bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agents and workflow engines for inter‐organizational workflows in e‐government cases
Authors: Verginadis Yiannis , Mentzas Gregoris
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The paper aims to propose a web‐based “intermediation hybrid architecture” for a workflow management system that integrates services by exploiting and combining the advantages of strict centralized topologies that use workflow engines, with totally distributed systems which use agent technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed operational and technical architectures define the combination of a workflow engine and a software agent platform for the appropriate management of inter‐organizational workflow processes. The proposed system is called “hybrid intermediation portal.”

Findings

The hybrid system was used in e‐government cases for the management of cross‐border workflows that span across multiple European chambers of commerce and industry. That demonstrated the usefulness of the specific approach in the inter‐organizational workflow management domain.

Research limitations/implications

The approach presented in this paper was implemented and validated in real e‐government cases that proved the advantages of the potential commercial use of the system. Several limitations were located due to the lack of a wide use of web services within governmental organizations.

Practical implications

Concerning security issues, it would be necessary to integrate appropriate security mechanisms without constraining the technical and functional characteristics of the software agents involved.

Originality/value

The contribution of the paper concerns the evolvement of the agent‐enhanced workflow management systems in order to tackle the intelligence issues and the credibility problems concerning the overall control of dispersed inter‐organizational processes.
Exploring the impact of top management support of enterprise systems implementations outcomes
Authors: Dong Linying
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Despite the general consensus regarding the critical role of top management in the information systems (IS) implementation process, the literature reveals a lack of understanding of top managers' supportive actions. There are also conflicting findings, which, based on the review, are the result of unexamined perspectives (deterministic, contingent, and dynamic perspective) of the impact of top management support (TMS). The purpose of the study is to compare the applicability of the three perspectives to enrich the understanding of TMS under the context of enterprise systems (ES) implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies were conducted in two Canadian universities which have implemented a large‐scale ES to examine the applicability of the three perspectives. About 19 interviews were conducted with top managers, department managers, project managers, users and trainer.

Findings

Results reveal that the deterministic and contingent perspective may be a simplified version of a complex picture and may not reflect how top management actions affect implementation outcomes. The case study indicates that top managers followed the dynamics of the IS implementation process.

Practical implications

The case studies offer several important findings to practitioners. For example, top managers need to constantly obtain feedback from users and adjust their supportive actions and the level of these supportive actions accordingly.

Originality/value

Despite the consensus on the importance of TMS, TMS studies hold different perspectives of the impact of top managers' supportive actions on IS implementation outcomes. By comparing the three perspectives, the study makes important contributions to both academic researchers and practitioners.
A methodology to define strategic processes in organizations
Authors: Hanafizadeh Payam , Moayer Sorousha
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To elaborate a methodology enabling organizations to define their strategic processes among other processes.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach has been chosen due to the nature of this research. Case study research method is qualitative method but it can be positivist. The mix of techniques is appropriate and some degree of quantification is necessary. Three high‐level steps are designed and these steps are developed in the managerial holding companies (research case study).

Findings

Because of limitations on budget and time, organizations are able to define the processes which are critical to achieve organizations' goals. This methodology has a holistic view in organizations by using balanced scorecard framework.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on a single case. Generalization based on this case should be interpreted cautiously and a limitation of the case study should be kept in mind. Furthermore, the strategy of the research case is a competitive strategy and the strategic processes are chosen according to this strategy. They may be changed based on other strategies. In interpreting the result, these limitations should be kept in mind.

Originality/value

Defining the strategic processes helps organizations to use their resources based on their objectives. This paper presents a methodology that improves the ability of organizations in managing and directing their resources efficiently.
ERP innovation implementation model incorporating change management
Authors: Kemp M.J. , Low G.C.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to develop and provide a preliminary validation of a model for how change management during an ERP implementation affects the effectiveness of that ERP implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a revised Klein et al. innovation implementation model that explicitly considers change management. The applicability of the revised model to describe the effect of change management on the implementation climate and implementation effectiveness of an ERP implementation is assessed using a case study at a large Australian multinational organisation.

Findings

Specific change management activities are identified and described. Qualitative verification of a proposed ERP innovation implementation model that incorporates the effect of change management is provided.

