bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Academic staff's perceptions of characteristics of learning organization in a higher learning institution
Authors: Khamis Ali Ali
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The main objective of this study was to examine academic staff's perceptions of the characteristics of a learning organization within higher education: in this instance, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The study also examined the relationship between the characteristics of a learning organization and satisfaction with performance in teaching and research activities.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was used in a sample of 400 academicians with a return rate of 214 (53.5 per cent). Watkins and Marsick's and Marsick and Watkins's learning organization questionnaire was used to measure the characteristics of the learning organization and to collect data for the study.

Findings

The main results showed that the academic staff indicated moderate levels of the characteristics of a learning organization and satisfaction with performance. The results also showed that there were positive and significant relationships between dimensions of the learning organization and satisfaction with performance activities in teaching and research. Furthermore, dimensions of the learning organization accounted for small but significant variance of satisfaction with both teaching and research performance activities.

Originality/value

This study contributes empirical findings on learning organization in a higher learning institution, a research area in which there is a scarcity of empirical studies.
The quest for strategic Malaysian Quality National Primary School Leaders
Authors: Mohd Ali Hairuddin
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nine‐point strategic leadership characteristics of Malaysian Quality National Primary School Leaders (QNPSL) and to indicate the implications of these findings for the current educational management and leadership practices in their quest for Malaysian quality education.

Design/methodology/approach

The study selected 600 senior management team members from 150 schools to complete a seven‐page questionnaire survey and eventually managed to collect back 420 completed survey questionnaires. The study employed SPSS 15.0 and a full‐fledged Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) software Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 16.0 to confirm the dimensionality and the psychometric properties of the scale, as well as to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

Despite what Davies and Davies suggested, the results confirm that the Malaysian QNPSL do not possess three out of nine predetermined characteristics of a strategic leader such as wisdom, strategic intervention point and strategic competence which are pertinent for efficient and effective leadership in realizing the objectives of the National Education Master Plan.

Practical implications

The findings from the study provide useful information to senior management team members of the respective schools, District and State Education Departments in improving the quality of Malaysian education.

Originality/value

As this is the first research of its kind in Malaysia, the findings to a certain extent will be able to contribute to the efforts in achieving the accessibility, equity, quality and enhancement of management goals stipulated in the National Education Master Plan (2006‐2010).
Inpatient satisfaction: an analysis of Malaysian public hospitals
Authors: Hazilah Abd Manaf Noor
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical analysis on inpatient satisfaction in Malaysian public hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

A self‐administered questionnaire was the main data collection method. Altogether, 23 hospitals throughout Peninsular Malaysia participated in the survey. Cluster sampling was used in the selection of the respondent hospitals, while convenience sampling was used in administering the survey.

Findings

Three factors of inpatient satisfaction were extracted, which were clinical and physical dimensions of service, and additional facilities for patients and family members. Inpatient satisfaction was found to be higher for the clinical dimension than for the physical dimension. Overall, inpatient satisfaction was high, as reflected by the high mean score of the variables, although caution was expressed in interpreting the findings, particularly the low expectations of patients to begin with.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to inpatients of Malaysian public hospitals. A thorough evaluation of the nation's public healthcare delivery system would need to include outpatient services as well.

Originality/value

The paper provides an empirical analysis on inpatient satisfaction in Malaysian public hospitals. This allows policy makers to evaluate the level of public healthcare delivery service in the country and therefore assist in policy decision‐making and implementation.
Understanding continuous improvement in an English local authority
Authors: Douglas David , Jenkins Wyn , Kennedy Jane
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model using resource‐based‐view theories of competitive advantage for application to the private sector as a basis for understanding managers' perceptions of high performance in a local authority. The model is evaluated as a substantive case against an English local authority.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigated senior managers' perceptions of the capabilities and assets that their organisation required to achieve high performance relative to government performance criteria. Data were collected using a questionnaire that asked managers to indicate their notions of drivers for change. The key resources required for successful responses to these drivers were related to one of the four types of generic capabilities a priori outlined in the model, i.e. regeneration, leverage, transformational and privileged access. Subsequent interviews with the respondents explored further issues in greater depth.

