bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of career history in gender based biases in job selection decisions
Authors: Hareli Shlomo , Klang Motti , Hess Ursula
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of the present research is to test the hypothesis that hiring decisions are influenced by the perceived femininity and masculinity of candidates as inferred from their career history.

Design/methodology/approach

Two job selection simulation studies were conducted in which students with and without personnel selection experience assessed the suitability of male and female job candidates for male and female sex‐typed jobs. The candidate's CVs varied with regard to the gender typicality of the candidate's career history.

Findings

As predicted, when they previously had occupied another gender atypical job, both men and women were perceived as more suitable for a job that is more typical of the opposite gender. These decisions were mediated fully for women and partially for men by the impact of the gender typicality of the candidate's career on their perceived masculinity or femininity. In addition, men who had a gender atypical career history were perceived as less suitable for gender typical jobs. Thus, for men a gender atypical career history can serve as a “double edged sword.” Importantly, experienced and inexperienced decision makers were equally subject to this effect.

Originality/value

Career history provides individuating information about a candidate over and above the skills and experiences they are likely to have. Gender type is one such information that is pertinent in a job market that divides jobs into male and female typical and makes hiring decisions on this basis. Previous research has largely ignored this aspect of career history.
Factors that influence informal learning in the workplace
Authors: Berg Shelley A. , Chyung Seung Youn (Yonnie)
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate factors that influence informal learning in the workplace and the types of informal learning activities people engage in at work. More specifically, the research examined: the relationship between informal learning engagement and the presence of learning organization characteristics; and perceived factors that affect informal learning engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Workplace learning and performance improvement professionals were invited to respond to an anonymous online survey, and 125 professionals volunteered to participate in the study.

Findings

This study did not find a significant correlation between informal learning engagement and the presence of learning organization characteristics. While age and education level did not impact informal learning engagement, it was found that older workers tended to engage in more informal learning. There were also certain types of informal learning activities in which they were most likely to engage. The findings also include rank‐ordered lists of personal and environmental factors that workers perceived to influence their engagement in informal learning.

Practical implications

The rank‐ordered lists of factors that influence informal learning engagement are likely to be useful to practitioners for prioritizing informal learning interventions. The results of this study suggest that the degree of engagement in informal learning alone would not be a sufficient construct for predicting the presence of learning organization characteristics.

Originality/value

Very little empirical research has attempted to connect individual learning to the learning organization concept. This research addresses that gap by examining the relationship between individual informal learning engagement and the presence of learning organization characteristics.
An integrative model of organizational learning and social capital on effective knowledge transfer and perceived organizational performance
Authors: Rhodes Jo , Lok Peter , Yu‐Yuan Hung Richard , Fang Shih‐Chieh
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to set out to examine the relationships of organizational learning, social capital and the effectiveness of knowledge transfer and perceived organisational performance. Integrating organizational learning capability with social capital networks to shape a holistic knowledge sharing and management enterprise framework is a significant strategy to achieve organizational success.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative framework is used to determine the relationships of key variables of organizational learning such as learning intention, shared values, absorption capacity, integration capability, and social capital variables such as network structure, network stability and network relational quality on the effectiveness of knowledge transfer in organizations. In this research, senior management (Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer) from 650 firms were randomly sampled and surveyed from the register of the Industrial Technological Research Institute; 111 respondents are used in this study.

Findings

The results indicated that absorption capacity, learning intention and integration capability in organizational learning had the greatest positive relationship with process innovation in knowledge transfer. The findings suggest that organizational learning processes are more important than social capital networks within the integrated knowledge transfer framework and that management could utilize their limited resources better to improve on organizational learning levers for greater effectiveness in knowledge transfer.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the existing gap in empirical work on the relationships of organizational learning, social capital variables and the effectiveness of knowledge transfer. The results of this paper could assist management in strategic decisions in resource allocation particularly in promoting and sustaining knowledge transfer to enhance organizational performance.
“Grey” areas and “organized chaos” in emergency response
Authors: Taber Nancy , Plumb Donovan , Jolemore Shawn
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore the interaction between organizational policies and daily work practices of paramedics and firefighters within two emergency response organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in a case study consisting of interviews, focus groups, and observations. The theoretical grounding for this research is framed by learning in practice through legitimate peripheral participation.

