bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The jet principle: technologies provide border conditions for global learning
Authors: Ahamer Gilbert
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to first define the “jet principle” of (e‐)learning as providing dynamically suitable framework conditions for enhanced learning procedures that combine views from multiple cultures of science. Second it applies this principle to the case of the “Global Studies” curriculum, a unique interdisciplinary curriculum at Graz University in Austria that is targeted to multicultural and developmental learning among students from diverse ethnic and disciplinary backgrounds.

Design/methodology/approach

Social and learning procedures are heuristically analysed based on ten years of interdisciplinary experience in interdisciplinary learning settings in a multicultural environment with critical approach to globalisation, while also diverse scientific disciplines are counted as “cultures of understanding”.

Findings

The outcomes of the analysis suggest that the negation‐oriented web‐supported five‐level learning suite “Surfing Global Change” (SGC) is capable of providing helpful framework conditions to multicultural learning that can suitably be applied in the “Global Studies” curriculum as well as in other similar international curricula.

Research limitations/implications

Quality criteria are subject to scientific cultures and hence differ from discipline to discipline; thus representing continuous challenge for suitable perception of actors and bystanders.

Practical implications

Complexities of cultural diversity are reflected also by complexities caused by origins in diverse scientific cultures. For constructing thorough and practically implementable consensus solutions, dialogic processes and peer review are best mediated through web‐based discussion, for which this paper provides examples. Discourse‐oriented features and amendments for curricula of “Global Studies” are presented.

Social implications

Networking among multicultural and interdisciplinary curricula with a critical stance towards globalisation is facilitated through suggestions in this paper.

Originality/value

By offering a new type of graphic notation for learning procedures, this paper facilitates new perspectives on the intrinsic dynamics of learning, adoption of new standpoints and acquiring a 360° view of the institutional landscape and interest patterns in complex multi‐stakeholder issues such as globalisation.
Shape memory technology for active assembly/disassembly: fundamentals, techniques and example applications
Authors: Sun L. , Huang W.M. , Lu H.B. , Wang C.C. , Zhang J.L.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to present a review on utilizing shape memory technology (SMT) for active assembly/disassembly, i.e. assembly/disassembly without physically touching.

Design/methodology/approach

– The fundamentals behind the shape memory effect (SME) in materials, in particular shape memory alloys (SMAs) and polymers, which are the cornerstones of SMT, are introduced, together with the possible approaches to implement this effect in active assembly/disassembly. Example applications for not only active assembly/ disassembly, but also programmed active disassembly are presented.

Findings

– The advantages of utilizing SMT over conventional assembly/disassembly techniques are identified.

Originality/value

– The paper introduces the fundamentals behind the SME and the basic approaches to implement the SMT in not only active assembly/disassembly, but also programmed active assembly.
A mathematical programming approach for walking-worker assembly systems
Authors: Cevikcan Emre
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– It has become increasingly critical to design and maintain flexible and rapid assembly systems due to unpredictable and varying market conditions. The first stage of developing such systems is to restructure the existing assembly system. After designing the manufacturing system, efforts should be made for capacity adjustments to meet the demand in terms of allocating tasks to workers. Walking-worker assembly systems can be regarded as an effective method to achieve flexibility and agility via rabbit chase (RC) approach in which workers follow each other around the assembly cell or line and perform each task in sequence. In this paper, a novel mathematical programming approach is developed with the aim of integrating RC in assembly processes. Therefore, this study is thought to add value to industrial assembly systems in terms of effectively raising engineering control for task allocation activities.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two consecutive mathematical models are developed, since such a hierarchical approach provides computational convenience for the problem. The initial mathematical programming model determines the number of workers in each RC loop for each segment. In addition, the number of stations and the distribution of station times in the segments is essential. Therefore, the succeeding mathematical programming model generates stations in each segment and provides convenience for the workflow in RC loops. The output of mathematical programming models are the parameters of simulation model for performance assessment.

Findings

– The effectiveness of the proposed approach was validated by an application in a real-life chair production system. The application resulted in performance improvements for labour requirement (12.5 per cent) and production lead time (9.6 per cent) when compared to a classical assembly system design (CASD) where one stationary worker exists in each station. In addition, it is worth to note that RC leads to a reduced number of workers for a considerable number (39.4 per cent) of test problems. What is more, input as well as output factors have been determined via discriminant analysis and their impacts to the utilization of RC were analyzed for different levels.