Originality/value

Change management was seen as being an important factor in influencing the effectiveness of the ERP project. This study is the first step in the longer‐term empirical validation of the modified innovation implementation model.
A weakness determination and analysis model for business process improvement
Authors: Coskun Semih , Basligil Huseyin , Baracli Hayri
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Modeling of the methods for providing improvements in business processes by value adding is researched with an integrated approach. The main purpose in this approach is improving the processes by determining and analyzing the weak points and reducing the weakness degrees.

Design/methodology/approach

The designed model determines weak points that need to be improved, analyzes them to find privileged processes in improvement by considering improvement costs and obtains the improvement degrees for defining the improvement strategy by four‐phase business process improvement framework: start‐up, self analysis, defining improvement strategy for making changes, feedback, and continuous improvement.

Findings

The key factor in keeping up with changes in market conditions is systematic application of improvement efforts and providing planned and controlled value addition with these improvements. Decision problems in process improvement can be structured to provide input data suitable for multi‐criteria decision making techniques and results meet the solution expectations.

Research limitations/implications

The reason for using analytical hierarchy process, goal programming, and linear programming model is to select the process and determine its improvement degree. Solving the decision problems by these techniques is a time consuming process, so forming suitable programs with decision support systems will be useful.

Practical implications

The theoretical structure of the modeled techniques in this study was examined with an industrial application. The application process and the results suitability were determined.

Originality/value

The proposed model shows improvement amounts according to the amount of defined importance degrees. It presents an advantage to decision makers by giving concrete improvement values from model results determining their improvement strategies.
Designing low carbon higher education systems
Authors: Roy Robin , Potter Stephen , Yarrow Karen
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to summarise the methods and main findings of a study of the environmental impacts of providing higher education (HE) courses by campus‐based and distance/open‐learning methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of an environmental audit, with data from surveys of 20 UK courses – 13 campus‐based, seven print‐based and online distance learning courses – covering travel, paper and print consumption, computing, accommodation, and campus site impacts. Results were converted into energy and CO2emissions per student per 100 hours of degree study.

Findings

Distance learning HE courses involve 87 per cent less energy and 85 per cent lower CO2emissions than the full‐time campus‐based courses. Part‐time campus HE courses reduce energy and CO2emissions by 65 and 61 per cent, respectively, compared with full‐time campus courses. The lower impacts of part‐time and distance compared with full‐time campus courses is mainly due to a reduction in student travel and elimination of much energy consumption of students' housing, plus economies in campus site utilisation. E‐learning appears to offer only relatively small energy and emissions reductions (20 and 12 per cent, respectively) compared with mainly print‐based distance learning courses, mainly because online learning requires more energy for computing and paper for printing.

Research limitations/implications

Assumptions were made in order to calculate the energy and emissions arising from the different HE systems. For example, it was decided to include all the energy consumed in term‐time accommodation for full‐time campus students while part‐time campus and distance learning students live at home, only requiring additional heating and lighting for study. Future studies could include more distance and blended learning courses offered by institutions other than the UK Open University and impacts other than CO2emissions.

Practical implications

Existing HE sustainability programmes should be broadened beyond considering campus site impacts and “greening the curriculum”. Indeed, were HE expansion to take environmental impacts seriously, then part‐time and distance education should be prioritised over increasing full‐time provision. This appears compatible with the Leitch Review of Skills on continuing education and training for the UK workforce.

Originality/value

The paper represents the only existing quantitative study of this issue.
Professional development for education for sustainability
Authors: Holdsworth Sarah , Wyborn Carina , Bekessy Sarah , Thomas Ian
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to report research undertaken to assess the extent to which Australian universities were engaged in professional development (PD) activities focusing on the development of education for sustainability for their academics.

Design/methodology/approach

This web‐based survey seeks to identify the existence of PD programs and teaching induction programs within universities, or where programs in tertiary teaching that included any sustainability education content were offered.

Findings

While the vast majority of universities had information about PD available, only one offers a PD course designed to introduce academics to sustainability and teaching sustainability. This is despite the high number of Australian universities that have signed sustainability education declarations, which include commitments to achieving sustainability literacy in staff and students.

