bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of diet with brown algae on the quality characteristics of eggs
Authors: Jo Kil-Suk
Published: July 2014

This study was performed to determine the effect of brown algae on the egg quality of laying hens fed a non-supplemented diet (Control) and a diet supplemented with 10% Undaria pinnatifida (A), Laminaria religiosa (B), and Hijikia fusiforme (C) , respectively. Isa Brown (28 weeks old) were raised for 8 weeks. The darkness, redness, and blueness of the egg yolks increased with the addition of brown algae, expecially Undaria pinnatifida (A). The fucoxanthin contents were observed to be only 21.3-34.8 mg% level in the brown algae but they were nearly traced in the egg yolks. Among the analyzed minerals, the Ca, Fe, K contents increased to 391.2, 6.3, and 450.5 mg%, respectively, but the amount of P was reduced to 110.5 mg% . The total mineral contents were higher in the egg yolk with Hijikia fusiforme (C) (1,155.1 mg%) than with any other supplement. The brown algae diet reduced the saturated fatty acid level from 38.3 to 32.1% but increased the unsaturated fatty acid level from 61.5 to 69.6% owing to the rise of the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
4-Fluoro-N-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)aniline
Authors: Jothi L. , Anuradha G. , Vasuki G. , Babu R. Ramesh , Ramamurthi K.
Published: July 2014

In the title compound, C13H10FNO, the benzene ring planes are inclined at an angle of 50.52 (8)°. A characteristic of aromatic Schiff bases withN-aryl substituents is that the terminal phenyl rings are twisted relative to the plane of the HC=N link between them. In this case, the HC=N unit makes dihedral angles of 10.6 (2) and 40.5 (2)° with the hydroxybenzene and flurobenzene rings, respectively. In the crystal, O—H...N and C—H...F hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of chains along thec-andb-axis directions, respectively. C—H...π contacts link molecules alongaand these contacts combine to generate a three-dimensional network with molecules stacked along theb-axis direction.
Bis(2-amino-4-phenyl-1,3-thiazol-3-ium) tetrachloridopalladate(II)
Authors: Reyes-Martínez Reyna , Carballo Rubén M. , Mena-Rejón Gonzalo J. , Hernández-Ortega Simón , Cáceres-Castillo David
Published: July 2014

The title compound, (C9H9N2S)2[PdCl4], consists of two monoprotonated 2-amino-4-phenyl-1,3-thiazole molecules and one tetrachloridopalladate anion. The organic molecules exhibit a dihedral angle between the main rings planes of 31.82 (9)°. In the anion, the PdIIatom is located on a crystallographic centre of symmetry with a square-planar geometry. In the crystal, the anions and cations are connected through bifurcated N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, and these interactions lead to hydrogen-bonded tapes of cations and anions along [100].
Potassium 4-azidobenzenesulfonate
Authors: Biesemeier Frank , Geiseler Gertraud , Harms Klaus , Müller Ulrich
Published: July 2014

In, K+·SO3–p-C6H4–N3−, the conformation angle of the azido group with respect to the benzene ring is 19.1 (3)°, so that the anion is chiral within the crystal structure. In addition, the crystal structure is also chiral (Sohncke space group). The potassium ion is coordinated by three closer O atoms from three different sulfonyl groups [K...O 2.6486 (17) to 2.7787 (17) Å], three more distant O atoms [K...O 2.959 (2) to 3.206 (2) Å] and three N atoms at 3.073 (2) to 3.268 (2) Å. The anions are packed into layers perpendicular tob, only O and N atoms being at the surface of the layers. The K+ions are located between the layers.
Determining the effectiveness of optimal time-varying hedge ratios for cattle feeders under multiproduct and single commodity settings
Authors: Tejeda Hernan , Feuz Dillon
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine and contrast the risk mitigating effectiveness from optimal multiproduct time-varying hedge ratios, applied to the margin of a cattle feedlot operation, over single commodity time-varying and naive hedge ratios.

Design/methodology/approach

– A parsimonious regime-switching dynamic correlations (RSDC) model is estimated in two-stages, where the dynamic correlations among prices of numerous commodities vary proportionally between two different regimes/levels. This property simplifies estimation methods for a large number of parameters involved.