Findings

Managers indicated their beliefs that “capabilities” based on “intangible organisational‐assets” are necessary for “sustained high‐performance”. This is consistent with the model proposed. Nevertheless, the findings also indicated that some assets, historically based, such as “reputation” and “partnerships”, are also important.

Research limitations/implications

The paper critically demonstrates the usefulness of resource‐based‐view and dynamic‐capability theories when applied in a new context, i.e. English local government.

Practical implications

The paper reveals significant organisational development and senior management leadership issues for English county councils, in this case, in developing and sustaining high performance.

Originality/value

The paper is innovative in reviewing, developing and applying a resource‐based‐dynamic‐capability model to research local government organisational management.
“Leadership”: a perniciously vague concept
Authors: Spicker Paul
Published: January 2012

Purpose

Despite the vast amount of literature covering the concept of leadership, it remains contentious, under‐conceptualised and often uncritical. The purpose of this paper is to question the validity of the concept and dispute its application.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews what the idea of leadership means, how it relates to competing accounts of management in the public services, and what value it adds.

Findings

There is no evident reason why the supposed roles, tasks, or qualities of “leadership” either need to be or should be concentrated in the person of a leader; the tasks involved in “leading” an organisation are not in fact the tasks of motivation, influence or direction of others which are at the core of the literature; and there is no reason to suppose that leadership is a primary influence on the behaviour of most organisations.

Practical implications

In the context of the public services, there is no set of skills, behaviours or roles that could be applied across the public services; the emphasis in leadership theory on personal relationships may be inconsistent with the objectives and character of the service; and the arrogation to a public service manager of a leadership role may be illegitimate.

Originality/value

The argument here represents a fundamental challenge to the concept of leadership, its relevance and its application to public services.
Top surface quality research for direct metal laser fabrication
Authors: Yang Jialin , Ouyang Hongwu , Xu Chao , Wang Yang
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the stability and properties of the direct metal laser fabrication (DMLF) process, by putting forward top surface quality (TSQ), which could be a unique and crucially important feature compared with traditional manufacturing methods.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the systematic and detailed analysis of DMLF process using related theories of additive manufacturing technologies, it was revealed that TSQ was the key factor for controlling the stability of DMLF process and thus tailoring final properties of metallic parts. Only good TSQ can ensure the stability of DMLF process and excellent performance of metal parts in theory.

Findings

TSQ was defined as the surface morphology in macro and micro scopes in laser scanning area of unit layers during DMLF, and could be characterized by three key elements: flatness, compactness and cleanliness. The flatness was the significant factor to assure the shaping during DMLF, while the compactness and cleanliness were the decisive factors to assure the final properties of metal part for DMLF. As an example, the typical top surface defects and their contributing factors in DMLF for Cu‐based metal powder mixtures were investigated thoroughly according to the proposed definition and requirements. Moreover, the specific controlling methods of TSQ were provided and discussed. Eventually, DMLF of three‐dimensional Cu‐based metal sample with complicate structure was successfully performed by taking some effective measures for adjusting TSQ parameters.

Originality/value

Few comprehensive investigations have been carried out on this topic. The definition and evaluation methods of TSQ for DMLF have been introduced for the first time in the present paper.
Experimental design approach to optimize selective laser melting of martensitic 17‐4 PH powder: part I – single laser tracks and first layer
Authors: Averyanova M. , Cicala E. , Bertrand Ph. , Grevey Dominique
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of main process parameters of selective laser melting (SLM) technology on single lines and single layers manufactured from 17‐4 PH martensitic powder using the experimental design approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A fractional factorial approach has been applied to vary and to identify the optimal set of process parameters using three different powder particle size distributions for 17‐4 PH steel. This paper assesses the impact of influence factors such as process and material parameters on objective factors such as dimension of single lines and single layers, as well as surface roughness.

Findings

The influence of process parameters and materials properties on single line and single layer manufacture is shown and proved statistically. The effect of each process parameter and their interactions on single layer and single line stability and quality has been investigated, and a complex objective function analyzing geometrical stability of single lines has been proposed. The findings indicate the most appropriate 17‐4 PH powder particle size distribution.

