bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing relational capabilities in hotels
Authors: Rodríguez‐Díaz Manuel , Espino‐Rodríguez Tomás F.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to show that relational capabilities is a topic of interest for the competitiveness of hotel companies. This paper aims to present a methodology based on the analysis of processes in order to create and strengthen relational capabilities and proposes a model with three dimensions that jointly analyzes this phenomenon in relation to the outsourcing of activities and the collateral relationships maintained between different hotels.

Design/methodology/approach

Creates a methodology to rethink the relationships between the hotel company, its suppliers and other hotels in the same tourist destination. The creation of relational capabilities necessarily requires the hotel to study and analyze the following stages: internal analysis of resources and capabilities; relational analysis of activities; and process integration. A model is also proposed to analyze this question.

Findings

The development of relational capabilities in outsourcing is based on the level of competence of the service companies and on the strategic contribution of the activities, with four cases analyzed: high competence and low strategic contribution; low competence and high strategic contribution; low competence and low strategic value; and relational and internal capabilities. The joint analysis of the outsourcing relationships and collateral relationships among hotels adds a third dimension of process integration, with four possibilities: non‐core activities and low collateral processes integration; core activities and low collateral processes integration; non‐core activities and high collateral process integration; and core activities and high collateral processes integration.

Practical implications

A short self‐assessment questionnaire is developed that may help hotels to implement the methodology, as well as to create the basis for the empirical application by researchers in hospitality management.

Originality/value

The paper studies the possibilities of developing relational capabilities in the sector. It also determines the process to be followed in order to develop relational capabilities in the outsourcing of activities and in collateral relationships between hotels.
Backpacking and hostel‐picking: an analysis from Canada
Authors: Hecht Jo‐Anne , Martin David
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This research paper aims to better understand the characteristics of backpackers who stay at hostels in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada, and their current service preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected by carrying out interviews with 20 experienced backpackers from seven countries. As a result, 15 critical backpackers' requirements were identified and used as the base for the questionnaire developed for the next phase of field research. At this phase, 385 backpackers from 35 countries completed the questionnaires.

Findings

The backpackers cannot be treated as a homogeneous group, and there are differences due to demographics of gender, age and country of origin. The traditional youth tourist backpacker (15‐25 years of age) viewed backpacking as more a social and cultural experience than the transition backpacker (26‐29 years of age) or contemporary backpacker (30 years of age and older). As age increased, so did the backpacker's desire and willingness to pay for privacy. Asian and North/South Americans required more hotel type services than Australians and Europeans.

Originality/value

In conclusion, the paper provides hostels in GTA with future directions grouped as four key factors.
The competency model of hospitality service: why it doesn't deliver
Authors: Chapman Judith Ann , Lovell Genevieve
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advance discussion of the efficacy of the current Australian competency training framework for credentialing and preparing front‐line employees for the hospitality and tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Discussion focuses on the hospitality service encounter and the skills and competencies needed by front‐line employees to satisfy customers. Attributes different meanings to the term “skill” and explains how skill is conceptualized within the Australian competency framework. Illustrates this with examples.

Findings

Argues that the competency framework largely excludes key skills and attitudinal factors needed for competent performance, while emphasizing limited procedural skills at minimal levels of performance. Suggests that, due to its complexity and high staff turnover, the industry needs a more robust approach to credentialing and training its workforce.

Research limitations/implications

Focus is on issues confronting the hospitality and tourism industry in Australia. May be useful for comparison purposes for those interested in training and service delivery systems. Implies that research is needed on the nexus between the service encounter and the competencies needed by employees.

Practical implications

Suggests approaches to developing industry and organizational capacity in three areas: analysis and review of skills; professional approach to job selection and placement; strategic approach to developing employees and supervisors in front‐line positions.

Originality/value

Clearly identifies shortcomings in the current framework. Links the service encounter with skills and competencies. Provides diagnostic questions for senior management to review their attitudes towards developing junior staff.
Interacting standards: a basic element in logistics networks
Authors: Fabbe‐Costes Nathalie , Jahre Marianne , Rouquet Aurélien
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Logisticians have always viewed standards as solutions for improving operational compatibility and coordination. This paper aims to contribute to a greater understanding of how standards, upon which logistics systems are designed, developed and coordinated, interact with each other and with other resources in a logistics network for the purpose of improving efficiency and effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature review permits: defining standards as a coordination mechanism focusing on development, use and evolution of interconnected standards; pointing out the importance of standards for logistics efficiency and effectiveness; and analysis of interrelatedness referring to increasing returns, basic technology and dominant design. The empirical evidence is based on a meta‐case from the automobile industry with information collected from nine case studies based on observations, documents, drafts of standards and interviews.

