bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A model for structuring efficient consumer response measures
Authors: Aastrup Jesper , Kotzab Herbert , Grant David B. , Teller Christoph , Bjerre Mogens
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model which structures and links different types of efficient consumer response (ECR) measures; it does so by considering the use of both quantitative or “hard” and qualitative or “soft” measures in ECR, emphasizing the importance and causal role of “soft” measures throughout the ECR process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the ECR and performance measurement literature and proposes a model that explains linkages from intra‐organizational, inter‐organizational and industry prerequisites through ECR activities to ECR outcomes; and highlights the role of performance, behavioural, attitude and capability measures. Two extant studies from Austria and Denmark are examined in the context of the model to exemplify some of its features.

Findings

Similarities regarding issues of inter‐organizational and intra‐organizational prerequisites were found, but the two studies also demonstrated variety in the use of measures in ECR research.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model is presented for primarily future investigation; thus there is no empirical study in this paper other than a comparison of the two extant studies to support some constructs and variables. However, the model represents a structure that can guide future research on more specific ECR elements.

Practical implications

The model makes a practical contribution by providing a structure from which measurement or scorecard systems can be established.

Originality/value

The model makes a theoretical contribution by providing an overall structure to link different areas of ECR research such as barriers for ECR implementation, and specific ECR concepts, activities, and their outcomes.
Employing the participative paradigm as a valid empirical approach to gaining a greater understanding of contemporary supply chain and distribution management issues
Authors: Towers Neil , Chen Rong
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Social scientists have developed a number of ontological paradigms, including realism to describe their own perspective of the worldview under investigation where each is linked to an epistemology that deals with how the world is perceived and the relationship between the researcher and the known view. This paper aims to propose the use of a Participative phemenological paradigm in qualitative research for an empirical inquiry to compare developed theory to practise.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the epistemological belief elements of deductive, inductive and abductive paradigms applied to supply chain and distribution management research. It develops the participative approach, derived from realism as a valid methodology for gaining a greater understanding of the applied management subject area.

Findings

This paper addresses the validity of the participative paradigm in phemenological social science research, suggesting it is a valid and rigorous research activity to gain greater knowledge and understanding in these subject areas.

Practical implications

Contemporary global supply chain and distribution management issues have been addressed from a detailed understanding and comprehension of the dynamic and responsive fashion textiles sector. The participative paradigm, which sees human beings as co‐creating their reality through participation such as their experience, imagination, intuition, thinking and action can contribute to a better understanding of influencing factors.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the development of qualitative research in supply chain and distribution management. It has extended the theory‐based epistemological discussion to gain validity of this adopted approach.
B2c e‐commerce logistics: the rise of collection‐and‐delivery points in The Netherlands
Authors: Weltevreden Jesse W.J.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

To empirically study the uptake of collection‐and‐delivery points (CDPs) in The Netherlands and its consequences for retailers, shopping centres, and mobility.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses 2006 data from an online consumer survey and data provided by the major CDP companies in The Netherlands. In addition, two Dutch directors of CDP companies were interviewed.

Findings

The service point is nowadays the dominant form of CDP in The Netherlands. However, in 2006 only 1.4 percent of all online orders in The Netherlands were delivered at a service point. In addition, Dutch consumers currently mainly use service points for returning their online orders. As such, positive mobility effects of service points are so far small. Nevertheless, for retailers operating a service point may lead to additional revenues, as one in four online shoppers make a purchase when collecting or returning a parcel.

Research limitations/implications

Since service points – at least in The Netherlands – are nowadays mainly used for returning online orders, future empirical research should not neglect the reverse logistics function of CDPs.

Practical implications

Online shoppers are more willing to use the service point concept when they have many service points in the vicinity of their home. In addition, service points with many consumers in their immediate surroundings also perform best. A five minutes driving distance by car seems the critical accessibility value for the success of this concept.

