bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards shareholders' value: an analysis of sustainability reports
Authors: Leszczynska Agnieszka
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Sustainability reports have become a new trend in corporate reporting. The purpose of this paper is to: evaluate the content of sustainability reports published by international companies; define trend changes in reporting; and assess the extent to which sustainability reporting can contribute to shareholder value by evaluating their usefulness for shareholders. In particular, the paper looks for the answers to the following questions: Is information published in reports sufficient for shareholders? How do they evaluate the quality of the published reports? Has the complexity of reports increased in recent years? What important information should sustainability reports also include?

Design/methodology/approach

The study applied the method of expert opinion assessment. The analysis of the documentation covered the reports published by multinational organizations in 2005 and 2010. The assessment was performed by independent experts‐shareholders. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and methodology served as a point of reference.

Findings

The results point to an evolution in sustainability reports. Considering the reports prepared in 2005 and 2010, improvement in quality can be observed. An in‐depth analysis of those reports showed an increase in attention to detail of reporting in the fundamental spheres, i.e. economic, environmental, and social. The author also highly evaluated clarity and timeliness. However, important gaps were identified in respect of inclusiveness, relevance of information, and neutrality. Shareholders found general usefulness of sustainability reports insufficient.

Originality/value

Previous studies on sustainability reports aimed at evaluating sustainability development programs or directions in the evolution of reports but their usefulness has not been examined. No one previously is believed to have conducted a study of the quality of the reports published by multinational corporations, with their evaluation from the point of view of shareholders. Therefore, this paper provides a new insight into the study of sustainability reporting. Apart from contributing to the debate about shareholder value, the paper confronts current sustainability reports with their earlier versions.
Improving innovation and customer satisfaction through systems integration
Authors: Simon Alexandra , Honore Petnji Yaya Luc
Published: January 2014

Purpose

In recent years, organizations have been forced to compete in a new environment and to become more innovative, provide more quality and respond more effectively to consumers' needs and preferences. Within this context, the main objectives of this research are to propose scales and study the existing relationships among innovation, Management System Standards (MSSs) Integration and customer satisfaction in order to help organizations to manage these elements and increase their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study derives from a survey carried out in 76 Spanish organizations registered to at least both ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) are utilised to assess and confirm the proposed scales validity and the relationships of the research model.

Findings

The conceptual model finds significant support based on the empirical study. Three of the four dimensions of innovation and the four dimensions of MSs Integration are confirmed. Besides, the findings show that the integration characteristics are positively related to innovation and satisfaction, whereas, innovation is only partially linked to satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study, which aims to shed light on the integration characteristics, is the first to propose a model that links the three concepts of integration, customer satisfaction and innovation together. These are relevant issues for the competitiveness of companies, willing to increase their performance, especially for companies which have implemented several ISO based systems, which have become a key part of the organisation's lifeline and a prerequisite for survival in the twenty‐first century.
Success factors of open‐source enterprise information systems development
Authors: Lee Sang M. , Lee Sang‐Heui
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the success factors of open‐source software in the enterprise level. It expands the application of the information systems (IS) success model in the literature to enterprise information systems (EIS). The paper presents a simplified open‐source EIS success model by removing several constructs in the existing open‐source software models.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the research model, a survey questionnaire was developed based on previous studies dealing with IS success models and adapting them to the open‐source EIS context. The research instrument contained 30 items that represent seven constructs in the research model. Data were collected from 250 open‐source enterprise software end‐users. Due to its confirmatory nature, this study applied the structural equation model.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that only community service quality has a positive direct effect on open‐source EIS use, while information quality, EIS quality, and user satisfaction do not. Open‐source EIS quality has a direct positive effect on user satisfaction, which in turn has a positive effect on individual net benefits, which also positively affects organizational net benefits.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on the open‐source EIS users' perspective. Future studies could expand the scope by covering a broader open‐source EIS aspect such as motivation of its use, development processes, social dynamics in the development group, diffusion process, and the like. A longitudinal study could provide a more concrete trend of open‐source EIS use by organizations. The small sample size of this study is also a limitation.

