bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adopting non‐privately funded public‐private partnerships in maintenance projects
Authors: Ng S. Thomas , Wong Yoki M.W.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish whether this type of approach is suitable for maintenance schemes from the perspective of both the public agent and the service provider. Until recently, non‐privately funded public‐private partnerships have been adopted for the maintenance of infrastructure facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, stakeholders involved in a trial of a non‐privately funded public‐private partnerships project were invited to express their opinions on the success and pitfalls of this type of scheme. Semi‐structured interviews were carried out with 12 management and front‐line staff of the public and private partners to capture their opinions on the project. A questionnaire survey was also conducted to uncover the views and standpoints of other stakeholders on PPP. A total of 33 respondents completed the questionnaire.

Findings

The results indicate that the non‐privately funded PPP approach is more cost‐effective and efficient in the delivery of maintenance services when compared with the traditional term contract. The performance‐based payment mechanism adopted could help improve the quality of maintenance services performed by the contractor. The inspection and programming tasks are transferred to the service provider relieving the workload of the public agency. Most stakeholders who participated in this study agreed that the non‐privately funded PPP approach can allow higher flexibility, encourage innovation, enhance cost‐effectiveness and improve the efficiency of work when compared with the traditional term contract in the delivery of maintenance services.

Originality/value

This paper provides a general introduction to the method adopted in the non‐privately funded public‐private partnerships approach with particular reference to the maintenance of infrastructure schemes. More important, the potentials and pitfalls of using this type of mechanism with maintenance projects are examined, which helps enhance understanding of this rather unexplored topic.
The 4Cs model of exemplary construction projects
Authors: Barrett Peter , Barrett Lucinda
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the key characteristics of the highest‐performing construction projects, so that future procurement, briefing, design and construction management processes can be improved in the light of these experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Workshops were carried out in Australia, Singapore and the USA involving 40 senior participants, representing a good cross‐section of the stakeholder interests around construction. These individuals were each asked to identify the best construction project with which they had been involved at any point in their careers and to identify the major reasons for its success.

Findings

A synthesis is provided of the characteristics that characterise the exemplary projects cited by the workshop participants. These are typified by the “4Cs”, namely constraints driving collaboration and creativity, ideally leading to community benefits. The 17 exemplars provided by the participants show project teams facing demands that act to break the dysfunctional paradigm of normal practice, so allowing refreshing and motivating actions to follow. This schema is reinforced by the three case study vignettes that illustrate in more detail the factors at work and their interactions. Linkage to prominent issues apparent in the literatures related to procurement, briefing, design and construction management are shown, together with pointers as to the connections between these issues as experienced in specific real world, project situations. In particular, the potentially pervasive impact of selective priority‐setting is highlighted.

Practical implications

This paper provides a glimpse of how construction operates at its best, the industry explicitly contributing to, and getting credit for, adding value to society economically, but also culturally, socially and environmentally.

Originality/value

The work reported on here covers 17 mini‐cases and three fuller cases, all drawn from three countries. Further work to build additional cases from a wider range of countries would test the broad outline of the 4Cs model and increase one's understanding of the dynamic mechanisms at work.
Internet‐based database management system for project control
Authors: Li Ji , Moselhi Osama , Alkass Sabah
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to develop an efficient project management system to track and control construction activities for contractors and/or project managers.

Design/methodology/approach

The work package model is utilized to break down project data into activities and work tasks. The data structure of a project is represented using the entities‐relationship methodology. A relational database stores all of the project data. The earned value method calculates the cost and schedule variances. The internet‐based platform with three‐tier client‐server architecture is chosen for system implementation.

Findings

The developed project database stores all of the project data necessary to perform project control functions. The implementation of the project database management system is efficient. The developed system provides real‐time data sharing and a collaborating environment in support of project control.

Originality/value

Time and cost control are essential management functions for achieving successful delivery of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects. The developed system can assist contractors and/or project managers in tracking and control of their construction projects in a real‐time manner.
Evaluation of flexibility in capital investments of infrastructure systems
Authors: Arboleda Carlos A. , Abraham Dulcy M.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to evaluate the capital investments in infrastructure projects managed by private operators considering uncertainties in the operation and maintenance of the infrastructure components.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology described in this paper is based on two major sources of information: deterioration curves of the infrastructure systems obtained from Markov chain models and the value of flexibility obtained from a real options analysis.