Originality/value

The research provides a systematic scientific approach using fractional factorial experiment design to identify the influence of process parameters, materials parameters and their combinations on essential martensitic steels (17‐4 PH steel) single lines and single layers characteristics such as geometrical stability and surface roughness. This approach will be extended to 3D parts fabrication and reported in a later paper.
Effect of process parameters on the morphological and mechanical properties of 3D Bioextruded poly(ε‐caprolactone) scaffolds
Authors: Domingos M. , Chiellini F. , Gloria A. , Ambrosio L. , Bartolo P. , Chiellini E.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to report a detailed study regarding the influence of process parameters on the morphological/mechanical properties of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds manufactured by using a novel extrusion‐based system that is called BioExtruder.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study the authors focused investigations on four parameters, namely the liquefier temperature (LT), screw rotation velocity (SRV), deposition velocity (DV) and slice thickness (ST). Scaffolds were fabricated by employing three different values of each parameter. Through a series of trials, scaffolds were manufactured varying iteratively one parameter while maintaining constant the other ones. The morphology of the structures was investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), whilst the mechanical performance was assessed though compression tests.

Findings

Experimental results highlight a direct influence of the process parameters on the PCL scaffolds properties. In particular, DV and SRV have the highest influence in terms of road width (RW) and consequently on the porosity and mechanical behaviour of the structures.

Research limitations/implications

The effect of process and design parameters on the biological response of scaffolds is currently under investigation.

Originality/value

The output of this work provides a major insight into the effect of process parameters on the morphological/mechanical properties of PCL scaffolds. Moreover, the potential and feasibility of this novel extrusion‐based system open a new opportunity to study how structural features may influence the characteristics and performances of the scaffolds, enabling the development of integrated biomechanical models that can be used in CAD systems to manufacture customized structures for tissue regeneration.
Fabrication of a bio‐inspired beta‐Tricalcium phosphate/collagen scaffold based on ceramic stereolithography and gel casting for osteochondral tissue engineering
Authors: Bian Weiguo , Li Dichen , Lian Qin , Li Xiang , Zhang Weijie , Wang Kunzheng , Jin Zhongmin
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to fabricate and characterize osteochondral beta‐tricalcium phosphate/collagen scaffold with bio‐inspired design by ceramic stereolithography (CSL) and gel casting.

Design/methodology/approach

Histological analysis was applied to explore the morphological characteristics of the transitional structure between the bone and the cartilage. The acquired data were used to design biomimetic biphasic scaffolds, which include the bone phase, cartilage phase, and their transitional structure. The engineered scaffolds were fabricated from β‐TCP‐collagen by CSL and gel casting. The cartilage phase was added to the ceramic phase by gel‐casting and freeze drying.

Findings

The resulting ceramic scaffolds were composed of a bone phase with the following properties: 700‐900 μm pore size, 200‐500 μm interconnected pores size, 50‐65 percent porosity, fully interconnected, ∼12 Mpa compressive strength. A suitable binding force between cartilage phase and ceramic phase was achieved by physical locking that was created by the biomimetic transitional structure. Cellular evaluation showed satisfactory results.

Research limitations/implications

This study is the first try to apply CSL to fabricate biological implants with β‐TCP and type‐I collagen. There are still some defects in the composition of the slurry and the fabrication process.

Practical implications

This strategy of osteochondral scaffold fabrication can be implemented to construct an osteochondral complex that is similar to native tissue.

Originality/value

The CSL technique is highly accurate, as well as biologically secure, when fabricating ceramic tissue engineering scaffolds and may be a promising method to construct hard tissue with delicate structures. The present strategy enhances the versatility of scaffold fabrication by RP.
Selective laser melting (SLM) of gold (Au)
Authors: Khan Mushtaq , Dickens Phill
Published: January 2012

Purpose

Different metals have been processed using laser‐based solid freeform fabrication (SFF) processes but very little work has been published on the selective laser melting (SLM) of gold (Au). The purpose of this paper is to check the properties of gold powder and identify suitable processing parameters for SLM of 24 carat gold powder.

Design/methodology/approach

A full factorial approach was used to vary the processing parameters and identify suitable processing region for gold powder. The effects of laser processing parameters on the internal porosity of the multi‐layer parts were examined.