Findings

Analysis of the data found that paramedics and firefighters value learning in their daily work above initial qualification training. They learn in practice through increasing collaboration with others, and in the broader context of legitimate peripheral participation. Organizational policies can help in guiding their decision making processes, but learning in practice and relying on experience is most helpful in their daily work.

Research limitations/implications

The notion of situated learning is insufficient to explain the dramatic performance of emergent, creative, and autonomous actions often required of individual emergency personnel in crisis situations.

Originality/value

This study adds to the current literature on communities of practice and legitimate peripheral participation. It applies learning theory to emergency response organizations to demonstrate the need to focus on practice and understandings in workplaces. The research also offers a greater understanding of the unique job of emergency response personnel who must often make instantaneous decisions in critical situations and must therefore understand their practice to ensure positive outcomes.
An evolutionary and interpretive perspective to knowledge management
Authors: Vorakulpipat Chalee , Rezgui Yacine
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide a review of knowledge management (KM) literature by adapting and extending McElroy's KM generations model.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws from a range of KM research published in the academic and trade literature. An interpretive stance is adopted to provide a holistic understanding and interpretation of organizational KM research and related knowledge management systems (KMS) and models.

Findings

To be effective organizations need not only to negotiate their migration from a knowledge sharing (first generation) to a knowledge creation (second generation) culture, but also to create sustained organizational and societal values. The latter form the third generation KM and represent key challenges faced by modern organizations. A true value creation culture is nurtured through a blended approach that factors a number of perspectives to KM, including human networks, social capital, intellectual capital, technology assets, and change processes.

Research limitations/implications

The interpretive approach adopted throughout the review is limited to, and focused on, understanding the implementation and organizational implications of KM initiatives and technology.

Originality/value

While value creation focuses on the organizational and societal impact of knowledge management, the paper describes how human networks, social capital, intellectual capital, technology assets, and change processes emerge as essential conditions to enable knowledge value creation.
The influence of KM on global corporations' competitiveness
Authors: Karaszewski Robert
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the evaluation of largest corporations' position in the world's economy and the influence of basic knowledge elements on building the competitive potential of the global business leading corporations. The main objective of this research is to analyze the empirical material obtained from Fortune Global 500 corporations, and the impact of basic knowledge elements on building a company's international competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The research project incorporated surveys and interviews from the Fortune Global 500 corporations (2003 version).

Findings

The findings of the research carried out among the world's business leaders clearly indicate that knowledge management does influence companies' international competitiveness. Functioning in the global economy without efficient management is the same as drifting in a boat with no compass on boundless oceans. However, according to the research outcome, not all knowledge resources are necessary for reaching the purpose. It appears that the key to success is not primarily skilful management of endless knowledge, but the ability of directing activity to those knowledge resources which are critical for the organization's economic operations.

Originality/value

The paper examines the influence of basic knowledge elements on building a competitive potential for a corporation and conditions of management that have an impact on competitiveness.
Requirement for knowledge management: business driving information technology
Authors: Ray Loye (Lynn)
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The paper aims to provide a roadmap for organizations to implement a knowledge management system that reduces loss of critical information and improves data retrieval.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus is on how to devise and implement a knowledge management system where information is sorted by definition, business requirements, and implementation.

Findings

The paper provides information for defining information sources and simplifying data retrieval. It recognizes the need to collect and retain corporate information through cooperation of knowledge workers. Centralized storage and retrieval of information is critical to knowledge management.

Originality/value

This paper provides insight and help in eliminating loss of corporate knowledge when skilled workers leave or retire.
Fraud and money laundering: the evolving criminalization of corporate non‐compliance
Authors: Masters John L.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The Corporate Veil is seen not only as a means of limiting individual civil legal liability but also criminal liability. This paper seeks to highlight that this philosophy is fast approaching breaking point, and practices which once may have been considered “just business” are now considered criminal. Innocuous companies, their directors and officers have all of a sudden become sitting ducks for criminal prosecution and asset seizure. Corporations potentially risk metaphorical death sentences: their human controllers being labelled and treated as common criminals and accordingly disgraced, incarcerated and confiscated of a lifetime of accumulated wealth. This paper targets the “directing minds and wills” of companies and aims to invoke thought and action on redefining the notion of corporate compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of recent innovations in mostly UK law regarding fraud and money laundering, with historical comparisons to show the changing community and legal perceptions – “the evolution”. There is also case study analysis and recent examples of community attitudes towards recent high‐profile commercial prosecutions.

