bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Situated knowledge management
Authors: Oliver Christine , Brittain Graham
Published: November 2002

Explores the detail of methodologies employed in the management classroom and in change processes with organisational groups. Through this exploration, some of the dualisms which typify modernist theoretical stances were highlighted, examined and transcended. The claim made for the practices proposed here is that they can enhance management learning through informing reflexive decision making, creative use of authority and aesthetic definitions of account‐ability, thereby complementing and enriching a modernist position which, we suggest, is inadequate in isolation.
Advances in cross‐boundary practice: inter‐logics as method
Authors: Anderson‐Wallace Murray , Blantern Chris , Boydell Tom
Published: November 2002

Offers a brief introduction to inter‐logics as method and shows, in outline, its origins, principles and application. The method, drawing on forms of enquiry and description made possible through social constructionist vocabularies – including pragmatics, critical linguistics and dialogics – has been developed specifically to enable more satisfying co‐operated action at the borders of communities and organisations where new forms of engagement and new possibilities for meaning and action can take place.
Integrity management of police organizations
Authors: Kaptein Muel , van Reenen Piet
Published: November 2002

This article presents a conceptual framework for reviewing the integrity of police organizations, provides a general basis for developing specific activities and gives an overview of possible strategies and activities. Integrity management has to safeguard the conditions in the organization that enable police officers to find a responsible balance between three fundamental types of conflicting interests: the entangled hands dilemma; the many hands dilemma; and the dirty hands dilemma. We develop seven organizational qualities that encourage a prudent balance. An integrity audit can help in measuring these qualities. By examining the organization from this perspective, it is possible to work on improving the organization’s integrity.
The police in Norway: a profile
Authors: Das Dilip K. , Robinson Amanda L.
Published: November 2002

This paper describes the current state of policing in Norway. Interview data were collected from police administrators, police academy instructors, and police recruits. In addition, observational data were collected from patrol ride‐alongs. The organizational structure of Norwegian police at the national level; individual police stations; police recruitment and training; traffic regulation, law enforcement, order maintenance and crime prevention; and police‐public interactions in Norway are discussed. Distinct features of the Norwegian police include a flat hierarchy, strong union influence, and informal selection methods, all of which derive from the unique sociodemographic and geographic landscape of Norway combined with the influence of British and European models of policing.
Compstat: an analysis of an emerging police managerial paradigm
Authors: Walsh William F.
Published: November 2002

Compstat is a goal‐oriented strategic management process that uses technology, operational strategy and managerial accountability to structure the delivery of police services and provide safety to communities. This process originated with the New York City Police Department and is now being adapted by many law enforcement agencies throughout the USA. It thus represents an emerging police organizational management paradigm. This paper analyses the evolution of police management techniques and the emergence of this new paradigm. It concludes with an assessment of the organizational changes required for the adaptation of this process.
Measuring the impact of a domestic violence coordinated response team
Authors: Whetstone Thomas S.
Published: November 2002

The police have been given the responsibility of the first response to domestic violence. Their performance in this role has been inconsistent and often inadequate. While many departments have the capacity to improve their response, the police acting alone are often poorly staffed and ill equipped to provide purposeful, proactive change. This study examines the efficacy of a domestic violence coordinated response team pilot project. In an effort to improve the police response and to reduce repeat incidents among intimate partners, this project teamed uniformed police officers and victim advocates as first responders/follow‐up investigators, and augmented them with personnel from probation, parole and corrections services. The pilot project concentrated exclusively on violence between intimate partners. Over 18,000 domestic violence calls for service were reviewed. Evaluators identified and extracted over 4,000 bona fide intimate partner domestic violence cases. The study found the specialized domestic violence unit performed significantly better than the control district. Higher arrest, prosecution and conviction rates resulted from cases initiated by the specialized unit. Factors impacting performance of the unit are explored and observations made concerning evaluation difficulties and strategies.
Measures of quality in long‐term care facilities
Authors: Leonard Kevin J. , Wilson Doreen , Malott Olga
Published: November 2002

Although marketing does not play a large role in the Canadian health‐care system, acute care facilities have been conducting patient satisfaction surveys as a quality measurement tool for a number of years. More recently those in the long‐term care system have expressed an interest in this concept. This study set out to determine if long‐term care facilities in the Ministry of Health, Ontario Central West Region, conduct consumer satisfaction surveys. If they do, the study asked how the information is utilized and, if they do not, why not. This paper will highlight issues of service quality, health‐care quality and health‐care consumer satisfaction. This study is focused on long‐term care; however, the majority of the available research and information pertains to the acute care system. Although the principles of quality measurement and consumer satisfaction are the same for acute and long‐term care, our findings will identify the unique ways in which these principles apply to the long‐term care system.
Extrinsic and intrinsic determinants of quality of work life
Authors: Lewis David , Brazil Kevin , Krueger Paul , Lohfeld Lynne , Tjam Erin
Published: November 2002

