bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women's union leadership in Barbados: exploring the local within the global
Authors: Kirton Gill , Healy Geraldine
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explore the under‐representation of women in union leadership in Barbados. The article asks if there are specific conditions faced by women there or if the barriers for Barbadian women are the same or similar to those facing union women in developed countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was a small qualitative one. In‐depth interviews were carried out in 2007‐2008 with 17 women leaders from the two dominant general unions in Barbados, from two smaller female‐dominated unions and an international union federation.

Findings

The findings show that many of the barriers union women in developed countries face are also encountered in Barbados, including family and domestic and workplace/union. However, the paper shows that the local context of Barbados produces a locally specific version of oppressive gender relations that impact on union women and their ability to access leadership. In particular, the “male marginalisation thesis” holds purchase in the public mindset and has created a backlash against one of the major strategies for addressing women's under‐representation in unions – women's separate organising.

Research limitations/implications

This was a small study based on one Caribbean island and the findings do not necessarily apply to the wider region. Nevertheless, it raises sufficient questions about gender relations in union in the Caribbean to warrant further investigation both by unions and academics.

Originality/value

There is little in the international literature on women and unions in the Caribbean region.
Trade union delegate leadership and membership commitment: a cross‐sectional analysis
Authors: Plimmer Geoff , Blumenfeld Stephen
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to identify what workplace representative behaviours are most strongly associated with members’ commitment. This is increasingly important, as decentralised management practices have shifted management decisions to workplace levels, placing new demands on workplace representatives.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach is quantitative and cross sectional. A total of two unions and 32 workplaces are examined.

Findings

Members’ commitment corresponds to workplace delegate leadership that is responsive. Transparency had a negative relationship to commitment, possibly because it is also interpreted as bureaucratic and overly formal for workplace issues. Innovation was not significantly associated with members’ commitment. This applies regardless of occupational class, gender or age. It was also found that workplaces that had adopted the organising model had more committed members.

Research limitations/implications

Cross sectional relationships do not equal causation. However, the findings suggest that workplace level responsiveness by delegates is potentially very effective in building member commitment.

Practical implications

Unions can, with more confidence than previously, invest in developing responsive delegate leadership teams.

Originality/value

This paper provides insight into effective leadership behaviours that apply across two unions covering diverse workplaces and occupational types. As management decentralises, unions need to as well. This provides assistance to unions on how to do so. The cross sectional nature of the study builds on earlier research that may have been prone to common method variance.
Union leadership in UK social housing
Authors: Preece David , Ward Carolyn
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the privatisation and restructuring of social housing provision upon union leadership in the sector. The paper explores how local union leaders have adapted to radical reforms in the nature and organization of social housing provision in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws upon empirical material collected by the authors from social housing associations, informed by the union leadership literature and Habermas’ concepts of “communicative action” and “colonization”, drawing in particular upon the recent work of Edwards.

Findings

There are indications of moves to a more formalised relationship between management and local union leaders/staff representatives, with management keen to promote more “openness, partnership and collaboration” in working with the union leaders and staff reps. There was some evidence of senior managers involving local union leaders at earlier stages of policy and procedural initiatives, and of senior managers being more explicitly incorporated in the management‐union leader nexus.

Research limitations/implications

Given the limited amount of research to date on union leadership in social housing organizations, and the exploratory nature and limited scope of this study (which, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first to look at these matters), it follows that we still have limited knowledge of practice. Amongst other considerations, it is necessary to broaden the scope of future studies to take in a larger number of UK social housing providers, and to gather data from union/staff association members as well as managers and local union leaders.

Originality/value

The paper examines a matter which has been neglected by researchers to date, that is the changing nature and role of union leadership in social housing organizations, and it does this through an examination of the changing intra‐ organizational contexts within which this is taking place.
The importance of multiple leadership roles in fostering participation
Authors: Sadler Julie
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the direct and indirect effect of high and low‐level local union leaders on various forms of member participation.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews and surveys of the leaders and members of an Educators Association operating in the USA were used to explore these complex relationships. Multiple regression, hierarchical regression, and path analyses were used to test direct and indirect relationship and the amount of variance explained by participatory leadership.

