002

Elderly people have often been neglected in lifestyle surveys, so little is known about the foods they eat and the attitudes which inform their food choices. Describes a collaborative study currently in progress in the City of Nottingham which investigates food choice among elderly people living at home. Aims to improve our understanding of the decisions and circumstances which influence the quality and quantity of foods consumed by older people by assessing the influence of taste preference factors, micro‐economic factors, personal and health status factors, practical considerations and accessibility of food retail outlets on the selection of foods by older people.
Statistics for food science III: sensory evaluation data. Part B ‐ discrimination tests
Authors: Bower John A.
Published: July 2002

Describes statistical methods applied to sensory discrimination tests. Illustrates binomial and chi‐square statistical analysis and discusses similarity testing, power and replication in discrimination testing.
The safe use of recycled and reused plastics in food contact materials ‐ part I
Authors: Crockett Carole , Sumar Sam
Published: July 2002

First part of an article which focuses on the use of plastics as packaging material. This use has been increasing at an exponential rate with time over the past decades. After use, most of the plastic waste traditionally has been disposed of into landfills which in turn have led to serious environmental concerns. Landfill sites are decreasing. Discusses options such as recycling and reuse of post consumer plastics which may contribute to solving these environmental problems. Also discusses relevant European legislation.
Constraints on dietary choice: the role of income
Authors: Shepherd Richard , Paisley Claire M. , Sparks Paul , Anderson Annie S. , Eley Susan , Lean Mike E.J.
Published: July 2002

Describes work carried out on a two‐year Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF)‐funded project of the constraints on freedom of dietary choice and their implications for the adoption and maintenance of healthy diets. Looks at whether there are differences in diet knowledge and preferences between people on different income levels.
Lactose intolerance in health and disease
Authors: Shukla Himakshi
Published: July 2002

States that lactose intolerance can occur in both healthy and diseased individuals and presents a literature review of work undertaken examining this condition. Describes briefly the development and distribution of lactose intolerance throughout the world.
Dietary selenium: why do we need it and how much is enough?
Authors: Arthur J.R. , Brown K.M. , Fairweather‐Tait S.J. , Crews H.M.
Published: July 2002

Considers the role of selenium as an essential nutrient. Identifies its key function as being an essential component of a wider range of proteins. Looks at some of the problems related to selenium deficiency such as associations with increased incidence of cancer of heart disease. Reports falling selenium intakes in the UK over the last 15‐20 years and describes a supplementation trial based in Scotland.
Compositional changes and spoilage in fish (part II) ‐ microbiological induced deterioration
Authors: Fraser Owen P. , Sumar Sam
Published: July 2002

Covers the quantitative and qualitative aspects of micro‐organisms present in fish and the factors which affect sea food quality. Several methods can be employed to counter deterioration ‐ low temperature, storage, dehydration, canning, modified atmosphere, packaging, irradiation and chemical or biological preservatives.
Design for six sigma: a breakthrough business improvement strategy for achieving competitive advantage
Authors: Antony Jiju
Published: July 2002

The six sigma methodology aims to reduce the number of mistakes/defects in a manufacturing process and hence the manufacturing costs. Six sigma is the ultimate measure of quality. As firms improve their processes, and move towards the elusive six sigma, they often need to re‐design the products, process and services to “design‐out” defects and design‐in quality. Describes the underlying statistical concepts behind the six sigma methodology and outlines the process of moving towards the realisation of six sigma quality.
Advantages and disadvantages of telecommuting for the individual, organization and society
Authors: Harpaz Itzhak
Published: July 2002

The phenomenon of telecommuting has implications for individuals and organizations, and society generally. Examines the advantages and disadvantages of telecommuting to the parties involved and affected by it. Key advantages to individuals are increased autonomy and flexibility; to organizations, increased human resource capacity and savings in direct expenses; and to society, a reduction in environmental damage, solutions for special‐needs populations, and savings in infrastructure and energy. Advantages are weighed against disadvantages: to individuals, possible sense of isolation, lack of separation between work and home; to organizations, costs involved in transition to new work methods, training, and damage to commitment and identification with the organization; finally, society is faced with a danger of creating detached individuals. Discusses implications of the suitability of individuals to telecommuting.
A practical knowledge transfer system: a case study
Authors: Jude Fernandes Kiran , Raja Vinesh
Published: July 2002