Findings

– There is significant evidence that resulting simultaneous correlations among the prices (spot and futures) for each commodity attain different levels along the time-series. Second, for in and out-of-sample data there is a substantial reduction in the operation's margin variance provided from both multiproduct and single time-varying optimal hedge ratios over naive hedge ratios. Lastly, risk mitigation is attained at a lower cost given that average optimal multiproduct and single time-varying hedge ratios obtained for corn, feeder cattle and live cattle are significantly below the naive full hedge ratio.

Research limitations/implications

– The application studied is limited in that once a hedge position has been set at a particular period, it is not possible to modify or update at a subsequent period.

Practical implications

– Agricultural producers, specifically cattle feeders, may profit from a tool using improved techniques to determine hedge ratios by considering a larger amount of up-to-date information. Moreover, these agents may apply hedge ratios significantly lower than one and thus mitigate risk at lower costs.

Originality/value

– Feedlot operators will benefit from the potential implementation of this parsimonious RSDC model for their hedging operations, as it provides average optimal hedge ratios significantly lower than one and sizeable advantages in margin risk mitigation.
Thailand's food retail transition: supermarket and fresh market effects on diet quality and health
Authors: Kelly Matthew , Seubsman Sam-ang , Banwell Cathy , Dixon Jane , Sleigh Adrian
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the food retail transition underway in Thailand, a transitional middle-income setting, is associated with increased consumption of processed foods high in fat, salt and energy. Such “problem foods” are important risks for avoidable cardio-vascular disease and diabetes burdens.

Design/methodology/approach

– The source population were members of the nationwide Thai Cohort Study (TCS) followed since 2005 (n=87,151) for a study of the health-risk transition. For this report we used a multi-region sub-sample (n=1,516) of TCS members responding to an additional questionnaire about food environments, shopping patterns and food consumption. By using a TCS sub-sample we gained access to four years (2005-2009) of longitudinal observations on a wide array of variables related to health and wellbeing from an informative group.

Findings

– Overall 85 per cent of the sample now have access to supermarkets; ten years ago the figure was 47 per cent, and when aged ten years, 5 per cent. Now half the participants regularly visit supermarkets and convenience stores, especially urban dwellers with higher incomes. Frequent shopping at supermarkets and convenience stores associated with consumption of six “problem foods” (soft drinks, snack foods, processed meats, western style bakery items, instant foods and deep fried foods). Frequent fresh market shopping was associated with increased vegetable intake. There was no association between food shopping and body mass index , diabetes or hypertension but supermarket shopping was related to hyperlipidaemia.

Research limitations/implications

– Modernization of food retailing is changing Thai diets and creating diet-related health risks.

Originality/value

– The paper addresses a knowledge gap on links between modernizing food retail in Asia and consumption of unhealthy foods, revealing strong linkage in transitional Thailand.
The impact of private label foods on supply chain governance
Authors: P. Vlachos Ilias
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the introduction of private label (PL) foods upon the governance of the food supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a multi-case study research examining the launch and development of PL cheeses in four large national-wide retail chains. The paper focused on the category of Products of Designated Origin (PDO) cheeses, including the popular feta cheese. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and secondary sources of information. Data analysis involved single-case and within-case analyses.

Findings

– There is a strong motive to launch and develop PL cheeses due to increasing consumer demand. Retailers choose suppliers based on criteria such as: compliance to quality assurance standards, modernisation of processing facilities, implementation of legislation, credibility, experience, and reputation. Retailers use contracts and prefer small suppliers than medium-sized companies. Supply chain governance turns from market to hierarchy status, which performs better in terms of supply chain cost, food quality, and consumer satisfaction. The structure of food industry is also affected by pressure put on medium-sized food companies.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is based on a multiple case study design that does not provide static generalisations, yet it offers a stepping stone to building new theory about supply chain governance, how it evolves and its effects on supply chain performance.

Practical implications

– The introduction of PL cheeses favours small and dynamic cheese processing units willing to adopt retailer standards and prices over larger units, which poses a real threat to the survival of regional-wide food companies.