Findings

Survey results indicate that a member's perception of the participatory style of the local union president positively related to, and explained a significant amount of additional variance in, union activities that require moderate and high levels of effort. No support was found for the workplace representative's direct relationship with various measures of member participation. The indirect effects of the union president's and the workplace representatives’ participatory style on union involvement highlight the importance of various union leadership roles on developing various union attitudes.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the cross‐sectional nature of the study, common method bias, and a small sample size (N=113).

Practical implications

Results of the study highlight the importance of the union president in fostering union attitudes and certain forms of union participation. The findings suggest areas for leadership development and training opportunities of union officials.

Originality/value

Unique elements of the study include an exploration of multiple leadership roles on union attitudes and various forms of union participation.
“It's not you, it's me”: transformational leadership and self‐deprecating humor
Authors: Hoption Colette , Barling Julian , Turner Nick
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate leaders’ use of humor as an expression of how they value themselves relative to others. The paper suggests that humor can minimize or exacerbate the status differences between leaders and followers. The paper hypothesizes that leaders’ use of self‐ or in‐group‐deprecating humor would be positively associated with ratings of transformational leadership as they minimize those distinctions, whereas leaders’ use of aggressive humor would be negatively associated with ratings of transformational leadership because it exacerbates status distinctions.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 155 undergraduates (58 males, 97 females; M age=20 years, SD=1.31) were assigned randomly to one of four conditions, each depicting a different type of humor in a leader's speech.

Findings

Leaders using self‐deprecating humor were rated higher on individualized consideration (a factor of transformational leadership) than those that used aggressive humor.

Research limitations/implications

The authors encourage future field research on the role of humor as an expression of leaders’ self‐ versus other‐orientation.

Originality/value

Humor and work might seem inconsistent, but this study demonstrates how leadership can use humor to improve leader‐follower relationships. Furthermore, it contributes to our understanding of self‐deprecating humor which has received scant attention relative to other forms of humor.
Gender and personality in transformational leadership context
Authors: Brandt Tiina , Laiho Maarit
Published: March 2013

Purpose

There are many studies of personality and leadership and gender and leadership, but only few leadership studies have taken into account both personality and gender. That may partly be due to the fact that there are relatively few female leaders, however, the aim of this paper is to discover if similar personality types exhibit the same kind of leadership behavior irrespective of gender.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative analysis involves 459 leaders (283 men and 176 women) and 378 subordinates working in various fields. Leaders rated their leadership behavior and subordinates also appraised them.

Findings

Results indicated differences in leadership behavior by gender, in that women exhibited more enabling behavior, and men more challenging behavior. Further, gender and personality had an impact on leadership behavior, as viewed by both leaders and subordinates. For example, extraverted and intuitive male leaders along with those exhibiting the perceiving dimension regarded themselves as more challenging than their introverted, sensing and judging male counterparts, a view confirmed by subordinates in the case of perceiving male leaders.

Research limitations/implications

As limitations, the Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator offers only one view of the personality, and future studies would be needed with different methods. Also the study did not control confounding factors, and it should be taken into account with the study.

Practical implications

From a practical view point, this study offers specific knowledge for people seeking to develop themselves as leaders.

Originality/value

Very few studies have concentrated on the relationship between personality and gender in the transformational leadership context, and this study provides a new perspective on this area.
Integrating transformational and participative versus directive leadership theories
Authors: Arnold Kara A. , Loughlin Catherine
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which male and female leaders report engaging in participative versus directive intellectually stimulating transformational leadership behaviour across three different contexts (business, government and military).

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 64 senior leaders (29 female and 35 male) across Canada.

Findings

Leaders were more likely to describe using a participative versus directive approach to intellectual stimulation. Gender similarities and differences also appeared across contexts: government leaders reported almost twice as many directive examples as business leaders, and men and women in both of these contexts were very similar in their reports about how they enacted intellectual stimulation. In contrast, men and women in the military diverged, with male leaders reporting more participative behaviour than female leaders.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends the leadership literature through an integration of participative and directive leadership theory with transformational leadership theory. Sample size and self‐report data are possible limitations.