Practical implications

– This study is thought to add value to the industry in terms of effectively providing convenience during production planning and task allocation in assembly lines and cells.

Originality/value

– To the best knowledge of the author, optimization models for RC considering a real industrial application have not yet been developed. In this context, this paper presents an approach which models RC by the use of mathematical programming in manual assembly processes to address this research gap. The contribution of the paper to the relevant literature is the development of hierarchical mixed integer linear programming models to solve RC problem for the first time.
Structures and relationships: women partners' careers in Germany and the UK
Authors: Kokot Patrizia
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to highlight differences in women's experiences of advancement to partnership in accountancy firms in Germany and the UK and consider the ways in which such differences may be constituted by the institutional context in which they occurred.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research is based on 60 semi-structured interviews with women partners in Germany and the UK. Techniques adopted from grounded theory were applied.

Research limitations/implications

– This qualitative research is context-specific and given its cross-national, interdisciplinary nature is limited to the extent that findings cannot be generalised beyond the studied scope.

Practical implications

– The study points to cross-national differences in women's career advancement in accountancy firms. The findings support extant research suggesting that structured performance evaluation and hiring systems – while not without flaws – are likely more gender-neutral. In addition, the study highlights the potential of headhunters and recruitment agents as an important tool for women to navigate their way out of career culs-de-sac.

Originality/value

– This research provides unique insights into women partners' experiences of career advancement and, through its interdisciplinary nature, demonstrates the usefulness of employing institutional frameworks in qualitative in-depth studies of this kind.
The moderating roles of academic age and institutional sector on the relationship between co-authorship network centrality and academic research performance
Authors: Badar Kamal , M. Hite Julie , F. Badir Yuosre
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether potentially disadvantaged groups of researchers derive more research performance benefits from co-authorship network centrality (degree, closeness and betweenness).

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper builds on Badaret al.(2013), which found positive associations of network centrality on research performance with a moderating relationship of gender for female authors. Using data from ISI Web of Science (SCI), the authors study the same domestic co-authorship network of Chemistry researcher in Pakistan publishing from years 2002-2009 and investigate the moderating role of academic age and institutional sector on the relationship between co-authorship network centrality (degree, closeness, and betweenness) and the academic research performance (aggregate impact factor) of chemistry university/institute faculty members in Pakistan.

Findings

– Ordinary least squares (OLS)-regression findings indicated a positive relationship between degree centrality and research performance with a positive moderating relationship for both academic age and institutional sector on the relationship between degree centrality and research performance for junior faculty members and faculty members employed in private sector universities/research institutes.

Practical implications

– The findings can be heartening and motivating for junior faculty and private institute faculty in Pakistan in suggesting opportunities to surpass barriers of domination and poor resource access through co-authorship ties and structural social capital.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to the limited research by strengthening the argument that potentially disadvantaged faculty with certain individual (academic age) and work-related characteristics (institutional sector) may benefit differentially from their co-authorship network centrality.
A comparison of front-of-pack nutrition claims between the US and EU
Authors: Salnikova Ekaterina , L. Stanton John , Hooker Neal
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to compare the use of front-of-pack nutrition claims made on 32,257 food labels launched in 2009 in the US and the EU.

Design/methodology/approach

– Information from Mintel's Global New Product Database was analyzed, for 25,417 products launched in the EU and 6,840 in the US. The hypothesis was that “products launched in the US and EU have a different frequency of front-of-pack nutrition claims”. Using inferential statistics, significant differences (two-tailed Z-tests) in the number of claims are explored and compared to differences in legislation standards and consumer preferences.

Findings

– The initial analysis revealed that there were six significant differences between the presence of the seven health and nutrition claims across 16 product categories in the US and the EU. Further analysis of the 16 product categories revealed a range of significant differences between the frequency of US and EU claims.