Findings

That there is a definite change in how the public, lawmakers and governments perceive corporate non‐compliance, to the extent that most breaches qualify as criminal offences and that due to mutual legal assistance and incentivisation schemes, the risks to corporations and its officers are extremely high and real.

Practical implications

Corporations will need to be genuine about legal compliance beyond merely espousing platitudes and motherhood statements and more towards reinventing the compliance paradigm. This means that merely concentrating on strict legal compliance will no longer suffice. Corporations will need to establish and regularly revisit their values, with more emphasis on embedding a culture of compliance that is attuned to domestic and international community values. To choose to ignore these needs, risks the very existence of the company and also its officers being ostracised both commercially and criminally.

Originality/value

Traditionally, papers on this topic tend to concentrate on strictly legal or managerial issues. This paper looks at the issue from a more criminological perspective whilst not compromising legal analysis and business pragmatism, thus allowing an integration of disciplines in a context that can be appreciated by lawyers, managers and social scientists alike.
Methods for evaluating hospital information systems: a literature review
Authors: Aggelidis Vassilios P. , Chatzoglou Prodromos D.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

It is widely accepted that the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the healthcare sector offers great potential for improving the quality of services provided, the efficiency and effectiveness of personnel, and also reducing organizational expenses. This paper seeks to examine various hospital information system (HIS) evaluation methods.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper a comprehensive search of the literature concerning the evaluation of complex health information systems is conducted and used to generate a synthesis of the literature around evaluation efforts in this field. Three approaches for evaluating hospital information systems are presented – user satisfaction, usage, and economic evaluation.

Findings

The main results are that during the past decade, computers and information systems, as well as their resultant products, have pervaded hospitals worldwide. Unfortunately, methodologies to measure the various impacts of these systems have not evolved at the same pace. To summarize, measurement of users' satisfaction with information systems may be the most effective evaluation method in comparison with the rest of the methods presented.

Practical implications

The methodologies, taxonomies and concepts presented in this paper could benefit researchers and practitioners in the evaluation of HISs.

Originality/value

This review points out the need for more thorough evaluations of HISs that look at a wide range of factors that can affect the relative success or failure of these systems.
Creativity in entrepreneurship education
Authors: Yar Hamidi Daniel , Wennberg Karl , Berglund Henrik
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use social cognitive theory to investigate entrepreneurial intent among participants in graduate entrepreneurship programs. Specifically, the authors test whether students' creative potential is related to their intention to engage in entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretically derived hypotheses are tested using multiple and ordinal regression analyses.

Findings

High scores on a creativity test and prior entrepreneurial experiences are positively associated with entrepreneurial intentions, whereas perception of risks has a negative influence.

Research limitations/implications

The authors' theoretical predictors of entrepreneurial intention received strong support, indicating that creativity should be considered in models of entrepreneurial intentions. However, the use of intentions as dependent variable has its own weaknesses in that it may not distinguish between “dreamers” and “doers”.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that exercises in creativity can be used to raise the entrepreneurial intentions of students in entrepreneurship education. Heterogeneity in creative styles among students also points to the problems of a “one‐size‐fits‐all” approach to entrepreneurship education.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to investigate the importance of creativity in entrepreneurship education and theoretical models of entrepreneurial intentions.
The impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial outcomes
Authors: Matlay Harry
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact that entrepreneurship education can have on entrepreneurial outcomes. The author aims to investigate the perceived influence that various entrepreneurship education courses have had on a cohort of 64 graduate entrepreneurs from eight HEIs in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured, in‐depth telephone interviews were conducted annually over a ten year period (1997 to 2006) to document, measure and analyse respondent progression from graduation and into entrepreneurship.

Findings

Results indicate that graduate needs for entrepreneurship education do not match actual outcomes in terms of entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and attitudes. This mismatch influences an entrepreneur's perceptions of actual and future educational needs. Most of the graduate entrepreneurs, however, seem to be satisfied with the outcomes of their entrepreneurship education, both in relative and in absolute terms.