Originality/value

– Few studies have examined how supply chain governance evolves and what triggers a change in governance structures.
An evaluation of consumers’ preferences for certified farmed Atlantic salmon
Authors: Haghiri Morteza
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The fisheries and aquaculture industry has observed substantial reduction in the demand for farmed Atlantic salmon after the food incidence of polychlorinated biphenyls in the product. To regain consumer confidence in the quality and safety of the product new policies, such as advanced traceability and identity preservation systems in the fisheries and aquaculture industry have been suggested. The purpose of this paper is to examine consumers’ preferences to pay a premium price for certified farmed Atlantic salmon that is passed through various quality and traceability systems in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses the contingent valuation (CV) method by estimating a probit regression model to assess consumers’ preferences for certified farmed Atlantic salmon. In particular, the paper measures consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) a premium price to purchase the product. The CV method is the most widely used methodology in measuring individuals’ attitudes toward purchasing certified products. To estimate the parameters of the model, the authors carried out a consumer survey in spring 2010 and successfully completed 120 questionnaires in the province.

Findings

– The paper provides empirical insights about how households are interested in consuming certified farm-raised Atlantic salmon by paying an additional premium price to purchase the product. The results of the study show that although consumers believe that traceability methods, on average, will increase the price of certified farmed Atlantic salmon their preferences toward the consumption of the product will not be changed.

Research limitations/implications

– Since the paper uses the CV method to evaluate individuals’ preferences for certified farm-raised Atlantic salmon, the authors also suggest another study that uses a non-hypothetical choice experimental approach to elicit households’ WTP a premium price for the product.

Originality/value

– This paper shows how consumers’ decisions to purchase certified farm-raised Atlantic salmon can be affected by a series of demographic, socio-economicand other variables that reflect consumers’ awareness of issues surroundings farmed Atlantic salmon and quality assurance.
On being a good library supervisor
Authors: Fitsimmons Gary
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This article’s purpose is to discuss what is necessary to being a good library supervisor.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article defines the meaning of being a good supervisor and then expands on that definition, including what it takes to get there.

Findings

– The article finds that being a good library supervisor requires much more than knowledge of the profession.

Practical implications

– The person aspiring to being a good supervisor must know what is required and be willing to take the steps to get there.

Social implications

– Being a good supervisor involves managing the complex interrelationships between the supervisor, his or her supervisor, the supervisees, the clients and anyone else involved in the workplace environment.

Originality/value

– The value of the article is in forming a picture of the complex nature of good supervision.
Transferring and teaching budgeting
Authors: Cottrell Terry
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to provide tips on managing successful transition of financial control through thoughtful teaching about existing practices. Budgetary transfer during times of transition can be a particularly stressful experience for both seasoned and emerging library leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

– Explaining the concept of institutional memory, and providing insight on how personality affects fiscal discernment, this article draws on experiences of the author and the literature to provide timely insight on the practicality of successful financial control transfer.

Findings

– Personalities matter in the grooming and selection of good financial stewards. Ignoring personality in favor of an abilities-only approach to budgetary management can result in surprisingly negative results. Screening for both ability and attitude results in a winning combination toward transitional success.

Originality/value

– Accounting and financial skill are the default concern of many budget managers. Coupling these skills with the values of hiring for mission, positive attitude and patience will be a welcome addition to literature on the subject of budget control transfer as readers reflect on past experience. This concept may also be a new perspective for many, as they experience the realities of institutional transition’s effects on budget control.
Resist the list
Authors: McMullen Anthony
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to provide insights into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies and electronic collections in changing times and on a limited budget with limited personnel.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses real world observations and experiences, data collected from an informal survey, insights gleaned from the professional literature and anecdotal evidence to provide commentary on the questionable methods many libraries employ in providing access to electronic resources.

Findings

– Libraries spend large sums of money and significant percentages of overall budgets on electronic resources, yet many fail to take the extra step to provide access to the content in these disparate resources via a web scale discovery search service. What is worse is that a large number of libraries still employ the flawed “Databases A-Z” list as a primary means of providing access.

Originality/value

– This paper is a light-hearted piece on one librarian’s observations regarding the inherent flaws in the traditional “Databases A-Z” list. It includes data from an informal survey.
Prospects and constraints of staff development in the University of Malawi Libraries
Authors: Mapulanga Patrick
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to look at staff development and its challenges in the University of Malawi Libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study design was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. University Budget Estimates from 2004/2005 to 2010/2011 financial years were analysed. Data from the University of Malawi Strategic Plan 2005-2009 were examined. Interviews were conducted with college librarians in the University of Malawi Libraries. Documentary evidence was also used.