Originality/value

– The emerging relevance of front-of-pack nutrition labeling as a marketing tool makes such differences pertinent. This paper marks the first systematic comparison of the use of claims between the US and EU.
Empowering the regulators in the development of national performance measurements in food safety
Authors: Charlebois Sylvain , Hielm Sebastian
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This study proposes a straightforward set of performance measurements for industrialized nations. The aims of this paper are twofold. First, the paper explores the notion of ranking nations based on food safety performances, beyond benchmarking. The paper appraises how a global comparative analysis could contribute to best practices and continuance improvement in food safety. Second, this paper presents an experiment in which a group of regulators took part in a workshop held in Helsinki, Finland in the Fall 2011.

Design/methodology/approach

– A session was held in October 2011 in Helsinki, and many countries were invited. A total of 17 countries were represented. The following countries were represented: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, the UK and the USA. The session was designed to be informative, interactive and flexibly tailored to the delegates' needs and experience. It was also designed to raise awareness and understanding of benchmarking and supra-national ranking systems, what it is and how it can be applied using practical examples from healthcare and across other sectors.

Findings

– The session also introduced the principles of process thinking and illustrated how process benchmarking can be a useful tool for continuance improvement. The session then built upon the theory presented in the introductory portion by focusing specifically on the essence of ranking indicators. In this session, delegates spent time familiarizing themselves with indicators provided by the University of Guelph, discussing how they might implement it within their individual nations and across the trust as a whole.

Practical implications

– The collection of primary data was also debated at the session. Public trust, for example, could easily be an indicator which could be included. Measurement of public trust in food safety might be important for governments. It could provide them with information on the performance of the food safety systems from a consumers' perspective. To be an effective indicator of performance the measurement of public trust in food safety should be liable to change. Therefore, changes in performance of the food safety systems have to be reflected through the measurement of public trust in food safety.

Originality/value

– The Helsinki session is believed to be the first international meeting in which benchmarking metrics were discussed in order to rank countries based on food safety risk practices. Ranking programs in food safety remain controversial. Most particularly, risk assessors and the public service remain skeptical about their effectiveness. The Helsinki meeting was not met to alleviate the skepticism around ranking systems, but it did allow many to better appreciate several perspectives from around the world.
Benchmarking Six Sigma implementation in services companies operating in an emerging economy
Authors: Augusto Cauchick Miguel Paulo , Monteiro de Carvalho Marly
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The paper reports case studies conducted in services organizations that apply Six Sigma in an emerging economy. Aspects of human resources and full-time specialist, infra-structure, top management leadership, customer requirements, focus on financial and non-financial results, structured method and strategic project selection are investigated. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Case-based research is employed as methodological approach. Data were mostly gathered through semi-structured interviews with managers involved with Six Sigma implementation. When available, archival data were also used to achieve more evidence towards triangulation. Then, the aggregation of the results was done a posteriori.

Findings

– It was verified that Six Sigma was successfully implemented in those companies, however with some drawbacks. The studied companies adopt Six Sigma in association with other quality management approaches, mainly ISO 9000: 2008 and lean production.

Research limitations/implications

– The study was limited to three service companies. Therefore, the study findings are not subject to generalisation for other similar firms.

Practical implications

– The research shows the importance of Six Sigma implementation in service companies in addition to its contribution to practical application by identifying the relevant aspects of its introduction. It enables practitioners to use the findings on factors that should be taken into consideration when applying Six Sigma.

Originality/value

– It is one of the few studies on Six Sigma analysis in emerging economies. In addition, the empirical results found support in existing theory to some extent.
An investigation of lead benchmarking implementation
Authors: Zeinalnezhad Masoomeh , Mukhtar Muriati , Sahran Shahnorbanun
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore current levels of lead benchmarking implementation and lead performance indicators among Malaysian organizations. Comparing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with large companies, it identifies what benefits and difficulties are present during benchmarking implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Descriptive analyses, one-way ANOVAs between and within groups, and parametric and non-parametric tests are used to compare responses obtained from small, medium and large Malaysian manufacturing organizations.

Findings

– Findings suggest that larger organizations have a more progressive approach to lead benchmarking. Strategy and employee development are dominant lead performance indicators of continuous improvement. Large companies experience fewer challenges when implementing benchmarking projects. Perceptions of key benchmarking implementation barriers shift from mere lack of resources toward lack of knowledge and training, information sharing, commitment and trust.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample is specific in nature (Malaysian manufacturing organizations); results should be interpreted accordingly.