Practical implications

The findings provide valuable insights for educators, policy makers and graduate entrepreneurs. Stakeholders could use this study to make better choices in relation to the education of future graduate entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This study provides an empirically rigorous insight into a relatively neglected area of entrepreneurship education research. It provides valuable longitudinal data for stakeholders involved in both the supply and the demand side of the entrepreneurship education process.
Proximity and collaboration: measuring workplace configuration
Authors: Gordon Brown M.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how to measure workplace configuration, show its application in, and the results of, a field experiment aimed at improving collaborative knowledge work and identify and discuss larger problems involved with research on workplace configuration.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews recent thought on density, proximity and problems with evaluating configuration. It then describes a method of spatial network analysis used in a field experiment involving the reconfiguration of a workplace. This is followed with a discussion of recent research on knowledge work from economic geography.

Findings

It was found that, instead of increasing it, the reconfigured workplace decreased collaborative activity. The spatial network analysis shows how this occurred.

Research limitations/implications

This method of spatial network analysis, when used carefully, is a robust technique for analyzing and comparing spatial configuration. Further research needs to address the links between spatial proximity and information and communications technologies as well as the relation of types of knowledge bases and associated forms of proximity that can stimulate collaboration.

Practical implications

While spatial network analysis methods are not do‐it‐yourself tools, corporate real estate managers should employ them, especially in larger‐scale projects, before committing to final workplace designs. They can also use them to identify and map best spatial patterns (like best practices) to identify strategic spatial patterns.

Originality/value

This appears to be the first rigorous application of spatial network methods in a field experiment involving a real workplace. The paper shows the method can clearly extract and discriminate spatial network patterns underlying configurations and relate them both quantitatively and graphically to employee evaluations of collaborative performance. It introduces concepts of comparative knowledge bases that need to be understood in determining the types of collaboration needed in a workplace.
A combined perspective of corporate real estate
Authors: Hiang Liow Kim , Ingrid Nappi‐Choulet
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss three corporate real estate (CRE) perspectives (business, financial and capital market) as well as some potential issues, supported by key research studies and evidence drawn from listed retail companies in the USA, and European and Asian countries; as real estate has always been recognized as a key value driver in the retail industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A significant amount of capital is locked‐up in CRE by business firms, and so this paper analyzes the role of CRE from a combination of three perspectives: business, financial and capital market. These three CRE perspectives are discussed and some important issues reviewed, supported by key research studies and evidence drawn from listed retail companies in the USA and in European and Asian countries.

Findings

Arising from the review and perspectives offered in this paper, it is evident that performance measures are required to assess how CRE are being used and perceived by management and investors from the business, financial and capital market perspectives. This combined approach helps position the strategic role of the CRE in the context of “whole firm” that reflects the integration of trading and real estate activities.

Practical implications

With an effective CREAM system endorsed by top management, the CRE' s potential contribution and incremental performance can be factored into the financial plans of the “property‐rich” retail firms and appropriately reflected in corporate valuation.

Originality/value

This paper offers combined business, financial and capital market perspectives to assess the role of CRE in listed retail firms. Evidence and important issues in relation to the three perspectives are reviewed and evaluated.
The impacts of employee stock bonus on the value relevance of earnings per share
Authors: Lin Ching‐Hsiang , Wang Wanncherng
Published: May 2008

Purpose

In Taiwan, an employee stock bonus (ESB) was accounted for as an earnings distribution rather than an expense – a remnant of the dominance of tax law over accounting standards. To enhance the usefulness of accounting information, the Securities and Futures Bureau (SFB) requires that public companies disclose imputed earnings per share (EPS) by deducting ESB from net income for the financial reporting, effective 30 January, 2003. Although the SFB‐imputed EPS considers ESB as firm expense, it ignores the resultant inflated number of shares outstanding. Therefore, it is expected that the disclosed ESB underestimates the dilutive effects of ESB and limits the intended purpose of the ESB disclosure. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how ESB dilutes EPS and how the SFB‐imputed EPS biases the price‐earnings relation.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical analyses and empirical tests.

Findings

First it was analytically illustrated that: the SFB‐imputed EPS, compared with the proposed EPS measure, underestimates the dilutive effects of ESB; the SFB‐imputed EPS downwardly biases the price‐earnings relation; and the proposed EPS preserves the relation between stock price and earnings. Controlling for firm growth and ESB issuance, empirical results were obtained that are generally consistent with the hypotheses. The SFB‐imputed EPS yields downward‐biased estimates of price earnings multiples. The downward bias is exacerbated as the dilution of ESB increases.