Practical implications

The present research provides a practical evidence of relationships in the open‐source EIS application model. The developers in on‐line open‐source communities need to take the success factors identified in this study into account when developing open‐source EIS.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of empirical studies in open‐source EIS applications. The paper expends the traditional IS success model to the open‐source EIS context by collecting and analyzing data from 150 real‐world open‐source EIS users.
Exploration of the key evolutionary operational improvement activities
Authors: Lin Chinho , Chai Kang‐Wei
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore crucial evolutionary operational improvement initiatives related to quality management, and the emphasis is on the lessons learned from operational improvement practices in Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

To understand a firm's evolutionary operational improvement activities holistically and deeply, the authors conducted in‐depth interviews with executives from four firms in Taiwan. The grounded theory method is adopted in this study to depict the profile of the key evolutionary operational improvement activities.

Findings

Based on the results of the qualitative empirical study, six major dimensions of operational improvement are identified. Further, eight empirical propositions are proposed with detailed descriptions.

Research limitations/implications

The results are based on international manufacturing companies in Taiwan, and thus cannot be generalized to situations in other emerging countries and industries without further research.

Practical implications

By referring to the results of this work, managers can better understand the relationships among operational improvement activities, and thus increase the chances to benefit from operational improvement initiatives.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the literature by providing new empirical insights into the relationships among operational improvement activities.
Green supply chain management and organizational performance
Authors: Lee Sang M. , Tae Kim Sung , Choi Donghyun
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore green supply chain management (GSCM) practices and their relationship with organizational performance. More specifically, this research explores the effect of GSCM efforts and other organizational factors on firm performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that serve as suppliers to large customer firms in the electronics industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed a research model relating GSCM practice and business performance through three organizational variables (employee satisfaction, operational efficiency, and relational efficiency) as moderators. Statistical analyses were based on the data collected, through survey questionnaires, from 223 SMEs in the electronics industry in Korea. Reliability, validity, and goodness‐of‐fit of the research model were tested by the widely accepted statistical tools. To test the hypotheses relating GSCM practice implementation and business performance, structural equation modeling was used.

Findings

The most anticipated finding of the study was a direct link between GSCM practice implementation and business performance. However, no statistical significance was found. Instead, significant indirect relationships were found between GSCM practice implementation and business performance through mediating variables of operational efficiency and relational efficiency. This result indicates that business performance will be improved when GSCM enhances operational efficiency and operational efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

Research on GSCM is still at the early stage. Further refinement of the questionnaire is needed. Generalizability of the findings is also limited because of data collected from electronics firms in Korean. This study shed several important insights. The findings of this study are generally consistent with prior studies in other parts of the world. SMEs in the Korean electronics industry believe that GSCM practices help generate new opportunities to attract clients in addition to complying with the buyer firms' demand. It was also found that implementation of GSCM practices help improve operational and relational efficiencies of supplier firms.

Originality/value

Few empirical studies have been done in GSCM based on the conceptual footing of resource dependence theory. Also, this study was conducted from the supplier's perspective in examining the weaknesses of SME suppliers. Thus, the authors emphasize the importance of support from large buying firms for improving SME suppliers' green management capabilities.
Enhancing product quality of a process
Authors: Çiflikli Cebrail , Kahya‐Özyirmidokuz Esra
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Data mining (DM) is used to improve the performance of manufacturing quality control activity, and reduces productivity loss. The purpose of this paper is to discover useful hidden patterns from fabric data to reduce the amount of defective goods and increase overall quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This research examines the improvement of manufacturing process via DM techniques. The paper explores the use of different preprocessing and DM techniques (rough sets theory, attribute relevance analysis, anomaly detection analysis, decision trees and rule induction) in carpet manufacturing as the real world application problem. SPSS Clementine Programme, Rosetta Toolkit, ASP (Active Server Pages) and VBScript programming language are used.

Findings

The most important variables of attributes that are effective in product quality are determined. A decision tree (DT) and decision rules are generated. Therefore, the faults in the process are detected. An on‐line programme is generated and the model's results are used to ensure the prevention of faulty products.

Research limitations/implications

In time, this model will lose its validity. Therefore, it must be redeveloped periodically.

Practical implications

This study's productivity can be increased especially with the help of artificial intelligence technology. This research can also be applied to different industries.