Research limitations/implications

The survey focused only on information contained on web sites, and information that would not have been identified by this methodology such as informal programs, forums and workshops, and anything on secure staff “intranet” sites.

Practical implications

This research indicates that in Australia there is only very limited PD activity, which provides one explanation for the limited extent to which education for sustainability is evident in universities.

Originality/value

There is little information about PD activity in universities generally, and especially in Australia. This research provides a starting‐point investigation into activity that may have been missed by the research. More importantly, it provides a base for the exploration of PD programs that will be the most effective and efficient in facilitating education for sustainability.
“Growing” a campus native species garden: sustaining volunteer‐driven sustainability
Authors: McKinne Kristan L. , Halfacre Angela C.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the challenges of volunteer‐driven college campus sustainability projects through a case study of the development of an urban native plant species garden on the College of Charleston campus in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used participant observation as the primary data‐gathering technique. The primary author coordinated this volunteer‐driven sustainability project, and recorded observations throughout the process. The authors used content analysis to examine garden volunteer interview data and campus/community documents. These methods allow the reader to view this case first‐hand, providing a unique look at undertaking projects of this nature.

Findings

The paper provides specific guidance for creating sustainable sustainability projects in similar communities and college campuses, identifies challenges specific to this case study that are easily generalized to other volunteer‐driven sustainability projects, and provides solution strategies to avoid or address these challenges.

Research limitations/implications

The findings have relevance for projects with similar campus and community characteristics as displayed in the case study, whilst the study provides important guidance for campuses seeking to initiate and sustain volunteer‐driven sustainability projects. Further, it offers a step‐by‐step account of the process of creating a native species garden in an urban environment.

Practical implications

The paper provides a “handbook” for undertaking similar volunteer‐driven sustainability projects.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills a need to provide first‐hand information for the ever‐growing effort to create more sustainable sustainability projects on college campuses world‐wide. It is the first paper of its kind to document the process of campus native species garden creation and the challenges inherent with this type of volunteer‐driven project. Solution strategies are offered that can be followed for those seeking to implement similar sustainability efforts on their campuses.
Utilizing the design charrette for teaching sustainability
Authors: Walker Jason B. , Seymour Michael W.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the design charrette as a method for teaching sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes a student‐based design charrette for the Mississippi Gulf Coast comprising a framework for teaching sustainability. An assessment of the charrette's role in promoting sustainability in higher education was ascertained through respondents completing pre‐ and post‐charrette surveys.

Findings

The paper provides survey results that shed light on the effectiveness of the charrette as an approach for teaching sustainability in higher education.

Research limitations/implications

This research indicates that a charrette framed with criteria for teaching sustainability is viable. However, the study has limitations owing to the project's scope and its being a single‐case sample.

Practical implications

The paper shows that actively engaging students in interdisciplinary, service‐oriented projects is of value in teaching concepts of sustainability in higher education.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the need for sustainability in higher education, focusing on disciplines of design, by assessing the effectiveness of a well‐accepted design teaching approach, the charrette.
Sustainability and ethics as decision‐making paradigms in engineering curricula
Authors: El‐Zein Abbas , Airey David , Bowden Peter , Clarkeburn Henriikka
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the rationale for teaching sustainability and engineering ethics within a decision‐making paradigm, and critically appraise ways of achieving related learning outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the experience of the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney in teaching environmental sustainability and engineering ethics to third‐year undergraduate students. It discusses the objectives of the course and the merits and drawbacks of incorporating ethics and sustainability in the same teaching framework. In addition, it evaluates ways of incorporating theoretical and applied perspectives on sustainability.

Findings

Ethics and sustainability overlap but do not coincide; incorporating them in the same engineering course can be effective, provided that points of linkage are clearly recognized in the syllabus, a suitable combination of theory and practical applications is drawn upon and adequate teaching methods, including decision‐making case problems, are used.

Research limitations/implications

While environmental sustainability, economic rationality and ethical reasoning can be easily fitted into the syllabus, social sustainability is more difficult to teach because it requires a significant conceptual departure from deep‐seated preconceptions on the part of students and teachers, and does not lend itself easily to conventional classroom activity, such as lectures and weekly workshops. Further research on effective ways of incorporating social sustainability in engineering curricula is therefore needed.