Findings

Using this methodology, it is possible to determine whether there is value if project managers adopt flexible strategies in determining capital investments. These strategies refer to the opportunities of postponing, deferring or canceling capital investments required to maintain the operation of the infrastructure systems.

Research limitations/implications

The model utilizes Monte Carlo simulation and real options analysis to overcome the complexities associated with the solution of the differential equations that represent the variability of the main factors in the project cash flow.

Originality/value

The methodology presented in this paper can be used by public officials, private investors, and asset managers to determine the value of flexibility associated with the strategies required to maintain the operation of infrastructure assets.
Why are all financial services brands not great?
Authors: de Chernatony Leslie , Cottam Susan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To investigate the factors characterising financial services brands in the UK which are succeeding rather than thriving.

Design/methodology/approach

From a grounded theory perspective, depth interviews were conducted with 42 respondents within four UK financial services organisations.

Findings

Brands which had not achieved “greatness” tend to be rooted the past, place emphasis on financial performance rather than brand success indicators have inadequate leadership support for the brand, be poorly differentiated, exhibit a lack of understanding and confusion about branding issues, have service quality concerns, demonstrate HR activities which could be more fully “on brand”, and have a culture and values which are not clearly and consistently reinforcing the brand.

Research limitations/implications

The study was bound by the availability of respondents' time. The focus was to examine four organisations in considerable depth. Moving forward, it is intended that a quantitative study will be undertaken to better generalise and expand upon these findings within financial services.

Practical implications

A number of significant managerial implications are drawn from this work, which are of value to managers, consultants and academics.

Originality/value

While the extant literature is rich in suggestions about what might promote brand success, less attention has been paid to the opposite scenario. This paper seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by addressing the factors which may be linked to some financial services brands' relative lack of success.
Price misleading advertising: effects on trustworthiness toward the source of information and willingness to buy
Authors: Romani Simona
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The aim of the research reported is to investigate consumers'reactions to advertisements containing misleading information on price. The underlying thesis is that such advertising generates negative consumer reactions in terms of attitude and intention and that these are heightened in the presence of suspicion.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study was employed to identify the most frequently used misleading price communication strategies in Italy, and subsequently, an experimental study examined consumer response to a selection of advertisements that rely on these.

Findings

The qualitative study allows for the development of a typology of eight different misleading price communication practices which includes those based on the provision of purely false information alongside those employing an unclear or incomplete application of complex price communication strategies. The experimental study reveals that, when price information is communicated using misleading practices, consumers develop lower levels of trustworthiness toward the source of information as well as willingness to buy. Furthermore, these effects are heightened in the presence of suspicion.

Research limitations/implications

These results provide evidence that consumers may react unfavourably to misleading price information. In addition, the research demonstrates that this negative response is greater for suspicious rather than non‐suspicious consumers.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the growing body of literature that demonstrates consumers' negative reactions to unclear and incomplete price information generated by the misleading usage of complex price communication strategies.
Line Logic™ on the bow tie
Authors: Reffue Doug , Crittenden Victoria L.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present Line Logic™ as a means of developing and building a company's portfolio of products.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a sporting goods company in the USA as a case study to portray the implementation of Line Logic™.

Findings

An extensive analysis of the company and its implementation of the Line Logic™ methodology found that the company was operating in conjunction with a bow tie channel strategy.

Research limitations/implications

A case study does an excellent job of capturing phenomena at a particular company. The Line Logic™ framework needs to be explored and reported in various companies, thus allowing multiple sources of data to highlight strengths and weaknesses of the Line Logic™ methodology.

Practical implications

There is no magic formula or prescription for managing a company's line of product offerings. Line Logic™ offers a disciplined approach to creating and presenting a full complement of product choices. As shown here, the implementation of Line Logic™ assists companies in understanding both strategic and tactical issues related to competitors and channel members.