Practical implications

Findings provide insight into the behaviours leaders engage in to enhance creative thinking and problem solving within organizations across different contexts and suggests that this aspect of transformational leadership is most likely to be enacted in a participative way by both male and female leaders.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to empirically investigate participative versus directive transformational leadership behaviour. Gender differences between contexts are worthy of further study, specifically regarding the implications of these findings for female leaders’ promotion and career progression.
Broadband availability and economic growth
Authors: Bojnec Štefan , Fertő Imre
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a model to measure the effect of broadband availability on economic growth in developed OECD countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of the broadband availability‐related variables on economic growth is analyzed by using cross‐country panel data for 34 OECD countries over the years 1998‐2009. The robustness of the results by the six econometric estimation approaches is compared. The preferable dynamic panel model with the system of Generalized Method of Moments is selected.

Findings

The access channels per inhabitant and total broadband per inhabitant have improved over time, but vary across the analysed OECD countries. The improved access channels per inhabitant and gross capital growth (investment) play a positive and significant role in the per‐capita gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Labour productivity growth has encouraged economic growth positively. These results are robust independently of the estimation procedure.

Research limitations/implications

The authors do not find a positive and significant role of the total broadband per inhabitant on the per‐capita GDP growth. These findings and the results for control variables pertaining to trade openness and inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in the growth equation are biased to the estimation procedure.

Originality/value

The conceptual‐empirical value to the research of new connections made using the key elements of economic growth theory with focus on the effect of the broadband availability, main macroeconomic and economic openness variables on economic growth. This is one of the first studies that, in the growth equation, uses different broadband availability‐related variables, which in addition to gross capital growth, government consumption, and inflation in the adjusted augmented growth model are controlled for labour productivity growth, trade openness, and inward FDI.
Exploring the effects of information quality change in road transport operations
Authors: Popovič Aleš , Habjan Andreja
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The information system (IS) literature has previously emphasized the positive contribution of IT‐enabled quality information on decision making and firm performance, particularly when firms operate in highly competitive and uncertain settings. Yet, our understanding of how such information potentially transforms transport operations and generates improvements in organizational performance is limited. In response, the authors conduct an exploratory comparative case study of three transport firms that have introduced the global positioning system (GPS) in their operations. The purpose of this paper is to focus on assessing changes in transport operations due to the use of the quality information GPS provides and the link between these changes and organizational benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews, direct observations and archival documentation in the three transport firms. Applying methods of a comparative case study, the data were analyzed by employing iterative and inductive analyses.

Findings

The results identify transport operations as the missing element in a more comprehensive explanation of previously hypothesized relationships between information quality improvements and organizational benefits in road transportation. Notably, it was found that different information quality affects transport operations in various ways. In addition, improved transport operations, namely transport service planning, vehicle routing and transport control, result in improved customer service, enhanced transport asset utilization, reduced transport costs and time, and in increased satisfaction of employees working within the transport process.

Research limitations/implications

The paper offers a series of propositions that aims to stimulate empirical research and theoretical thinking on this topical subject.

Practical implications

The findings offer valuable insights to transport firms, while providing and improving information quality for transport service planning, vehicle routing and transport control that results in organizational benefits linked to customer service, transport asset utilization, costs, and employee satisfaction. For information to have practical value, firms must use it in those transport operations identified as adding value to the firms' performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge this is an early attempt to inform firms in the transport industry about the information quality change following from GPS use and its implications for transport operations.
A new approach for assessing the correlated risk
Authors: Pan Jeh‐Nan , Chen Sheau‐Chiann
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between multivariate process capability indices and loss functions for both nominal‐the‐best and smaller‐the‐better cases, so the likelihood and consequences resulting from the nonconforming of a manufacturing process or an environmental system can be evaluated simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors present a new approach of correlated risk assessment by linking the multiple process capability indices and loss functions, in which the multivariate process capability indices and multivariate loss functions describe the likelihood and consequences as a result of nonconformities in multivariate manufacturing or environmental system, respectively. Then, the associated relationship equations are developed using multivariate methods. Moreover, a step‐by‐step procedure is provided to facilitate the implementation of the correlated risk assessment.