Originality/value

Using nation‐wide representative samples the paper makes a significant contribution to the scarce empirical literature on the uptake and consequences of CDPs for retailers, shopping centres, and mobility.
Research note
Authors: Grant David B. , Fernie John
Published: August 2008

Purpose

On‐shelf availability (OSA) is a key challenge for all retailers. Items that are out‐of‐stock (OOS) result in customer dissatisfaction; thus OSA/OOS are important customer service issues. Customer reactions to OOS range from product substitution to seeking products elsewhere. There remains much to do to research factors and causes of OOS affecting OSA from a supply chain perspective in a non‐grocery retail context. This research note aims to report on an exploratory investigation of OSA/OOS of four non‐grocery, high street retailers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the extant academic and practitioner OSA/OOS literature to develop research questions for the investigation, which was conducted through in‐depth, qualitative interviews. Although a large sample was solicited only four different retailers in the fast‐moving consumer good categories of general merchandise, electronics, books, and mobile phones agreed to participate.

Findings

Findings indicate that the four retailers are not as focused on OSA as grocery retailers and that there is lack of collaboration with suppliers. This may have a significant impact on revenues and profitability as extant studies show that 65 per cent of consumers will not purchase in a store if confronted with an OOS situation.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the low response rate only general trends across and within these four categories are reported. Notwithstanding, several important issues emerged for future research in this area and the non‐grocery arena.

Originality/value

Earlier work has provided insight into how supply chain issues affects OSA and OOS in grocery retailing. This paper extends that work to a non‐grocery setting, albeit on a limited basis, but provides scope for future research.
Emergence of modern Indian retail: an historical perspective
Authors: Sengupta Anirban
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The paper seeks to capture the history of the evolution of modern‐format food and grocery retail in India. Its focus is on the time period from 1971 to 2001.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is primarily exploratory in nature. Primary research included depth interviews, focus groups and survey through questionnaire with organized retailers, unorganized retailers, consumers, fast‐moving consumer goods manufacturers, channel members and opinion‐leaders. Secondary research involved a review of the existing literature on Indian retail available at that time.

Findings

Emergence of modern retail in India is not just a result of increasing consumer buying power – manufacturers and unorganized retailers also have an important role to play in this process at the macro‐level. At the micro‐level, the trigger came from diverse angles like entrepreneurial desire to provide better service to consumers, social desire to provide relief to the masses in the form of lower prices, desire to capitalize on emerging business opportunities being provided by the changing business environment, etc.

Research limitations/implications

Being an early work in this area, the research was exploratory in nature and tried to understand the role of different stakeholders in emergence of modern retail in India. It does not use any statistical technique to prove or disprove any hypothesis. It is focused on the food and grocery retail business.

Originality/value

The paper provides a historical perspective to academics as well as practitioners.
Wal‐Mart in India: a success or failure?
Authors: Halepete Jaya , Seshadri Iyer K.V. , Chul Park Soo
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges that Wal‐Mart may face as it expands into the Indian retail market. Wal‐Mart's failures in Germany and South Korea are analyzed to identify learnings that could be utilized in the Indian expansion.

Design/methodology/approach

Dunning's eclectic theory as applied to international expansion is used to analyze Wal‐Mart's advantages and disadvantages in Germany and South Korea. The theory is then applied to India to understand the possible advantages and disadvantages for Wal‐Mart in entering the Indian retail market.

Findings

The key findings of the study are that Wal‐Mart faces many ownership as well as locational disadvantages while expanding in India. These significant challenges need to be well‐understood and suitably addressed for success in the Indian market.

Originality/value

This report makes a contribution towards understanding the challenges in entering an international market using a case study. The study helps analyze international experiences can be leveraged in future plans of international expansion.
Changing retail scene in India
Authors: Srivastava R.K.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The research presented here aims to build a picture of the changes in retail taking place in India. India is poised to become a retail power house. The paper looks at the changing scene in the retail sector in view of many MNCs and large industries entering into this segment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were drawn from industry sources which included national and international published sources from 1993‐2006.

Findings

The findings presented show that malls in 2006 are more developed in the North and West part of India. Food, groceries and apparel purchase by customers contributed to 52 percent. On average 75 percent of customers spend about 1‐3 hours in the mall. Malls with multiplexes such as cinema theatres, food courts, play places for children are becoming the centre for family outings. Small retailers have improved their service to cater to Indian consumers. Credit limits and home service are helping them to hold on to their customers. Retailing focus is changing towards satisfying the different hierarchy of needs of customers.

Research limitations/implications

All are from Indian perspectives which perhaps limits its usefulness else where in the world.