Originality/value

While there are companies that execute some of the Line Logic™ system, this paper illustrates the importance of line logic in the sporting goods industry. Additionally, the paper introduces the concept of the bow tie in product line planning.
Consumer confusion in the Chinese personal computer market
Authors: Leek Sheena , Kun Dai
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The paper seeks to identify the sources of confusion in the Chinese personal computer market and the confusion reduction strategies used.

Design/methodology/approach

A self‐completion questionnaire with a sample of 140 respondents was used.

Findings

Technological complexity is the major source of confusion. Word of mouth is the most common source of information used to reduce confusion due to its credibility and reliability.

Practical implications

Technical confusion leads to similarity confusion and overchoice confusion. Manufacturers and retailers need to address technical confusion to reduce the overall level of confusion in the PC market.

Originality/value

The paper examines confusion in an Eastern culture, whereas previously it has been predominantly investigated in Western cultures.
The efficacy of online cooperative learning systems
Authors: Chen Charlie C. , Wu Jiinpo , Yang Samuel C.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of online synchronous audio and video systems on the performance of cooperative learning in decision making and intellective tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 156 subjects, divided into 46 groups, were invited to resolve decision and intellective tasks in text messaging and audio conferencing e‐learning environments.

Findings

For decision‐making tasks, audio conferencing has a significant impact on cooperative learning satisfaction but not on learning performance; while for intellective tasks, neither audio conferencing nor text messaging has an impact on cooperative learning outcomes. There are no cross‐effects between platforms and task types on cooperative learning outcomes. The results indicate that the main effects of platforms and task types are independent. In other words, the impact of platforms on group discussion processes can be examined without the need of considering task types, since the latter will not affect the impacts of platforms.

Research limitations/implications

The main effects of information richness and task types are independent. Major limitation is that the student sample may not be sufficiently representative to allow wider generalization of the findings of this study.

Practical implications

The main effects of information richness and task types are independent as far as learning outcomes are concerned. The learners' attitude toward the synchronous learning system significantly affects the satisfaction of synchronous online cooperative learning.

Originality/value

This study uses empirical data to validate the hypothesized relationships between the independent variables of online synchronous learning systems (audio‐ and text‐based), the moderating variable of task types (decision making vs intellective) and the dependent variable of learning outcomes.
Enabling SMEs to deliver synchronous online training – practical guidelines
Authors: Taran Carmen
Published: July 2006

Purpose

While synchronous and asynchronous distance education options have fulfilled the promise to reduce travel costs and decrease the number of human resources necessary for training delivery, many corporations are faced with the need to produce learning even at a faster pace in order to gain and sustain competitive advantage. This means a paradigm shift in the distance education arena: in order to reduce the time to produce and deliver training, subject matter experts (SMEs) are asked to step up to the plate and assume additional roles in the instructional design process. This research addresses these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This research, conducted within the training department of a large telecommunications company, focuses on enabling SMEs to teach online, using synchronous instructional methods and a rapid e‐learning approach.

Findings

Based on student performance records and satisfaction survey results, it was concluded that SMEs are able to reduce training development time, deliver workshops online and maintain acceptable quality of instruction. SMEs' training background did not impact student achievement or satisfaction. Practical implications for corporate training development related to synchronous online training are also included.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper resides in the fact that the guidelines that emerged from this research are a step forward towards the expansion of rapid e‐learning as it applies to synchronous online training and to helping SMEs to teach online.
Beehive: a software application for synchronous collaborative learning
Authors: Turani Aiman , Calvo Rafael A.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe Beehive, a new web application framework for designing and supporting synchronous collaborative learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Our web engineering approach integrates educational design expertise into a technology for building tools for collaborative learning activities. Beehive simplifies the development of the collaboration tools required to implement proven educational design strategies. The methodology consists of a framework model that has three abstraction layers: pedagogical techniques, patterns, and computer supported collaborative learning components.

Findings

Building eLearning systems that are informed by the educational research in design patterns, can lead to a better, richer and more flexible, infrastructure. Beehive's design enables teachers to design and use synchronous collaborative learning activities, either by using well tested research‐based learning designs or by creating their own.