The objective of this research was to test whether extrinsic, intrinsic or “prior” traits best predict satisfaction with quality of work life (QWL) in health care. Extrinsic traits are salaries and other tangible benefits; intrinsic traits include skill levels, autonomy and challenge. Prior traits are those of the individuals involved, such as their gender or employment status. A survey of employees was conducted in seven different health‐care settings located in the south central region of Ontario, Canada. A total of 65 questions were gathered into scales measuring such factors as co‐worker support, supervisor support and teamwork and communication. These were factor‐analyzed into intrinsic and extrinsic variables, and regressed against a satisfaction scale, with socio‐demographic variables included. Based on the results, the following conclusions can be drawn: objectively identifiable traits of an organization – pay, benefits and supervisor style – play the major role in determining QWL satisfaction. Decision‐makers with an interest in improving QWL in a health‐care institution can focus on these traits and pay correspondingly less attention to enhancing staff autonomy or discretion.
Examining the impact of health information networks on health system integration in Canada
Authors: Mercer Kevin
Published: November 2002

In a technological age where and how does the health sector fit in? Have hospitals and other health agencies that are updated technologically also advanced in other areas of service and operation?
Some intervening and local factors among shift workers in a developing country – Bangladesh
Authors: Rabiul Ahasan M. , Campbell Donna , Salmoni Alan , Lewko John
Published: November 2002

Shift work can be seen as one of the many factors and conditions associated with the health, safety, and wellbeing of industrial workers. Social, cultural and emotional quality also deserves our attention on human aspects of shift work, because it concerns individuals’ physiology, psychology, genetic and family heritage, social and cultural traits, life style, and circadian rhythms. It is more likely to become apparent that intervening and local factors are related with human aspects of shift work that should be carefully considered in order to improve individuals’ performance, tolerance, familiarity with different shift schedule, family and social lives, as well as to control work‐related difficulties. To address this concern, this paper describes some intervening factors involved with human aspects of shift work in the context of a developing country, Bangladesh, with the aim of identifying local factors and situations in making shift work safe, healthier and productive.
Staff meetings: an opportunity for accelerated training of employees
Authors: Pattison Sherry A.
Published: November 2002

This article describes how the author incorporated accelerated training techniques into weekly staff meetings, which speeded up staff training, made the training more effective, and improved morale. Before incorporating these techniques, the author found it difficult to get staff to come to the weekly team meetings, and found it hard to keep their attention. After the change the meetings became enjoyable and productive. Based on research on accelerated training, the author designed a new model for weekly training meetings that met diverse learning styles, engaged the learners’ whole brain, learning styles, methods of reception and intelligences. The model made training exciting, fun and engaging; and appealed to learners’ preferred styles of reception, organization and expression.
Bending the rules or fudging the paperwork? Documenting learning in SMEs
Authors: Martin Lynn
Published: November 2002

As part of a larger study, owner‐managers of 128 small firms were asked about the learning taking place in their firms. Their responses were compared to those of key workers and supportive documentation. As a result of discrepancies in responses, owners and managers identified ways in which they had “bent the rules” on occasion to take advantage of funding opportunities, hence the gap between statements and reality. Explores descriptions given by some owners and managers as to how this “fudging the paperwork” had occurred, either in accessing funding or in complying with statutory health and safety or licensing requirements and the reasons behind this. Finds that workplace imperatives had undermined the way in which learning was perceived and carried out and had caused operatives to misrepresent data (without their necessarily agreeing with this practice). Discusses the implications for those studying small firm’s workplace learning practices and proposes further research to test these findings.
Creating an applied learning infrastructure for management decisions
Authors: Preston Arthur P. , Inglis Susan M. , Horchner Peter
Published: November 2002