Originality/value

The size and complexity of data make extraction difficult. Attribute relevance analysis is proposed for the selection of the attribute variables. The knowledge discovery in databases process is used. In addition, the system can be followed on‐line with this interactive ability.
Exploring IT entrepreneurs' dynamic capabilities using Q‐technique
Authors: Chang Chi‐Cheng
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the dynamic capabilities required of information technology (IT) entrepreneurs for facing globalized challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a methodological approach that combines Q‐technique and questionnaire survey, the author collected 98 statements obtained from interviewing ten IT entrepreneurs. A total of 44 out of 98 critical statements were extracted as Q‐samples based on purposive sampling. Subsequently, 20 experts used Q‐technique in terms of the sample the 44 statements to generate a revised questionnaire to investigate 500 Taiwan IT‐based companies.

Findings

According to the responses of the 281 valid copies of questionnaire received, market‐oriented sensitivity, the ability to absorb knowledge, social‐networking capability, and the integrative ability to communicate and negotiate are the dynamic capabilities required of IT entrepreneurs.

Research limitations/implications

As for the restrictions, the expansive nature of the IT industry prevented the author from addressing any specific sector of the industry, and no minimum capitalisation of IT companies was set for the sample‐collecting process.

Practical implications

The results can be used by IT entrepreneurs of SMEs in the self‐assessment of capabilities and the development of dynamic capabilities during their start‐up and growth phases. They can also be applied to nurturing successors and cultivating new entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This study clarifies the intrinsic dynamic capabilities of IT entrepreneurs, and identifies the required components of such capabilities and their priorities. The results can be used in managerial decision‐making and personnel training, both of which help entrepreneurs in building competitive advantages.
Return on relationships: conceptual understanding and measurement of mutual gains from relational business engagements
Authors: Grönroos Christian , Helle Pekka
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Relationship is based on the idea of creating a win‐win situation for parties involved in a business engagement. The purpose of the article is to develop a model of mutual value creation and reciprocal return on relationships (RORR) assessment, which enables calculation of joint and separate gains from a relational business engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of a conceptual analysis, which is tested empirically through a real‐life case. The empirical part is based on a longitudinal empirical study including several empirical cases.

Findings

Following a practice matching process, resulting in mutual innovation and aligning of their processes, resources and competencies, the parties in a business engagement make investments in the relationship. This enables the creation of joint productivity gains. Valuation of joint productivity gains produces an incremental value, which can be shared between the parties through a price mechanism. Finally, based on this shared value and costs of investments in the relationship by the parties, a reciprocal return on the relationship can be assessed and split between the business parties.

Research limitations/implications

The study addresses dyadic business engagements only. The findings enable calculation of reciprocal return on relationships (RORR) and form a basis of further development of marketing metrics and financial contribution of marketing, and of developing financial measures of intangible assets called for by the finance and investor communities.

Practical implications

Using the conceptual model and corresponding metrics, the financial outcome of the development of customer relationships as well as an assessment of the return on relationships with customers can be established.

Originality/value

The approach to assess the value of customer relationships as a two‐sided endeavor is novel, as well as the joint productivity construct and the value sharing approach, and the way of assessing ROR as a reciprocal measure that can be split between the business parties.
Key account management: the inside selling job
Authors: Speakman James I.F. , Ryals Lynette
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Salespeople are frequently required to manage a wide range of complex internal relationships. This paper seeks to explore one aspect of the key account manager's internal selling role which has not been addressed before, specifically how the key account manager handles multiple incidents of simultaneous conflict while carrying out their internal selling duties.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses the critical incident technique together with an interpretive framework for data coding in order to explore the complex behavioural sequences adopted by key account managers while managing the many incidents of conflict which they frequently encounter within the organisation. Twenty‐nine key account managers from seven participating FMCG, Blue Chip organisations in the UK and USA participated in the research describing 112 incidents of conflict.

Findings

The research provides further insight into the complexity perspective of conflict management, suggesting that conflict episodes do not occur as discrete, isolated, incidents, rather incidents occur simultaneously requiring a combination of behaviours in their management.

Practical implications

The implications for a complex role such as selling are that, while carrying out their internal selling duties, rather than adopting a single managerial style or single combination of styles, key account managers are able to adapt and use a combination of management behaviours which can be modified throughout and across conflict episodes.