Research limitations/implications

The system will need to be used by a large number of teachers and learners before evaluation and usability tests are possible.

Originality/value

The paper presents an integrated solution application that enables teachers and students to design and carry out synchronous collaborative learning activities in a very simple manner.
Anonymous attribute certificates based on traceable signatures
Authors: Benjumea Vicente , Lopez Javier , Troya Jose M.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To provide a cryptographic protocol for anonymously accessing services offered on the web. Such anonymous accesses can be disclosed or traced under certain conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The “traceable signature” scheme was used in conjunction with the “privilege management infrastructure”.

Findings

The cryptographic primitive provides a suitable tool for anonymous and unlinkable access to web resources based on the privileges that users hold. Moreover, the scheme allows for anonymity revocation and tracing of unlinkable accesses.

Research limitations/implications

The power of the attribute authority should be divided into several entities, one of them being a trusted third party, to avoid illicit disclosing of information.

Practical implications

New systems with support for anonymous access to web resources can be developed.

Originality/value

This paper adds the unlinkability property to anonymous accesses together with a tracing facility to existing proposals.
The future of proprietary post‐secondary education
Authors: Lee John B. , Topper Amelia M.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To describe the future of proprietary higher education in the USA based on current industry and student trends.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a survey of recently published studies and articles on proprietary higher education.

Findings

The problems of overly aggressive marketing and over‐promising results to potential students could undermine the public willingness to support proprietary education. These issues have periodically plagued the proprietary sector, often resulting in new regulations and oversight. Although the sector remains vulnerable to changes in public policy, it has always risen to the occasion and has in many cases been on the forefront of battling the abuses of a few, strengthening of the entire industry as a result.

Originality/value

Provides a resource for faculty, administrators, legislators, and those in the business sector reflecting current postsecondary trends and the emergence of proprietary schools in the national and international higher education arena.
Tests of weak form efficiency in the Middle East emerging markets
Authors: Omran Mohammed , Farrar Suzanne V.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the efficiency of the emerging stock markets in the Middle Eastern countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the validity of the random walk hypothesis (RWH) and tests for calendar effects in five major Middle Eastern emerging markets, by applying a range of statistical and econometrics techniques.

Findings

In general, the results reject the RWH for all markets and instead suggest that the stock returns in these countries exhibit calendar effects. However, the evidence for the Israel Tel100 stock market shows greater support for the RWH compared with the other markets in the sample.

Research limitations/implications

The evidence for calendar effects is subject to data limitations due to the relatively short time period for which data were available. The anomalies observed may result from institutional factors specific to the countries in the sample. Further research in this area might aim to clarify the influence of such institutional factors.

Practical implications

The limited support for weak form efficiency in Middle Eastern emerging markets implies a degree of predictability of returns for these emerging stock markets, which may be a factor in their attractiveness to global investors.

Originality/value

Owing to the relatively recent establishment of stock markets in most of the Middle Eastern countries, little is known about their stock price behaviour. This paper examines this under‐researched area and is of value to finance academics and to global investors.
Technical analysis and the stochastic properties of the Jordanian stock market index return
Authors: Atmeh Muhannad A. , Dobbs Ian M.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To investigate the performance of moving average trading rules in an emerging market context, namely that of the Jordanian stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

The conditional returns on buy or sell signals from actual data are examined for a range of trading rules. These are compared with conditional returns from simulated series generated by a range of models (random walk with a drift, AR (1), and GARCH‐(M)) and the consistency of the general index series with these processes is examined. Sensitivity analysis of the impact of transaction costs is conducted and standard statistical testing is extended through the use of bootstrap techniques.

Findings

The empirical results show that technical trading rules can help to predict market movements, and that there is some evidence that (short) rules may be profitable after allowing for transactions costs, although there are some caveats on this.

Originality/value

New results for the Jordanian market; use of sensitivity analysis to investigate robustness to variations in transactions costs.
Managing webmavens: relationships with sophisticated customers via the internet can transform marketing and speed innovation
Authors: Davidson Alistair , Copulsky Jonathan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

A new player has emerged to influence the buying behavior of customers – the webmaven. Marketers and product developers must take in account that webmavens now have a huge potential audience for their reviews of products and services. An active program of tracking, measuring and marketing to these influential infomediaries is likely to reduce the risk of unpleasant surprises. For many firms, marketing to mavens, hobbyist and rating sites may also prove to be a strategic and cost effective means to stimulate innovation and revenue growth.