Findings

The case study illustrates major points in prior literature and provides new propositions that enrich the theory and have important managerial implications. Main findings include a better understanding of how standards interact over time, and how they help, as well as hinder technological development in logistics networks. Being exploratory in nature, the paper concludes with theoretical propositions for further research.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the understanding of an issue is been important, but still not much addressed in prior logistics literature: the use of standards. The combining of literature from three streams of research: logistics, industrial networks and technology development provides interesting insight on which the case analysis is based and from which further research can be developed.
Optimization model for a livestock collection problem
Authors: Gribkovskaia Irina , Gullberg Bjørn O. , Hovden Karl J. , Wallace Stein W.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The value chain of the Norwegian meat production industry has recently been through major structural changes resulting in increased flows and transportation needs at all levels. The purpose of this paper is to present results of the initial stage of a five‐year research project between the Norwegian Meat Research Centre, Norwegian meat companies and Molde University College. The main goal of the project is to develop a decision support system for the transport of live animals to a slaughterhouse to reduce transportation costs while maintaining high level of livestock welfare and meat quality, as these are three main factors for the profitability of both farmers and industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a mixed integer programming model that combines vehicle routing and inventory control. We introduce the possibility for multiple routes for a given vehicle on a given day in a multiple‐period planning perspective. Arrival times of the loaded vehicles to the slaughterhouse are controlled by production (slaughter) rate and inventory level at the abattoirs so that the supply of animals for slaughter is steady and production breaks are avoided. Livestock welfare is secured by the route duration constraints.

Findings

The model has been formulated and tested on small data sets. The major future challenge is to solve real‐life problems from the involved companies.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is the present inability to solve large cases.

Originality/value

The model combining transportation and inventory control in a setting of animal welfare constraints is original.
Exploring value through integrated service solutions
Authors: De Kervenoael Ronan , Soopramanien Didier , Elms Jonathan , Hallsworth Alan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the need for an improved understanding of consumer value for online grocery purchases and to propose the notion of “integrated service solution” packages as a strategy for growing and successfully sustaining the channel to guide both marketing strategy and policy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper integrates and synthesises research from retailing, consumer behaviour and service quality literatures in order to develop a conceptual framework for understanding the value of e‐grocery shopping to aid practitioners to address the critical needs, expectations and concerns of consumers for the development of grocery shopping within the online environment.

Findings

This paper offers an alternative approach to allow e‐grocery to become a mainstream retail channel in its own right and not to compete with the in‐store offerings. The research demonstrates the need for a progressive approach that follows contemporary consumer needs and habits at the household level. The conjecture is that shopping for fast‐moving consumer goods follows a learning path that needs to be replicated in the online context. Moreover, it is suggested that consumer resistance to the adoption of the new channel should be addressed not only from a technological perspective but also from the social aspects of online shopping.

Originality/value

The research provides a practical framework for both retailers and policy makers on how the “next generation” of online services can be developed using a “bottom up” consumer perspective. This paper also advocates a non‐technological bias to e‐grocery retailing strategy.
Managing healthcare quality using logical framework analysis
Authors: Dey Prasanta Kumar , Hariharan Seetharaman , Brookes Naomi
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated quality management model that identifies problems, suggests solutions, develops a framework for implementation and helps to evaluate dynamically healthcare service performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the logical framework analysis (LFA) to improve the performance of healthcare service processes. LFA has three major steps – problems identification, solution derivation, and formation of a planning matrix for implementation. LFA has been applied in a case‐study environment to three acute healthcare services (Operating Room utilisation, Accident and Emergency, and Intensive Care) in order to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Findings

The paper finds that LFA is an effective method of quality management of hospital‐based healthcare services.

Research limitations/implications

This study shows LFA application in three service processes in one hospital. This very limited population sample needs to be extended.

Practical implications

The proposed model can be implemented in hospital‐based healthcare services in order to improve performance. It may also be applied to other services.