Originality/value

The paper evaluates sustainability issues within the context of civil engineering education.
Sustaining higher education using Wal‐Mart's best supply chain management practices
Authors: Comm Clare L. , Mathaisel Dennis F.X.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The costs in higher education are increasing and need to be controlled. This paper aims to demonstrate what lessons higher education could learn from Wal‐Mart's reasons for its financial success with its focus on efficient and effective supply chain management (SCM) best practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Wal‐Mart's best practices in SCM were investigated through a secondary data literature review.

Findings

Wal‐Mart's best practices in SCM can be categorized into four segments: strategic concepts, logistics and distribution, information technology, and supplier collaboration. The company's technology, outsourcing, and collaboration practices are particularly useful in higher education.

Research limitations/implications

The adoption of Wal‐Mart's best practices was investigated for only one service industry (higher education). Future research could apply these practices to other service industries, such as hotels and transportation.

Practical implications

Higher education is looking for best practices to help control costs and can learn from Wal‐Mart's best practices.

Originality/value

Past research has focused on applying the best practices of other colleges and universities to higher education. Benchmarking Wal‐Mart's best practices can add further value to the sustainability of higher education.
Intellectual assets based management for innovation
Authors: Sumita Takayuki
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make clear why innovation matters now, how intellectual asset based management is related to it, how innovation and excellent management contribute to the world economy and what is necessary from now on, taking Japanese experiences into account.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper summarizes the current status on innovation and intellectual asset based management, analyzes the expected function of them, and extracts implications from it.

Findings

This paper finds that intellectual asset based management has a close logical relation with innovation, and could be a solution for challenges caused by globalization.

Practical implications

International cooperation on promoting innovation through intellectual asset based management could save the world economy.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates the implications of increasing interests in intellectual assets from various points of view, especially in relation to innovation.
Creating value from intellectual assets
Authors: Bismuth Annabel , Tojo Yoshiaki
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss the key policy challenges for OECD countries both at macro and micro level to develop and use their intellectual assets in order to obtain economic returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the approach of econometrics studies to gauge the impact of intellectual assets on national accounts and a stocktake of all existing initiatives, frameworks and guidelines relating to extra‐financial corporate reporting on intellectual assets.

Findings

The paper provides macro data on the contribution of investments in intellectual assets to productivity and economic growth in OECD countries and presents the challenges in terms of corporate reporting and corporate governance that result from the increasing importance of intellectual assets for growth and competitiveness. It then provides a stock‐take of existing guidelines and frameworks in OECD countries that encourage companies to report on their intellectual assets and their strategies to create value.

Practical implications

The paper provides policy recommendations to better understand the role of intellectual assets, improve their contribution to economic growth, and to enhance information on intellectual assets and the diffusion of good practices.

Originality/value

The value of the paper is that it contributes to mitigating the difficulties to assess the contribution of intellectual assets on national accounts that is crucial to obtain an accurate picture of economic growth, downturns and investments. It also contributes to the debate on how to overcome the limits of accounting standards to recognize intellectual assets so as to improve companies' valuation and lower their cost of capital.
Patents and academic research: a state of the art
Authors: van Zeebroeck Nicolas , van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie Bruno , Guellec Dominique
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at the sharp increase in academic patenting over the past 20 years and to raise important issues regarding the generation and diffusion of academic knowledge. Three key questions may be raised in this respect: What is behind the surge in academic patenting? Does patenting affect the quality and quantity of universities' scientific output? Does the patent system limit the freedom to perform academic research? The present paper seeks to summarize the existing literature on these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper's approach is a review of the recent literature on academic patenting and research use of patented inventions, complemented with critical viewpoints and new data on academic patenting in Europe.

Findings

The evidence suggests that academic patenting has only limited effects on the direction, pace and quality of research. A virtuous cycle seems to characterise the patent‐publication relationship. Secondly, scientific anti‐commons show very little effects on academic researchers so far, limited to a few countries with weak or no research exemption regulations. In summary, the evidence leads the authors to conclude that the benefits of academic patenting on research exceed their potential negative effects.