To achieve change in the Australian red meat processing industry it is necessary to address the tyranny of distance in a dispersed industry, a culture of “firefighting” rather than root cause problem solving and a low investment in staff training and development. Internet‐based learning offers potential where off‐the‐job training is not feasible or efficient. Hence our decision to design a management development initiative for the industry. $LAM (pronounced “slam” – may be viewed at URL: http://www.bus.qut.edu.au/$lam/) is the name coined for the learning process that uses interactive Internet‐based decision support systems. $LAM integrates high quality content, state‐of‐the‐art instructional design principles and motivational strategies. The goal was the delivery of an industry specific cost of quality tutorial and activity based projects able to promote learners’ ability to formulate conceptual generalisations and promote change in developing new responses to industry issues.
The rise of knowledge towards attention management
Authors: Davenport Thomas H. , Völpel Sven C.
Published: November 2002

Knowledge management is the key success factor of today’s business leaders. Focuses on the rise of knowledge management. Provides a summary of useful concepts, different project types, supportive organizational structures, effective technologies and points out future knowledge management directions. Shows that currently, within knowledge management, attention management has become the most important success factor. In future the management of attention management is likely to decide which businesses will be among the leaders of the new economy.
SME and large organisation perceptions of knowledge management: comparisons and contrasts
Authors: McAdam Rodney , Reid Renee
Published: November 2002

Compares the perceptions of both large organisations and small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) at a meta level in regard to knowledge management (KM) to improve overall understanding and synthesis of the philosophy and to develop sector‐specific learning in the SME sector. First, identifies and describes the key dimensions of KM using a socially constructed KM model. Second, uses a survey of large (> 250 employees) and SME (< 250 employees) organisations to investigate the perceptions of the KM dimensions. Third, reviews a series of qualitative social constructionist workshops, involving both large and SME organisations which were run to gain a deeper insight into the sectoral comparisons. The results indicate that KM is understanding and implementation is developing in the large organisation sector and knowledge is recognised as having both scientific and social elements. However, the SME sector was less advanced with a mechanistic approach to knowledge and a lack of investment in KM approaches and systems.
A social exchange architecture for distributed Web communities
Authors: Tiwana Amrit , Bush Ashley
Published: November 2002

Using the foundational lens of social exchange theory and communities of practice, proposes a three‐layer Web‐based architecture to facilitate knowledge integration in digital communities. Reviews the limitations of past collaborative filtering mechanisms and presents a prototype and the underlying mathematical model for the knowledge networking on the Web (KNOWeb) architecture. Further illustrates how real‐time active feedback and valuation mechanisms reinforce social exchange in such communities.
Applied process knowledge and market performance: the moderating effect of environmental uncertainty
Authors: Claycomb Cindy , Dröge Cornelia , Germain Richard
Published: November 2002

Challenges the idea of an unconditional and positive influence of knowledge on performance without regard to environmental uncertainty. Focuses on applied process knowledge spanning the supply chain (i.e. considers supplier, internal, and customer sources). A survey of 208 manufacturing firms found the association between applied process knowledge and firm market performance is positive and statistically significant when demand unpredictability is high (but not when low); statistically significant when product churning (uncertainty) is high (but not when low); and not moderated by core production or logistics process change. Firm size and production technology were also controlled. Firms that can determine the moderating effect of the different types of environmental uncertainty they face upon their knowledge‐performance relationship will perform better in terms of market performance indicators.
Extensible markup language and knowledge management
Authors: Otto James R. , Cook James H. , Chung Q.B.
Published: November 2002

Explores the use of extensible markup language (XML) to both store and enforce organizational data definitions, thus providing a synergetic framework for leveraging the potential of knowledge management (KM) tools. XML provides a flexible markup standard for representing data models. KM provides IT processes for capturing, maintaining, and using information. While the processes that comprise KM and the mechanisms that form XML differ greatly in concept, they both deal in a fundamental way with information. XML maintains the context of data (i.e. data model) which enables data to represent information. KM provides the framework for managing this information. Explores the vital role that XML can play to support an efficient corporate KM strategy.
Illustrating competence development
Authors: Drejer Anders
Published: November 2002

This paper is concerned with the issues of developing the competencies of the firm. The relevance of this work is based on the conclusion that competencies are dynamic, rather than stable, entities and that firms, thus, need to focus both on today’s and tomorrow’s competencies. A model for competence development as a result of organisational learning processes is proposed and illustrated by means of a case study.
Why Strategic deployment?
Authors: DeFeo Joseph A. , Janssen Alexander
Published: November 2002

This article represents the second in a series of articles on the topic of strategic deployment. In this installment the authors consider reasons underpinning the belief that organizations can and should implement only those initiatives which support a strategic plan. The article concludes that lack of a structured approach for integrating programs into one plan is the major cause of strategic planning process deficiencies.
Sustainable development: extending the scope of business excellence models
Authors: Garvare Rickard , Isaksson Raine
Published: November 2002