This research paper is concerned with the problem of making “knowledge flow” practical for a wide variety of companies. The paper discusses the need for a practical solution to knowledge transfer and demonstrates how the challenges of knowledge transfer were overcome in a cross‐functional environment using the principles of object technology. The proposed concept, by offering a structured approach to knowledge transfer, allows organisations to create systems based on simple but effective knowledge transfer processes, which will integrate with legacy computing systems.
Information resource management
Authors: Gregson Ken
Published: July 2002

Information technology is relatively new. Information is not.
Information resources have always existed, but technology vastly
increases our ability to access resources, both those we own and control
and those outside of our own sphere of influence. Information management
becomes more important every day: we need to ensure that people within
our organizations get the information they need to do their jobs
effectively, and, if we are to achieve real success, we need to ensure
that people do not get information that is not relevant to their
activity. The competitive advantage of organizations is very much
governed by the effectiveness with which they manage their information
resources.
Preparing the public workforce for the twenty‐first century: the
challenge
Authors: Halachmi Arie
Published: July 2002

The twenty‐first century is knocking on our doors, but do we know how
to greet it? We know it is there waiting for us to let it in, but what
are we likely to face when we open our institutional doors? What
opportunities, uncertainties, or threats will it bring? Will we
recognize the twenty‐first century when we see it, or might we confuse
it with something seen before? Might we mistake an issue we should be
prepared to deal with in the next millennium for a controversy of no
significance? For government agencies the calendar is not much help. For
public administrators the twenty‐first century is more than just a date.
It is a state of affairs, a set of behaviour patterns, opportunities to
be explored and risks to be avoided. Confronting the twenty‐first
century means emerging from a relatively certain past to confront an
uncertain future.
Marketing management consultancy
Authors: Wilde Edwin
Published: July 2002

Opportunities for management consultancy exist when a potential client is faced with problems or uncertainties which cannot be overcome by his own resources, but, unless he is aware that a service which may solve his problem exists, he cannot think of using it. It is therefore obvious that a consultancy should very seriously consider marketing itself. Outlines the kind of marketing programme which could be used by a medium‐sized consultancy, and which was used to enable a particular London‐based consultancy to increase its annual turnover by some 300 per cent over a period of five years.
The computer‐supported co‐operative work programme
Authors: Clemmet Andrew
Published: July 2002

Computer supported collaborative working (CSCW) is an extension to groupware computing which recognizes that there is a need to go further than supporting existing ways of working by using technology to underpin innovative forms of work organization and practice. Outlines the government‐backed initiative to raise the awareness of CSCW and briefly describes the exemplar projects being funded under the initiative.
Government reforms and public productivity: do we have all the answers?
Authors: Halachmi Arie
Published: July 2002

Governments have to use changes in public sector organizations and public services to drive changes in national economies and the underlying industrial climate. However, creating lasting change at a rate that is sustainable is extremely difficult. Creating unrealistic expectations among government employees, users of government services, and the public at large may backfire and undermine the longevity of any reform effort. Government often has to start by changing the nature of government itself ‐ in terms of the relationships and interventions with commerce. Big changes at the centre drive a series of smaller changes throughout industry; but these changes cannot be arbitrarily imposed ‐ they must be part of a national consensus. Argues that the changes made and facilitated by governments must be dramatic: nations are unlikely to change their place significantly in the international league table with incremental changes, however sound they may be.
Total productivity management
Authors: Suito Kiyoshi
Published: July 2002

Total productivity management is a particular approach to productivity improvement that aims to bring together an organisational culture with a range of tools and techniques operating at a variety of levels to ensure that there is harmony from overall company strategy through product design, process design and onto the production floor. Explains the fundamental concepts from diagnosis of strengths and weaknesses (using a simple points‐scoring technique) to implementation in simple, diagrammatic form providing, in effect, a series of checklists.
A strategic conversation
Authors: Wrennall William
Published: July 2002

Successful strategies allow organisations to win ‐ in terms of beating their competition. Thus, aping the competition is not likely to be effective in the longer term. Future, long‐term success must rest in distinctiveness. Distinctiveness itself comes from imagination and innovation ‐ although this may be grounded in hard work and analytical thought. This slightly whimsical piece draws a theory of innovation from a set of ideas raised within a real conversation.
Decision aids for evaluation and selection: the Kordanz approach
Authors: Wrennall William
Published: July 2002