Originality/value

The paper offers a critical overview of the available evidence on the links between patents and academic research, which may be useful both for individuals unfamiliar with this issue or for those experienced in the field who are looking for a state of the art discussion on recent debates.
Mobilizing intellectual capital of diasporas: from first movers to a virtuous cycle
Authors: Kuznetsov Yevgeny
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This conceptual paper seeks to develop hypotheses to explain a process of involvement of highly skilled members of diaspora to improve badly functioning institutions at home.

Design/methodology/approach

To arrive at the hypotheses, the paper relies on four diaspora pilots (in Armenia, Chile, Mexico and Argentina) that were designed and launched with the participation of the author.

Findings

A three‐stage process of diaspora involvement is identified: starting from first movers (individuals with longer planning horizon and higher tolerance to risk), to informal search networks, and to institutionalized search networks. Examples of this sequence are given from Taiwan, Chile and Mexico.

Research limitations/implications

The hypotheses of the paper need qualifications which can be done with time, as more evidence and diversity in outcomes become available. The hypotheses are not rigorous, in a sense that no counterfactual information has been identified to prove them.

Originality/value

The paper examines dynamics of diaspora knowledge networks from “outside”, from a perspective of economic development, rather than migration of skills or network dynamics.
The Knoware Tree and the Regional Intellectual Capital Index
Authors: Schiuma Giovanni , Lerro Antonio , Carlucci Daniela
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relevance of intellectual capital (IC) as a strategic resource and source of regional value creation dynamics. Adopting a knowledge‐based approach, the authors aim to argue that knowledge assets represent the IC's components, and the Knoware Tree and the Knoware Dashboard are proposed as frameworks to assess the IC within regions. For the global assessment of the IC, the Regional Intellectual Capital Index (RICI) is to be introduced and its application is proposed for the assessment of the IC within Italian regions. Finally, in order to explore the links between the IC ownership of a region and its value creation dynamics, the Value Creation Index (VCI) is adopted and linear correlations of the RICI and VCI are performed, providing first empirical evidences of the positive links between IC and value creation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper integrates the results of an intensive literature review with a longitudinal empirical research applied to Italian regions.

Findings

The paper provides a knowledge‐based understanding of the IC, highlighting the existence of a positive correlation between IC and value creation of the Italian regions.

Research limitations/implications

The adoption of linear correlation for analysing the empirical data set could be considered as a research limitation, since more rigorous statistical approaches, such as the robust canonical analysis and the structural equation modelling could be adopted.

Practical implications

The paper provides a methodology for assessing IC within regions.

Originality/value

The proposed frameworks for assessing IC within regions are original as well as the empirical results showing a positive links between IC ownership and value creation.
Entrepreneurship research
Authors: Landström Hans
Published: April 2008

Purpose

A great deal of policy thinking in the last ten to 15 years has been driven by the insights gained from the so‐called “new growth theory”. The theory emphasizes that investments in knowledge and human capital generate economic growth through spillover of knowledge, and the policy implication is that investments in knowledge and human capital are the best way to stimulate growth. However, there is a couple of missing links in the “spillover argument” in that the theory seems to disregard the role of the entrepreneur. The paper aims to answer the question: Why haven't entrepreneurship researchers become a strong voice regarding the understanding of the development of the knowledge economy?

Design/methodology/approach

The author argues that a dynamic and innovative research field is characterized by a balance between the pursuit of new issues and knowledge in research, for example, by being sensitive for changes in society, and the development of existing knowledge, by integrating and validating the knowledge base already existing within the field.

Findings

The paper shows that one important reason for the lack of visibility of entrepreneurship research can be found in an internal scientific development of the research field – entrepreneurship research has become more and more theory‐driven and shows less sensitivity and openness for changes in society.