Findings

– Study findings indicate that staff development in the University of Malawi Libraries has emphasised on professional qualification in Library and Information Studies. However, due to financial constraints, the majority of the library staff lacks LIS professional qualifications. This study recommends that libraries should consider budgeting for continuing professional development (CPD).

Practical implications

– Staff development requires continuous funding and time. This study recommends the CPD approach to staff development in academic libraries. The study also recommends the introduction of an education levy to benefit skills and training needs for higher education institutions.

Originality/value

– There is dearth of literature on staff development in academic libraries in Malawi. This paper seeks to recommend CPD.
Examining the effect of individualism and collectivism on knowledge sharing intention
Authors: Yu Mi
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to explore the impact of personal cultural orientation (individualism and collectivism) on knowledge sharing intention (KSI), and to test the moderating effect of tacit knowledge (AK) on the main causal relationships. It proposes modeling the knowledge-sharing process and outlining why and how AK is important throughout the process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper opted for an empirical study using the approach of survey, by sending 400 questionnaires to the employees selected under the branches of the First Automobile Workshop (FAW) in Changchun, who are the major force in direct contact with dissemination of knowledge in the enterprises. A regression analysis was used.

Findings

– Individualism and collectivism orientations both have significantly positive impacts on KSI; the employees who are more collectivism-orientated are more willing to share knowledge than those who are more individualism-orientated; the higher degree is the AK, the weaker is the relationship between individualism and KSI and the stronger is the relationship between collectivism and KSI.

Practical implications

– The practical implication of our findings is that when designing human resource development (HRD) strategies to enhance employees’ KSI, the factors of cultural values and the knowledge attribute need to be taken into consideration.

Originality/value

– The paper shows that the personal cultural orientations of individualism and collectivism have positive impacts on the KSI. AK makes different effects on the two relationships by weakening the relationship between individualism and KSI and by strengthening the relationship between collectivism and KSI.
Numerical prediction on microstructure evolution for multi-stage hot forging of micro-alloyed piston
Authors: Chen Jun , Wang Jin
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to build a flow stress model and microstructure evolution models which can be used to fulfill the multi-physics prediction of hot forging process, in this way the process design can be virtually verified and optimized. This is especially crucial for micro-alloyed steel forging which microstructure determines the component properties, since the downstream quenching is usually not needed.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, hot compression tests have been completed; second, experimental data are used to build the flow stress model and models for microstructure evolution; third, programming has been finished to integrate the proposed models into the commercial finite element method (FEM) code; fourth, case study is conducted to simulate multi-stage hot forging process of micro-alloyed steel F38MnV piston; and fifth, simulation results are validated by experiment.

Findings

– First, simulation results in grain size and phase volume fraction are in well agreement with experimental ones; second, the austenite grain is dramatically refined by the dynamic recrystallization in pre-forging process and static recrystallization in the two intervals has no obvious change during the following final forging and cooling above the Ae3 temperature; third, during the cooling process below the Ae3 temperature, ferrite and pearlite transformation begin from the thin skirt to the thick skirt and piston bottom because of different cooling speeds at different areas.

Originality/value

– First, flow stress model, dynamic recrystallization model, static recrystallization model, austenite grain growth model and phase transformation models are established for a micro-alloyed steel; second, the multi-physics FEM simulation of multi-stage hot forging of industrial piston has been conducted and verified by experiment, which show good agreement.
Soul mates or odd couples? Alignment theory and HRD
Authors: Gibb Stephen , Wallace Mhairi
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to test and explore alignment theory as a guiding principle for human resource development (HRD) by performing an empirical study. HRD scholars, professionals and others have adopted or assumed alignment theory to help explain HRD effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

– Constructs to measure an organisation’s strategic priorities and its HRD practices. A measure of HRD effectiveness was developed. A survey gathered data from 270 employees, managers and HRD staff in a sample of 76 organisations.

Findings

– The results show that HRD effectiveness does not vary with alignment as predicted. Forms of partial alignment, or the relations of an “odd couple”, are more strongly associated with HRD effectiveness than high alignment.