Design/methodology/approach

Shows how marketing to mavens, hobbyist and rating sites can be implemented.

Findings

The good news for decision makers is that access to comments from webmaven websites can provide product managers with fresh intelligence on the failures and successes that customers are experiencing with their offerings. The bad news is that the negative feedback from just one or two influential webmavens can influence a brand's reputation, sometimes with the same dire effect as poor reviews in traditional media such as Consumer Reports or PC Magazine.

Research limitations/implications

Journalistic research.

Practical implications

R&D – take advantage of Internet customer and user experience to research new innovations and develop new features based upon rapid and early user feedback. Product defect tracking – track user complaints, ratings and reviewer critiques about your, competitive and leading edge or deviant product[9] usage to frame future product development. Market research – measure share of mind on the Internet, in traditional media, at rating sites, at review sites. Maven management – pay special attention to the heavily involved user and hobbyist sites.

Originality/value

Alerts managers to the power of these new market influencers and provides a how‐to guide for marketing to webmavens and other infomediaries on the Internet.
Creating strategic advantage with dynamic scenarios
Authors: Schriefer Audrey , Sales Michael
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The authors illustrate how the Dynamic Scenario Learning Process works in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A case showing how “Forward Bank” used the DSLP to discover crucial inter‐relationships that were not intuitively obvious.

Findings

Forward's scenarios provided a year's head start on understanding how to manage the dotcom collapse and the 9/11 attacks. Because managers had considered how to implement the robust strategies and apply contingent strategies as unfolding events merited, they were better prepared.

Research limitations/implications

The DSLP is not just a strategic planning tool; it is also an instrument of leadership.

Practical implications

The DSLP process creates bonds within the organization as everyone from senior leaders to front line employees across business lines and functions share a common language to communicate their insights into future possibilities. Narratives based on a DSG are easy to grasp and can be widely disseminated throughout the organization.

Originality/value

The case demonstrates how to use a scenario tool to achieve widespread learning so that an organization is well prepared to rapidly adapt to discontinuity.
Corporate social reporting in Thailand
Authors: Ratanajongkol Sunee , Davey Howard , Low Mary
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent and nature of the corporate social reporting (CSR) practices of the 40 largest Thai companies over the years 1997, 1999 and 2001.

Design/methodology/approach

The extent and nature of CSR in annual reports was measured according to the number of words disclosed and trends were analyzed over this five‐year period. CSR disclosure was classified according to five key themes, the nature of the evidence, and the type of news disclosed.

Findings

The research showed, in aggregate, a trend of increasing amounts of corporate social disclosure, although the five‐year trends varied within different industries. CSR among Thai companies was found to be primarily focused on human resources, providing “declarative” good news disclosures. Legitimacy theory, political economy theory and economic conditions were used to present explanations for the trends. The study concluded that while no single perspective can explain the disclosure of CSR, the empirical findings demonstrate that the key areas of company social exposure are reflected by CSR.

Originality/value

This paper makes an important contribution to the knowledge of CSR in Asia and demonstrates similar issues in CSR reporting to those found in other countries.
Guest editorial: special issue on organisational and accounting change
Authors: Burns John , Nixon Bill
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To introduce the special issue on organisational and accounting change.

Design/methodology/approach

The editorial is very short, and introductory‐only.

Findings

The editorial provides and introduction to the special issue that comprises a collection of papers written by members of the European Network for Research in Organisational and Accounting Change (ENROAC).

Originality/value

The editorial acts as a basic introduction to the papers comprising the special issue.
Institutional theories in management accounting change
Authors: Ribeiro João A. , Scapens Robert W.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To explore the contributions made by two strands of institutional research that have been applied to the study of management accounting change: “old institutional economics” and “new institutional sociology”. To propose ways of developing these theories, and in general to develop an institutional understanding of management accounting change.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of the literature on management accounting change, with a special emphasis on the literature drawing on institutional theory. Theoretical discussion based on the concept of the “circuits of power”. Illustration with observations made during a case study of an organisation in which attempts to promote change in management accounting were conducted in recent years.