Originality/value

Quality improvement in healthcare services is a complex and multi‐dimensional task. Although various quality management tools are routinely deployed for identifying quality issues in healthcare delivery, they are not without flaws. There is an absence of an integrated approach, which can identify and analyse issues, provide solutions to resolve those issues, develop a project management framework to implement those solutions. This study introduces an integrated and uniform quality management tool for healthcare services.
An inverse source problem for the convection‐diffusion equation
Authors: Rap A. , Elliott L. , Ingham D.B. , Lesnic D. , Wen X.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To develop a numerical technique for solving the inverse source problem associated with the constant coefficients convection‐diffusion equation.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed numerical technique is based on the boundary element method (BEM) combined with an iterative sequential quadratic programming (SQP) procedure. The governing convection‐diffusion equation is transformed into a Helmholtz equation and the ill‐conditioned system of equations that arises after the application of the BEM is solved using an iterative technique.

Findings

The iterative BEM presented in this paper is well‐suited for solving inverse source problems for convection‐diffusion equations with constant coefficients. Accurate and stable numerical solutions were obtained for cases when the number of sources is correctly estimated, overestimated, or underestimated, and with both exact and noisy input data.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed numerical method is limited to cases when the Péclet number is smaller than 100. Future approaches should include the application of the BEM directly to the convection‐diffusion equation.

Practical implications

Applications of the results presented in this paper can be of value in practical applications in both heat and fluid flow as they show that locations and strengths for an unknown number of point sources can be accurately found by using boundary measurements only.

Originality/value

The BEM has not as yet been employed for solving inverse source problems related with the convection‐diffusion equation. This study is intended to approach this problem by combining the BEM formulation with an iterative technique based on the SQP method. In this way, the many advantages of the BEM can be applied to inverse source convection‐diffusion problems.
Solid velocity correction schemes for a temperature transforming model for convection phase change
Authors: Ma Zhanhua , Zhang Yuwen
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To study the effects of velocity correction schemes for a temperature transforming model (TTM) for convection controlled solid‐liquid phase‐change problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of three different solid velocity correction schemes, the ramped switch‐off method (RSOM), the ramped source term method (RSTM) and the variable viscosity method (VVM), on a TTM for numerical simulation of convection controlled solid‐liquid phase‐change problems are investigated in this paper. The comparison is accomplished by analyzing numerical simulation and experimental results of a convection/diffusion phase‐change problem in a rectangular cavity. Model consistency of the discretized TTM is also examined in this paper. The simulation results using RSOM, RSTM and VVM in TTM are compared with experimental results.

Findings

In order to efficiently use the discretized TTM model and obtain convergent and reasonable results, a grid size must be chosen with a suitable time step (which should not be too small). Applications of RSOM and RSTM‐TTM yield identical results which are more accurate than VVM.

Originality/value

This paper provides generalized guidelines about the solid velocity correction scheme and criteria for selection of time step/grid size for the convection controlled phase change problem.
Finite element analysis for co‐current and counter‐current parallel flow three‐fluid heat exchanger
Authors: Saeid Nawaf H. , Seetharamu K.N.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To study the thermal performance of both co‐current and counter‐current parallel flow heat exchangers. The hot stream is assumed to flow in the middle of two cold streams and exchange heat with them.

Design/methodology/approach

The dimensionless governing equations are derived based on the conservation of energy principle and solved using FEM based on subdomain collocation method and Galerkin's method. The results show that the subdomain collocation method is more accurate than the Galerkin's method, as observed when the results obtained are compared with the analytical results for the classical two‐fluid heat exchangers.

Findings

The results are presented in terms of effectiveness and number of transfer units (Ntu) for different values of the governing parameters. The governing parameters are the Ntu, the heat capacity ratios, the overall heat transfer coefficient ratio, and the inlet temperatures parameter. The results show that the effectiveness of the three‐fluid heat exchanger is always higher than that of classical two‐fluid flow heat exchanger for fixed values of the governing parameters. The results also show that for fixed values of the governing parameters, the effectiveness of the counter‐current is higher than the co‐current parallel flow three‐fluid heat exchangers.

Research limitations/implications

One‐dimensional governing equations are derived based on the conservation of energy principle. The ranges of the governing parameters are: Ntu (0:5), the heat capacity ratios (0:1,000), the overall heat transfer coefficient ratio (0:2), and the inlet temperatures parameter (0:1).