Originality/value

In contrast to the majority of research into personal selling, this research takes an interpretive approach through the analysis of transcripts from a series of CIT interviews with key account managers in the field.
Antecedents of knowledge generation competence and its impact on innovativeness
Authors: Griese Ilka , Kleinaltenkamp Michael
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This study aims to present the conceptualization and measurement of knowledge generation competence (KGC) as the fundament for firm's internal knowledge generation. Furthermore, it seeks to assess different antecedents of a firm's KGC and its potential for improving a firm's innovativeness.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by nationwide mail survey in the German automation and the consulting industry. The final sample consists of 110 respondents (response rate of 32.9 percent). The measurement model was tested by using structural equation modeling applying partial least squares (PLS) estimation. PLS was also used to investigate the relationships between KGC, its antecedents and innovativeness.

Findings

The findings support the conceptualization and measurement of knowledge generation competence (KGC). The included dimensions explained 47.6 percent of the variance of knowledge generation competence. Furthermore, most of the relationships included in the research model were supported by the empirical data.

Practical implications

The data suggest that firms which want to increase their innovativeness can develop their knowledge generation competence by providing learning orientation culture and investing in human resource practices.

Originality/value

The paper aids in uncovering the relationship between organizational learning, human resource practices, knowledge generation competence, and innovativeness of a firm.
The essential role of information sharing in relationship development
Authors: Biggemann Sergio
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to report on the role of information sharing in business relationships development.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a single embedded case study research. Relationships between a large global manufacturer and supplier of imaging products and solutions and two of their major channels, also large retailers with several department stores, were studied. Semi‐structured interviews, participant observation and document reviews were utilised to gather data.

Findings

A two‐dimensional construct of information sharing comprised by mutual disclosure and multi‐contact is proposed to account for this critical attribute of business‐to‐business relationship structure. The author concludes that information sharing fosters inter‐company collaboration, potentially increasing the value that both buyer and supplier can harvest from business relationships.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this research are not generalisable to one industry or population; however, they have theoretical implications that need validation in a broader context.

Practical implications

Data from the case study suggests that it is the supplier's responsibility to open various information‐sharing channels. Customers would, depending on the levels of trust, use these channels to share valuable information.

Originality/value

Instead of looking at information sharing as an indirect method to transmit persuasive messages, information sharing is seen as a form of collaborative communication that promotes trust and supports business growth.
Customer‐focused and service‐focused orientation in organizational structures
Authors: Gebauer Heiko , Kowalkowski Christian
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The paper aims to provide a better understanding of the interrelatedness of customer and service orientations in the organizational structures of capital goods manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, multi‐case research design was employed using 36 European capital goods manufacturing companies.

Findings

This article explored four different patterns of how companies move from being product‐focused to service‐focused, and from having an organizational structure that is geographically focused to one that is customer‐focused. The four patterns are termed as follows: emphasizing service orientation, service‐focused organizational structure, emphasizing customer orientation, and customer‐focused organizational structure.

Research limitations/implications

Although the study is based on 36 case studies, the external validity (generalizability) of the findings could not be assessed accurately.

Practical implications

The description of the four organizational approaches offers guidance for managers to restructure their companies towards service and customer orientations.

Originality/value

The article links the relatively independent discussions of service and customer orientations in the context of organizational structures. The four patterns provide a better understanding of how capital goods manufacturers integrate increased customer and service focuses in their organizational structures.
Retail Insights ‐ Spring 1996
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: January 2014

Three years out of a recession corporate strategy has undergone a decisive shift in emphasis from cost reduction to sales growth. Companies are looking hard at the structure
of their marketing departments in search of better performance. Three models are apparent. First, there is pure marketing; McVities is trying to gain leverage by concentrating on the essentials. Second, immediate marketing; American Express (Amex) has decentralized its operations and is improving its market segmentation. Finally, introductory marketing; companies such as Allied Leisure are looking to start again from scratch
Retail Insights ‐ Autumn 1996
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: January 2014