Research limitations/implications

– The use and integration of both normative measures (Likert scale) and ipsative measures (ranking) is necessary to capture alignment, but this limits the inferential statistics available to test validity and reliability. Qualitative data on case studies would be useful to explore alignment issues in context and depth.

Practical implications

– Stakeholders in organisations can use the “odd couple” interpretation of alignment as a fresh way to review and explore the opportunities and challenges of managing HRD effectiveness in an era where a narrowing and retrenchment of provisions is occurring and increasing.

Originality/value

– This study provides evidence which raises questions about alignment theory and policies intended to increase alignment. It suggests in the case of HRD, an alternative perspective that validates partial alignment can support effective HRD provisions.
What do users prefer, card catalogue or OPAC?
Authors: Arshad Alia , Shafique Farzana
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the study is to determine the most preferred catalogue format – card catalogue or online public access catalogue (OPAC) for searching library material in Oriental languages, i.e. Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Punjabi, Hindi, Sanskrit, Sindhi and Pashto of the Central Library, University of the Punjab, Lahore. It also explores the users’ searching behaviour for finding the library material in Oriental languages.

Design/methodology/approach

– A purposive sample of 100 respondents was chosen for this study. The questionnaire contained both close- and open-ended questions. SPSS (version 11.5) was used for quantitative analysis of data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for reaching conclusions. The qualitative data analysis software “X-Sight” was used for analysing the qualitative data.

Findings

– The study highlights the importance of both types of catalogue. Many of the findings of the study related to the card catalogue and OPAC are surprising when compared to their general perceptions. It is important to note that the users perceived the card catalogue as more effective for searching the library material in Oriental languages. However, they also face many problems while using both types of catalogues.

Originality/value

– It is the first study of its type in Pakistan that explored the users’ perceptions and behaviour of searching Oriental language material from the card catalogue and OPAC. The findings of the study are valuable for library management, not only at the Central Library of Punjab University but also for other libraries. These findings can help in making both card catalogue and OPAC more effective and user-centred. It will also assist them to improve weaknesses of both types of catalogues.

Implications of the study

– This study compares the users’ preferences for card catalogue and/or OPAC when searching Oriental language material. There are very few studies available on this subject and most of them are dated.
Care in the community or care of the community? Some reflections on the role of support services in retirement housing
Authors: Gray Anne
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to enquire how housing providers can facilitate a “social scene” which helps residents to bond together and which indirectly can generate both mutual aid and a collective voice.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study of 16 retirement housing schemes (including social rented, extra care and leasehold), involved focus groups engaging altogether 130 residents, interviews with estate managers and a postal survey with 120 respondents across eight estates.

Findings

– The findings highlight an important “community development” role for existing on-site managers and the risk that a move to floating support means losing this function. They illustrate the obstacles faced by retirement housing residents in developing collective social activities or a participatory voice in management. This paper is one of several ongoing and planned outputs of the study covering different aspects of the findings.

Research limitations/implications

– The initial study reported here is largely based on residents’ views. A follow-up survey of over 400 estate managers is now in progress.

Social implications

– The findings offer warnings about the potential and limitations of self-managed housing for the older old, and the dangers of replacing on-site staff by floating support.

Originality/value

– The research fills a gap in previous work on sheltered housing by focusing on the community rather than the individual resident. It will inform planning of housing support models to build and sustain social capital in elders’ housing schemes.
Body language – a minefield for international business people
Authors: J. Hurn Brian
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to emphasise the need for business people to understand the different body language used by other cultures and the importance of this in the international business environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Overview of body language used in particular cultures covering gestures, eye contact, posture, use of space and greetings with examples.

Findings

– The correct reading of the body language of other cultures is a vital, but often neglected, part of business training.

Research limitations/implications

– A paper of this length can only highlight key areas of misunderstanding with examples.

Practical implications

– The understanding of different cultures’ body language can be acquired by “people watching” but is best attained by specific training before assignment abroad using simulation and role playing and, where possible, involving nationals of the cultures concerned.

Social implications

– Also socially important for all who live and work internationally and those who host business visitors from abroad.