This paper presents an example of how to integrate the values of sustainable development in a business excellence model. It discusses definitions and measures of sustainable development, integrating values of total quality management with global human and environmental stakeholder interests. Requirements, core values, main criteria and different concepts of measures for sustainable development are examined, discussed and defined. Existing methods and strategies for quality and business excellence are compared with definitions of sustainable development. Indicators for sustainable development in an organisational and business context are discussed and a rough framework is presented.
TQM and business excellence: is there really a conflict?
Authors: Adebanjo Dotun
Published: November 2002

The shift in focus from TQM to business excellence and recent changes to the EFQM Excellence Model has resulted in suggestions that quality has been marginalised. It has also been suggested that quality is making a comeback as a result of perceived shortcomings in business excellence. The paper explores the literature and asserts that business excellence and quality complement each other and should co‐exist. It also provides a view on why business excellence might be partly responsible for recent increased interest in quality while maintaining that quality never really “died” in the first place.
Restructuring for agility at Volvo Car Technical Service (VCTS)
Authors: Ebrahimpur Golaleh , Jacob Merle
Published: November 2002

The last decade has been a turbulent one for the automobile industry. Two of the more significant competitive priorities that have emerged from this turbulence are the introduction of the platform strategy in new product development and the integration of information technology in the product, in the organization of production and in after‐market activities. Both developments have forced the car industry to introduce wide‐ranging organizational changes to create structures that are flexible and agile. This paper provides a practitioner’s account of the impact of the simultaneous introduction of these two interventions on Volvo Car Technical Service (VCTS).
The design of the investment post‐audit process in large organisations: evidence from a survey
Authors: Azzone Giovanni , Maccarrone Paolo
Published: November 2002

Focuses on the possible benefits and problems generated by the implementation of a post‐auditing (PA) system. This research work was structured as follows: first, an integrated model for the design of a firm PA system has been elaborated, based on the critical re‐elaboration of specialised literature; an empirical investigation (a survey) has been conducted in a sample of large companies operating in Italy, to analyse the most common configurations of PA systems. The aims were: to understand the behaviour of firms, with respect to the design variables identified in the previous section; to identify common patterns and possible correlationships between the solutions adopted in the different parts of the PA system. The results of the empirical analysis show a substantial alignment between the model and the configuration of PA systems implemented by firms (with some important exceptions), which seem to be influenced to a great extent by the objective with which the PA system has been implemented (project performance control vs learning).
The role of market research in the development of discontinuous new products
Authors: Trott Paul
Published: November 2002

Market research results frequently produce negative reactions to discontinuous new products (innovative products) that later become profitable for the innovating company. Famous examples such as the fax machine, the VCR and James Dyson’s bagless vacuum cleaner are often cited to support this view. Despite this, companies continue to seek the views of consumers on their new product ideas. The debate about the use of market research in the development of new products is long‐standing and controversial. This paper reviews the literature in this area and examines the extent to which market research is justified and whether companies should sometimes ignore their customers. The paper offers a conceptual framework that may help companies to decide when market research findings may be helpful and when they may hinder the development of discontinuous new products.
A benchmark study of strategic commitment to innovation
Authors: Cottam Angela , Ensor John , Band Christine
Published: November 2002

Describes the results of an empirical investigation of the FTSE 100 which was undertaken to ascertain whether UK industry is taking steps to address innovation at a strategic level within its organisations. In the research study, the appointment of staff with a specific responsibility for innovation was taken as an indicator of an organisation’s strategic commitment to innovation. The findings revealed that a significant minority of these organisations had invested in personnel with a specific brief for innovation. These were: directors of innovation; managers of innovation and cross‐functional teams. It is suggested that to maximise the benefits from innovation: it must be given a strategic direction; that relevant metrics be developed to measure the success of the innovation strategy; that organisations are educated on the holistic meaning of innovation; and finally, that there is a freedom from traditional hierarchical structures in the management of innovation.
The fuzzy front end and success of new product development: a causal model
Authors: Zhang Qingyu , Doll William J.
Published: November 2002

While managers and researchers agree that the fuzzy front end of new product development (NPD) is critical for project success, the meaning of the term “front‐end fuzziness” remains vague. It is often used broadly to refer to both the exogenous causes and the internal consequences of fuzziness. This imprecise language makes it difficult for managers to separate cause and effect and thus identify specific prescriptive remedies for “fuzziness” problems. The vagueness of the concept and the lack of a framework for defining “front‐end fuzziness” also impede empirical research efforts. Building upon uncertainty theory, we define front‐end fuzziness in terms of environmental uncertainties. Front‐end fuzziness has consequences for a project’s team vision. It reduces the team’s sense of shared purpose and causes unclear project targets and priorities. Describes how foundation elements of a firm’s overall product development program can help project teams cope with front‐end fuzziness.
Leading for innovation through symbiosis
Authors: Dev Amar Amar
Published: November 2002