Practical implications

Both co‐current and counter‐current parallel flow heat exchangers are used in the thermal engineering applications. The design and performance analysis of these heat exchangers are of practical importance.

Originality/value

This paper provides the details of the performance analysis of co‐current and counter‐current parallel flow heat exchangers, which can be used in thermal design.
Relationship between thermal convection intensity and aspect ratio of two triangular cavities inscribed in horizontal rectangular cavities
Authors: Hassan Ridouane El , Campo Antonio
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Sets out to discuss laminar free convection characteristics of air confined to a square cavity and a horizontal rectangular cavity (aspect ratio A=2) along with the viable isosceles triangular cavities and right‐angle triangular cavities that may be inscribed inside the two original cavities.

Design/methodology/approach

The three distinct cavities shared the base wall as the heated wall, while the remaining sides and upper walls are cold. The finite volume method is used to perform the numerical computation of the transient conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy. The methodology takes into account the second‐order‐accurate quick scheme for the discretization of the convective term, whereas the pressure‐velocity coupling is handled with the simple scheme. The working fluid is air, which is not assumed as a Boussinesqian gas, so that all influencing thermophysical properties of air are taken as temperature‐dependent. The cavity problem is examined over a variety of height‐based Grashof numbers ranging from 103 to 106.

Findings

Numerical results are reported for the velocity fields, the temperature field as well as the local and mean wall heat fluxes along the heated base wall. It was found that the airflow remains symmetric for the isosceles triangular cavity with aspect ratio A=1 even at high Grashof numbers. In contrast, for an isosceles triangular cavity with an aspect ratio A=2, a pitchfork bifurcation begins to form at a critical Grashof number of 2 × 105, breaking the airflow symmetry. The computed local and mean heat fluxes along the hot base wall are compared for the three configurations under study and the corresponding maximum heat transfer levels are clearly identified for the two aspect ratios A=1 and 2.

Research limitations/implications

As a continuity of this work, there are two avenues that future research could explore and indeed are presently being explored by the authors within these geometries. The first deals with heat transfer enhancement using mixture of gases. The second is to re‐examine the problem under turbulent conditions.

Originality/value

The present study seeks to maximize the convection heat transport in cavities and minimize their sizes. The peculiarity of the derived cavities is their cross‐section area being half of the cross‐section area of the basic cavities.
Women in management: perspectives from the European Academy of Management
Authors: Broadbridge Adelina , Hearn Jeff
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To introduce the special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief description of the Gender and Management track at the European Academy of Management Conference and an outline of the papers in the issue.

Findings

The track examined various issues and the papers chosen from the track for the special issue are closest to the central concerns of the journal.

Originality/value

Provides a summary of the perspectives considered.
Where are the women in leadership in Australia?
Authors: Still Leonie V.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the current representational position of women in leadership in Australia, using management and board appointments as the relevant domains.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses past and current official government statistics as the source of information.

Findings

The review reveals that despite 30 years of considerable legislative, policy and social change in the equity area, women have not attained leadership positions in any significant numbers in Australia. Their position vis‐à‐vis women in other developed countries is also not at the cutting‐edge. There is no one reason as to why this is so, although a lack of line management and profit centre experience is currently being touted as a major drawback. The paper suggests that other factors, such as Australia's “macho” culture and lack of acceptance of women as leaders, women's ways of communicating in the workplace, overall changes in the workplace, and generational change, also need discussion and debate. The paper recommends that governments, both Federal and State, re‐engage in the equity area for further progress to take place in women's representation in leadership. Otherwise, women's leadership representation may continue to have low penetration in the workplace.

Originality/value

Gives a current snapshot of women's leadership status in Australia, a fact not well known or understood by women probably because of newer emphasis on “work and family” policies.
Indian Ocean tsunami and aftermath
Authors: Shaw Rajib
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide an overview on two specific issues of reconstruction process: environment disaster linkage, and cross‐learning among affected countries. The paper also demonstrates a unique community‐based reconstruction program in three affected countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Two approaches are adopted in the paper: one, description of salient features of past reconstruction process, roles of different stakeholders, and vulnerability reduction – human security context. The other part is description of a specific program highlighting its goal, objective, scope and activities. Focus is given on the community‐based reconstruction process with in‐depth analysis, followed by the dissemination of the results to wider communities.