Findings

The gold powder was found to be cohesive in nature with apparent and tap densities of 9.3 and 10.36 g/cm3, respectively. The reflectance of gold powder was found to be 85 per cent in the infrared range. A very narrow good melting region was identified for gold powder. The balling phenomenon was observed at both low and high scan speeds. The size of droplets in the balling region tended to increase with increasing laser power and decreasing scan speeds. The porosity in gold multi‐layer parts was found to be the minimum for a laser power of 50 W and scan speed of 65 mm/s where most of the porosity was found to be inter‐layer porosity.

Originality/value

This research is the first of its kind directly processing 24 carat gold using SLM, identifying the suitable processing parameters and its effect on the internal porosity and structure of multi‐layer parts.
Gender and business ownership: questioning “what” and “why”
Authors: Díaz‐García M. Cristina , Brush Candida
Published: January 2012

Purpose

To date, comparisons of performance in male and female businesses show contradictory results, although the majority of evidence is drawn from Anglo‐Saxon countries. This study aims to explore the effects of gender on business performance in a sample of Spanish firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper extends previous work with a quantitative analysis of effects of gender on performance. In‐depth interviews yield insights on how gender impacts performance.

Findings

The quantitative analysis shows that gender has a simple effect on performance, but it is less robust when other factors are included in the model. Furthermore, this relationship is more complex, since gender has an indirect and moderating effect on performance. The results indicate possible sources of gender differences and suggest factors that require further investigation with a qualitative approach. This analysis expands our understanding in two ways: first, by suggesting that we have to make sense of businesses through another lens, and second, by implying that we have to be aware that we can find heterogeneity among women.

Research limitations/implications

Performance differences are due to differences in women's assessment of performance and/or their socio‐economic positioning. The premises of mainstream theories should be questioned in order to develop gender research.

Originality/value

The study answers the call of using mixed methods to gain insights that lead to a cumulative knowledge in this area.
Cases of start‐up financing
Authors: Atherton Andrew
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to understand the dynamics of new venture financing across 20 business start‐ups.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 20 cases were explored, via initial discussions with the founder(s), and follow‐up contact to confirm sources of financing acquired during new venture creation. This approach was adopted because of the challenges associated with acquiring full details of start‐up financing, and in particular informal forms of new venture financing.

Findings

Significant variation in, and scale of, new venture financing was identified. In multiple cases, funding patterns did not tally with established explanations of small business financing.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitation of the analysis is the focus on a small number of individual cases. Although this allowed for more detailed analysis, it does not make the findings applicable across the small business population as a whole. New ventures acquired very different forms of finance, and in different configurations or “bundles”, so creating a wide range of start‐up financing patterns and overall levels of capitalisation. This suggests that multiple factors influence founder decisions on start‐up funding acquisition. It also indicates the wide divergence between highly capitalised and under‐capitalised start‐ups.

Practical implications

Many of the new ventures were started with low levels of capitalisation, which as the literature suggests is a strong determinant of reduced prospects for survival. This suggests a possible “financing deficit”, rather than gap, for a proportion of business start‐ups.

Originality/value

The paper provides an alternative methodology for considering new venture financing, and as a result concludes that standard, rational theories of small business financing may not always hold for new ventures.
A resource‐based taxonomy of manufacturing MSMEs
Authors: Andersén Jim
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a contemporary resource‐based taxonomy of manufacturing micro, small, and medium‐sized enterprises (MSMEs) and to relate the findings to other small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) taxonomies and to resource‐based theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Cluster analysis of 186 Swedish manufacturing MSMEs. The cluster analysis is based on resources and capabilities. The cluster variables were identified through case studies and a literature review of contemporary studies in resource‐based theory.

Findings

The cluster analysis resulted in identification of six different clusters: Ikeas, conservatives, technocrats, marketeers, craftsmen, and nomads. The results are related to other SME taxonomies and the usefulness of going beyond the one‐dimensional scale of entrepreneurs and non‐entrepreneurs is discussed.

Originality/value

Classifications of firms, for example the Miles and Snow typology, have been used successfully in numerous studies. Also, the resource‐based view of the firm has had a great impact on business research and there has been increasing interest in MSMEs. However, there are very few contemporary resource‐based taxonomies of MSMEs.
Multiple standards and critical masses, and the formation of new industries
Authors: Funk Jeffrey L.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze standard setting and how a critical mass of users emerged in an industry in which multiple interface standards co‐exist and a critical mass of users was created multiple times.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on research conducted for almost ten years using the case study approach. Data were gathered through more than 100 interviews with Japanese firms and through analyses of published sources.