Evaluation of options as a precursor to selection of a preferred option is a desirable means of guiding decisions makers. Work study staff can gain acceptance and ownership of the improvements they design by generating options and guiding colleagues and customers through a participative process. MPI, Weighted Factor and Kordanz methods are described with examples. In this paper we draw on experience gained on project evaluation, site selection, site planning, layout and material handling, job evaluation, work team composition, and compensation plans. As work study officers we can develop options and guide the process for others to make evaluations and selection of a preferred option.
Working in film – Employment in a project based industry
Authors: Blair Helen , Grey Susan , Randle Keith
Published: July 2002

Currently the “creative industries”, especially the British film industry, are receiving much popular attention. The aim of this paper is to present a description and evaluation of employment in the film industry, and through doing so to challenge dominant populist and academic analyses of employment in this sector, as exemplified by the Labour government and a number of British and American academic commentators. These analyses are both premised on the apparent occurrence of an epoch breaking change in society, the balance of economic activity in society and the organisation of work. However, trends in employment practice over recent years, it would appear from the survey evidence and from other sources presented here, have not improved in the manner they could be expected to if such fundamental epochal change had occurred. Rather the data presented here point to much continuity in the employment relationship between capital and labour.
Team responsibility structure and team performance
Authors: Doorewaard Hans , Van Hootegem Geert , Huys Rik
Published: July 2002

The purpose is to analyse the impact of team responsibility (the division of job regulation tasks between team leader and team members) on team performance. It bases an analysis on 36 case studies in The Netherlands which are known to have implemented team‐based work. The case studies were executed in 1997 by means of face‐to‐face interviews with HRM staff and line management. It concludes from the analyses that two different types of team responsibility prevail. In a “hierarchical team” team leaders take responsibility for decisions concerning work preparation, support and control, while in the “shared‐responsibility team” decisions are taken by the team members themselves. The analyses show that “shared‐responsibility teams” are thought to contribute more substantially to team performance outcomes than “hierarchical teams”. The analysis helped gain a better understanding of the relationship between HRM and organisation performance, as it is viewed in the “human resource‐based view of the firm”.
Doing business internationally: an annotated bibliography
Authors: Meredith Meri
Published: July 2002

This bibliography is intended to be selective with each entry focusing on a practical resource for doing business internationally. Each entry contains evaluative and descriptive annotations. There are numerous Web sites and resources on how to do business internationally and some of them are shallow if not misleading. The author has examined many resources prior to making a decision for inclusion in this bibliography. Entries are from sources such as the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Commerce Web sites, as well as reference sources, books, government documents, international etiquette, legal requirements, trade regulations, and other Web sites. The purpose is to increase awareness of quality resources. This guide will help reference librarians to better serve their patrons on international matters.
Partnering with Faculty to Interweave Internet Instruction into College Coursework
Authors: Smalley Topsy N.
Published: July 2002

As increasingly rich Web resources become available across all disciplines and occupational programs, the question is not whether but how to best integrate them into our instructional efforts. One approach is for librarians to form partnerships with classroom faculty to create course‐related instructional exercises that include Internet resources. Librarians always have occupied a critical intersection point between the user with information needs and the worlds of resources available. What has changed recently is both magnitude and complexity. Web‐based exercises provide a means to re‐mold course‐related instruction once again to respond to newly emerging needs and contingencies.
Course‐related bibliographic instruction in the 1990s
Authors: Kirk Thomas G.
Published: July 2002

Kirk discusses the history and development of the library instruction movement and of the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Instruction section, especially in relation to course‐related instruction as practiced at Earlham College. He reflects on the context, content, methods and terminology of course‐related instruction over the past 25 years.
Reflections on 25 years of library instruction: have we made progress?
Authors: Hardesty Larry
Published: July 2002

Hardesty reviews 25 years of library instruction and his experiences with integrating library instruction into the liberal arts curriculum. There has been resistance and lack of attention from both teaching faculty and administrators. Recently accrediting agencies have begun to encourage library competency as a requirement, but this is only in the beginning stages. Librarians must take primary responsibility for seeing that this educational goal is achieved.
Evaluating HRM effectiveness: the stereotype connection
Authors: Gibb Stephen
Published: July 2002

The perspective and concern considered here is the internal‐subjective evaluation of HRM effectiveness. This involved investigating managers’ and employees’ perceptions about standards of HRM and of the work of human resources (HR) staff in their own organizations. Survey research indicates that there is a pattern of more positive perceptions of HR staff than of overall standards in HRM. This disassociation presents a challenge to the validity of internal subjective evaluations. One explanation is that features of stereotyping are influencing subjective evaluations of HR staff. The concept of stereotyping is applied and consideration is given to “cognitive efficiency”, inter‐group dynamics and broad social power theories. The author concludes that HR staff have benefited from the stereotype connection in the past but in an era where more explicit objective standards are increasingly expected, they may not continue to benefit from such positive effects. Nonetheless, an enhanced awareness of the positive behaviours that can arise from dealing with stereotyping can be useful in achieving high standards of HRM.
Exploring changes in the organisation of work in the graphical industry – Threats to union organisation
Authors: Newsome Kirsty
Published: July 2002