Originality/value

– Provides analysis of examples from different cultures and emphasises the importance of avoiding misunderstandings when doing business, negotiating and building personal relationships.
MBA program enrolment as a catalyst for boundaryless career goals (part two)
Authors: Muja Naser , H. Appelbaum Steven
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Further investigation of the thoughts and attitudes contributing to the voluntary pursuit of an MBA degree and career change is necessary to better understand career motivations and to satisfy career goals. The purpose of this two-part paper is to achieve this objective.

Design/methodology/approach

– Factors contributing to the cognitive decision to enroll in an MBA program and the subsequent impact of self-discovery gained upon program entry on career strategy were explored using a 32-question survey based on empirical research findings.

Findings

– Part-time and full-time MBA students exhibited differences in decision criteria applied for MBA program entry. Following program enrollment, opportunities for career growth led to upward goal revision and increasingly focussed goals.

Research limitations/implications

– Participation was potentially limited by survey distribution during a demanding academic period where many project reports and group presentations were due. A single MBA program in the downtown Montreal area may not be representative all programs in the population.

Practical implications

– Anchoring individual career identity and social identity has become increasingly complex as employers in many industries undergo continuous transformational change.

Social implications

– Integration within the work environment of identified career roles requires additional attention to validate an individual's strategic career efforts.

Originality/value

– Surveying MBA candidates about career decisions and goal-revision allows for a valuable “snapshot” of career evolution over time. By promoting increased self-awareness, applied knowledge gained through MBA program activities acts as a catalyst for self-efficacy beliefs which results in upward distal goal-revision or increased goal focus.
Market structures, strategy and innovation in tourism sector
Authors: Carvalho Luisa Margarida Cagica , Sarkar Soumodip
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to add to the existing body of knowledge the link between market structures, strategy and innovation by applying the diagnostic test of the integrated model of innovation, and also present the results of an empirical study applied to tourism in a small open economy. The study uses an archetype and the market outcome resulting from the innovation strategies pursued to compare similarities and differences according to a firms’ geographical location to identify innovative patterns in tourism firms.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study applies a multivariate analysis using a data set consisting of survey responses from 158 Portuguese firms.

Findings

– The findings indicate links between service, market structures and innovation strategies considering geographical agglomeration of firms in a small economy, and also different innovation trajectories and positions in the model.

Research limitations/implications

– The results of this study are generalizable to a dynamic industry context of tourism firms operating in a small open economy, such as Portugal.

Practical implications

– The results suggest that managers need to attend to intangible resources, such as marketing and human resources and their links with innovation and performance, particularly in the case of service firms.

Originality/value

– The paper highlights the role of intangible resources, especially marketing and human resources, in tourism firms. Geographical location also influences the firm’s strategy and results.
An integrated approach for prioritized process improvement
Authors: Vanteddu Gangaraju , D. McAllister Charles
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated framework to simultaneously identify and improve healthcare processes that are important from the healthcare provider's and patient's perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

– A modified quality function deployment (QFD) chart is introduced to the field of healthcare quality assurance. A healthcare service example is used to demonstrate the utility of the proposed chart.

Findings

– The proposed framework is versatile and can be used in a wide variety of healthcare quality improvement contexts, wherein, two different perspectives are needed to be considered for identifying and improving critical healthcare processes.

Practical implications

– The modified QFD chart used in conjunction with the stacked Pareto chart will facilitate the identification of key performance metrics from the patient's and the hospital's perspectives. Subsequently, the chief contributory factors at different levels are identified in a very efficient manner.

Originality/value

– Healthcare quality improvement professionals will be able to use the proposed modified QFD chart in association with stacked Pareto chart for effective quality assurance.
Medical record-keeping and patient perception of hospital care quality
Authors: Mô Dang Van , François Patrice , Batailler Pierre , Seigneurin Arnaud , Vittoz Jean-Philippe , Sellier Elodie , Labarère José
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Medical record represents the main information support used by healthcare providers. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether patient perception of hospital care quality related to compliance with medical-record keeping.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors merged the original data collected as part of a nationwide audit of medical records with overall and subscale perception scores (range 0-100, with higher scores denoting better rating) computed for 191 respondents to a cross-sectional survey of patients discharged from a university hospital.

Findings

– The median overall patient perception score was 77 (25th-75th percentiles, 68-87) and differed according to the presence of discharge summary completed within eight days of discharge (81 v. 75, p=0.03 after adjusting for baseline patient and hospital stay characteristics). No independent associations were found between patient perception scores and the documentation of pain assessment and nutritional disorder screening. Yet, medical record-keeping quality was independently associated with higher patient perception scores for the nurses’ interpersonal and technical skills component.