Findings

Given the multivariate process capability indices, the authors show that the expected loss can be estimated by developed relationship equations and two numerical examples are also given, to demonstrate how the correlated manufacturing and environmental risks can be properly assessed by linking the multivariate process capability indices and multivariate loss function.

Practical implications

The risk information of likelihood and expected loss, classified in the four planning zones of a strategic planning matrix, provides practising managers and engineers with a decision‐making tool for prioritizing their quality improvement projects when conducting risk assessment for any multivariate process or environmental system.

Originality/value

Once the existing quality/environmental problems and their Key Performance Indicators are identified, one may conduct risk assessment by applying the relationship equations to evaluate the impact of correlated risk on manufacturing processes or multiple environmental emissions inside company; this can lead to the direction of continuous improvement for any industry.
Music business models and piracy
Authors: Bustinza Oscar F. , Vendrell‐Herrero Ferran , Parry Glenn , Myrthianos Vasileios
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the scale of illegal file‐sharing activity across ten countries and to correlate this activity with country revenues. The work aims to elucidate an under‐explored business model challenge which exists in parallel with a music piracy challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

The study data are drawn from a number of sources, including a data set of a survey of more than 44,000 consumers in ten different countries undertaken in 2010. Following analysis, all findings are validated by a panel of industry experts.

Findings

Results show that non‐legitimate file‐sharing activity is a heterogeneous issue across countries. The scale of activity varies from 14 per cent in Germany to 44 per cent in Spain, with an average of 28 per cent. File‐sharing activity negatively correlates to music industry revenue per capita. This research finds many consumers are not engaging with online business models. Almost one fourth of the population claim that they do not consume digital music in either legal or illegal forms. This phenomenon is also negatively correlated with sales per capita.

Practical implications

Results support the need for policy makers to introduce strong intellectual property rights (IPR) regulation which reduces file‐sharing activity. The work also identifies a large percentage of non‐participants in the digital market who may be re‐engaged with music through business model innovation.

Originality/value

This research presents a map of the current file‐sharing activity in ten countries using a rich and unique dataset. The work identifies that a country's legal origin correlates to data on file‐sharing activity, with countries from a German legal origin illegally file sharing least. Approximately, half of the survey respondents chose not to answer the question related to file‐sharing activity. Different estimates of the true scale of file‐sharing activity are given based upon three different assumptions of the file sharing activity of non‐respondents to this question. The challenge of engaging consumers in the digital market through different business models is discussed in light of digital music's high velocity environment.
Optimal technology selection considering input levels of resource
Authors: Yu Peng , Hee Lee Jang
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an optimal technology selection (OTS) method considering technology alternatives' required input levels of resource, to help companies select an optimal technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method clustered technology alternatives according to their required input levels of resource. After that, in each cluster, the proposed method used data envelopment analysis‐assurance region (DEA‐AR) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) rating method to evaluate the efficiencies and priorities of the technology alternatives, respectively. Finally, combined scores of the technology alternatives were calculated. A company can choose a proper technology cluster, and then select the technology alternative with the highest combined score within the selected cluster as the optimal technology.

Findings

The results showed that the OTS method cannot only select suitable technology which accords with a company's actual input capabilities, but also provide a more accurate selection result.

Originality/value

Traditionally, technologies are evaluated without considering the technologies' required input levels, and simply ranked for selection. However, there are differences between a company's actual resource levels and a selected technology's required input levels of resource. This study proposes an integrated method to evaluate technology systematically and provides a more reasonable selection process for selecting optimal technology.
Perceived performance effects of ICT in manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Bayo‐Moriones Alberto , Billón Margarita , Lera‐López Fernando
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether information and communication technologies (ICT) resources, including investment and use of specific types of ICT as well as innovative work practices, have a positive impact on several dimensions of firm performance, taking into account both direct and indirect effects and both short and long‐term effects.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study using data from a sample of 267 Spanish manufacturing SMEs was conducted. Path analysis was used to study direct and indirect ICT impacts and OLS regression was the estimation method employed.