Originality/value

– Little is known about lead benchmarking practices in Malaysia, particularly within the contexts of SMEs. The outcomes of this study provide a basis for further improvement and valuable knowledge for top management of manufacturing organizations to refine strategies and advance quality management approaches.
An importance-performance analysis for supplier assessment in foreign-aid funded procurement
Authors: Khan Shahadat , Rahman Shams
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Using a sample of executing agency executives, donor agency executives and supplying organisation executives, this study aims to identify the critical criteria for the assessment of suppliers in foreign-aid funded procurement in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

– An instrument with 32-seven-point (1 – rarely, 7 – mostly) Likert-scaled items was employed to gather data on the level of importance assigned by both buyers and suppliers on each supplier assessment criterion. The importance-performance matrix analysis was conducted to assess the gap in expectations between buyers and suppliers and to organise the assessment criteria into four categories such as “low priority”, “possible killer”, “concentrate here”, and “keep up the good work”.

Findings

– The results indicate that, to provide better service, suppliers must assign tasks to the knowledgeable sales personnel, provide better warranties with well-known branded products, and ensure a reliable level of quality. The supplier organisations should implement a high calibre management system that allows prompt responses to enquiries and the provision of services without buyers having to follow up.

Practical implications

– With careful considerations, the methodology and results of the study could be adapted to design supplier assessment procedure in other developing countries.

Originality/value

– This research employs a simple and practical method which purchasing executives will find easy to apply and interpret the findings.
Electroluminescent structures printed on paper and textile elastic substrates
Authors: Sloma Marcin , Janczak Daniel , Wroblewski Grzegorz , Mlozniak Anna , Jakubowska Malgorzata
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– New types of substrates were used for fabrication of printed electroluminescent structures. Polymer foils mainly used as substrates for such optoelectronic elements were replaced with paper and textiles. Printing on non-transparent substrate requires elaboration of printed transparent electrode, while usually polyester foils with sputtered ITO transparent electrodes are used. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Electroluminescent structures were fabricated with elaborated polymer compositions filled with nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene platelets, dielectric and luminophore nanopowders. Structures were printed as “reverse stack”, where transparent electrode is printed on top of the last luminophore layer. For that carbon nanotubes and graphene platelets filled composition was used, deposited with spray-coating technique.

Findings

– Main issue with new substrates is proper wetting with the use of screen-printing pastes, and much higher roughness especially for textiles.

Originality/value

– Fully functional structures were obtained, but several disadvantages were observed that needs to be eliminated in further studies.
Grey assessment and prediction of the financial agglomeration degree in central five cities
Authors: Li Li , Hu Guo-hui
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– At present, financial agglomeration tendency in domestic and foreign countries is increasingly evident. Therefore, from a comparative perspective, this paper aims to assess and predict the financial agglomeration degree in central five cities.

Design/methodology/approach

– According to the diversity of evaluating indexes and the uncertainty of financial agglomeration, this paper constructs a set of indexes of evaluating the financial agglomeration degree, comprehensively evaluates the financial agglomeration degree of the five cities – Wuhan, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Nanchang and Hefei – in China's middle region from 2001 to 2010 by using the multiple dimension grey fuzzy decision-making model, and predicts their development tendency by using the GM (1, 1, β) model.

Findings

– The results show that the multiple dimension grey fuzzy decision-making pattern cannot only be used to determine the weights of evaluating indexes, but also get the fuzzy partition and ranking order of the financial agglomeration in central five cities. The grey prediction results can objectively reflect the development tendency of the financial agglomeration in central five cities.

Practical implications

– From the results, it is necessary for any competitive city to clarify their relative strengths and weaknesses in order for the accurate location and scientific development, and it also provides a reference for the government decision-making.

Originality/value

– The paper succeeds in using the multiple dimension grey fuzzy decision-making model to measure the financial agglomeration degree of the five central cities and the grey prediction model to predict future trends.
Halifax Community Bank: a learning society within a UK organisation
Authors: A. Eastman Christine
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Students investigated whether the commonly accepted net promoter score was an accurate way of measuring the quality of service, whether presenteeism was just as corrosive as absenteeism and what internal and external factors contributed to business success or failure. What the paper tried to foster from the outset was the concept of a learning society in order to gauge how students experienced the need to reinforce their arguments with theory. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author's interest focused on the link between business and academia, what constituted an academic presence in the workplace and whether or not this academic input helped students to become more effective members of their organisation. The author surveyed 30 students for this qualitative study.