Based on the experiences with various organizations, this article summarized how managers should lead their innovation employees for most effectiveness. The main thesis is that innovation employees give higher performance when their managers practice symbiotic leadership style. The article describes how managers can achieve this. Four characteristics that they can apply to guide their leadership style to create a work symbiosis are given. Another contribution of this article is a set of recommendations to mimic the aspects of symbiotic leadership applicable in any organization where the operating environment is uncertain, the task is unstructured, and the manager cannot provide a clear direction to his employees. Through the practice of these recommendations, managers of all types of organizations should get higher productivity from their employees due to the employees’ individual innovations.
Innovation processes in an accident and emergency department
Authors: Muñoz Fernández Ángeles
Published: November 2002

Provides an analysis of the innovation process in order to understand its development and to provide those responsible for its management with knowledge about this subject, as well as the behaviours that make it easy to introduce innovation successfully. The exploratory research work was carried out within the framework of a hospital’s accident and emergency department and the development of several cases of innovation was monitored in situ. Observes that not all innovations develop following the same pattern, but rather each one is determined by the radical nature of the innovation.
The role of regulations in the diffusion of environment technologies: micro and macro issues
Authors: Cetindamar Dilek
Published: November 2002

Analyzes the impact of regulations on the process of the diffusion and development of environment technologies from the perspective of both firm and technology policies. Based on a case study in the Turkish fertilizer industry, observes that regulations and public pressures are the main determinants both in the transfer and in the diffusion of environment technologies, indicating the importance of the institutional infrastructure, namely the interplay among firms, government and non‐governmental organizations. Thus, attempts to integrate the findings of the study and concludes with some technology policy issues both at the micro and macro level.
Innovation through creation of strategic communities in traditional big businesses: a case study of digital telecommunication services in Japan
Authors: Kodama Mitsuru
Published: November 2002

Presents a case study of how over the last six years a large, traditional corporation simultaneously created new service markets and established a dominant position in the competitive information and communication technology field in Japan. The corporation accepted a new organizational body that has an entrepreneurial spirit and consists of different types of personnel, then continuously promoted emergent strategies. At the same time, in an attempt to implement strategic innovation the company integrated the above strategies with deliberate strategies practised by the existing line organizational body. Through a case study, discusses the factors for success and the problems encountered in the course of achieving strategic innovation in the communications field, i.e. the creation of a new market through the creation of strategic communities based on cooperation between different organizations.
Development of a readiness assessment model for concurrent engineering in construction
Authors: Khalfan Malik M.A. , Anumba Chimay J. , Carrillo Patricia M.
Published: November 2002

Ongoing research and development into the implementation of concurrent engineering(CE) within the construction industry have made researchers think how to make CE implementation better, more effective, and more efficient. This has led researchers to investigate CE implementation efforts within other industry sectors, which suggest to carryout a CE readiness assessment of a construction organisation before the adoption of some CE aspects within the industry that has facilitated the CE adoption in other industries. Now the problem is that there is no model or tool available, which will help in assessing the readiness of the organisation. Therefore, this paper discusses the development of a CE readiness assessment model for the construction industry. It also includes a comparative review of existing readiness assessment tools and models that have been specifically developed and successfully used in the manufacturing andIT sectors. It argues that readiness assessment of a construction organisation is a necessity for the implementation of CE in construction and assesses the applicability of existing tools and models to the construction industry. And finally the development of a new readiness assessment model for the construction industry called “BEACON” is presented.
Comparing practices for capturing bank customer feedback ‐ Internet versus traditional banking
Authors: Wisner Joel D. , Corney William J.
Published: November 2002

Customer feedback capabilities and mechanisms were identified and evaluated in30 bank and credit union sites in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Additionally, 82 US Internet bank sites were identified and evaluated withrespect to their customer feedback capabilities. Comparisons were made between the brick/mortar and Internet banks and their respective feedback mechanisms. While this study identified a number of value‐enhancing customer feedback characteristics employed in banks, many of these financial institutions were found to be lacking even the most basic methods of feedback collection. Suggestions for improvement and areas for future research were included in the study.
An evolutionary approach to benchmarking
Authors: Fernandez P. , McCarthy I.P. , Rakotobe‐Joel T.
Published: November 2002