Originality/value

The proposed measurement of diluted EPS reflects the dilutive effect of ESB, upholds the price‐earnings relationship, and offers accounting standard‐setters a useful perspective for thinking about the dilutive effects of ESB.
Research note: how the financial styles of managers impact financial and valuation metrics
Authors: Ted Prince E.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal a new contribution to behavioural finance that focuses on individuals rather than groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Research is based on field studies with executives utilizing an assessment instrument to identify and measure their financial traits. The approach to the topic is to present the underlying model of financial traits and show how they add another dimension to behavioural finance approaches.

Findings

The model identifies three financial styles, each of which comprises three financial signatures. Each of the financial signatures leads to characteristic financial decisions with specific valuation outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The research is in its early stages. It requires larger sample sizes and needs to be conducted across industries and different cultures. Its implications are that can be predicted the financial performance and valuation of companies by knowing the financial styles of their leaders and managers, and also their financial cultures.

Practical implications

Practical implications are that this work can be used as a new method for valuing companies, for stock analysis and for portfolio analysis and valuation. It can also be used as a basis for M&A, to assess the financial alignment of companies conducting M&A and the likely chances of success.

Originality/value

The paper shows a totally new way to assess the valuation outcomes of individuals, teams and companies based purely on their behavioural financial traits.
Lanchester resurgent? The mathematics of terrorism risk
Authors: Powers Michael R.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is to consider whether or not the classical “Lanchester equations” of military combat are useful for modeling the financial risks associated with contemporary terrorist attacks.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins by describing Lanchester's original model and its realm of applicability; then identifies shortcomings of the original equations, which, having been aggravated by differences between classical military combat and modern terrorist engagements, impede the application of the Lanchester paradigm in today's world. Finally, the paper explores whether or not these obstacles can be overcome by appropriate extensions of Lanchester's mathematical theory.

Findings

The principal result is that the Lanchester equations may be extended in a very natural way to include stochastic elements, difficult‐to‐quantify components, and various force asymmetries, thereby enabling the modeling of engagements between conventional and terrorist forces. Specifically, a family of diffusion processes is proposed to capture the terrorists' progress toward destroying a target, and provide a method for explicitly calculating the probability of target destruction.

Originality/value

The editorial seeks to model a category of catastrophe risk – terrorist attacks – for which the current mathematical literature (both military and financial) is somewhat limited.
A general defender‐attacker risk model for networks
Authors: Al Mannai W.I. , Lewis T.G.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a competitive defender‐attacker risk model that assumes a dual exponential relationship between defender (Ci) and attacker (Ai) resource allocation: vi(Ai,Ci)=e−αici−e−αiCi−γiAi.

Design/methodology/approach

Network risk is defined in terms of degree sequence, g, node/link damage, d, and probability of failure, v: R=∑gividi. The paper finds the optimal allocation of resources (Ai, Ci) that minimizes R from the defender's point of view, and maximizes R from the attacker's point of view.

Findings

The effectiveness of the optimal min‐max strategy is compared with three allocation strategies: random, non‐network, and network. It is shown that total network risk is minimized by the non‐network strategy, because this strategy considers damage values and ignores network topology in the definition of risk.

Originality/value

The method is illustrated by applying it to critical infrastructure – a hypothetical water‐and‐power network.
Immunization without duration for on‐line learning
Authors: Yen Eva C.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that the duration‐based hedge ratio has many serious defects: first, the yield‐to‐maturity is not the market interest rate, and it cannot even serve as a proxy for the market interest rate. Second, it is difficult to choose an appropriate bond for hedging among available bonds and to calculate duration. Third, duration can only be applied to small changes of interest rate. If there is a large change in interest rate, a duration‐based hedge's performance may be worse than expected. The paper proposes an improving method to solve these problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed design is a model‐driven enterprise system.

Findings

The proposed system integrates the complex risk management into the enterprise architecture. It can merge, import, and share resource related data across managements.