Findings

– Students welcomed clear direction and an opportunity to translate their experience into a problem-solving exercise. They realised they were in the business of developing themselves and strove to bring clarity to their life and work and to demystify their own texts.

Research limitations/implications

– This is not a longitudinal study but a sample of questionnaire responses from 30 out of a possible 150 students. The “measurement” is broad, rather than precise.

Originality/value

– By engaging in a partnership with Middlesex University, the Halifax Community Bank appeared to want to effect radical change in its organisational culture. To the students this was no vacuous public relations exercise but a commitment to getting staff/students to re-examine the contingencies of contemporary business and come up with solutions to a range of business problems.
Is the informal economy an incubator for new enterprise creation? A gender perspective
Authors: Williams Colin , Martinez Alvaro
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether men and women starting a business use the informal economy and do so to test the viability of their venture.

Design/methodology/approach

– To do this, the results of a survey of 595 small business owners in the UK conducted in August 2012 are reported.

Findings

– Of the 22 per cent of men and 13 per cent of women small business owners reporting that they traded informally when starting their business, 66 per cent of the men and 53 per cent of the women assert that a main reason was to test the viability of their business. Hence, just over one in six small businesses started by men and one in 14 started by women (one in eight overall) traded in the informal economy when starting-up in order to test the viability of the business.

Research limitations/implications

– A more extensive survey of a wider range of countries is required to further evaluate the tentative findings of this single country small-scale survey.

Practical implications

– If tax administrations seek to stamp out informal sector entrepreneurship, one hand of government will be eradicating a significant minority of the entrepreneurship that other hands of government wish to foster. Men and women starting-up informally, however, require different policy approaches to help them formalise their business ventures.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to analyse whether men and women starting a business trade informally at the outset to test its viability.
Is the learning organization idea relevant to higher educational institutions? A literature review and a “multi-stakeholder contingency approach”
Authors: Örtenblad Anders , Koris Riina
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine systematically and reflectively the relevance of four different aspects/types of the learning organization idea to higher educational institutions (HEIs), from three ideal-typical stakeholder perspectives: the managerial perspective, the employee perspective and the societal perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature review of 73 prior works on the relevance of the learning organization idea to HEIs, and a systematic examination from different stakeholder perspectives, i.e. an examination based on a “multi-stakeholder contingency approach.”

Findings

– The learning organization idea needs to be reformulated to some extent to become fully relevant to HEIs.

Research limitations/implications

– The “multi-stakeholder contingency approach” can be used advantageously in any contextualization study of the learning organization idea as well as in contextualizing any other fashionable management idea.

Practical implications

– The learning organization idea should not be adopted uncritically by HEIs, nor should it be uncritically rejected. In particular, HEIs should avoid becoming too organic and instead, be moderate when adopting the “learning structure” aspect/type of the learning organization idea.

Social implications

– It is recommended that the societal perspective be prioritized, in that HEIs are mainly for society.

Originality/value

– In contrast to the previous stock of literature on HEIs as learning organizations, which, generally speaking, is non-cumulative, uncritical, incongruent and unsystematic, this paper systematically and reflectively examines the relevance of various definitions of the learning organization from diverse and explicit stakeholder perspectives.
Principals and the professional learning community: learning to mobilize knowledge
Authors: Chitpin Stephanie
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to use the Objective Knowledge Growth Framework (OKGF) in the development and maintenance of the Canadian Principal Learning Network (CPLN) to advance principals’ knowledge and skills in the area of decision making. First, the paper presents the inception of the CPLN, to assist principals in making decisions and resolving common problems. Second, the evolution of the CPLN web site is presented and recount the challenges faced and collaborative solved by principals. Finally, the paper describes the OKGF based on the critical rationalism of Karl Popper and how principals, engaging and interacting in an online learning community (CPLN) informed their decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper mindfully assembled an international team of researchers with administration experience, curriculum knowledge and pedagogy, and whose research interests lay in educational leadership, education administration, change theory, educational policy and professional learning. Also in addition, principals who were current graduate students, and new researchers also joined the research team.