Introduces a framework for benchmarking organisations – “evolutionary benchmarking”. Discusses the concept and operation of the framework, along with its proposed advantages in aiding benchmarking. The benchmarking approach proposed utilises an evolutionary classification method called cladistics. Uses an example classification of automotive assembly plants to show how the proposed framework helps benchmarking in terms of: providing a framework for representing benchmarking information; enhancing the quality and validity of the information according to the classification rules of parsimony, congruence and homology; and providing a comparison that indicates how the practices should be adopted. This framework is considered to be useful to researchers who study benchmarking methodologies and those that categorise the findings of benchmarking studies.
A framework for benchmarking the value management process
Authors: Sik‐wah Fong Patrick , Shen Qiping , Cheng Eddie W.L.
Published: November 2002

Aims at developing an analytical framework for benchmarking value management. After a review of the extant literature on value management, identifies several critical success factors and related performance metrics. These critical success factors, such as management commitment, facilitator’s skills, brainstorming, group effectiveness, customer satisfaction, etc., represent the key characteristics of the value management methodology. Such a framework provides a foundation for researchers to undertake further research on benchmarking value management. It also serves as an evaluation platform for value management teams to assess their performance.
Benchmarking the benefits and barriers of application integration
Authors: Themistocleous Marinos , Irani Zahir
Published: November 2002

During the last three decades, a number of autonomous and, in many cases, heterogeneous systems have been evolved in organisations which cause integration problems and increase the complexity and cost of maintaining these applications. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems were then introduced to overcome integration problems. However, organisations did not abandon their existing systems when adopting an ERP solution, as ERP systems focus on general processes and do not allow much customisation. As a result, ERP systems co‐exist alongside other systems, and therefore amplify the need for integration. Recently, a new generation of software solutions called Application Integration (AI) has been introduced to address integration issues. AI is a new area with limited literature and documentation and explains the integration of basic types of applications and summarises the benefits of and the barriers to the adoption of an AI solution. Uses benchmarking to search and study best practices in the integration area. Explains how AI can be used by organisations to help them increase their productivity and improve their business processes. In addition, proposes a taxonomy of AI benefits and barriers when mapped against custom, packaged and e‐business solutions. The proposed taxonomy will help researchers to better understand, analyse and compare the benefits and barriers of AI and will therefore improve decision making.
Applying the axiomatic approach to business process redesign
Authors: Cotoia Maria , Johnson Sharon
Published: November 2002

Many approaches are available and widely used to represent and design business processes. The axiomatic approach developed by Suh has not received much attention because it is taught primarily as a product design tool. In this paper, we share our experience in applying this approach to a product obsolescence procedure in a semiconductor‐manufacturing environment. The approach provides structure for analyzing process outcomes and the means used to achieve them, a framework that is valuable in business process design. The rules that form the foundation of the axiomatic approach allow the user to evaluate the quality of a proposed design in satisfying the problem or perceived need. We found that the axiomatic approach was an excellent tool for generating process designs and evaluating them, although some effort is required initially to understand the approach. In addition, because it is essentially a process mapping technique, turning the proposed design into reality requires organizational understanding and change.
A process model of global strategic alliance formation
Authors: Pett Timothy L. , Clay Dibrell C.
Published: November 2002

Develops a conceptual framework of global strategic alliances by using the hybrid type of organization as part of the framework. The framework illustrates the relationships of various characteristics that might be present in an industry and across national boundaries that would influence alliance participation. The model developed here is based on four echelons, the exploratory, recurrent, relational, and outcome stages. Concludes with some general comments on the proposed global strategic alliance framework.
Planning for ERP systems: analysis and future trend
Authors: Chen Injazz J.
Published: November 2002

The successful implementation of various enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems has provoked considerable interest over the last few years. Management has recently been enticed to look toward these new information technologies and philosophies of manufacturing for the key to survival or competitive edges. Although there is no shortage of glowing reports on the success of ERP installations, many companies have tossed millions of dollars in this direction with little to show for it. Since many of the ERP failures today can be attributed to inadequate planning prior to installation, we choose to analyze several critical planning issues including needs assessment and choosing a right ERP system, matching business process with the ERP system, understanding the organizational requirements, and economic and strategic justification. In addition, this study also identifies new windows of opportunity as well as challenges facing companies today as enterprise systems continue to evolve and expand.
Business renovation projects in Slovenia
Authors: Kovacic Andrej
Published: November 2002

