bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co‐ordination and delegation: the core development competencies to create a competitive edge (part 1)
Authors: Eales‐White R.M.D.
Published: April 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to enable the reader to understand: Herrmann's whole‐brained thinking model and its impact on language and difference; trends in development and the need for team‐based whole‐brained learning; why most culture change initiatives fail; what constitutes a core competence; and how a whole‐brained approach is required to ensure culture change, strategy development and the implementation of core competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The four thinking preferences are explained and examples provided of the use of different language for each of the four quadrants of the brain. The trends in development from left‐brained to right‐brained are set out and an example provided of how whole‐brained learning is most effective. Five generic reasons for the failure of culture change initiatives are set out. The core competence of the corporation is explained as well as how it was vital to success that each quadrant of the brain, i.e. the whole brain, is applied in an integrated way to achieve effective implementation.

Findings

There is a direct link between organisational profitability and culture. A whole‐brained approach to the implementation of strategy, culture change and people development is required.

Originality/value

Develops an understanding of the nature of our thinking preferences and how to apply an integrated whole‐brained approach to the successful development and implementation of strategy, culture change and core competences, thereby gaining a long‐term sustainable competitive edge in the market‐place.
ROI on a shoestring: evaluation strategies for resource‐constrained environments or ROI on a shoestring
Authors: Burkett Holly
Published: April 2005

Purpose

Despite heightened interest in return‐on‐investment (ROI) and increased accountability for training professionals to prove their bottom‐line organizational value, many practitioners are deterred from comprehensive measurement and ROI evaluation due to concerns about the cost, time, and human resources necessary to fully implement the process. This article, the second in a two part series, aims to present best practice, cost savings approaches for developing a credible, economical ROI strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

A systemic approach to measuring training's impact begins with an evaluation framework. For purposes of this article, Phillips' (1997) five‐level framework for capturing the financial impact of training programs was referenced. Based upon over 20 years of research and global applications, Phillips' ROI model also includes techniques for isolating the impact of other variables, besides training, upon performance improvement.

Findings

Many organizations around the globe are using cost‐saving approaches so they can begin conducting ROI evaluation within their current budget while others use cost‐saving approaches in order to increase the number of ROI studies they conduct. The ten cost saving approaches for measuring programs at the ROI level have been proven to significantly decrease resource requirements while still providing sound, credible data. Despite these factors, establishing an evaluation culture is no easy task. In many ways, implementing a system‐wide ROI effort is similar to implementing a large‐scale change initiative.

Practical implications

Practical application of these cost‐savings approaches allows the resource‐constrained training function to present their work in terms of financial benefits that leaders understand and have come to expect. It is a vital step in establishing business partnerships that will enhance commitment for training programs, products, and services going forward.

Originality/value

By evaluating training programs with the ROI in mind, training functions can be perceived in a more credible light. Programs aligned with organization strategy are offered, while others that add little value are redesigned and sometimes eliminated. Trainers, designers and developers can use the findings of an ROI evaluation to increase training alignment with business needs and to improve the efficiency of the training design, development, and delivery life cycle.
Digital libraries, virtual museums: same difference?
Authors: Barton Jane
Published: April 2005

Purpose

This paper provides an overview of activities in the field of virtual museums and considers a number of issues for which there are parallels in the field of digital libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a range of illustrative examples, we attempt to determine what defines a virtual museum on the one hand and a digital library disguised as a virtual museum on the other; when it makes sense for virtual museums to work in partnership with digital libraries, or draw on digital library research and development; and how the power of the digital environment might be harnessed to further the traditional values of the museum community.

Findings

Finds that virtual museums and digital libraries have much in common and the boundaries between them are increasingly blurred. The provision of object‐level metadata, needed to realise the wider potential of the digital environment to enhance and extend the traditional museum experience, gives rise to a number of issues which are shared by libraries and for which shared approaches would be beneficial. In particular, collaboration between the museum and library communities is essential if solutions to the problems of cross‐domain searching are to be found and its potential to facilitate new knowledge creation fully exploited. However, any collaborative approach must take into account the differences, as well as the similarities, between the two communities, as these differences are fundamental and defining.