Findings

The paper finds that growth in mobile internet services required agreements on multiple interface standards where some of these interface standards exhibited interdependencies and thus required integral design, while others have been built on top of these “basic” interface standards. Agreements on the former interface standards enable basic data connections between phones, services, and content and this required integral design. The latter interface standards connect the mobile phone with content and applications from other industries (e.g. music, video, publishing, broadcasting, and payment) and each critical mass of phones, services, and content for them partly builds from previously created critical masses.

Research limitations/implications

The research focused on a single industry in a single country.

Practical implications

This paper helps scholars and practitioners better understand how interface standards and critical masses for them emerge.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to analyze multiple interface standards in a single industry and the emergence of a critical mass of users or complementary products for these standards.
A cross‐level analysis of organizational creativity climate and perceived innovation
Authors: Yeh‐Yun Lin Carol , Liu Feng‐Chuan
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The concept that creativity climate facilitates innovation outcome is well‐received, yet it has not been widely tested in non‐Western countries. To fill the gap between concept and practical value, this study adopted the eight‐dimensional model of organizational creativity climate proposed by Amabile and associates with the aim of investigating the cross‐level relationship between creativity climate and employee‐perceived innovation in an Asian work place, i.e. Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data of 398 employees from different companies of Taiwan, the effect of organizational creativity climate on innovation was explored. Furthermore, the mediating effect of employees' work motivation was also examined.

Findings

By employing hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), statistical analysis indicates that 27 percent variance of perceived innovation could potentially be explained by creativity climate. Five out of the eight dimensions, namely, organizational encouragement, supervisory encouragement, work group support, sufficient resource and challenging work, relate significantly to perceived innovation with the mediation of work motivation.

Research limitations/implications

As most companies are reluctant to reveal their objective innovation data, the authors had to rely on self‐reported data that are inevitably subjective in nature. Moreover, the fact that only 13 organizations were sampled may weaken the generalizability of the findings to more diverse business contexts.

Originality/value

The findings of this study contribute to advancing organizational climate research and innovation management in a non‐Western country. In addition, by surveying this topic in an innovation‐active context, i.e. Taiwan, this study uncovers rich information on organizational creativity issues for interested parties and for future research.
Learning processes, their impact on innovation performance and the moderating role of radicalness
Authors: Hernandez‐Espallardo Miguel , Molina‐Castillo Francisco‐Jose , Rodriguez‐Orejuela Augusto
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This study aims to extend the proposal of Holmqvist with regard to organisational processes of learning and their impact on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey of 187 firms, the paper shows that certain organisational processes of learning are related to innovation performance. Further, it investigates the moderating role of product radicalness on such relationships.

Findings

Based on a survey of 187 firms, the paper shows that certain organisational processes of learning are related to innovation performance. Further, it investigates the moderating role of product radicalness on such relationships and proves that the other two types of organisational learning processes are not related to innovation performance.

Originality/value

The innovation performance of collaboration between firms has not received a great deal of attention in the literature. This research paper offers some guidelines on how to obtain great advantages from this collaboration.
The influence of market orientation on new product success
Authors: Kam Sing Wong Stanley , Tong Canon
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This research seeks to investigate key determinants of new product success (NPS) from the perspective of new product development (NPD) team leaders in the electronics industry in China. A model is proposed investigating the interplay among elements of market orientation and the moderating effects of customer and competitor orientations on the relationship between R&D‐Marketing cooperation and NPS.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 217 respondents to an online questionnaire that had been sent to 3,000 potential participants randomly selected from electronics firms across China. Regression analysis was used to analyse the data.

Findings

Results from the research support the hypotheses that NPS is driven by R&D‐Marketing cooperation, customer and competitor orientations. Also, the association between R&D‐Marketing cooperation and NPS is moderated by customer and competitor orientations.

Practical implications

This research confirms the positive role that R&D‐Marketing cooperation plays in NPS and the moderating effects of customer and competitor orientations on the association between R&D‐Marketing cooperation and NPS. The findings are of relevance to management practitioners as developing successful new products has become an ever more pressing issue in the wake of rising labour cost and increasing market competition.