Findings

Identification of some complementarities between these two strands of institutional theorising, and suggestions of how they can be developed by drawing on insights from the “circuits of power” framework.

Research limitations/implications

The case study analysis is limited to an illustration of the theoretical discussion. A building of bridges between the various developments in institutional approaches to management accounting change is necessary.

Originality/value

The paper is of value to researchers studying management accounting change. It clarifies the theoretical underpinnings of the institutional frameworks and suggests areas for institutional research into management accounting change.
Food retail buyer behaviour in the People's Republic of China: a grounded theory model
Authors: Sternquist Brenda , Chen Zhengyi
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Seeks to summarize relevant literature reporting on western research and to use a grounded theory approach to form the model. Also to develop a Chinese retailer new product decision process model. And consider unique aspects of Chinese culture and the ongoing economic transitions.

Design/methodology/approach

Foreign producers have little knowledge about the internal operations of China's chain stores. As China's markets open to the world, an understanding of the ways in which retailers and suppliers interact in China – especially the ways in which they make product selection decisions – will be crucial to companies expanding into this area of the world.

Findings

Results are presented from in‐depth interviews with retail food buyers in China. Interviews were conducted during 1999‐2000 in Shanghai and Beijing. The interview data are used to develop a model of buyer‐seller relationships that lends itself to a better understanding of the complexities – cultural and market‐related – of retailer‐supplier relationships in China.

Research limitations/implications

Since, China is a vast country this study forms a small part of the process in understanding its buyer‐seller interactions.

Practical implications

The literature, including grounded theory and the research undertaken with the sample of respondents highlight the potential gains from understanding the nature of Guanxi and the culture of China. Managerial implications are discussed.

Originality/value

The study investigated buyer‐seller relationships within the Chinese market. When Chinese food retailers make decisions on new product acceptance, their criteria are similar to those of food retailers reported in research focused on western society. Supplier role performance, price, trade assistance, and relationship with supplier are primary considerations; these criteria support results from western literature.
Unethical consumers
Authors: King Tamira , Dennis Charles
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Previous research indicates that deshopping is a prevalent and growing consumer behaviour. This paper sets out to examine deshopping from a consumer perspective, and to apply the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to demonstrate how this behaviour can be managed and prevented with the help of an accompanied (de)shop. It also seeks to place deshopping within a legal and ethical context, in relation to the established literature in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper tests the TPB variables in a qualitative way by conducting in‐depth interviews with deshoppers, who had completed a quantitative questionnaire. The results further support and enhance the quantitative TPB results collected previously with 535 consumers. An accompanied (de)shop is also reviewed, as this qualitative research technique, enables an enhanced understanding and evidence of the deshopping process, which has not been demonstrated previously. The findings demonstrate support for these qualitative research tool, which enable a deeper understanding of the deshopping process and its management.

Findings

The findings demonstrate important use of the TPB as a qualitative research technique. The model is also expanded and redesigned by adding extra variables as a result of this research. The accompanied (de)shop findings demonstrate support for this qualitative research tool, which also enables a deeper understanding of the deshopping process and its management.

Practical implications

The research concludes with the implications of deshopping for the industry and makes recommendations regarding how to reduce deshopping, as well as recommending the qualitative research techniques to be utilised by future researchers.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to place deshopping in a legal framework which highlights the legal loopholes in a retailer's returns policy and the implications of new directives which will influence retailers' abilities to refuse a return. This paper is also the first to explore deshopping within an ethical framework that has created new knowledge on the unethical consumer in relation to deshopping behaviour. This study also incorporates an accompanied (de)shop methodology; this form of research has never been undertaken in relation to deshopping activity and has generated completely new knowledge of what is happening when the actual behaviour is taking place.
What is expected from supervisors?
Authors: Huusko Liisa
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper attempts to find out how the decade that team members enter the workforce as well as management or leadership emphasis influences different images of supervisors. Certain features of management discussion prevalent during the past decades are used as instruments in addressing the contributing research question: what is still expected from management and leadership?