Originality/value

The paper shows how to manage the risk from both parallel and non‐parallel shifts of interest rates in the proposed system.
The pond for markets: social and local
Authors: Mainelli Michael
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to offer a commentary on new stock exchanges in the financial markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is a critical commentary on new exchanges in the market and how they continue to evolve.

Findings

Existing exchanges need to continue to evolve though the key task for exchanges remains “to think global, act local, be social.”

Originality/value

This commentary reflects on how established exchanges and investment focused on the global market where as newer established have found their place by not neglecting the local markets. It also offers an insight into the future of stock exchanges across the globe.
Technology use and acceptance in the classroom
Authors: Holden Heather , Ozok Ant , Rada Roy
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the current usage and acceptance of classroom technologies by secondary math/science education teachers in one community.

Design/methodology/approach

Forty‐seven secondary education math and science teachers in one American city responded to a survey about their use and perceptions of technology in their lives and classrooms.

Findings

Results indicate teachers use technology more for personal instructional reasons, such as class preparation, than for interactions with their students whether inside the classroom or outside the classroom. Primary factors inhibiting the use of technology relate to time, training, and preparation. Teachers can see the benefit of using technology to promote students’ learning experience. However, teachers are neutral about technology being advantageous for improving in‐class activities.

Originality/value

A significant connection between teachers’ technology acceptance and usage is presented.
FBSR: feedback‐based secure routing protocol for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Cao Zhen , Hu Jianbin , Chen Zhong , Xu Maoxing , Zhou Xia
Published: May 2008

Purpose

Wireless sensor networks, due to their potentially wide application perspectives, may proliferate in future. Two major stumbling blocks are the dynamic variance of the network caused by both the capacity constraint of sensor nodes and uncertainties of wireless links, and secure routing in the special security sensitive environment. Therefore, adaptable and defendable routing mechanism is in urgent need for the deployment of sensor networks. This paper aims to propose a feedback‐based secure routing protocol (FBSR).

Design/methodology/approach

Feedback from the neighboring nodes serves as the dynamic information of the current network, with which sensor nodes make forwarding decisions in a secure and energy aware manner. Feedback message is included in the MAC layer acknowledgement frame to avoid network congestion, and it is authenticated with the proposed Keyed One Way Hash Chain (Keyed‐OWHC) to avoid feedback fabrication. FBSR's resilience to node compromise is enhanced by statistic efforts accomplished by the base station.

Findings

Both mathematical analysis and simulation results show that FBSR is not only reliable but also energy efficient.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a novel routing scheme for wireless sensor networks.
HoNeY: leveraging the MHP to provide HOme NEtwork interoperabilitY
Authors: Portelli Giuseppe , Malnati Giovanni , Forno Fabio
Published: May 2008

Purpose

Home networks enable, potentially, an increased level of integration among appliances present in the house, enabling an ubiquitous control of devices and simplifying man/machine interactions. This paper aims to present the home network interoperability (HoNeY) platform.

Design/methodology/approach

Home networks and their challenges are analyzed, then the technology that constitutes the base for the present implementation is briefly revised. The HoNeY platform is presented, in terms of its architecture, implementation, and constraints.

Findings

The HoNeY platform is an multimedia home platform (MHP)‐based, low‐complex, cost‐effective architecture for automatic discovery, configuration, and dynamic access to distributed services in home environments.

Originality/value

This paper describes HoNeY, a mechanism of service discovery and code mobility designed for interoperability of devices connected to home networks, compatible with the MHP standard.
Forming a context‐sensitive web of trust by relying on sentimentally like‐minded
Authors: Neovius Mats , Degerlund Fredrik , Yan Lu
Published: May 2008

Purpose

Trust in open networks has emerged as a prime research topic, partly due to the vast unexploited possibilities unrestricted distribution of ideas, innovations and information provided. This paper aims to present an abstract model for anticipating the probabilities of the target object to meet with the expectations of the inquirer, emphasising consistent behaviour and managing diverse conceptions by relying on sentimentally like‐minded.

Design/methodology/approach

The basic building blocks of trust are presented and motivated. Each presented problem is addressed and formulas facilitating rightful interpretation are given.

Findings

The paper presents some ideas how to approach the problems faced when rightfully interpreting information gathered from anonymous collaborates in a scalable manner by pointing out the basics of them.

Research limitations/implications

This paper depicts ideas as illustrations that are easy to understand and give an overview of the fundamentals on which to conduct further research.