Findings

The major finding of the paper is that the reconstruction process should be considered as development opportunity, and should be linked to vulnerability reduction measures of the community, which, in long term, will lead to enhancement of human security.

Research limitations/implications

The long‐term impact of the reconstruction process is yet to be verified. It will remain as future challenge how the community‐based initiatives are linked to policy and plans of the government.

Practical implications

The paper describes field‐based reconstruction process in three countries, which are implemented in cooperation with local communities and local non‐government organizations. Thus, the findings of the paper are directly related to its practical implications.

Originality/value

The original part of the paper is that it highlights two very important issues of the reconstruction process. The paper also provides detail description of the innovative community‐based reconstruction process. It gives a unique analysis to link reconstruction process with vulnerability reduction and enhancement of human security.
Earthquake and tsunami questionnaires in Banda Aceh and surrounding areas
Authors: Iemura Hirokazu , Takahashi Yoshikazu , Harris Pradono Mulyo , Sukamdo Pariatmono , Kurniawan Rudi
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The paper aims to study the effects of the tsunami that affected Banda Aceh in 2004.

Design/methodology/approach

During a survey by Japanese researchers in Banda Aceh and surrounding areas in Indonesia after the great Sumatra earthquake, questionnaires were distributed to the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami. The purpose of the questionnaires was to collect information of what happened and what were expected by the affected people to be safe against future earthquake and tsunami. The questionnaires consisted of questions asking their experience during and after the earthquake and tsunami.

Findings

One important result of the questionnaires shows that even if people had started running away just after the big earthquake, the percentage of expected survivors would have been less than 100 percent.

Originality/value

The paper shows that education, socialization (software) and escape structures, warning system, wave resisting structures (hardware) are important factors for people to be safer against future earthquake and tsunami attacks.
Compounded loss: the post tsunami recovery experience of Indian island communities
Authors: Gupta Manu , Sharma Anshu
Published: July 2006

Purpose

It has been observed in a number of recent disasters, and most evidently after the South Asian tsunami, that remote, underdeveloped, and most vulnerable communities take the longest to recover, in‐spite of an abundance of resources available for supporting them. The loss compounding approach of analysing the tsunami impact is a useful way of identifying those factors within the recovery process that need attention for helping affected communities get rehabilitated in a better and faster manner. The paper seeks to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at how and why the recovery process has been slower and less efficient in the tsunami affected small island communities of India as compared to the mainland communities. This is further analysed in terms of the physical, social and environmental impacts and their recovery aspects.

Findings

The paper identifies good governance and social capital as important elements for ensuring equitable recovery processes, and for ensuring appropriate capacity building in marginalised and highly vulnerable communities.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the discussed approach and findings are two pronged: governance needs to be responsive to community systems; and communities need to tap into their social capital to enhance their local coping capacities. Participation is a primary element in achieving these goals. Participation is a crucial element of governance to ensure that it is responsive, locally relevant, and accountable to specific needs of less represented communities. At the same time, it is also a critical process that enables local realilsation of needs and contexts, and creates an environment of capacity building at the grassroot level.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the continuing lack of recognition of the importance of local coping capacities, with no appreciation of the fact that rehabilitation needs to be based on local resources, determined by local capacities, and decided by local communities.
Reputational disaster in Phuket: the secondary impact of the tsunami on inbound tourism
Authors: Ichinosawa Jumpei
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To provide a theoretical perspective on and an empirical understanding of the decline in Phuket's tourism, the secondary impact of the 2004 tsunami.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on qualitative field research intermittently conducted between February and July 2005, this paper describes the process and mechanism of this secondary impact (the reputational disaster) in Phuket. The main data sources are semi‐structured interviews with Thai and Japanese workers at hotels, restaurants and tour operating companies.