Originality/value

The paper will be of interest to museum, library and other information professionals, and particularly those developing distributed and/or cross‐domain digital collections.
A comparative analysis of strategic human resource management (SHRM) issues in an organisational context
Authors: Jain Priti
Published: April 2005

Purpose

This paper analyses the opinions of the Botswana National Library Service's (BNLS) Headquarters (HQ) staff and staff of the Botswana public libraries on strategic human resource management issues, which were tested by six hypotheses.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis was carried out by statistical means. The t‐test was the method used for comparing the two groups' mean scores. Analyses were repeated using the Chi‐squared test.

Findings

The study identified a number of issues where staff had differences of opinion: changing employees' expectations about work, transformational leadership, job satisfaction, performance feedback and delegation of responsibility. The paper briefly discusses the issues where the status of the library influenced staff opinions.

Research limitations/implications

It is to be noted that the data collected from HQ has to be used with caution because the number of respondents there was smaller than the respondents from public libraries.

Practical implications

The author throws light on human resource management techniques in the everyday library environment. This paper may help policy makers to identify ways in which they can motivate their employees; it may help policy planners to identify their staff's different requirements.

Originality/value

This paper provides a useful and insightful application of a general human resource management tool to the specific organizational context of public libraries.
Use of LIS journals in developing countries – a comparative study of Malaysia and Pakistan
Authors: Afaq Novera , Mahmood Khalid
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The paper analyses the use of library and information science (LIS) journals (electronic and paper) in two developing countries, i.e. Malaysia and Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the results of a survey distributed to a population consisting of two sets of LIS journal users. The targeted group includes two sets of graduate students from Departments of Library and Information Science, each in an academic institution from one of the two countries.

Findings

LIS journals have as their objective the provision of guidance in the education and learning process of LIS students and the provision of leadership in the practice of librarianship. The profession needs to have a heightened awareness of LIS journals and requires fast and easy access to this body of literature. For developing countries this objective can only be met through help of developed nations who can provide improved means to access LIS journals more efficiently and more effectively in both paper and electronic format.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study did not take in a large population of LIS journal users, but they do provide ground for further research in this area.

Practical implications

The results of the survey questionnaire provide a better understanding about the usefulness of LIS journals as an educational tool and their contribution towards development of librarianship in both countries.

Originality/value

There is comparatively little written on the use of LIS journals in developing countries. This paper helps fill that gap. The choice of a comparison between two contrasting developing countries' use of the literature is particularly useful, because the contrast throws into sharper relief the appropriate actions that should be taken to meet user needs.
Promoting excellence in food hygiene
Authors: Worsfold Denise
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline some of the benefits and limitations of the new Welsh Hygiene Award Scheme.

Design/methodology/approach

The benefits and limitations of the scheme are considered in relation to consumers and the industry.

Findings

The Welsh Hygiene Award Scheme appears to be popular with award winners, some of the local authorities and most of the public who are aware of it. It is too early to determine whether the initiative has resulted in an overall improvement in the hygiene standards of businesses. Unfortunately, the initiative does not inform the public of actual standards in food premises. This lack of transparency mainly relates to a lack of information for businesses and the public, limited publicity for the scheme in the media and the evident need to educate the public.

Originality/value

It adds to the limited literature on the evaluation of similar initiatives. Given that the FSA is considering the option of launching a national food hygiene award scheme, there is a need to carefully evaluate this and other schemes before finalising options.
Development, acceptability and nutritional evaluation of an indigenous food blend fermented with probiotic organisms
Authors: Sindhu Sangeeta C. , Khetarpaul Neelam
Published: April 2005

Purpose

Probiotic fermented foods are fast being recognized as health foods. Most of such developed foods are based on dairy products and much less work is available on cereals/legumes which constitute the staple diet in developing nations. In the present study an attempt has been made to develop a barley‐based probiotic fermented food mixture and report its acceptability and nutritional profile.