Practical implication

A very useful source of information and review of this scenario which should help other retailers across the world, especially in developing economies, to face big giants more aggressively and do better.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified information/resources need and offers guidance to small retailers
HACCP for the hospitality industry: the chefs' perspective
Authors: Taylor Jeremy , Forte John
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the applicability of HACCP within the hospitality industry from the perspective of two qualified and experienced chefs. It is the second article in the second Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes issue of the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management presenting a new method of HACCP for the hospitality industry and proof of its utility.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of academic literature and industry materials is used to examine the nature of the hospitality industry, the scale of food safety problems and previous attempts to solve them.

Findings

The paper argues that in its traditional form, and in the way that many external bodies have tried to impose it, HACCP does not work for the hospitality industry and has been anything other than a benefit. However, HACCP could be the very catalyst the industry needs to come to terms with the food safety issues of a changing world. To make the principles meaningful they must be developed for the industry by the industry itself. They cannot simply be transferred from other sectors and superimposed by external agencies.

Originality/value

This informed and detailed chefs' perspective on HACCP in the hospitality industry is the first of its kind. It will be valuable reading for industry bodies, academics, enforcers and governments working with HACCP in this industry.
HACCP for the hospitality industry: a psychological model for success
Authors: Zaida Taylor Joanne
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to answer the question as to why until 2004 there had been no systematic, effective implementation of HACCP in the hospitality industry anywhere in the world. It is the third article in the second Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes issue of the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management presenting a new method of HACCP for the hospitality industry and proof of its utility.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth narrative interviews, supported by documentary analysis, were carried out in 22 hospitality businesses in Greater Manchester.

Findings

The research techniques find 21 practical and psychological barriers to success at knowledge, attitude and behavioural levels. These are investigated in depth in order to develop a model for overcoming the problems and achieving tangible improvements in food safety and HACCP in the hospitality industry.

Originality/value

The research techniques chosen for the project documented in this paper overcome the methodological limitations of most previous research in the area. Using an in‐depth psychological perspective they have uncovered important barriers not previously considered.
A new method of HACCP for hospitality: from concept to product
Authors: Taylor Eunice , Taylor Joanne
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to chart the development of new method of applying HACCP for the hospitality industry developed by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) in conjunction with the University of Salford. It is the fourth article in the second Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes issue of the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management presenting a new method of HACCP for the hospitality industry and proof of its utility.

Design/methodology/approach

The project utilised an action research methodology that involved an iterative process of development, piloting, evaluation and review conducted over a three‐year period. In total over 300 practitioners, researchers and stakeholders were involved in the process.

Findings

This was the first attempt, anywhere in the world to empirically develop a food safety management system for food businesses within the hospitality industry and prove that it worked. It remains the only adaptation of “classical” method that has been demonstrated to have utility and also contribute to improvements in food safety management. In particular, the output demonstrates that there are valid alternatives to the “classical” Codex method and that businesses can comply with HACCP principles without ever having to “hear” or “use” the HACCP jargon.

Originality/value

The new method has been extended and published as Menu‐Safe, a system that can be used for hospitality businesses of all types and sizes. Its shortened version, Safer Food Better Business (SFBB), has been developed. These products will be of value to practitioners, enforcement officers and educators as they attempt to improve the management of food safety across the industry.
A new method of HACCP for hospitality
Authors: Taylor Joanne , Assan Nicky , Green Russell , McCann Joy , Rodríguez Jose
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide further evidence of the effectiveness of a new method of HACCP for the hospitality industry that was developed, piloted and validated by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the University of Salford. It is the sixth article in the second Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes issue of the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management presenting a new method of HACCP for the hospitality industry and proof of its utility.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of industry working parties and research projects were carried out between 2004 and 2006 to investigate the utility and impact of the new method in a wide range of sectors, cuisines and locations. Over 200 stakeholders and businesses were involved in this process.

Findings

The paper finds that in 2005 the new method was extended and published as Menu‐Safe a system for hospitality businesses of all types and sizes, and developed into a shorter ready to use package called Safer Food Better Business (SFBB) by the UK FSA for very small hospitality businesses. This series of projects shows further evidence of the success of the new method, and provides important guidance on how, when and where the new systems should be implemented.