Originality/value

The paper provides a conceptual discussion of the need for trust in open networks.
LooM
Authors: Imada Miyuki , Ohta Masakatsu , Yamaguchi Masayasu , Yong Kim Sun
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The paper's aim is to present a novel anonymity quantification method, LooM (loosely managed privacy protection method) for achieving privacy protection in pervasive computing environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The main feature is that the method quantitatively controls anonymity by a single value (disclosure threshold value) using a classification algorithm of the decision tree. The value is not affected by the set size of users or the distribution of users' private information. The effectiveness of this method is confirmed by simulation using sample databases of attribute‐value pairs. Proposes a model of privacy information disclosure that achieves a balance between users' privacy protection requirements and service providers' disclosure requirements and applies web questionnaire survey data to this model.

Findings

LooM can be applicable to a variety of pervasive computing and communication services handling a huge amount of data containing privacy information.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a model of privacy information disclosure that achieves a balance between users' privacy protection requirements and service providers' disclosure requirements.
A national identity perspective on collectivistic attitudes and perception of organisational culture
Authors: Vedina Rebekka , Vadi Maaja
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between collectivistic attitudes and organisational culture (OC) perception among Russian‐speaking employees in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and to explain the findings from the national identity perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a survey method and uses the original scales developed at the University of Tartu. Collectivistic attitudes of individuals are grouped according to three levels of relationships, namely, relationships with family, peers (including co‐workers), or society. Collectivistic attitudes are measured on five‐point Likert‐type scale. Perceptions of OC are measured alongside the task and relationship orientations on ten‐point Likert‐type scale.

Findings

Collectivistic attitudes towards one's nation are found to be related to the perception of one's OC on both orientations. It was found that differences in the strength of these relationships in the Latvian sample are associated with the self‐reported nationality of the respondents and suggest similar tendencies in the Lithuanian sample. The authors propose that collectivistic attitudes of respondents basing the construction of their national identity on ethnic and linguistic grounds could have stronger positive connections with OC than those of respondents whose national identity formation was based on citizenship and assimilation.

Research limitations/implications

Positive emotional connection with society and nation provides ground for supporting organisational tasks and relationships. National identity construction can further influence these relations. Limitations: the proposed relationships are hypothetical and are limited to the Latvian sample.

Practical implications

In organisations, human resource strategies should be formulated that support developing or retaining one's sense of national or within‐group identity, which will facilitate maintaining strong ties with the organisation.

Originality/value

This paper provides insight for managers, academics and students on the role of identity construction in revealing employee attachment to their organisation.
Ethnic identity, power, and communication in top management teams
Authors: Umans Timurs
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the “black box” of top management team (TMT) processes such as communication and power distribution, examining the example of ethnically diverse TMTs in Latvia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relies on case studies of two multinational companies operating in Latvia.

Findings

The findings suggest that ethnic diversity in TMTs leads to more informal and open communication in the teams, but has no clear influence on power distribution in the teams. The results highlight the importance of studying variables that could moderate the effects of ethnic diversity on communication and power distribution; throughout the study, these variables were identified as, but not limited to, environment and shared goals.

Originality/value

This paper uses case studies to explore the black box of team processes, and proposes an alternative operationalization of cultural diversity, measured as ethnic diversity. It also advocates an alternative conceptualization of TMTs expressed in terms of decision‐making power. The paper's major contribution is its opening up and exploration of team processes, usually avoided by researchers because of their assumed complexity. Moreover, the study contributes to TMT studies by presenting the Latvian environment as a unique researchlocuswhere ethnic identities are rich and various.
Public announcement induced market reactions on Baltic stock exchanges
Authors: Laidroo Laivi
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine to what extent economically significant stock return and volume changes on Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius Stock Exchanges (TSE, RSE, VSE) are contributable to public announcements disclosures and which types of announcements drive these.

Design/methodology/approach

Event‐study methodology was used to determine economically significant return and volume events.

Findings

It was found that 22‐37 per cent of return or volume events explained by public announcements was twice lower than reported in the UK. The greatest frequency of disclosures was attributable to financial disclosures as could be expected. Although, previous research indicates bigger magnitude of reaction to financial news, it was not observed in case of public announcements. Whereas, the magnitude of reactions on VSE was greater than reported on TSE and RSE, which indicates that VSE differs from TSE and RSE in its information processing.