Design/methodology/approach

Indigenously developed BCGT food mixture containing barley flour, milk coprecipitate, sprouted green gram paste and tomato pulp (2:1:1:1, w/w) was autoclaved (1.5kg/cm2, 15min., 121○C), cooled and fermented with 2 per cent liquid culture (containing 106 cells/ml broth). Two types of fermentations were carried out i.e. single culture fermentation [ L. casei, L. plantarum (37○C, 24hr.)] and sequential culture fermentation [S. boulardii (25○C, 24hr.)+L. casei (37○C, 24hr.); S. boulardii (25○C, 24hr.)+L. plantarum (37○C, 24hr.)]. The lyophilized and rehydrated food mixtures were subjected to organoleptic and nutritional evaluation. The data were statistically analysed for analysis of variance in a completely randomized design according to standard methods.

Findings

All the fermented and lyophilized food mixtures were found to be organoleptically acceptable to human palate and maintained adequate cell viability. The pH of the fermented products varied from 4.13 to 4.55. They had good nutrient profile with crude protein content ranging from 20.87 to 21.81 per cent.

Practical implications

Since the developed product had good acceptability after one month storage at room temperature, it can be considered for commercialization after establishing its health/therapeutic implications.

Originality/value

Till date dairy foods have preferentially been used as the carrier medium for probiotics. This paper explores the possibility of using staple foods as the carrier medium. The consumption of such food mixtures may be useful in controlling pathogens/antibiotics induced diarrhoea as well as in hypercholesterolemia. To authenticate such claims, the results of trials carried out on mice in our lab shall be reported in future communications.
Children’s consumption of snacks at school in Mauritius
Authors: Oogarah‐Pratap B. , Heerah‐Booluck B.J.
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The snacking habits of children can be a cause for concern. Little research has been undertaken on the snacking habits of Mauritian schoolchildren. This study was conducted to identify the popular snacks upper primary schoolchildren (8‐12 year old) buy at school. It also aimed at determining the factors that influenced children’s purchase of snacks.

Design/methodology/approach

Twelve primary schools were selected using stratified random sampling. Thirty children from each school were involved. Data collection methods included an interviewer‐administered questionnaire and observation of schoolchildren’s snacking habits during lunch‐time. Canteen sellers were also interviewed to gather information about the most popular snacks and their cost.

Findings

Findings revealed that most of the popular snacks were high in sugar, fat, energy or salt. Snacking habit of schoolchildren was significantly associated with age and gender (p<0.05). Children’s snacking habit seemed to be largely influenced by the cost of snacks, their taste and availability, and the amount of pocket money.

Originality/value

Previous studies on snacking habits have focused on lower primary schoolchildren (5‐7 year old) and adolescents, while this study has focused on the upper primary schoolchildren (8‐12 year old). The findings provide a sound basis for health and education authorities to develop a national policy on the sale of nutritious foods in primary school canteens.
Breast cancer, estrogen, soy genistein, and other dietary factors
Authors: Demmig‐Adams Barbara , McCauley Lindsay
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this literature review is to examine underlying mechanisms through which soy may affect breast cancer risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken is to summarize the emerging mechanisms of how isoflavones, such as genistein, interact with processes leading to breast cancer.

Findings

The key finding of this analysis is that these mechanisms include a multitude of contrasting effects of genistein on estrogenic and non‐estrogenic signaling pathways controlling cell growth. Furthermore, several of these mechanisms are also regulated by additional dietary factors, such as omega‐3 fatty acids (found e.g. in fish) and various other phytochemicals (factors found generally in plant‐based foods). The available mechanistic information supports (i) a potent effect of dietary factors on cell growth and (ii) a synergistic effect of different dietary components, such as soy, fish, and plant‐based foods.

Practical implications

In conclusion, the practical implication of this analysis is the conclusion that the mechanistic information available at this time does not support a recommendation for an isolated increase in soy to decrease breast cancer risk.

Originality/value

This article should be of value for health care providers, nutritionists, and consumers.
Breast cancer, Asian diet, and soy genistein – a matter of all or nothing?
Authors: McCauley Lindsay , Demmig‐Adams Barbara
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this literature review is to examine the relationship between soy consumption and breast cancer risk since soy isoflavones, such as genistein, are currently discussed as possible breast cancer‐fighting agents in the Asian diet.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken is to summarize and evaluate the available literature on the effect of soy, and the Asian diet, on breast cancer risk.