Research limitations/implications

– First, this was a single-center study conducted in a large full-teaching hospital and the findings may not apply to other facilities. Second, the analysis might be underpowered to detect small but clinically significant differences in patient perception scores according to compliance with recording standards. Third, the authors could not investigate whether electronic medical record contributed to better compliance with recording standards and eventually higher patient perception scores.

Practical implications

– Because of the potential consequences of poor recording for patient safety, further efforts are warranted to improve the accuracy and completeness of documentation in medical records.

Originality/value

– A modest relationship exists between the quality of medical-record keeping and patient perception of hospital care.
Optimizing backup power systems through Six Sigma
Authors: Jit Singh Bikram , Bakshi Yash
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to follow an analytic-deductive approach to realize the issues related to the present power crisis and growing demand of backup power systems (BPSs), especially in India. It not only explores the need of high-cost BPSs in the current scenario but also puts an emphasis to reduce the running cost through parametric optimizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature review identifies dependency of every sector on BPS and also highlights present and future challenges erupting in this age of power scarcity. Different improvement initiatives being used to improve efficiency of BPS have been studied, but quite rare application of Six Sigma in BPS sector, in actual was found. A define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) model of Six Sigma is being suggested and practiced for bringing a breakthrough in efficiency or mileage of a diesel genset (used as a BPS).

Findings

– Importance of BPS cannot be ignored, particularly in developing countries, but feeble effort was seen to improve its power generation cost. An imprecise and outdated framework used for bringing a change in the BPS sector is unable to increase its overall equipment efficiency. The diversified methodology of Six Sigma has been successfully implemented through a case study discussed and further validates the approach adopted to tackle the problem formulated further in the paper.

Research limitations/implications

– The whole work more or less revolves around the Indian energy scenario and seems to be talking about the power generation process and its optimization, in context of only diesel genets as BPS.

Originality/value

– The paper outlines the need for energy reform in industry. The DMAIC approach of Six Sigma in the BPS sector is too infrequent and next, motivates to reduce BPS cost and its associated expenditures, which are generally ignored.
Application of Six Sigma methodology in a small-scale foundry industry
Authors: Gijo E.V. , Bhat Shreeranga , Jnanesh N.A.
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to illustrate how the Six Sigma methodology was applied to a small-scale foundry industry to reduce the rejections and rework in one of its processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research reported in this paper is based on a case study carried out in an industry using the Six Sigma Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) approach and its application in improving the leaf spring manufacturing process of a foundry shop.

Findings

– The root causes for the problem of rejection and rework were identified through data-based analysis at different stages in the project. The process parameters were optimized and measures for sustainability of the results were incorporated in the process. As a result of this study, the overall rejection was reduced from 48.33 to 0.79 per cent, which was a remarkable achievement for this small-scale industry. This was leading to improvement in on-time delivery to the customer. The finance department of the company estimated the annualized savings due to the reduction in rejection and was to the tune of USD8,000 per year.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is based on a single case study executed in a company, and hence, there is limitation in generalizing the specific results from the study. However, the approach adopted and the learning from this study can be generalized.

Originality/value

– This article illustrates the step-by-step application of Six Sigma DMAIC methodology in a small-scale foundry industry to solve an age-old problem in the organization. Thus, this article will be helpful for those professionals who are interested in implementing Six Sigma to such industries.
Graduate employability and the development of competencies. The incomplete reform of the “Bologna Process”
Authors: Leoni Riccardo
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the coherence between competency mismatches and the objective of European policymakers to transform the higher education system through the Bologna Process and the Dublin Descriptors, moving from the transfer of knowledge from the teacher to learning by the student and from disciplinary knowledge to competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based first on the theoretical arguments that confront the European reform of the tertiary education system and the nature of competency mismatches, and second on graduate earnings function estimates using two Italian databases. The paper demonstrates the waning signalling power associated with university degrees and the disruptive assertion of the competency concept.