Originality/value

This paper combines in‐depth, academically sound research with widespread industry involvement. It brings together the views and findings of all groups to make important recommendations for the future of HACCP‐based systems in the hospitality industry.
Menu‐Safe: a business viewpoint from the hospitality manager at Blackpool's Pleasure Beach, UK
Authors: Clark Katherine , West Roy
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the viewpoint of the hospitality manager of a large amusement park using Menu‐Safe, the new method for HACCP for the Hospitality industry. It is the eighth article in the second Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes issue of the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management presenting a new method of HACCP for the hospitality industry and proof of its utility.

Design/methodology/approach

The manager's viewpoint was obtained during interviews with the lead author.

Findings

The manager describes significant improvements in management efficiency and effectiveness since managing food safety with Menu‐Safe.

Originality/value

The paper identifies positive feedback for the Menu‐Safe system from a practitioner and makes a recommendation that the method of food safety management is used by other businesses in the hospitality sector. It offers a unique viewpoint and practical advice for readers.
Menu‐Safe: a business viewpoint from the manager and head chef at the Isis Restaurant, Salford, UK
Authors: Clark Katherine , Stewart Brett , Ball Anthony , Jones Chris
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the viewpoints of a manager and head chef from a small restaurant using Menu‐Safe, a new method of HACCP in the Hospitality industry. It is the seventh article in the second Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes issue of the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management presenting a new method of HACCP for the hospitality industry and proof of its utility.

Design/methodology/approach

The manager's and head chef's viewpoints were obtained during interviews with the lead author.

Findings

Both manager and head chef describe the positive impact Menu‐Safe has had in their business, in particular in documentation and record keeping, supervision and communication, and training.

Originality/value

The paper identifies positive feedback for the Menu‐Safe system from practitioners and makes a recommendation that the method of food safety management is used by other businesses in the hospitality industry. It offers a unique viewpoint and provides practical advice for readers.
Case pack quantity's effect on retail market share
Authors: Waller Matthew A. , Heintz Tangari Andrea , Williams Brent D.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a key logistics and distribution variable, case pack quantity, on a consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing firm's performance. The paper builds theory with respect to case pack quantity's dichotomous impact on the retail shelf replenishment process and subsequent impact on market share depending on product rate‐of‐sale (ROS).

Design/methodology/approach

The study empirically tests the case pack quantity phenomenon using monthly in‐store data collected over a two year time period, market share data and data provided by a leading US CPG manufacturer in the ready‐to‐eat cereal category. Regression analysis is used to determine if case pack quantity significantly impacts firm market share.

Findings

According to compelling theoretical and empirical evidence, the number of units per retail shipping container (case pack quantity) has a significant impact on retail market share. The evidence indicates that the effect of case pack quantity on market share depends upon the ROS of a given stock‐keeping unit (SKU). For faster selling SKUs, larger case packs should increase market share. For slower selling SKUs, larger case pack quantities reduce market share because of additional stockouts at the retail level, resulting from execution problems caused by the larger case pack quantities.

Practical implications

Given the study's findings, CPG manufacturing firms must align case pack quantities with SKU ROS to positively affect the shelf replenishment process.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that case pack quality has a significant impact on retail market share.
Nordic research in logistics and supply chain management: an empirical analysis
Authors: Stentoft Arlbjørn Jan , Jonsson Patrik , Johansen John
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this data‐based analysis is to report and reflect on the characteristics of the academic discipline concerned with logistics and supply chain management (SCM) as it is conducted in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden). The paper further seeks to explain variations in the research field in terms of the demographics, research domains and methodologies, and publication patterns of the study's respondents.

Design/methodology/approach

An e‐mail questionnaire survey was distributed to 353 researchers based in the Nordic countries. With 144 answers returned, the response rate was 41 per cent.

Findings

The study did not provide a clear picture of a distinct Nordic research paradigm applying to the study of logistics and SCM. The analysis shows as characteristic of research issues pursued by Nordic researchers the focus on supply chains and networks and the use of dyads, chains or networks of organizations as levels of analysis. The use of case study methodology and a highly diversified publication pattern were likewise evident. Most researchers were found to rely heavily on external research funding. Significant differences were also identified for research conducted by researchers holding PhD degrees as compared to research by respondents with lower degrees, for researchers affiliated with institutions based in the technical sciences in comparison to those in the social sciences, and for institutions according to their varying degrees of experience with research in the field and external funding.