Research limitations/implications

Firstly, all other mediums of disclosure besides public announcements are excluded. Secondly, the focus on public announcements discards all other factors that could induce market reactions. Thirdly, investors are assumed to act rationally.

Originality/value

The relative importance of different news items in inducing market reactions on the three Baltic stock exchanges has not been previously investigated. Only one previous study has covered a developed capital market of the UK, which means that this paper enables to compare its results to the ones achieved in a developing capital market setting.
The development of employee financial participation in Estonia
Authors: Eamets Raul , Mygind Niels , Spitsa Natalia
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the development of employee financial participation in Estonia from patterns of employee ownership which was promoted during the privatization of enterprises in the transition period, to the emergence of different forms of employee participation, including employee share ownership and profit sharing schemes. The analysis of the changing institutional setting and legislation in Estonia in the context of EU accession serves as a basis for examining the actual diversification of forms of employee financial participation, and provides some suggestions of likely further development.

Design/methodology/approach

The study combines results from earlier research, analysis of Estonian legislation from the late 1980s to the present time, interviews with social partners, data collected through enterprise surveys during the transition period and case studies, examining recent examples of financial participation.

Findings

There is no historical tradition of employee financial participation in Estonia. By far the most important development was in relation to early privatization, with the employee takeover of many small enterprises. However, majority ownership by employees in these firms has changed quite rapidly, so that now the dominant ownership pattern is of ownership by managers and outside owners. This phenomenon was observed both in quantitative studies and in case studies. There are very few cases of profit sharing. The need to transform acquis communautaire into national law in connection with the EU accession has recently led to debates about employee participation in decision making. Although the government and other influential political players do not promote financial participation, the discussion on the implementation of EU directives shows that the issue will be addressed and even new legislation could be adopted if an EU act on financial participation of employees were approved.

Research limitations/implications

In contrast with employee share ownership, the incidence of which was quite recently assessed in a survey study of January 2005 for 722 enterprises, profit sharing has not been the subject of regular and/or recent studies. Thus, one should be cautious when estimating the extent of the spread of diverse forms of financial participation in Estonian companies.

Practical implications

Description of the current status of employee financial participation can be important for policy makers for further development of the labour market in Estonia. Development of legislation following the trend in the EU, together with changes in the taxation system, could promote different forms of financial participation by employees, and could lead to strengthening employee motivation and productivity, especially in knowledge‐based companies.

Originality/value

The paper is a comprehensive description of the development and current status of employee financial participation in Estonia. The paper provides suggestions for further research.
The “I”, the “me” and the “you know”: identifying identities in organisations
Authors: Harding Nancy
Published: May 2008

Purpose

“Identity” is of major interest in organisation studies, but as identity is concerned very much with subjectivity it is difficult to explore it empirically. The purpose of this paper is to offer a methodology for analysing interview transcripts designed to discover the ongoing processes of becoming of the self, or of identities, embedded in the data. This way of analysing qualitative data allows the development of theories of how others construct their identities through the swift‐moving concatenation of selves appearing, disappearing and reappearing in the moment‐to‐moment construction of the self.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology involves analysis of personal pronouns and the gaps and interruptions in speech. Personal pronouns, it is shown, illustrate the appearance of different enactments of the self, each appearance/re‐appearance signalled by pauses, gaps or other interruptions in the flow of speech. The method is based on the theories of Bollas, a psychoanalytical theorist, and Harré, and Mühlhäusler and Harré who have explored how personal pronouns work.

Findings

The paper demonstrates how subjects explore who they are as an “I” and a “me”, revealing the multiple selves that appear in any transcript, and thus processes of identity formation. Provision of a worked example of the model, of a manager discussing her work, demonstrates how analysis of personal pronouns illuminates aspects of subject formation whose exploration is difficult.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology is recommended for others' use and adaptation. It allows possibilities for expanding the types of research questions that may be posed, as it provides a method for data analysis, personal pronoun use, that attempts to work with the “other minds” problematic. In other words, it allows glimpses of how subjects see themselves.

Originality/value

This paper is of use to qualitative researchers, and if its methodology is taken up can expand knowledge of the constructions of selves in the workplace.