Findings

– The CPLN web site using OKGF, is a step forward in providing principals with a structure and a venue to be reflective and collaborative. However, getting them to interact with each other in a collaborative, reflective online learning community was not an easy feat at the beginning (Lieberman and Miller, 2008; Louis and Kruse, 1995; Schmoker, 2006; Wagner and Kegan, 2006; Bryket al., 2010; McLaughlin and Talbert, 2002; Stoll and Louis, 2007). The study shows principals find the need for a place to reflect, discuss, experiment, practice and learn and, for this group of principals, that place is the CPLN.

Originality/value

– This study provides a model for principals’ learning in an online learning community using the OKGF. As well, it shows that powerful leadership does not just take place during preparation programmes, but that principals need to continue to learn as they lead in their respective schools (Mitgang and Maeroff, 2008). Sharing of the challenges faced and the learning that occurred principals are capable of addressing not only the challenges posed in their schools but also, as numerous researchers note (Fryet al., 2006; Levine, 2005; Mitgang and Maeroff, 2008), of surviving the job themselves.
Higher education's flawed recession response
Authors: Patrick Leonard William
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the reality that recessions experienced by the larger economy also impact the higher education sector, institutional leaders’ failure to prepare for the inevitable and to introduce proactive steps that should be considered.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author notes that while recessions cannot be accurately predicted, they are inevitable. Without anticipating and preparing for the inevitable revenue shortfall institutional responses tend to be reactive and too often draconian.

Findings

– Yet, institutions routinely prepare for a broad array of liabilities that occur far less frequently. Failing to recognize the inevitability of the next recession and to prepare for its uncertain arrival is a neglect of fiduciary responsibility. To prepare for the inevitable, institutional leaders are encouraged to ask five fundamental questions to minimize the future need to make draconian budget cuts.

Research limitations/implications

– There is a literature gap in the failure to recognize the individual and institutional damage resulting from reactive responses to the business cycle's recession phase.

Practical implications

– As the business cycle's Great Recession of 2008 enters its recovery, phase institutional leaders will have an opportunity to prepare for the next unavoidable recession. Scholars will have accompanying opportunities to track the success or failures of their preparations when the next recession materializes.

Originality/value

– The higher education sector's vulnerability and lack of preparedness has largely gone unnoticed. Proactive preparation, rather than reactive, responses are needed to minimize damage to the institution, its students, faculty and staff.
Process improvement in farm equipment sector (FES): a case on Six Sigma adoption
Authors: Prashar Anupama
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to exhibit how a leading company operating in farm equipment sector (FES) in India utilized Six Sigma statistical tools to reduce field failures of tractor assembly and thereby improved customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study adopted Six Sigma define-measure-analyse-improve-control (DMAIC) methodology in order to identify numerous critical process improvements.

Findings

– After completing the define, measure and analyze phase, it was found that the processes of lapping, spring scragging, and assembly of valve body were incapable. The major recommendations made during the improve phase were to change the hydraulic oil; replacement of manual grinder with tool and cutter grinder for flat drill grinding; automation of lapping system; improvement in spring scragging system, change in piston design, etc. As a result of the implementation of remedies, field failure reduced by 95 percent producing a cost saving of almost INR 4.366 million/annum.

Originality/value

– This specific case demonstrates the successful application of Six Sigma DMAIC methodology in FES for driving down the field failures and improved customer satisfaction.
Managing enterprises and ERP systems: a contingency model for the enterprization of operations
Authors: Clegg Ben , Wan Yi
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems development and emerging practices in the management of enterprises (i.e. parts of companies working with parts of other companies to deliver a complex product and/or service) and identify any apparent correlations. Suitable a priori contingency frameworks are then used and extended to explain apparent correlations. Discussion is given to provide guidance for researchers and practitioners to deliver better strategic, structural and operational competitive advantage through this approach; coined here as the “enterprization of operations”.

Design/methodology/approach

– Theoretical induction uses a new empirical longitudinal case study from Zoomlion (a Chinese manufacturing company) built using an adapted form of template analysis to produce a new contingency framework.

Findings

– Three main types of enterprises and the three main types of ERP systems are defined and correlations between them are explained. Two relevant a priori frameworks are used to induct a new contingency model to support the enterprization of operations; known as the dynamic enterprise reference grid for ERP (DERG-ERP).