Findings

The findings show a positive relationship between ICT adoption and all the measures of perceived performance analyzed, although the impact is not always immediate since the lag effects and length differ according to the type of ICT. Managers' perceptions of ICT impact are related to the adoption of new work practices but the effects also depend positively on the number of years since new work practices were implemented. ICT impact on final performance (market share and profits and margin) takes place mainly indirectly through the improvement of internal and external communication, as well as through operational performance.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations of the research stem from the specific geographical context under consideration and restrictions relating to the cross‐sectional nature of the data.

Practical implications

The results reveal the wide scope of the benefits of ICT adoption in SMEs and point to the need for persistence in use so as to obtain good results in some areas. They also stress the positive effects of adopting ICTs together with organizational innovation.

Originality/value

This research extends the scope of the analysis of ICT payoff literature by analyzing direct and indirect effects and by focusing on a broad range of technologies, a variety of performance measures and several time lags to study ICT adoption impacts in SMEs.
How can a mobile vendor get satisfied customers?
Authors: San‐Martin Sonia , López‐Catalán Blanca
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the role that a relational variable (trust) and three personal variables (impulsiveness, involvement and innovativeness), may play as antecedents of satisfaction of mobile shoppers.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative information was collected using a survey instrument directed to Spanish mobile shoppers. In total, 447 valid questionnaires were obtained. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Trust, involvement and innovativeness were found to have a positive impact on mobile shopper satisfaction, except impulsiveness, which has a negative impact, as the authors proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The study highlights the importance of gaining m‐shopper satisfaction and different ways of achieving this goal, especially, internal influences.

Practical implications

M‐vendors should bear in mind that engendering trust and involvement with the channel is positive if they are to achieve purchaser satisfaction with the medium, whilst encouraging impulsiveness would prove detrimental. It should also be stressed that mobile phone user tendency to make use of new technologies could encourage impulsiveness that might lead to dissatisfaction, but that this innovativeness prompts individuals to take a keener interest in the products and services available over the mobile and ultimately leads them to become more involved.

Originality/value

Mobile commerce Spain is still in its infancy, hence the interest in gaining an insight into the factors which most impact the satisfaction of those who have already purchased using this means. Although research into e‐commerce has increased, few works have dealt with mobile shopping. Innovativeness, impulsiveness and involvement have received little attention in this context.
Supply chain involvement for better product development performance
Authors: Feng Taiwen , Wang Dan
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of three types of supply chain involvement (SCI) on three types of new product development (NPD) performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the research hypotheses, structural equation modeling was conducted using data from 214 Chinese manufacturing companies.

Findings

The results reveal that internal involvement is positively associated with customer and supplier involvement. It was also found that three types of SCI influence three types of NPD performance differently. Specifically, internal involvement is important in improving NPD speed, while customer and supplier involvement have significant effects on NPD cost and NPD speed. Moreover, internal and customer involvement enhance market performance indirectly, whereas supplier involvement improves market performance both directly and indirectly.

Research limitations/implications

This research examines the relationship between SCI and NPD performance in China. However, the effectiveness of SCI may be contingent on various factors (such as involvement timing, innovation strategy and business environment) and the relationship may be different in other cultural contexts.

Practical implications

Managers should adopt a holistic SCI perspective to manage their supply chains when developing new products, to achieve better performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to SCI literature and practices by defining three types of SCI in the context of supply chain, examining the relationships among them and revealing the impacts of different types of SCI on different types of NPD performance.
Alignment of operations strategy: exploring the marketing interface
Authors: Jose Zanon Celeste , Gomes Alves Filho Alceu , Jose Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel , Lopes de Sousa Jabbour Ana Beatriz
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that can help managers to overcome barriers to alignment of operations strategy at the interface with marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

This objective required the application of a procedure based on strategic consensus and a deeper analysis, such that the delimitation of the study in a single case was mandatory. The strategic processes of interfacing involve managerial attributes that are subject to the influence of human aspects and, therefore, the research method used a qualitative approach. The protocol design included the following data sources: interviews, document reviews and researcher observations. The categorisation was made based on the theoretical references, the frequency of observations, common responses and information from documents.