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper the division constructed by Kotter – management and leadership are connected and the decade that team members enter the workforce – are addressed as tools to open the problems in teamwork. The paper includes a preliminary empirical study in a timber procurement organization and ideas for further investigations.

Findings

Team member who are not the same age have different images pf supervisors. Hence, they wait partly for different actions within team organization. Though HRM issues seem to be included in supervisors' duties in every decade, for example encouraging and career‐development matters do not appear until the 1980s. Furthermore, different kinds of computer‐aided control systems are not able to respond to quick changes and uncommon situations relating to everyday duties. The image of supervisors that workers take for granted must be taken into consideration during the changes and shifts between responsible actors.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to clear advice for age‐management and to research questions for considering explanations for problems of teams.
Team performance in “leading management” – a “storming” success?
Authors: Chamberlin John E. , Dexter Barbara P. , Franco Gino
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Provide a picture of a successful postgraduate certificate in management programme designed for public sector managers. In particular the paper highlights the team development component of the course.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the team‐building intervention that was introduced into the programme.

Findings

It is perfectly possible to accelerate team building within a group at an early stage in a development and learning programme.

Originality/value

Useful information to help any group setting up training and development for disparate groups of people where one of the desired outcomes is the development of an effective team.
Lot sizing, preventive maintenance, and warranty decisions for imperfect production systems
Authors: Ben‐Daya M. , Noman S.A.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Sets out to develop an integrated model that considers simultaneously inventory production decisions, PM schedule, and warranty policy for a deteriorating system that experiences shifts to an out of control state. The time to shift follows a general probability distribution with increasing hazard rate, so that time‐based PM is effective in improving the system reliability.

Design/methodology/approach

A profit function is used to model the production system. Optimization techniques are used to generate optimal solutions for the problem. Although global optimality cannot be guaranteed, empirical results show that global optimal solutions are obtained.

Findings

The integrated model provides decisions on inventory levels, production run length, and PM schedule simultaneously. It is illustrated through numerical examples that investment in PM can lead to savings in warranty claims for repairable products. As a result, the overall profit per unit, in certain cases, is higher with PM than without PM.

Research limitations/implications

The production system is taken, numerical examples are presented and a sensitivity analysis is conducted to gain more insight into the developed model. In particular, the numerical analysis shows that a better PM program reduces warranty claims.

Practical implications

In addition to the joint optimization of production/inventory decisions and PM schedule, such models can be very useful in making resource allocation decisions between warranty and PM programs. It is clear from the numerical analysis that a better PM program reduces warranty claims.

Originality/value

The paper provides a joint optimization of production inventory decisions and the PM schedule for a system subject to a time to shift that follows a general probability distribution. Previous research considered only an exponential distribution and did not consider PM.
Setting initial clearance limits for sound roller expanded tube‐tubesheet joints in shell and tube heat exchanger maintenance
Authors: Shuaib A.N.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a procedure for deciding on the limits of initial clearance to which tubesheet holes can be enlarged before replacement in heat exchanger maintenance.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical model that relates the hardness of roller expanded tubes and ligaments to initial clearance is developed from experimental data to predict the extent of tolerable levels of over‐enlargement of tubesheet holes before the joint loses its structural integrity. The developed model serves as an additional criterion to decide whether to keep or discard a tubesheet having over‐enlarged holes during heat exchanger maintenance.

Findings

The current industrial criterion does not directly include the effect of material degradation for over‐enlarged holes. The empirical models indicate that both tubes and ligaments suffer strain hardenings. A new procedure is proposed to supplement the current industrial criterion.

Practical implications

The procedure will assist maintenance managers/engineers in deciding on the replacement of heat exchanger tubesheets. The combined criteria will have an impact on the cost of heat exchanger maintenance and plant downtime.