Over the last few years, many corporate planning departments have been pared to the bone. Companies no longer have whole teams devoted to market and competitor analysis.
Often they have just a few people in the finance department who put together the annual plan. Yet top executives still need advice on market and competitor issues before they
make the big decisions. Consultants are useful when a major issue needs to be addressed but usually cannot often provide day‐to‐day support without breaking the bank. How can business leaders get the support they with only a small planning function?
Retail Insights ‐ Wal‐Mart’s takeover of Asda
Authors: Kirby Amanda
Published: January 2014

The takeover of Asda by US retail giant Wal‐Mart has created a great deal of speculation by business analysts and the media. Wal‐Mart is recognized as the world’s largest retailer and its move into the UK is creating interest in its future plans for Europe. Some consider that the move will cause a complete realignment of grocery chains across Europe and that the move will be revolutionary. Others consider that the move will simply augment and accelerate current retailing trends but will not completely change the face of supermarket retailing. This issue brings together a variety of viewpoints. First, Paul Whysall reviews and analyses the press coverage. He provides insights into the possible outcomes of the deal. The second piece is an industry insight prepared by Retail Intelligence, which is followed by an overview of the Institute of Grocery Distribution’s research document
Wal‐Mart in the UK. Finally, we present a number of abstracts that offer further thoughts on the subject.
Adoption of free/libre open source software in public organizations: factors of impact
Authors: Rossi Bruno , Russo Barbara , Succi Giancarlo
Published: January 2014

Purpose

In this paper the authors aim to investigate the importance of factors for the adoption of free/libre open source software (FLOSS) in the public sector. They seek to evaluate how different factors impact during the initiation and implementation phases of the adoption process.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors base the methodological approach on two exploratory case studies with a contrasting result logic. They build a multi‐level framework grounded both on literature review, and feedback from stakeholders. They then apply the framework to two case studies to better frame the findings. They consider phases of adoption (initiation, implementation) and the levels of adoption (technological, organizational, environmental, individual).

Findings

In the case studies, the authors found the importance of a strong and decision‐centric management board to give the impulse for the initiation phase of the process. As perceived by the stakeholders, a strong governmental support is of paramount importance to increase the adoption at the public level, although in the case studies examined the initiation stage started from the impulse of a championing management. Both case studies passed the initiation phase successfully. Continuous employees' training, organizational objectives consensus, and business process reengineering have been found important for the implementation phase. In the case study in which these factors were not in place, the implementation phase of adoption failed. Environmental factors – although relevant for the initiation of the adoption process – are less significant during the actual implementation of the adoption process, as the contrasting result logic from the case studies shows.

Research limitations/implications

The study refers to two public organizations in a specific environmental setting. No causality among factors has been inferred. Quantitative objective data have been used to determine the success of adoption, for qualitative data multiple sources have been used when possible to limit threats to validity.

Practical implications

The framework can be used by stakeholders in public organizations to better frame their adoption strategies and to compare results across institutions. Lessons learnt from the case studies can be useful to drive future adoptions of FLOSS.

Originality/value

The framework combines phases of adoption and levels making it possible to frame the analysis of the case studies. It has been operationalized with a set of metrics, and with a protocol for the case studies to increase replicability value.
The impact of individual debiasing efforts on financial decision effectiveness in the supplier selection process
Authors: Kaufmann Lutz , Carter Craig R. , Buhrmann Christian
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The nascent behavioral supply management (BSM) research stream has raised the level of attention given to deviations from the standard assumptions of the rational paradigm in economics. The adaptation of cognitive heuristics, which add vulnerability to judgment and decision making, creates a pressing need to identify and develop mitigation strategies to debias decision making in the supply chain management environment. The purpose of this paper is to investigate debiasing measures, corresponding contextual variables in the supplier selection process, and their implications for financial decision effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a large‐scale empirical survey among 306 buyers to investigate the relationships among individual and organizational contextual factors, debiasing measures in the supplier selection decision, and the financial effectiveness of the supplier selection decision.

Findings

It was found that organizational and individual contextual factors have differing effects on the use of debiasing approaches in the supplier selection decision. Further, the debiasing tactics can have a positive (in the case of supplier selection task decomposing) or a negative (in the case of an interactional challenging of the supplier selection) impact on the financial effectiveness of the supplier selection decision. These findings suggest that supply managers must better understand the contextual factors that influence the supplier selection decision, and carefully choose the correct debiasing tactics when selecting suppliers.