Findings

A key finding of the current analysis is that the effect of genistein depends strongly on dosage and developmental stage during which exposure occurs. The overall conclusion and value of this comprehensive analysis is that the available evidence does not support a recommendation for increased soy consumption as a breast cancer‐preventing agent against the background of a Western diet. Instead, additional general components of the Asian diet, such as fish and plant‐based food, may be involved in lowering breast cancer risk.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation to drawing final conclusions at this time is that further research is clearly needed to better understand the overall effect of soy and other dietary factors.

Practical implications

The practical implication for health care providers, nutritionists, and consumers is therefore a recommendation to avoid isoflavone supplements and enhanced soy consumption alone at this time without an increased intake of the other Asian diet components.

Originality/value

This review arrives at new conclusions about the connection between soy and breast cancer that are summarized under findings and should be valuable for health care providers, nutritionists, and consumers
Integration and the hidden curriculum in business education
Authors: Ottewill Roger , McKenzie George , Leah Jean
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The principal aim of this paper is to present the case for securing greater affinity between the formal curriculum and the hidden curriculum with respect to integration in business education.

Design/methodology/approach

Consideration is given to the concept of the hidden curriculum, as manifested in the compartmentalised nature of academia and the need for this to be offset by business educators. A number of principles for configuring the hidden curriculum in ways that support the goal of integration are suggested.

Findings

Some of the literature on the hidden curriculum emphasises the need for consistency in the learning culture so that students' understanding of what their course is seeking to achieve is underpinned by the structures and processes that play an important part in shaping their learning experience.

Practical implications

If integration is the goal of business education then attention should be given to creating a learning environment in which its virtues are clearly demonstrated and the vices of compartmentalisation are eschewed.

Originality/value

The paper complements the very limited literature on the hidden curriculum in higher education, in general, and business education, in particular.
A cross‐national comparison of knowledge management practices
Authors: Dana Leo‐Paul , Korot Len , Tovstiga George
Published: April 2005

Purpose

A distinguishing feature of the successful “post‐Network Age” enterprise is its intrinsic entrepreneurial character that manifests itself in key organizational knowledge practices relating to organizational culture, processes, content and infrastructure. The purpose of this article is to explore organizational knowledge‐based practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The article reports on the outcome of field research in which entrepreneurial firms in four geographic regions were analyzed with the help of a diagnostic research tool specifically developed for profiling organizational knowledge‐based practices. The diagnostic tool was applied in firms located in Silicon Valley in the USA, Singapore, The Netherlands and Israel.

Findings

Key practices that were found to be common to leading‐edge firms in all regions included: a propensity for experimentation; collective sharing of knowledge, and collective decision making. The paper describes the research in terms of a cross‐cultural comparison of the four regions, derives key determinants of competitiveness, profiles regional characteristics which enhance innovation and entrepreneurship and closes with a discussion on the implications of the research outcomes for entrepreneurial firms seeking to build a global presence.

Originality/value

The research provides evidence that innovative, entrepreneurial firms – no matter where they are located – tend to exhibit organizational knowledge practices, cultural beliefs, values and behavioral norms that are more akin than dissimilar, regardless of national context.
Fitting in organizational values
Authors: Huang Min‐Ping , Cheng Bor‐Shiuan , Chou Li‐Fong
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The current leadership literature has paid little attention to understanding the intervening mechanism by which leaders influence followers. In order to partially bridge this gap, the article aims to present a value‐fit charismatic leadership theory which focusses on the key intervening mechanism – person‐organization values fit.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was tested empirically on 180 participants, including 51 managers and 129 employees from 37 large‐scale companies in Taiwan.

Findings

Based on the block regression analysis, the results showed that CEO charismatic leadership has both direct and indirect effects on employees’ extra effort to work, satisfaction with the CEO, as well as organizational commitment, which are mediated by employees’ perceived person‐organization values fit. The findings also provided evidence that the relationship between charismatic leadership and person‐organization values fit is significant. Furthermore, the analysis also showed the significant effects of person‐organization values fit on employee outcomes.