Findings

The balance between intra‐functional trade‐offs, joint research on the competitive context, reflections on the understanding of customer needs and operational performance, and understanding of inter‐functional trade‐offs were the main factors verified. They effectively support decisions associated with interface processes and promotes the integration of these processes. They can generate inputs that enable managers to achieve an appropriate balance among alternatives in light of various trade‐offs.

Practical implications

These factors make possible new connections between strategic processes in the context of operations and marketing functions. The formations of these strategies are aligned through a better understanding of both threats and opportunities by means of a joint analysis of the competitive context. The presented findings can be used to develop a clear definition of strategic objectives of operations and a more appropriate treatment of market needs.

Originality/value

The findings from the research can be considered as new elements for promoting alignment in the formation process of the operations strategy. Little research to date has examined the operations‐marketing strategic interface of companies in the context of strategic consensus.
IT investments and product development effectiveness: Iranian SBs
Authors: Sai Hong Tang , Ghobakhloo Morteza
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine if, and how, investments in IT at different levels can create new product development (NPD) capabilities in terms of IT leveraging competence in NPD and NPD effectiveness. The paper also investigates how Iranian small businesses (SBs) can achieve desired marketing performance through developing these capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is consistent with the perspective on IT‐enabled organizational capabilities. A questionnaire‐based survey was conducted to collect data from 218 businesses or NPD managers of SBs in Iran.

Findings

IT leveraging competence in NPD and NPD effectiveness are valuable key capabilities that transform the value of IT resources to a firm's performance for Iranian SBs. Investments in both technical and human IT resources have positive effects on the development of NPD capabilities, and thus performance in the surveyed SBs.

Research limitations/implications

Among other limitations, relying on a small sample size and cross‐sectional data of this research, and lack of generalizability of findings tend to have certain limitations.

Practical implications

The results suggest that the investments in both technical and human IT resources increase firms' ability to develop effectiveness in NPD. However, IT investments strategy should be aligned with effective use of IT functionalities, as the effect of IT leveraging competence in development of NPD effectiveness is more pronounced. Second, IT leveraging competence in NPD and NPD effectiveness are important intermediate organizational capabilities through which the benefits of both technical and human IT resources are converted into performance effects at the firm level for Iranian SBs.

Originality/value

This case study explores how Iranian SBs can develop NPD capabilities, and subsequently, marketing performance, a topic that has received little attention to date.
Towards organisational performance
Authors: Trunk Širca Nada , Babnik Katarina , Breznik Kristijan
Published: March 2013

Purpose

HRM climate is the intervening variable that relates implemented HRM practices to individual reactions. The purpose of the study is to contribute to the understanding of HRM climate construct, through the study of the role of HRM climate in employees' attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review a model is proposed that links HRM climate perceptions to job satisfaction, job involvement and perceived organisational performance. The model was tested on a sample of 574 Slovenian employees from the manufacturing sector. The model of HRM‐attitudes relationship was tested with partial least squares approach to structural equation modelling.

Findings

Two HRM climate dimensions (collaboration and structure) have an indirect (through job satisfaction and job involvement) and direct effect on perceived organisational performance, although dimension “collaboration” has a much stronger effect on employees' job satisfaction, and perceived organisational performance factor, than the “structure” dimension.