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are based on one longitudinal case study. Further case studies are currently being conducted in the UK and China.

Practical implications

– The new contingency model, the DERG-ERP, serves as a guide for ERP vendors, information systems management and operations managers hoping to grow and sustain their competitive advantage with respect to effective enterprise strategy, enterprise structure and ERP systems.

Originality/value

– This research explains how ERP systems and the effective management of enterprises should develop in order to sustain competitive advantage with respect to enterprise strategy, enterprise structure and ERP systems use.
Understanding high-value manufacturing in Scottish SMEs
Authors: MacBryde Jillian , Paton Steve , Clegg Ben
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of high-value manufacturing (HVM) concepts in Scottish SMEs and define how they are being used to gain competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

– Cross-sectional research carried out using a large-scale survey of 435 SMEs and semi-structured interviews of a subset of 50 SMEs.

Findings

– Findings indicate that HVM is not a homogeneous state but an umbrella term for a number of operational models adopted by manufacturers that are progressively moving from simple price-based production; companies must, as a foundation, be operationally excellent in all lifecycle phases before extending their capability by offering a more comprehensive service; HVM is not a static state but a journey that differs in nature for each manufacturer depending on the nature of its market and customer.

Research limitations/implications

– The approach to theory must be more integrated combining aspects of marketing, strategic and operational theory. Research must be carried out using the supply chain, rather than the firm, as the unit of analysis.

Practical implications

– Manufacturing efficiency has now become an order qualifier and competitive advantage should now be sought through the integration of design, production and service activities from strategic levels down to operational levels across all the functions of a business which link seamlessly to customer and supplier activities.

Originality/value

– This paper contains insights into Scottish SMEs and their practice of HVM; defines the activity that makes up HVM at an operational as opposed to an economic or strategic level; proposes a model that characterises the stages of HVM that SMEs transition through.
Performance measurement to drive improvements in healthcare practice
Authors: Elg Mattias , Palmberg Broryd Klara , Kollberg Beata
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to contribute to the knowledge base on how performance measurement drives improvements in healthcare practice.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on a single in-depth case study. The critical incident technique (CIT) has been applied in order to identify significant occurrences of performance measurement in terms of events, incidents, processes, and issues identified by respondents from the case organization. These critical incidents have been analysed and interpreted using a theoretical framework suggesting that performance measurement may be applied for exploratory or regulatory purposes as well as ad hoc or continuously in healthcare practice.

Findings

– The study suggests that performance measurement may be a versatile method for driving improvement in healthcare organizations. Six types of activities directly or indirectly drive improvement in the clinical department: continuous follow-up in formal arenas and meetings; improvement work; professional efforts; goal deployment; reporting based on external demands; and creating awareness in everyday clinical work. Healthcare organizations that strive to practice performance measurement as a driver for improvement need to find infrastructures in which it is being integrated into the daily life of organizational healthcare practice.

Originality/value

– The study provides an original account of the prerequisites and actions for driving improvement through performance measurement in a healthcare setting. Since the operations management perspective in healthcare is significantly lacking, the study offers a unique perspective which may be the basis for both practice development and further scholarly inquiry and theory development.
Achieving quality performance and environmental sustainability through the genius loci of quality management systems
Authors: Ho Ying-Chin , Fan Liang-Chen
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is threefold. First, the authors will confirm the existence and the intensity of the latent “genius loci” within quality management systems. Second, the authors will confirm the extent of the genius loci with environmental sustainability. Finally, the authors will try to understand whether a quality management system's performance can be affected by its genius loci, and whether a quality management system's environmental sustainability performance can be affected by the extent of environmental sustainability in its genius loci.

Design/methodology/approach

– The extent of the genius loci in quality management systems and the genius loci with environmental sustainability are tested through higher-order confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

– The findings of this study are as follows. First, genius loci partially exist in quality management systems. Second, the genius loci with the environmental sustainability concept also exist partially in certain respects. There is a lack of recognition and actions on environmental sustainability activities in organizations. The lack of recognition and actions leads to the unsatisfactory performance of quality management systems in environmental sustainability. As a result, business goals with environmental sustainability aspects cannot be fully supported and achieved.