The main goal of the paper is to present the characteristics of business renovation efforts in Slovenia. Renovation is presented as the highest level of strategy for managing change that commonly cannot be handled by continuous improvement and reengineering methods or organizational restructuring. The research is based on the questionnaire about BPR projects implemented in Slovenian organizations. The results of the research are analysed. The paper focuses on using business renovation concept, as well as on the necessity for developing an information system that will be able to successfully support renovated processes. It stresses necessity for changes in organizations. Organizations become more reactive and self‐adaptive, faster to respond and capable of dealing with the changing environment.
Use of enterprise architectures in managing strategic change
Authors: Veasey Philip W.
Published: November 2002

This article discusses the benefits of applying structured, holistic analysis to human enterprises. It describes the Axum framework for enterprise architecture which the author developed as a tool for managing strategic change. This has been used successfully in many varied organisations such as civil service, Web‐based betting and even a major political party. It explains how the framework evolved out of earlier work on bussiness process reengineering to provide a more holistic approach in which process is set in the context of all other things that must be managed for successful change. The application of the framework in complex diversified enterprises is also explained and illustrations from the experience of the author are given.
Business process reengineering: a survey of international experience
Authors: Al‐Mashari Majed , Irani Zahir , Zairi Mohamed
Published: November 2002

Despite the widespread adoption of business process re‐engineering (BPR), it has in many cases repeatedly failed to deliver its promised results. The lack of integrated implementation approach to exploiting BPR is seen as one of the important reasons amongst others, behind BPR failures. Yet, a relative void in the literature remains the scarcity of suitable models and frameworks that address the implementation issues surrounding BPR. This motivates the presented study to attempt to provide a “frame of reference” with which current practices can be re‐positioned. A survey was therefore designed to collect data from a sample of organizations in the USA and Europe. The survey assesses the level of importance placed on the essential elements of integrated BPR implementation. In doing so, the study was also able to identify the level of maturity of BPR concepts within organisations. Empirical findings are then discussed in the context of other studies.
The efficiency of accounting service provision
Authors: Barrar Peter , Wood Douglas , Jones Julian , Vedovato Marco
Published: November 2002

The paper uses a procedure called data envelopment analysis (DEA) to compare internal against external (outsource) efficiency in the delivery of finance function activities. The approach allows a direct comparison between the in‐house efficiency of UK small, medium and large companies in managing their accounting activities both with UK outsource contractors and also against the rather larger and more numerous contractors observed in Italy. The paper finds that, through comparative advantages, outsourcing presents a more efficient solution for the management of very small firm accounting than internal provision. Furthermore, there is evidence that substantial scale benefits continue to be available to outsource contractors, while inefficiency on internal provision is mainly technical. The paper concludes that outsourcing provision is likely to offer worthwhile savings to small firms, allowing them to shed competitive weaknesses and operate at efficient or best practice levels. At the same time, by converting an internal fixed cost, fixed capacity activity into a flexible, variable cost activity, SMEs have the potential to transform a previously unmanageable activity into an efficient or best practice activity that can grow or contract with the business.
Ubiquitous organization: organizational design for e‐CRM
Authors: Kotorov Radoslav P.
Published: November 2002

In 1998 J.P. Morgan’s analysts forecast that the market for e‐CRM (customer relationship management) solutions would grow rapidly. Since then more than 700 e‐CRM firms have emerged. The convergence of information technologies caused enterprise information systems providers to add e‐CRM functionality to their systems, thus further increasing the number of e‐CRM suppliers. The proliferation of e‐CRM concepts, models and technologies causes significant confusion and uncertainty. Corporate executives question the economic benefits of investing in multimillion dollar e‐CRM projects, ponder about the right business and organizational models for e‐CRM, and are uncertain which e‐CRM models and technologies will prove both profitable and sustainable over time. With so many failed e‐CRM initiatives some executives wonder whether e‐CRM is not simply a hype. In the present paper what e‐CRM is, from where the economic benefits from investing in e‐CRM derive, and the evolution of alternative e‐CRM models are elaborated. It is also argued that successful e‐CRM projects are not narrowly departmental, but instead organization‐wide initiatives. The paper presents a conceptual framework for e‐CRM organizational architecture. The findings in the paper are based on e‐CRM industry analysis, evaluation and work experience with over 50 e‐CRM vendors, and on consulting experience with numerous corporations.
B2B‐enhanced supply chain process: toward building virtual enterprises
Authors: Serve Mike , Yen Dave C. , Wang Jyun‐Cheng , Lin Binshan
Published: November 2002