Research limitations/implications

The research reported here may help individual researchers raise their consciousness about their own research.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study to analyze research paradigms within logistics and SCM in the Nordic countries. It identifies a number of significant differences in regard to research patterns among various categories of researchers and institutions.
The year 2007 survey
Authors: Lieb Robert
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This study attempts to provide insight into the dynamics of the third party logistics (3PL) industry in the Asia‐Pacific (APAC) region.

Design/methodology/approach

The data reported in this paper were generated through a survey of the chief executive officer (CEOs) of ten of the largest 3PLs operating in the region.

Findings

Those companies anticipate substantial regional revenue growth, with nearly one‐quarter of that growth coming from acquisitions. Private equity (PE) investors have been active in the region, and the CEOs are divided as to whether that is a positive or negative development. Price compression, market entrance of foreign 3PLs, and increased pressure to internationalize services were identified as the most important regional market dynamics. Continued growth of intra‐Asian business and possible expansion of transportation services were cited as the most important regional opportunities. A continuing shortage of management talent, the region's regulatory structure, and inferior transportation services were cited as the most significant regional problems.

Practical implications

The region's growth prospects will promote further investments by 3PLs and PE companies. Regional transportation problems will continue to trouble 3PLs, and they must develop strategies to address shifting manufacturing patterns. The regional “talent shortage” will continue, and while 3PLs have taken steps to improve recruiting, training, and retention, there is little short‐term relief in sight. Regional buyers of 3PL services are becoming more sophisticated, and will likely place even more pressure on prices. Continued cost‐cutting measures and growing customer selectivity are the most likely reactions of 3PLs to that pressure.

Originality/value

The paper provides insight into the current status and future prospects of the third‐party logistics industry in the APAC region.
The impact of customers' perception of varying degrees of customer service on commitment and perceived relative attractiveness
Authors: Andreassen Tor W. , Olsen Line L.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The study is motivated by business' mixed response to increasing demand for customer service, leaving the question as to its impact on performance open. The study is concerned with the impact of customers' perception of customer service (bad/good) on variables that are known to drive revenue, i.e. customer satisfaction, perceived relative attractiveness, and commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a survey among bank customers. Two groups were sampled: customers who have experienced good or bad customer service. The hypotheses were tested by applying structural equation modeling and running two group analysis using the PLS and LISREL softwares.

Findings

Customers that experience bad customer service do take into account the same variables in their evaluation as do customers that experience good customer service. They do however, put different weights on every factor in the evaluation process. Also the strength of the relationships between the variables seems to differ. Typically, analyses showed that customers experiencing bad customer service tend to consider more thoroughly all aspects of the service; the relationships between the variables were stronger and the explained variance of each construct higher, than in the group of customers experiencing good customer service. However, the paths are not different across the groups.

Research limitations/implications

The paper has only tested the model and hypotheses in one industry. Future research should test the same model using different industries reflecting different customer involvement levels.

Practical implications

From this study, service managers can learn that investing in customer service in ongoing customer relations is “the right thing to do” as it is linked to customer equity through customers' commitment to the firm. Second, as customer service in such relationships drives perceived relative attractiveness, saving the bottom line by cutting back on the human side of the customer interaction, may harm the firm's competitive position in the marketplace.

Originality/value

The impact of customer service on key performance variables in ongoing relations has to the knowledge never been studied before.
Innovation of product‐related services
Authors: Gebauer Heiko , Krempl Regine , Fleisch Elgar , Friedli Thomas
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to answer the following two research questions: “What antecedents are required for the innovation of product‐related services?” and “How do the antecedents differ for product‐related services developed during the product development process or during the product usage?”

Design/methodology/approach

A multi‐case research design was employed.

Findings

Involvement of frontline employees, information sharing, multifunctional teams, funnel tools, information technology, internal organization, and training and education have a similar impact on the success of integrated and separated service innovations. Presence of service champion, autonomy of employees, market testing, and market research have a positive effect on separated, but a negative impact on integrated service innovations. The strategic focus, external contacts, availability of resources, and management support are positively associated with both innovation types, but their importance is essentially higher for separated than for integrated product‐related service innovations.

Research limitations/implications

The external validity (generalizability) of the antecedents could not be assessed accurately.