Originality/value

The HRM climate as a construct has not been studied intensively, although perceptions of HRM practices have been at the centre of attention since the beginning of the study of HRM‐performance relations. The study shows that the meaning assigned to the experienced HRM practices, has a strong effect on employees' reactions toward the job and work environment, and so offers a new approach to the understanding of the individual's role in HRM‐performance relation.
Managing dualities for efficiency and effectiveness of organisations
Authors: Biloslavo Roberto , Bagnoli Carlo , Rusjan Figelj Roland
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The paper presents the concept of duality, which presupposes the synthesis of two apparently opposing organisation's properties. The purpose of the paper is to empirically verify whether management of dualities correlates with effectiveness and efficiency of organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research examines 21 dualities at the normative and strategic level of organisational policy. The research was undertaken in two phases. In the first phase, effectiveness and efficiency indicators were defined by applying the analytic hierarchy process method within an expert group. In the second phase, a questionnaire was sent to 49 CEOs of mid‐size and large companies operating in the food, beverage and foodstuff production industry in Slovenia. The questionnaire applied the semantic differential scale.

Findings

The fundamental research hypothesis argues that organisations that are able to transcend the so‐called duality paradox thus enhance their effectiveness or/and efficiency. The results partly confirm this fundamental hypothesis within the limitations of the research sample. In terms of future research, the findings offer a valuable starting point for studies involving a larger sample of industries and organisations.

Practical implications

The research findings present enough evidence that although management of dualities does not assure effectiveness and efficiency of organisation, it is a core driver that should enhance a firm's performance relative to its competitors. This means that managers need to develop an ability to constructively face the tensions of opposing dualities, and instead of choosing one at the expense of the other, generating a creative solution of the tensions in the form of a new dynamic model that recognizes dualities as complements and not as forces facing each other.

Originality/value

From a theoretical point of view, it has been observed that management and organisational research have been mainly focused on the definition of organisational dualities or paradoxes and how organisations can sustain competing demands simultaneously. The paper contributes to developing a debate on the potential of managing organisational dualities for greater organisational effectiveness and efficiency.
IS/IT as supplier selection criterion for upstream value chain
Authors: Ageron Blandine , Gunasekaran Angappa , Spalanzani Alain
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This exploratory research aims to examine and evaluate the importance of IS/IT criterion in the suppliers selection process. The paper attempts to assess if there is superior supply chain performance arising from the integration of this criterion and to determine difficulties companies face resulting from this deployment.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of previous literature on supplier selection is presented and the authors designed a structured questionnaire for their data collection. Data were collected from 90 French companies and subsequently analyzed to understand the IS/IT criterion used for supplier selection along the upstream value chain.

Findings

The results suggest that IT/IS is a significant supplier selection criterion within supply chain context because of the rapid proliferation of information sharing across upstream chains.

Research limitations/implications

Since this empirical investigation has been limited to French companies, further studies can be done for comparison with similar western countries or different countries (on economic, environmental, social, political dimensions).

Practical implications

This research has several implications for the decision makers in the management of their suppliers. It informs them on the necessity to integrate IS/IT in their suppliers selection. Meaning while, it indicates which IS/IT must be emphasized and which difficulties will be faced by integrating this criterion. It also gives some insights concerning the supplier relationship development.

Originality/value

The paper identifies the relative importance of IS/IT criterion in the supplier selection process. IT/IS has a role to play as it has helped improve the dynamics of both externalization and internationalization, notably by solving problems and by encouraging development of upstream relationships.
IN‐GM(0, N) cost forecasting model of commercial aircraft based on interval grey numbers
Authors: Tian Min , Cao Ying , Xie Naiming , Liu Sifeng
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct a novel GM(0, N) model based on grey number sequences and to solve the problem of cost forecasting of commercial aircraft which puzzled managers, especially the factors of cost with uncertain information.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the definition of traditional GM(0, N) model, the paper considers the limited information and knowledge, and the algorithm of grey numbers with greyness and kernel was designed. A novel GM(0, N) model based on grey number sequences, named the IN‐GM(0, N) model, is proposed according to the definition of the grey numbers algorithm. The steps of the proposed model are then given. Finally, a case of domestic commercial aircrafts is developed as an example, based on information gathering and model calculating.

Findings

The results of this research indicate that the IN‐GM(0,N) model is effective in cost calculating, providing reliable technical support for cost estimation of large‐scale complex equipment including commercial aircraft.