Findings

In the disaster‐stricken beach resorts of Thailand the effects of the tsunami can be seen as a long‐term socioeconomic phenomenon. The decrease in the number of tourists has brought about serious stagnation in the regional economy. The post‐tsunami tourism decline is a complex process involving risk‐induced stigmatization of the region and historically embedded vulnerabilities in the local society.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not provide quantitative data and analysis. The research should be treated as pilot‐research for further study.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the secondary socioeconomic effects of the tsunami in this tourism‐oriented area. This topic has as yet only been briefly examined. In addition, the concept of “reputational disaster” is introduced so as to expand the perspective of the risk‐induced stigmatization model based on a social amplification of risk framework.
Tales from the margins: small fishers in post‐tsunami Thailand
Authors: Lebel Louis , Khrutmuang Supaporn , Manuta Jesse
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To critically examine how the post‐tsunami recovery process has affected the livelihoods of small fisher communities in southern Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was carried out as part of on‐going work with small fisher communities in southern Thailand. It was based on direct observations and interviews in fishing communities and following decision‐making processes through attending meetings and reviewing secondary reports.

Findings

The Indian Ocean tsunami had immediate devastating and longer‐term debilitating consequences for small fisher communities in southern Thailand. Delays in repairing or replacing boats have had a major impact on well‐being. The tsunami by removing housing and other coastal infrastructure also created opportunities for both social and ecological reorganization. These opportunities were seized upon by powerful interests groups with already strong connections to state through membership in taskforces and other links to power, in particular the tourism and conservation sectors to the detriment of interests of small fishers. A narrow focus on tourism‐led recovery is unlikely to do anything but recover tourism.

Practical implications

As a marginalized and vulnerable group small fishers need to be directly involved in negotiations around disaster recovery programmes and setting priorities for future regional development in southern Thailand.

Originality/value

This study draws attention to persistent problems in the disaster recovery programs in Thailand that have left small fisher communities in a perilous condition.
Tsunami construction risks in the Mediterranean – outlining Malta's scenario
Authors: Camilleri Denis H.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To provide data on the tsunami hazard of the Mediterranean region, to outline the Maltese Islands specific tsunami risks.

Design/methodology/approach

The physics of tsunami and the tsunami magnitude scales are first introduced. The Mediterranean tsunami characteristics are introduced by reference to sources (1962‐2003). Following this the Mediterranean tsunami vulnerability assessment is undertaken. This then narrows down to assessing the Maltese tsunami hazards with reference to various newspaper articles, with finally a risk assessment for Malta tsunami exposure calculated.

Findings

Considering the high loss of life occurring in the Indian Ocean catastrophic tsunami, tsunami awareness hazards are to be kept ongoing whilst Malta should form part of an expected European Tsunami Warning System.

Practical implications

Planning is to consider various options available including tsunami barriers, evacuation paths, buildings with vertical evacuation facilities. It would be more prudent to work with nature by moving all inessential structures further into the interior and to protect the shoreline with suitable vegetation.

Originality/value

Creates a Mediterranean/Maltese awareness to tsunami hazards/risks in a highly developed tourist region.
A snapshot of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: societal impacts and consequences
Authors: Rodriguez Havidan , Wachtendorf Tricia , Kendra James , Trainor Joseph
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the societal impacts and consequences of the December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Design/methodology/approach

One month after the tsunami, a group of social science researchers from the Disaster Research Center, University of Delaware, and the Emergency Administration and Planning Program, University of North Texas, participated in an Earthquake Engineering Research Institute reconnaissance team, which traveled to some of the most affected areas in India and Sri Lanka. Data were obtained through informal interviews, participant observation, and systematic document gathering.

Findings

This research yielded important data and information on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. A number of issues are identified that emerged from the field observations, including: tsunami education and awareness; the devastation and the loss; economic impact; mental health issues; irregularities and inequities in community based response and recovery efforts and in the distribution of disaster relief aid; gender and inequality; and relocation and housing issues.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the role and importance of generating integrated early warning systems and strategies aimed at fostering sustainable recovery and building disaster resilient communities.

Originality/value

An extensive amount of perishable data were collected thus providing a better understanding of the societal impacts of disasters on impoverished communities. A number of emerging issues are identified that should be of primary concern in efforts to protect populations residing in coastal regions throughout the world from similar catastrophes.
Warning for the 26 December 2004 tsunamis
Authors: Kelman Ilan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To investigate whether or not people at risk from the 26 December 2004 tsunamis could have had better warning of the event.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines short‐term actions related to warning following the earthquake and long‐term actions related to setting up an Indian Ocean tsunami warning system prior to the disaster. The evidence is presented in the context of the long‐term processes needed to create and maintain successful warning systems.