Practical implications

The explanation of antecedents forms a model that can guide managers who wish to develop product‐related services successfully.

Originality/value

The findings imply that managers contemplating a product‐related service innovation project have to consider the innovation type (integrated or separated) and reframe the antecedents accordingly.
Numerical simulation of turbulent flow in an industrial helical static mixer
Authors: Rahmani Ramin K. , Keith Theo G. , Ayasoufi Anahita
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Fluid mixing plays a critical role in the success or failure of industrial processes which call for the addition of small quantities of chemicals to working fluid. This paper aims to describe how mixing processes of liquids in turbulent flow regime can be simulated numerically, present the flow pattern through a helical static mixer, and provide useful information that can be extracted from the simulation results.

Design/methodology/approach

The performance of a helical static mixer under turbulent flow conditions is numerically studied. The model solves the 3D Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes equations, closed with the Spalart‐Allmaras turbulence model, using a second‐order‐accurate finite‐volume numerical method. Numerical simulations are carried out for a six‐element mixer. Using a variety of predictive tools, mixing results are obtained and the performance of static mixer under turbulent flow condition is studied.

Findings

The upstream mixing elements increase the mixing more effectively compared to the downstream mixing elements; and also, the rate of mixing is higher in the regions close to the edges of mixing elements.

Practical implications

Static mixers have been widely used in the following industries: chemicals, food processing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, mineral processing, paints and resins, petrochemicals and refining, pharmaceuticals, polymers and plastics, pulp and paper, and water and waste treatment.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified information need and offers practical help to an individual researcher in academia as well as industry.
Effect of arbitrary magnetic Reynolds number on MHD flows in convergent‐divergent channels
Authors: Makinde O.D.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of arbitrary magnetic Reynolds number on steady flow of an incompressible conducting viscous liquid in convergent‐divergent channels under the influence of an externally applied homogeneous magnetic field.

Design/methodology/approach

The solution of the non‐linear 2D Navier‐Stokes equations modeling the flow field is obtained using a perturbation technique coupled with a special type of Hermite‐Padé approximation method implemented numerically on MAPLE and a bifurcation study is performed.

Findings

The results show that increasing values of magnetic Reynolds number causes a general decrease in the fluid velocity around the central region of the channel. The flow reversal control is also observed by increasing magnetic field intensity. The bifurcation study reveals the solution branches and turning points.

Practical implications

The reported results are very useful in the field of engineering flow control and industrial metal casting for the control of molten metal flows.

Originality/value

Effect of arbitrary magnetic Reynolds on the overall flow structure in converging‐diverging channels are presented and studied using a newly developed numerical approach.
A piecewise parabolic method for barotropic and nonbarotropic two‐fluid flows
Authors: Zheng J.G. , Lee T.S. , Winoto S.H.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The aim of the study is to present a piecewise parabolic method (PPM) for numerical simulation of barotropic and nonbarotropic two‐fluid flows in more than one space dimension.

Design/methodology/approach

In transition layers of two components, a fluid mixture model system is introduced. Besides, conserving the mass, momentum and energy for the mixture, the model is supplemented with an advection equation for the volume fraction of one of the two fluid components to recover the pressure and track interfaces. The Tait and stiffened gas equations of state are used to describe thermodynamic properties of the barotropic and nonbarotropic components, respectively. To close the model system, a mixture equation of state is derived. The classical third‐order PPM is extended to the two‐fluid case and used to solve the model system.

Findings

The feasibility of this method has been demonstrated by good results of sample applications. Each of the material interfaces is resolved with two grid cells and there is no any pressure oscillation on the interfaces.

Research limitations/implications

With the mixture model system, there may be energy gain or loss for the nonbarotropic component on the material interfaces.

Practical implications

The method can be applied to a wide range of practical problems.

Originality/value

The method is simple. It not only has the advantage of Lagrangian‐type schemes but also keeps the robustness of Eulerian schemes.
Using localized wall discharge to control the fluid flow and heat transfer for the flow over a backward facing step
Authors: Kiwan Suhil
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Studying the effect of localized wall discharge on the fluid flow and heat transfer for a flow over backward facing step is the main purpose of this paper. Jet is used to control the reattachment length which controls the fluid flow and heat transfer downstream the step. Several parameters are to be investigated: geometric; expansion ratio, location of the jet, and jet angle flow; Reynolds number, jet velocity.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical simulation using both the standard K−ε and renormalized group turbulence theory (RNG) K−ε models are used to model flow in the computational domain. The energy equation is also used to model the heat transfer characteristics of the flow. The model equations are solved numerically using a finite volume code.