Originality/value

The study shows how CEO charismatic leadership can, through the mediating effect of person‐organization values fit, have profound influence on employee outcomes.
Self‐management of work groups through corporate values: from theory to practice
Authors: Sodenkamp Daniel , Schmidt Klaus‐Helmut , Kleinbeck Uwe
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The recently introduced collective effort model (CEM) enlightens from a theoretical point of view different facets of the relationship between individual and group performance. From a more practical point of view, the Productivity Measurement and Enhancement System (ProMES) can be seen as an ideal counterpart to the CEM. ProMES is a technique enabling work groups to improve their performance. The article aims to show how CEM and ProMES can be put together.

Design/methodology/approach

A ProMES implementation in an industrial setting is described. Moreover, ProMES effects are analyzed by assistance of the knowledge from the CEM.

Findings

It was found that the overall positive productivity effects of ProMES can be increased if a pay‐for‐performance‐system is added on. That is, feedback reports can easily serve for the implementation of a group compensation system. Therefore, the overall effectiveness score has to be taken into account.

Originality/value

The paper is a useful source of information for organizations looking to better their organizational performance through the implementation of CEM and ProMES.
Employee empowerment in the Greek context
Authors: Dimitriades Zoe S.
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to examine the validity and reliability of Spreitzer's and Menon's instruments in a culturally diverse environment. To test whether individualized measures of Hofstede's cultural dimensions are related to employee empowerment in the Greek context.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the multidimensional nature of the empowerment construct and the discriminant validity and reliability of its basic dimensions principal component analysis with varimax rotation is conducted. Furthermore, correlation analysis is employed to examine the relationship between empowerment, power distance and uncertainty avoidance and to compare current with existing findings. The analysis is based on valid responses from 154 Greek employed students to self‐administered surveys.

Findings

Overall, the results of the present study are congruent with the literature in the area, confirming the usefulness of a view of empowerment characterized by the dimensions of perceived control (or impact), perceived competence, and goal internalization (or meaning). Furthermore, the level of psychological empowerment in this investigation compares quite favorably with reported findings from Canada, the USA and Australia. Finally, whereas uncertainty avoidance is significantly positively associated with overall empowerment and all of its sub‐scales, contrary to expectations, power distance is unrelated to feelings of empowerment.

Research limitations/implications

Although the results, in line with existing findings, seem to confirm the cross‐national validity and reliability of the Spreitzer and Menon instruments, they also tentatively indicate the potential relativity of the empowerment concept in non‐American settings – especially in terms of its important determinants. Future research should aim to refine the discriminant validity of Spreitzer's sub‐scale of self‐determination. Replication of current findings using probability sampling to address issues of potential within‐country cultural variability also warrants further consideration.

Originality/value

The study establishes the validity and reliability of two of the most popular instruments in the empowerment literature in the Greek context. In addition, the paper highlights links between work‐related cultural values and perceived empowerment among Greek employees – a pertinent but inadequately researched issue in Greece.
The importance of national culture in operations management research
Authors: Pagell Mark , Katz Jeffrey P. , Sheu Chwen
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test the validity of national culture as an explanatory construct for international operations management decision‐making.

Design/methodology/approach

National culture is multi‐dimensional thereby allowing for much finer grained comparisons than are possible when examining differences based purely on geography or the level of industrialization. This proposition is examined from the theoretical standpoint then empirically investigated using an existing database.

Findings

This article finds that national culture significantly explains international operations management behaviors among similar manufacturing plants in the same industry located in different cultures.

Originality/value

This study represents a first attempt at using national culture to explain differences of operations decision‐making.
The “telescopic observations” framework: an attainable strategic tool
Authors: Panagiotou George , van Wijnen Riëtte
Published: April 2005

Purpose

Proposes a radical alternative to SWOT analysis. Without rejecting the value of that venerable framework, it re‐focuses it in such a way as to enhance intelligence gathering and improve strategic marketing planning in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

After a thorough review of the relevant literature and a balanced critique of the SWOT framework, a composite “telescopic observations strategic framework” is built step‐by‐step by integrating available conceptual frameworks and models in new relationships.