Originality/value

The procedure proposed in this paper adds to the industrial criterion another one that caters for the degradation in properties that the tube, tubesheet, and surrounding ligaments will be subjected to during roller expansion. In other words, it considers the strain hardening of the tube and tubesheet materials in setting the initial clearance between the tube and tubesheet that ensures adequate joint integrity.
Implementation and execution of industrial service strategy
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Markeset Tore , Kumar Uday
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to discuss the complex issues, obstacles and factors that can have a significant role and influence on the implementation and execution of a performance‐based industrial service strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study has been performed the oil and gas industry which maps the issues, challenges and opportunities in the process of implementing and executing a performance‐based service strategy.

Findings

The study identifies differences in practice with respect to conventional as compared to performance‐based contracts. Furthermore, performance factors (i.e. cost drivers, performance killers and critical success factors) of the service strategy implementation and execution process are discussed in relation to the oil and gas industry in the North Sea. A performance‐based service strategy needs to be upgraded, modified and customized based on performance measurements, as well as needs, wants and preferences of the involved parties during the contract period.

Practical implications

The findings and discussions will help service strategy developers, implementers and executors to recognize the importance of a focused service strategy development process for industrial services. Moreover, the paper will guide developers, implementers and executors to decide about factors that need to be considered.

Originality/value

The framework discussed can be used to develop a performance‐based service strategy. The results of the research will ease the process of understanding and defining the implementation and execution process of a strategy by presenting the possible performance factors in advance.
Measuring maintenance performance using a balanced scorecard approach
Authors: Alsyouf Imad
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a strategic maintenance performance measurement system.

Design/methodology/approach

In response to this purpose, a balanced scorecard framework was adopted to assess the contribution of support functions (such as maintenance) to strategic business objectives. A case study approach was used to test the suggested framework at a Swedish paper mill.

Findings

It was found that by using the suggested framework it was possible to measure and identify the cause‐and‐effect relationship of using an effective maintenance strategy, and assess its impact on the company's competitive advantages. For example, it was found that there is potential to, ideally, improve the company's return on investment (ROI) by 9 per cent. This figure represents a projected US$8.4 million in lost profits, which are caused by planned inoperative time and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) elements. At least 14 per cent of the ROI potential improvements are directly related to the maintenance function as lost profit, which is due to unplanned stoppages and bad quality caused by maintenance‐related problems.

Practical implications

Using the modified BSC provides a framework whereby the contribution of support functions (for example, maintenance) to the strategic business objectives can be assessed. The modified BSC makes it easier for the maintenance and production staff who are technically oriented to communicate with top management in terms that managers understand, i.e. in terms of money. Furthermore, this approach facilitates the making of cost‐effective decisions.

Originality/value

The present study contributes to our knowledge of this process by changing the status of the “maintenance function”. This is done by showing that maintenance is no longer a cost centre, but should be regarded as a profit generating function.
Integrating TPM and QFD for improving quality in maintenance engineering
Authors: Pramod V.R. , Devadasan S.R. , Muthu S. , Jagathyraj V.P. , Dhakshina Moorthy G.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To provide maintenance engineering community with a model named “Maintenance quality function deployment” (MQFD) for nourishing the synergy of quality function deployment (QFD) and total productive maintenance (TPM) and enhancing maintenance quality of products and equipment.

Design/methodology/approach

The principles of QFD and TPM were studied. MQFD model was designed by coupling these two principles. The practical implementation feasibility of MQFD model was checked in an automobile service station.

Findings

Both QFD and TPM are popular approaches and several benefits of implementing them have been reported worldwide. Yet the world has not nourished the synergic power of integrating them. The MQFD implementation study reported in this paper has revealed its practical validity.

Research limitations/implications

Since MQFD requires strategic decision making, the management commitment and support are required to test implement it. Since the case study was conducted in a public sector service station, this could not be achieved due to the requirement of following complex administrative procedures. However, the feasibility of obtaining customer voices from the practising community and translating them into technical languages has revealed the possibility of implementing MQFD in real time situations.

Originality/value

Both literature and manufacturing arenas were surveyed and found out that no model linking QFD and TPM has so far been brought out by theorists and practitioners. Hence the contribution of MQFD model is original. Since there are researches establishing the power of QFD and TPM, the essence of integrating them for attaining world class maintenance quality is of high value.