Originality/value

Previous NPD literature has focused primarily on NPD activities in Western and developed countries. This research fills the research gap by identifying the empirical links between R&D‐Marketing cooperation and NPS. It is the first to examine the moderating effects of customer and competitor orientations in the relationship between R&D‐Marketing cooperation and NPS of electronics firms in China.
What are the factors that affect innovation in growing SMEs?
Authors: Heimonen Tomi
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a study aimed at identifying factors that affect the innovativeness of growing small and medium‐sized firms (SMEs). It aims to use intellectual property rights (IPRs) as a proxy for innovations. The IPRs to be used include patents, trademarks, utility models and registered designs.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model was developed and tested on longitudinal sample data representing 348 continuously growing SMEs located in two diverse regions in Finland. The firms in the sample represented various industries. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the data.

Findings

About 8 per cent of the firms in the sample could be defined as innovative growth SMEs. Most of these firms operate in the service and manufacturing sectors. They are small businesses that employ ten to 49 people and are between five and 19 years old. Innovative firms in this class were found to be less likely successful in the short‐term than their non‐innovative counterparts. The results obtained seem to be consistent with the expected preconception that growing IPR‐intensive firms may be subject to greater financial pressures than those that do not produce IPRs. Public research and development (R&D) funding seems to increase the likelihood of innovation.

Practical implications

From a policy perspective, the allocation of resources to R&D has been an appropriate strategy for increasing the amount of IPRs generated by growing SMEs.

Originality/value

This paper reports one of a very small number of studies that have sought to identify and analyse factors that affect innovation in growing SMEs.
Assessing the policy of spectrum trading in the UK
Authors: Akalu Rajen , Diaz Arias Adriana
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an analysis of the UK's experience with spectrum trading using data from Ofcom's transfer notice registry and the UK statutory instrument on spectrum trading.

Design/methodology/approach

The legal framework for spectrum trading is outlined and the data from Ofcom's transfer notice registry is subjected to three analytical techniques: descriptive statistical analysis, a binary logistic regression and volitional pragmatism.

Findings

A descriptive account of the empirical observations associated with spectrum trading shows that most trades (however defined) occur in business radio. A binary logistic regression of the transfer notice registry data demonstrates that trading is more likely to occur where the buyer and seller of a radio license are in the same service/industry. This analysis is inconclusive however due to lack of data. A third analytical technique, volitional pragmatism, suggests that the interdependency inherent in radio communications makes the scope of spectrum trading less workable as a mechanism of co‐ordinating spectrum use and users than previously assumed.

Originality/value

An approach to evaluating the real‐world efficacy of spectrum trading given the operational goals of a national regulatory authority is provided.
Should human resource managers use social media to screen job applicants? Managerial and legal issues in the USA
Authors: Slovensky Ross , Ross William H.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the present paper is to describe managerial and US legal issues associated with using social networking web sites (SNWs) such as Facebook for personnel selection. Managers must consider the benefits and concerns that using such information presents.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies issues based on the academic literature, theoretical concepts, and current managerial and legal developments as reported in the popular and business press.

Findings

Using SNWs to screen applicants offers benefits to organizations in the form of gaining a large amount of information about applicants, which may be used to supplement other information (e.g. a resume). It may also help a firm address “negligent hiring” legal concerns. However, other legal considerations as well as issues pertaining to information accuracy, privacy, and justice argue against using such information.

Research limitations/implications

Throughout the paper, topics are raised which may guide future research.

Practical implications

By recognizing both the advantages and disadvantages of using SNW information for applicant screening, managers can make an informed decision as to whether they wish to use this screening method; if so, managers can devise policies that provide the firm with appropriate information while respecting applicant privacy, and complying with US legal and ethical expectations.

Originality/value

While much has been written about SNWs, little has been written from an academic perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of accessing applicants' SNWs. The present paper reviews the literature from a variety of disciplines and identifies important issues for researchers and managers.
Genre analysis of bookmarked webpages
Authors: Montesi Michela
Published: January 2012

Purpose

A total of 17 user‐compiled collections of webpages, comprising 833 bookmarked links in terms of genre, are studied. The purpose of this paper is to find out whether users tend to bookmark certain web genres more than others. Genre theory helps to make sense of the different pages included in these collections, and to classify them, according to their communicative purpose and salient non‐topical features, into blogs, search interfaces, articles, tutorials.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 17 participants took part in the research by providing their collections of bookmark links. They were also interviewed about the reasons for bookmarking and to comment on their collections. Relying on the interview results and on the previous literature, the bookmarks were classified into four super‐genres: main or access pages, transactional pages, navigational pages, and content pages.