Originality/value

The article gives a critical reflection on the development of entrepreneurship as a research field. In this sense the article provides an increased understanding of the knowledge that is within the field, and gives also suggestions for the future development of the research field.
Hedonic models, internet‐based technologies, and the provision of online property appraisal
Authors: Mak Stephen W.K. , Choy Lennon H.T. , Ho Winky K.O.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to propose the use of transaction data, hedonic model and internet‐based technologies to provide potential home buyers and sellers with instant and online property appraisal services by real estate‐related firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Hedonic price model is performed to estimate the price index of individual housing estate. The values of the coefficients of the attributes may change in response to a changing environment. A professional judgment should be given by appraisers on time intervals to re‐run the hedonic price models, if needed. Once the algorithms have been updated, authenticated users can connect to the system via a secure socket layer. They can browse and search the valuation reports by entering search criteria of premises into the system that filters the results instantly according to the request of users, and a detailed asset valuation report will be displayed in the browser.

Findings

This sort of online services is believed to save consumers' time, by offering timely property appraisal services that facilitate property transactions.

Originality/value

Currently, local large property developers, agencies and surveying firms are still relying on manual processes of providing selected transaction data via the web to their prospective customers. The system proposed and developed as described in this paper is an automatic and self‐learning system that produces reliable and authentic results based on large quantity of historical transaction records. The professional judgments of appraisers add flavor to the final valuation of properties. As well as providing information to individual buyers/sellers, the system is most suitable to investors who own a large portfolio of properties as the total capitalization of the portfolio can be computed easily and quickly. REITs are examples of these portfolio owners.
Towards establishing a domain specific commercialization model for innovation in residential construction
Authors: McCoy Andrew P. , Thabet Walid , Badinelli Ralph
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a commercialization framework that outlines phases and functional areas for technical and business practices in getting innovative products to market. The development of this framework was motivated by a history of failures of entrepreneurial business ventures in the commercialization of construction products.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents Phase 1 of commercialization research efforts, which includes a definition of innovation and commercialization for the residential construction industry; a review of literature related to generic commercialization models; and construction of a new commercialization framework for innovative construction products. This paper also introduces Phase 2 of this research, which includes qualitative and quantitative knowledge capture from construction industry experts; and the development of a domain‐specific commercialization model for the residential industry based on these inputs to reflect the unique challenges of construction products.

Findings

This paper presents a generic commercialization framework as a basis for interpreting various data from product interviews and case study literature. These data were used to further specify the framework. This paper presents an example of the many construction products reviewed in this research and its possible impact on the framework.

Practical implications

The generic commercialization model presented here could benefit innovators of construction products. The research indicates the importance of key steps in the commercialization of these kinds of products.

Originality/value

Since, no model captured the specific issues of commercializing residential construction products, this paper introduces a basis for one. In creating a generic commercialization framework, this paper facilitates entrepreneurial product commercialization for the construction industry.
Innovapost uses Web 2.0 tools to engage its employees
Authors: Xarchos Chris , Brent Charland M.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Web 2.0 is becoming increasingly popular in mainstream culture; blogs, wikis and social networking sites are springing up rapidly. Businesses are now adopting this suite of technologies and practices to improve the connectivity of their employees and derive benefits from increased employee engagement. Innovapost has recently started to investigate the use of Web 2.0 in a number of ways. The purpose of this case study feature is to report the results of a number of initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the experiences of Innovapost as a case study.

Findings

Early experiences with a CEO blog were very positive and provided the impetus for additional experimentation. Forums provided mechanisms for employees to contribute to the development of the strategic business plan and to engage in ongoing discussions of Innovapost business and HR topics. The most ambitious foray to date has been InnovaConnections, which is a social networking tool that allows project managers to post opportunities and have interested employees “bid” for the work.

Originality/value

These initial experiments have led employees to suggest new and exciting possibilities for Web 2.0 at Innovapost and continued developments in this burgeoning area are anticipated.
The virtues of the virtual organization
Authors: Pedersen Cec , Nagengast Johann
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper attempts to conceptually clarify and examine success factors for the establishment and subsequent sale of a successful small virtual organization, Millennium3, in the financial services sector in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the concept of a virtual organization, outlines some distinct characteristics of virtual organizations and provides some historical and current background to Millennium3 (M3). It then provides a descriptive evaluation of outcomes from semi‐structured interviews with all M3 executives and, based on those interviews and organizational structure, examines its overall performance.