Originality/value

– The results of this study can help small- and medium-sized OEM and ODM computer accessories companies in Taiwan and Southern China to understand the level of genius loci within their quality management systems and the extent that genius loci are linked with environmental sustainability. This understanding can be beneficial to them in achieving successful quality management systems with environmental sustainability.
Interlending and document supply: a review of the recent literature: 84
Authors: McGrath Mike
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the literature concerning interlending and document supply.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on the reading of over 130 journals and related material.

Findings

– Some interesting findings on document supply including an important Outsell report on document suppliers and some research showing that whilst users expect and often make do with what is immediately available, nonetheless over half of the responders use document supply services. Some substantial pieces are reviewed on Big Deals including the dramatic growth in deposits as a result of toughening up the NIH mandate and some further articles on the UK Finch report on open access. The significant developments in Open Access are reflected once again in a lengthy section in this review.

Originality/value

– The paper represents a useful resource for librarians and others concerned with interlending and document supply as well as such related matters as resource sharing and open access.
Revisiting interlibrary loan best practices: still viable?
Authors: Kochan Carol , Leon Lars
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper seeks to evaluate the impact of the Group Interlibrary Loan Best Practices instituted by the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA) Libraries in 2002 and to examine whether these best practices are still viable today. The authors aims to provide an updated discussion on current best practices in both GWLA and other highly effective library consortia.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use a case study approach to identify areas where interlibrary loan best practices have improved service amongst the GWLA Libraries. In addition, the practices of other high performing consortia are included to further the discussion.

Findings

– The GWLA Libraries found that the best practices implemented in 2002 improved service by decreasing turnaround time and increasing patron access to alternate format types. Other library consortia are also using similar group best practices that improve resource sharing.

Research limitations/implications

– This article focuses mostly on the beneficial outcomes of the best practices and limits discussion of the problems and pitfalls encountered.

Originality/value

– Readers will gain an understanding of how instituting group best practices can improve interlibrary loan service and recognize the benefit of library groups.
Perceived significance of information security governance to predict the information security service quality in software service industry
Authors: Bahl Sanjay , Wali O.P.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Information security is a growing concern in society, across businesses and government. As the offshore IT services market continues to grow providing numerous benefits, there are also perceived risks with respect to the quality of information security delivered in the supply chain. This paper aims to examine, as a case, the perceptions of Indian software services provider (service provider) employees with respect to information security governance and its impact on information security service quality that is delivered to customers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper provides a framework built upon the existing dimensions and instruments for total quality management and service quality, suitably modified to reflect the context of information security. SmartPLS, a structural equation modelling technique, has been used to analyse field survey data collected from across various Indian cities and companies.

Findings

– Significant finding is that information security governance in an IT outsourcing company providing software services has a highly significant impact on the information security service quality, which can be predicted. The paper also establishes that there is a positive relationship collectively between elements of information security governance and information security service quality.

Research limitations/implications

– Since data used in this study were taken solely from the responses of employees of outsourced service companies in India, it does not show if this translates into service improvements as perceived by the customer.

Practical implications

– Information security governance should be made an integral part of corporate governance and is an effective strategic technique, if software outsourcing business enterprises want to achieve a competitive edge, provide client satisfaction and create trust.

Originality/value

– The paper presents empirical data validation of the connection between information security governance and quality of service.
VirSense: a novel haptic device with fixed-base motors and a gravity compensation system
Authors: Mashayekhi Ahmad , Nahvi Ali , Yazdani Mojtaba , Mohammadi Moghadam Majid , Arbabtafti Mohammadreza , Norouzi Mohsen
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to present the design and implementation of VirSense, a novel six-DOF haptic interface system, with an emphasis on its gravity compensation and fixed-base motors.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, the design and manufacture of the VirSense robot and its comparison with the existing haptic devices are presented. The kinematic analysis of the robot, design of the components, and manufacturing of the robot are explained as well.

Findings

– The proposed system is employed to generate a Virtual Sense (VirSense) with fixed-base motors and a spring compensation system for counterbalancing the torques generated by the weight of the links. The fixed bases of the motors reduce the system's effective mass and inertia, which is an important factor in haptic interface systems. A novel cabling system is used to transmit the motor torques to the end-effector. The spring-based gravity compensation system causes more reduction in the effective mass and inertia.

Originality/value

– This paper provides the details of the VirSense haptic device, its gravity compensation system, and a novel cabling power transmission.