This article is concerned with exploring changes in the organisation of work in the graphical industry. The aim is to examine the link between employer attempts to restructure work and resilience of the prevailing machinery of collective regulation within the sector. It is structured around three main areas of work organisation change, notably the search for organisational flexibility, attempts to recast the nature of work and finally the intensification of work. It concludes by arguing that threats to union organisation emanating from the restructuring of work currently appear to be at the “edges”. The argument is that a “community of interest and identity” predicated upon strong levels of union organisation has created the necessary apparatus to redress or resist attempts to dilute unionism. However the article closes by highlighting the continuing gender segregation within the sector and argues that this community of interest must extend to cover all workers within the industry.
Management structure in multinational enterprises
Authors: Kidger Peter J.
Published: July 2002

A study of the impact of globalisation on the structure and management of multinational enterprises, based upon research into twenty‐four manufacturing MNEs. Three research questions, developed from the literature, were used as the basis for an investigation into structure, control, knowledge transfer and culture in MNEs. The results confirm that there is a widespread move towards global integration, and that this is accompanied by changes in the relationships between managers from corporate and country units, and a tendency to encourage the development of best management practices across national boundaries.
Divided We Fall
Authors: Bradley Harriet
Published: July 2002

Assesses the future for unions in terms of sectional, attitudinal
and behavioural divisions among their membership. Data are drawn from a
survey of 200 employees of five organizations carried out in the north
east of England in 1992‐93. Develops a typology of different groups
among the rank‐and‐file “passive” membership in terms of
differing attitudes, and discusses occupational and gender divisions as
examples of blocks to union unity. Concludes that unions must seek to
identify and cater for the needs of a plurality of groups, but that
members can be unified where a common cause is identified.
The Union of the Future and the Future of Unions
Authors: Morris Tim , Willman Paul
Published: July 2002

Reports the results of a repeat survey on the financial performance
and management of TUC affiliated unions. Data are available for 1989 and
1993, covering income, expenditure, the management of investments and
wealth. Unions remain in a precarious financial position, dependent on
subscription revenue and, moreover, on the threatened check‐off
mechanism to deliver it. The management of expenditure remains a
critical issue, since the net worth of many unions remains small.
Financial management is becoming more important and more sophisticated.
Unions continue to centralize resource management, but many of these
changes remain constrained by the political nature of financial
management within voluntary organizations.
Labour Market Governance in the New Europe
Authors: Teague Paul
Published: July 2002

EU social policy is perhaps the most controversial aspect of European integration yet, despite all the political clashes on the matter, concepts like “social Europe” or “social dimension” remain ill‐defined and imprecise terms. Intends to outline and clarify in detail the debate about whether or not the European Union should have competence with regard to labour market affairs. A key message is that social policy has been controversial because it has become embroiled in the debate about the future political direction of the EU. In particular, three contrasting political models –symbiotic integration, integrative federalism and neo‐liberalism – have been put forward as organizing principles for the EU and each has a coherent view of what form social policy should take at the European level. It is the clash between these three models that has caused EU social policy to be so contestable and intractable.
Total quality management: practice and outcomes in the largest US
firms
Authors: Albers Mohrman Susan , Tenkasi Ramkrishnan V. , Lawler Edward E. , Ledford Gerald E.
Published: July 2002

The application of TQM practices has rapidly increased in US
organizations over the past six years, particularly in organizations
facing severe competitive pressures. A survey of the 1,000 largest
companies shows that these practices fall into two main categories: core
practices and production‐oriented practices. Companies perceive benefit
in three areas: improvement of work performance, company competitiveness
and profitability, and employee outcomes. Service organizations
experience these benefits primarily from implementing core practices
more extensively. Competitiveness and profitability in manufacturing
organizations are positively affected by the implementation of the
production‐oriented practices. Analysis of financial outcomes suggests
that core practices are positively related to market share for
manufacturing companies. Production‐oriented practices are positively
related to return on equity and collaboration with suppliers in quality
efforts is positively related to total factor productivity index for all
companies.