Findings

– The theoretical arguments developed suggest that competency mismatches are not only responsible for the medium-low positioning of the competency profile with respect to a counterfactual constituted by a graduate with a good match but also tend to affect the growth path of the competencies themselves: the bigger the initial gap, the smaller the steps in their growth. The econometric estimates carried out document that the level of expressed competencies drives graduate remuneration.

Originality/value

– By disentangling educational outcomes (i.e. disciplinary knowledge) from requested competencies, the study demonstrates that firms remunerate competencies and to a far lesser extent disciplinary knowledgeper se, and that cultural background tends to assume greater importance than formal education in forging transversal competencies. The Bologna Process could overturn this situation, provided it is integrated with a constructivist pedagogical approach, a tool that is lacking today but is vital in providing education processes that enable students to acquire and develop the competencies required by modern production techniques.
The role of higher education in supporting graduates’ early labour market careers
Authors: Pavlin Samo
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore perceptions by higher education (HE) senior professors and managers of their role in preparing graduates for entry to the labour market. By providing a theoretical and empirical overview of the functional role of HE institutions in preparing graduates for work, the paper designs an own research framework for future developments in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

– The conclusions in the paper are based on a literature review and approximately 240 semi-structured interviews with HE professors and managers from six European countries and from six different study fields. The results are broadly compared with an international survey of graduates from 20, mainly European, countries.

Findings

– The senior HE professors and managers see their own role in supporting graduates’ careers in a surprisingly intuitive way. There are some important differences and similarities among the study fields, although they are generally not motivated to apply an evidence-based approach to study and programme developments.

Originality/value

– This paper is based on the results of a three-year survey of the European research network, and two international conferences comprising more than 100 contributions from over 30, mainly European, countries.
An exploration of quality management practices, perceptions and program maturity in the supply chain
Authors: A. Dellana Scott , F. Kros John
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine differences among industry classes and supply chain positions in order to gain insight into quality management program maturity across industries and within supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data for comparison in this study comes from an e-mail survey of professionals across the USA, employed primarily in sourcing or logistics (i.e. Institute for Supply Management (ISM) and Council for Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)).

Findings

– This study found that quality maturity varies by industry class. While prior studies have found differences by industry class, they have been limited to at most three classes, while this study examined 17 classes. This study also examines quality maturity by supply chain position, with the finding that quality maturity differed by supply chain position depending on how position is defined. Questions are raised regarding the proper characterization of supply chain position.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample group represents members in only two professional groups, ISM and CSCMP. Not all industry groups or supply chain positions were well-represented due to some small sub-group sizes.

Practical implications

– Quality program maturity is generally not uniform and there are potentially many opportunities for substantial improvement across various sectors by specific industry. Partnering with suppliers is a recommended approach for sectors lagging in quality maturity.

Originality/value

– This research extends the examination of quality management practice in the supply chain by studying a large number of industry classes and supply chain positions and assesses differences in quality maturity across these classes and positions.
Creating cross-functional strategic consensus in manufacturing facilities
Authors: L. Rosado Feger Ana
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose and tests a model that plant managers can use to develop cross-functional strategic consensus between purchasing, production, and logistics. The mechanisms studied are grounded in Organizational Information Processing Theory.

Design/methodology/approach

– The model is tested using a cross-sectional survey of 120 manufacturing facilities. Path Analysis is used to determine the strength of the relationships and the model fit.

Findings

– The mechanisms studied have a positive effect on the level of cross-functional strategic consensus. Some mechanisms have an effect on consensus on goals, while others have an effect on consensus on priorities. The results suggest that a plant manager must implement these mechanisms in combination to achieve the best result.

Research limitations/implications

– The survey respondents are all from US manufacturing facilities. Although reasonably representative of the US population of manufacturing firms, results of a similar study in other countries would further refine the knowledge concerning the effects of the mechanisms on developing strategic consensus at the operating level.

Practical implications

– The results of this paper provide plant managers with guidance regarding the mechanisms that can enhance cross-functional strategic consensus. In a hypercompetitive and dynamic environment, these mechanisms can help the Plant Manager create a streamlined and efficient operation.

Originality/value

– This paper presents practitioners with mechanisms that can promote consensus between key supply chain departments. The results highlight the need to implement combinations of mechanisms in order to address both dimensions of strategic consensus. For academics, it provides an empirical test of antecedents to strategic consensus at the operational level.