Practical implications

Cost forecasting of commercial aircraft can be solved effectively and the model can also be utilized to predicate other products.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in constructing a novel grey forecasting model. This work contributes significantly to improving grey forecasting theory and to undoubtedly propose more novel grey forecasting models.
Superior relation between cardiac parameters and blood pressure
Authors: Yang Yuhua , Tan Xuerui
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the superior relationship among the parameters of age, casual blood pressure and 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure with left atrial and ventricular structure and left ventricular filling function in systolic hypertensives (SH).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 30 male and seven female patients aged from 46‐74 (averaged at 59±7) years with stage I∼II systolic hypertension were studied. The criterion of the subjects was SBP ≥ 160 mmHg and DBP < 95 mmHg or SBP ≥ 2 × (DBP‐15 mmHg) and DBP≥95 mmHg. The parameters acted as independent variables were: age, casual systolic and diastolic blood pressure (CSBP and CDBP) and 24‐hour ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure (ASBP24 and ADBP24). The parameters acted as dependent variables were ratio of the early rapid filling peak flow velocity and late atrial contractive filling peak flow velocity below the mitral valve on the pulsed‐wave spectral Doppler echocardiography (LAD/AoD). The collected data were analyzed via the superior grey relational analyses.

Findings

The results showed that the superior grey relational order in independent variables was ASBP24 > ADBP24 > CSBP > CDBP > age and the superior grey relational order in dependent variables was LAD/AoD > MVe/a > LVMI.

Originality/value

Among the independent variables ASBP24 is the most important factor of affecting the cardiac structure and function in SH. The first cardiac variation in SH is the left atrial structure affected by the independent variables. After that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and the left ventricular hypertrophic changes take place in succession.
Correlation analysis of bearing track using grey system theory
Authors: Guan Yeqing , Song Dejin
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The paper attempts to design an efficient algorithm for bearing track correlation of multi‐sensor on the same platform using grey incidence analysis which is on the basis of the line segment Hausdorff distance.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from the line segment, Hausdorff distance that has been extended to calculate the distance between line segment sets by many scholars has been used for face recognition achieving good results. The degree of grey incidence is defined based on the above distance and properties which include normality, symmetry and closeness, are proved. Furthermore, a grey incidence matrix is built. With only the azimuth information detected by bearing sensors track correlation is difficult to judge, however grey incidence analysis can quickly and accurately determine whether two tracks are from the same target, and so an algorithm is designed to solve this dilemma. In the last part of the paper simulation experiment is conducted.

Findings

The results are convincing: not only the algorithm proposed in the paper can solve the problem of track correlation of bearing‐only sensors, but also the algorithm can judge the correlation degree of both tracks even in the case of intensive targets.

Practical implications

The method exposed in the paper can be used to judge correlation degree of tracks detected by different sensors even for less information, and also be used to determine the similarity of two waveforms in the field of engineering.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in introducing the line segment Hausdorff distance into grey incidence analysis and on the basis of that an algorithm is designed to solve the problem of track correlation.
The three inevitabilities of human being
Authors: Klein Louis
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper seeks to address the need for a comprehensive theoretical reference underlying the concerns of social complexity. The shortcomings of a very powerful yet cognitively biased theoretical model like Luhmann's theory of social systems especially call for the integration of the whole person into conceptualising social complexity. The paper aims to question what the conditions are for the possibility to successfully conceptualise social complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on field research to explore the practical challenges of dealing with social complexity, the paper comprises discourse analysis and literature review. Luhmann's theory of social systems proved to be a fruitful starting point to integrate the latter research in neurosciences in a systemic way.

Findings

The paper finds that embedded mind thinking and holonic evolution of organism, psyche and society emerged out of the research as powerful thought figures. They allow for an improved practical and theoretical navigation on the ocean of social complexity.

Practical implications

The results implications for how we conceptualise social complexity and the ways we approach ourselves, how we govern, teach, heal, coach, learn, train, create, improve and innovate. Increasing our capabilities to meet social complexity will improve management, change, governance and project performance.

Originality/value

Addressing Luhmann's theory of social systems in the broader context of social complexity and neurosciences allowed for a reintegration of the whole person into the field of social complexity based not only on meaning but on feeling as well.