Findings

The evidence shows that, based on the knowledge and procedures existing at the time, any expectation of effective warning prior to the tsunamis was unreasonable. On 26 December 2004, as much action was taken as feasible. Prior to the catastrophe, the Indian Ocean tsunami risks were acknowledged but no warning systems were implemented because other priorities were deemed to be higher.

Research limitations/implications

This paper presents a snapshot of the complex issue of warning system development and implementation. Each national and regional case study deserves detailed attention. Further work would add to a more complete understanding of conditions before 26 December 2004.

Practical implications

This case study provides a reminder that planning for warnings must be done before extreme events, not following them. Successful warning systems require investment in a long‐term, ongoing process involving pre‐event planning, education, and awareness.

Originality/value

This paper provides an initial attempt at evaluating Indian Ocean tsunami warnings on 26 December 2004.
The drinking water response to the Indian Ocean tsunami, including the role of household water treatment
Authors: Clasen Thomas , Smith Lucy , Albert Jeff , Bastable Andrew , Fesselet Jean‐Francois
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To document the drinking water component of the humanitarian response to the Great Sumatra‐Andaman earthquake of December 26, 2004, including a focus on the promotion of household water treatment (HHWT)/safe storage to minimize the spread of diarrhoeal disease.

Design/methodology/approach

Firsthand accounts of the response effort, interviews, and literature review.

Findings

The combined efforts to mobilize a drinking water response were timely, comprehensive and effective. HHWT/safe storage efforts (other than the continued promotion of boiling) appeared to play only a secondary role in the initial response to the disaster for a variety of reasons.

Practical implications

The enormity of this disaster and the unprecedented scale of the relief effort limit the broad lessons that can be learned at this time.

Originality/value

Shows that there is a clear need to continue to take steps to minimize the risks of waterborne diseases following natural disasters, develop and disseminate practical solutions for the special circumstances associated with tsunamis, including saline water intrusion, clarify the conditions under which proven approaches to HHWT may be useful in emergencies and assess their role in the medium‐ and long‐term response, improve water quality and surveillance without compromising emphasis on water quantity, take advantage of the enormous resources committed to the tsunami response to make effective and sustainable improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene in the affected areas, and document experiences from the tsunami response, distil the lessons learned, disseminate the results and develop guidelines to inform future actions.
Understanding the social context of school health promotion program implementation
Authors: Cargo Margaret , Salsberg Jon , Delormier Treena , Desrosiers Serge , Macaulay Ann C.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Although implementation fidelity is an important component in the evaluation of school health promotion programs, it assumes that teaching is the most relevant teacher role. To understand the social context of program implementation, a qualitative study was undertaken with the aim of identifying the schoolteacher's role in implementing the objectives of the Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP), a locally governed Kanienke:háka (Mohawk) community‐based diabetes prevention program.

Design/methodology/approach

Prospective semi‐structured interviews were conducted cross‐sectionally with 30 teachers, two administrators and one physical education teacher across four intervention years. Interviews were analysed retrospectively using qualitative thematic analysis.

Findings

In implementing KSDPP objectives teachers adopted, to varying degrees, the roles of teaching the health education curriculum, enforcing the school nutrition policy, role modelling healthy lifestyles, and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Taken together, these roles point to a high‐order role of teachers taking responsibility for enabling healthy lifestyles in their children, which is congruent with a wholistic approach to health. Study findings suggest that children in different classrooms were exposed to a different intervention dose based on the extent to which teachers applied each role.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that the current conceptualisation of implementation fidelity should be expanded to account for the influence of the social context (i.e. teachers' roles) on the implementation of health promotion program objectives.

Originality/value

Consistent with an ecological approach to intervention, teachers would benefit from interventions that predispose, enable, and reinforce their capacity to adopt and apply health promotion roles.
Adolescents' nutrition health issues: opinions of Finnish seventh‐graders
Authors: Räihä Teija , Tossavainen Kerttu , Turunen Hannele , Enkenberg Jorma , Halonen Pirjo
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine Finnish seventh‐graders' (13 to 14 years old) nutrition health attitudes, perceptions of skills, reported behaviour and perceptions of families' and friends' nutrition health‐related behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The research data were collected in a baseline situation through a structured questionnaire presented to seventh‐graders (n=188) in four secondary schools, both rural and urban, in Eastern Finland. Two of the schools were experimental and two were control schools. All schools implemented nutrition health education according to the objectives of the national curriculum for basic education. Additionally, the experimental schools were developing their nutrition health education by using an ICT‐based learning environment.