Findings

The results of the classification into web genres revealed a clear tendency to bookmark main pages, such as homepages, which accounted for 42 per cent of all bookmarked web links. Moreover, some aspects of relevance were highlighted such as the connections to use, time, and context, as well as to the main web activity (browsing or searching).

Originality/value

Previously, bookmarks have mostly been studied as tools for information reuse, but very rarely as sources of implicit relevance feedback. In addition, from the point of view of genre theory, this research shows the importance of relating web genres to users' intentions behind queries.
The relationship between employee involvement, partnership management and supply performance
Authors: Vanichchinchai Assadej
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the relationships among employee involvement, partnership management, and a firm's supply performance in the automotive industry in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The measurement instruments for employee involvement, partnership management and a firm's supply performance were developed based on an extensive literature review, and validated by experts. They were pilot‐tested, and analyzed using various statistical techniques to ensure reliability and validity in structural equation modeling constructs. A hypothesized model was tested through path analysis.

Findings

The study found that the measurements of employee involvement, partnership management, and a firm's supply performance are reliable and valid for Thailand's automotive industry. Employee involvement has not only a significant direct positive impact on partnership management and firm's supply performance, but also a significant indirect positive impact on a firm's supply performance through partnership management.

Research limitations/implications

The distribution of paper‐based questionnaires was a convenience sample. Although data from a sample of 211 companies was collected, only 19 percent of them provided more than one response. Future research should apply different random sampling methods, and investigate the reasons for and ways to improve the low multiple‐response rate.

Practical implications

The findings are beneficial to managers in the automotive industry in developing countries who want to improve partnership management and supply performance through employee involvement.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to examine the linkage among internal employee involvement, external partnership management, and a firm's supply performance in the automotive industry in a newly industrialized country such as Thailand. It can be used in further research on the new concept of supply chain quality management.
Identifying productivity blemishes in Pakistan automotive industry: a case study
Authors: Zahoor Sarwar Sheikh , Ishaque Azam , Ehsan Nadeem , Saeed Pirzada Danial , Moeen Nasir Zafar
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to identify the prevalent condition of productivity in the automotive manufacturing industry of Pakistan and to indicate the possible areas for enhancing productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data for the last ten years were gathered. Total productivity and all partial productivities were computed using methodology proposed by Sumanth, and total factor productivity (TFP) was computed using Cobb‐Douglas production function. Regression analysis and Pearson correlations were run to determine labor elasticity and capital elasticity.

Findings

Results indicated very low levels of labor productivity and capital productivity, resulting in huge losses and stagnant growth of these firms. Increasing returns to scales (IRTS) with high values of labor elasticity and low and even negative value of capital elasticity were computed. Low values of TFP showed minimal utilization of technology in these firms.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of this research is that only two automotive manufacturing companies of Pakistan i.e. Honda Atlas and Indus Motors were targeted, which limits the generalizability of findings.

Practical implications

Findings of this research revealed that effective utilization of technology can enhance the productivity of Pakistani manufacturing firms significantly. IRTS with high values of labor elasticity and low value of capital elasticity depict the areas of productivity enhancement.

Originality/value

In Pakistan not enough effort has been put into measuring the productivity of manufacturing industry. The contribution of this paper is that it indicates the productivity blemishes in this industry and also the areas of focus for productivity enhancement.
Monitoring quality goals through lean Six‐Sigma insures competitiveness
Authors: Gupta Vipul , Acharya Padmanav , Patwardhan Manoj
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This case seeks to illustrate the specific problem of excessive defects in radial tyres produced in a renowned tyre manufacturing company in India. This paper aims to show how lean Six‐Sigma methodology can be used to tackle the specific issues like defects reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The management took this problem on top priority as it is eroding their brand value and financial performance. A Mumbai‐based lean Six‐Sigma consulting group was approached to tackle the issue. One of the authors, who is pursuing research on determinants of successful lean manufacturing implementation in Indian industries, joined this project as a part of his field study and he spent considerable time in discussing and observing the issue with people of different hierarchical levels of the company. Lean Six‐Sigma methodologies were incorporated and the problem was evaluated with root‐cause analysis. This case is formulated on the basis of the initial findings of the study in an Indian tyre manufacturing organisation keeping the actual name of the company in disguise.