Findings

It is found that the presence of the wall jet at a proper location can significantly influence the flow and heat characteristics of the problem. Furthermore, varying the ratio of the jet velocity to the main stream velocity could play an important role in controlling the size of the circulating bubble and, therefore, the fluid and heat transfer characteristics of the flow, whereas, the expansion ratio has less influence. It is also found that increasing Reynolds number increases the value of maximum heat transfer but has less influence on either its location or the reattachment length.

Research limitations/implications

The range of the Reynolds number considered in this research covers only the turbulent regime. The research does not cover laminar flows. The results and conclusions cover only three values of expansion ratios. Namely (expansion ratio (ER)=1.67, 1.8 and 2). Conclusions should not be read beyond these values of ER.

Practical implications

This work gives designers of similar flows a new method of controlling the fluid flow and heat transfer by varying jet angle.

Originality/value

This work has not been done before and it can initiate additional research projects as investigating the effect of applying wall jets in combustors.
What HR can do to give change a chance
Authors: Derwent Cooke Richard
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This article presents the view that change is part of nature rather than an industrial process, and that HR specialists are well placed to approach it with the care and sensitivities needed to make it successful.

Design/methodology/approach

Highlights the skills and attributes that HR specialists need in order to help an organization to change successfully.

Findings

Describes the need for leaders to inspire their employees, help them to feel safe and reassure them that change is in their interests.

Practical implications

Contends that HR specialists have the opportunity, and the training, to help line managers who are less able in these areas.

Originality/value

Argues against the “human resources” view of employees.
It's time employees had more say in evaluating their supervisors
Authors: Marques Joan
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to advance the view that employees should be allowed to evaluate their supervisors, with a review of these evaluations by the next level of management.

Design/methodology/approach

Draws on reflections from a workshop in which members of the workforce shared their concerns about the arbitrariness of supervisors in judging their performance, and these employees' lack of power and influence to critique the supervisor's performance in return.

Findings

Shows that, even in workplaces that claim to have initiated mechanisms for employees to evaluate their supervisors, these often fall short, either because employees have to place their names on their evaluations or because supervisors hand pick the employees who take part.

Practical implications

Contends that reciprocal reviews would improve the performance of supervisors.

Originality/value

Details a useful role for HR in the reciprocal‐review process.
Changing systems of external examination
Authors: Stensaker Bjørn , Brandt Ellen , Henrik Solum Nils
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and identify changes in systems of external examinations in Denmark, the UK and Norway.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparative analysis of studies, reviews and documents concerning the purpose and functioning of systems of external examination in three selected countries.

Findings

The paper concludes that systems of external examinations are being transformed from a focus on student performance to a focus on programme quality and coherence in all three countries studied.

Practical implications

The paper shows that older and newer forms of quality assurance are becoming more integrated with the potential of creating quality assurance procedures addressing teaching and learning issues more directly.

Originality/value

Much attention has been given to newer forms of external quality assurance schemes. More traditional forms of quality assurance have, as a consequence, received less attention although they may still provide benefits to higher education.
Grade inflation and law school admissions
Authors: Wongsurawat Winai
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the evidence on whether grade inflation has led to an increasing emphasis on standardized test scores as a criterion for law school admissions.

Design/methodology/approach

Fit probabilistic models to admissions data for American law schools during the mid to late 1990s, a period during which trends of grade inflation can be observed, and detect changes in emphasis on grades and standardized test scores as admissions criteria over time.

Findings

The juxtaposing trends of grade inflation and of the increasing predominance of standardized test scores in law school admissions suggest the possibility that grade inflation has had a negative impact on the value of grades as a signal of student ability.

Practical implications

The empirical evidence of potential undesirable consequences of grade inflation may persuade education professionals to take active measures to control the inflationary trend.