Findings

The results show that seventh‐grade girls had a greater probability to follow healthy eating habits compared to seventh‐grade boys. Parental support had an important role in seventh‐grade adolescents' healthy eating habits and food choices. Additionally, adolescents' own healthy food preparation and choice skills were associated with healthy and versatile eating among seventh‐graders. As expected, no significant differences between the experimental and control schools were found at this baseline situation.

Originality/value

In Finland, strategies and curricula have been developed in schools to encourage children and adolescents to choose a healthy diet and to prepare healthy meals. Having high‐quality school lunches available to all and practical home economics as a school subject are good examples of well‐implemented nutrition health education, which could serve as model for nutrition health promotion worldwide.
Educational development centres: from educational to organisational development?
Authors: Havnes Anton , Stensaker Bjørn
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the role of educational development centres, and their potential for playing a broader and more central role in quality and organisational development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the results of three external evaluations of educational development centres in Denmark and Norway, combined with a literature review of studies of educational development centres.

Findings

Educational development centres are in a period of transformation due to external forces (Bologna, the demand for institutional quality systems, etc.), and this creates new dilemmas and challenges for educational development.

Originality/value

The paper points to the need to broaden the focus of educational development, and link it closer to other processes related to quality and organisational development.
A systems approach to program evaluation model for quality in higher education
Authors: Mizikaci Fatma
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To propose an evaluation model for the quality implementations in higher education through an analysis of quality systems and program evaluation using a systems approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical background, research and practice of the quality systems in higher education and program evaluation are analysed in conjunction with the concepts of systems approach. The analysis leads to a systems approach‐based program‐evaluation model for quality implementation in higher education.

Findings

The three concepts, quality systems in higher education, program evaluation and systems approach, are found to be consistent and compatible with one another with regard to the goals and organizational structure of the higher education institutions. The proposed evaluation model provides a new perspective for higher education management for the effective and efficient implementation of the quality systems and program improvement.

Research limitations/implications

The implementation of the model in a real university setting is necessary for the clarification of the processes.

Practical implications

The study provides a constructive analysis of higher‐education‐related concepts, and a new dimension of quality systems and program evaluation is developed in the model. The approach comprises three subsystems; “social system”, “technical systems”, and “managerial system”. The evaluation of quality in higher education requires inquiry of the components of the systems.

Originality/value

This paper proposes an innovative evaluation model integrating the systems approach into quality tools. The model is claimed to be the first in integrating the three approaches.
Assessing quality experience and learning outcomes
Authors: Tam Maureen
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper is the first part of a comprehensive report about a research study that aims to assess the relationship between the university experience and student outcomes as a means of determining a university's success in meeting its educational goals.

Design/methodology/approach

It focuses on the research methodology deployed. Underlying the methodology are four research questions that determine the empirical design, the process, the selection, and the adaptation of an appropriate measurement instrument.

Findings

While this paper, the first part of a research report, focuses primarily on the research methodology, the second part (to be published as a separate paper) will report on the findings, discussions and implications for assessing universities based on student experiences and learning outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

This paper will interrogate the various methods of analysis and identify the limitations that are inherent in the overall design.

Practical implications

An alternative approach to quality assessment in higher education is suggested to encourage institutions to be more oriented towards student learning and the development of comprehensive databases for better institutional planning and decision making.

Originality/value

It sheds light on an instrument that aims to understand the students' experience in all aspects during their undergraduate years; and to identify how much of the growth and development can be attributed to the quality university experience that the institution provides for its students.
A novel watermarking algorithm for resistant geometric attacks using feature points matching
Authors: Cong Jin
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Aims to report a novel method of estimating the geometric manipulation to which present day data hiding is subjected.

Design/methodology/approach

Computes the feature points matching measure for the geometric manipulation using shape‐specific points. The feature points matching is realized by simulated annealing algorithm.

Findings

Finds that the purposed scheme does not require the original image because reference point information on the original image has been contained in the secret key.

Originality/value

Experiments herein have proved the method's robustness in face of geometric attacks and a new way of designing a better blind secret message decodes has been revealed.