Findings

The following values describe how M3 conducts business: lifelong learning; teaching by example; interdependence; customer intimacy; all relationships founded on a win/win basis; and respect and courtesy.

Originality/value

The paper concludes with some critical success factors for M3 and gives the reader an idea how a corporation successfully works as a virtual organization.
eBusiness and supply chain integration
Authors: Smart Alan
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how four large organisations have approached the implementation of new eBusiness mechanisms: namely online order processing, eProcurement, reverse auctions, and a private exchange. The objectives are to establish whether supply chain integration is an identified goal for the firms involved and to evaluate the extent of integration achieved through these projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is used, with four separate cases being examined, leading to cross‐case analysis and conclusions. The primary form of data collection was interviews with managers participating in the implementations. In order to measure the degree of supply chain integration pertaining in the examples, two frameworks from the literature are used.

Findings

In three of the cases it is established that there is very little, or nil integration at supply chain level and only in one case is there evidence of a supply chain perspective contributing to the project. Three of the firms did not consider the supply chain implications of implementing their eBusiness applications.

Research limitations/implications

The article builds on previous studies and illustrates the problems of achieving integration in the supply chain. Further research is needed to establish common attributes relating to supply chain integration.

Practical implications

Three of the projects examined here were based predominantly on a business case for the implementing firm only. Firms need to be aware that IT projects by their trading partners may have supply chain cost implications for their own business.

Originality/value

Whilst much of the literature propounds the need for integration, leading to extension of the supply chain concept, firms are pursuing IT implementations which are premised solely on internal benefits. The research illustrates that, if the new eBusiness mechanisms are to support wider supply chain goals, then the focal firms involved must take a more holistic view of how and why such solutions are implemented.
Life after ERP implementation
Authors: Häkkinen Lotta , Hilmola Olli‐Pekka
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Case studies examining long‐term ERP system success/failure are scarce. However, there is a clear need for critical knowledge in this field. This paper aims to address this issue through providing evidence from a case study completed in an after‐sales division of a multinational corporation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from ERP users in two phases: during the so‐called shakedown phase and two years after system implementation. Data gathering was done by means of a questionnaire based on the DeLone and McLean model.

Findings

Overall, user evaluations were more negative in the shakedown phase. However, problems were still identified two years after system implementation. For example, the quality of user support was considered to have worsened during this time. Evaluations also differed depending on the user's respective business process and user type. For instance, data integration was generally identified as a positive issue, but at the same time others considered it a downside of the new system.

Research limitations/implications

The research results are based on data from one organization, which naturally limits the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

Although the study relies on case‐based evidence, it underlines the value of using user evaluations in identifying problem areas during the ERP implementation process. Results elaborate on the effects that ERP system inflexibility and integration may have in a complex business environment.

Originality/value

The study is seminal in its field as evidence covers multiple points in time. The results are valuable for improving the quality of ERP evaluation in companies as well as for developing research in this curriculum.
Enterprise resource‐planning systems adoption in Bahrain: motives, benefits, and barriers
Authors: Kamhawi Emad M.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide better understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems adoption, as well as non‐adoption practices in a less developed country setting, namely Bahrain.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was employed to elicit opinions from IT executives from two types of companies: those which adopted ERP systems and those which so far have not.

Findings

The study highlighted the benefits, motives and barriers of implementing such systems. Moreover, for those which have not experienced these practices before, it investigated the reasons behind not implementing these systems, executives' attitudes, and future intentions towards these systems. Implications and insights for businesses, ERP systems' vendors, educators, and researchers have been discussed based on the results of the survey.

Originality/value

This study extends research efforts concerning the adoption of ERP systems to include strategic and decision‐making aspects of evaluation, which have not had appropriate attention from past research. It explores connections between these two aspects with other classical ones such as operational and technical dimensions of evaluation. Responding to repetitive research calls for appropriately scrutinizing adoption practices of this technology in different countries – especially developing ones – the paper presents the results of a survey of ERP systems adoption in Bahrain.
The development of equity derivative markets
Authors: Jobst Andreas A.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Amid benign monetary policy in mature market countries and high liquidity‐induced demand, lower risk premia have encouraged risk diversification into alternative asset classes outside the scope of conventional investment. The development of derivative markets in emerging economies plays a special role in this context as more institutional money is managed on a global mandate, with more and more capital being dedicated to emerging market equity. This paper aims to focus on these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the recent development of equity derivative markets in emerging Asia and informs a critical debate about market practices and prudential supervision. Goal of the paper is also to outline essential elements and key policy considerations in developing derivative markets.