Originality/value

Viewing grades as a signal of a student's ability, this study is the first attempt to measure the responses of signal receivers to grade inflation using real‐world, behavioral data.
Business students' ethical evaluations of faculty misconduct
Authors: Valentine Sean , Kidwell Roland E.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This study aims to gauge business school student perceptions of the academic conduct of college professors, to determine students' ethical evaluations of certain potential faculty behaviors. The relationships between perceived faculty misconduct and several student demographic characteristics including sex and academic classification were also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

A large sample of undergraduate students attending one of two diverse universities responded to an anonymous survey. Responses were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical methods.

Findings

Behaviors such as giving lower grades because of opposing opinions in the classroom and sharing an undergraduate student's private information with colleagues were rated the most harshly by student respondents. The 55 items that we used to measure professors' academic misconduct distilled into two basic dimensions: “inappropriate sexual situations” involving students and coworkers and “inappropriate familiarity with students.” Student sex and academic classification were related to one or both of these dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

The study did not address whether faculty misconduct might be seen as incompetent by the students rather than unethical. The survey also did not ascertain if or how often the student respondents had observed the behaviors that they judged as unethical or ethical.

Practical implications

Faculty who wish to be more effective teachers and role models should realize their behaviors are being scrutinized and evaluated by students who make ethical judgments about teacher conduct.

Originality/value

The study makes an important contribution by distilling 55 established items on ethical behaviors into two durable ethics scales regarding faculty‐student relationships: “inappropriate sexual situations” and “inappropriate familiarity with students.” These scales can be applied in future research.
Fuzzy multi‐criteria risk‐benefit analysis of business process outsourcing (BPO)
Authors: Perçin Selçuk
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to present the employment of the new hierarchical fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach to evaluate the most suitable business process outsourcing (BPO) decision.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains the importance of selection criteria for evaluation of BPO. It then describes briefly the fuzzy hierarchical TOPSIS methodology. There then follows a discussion of the application of the fuzzy hierarchical TOPSIS with some sensitivity analysis to the BPO evaluation problem. Finally, some concluding remarks and perspectives are offered.

Findings

Use of the hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS methodology offers a number of benefits. It is a more systematic method than the other fuzzy multi‐criteria decision‐making (FMCDM) methods and it is more capable of capturing a human's appraisal of ambiguity when complex multi‐criteria decision‐making problems are considered. The hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS is superior to the other FMCDM methods, such as fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and classical fuzzy TOPSIS methods, since the hierarchical structure without making pairwise comparisons among criteria, sub‐criteria, and alternatives is considered. Hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS is an excellent tool to handle qualitative assessments about BPO evaluation problems, and its calculations are faster than FAHP. Also, hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS makes it possible to take into account the hierarchical structure in the evaluation model. However, there are drawbacks. The classical fuzzy TOPSIS is a highly complex methodology and requires more numerical calculations in assessing the ranking order of the alternatives than the hierarchical fuzzy TOPSIS methodology and hence it increases the effort, thus limiting its applicability to real world problems.

Originality/value

The proposed model will be very useful to managers in the manufacturing sector, as this method makes decision making easier, systematic, efficient and effective.
Comparison of sub‐Saharan Africa's e‐government status with developed and transitional nations
Authors: Mutula Stephen M.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the e‐government status of sub‐Saharan African countries with developed and transitional countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an analysis of eRepublic.org web directory and desk research. Besides, analyses of global e‐government, digital opportunity and information society indices are used.

Findings

Wide disparities in e‐government exist within regional trading blocs in sub‐Saharan Africa with Southern Africa far ahead of east and west Africa regions. Compared with other continents, sub‐Saharan Africa lags far behind Europe, North America and Asia in e‐government. Several barriers including infrastructure, policy, legal and skill factors are identified as limiting the opportunity for sub‐Saharan Africa to move government services online.

Research limitations/implications

Providing an accurate comparative picture of e‐government of sub‐Saharan Africa with developed and transitional economies is difficult because most e‐government studies hardly cover Africa. Besides, there is a general lack of reliable data about e‐government status in Africa as most government web sites are undeveloped.

Practical implications

Africa must invest more in infrastructure and enhance a legislative and policy framework to effectively compete with developed and transitional nations not only in e‐government, but also in international economy.

Originality/value

e‐Government comparative assessment of sub‐Saharan Africa with developed and transitional economies is based on several indices, thus providing a more informative picture of e‐government status in Africa. Africa can learn from the experiences and best practices of developed and transitional countries in e‐government development.