Originality/value

This paper relaxes the economic assumption of rational actors and addresses the need to identify and use debiasing tactics in supply chain management contexts. The research also complements the broader‐based behavioral decision‐making literature, which has often relied upon experimental methodologies that use undergraduate or MBA students, by employing a survey‐based approach with supply managers as key informants.
Strategic logistics management
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: January 2014

The key to any successful organization must be its communication network. Bold statement, but is it true? It is, of course, a sweeping generalization and one with which anyone would have difficulty in picking an argument. One way to determine what is, and what is not, vital to your organization is by eliminating it from the equation and asking yourself where you would be without it. Do away with your communication system, apart from the most basic, and see what you are left with? If the answer is not a great deal, then you can hopefully appreciate the importance of what you have, and realize the attention it deserves. Taking things for granted is an all too common phenomenon. When developing new systems and new strategies, it is important to remember the existing systems so as not to ignore their development too. Distribution and logistics management is an area which is experiencing many changes and, because of this, it is important for the communication system to be first class.
Anbar Abstracts Issue
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: January 2014

This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of the International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management is split into eight sections covering abstracts under the following headings: Distribution and supply chain management; Logistics; Air/road/rail transport;
Retail/wholesale; Freight and delivery services; International; Purchasing; Accounting.
Validation of a biases model in strategic security decision making
Authors: Workman Michael
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Funding agencies such as the Office of Naval Research, Department of Homeland Security, and others, have reduced funding for non‐tactical operations. Simultaneously, organizations are squeezing their overhead budgets (where security initiatives fall) and are focusing more on revenue generation given current economic climates. Thus, in both governmental sectors and in commercial settings, there are reasons to believe that strategic security initiatives are being sacrificed, and those that survive must be compelling. To assist organizational leaders with these difficult choices, it is critical to understand biases that affect decisions about strategic security initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to validate and empirically test the predictability of a theoretical model, from which implications can be made for research and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Using behavioral decision theory, a randomized longitudinal study was conducted over three years with a multinational corporation with headquarter‐offices in the UK and the USA, and regional offices in India, Germany and France. From these data, a model was developed and tested for fit with a confirmatory factor analysis and its predictive ability was tested using structured equation modeling.

Findings

It was found that risk aversion, overconfidence, adjustment of cognitive anchors, and expected utility biases affected whether managers and other stakeholders continued or terminated strategic security initiatives.

Originality/value

Prematurely terminating or over commitment to a strategic initiative can be costly if not significantly damaging to an organization or government military or intelligence agency. Understanding how biases factor into these decisions can help strategic initiative decision makers improve their decisions and assist them in recognizing normative rules or optimal (straddle point) solutions.
Departing the safe harbor
Authors: Medeiros Norm
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to describe recent publications designed to assist librarians and other information professionals in understanding copyright law in an academic context.

Design/methodology/approach

The article highlights some of the more important and/or contentious areas noted within the publications.

Findings

The article focuses on fair use, and the variance of its interpretations.

Originality/value

The article provides a broader understanding of the ways in which copyright law affects digitization efforts.
Management of Indian institutional repositories
Authors: Sawant Sarika
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The present study aims to investigate various issues concerning the management of institutional repositories (IRs) developed in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey method was used. The data collection tool was a web questionnaire, which was created with the help of software provided by surveymonkey.com. The questionnaire was e‐mailed to the entire population i.e. all IRs identified in India.

Findings

It was observed that 79 per cent of the institutions had used the DSpace IR software package. The respondents considered end‐user interface to be the top‐ranking IR‐system feature. It was found that all IRs supported text (HTML, Postscript, PDF, Spreadsheet etc) file formats. Half of the respondents marked bitstream copying as a long‐term preservation strategy. Almost all institutional repositories were OAI‐PMH compliant.

Research limitations/implications

Only Indian IRs were studied and the findings were compared with other studies.