Successful supply chain management requires a change from managing individual functions to integrating activities into the key supply chain process. The advantages far outweigh the effort involved in accessing the final product; a seamless supply chain that operates fluidly and benefits the entire chain. In this paper, the merit of supply chain and B2B is discussed, and the impacts on each other identified. With the groundwork built, the concept of B2B marketplaces as the participating units in a supply chain process in order to enhance the business process is employed. Virtual enterprises can use this extended form of supply chain as its building‐blocks.
Unleashing the integration potential of ERP systems
Authors: Beretta Sergio
Published: November 2002

Despite the large investments recently made in ERP systems, many companies are beginning to admit that the real impact of ERPs on management styles and practices is actually well below expectations, especially on the front of organizational integration. It is argued that ERP systems possess integrating capabilities only at a potential stage: their simple physical implementation is not enough to activate their inner potentialities. ERP systems can enact substantial organizational integration, only if they rely on a sound business process architecture. When the process dimension is absent from the implementation, the integration potential of ERP systems is frozen. It is argued that this situation can be unfrozen by making processes visible: the introduction of a process‐based performance measurement system can help to unleash the power of integration, by making the processes visible to people.
The development of e‐commerce in Singapore
Authors: Chan Busli , Al‐Hawamdeh Suliman
Published: November 2002

With the advent of Internet technology and its rapid growth during the last few years, electronic commerce has become an increasing reality. While e‐commerce still constitutes a small part of many countries’ economies, it is seen by many as an opportunity to reduce cost and improve productivity. This is true, as many economies are transferring themselves into knowledge‐based economies, where information and innovation are the competitive instruments. Singapore as a small country with limited natural resources realized the importance of the new economy and the need to position itself as an information and knowledge hub in Asia. The government has taken an active role in the establishment of an e‐commerce infrastructure. The government’s vision is to build a premier service hub in the region with global orientation, and focusing on new high growth hub services. This paper reviews the development of e‐commerce in Singapore and studies its impact on the development of the information society in Singapore.
The processes and costs of local guideline development: experiences from the Path.Finder NHS consortium
Authors: Bowens Amanda , Robinson Mike , McDonald Ruth , Ayres Phil
Published: November 2002

The Path.Finder NHS consortium consists of ten acute hospitals sharing a common approach to the production and dissemination of local information for primary care, including clinical practice guidelines. Ten local guidelines were studied across four clinical areas: dyspepsia, lipids, eczema, and menorrhagia. Local guideline developers largely appear to be unconvinced that investment of time and resources in “proper” guideline development is cost‐effective. At the same time, primary care professionals’ views about future NICE guidelines may have been coloured by their current much more variable experience. Successful implementation of local guidelines is unlikely to be straightforward.
High‐dependency care: findings of a prospective needs assessment study
Authors: Kalayi C. , Blair S.D. , Maxwell M.
Published: November 2002

Aims to determine the bed requirement for a large district general hospital with a four‐bedded surgical high‐dependency unit (HDU). All admissions from 1 December 1997 to 28 February 1998 (aged over 15 years) were used in this study. Overall, the study showed that an estimated 1.6 per cent of adult, in‐patient admissions required HDU care (there were 10,949 admissions to the hospital during the study period). The bed occupancy for the surgical HDU during the study period was 90 per cent (319 actual bed days/356 potential bed days). The average length of stay was four days. The mean, median and modal daily bed requirement was six. The needs assessment study clearly demonstrated that it was essential for the Trust to provide more comprehensive care to a wider range of patients than was currently available in the hospital, particularly those with serious medical conditions, and recommended the provision of an eight‐bedded HDU.
Investigating intervention strategies to increase the appropriate use of benzodiazepines in elderly medical in‐patients
Authors: Batty Gwenno M. , Hooper R. , Oborne C. Alice , Jackson S.H.D.
Published: November 2002

Aims to measure the appropriateness of the prescribing of benzodiazepines and the effect of intervention strategies designed to improve the appropriate use of benzodiazepines. Cross‐sectional data of appropriate prescribing of benzodiazepines were assessed before and after one of three intervention strategies. Appropriateness of prescribing was assessed using an algorithm based on published evidence. Hospitals were randomly allocated to receive verbal (oral communication), bulletin (paper communication) or control feedback (no communication). The change in rate of appropriate prescribing of benzodiazepines was compared between intervention groups. Gives results and concludes by highlighting areas which can be addressed to increase the impact of intervention in future studies.