Findings

The supervision of emerging derivative markets depends on the expedient and tractable resolution of challenges arising from consistent risk management, risk mutualization, and prudential standards that guarantee market stability in crisis situations. In particular, further efforts are needed in areas of cash market liquidity, trading infrastructure as well as legal and regulatory frameworks based on a set of coherent principles for capital market development.

Originality/value

The paper offers a comprehensive set of principles for the development of equity derivative markets based on the current state of equity derivative trading in emerging Asia. Given current efforts by national regulators in the region to implement comprehensive guidelines on derivatives and revise short selling restrictions, the scope of this paper has topical appeal from the perspective of market participants and regulators.
A common currency area for MENA countries? A VAR analysis of viability
Authors: Ismath Bacha Obiyathulla
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the feasibility of a Common Currency Area (CCA) among ten MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Countries. The ten sample countries constitute the six GCC Countries and the four Agadir nations.

Design/methodology/approach

Macroeconomic data for the 34‐year‐period 1970‐2003 is used. Feasibility is examined by analyzing the symmetry of response of countries within each group to a common external shock. The impulse response functions (IRF) from a Vector Autoregression Model is used. The strength of linkages within each economic bloc was examined using Pearson pairwise correlation and variance decomposition.

Findings

Among GCC countries, the results show the existence of strong linkages among the monetary variables, signifying strong monetary sector integration. Such integration however is lacking where the real sector is concerned. Despite the symmetry seen in the impulse response functions, variance decomposition showed the absence of any meaningful influence of countries on each other within the bloc. Amongst the Agadir nations, the results show no correlation in real output growth, some correlation among monetary variables but no symmetry whatsoever in response to external shocks. The variance decomposition too did not show mutual influence intra group.

Practical implications

The lack of real sector integration will present a challenge to GCC's desired goal of a CCA by 2010. The Agadir nations appear to be simply a loosely knit economic grouping with little integration of any kind. Thus, hopes of a CCA among Agadir nations is far too premature.

Originality/value

The paper concludes that the GCC is, at present, a quasi‐monetary bloc with little real sector integration.
Catalysts and barriers to cut flower export
Authors: Belwal Rakesh , Chala Meseret
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to conduct a case study on the recent rise of floriculture industry in Ethiopia which has taken aback the stakeholders in the global flower industry. Further to understand this success, an attempt has been made to conduct an environmental appraisal of the floriculture industry in Ethiopia amid explicit promotional efforts of the incumbent government towards boosting floriculture exports. Particularly, the study intends to reveal the catalysts and barriers prevalent in the industry that concerns the growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The first stage of research involves a general assessment of global and Ethiopian floriculture industry using desk research. The second stage includes analysis of primary data secured through interview of managers at eight functional floriculture farms located around Addis Ababa. The study utilizes qualitative analysis of data acquired using judgmental‐cum‐convenience sampling and semi‐structured interviews with concerned officials.

Findings

The success of Ethiopia in the cut flower exports from Africa has been remarkable. Ethiopia enjoys certain advantages that create ample opportunities for being one among the principal producers and exporters of flower in the world. As a whole, the finding reveals that foreign investments, government support and the formation of the Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association are the major catalysts in the sector. However, the opportunities are not without threats. Infrastructural bottlenecks appended by shortage of agricultural inputs, narrow product range, and lack of adherence to international codes of practices are major among the perceived barriers. As a whole, there is a growing trend in the development of the floricultural industry in Ethiopia. With the attention given by the government to this sector coupled with the advantages that Ethiopia has, the country has been able to attract both domestic and foreign investors. Ethiopia's performance in floriculture acts as an eye opener for other African countries.

Originality/value

The study is of benefit to the floriculture industry as well as the investors and policy makers intending to support establishing floriculture industries in countries such as Ethiopia.