Originality/value

This is the first detailed study focusing on the management aspects of IRs. The present study has identified the existence of 16 functional IRs, some of which were not registered in any of the directories such as ROAR or Open DOAR.
Universities in an open innovation system: a UK perspective
Authors: Howells Jeremy , Ramlogan Ronnie , Cheng Shu‐Li
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and impact of higher education institution (HEI) in a distributed, open innovation system using a survey of some 600 firms in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data are used from a postal questionnaire survey of 600 firms across three UK regions: Wales, the North West and the East of England.

Findings

The analysis reveals significant differences in firm collaboration with HEIs across the UK and the value and impact that such collaborations have on firm development. The nature and effects of such collaboration vary significantly between the type of firm involved and their location and the analysis investigates this in relation to various aspects of innovative activity and firm performance.

Originality/value

Although much of the nature and effects of such collaboration are as one would expect, some of the results are counter‐intuitive and highlight the care we should place on assessing the role of universities and other HEIs in open innovation systems.
Action learning in new creative ventures
Authors: Rae David
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explore the integrated processes of action learning, entrepreneurial learning and new venture creation by students and graduates in the creative industries by addressing two questions: How do action learning and entrepreneurial learning connect with new venture creation in the context of the creative industries? How does learning influence the types of creative enterprises developed by students?

Design/methodology/approach

The article is based around the case of the Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education (SPEED) project which ran in 13 higher education institutes (HEIs) in the UK between 2006 and 2008. This provided an innovative, action‐learning based route, enabling students to create new business ventures as self‐started work experience. The article uses the case to develop theoretical perspectives on creative entrepreneurship and action learning.

Findings

The article draws lessons from the experience of the SPEED programme as an innovative multi‐HEI project, and develops a conceptual model of creative entrepreneurship with illustrative cases. Transferable insights and a model of entrepreneurial action learning illustrate connections between venture formation and “pull” learning.

Practical implications

It is increasingly clear that graduate self‐employment and entrepreneurship must make an essential contribution to educational and economic development in the post‐recessionary economic era, but this is problematic, especially in the creative industries. Recommendations for development based on these models and practices are proposed for educators and policy‐makers.

Originality/value

The article connects action learning with theories of new venture creation and entrepreneurial learning. It develops critical insights and proposes conceptual models of creative enterprise and “pull” learning in venture creation.
Group consciousness, identity and perceptions of unfair police treatment among Mexican Americans
Authors: Elise Barboza Gia
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between global and specific attitudes of unfair police treatment towards Mexican Americans and how attitudes towards the police vary with socio‐demographic characteristics, victim status, linguistic barriers, group consciousness and socially disorganized contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the 2006 National Latino Survey, which is a representative random sample of 1,815 self‐identified persons of Mexican‐origin born in the USA were used to investigate three research questions: What is the prevalence in which Mexican‐Americans claim to be treated unfairly by the police?; What is the prevalence in which Mexican‐Americans perceive unfair treatment toward their ethnic group?; and Do cultural factors and/or heightened group consciousness and identity contribute to Mexican‐Americans perceptions of either specific or more generalized unfair police treatment? A structural equation model was developed to explore the relationship between global and specific measures of unfair police treatment and variables measuring socio‐demographic and linguistic characteristics, as well as socially disorganized contexts, group consciousness and identity.

Findings

Mexican‐Americans residing in socially disorganized contexts are significantly more likely to have positive global assessments of the police. The relationship between both social disorganization and specific and global attitudes was statistically significant. Individuals who have a strong sense of linked fate, possess a shared sense of common purpose and interest, and identify strongly with their ethnic group are significantly more likely to perceive that the police treat their group unfairly.

Research limitations/implications

The current investigation is limited by the nature of the data, which is based wholly on self‐report. In addition, while the frequency and nature of police contact plays a role in influencing negative perceptions of police encounters, it was not possible to assess those influences here. Finally, the current analysis is limited by the cross‐sectional nature of the data and no inferences regarding causality can be made.

Practical implications

This study has implications for the legitimacy of the criminal justice system and will help criminal justice actors understand the broader implications of police‐citizen interactions.

Social implications

The paper shows how social interactions are affected by group membership.