Findings

On the basis root‐cause analysis of the radial tyre manufacturing process, it was found that presence of foreign particles in the manufacturing environment, under‐ageing and over‐ageing of tyre components, and inefficient bead winding process, were the main culprits of defects. It was confirmed that lean Six‐Sigma methodology can serve as a major tool to reduce defects in the tyre manufacturing process in India.

Originality/value

This paper provides some key insights to the successful adoption of lean Six‐Sigma tools in an Indian industrial environment, where lean practices are still in the very nascent stage and very little literature is available in this context.
Leadership performance is significant to project success or failure: a critical analysis
Authors: Nixon Phil , Harrington Megan , Parker David
Published: January 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to review the current literature in order to explore how performance of leadership in project management determines project outcomes. The specific causes of project success or failure have been an area of much debate in the project management literature. Performance of leadership has been cited as a critical success factor, determining either the success or failure of a project.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review has been undertaken to explore our understanding of how project leadership performance impacts on project outcome.

Findings

The mechanisms through which leadership may impact on outcomes are considered. Implications include the need for project managers to prioritize training in leadership skills, and the need for continuous professional improvement to enhance leadership outcomes. No single leadership model is appropriate throughout the duration of the project. Performance, therefore, must be modified to align with the stages of the project duration.

Research limitations/implications

While the literature has given meaningful insights into leadership of projects, there has been little research into performance management of project leadership. The work is the basis of developing a research agenda and establishing a conceptual framework. The opportunity exists, based on this work, for carrying out research on project leadership performance and its effect on project outcomes.

Practical implications

Insightful learning has been achieved into project leadership and the failing of practitioners in appropriate training and development at various stages of the projects life cycle.

Social implications

Projects and project‐based management, delivered nationally and internationally, are of significant importance to organizations. Increasing understanding of the implications of leadership performance, therefore, is of critical importance.

Originality/value

The literature review has identified significant limitation in project leadership performance management. It is anticipated that this work will trigger further research.
Market conditions driving international franchising in emerging markets
Authors: Baena Verónica
Published: January 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a model that explores various possible determining factors in the rate of franchising among emerging nations. Emerging markets are some of the fastest growing economies in the world; moreover, the countries they represent are undergoing substantial economic transformations. Yet despite all this, little is known about the factors influencing country selection for expansion into these markets. In an attempt to enhance the knowledge that managers and scholars have on franchising expansion, the present study examines how market conditions may constrain diffusion of franchising into emerging markets. They are: geographical distance; cultural distance; uncertainty avoidance; individualism; political stability, and corruption. The author also controlled for gross domestic product, the efficiency of contract enforcement, and nascent entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative approach applied to a sample of 63 Spanish franchisors with 2,836 franchisee outlets operating across the emerging countries.

Findings

Results conclude that geographical distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, political stability, corruption, gross domestic product, efficiency of contract enforcement, and nascent entrepreneurship are able to constrain the spread of franchising across emerging nations.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides readers with a general overview of the current state of global franchising diffusion overseas. Results obtained in this study are useful for understanding and predicting the demand for franchising in emerging countries.

Practical implications

The present manuscript develops and tests a model that can be useful not only to academics interested in broadening their knowledge regarding global franchising, but also to firm managers wanting to establish new outlets in emerging nations. Thus, franchisors may use the results of this study as a starting point for identifying the emerging regions whose characteristics best meet their needs of expansion.

Originality/value

This paper explores how certain market conditions may drive international diffusion of franchising into emerging markets. The scant theoretical or empirical attention given to this topic has usually been examined from a US base and focused on developed markets. To fill this gap, the present study analyzes the international spread of the Spanish franchise system, which since 2008 has ranked fifth worldwide in terms of both the number of franchisors and the quantity of franchisee outlets across emerging markets.