Originality/value

No study to date explores the relationship between group‐based identity, group consciousness and perceptions of unfair treatment by the police. These studies are usually limited to the political science literature.
Dallas’ disruption unit: efficacy of hot spots deployment
Authors: Jang Hyunseok , Lee Chang‐Bae , Hoover Larry T.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The majority of the previous research on hot spots policing focuses on a single set of relatively small selected experimental areas. However, given limited resources, most law enforcement agencies dispatch hot spots intervention units to several areas on a rotation basis. The purpose of this paper is to examine policing activities in hot spots to determine if the various types of crimes were affected when deployment was applied on a rotation basis.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data from the Dallas Police Department. The differential influence of police activities, including stops, citations, and arrests, are observed against a number of aggregate crime measures (i.e. violent, property, nuisance offenses, and total index crimes). The impact of police activities have been observed for their immediate and lagged effects during the following week to measure residual deterrence effects.

Findings

It was found that the DPD's Disruption Unit's hot spots policing immediately affected violent crimes, nuisance offenses, and total index crimes, while there were no residual effects of hot spots policing. The Disruption Unit was engaged in policing activities that include motor vehicle and pedestrian stops, issuing citations, and making arrests. Among these activities, the number of police stops was the most significant factor for the reduction in violent crime and nuisance offenses.

Research limitations/implications

The researchers use a patrol sector as a unit of analysis in order to compare the influence of various types of police activities on crime across a broader area. Future research should consider using an intermediate geographic unit of analysis (e.g. patrol beat).

Originality/Value

The paper examines the differential influence of policing activities on different types of crime around hot spots when deployment was applied on a rotation basis. Both immediate and lagged effects were investigated to find residual deterrence effects of hot spots policing.
Property Journals Index 1990‐1999
Authors: Bakewell K.G.B.
Published: January 2014

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press:
Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.
Property Journals Index 1990‐2001
Authors: Bakewell K.G.B.
Published: January 2014

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by Emerald:
Facilities Volumes 8‐19; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐19; Property Management Volumes 8‐19; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐19.
“Unequal diversity” as a knowledge alliance
Authors: Novy Andreas
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this self‐reflective paper is to focus on practical efforts to combat inequality and foster intercultural dialogue in education. It introduces “knowledge alliances”, a type of social practice open for education technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is structured in a theoretical and an empirical part. The theoretical part ledge production is divided in two sections: the first one summarizes transdisciplinarity and Paulo Freire's dialogical pedagogy as two innovative approaches to knowledge sharing, production and appropriation. In the second section knowledge alliances are presented as innovative forms of lasting learning and research partnerships. The empirical part presents a case study and discusses the potential and limits of this specific knowledge alliance.

Findings

The paper demonstrates the importance of a partnership approach to combat inequality and discrimination. Knowledge alliance is a normative as well as an analytical concept to grasp the dynamics of lasting and transdisciplinary cooperation. For multicultural education, their implementation can be supported by learning technologies.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is a self‐reflection on a lasting learning and research cooperation which offers deep insights into practical challenges. The limitations of these socially innovative practices are the lack of ex‐ante scientific rigor.

Practical implications

The paper argues in favour of lasting cooperation.

Social implications

The paper shows the necessity to link practice and theory in knowledge alliances which last beyond the single project.

Originality/value

The paper introduces the term knowledge alliances and the related normative and analytical implications.
Influence of language and file type on the web visibility of top European universities
Authors: Orduña-Malea Enrique , Luis Ortega Jose , F. Aguillo Isidro
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to detect whether both file type (a set of rich and web files) and language (English, Spanish, German, French and Italian) influence the web visibility of European universities.

Design/methodology/approach

– A webometrics analysis of the top 200 European universities (as ranked in the Ranking web of World Universities) was carried out by a manual query for each official URL identified by using the Google search engine (April 2012). A correlation analysis between visibility and file format page count is offered according to language. Finally, a prediction of visibility is shown by using the SMOreg function.

Findings

– The results indicate that Spanish and English are the languages that correlate most highly with web visibility. This correlation becomes greater – though moderate – when considering only PDF files.

Research limitations/implications

– The results are limited due to the low correlation between overall page count and visibility. The lack of an accurate search engine that would assist in link counting procedures makes this process difficult.

Originality/value

– An observed increase in correlation – although moderate – while analysing PDF files (in English and Spanish) is considered to be meaningful. This may indirectly confirm that specific file formats and languages generate different web visibility behaviour on European university web sites.