Findings

The new framework is described, explained, and illustrated by a hypothetical application. It is noted that it has been applied in real‐world practice since its initial formulation in 1999 and throughout its subsequent continuous development.

Practical implications

The authors believe that their framework can generate a more comprehensive output and a better focussed strategic direction than other available tools in the field, but do not claim it as a once‐only panacea. Users are enjoined to commit to a dynamic yet structured programme of continuous situational monitoring, organisational learning, and strategy reformulation, at regular intervals. Thereby, the new framework will double as a performance measurement and control instrument.

Originality/value

This paper offers an entirely original proposal for general and specific marketing strategy formulation to practising intelligence gatherers and planners and their academic advisors.
Enterprise resource planning and organisational innovation: a management perspective
Authors: McAdam Rodney , Galloway Alan
Published: April 2005

Purpose

To explore the organisational issues involved in implementing an enterprise resource Planning (ERP) system as the main approach to change management within a large global organisation, from a management perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A case based research approach is used which includes participant observation and semi structured interviews with all of the case management team.

Findings

The findings indicate that ERP should be incorporated within a wider change programme, with changes to people management and cultural practices, in addition to process change. Much more consideration should be given to organisational change issues prior to design and implementation of ERP.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to that of a management perspective.

Practical implications

The findings can be used to guide management teams in designing and implementing ERP as part of a wider approach to organisational change.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the need for ERP studies that go beyond technical implementation issues and which address associated complex change management.
An integrated framework for eChain bank accounting systems
Authors: Lin Fengyi , Sheng Olivia R.L. , Wu Soushan
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The eChain type of bank accounting information system (eCBAS) is proposed to facilitate standard business document electronic exchanges between banks, central factories, and their satellite vendors in the virtual world. This framework integrates various software applications, running on a variety of platforms and/or frameworks facilitating the electronic exchange of standard business documents.

Design/methodology/approach

Instead of scrapping legacy systems, this framework takes advantage of web services, XBRL, web intelligent, pre‐warning systems and security technologies to improve the quality and accuracy of accounting information, supporting continuous monitoring and auditing.

Findings

Through eCBAS, financial institutes can now closely monitor the cash or production flows of their satellite vendors. Commercial banks can shorten the loan application periods and also offer quick loans with low‐cost capital to domestic small and medium satellite vendors at different operating stages.

Originality/value

This framework integrates a value chain product view to stress that all value chain activities be coupled together including account activities and fund capitalization. For concept verification, this paper presents a HNCB prototype bank accounting system based on the eCBAS framework. The successful implementation of eCBASs will provide banks/customers an increased level of comfort allowing transaction processing to be continued in an accurate, complete and highly controlled environment.
The impacts of establishing enterprise information portals on e‐business performance
Authors: Yang Shu‐Min , Yang Ming‐Hsien , Ben Wu Ji‐Tsung
Published: April 2005

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between organizational characteristics and enterprise information portal (EIP) adoption, and the relationship between EIP implementation and e‐business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses questionnaire survey method to collect data for statistical analysis.

Findings

The result of analysis shows that: between organizations that have and those that have not adopted EIP, significant differences exist in the maturity and familiarity of information technologies, and firm size; the implementation of EIP in terms of application degree, implementation type, integration ability, and users of EIP, will significantly influence e‐business performance; the relationship between the application degree of EIP and e‐business performance will be enhanced by higher e‐business implementation; the relationship between the implementation type of EIP and e‐business performance will be intervened by higher e‐business implementation.

Practical implications

Corporations may create great business value by establishing EIP project.

Originality/value

This paper provides a model to understand the relationship between EIP implementation and e‐business performance and helps corporations evaluate EIP project.
An intelligent forward quality enhancement system to achieve product customization
Authors: Ho G.T.S. , Lau H.C.W. , Lee C.K.M , Ip A.W.H.
Published: April 2005

Purpose

This paper proposes an infrastructural framework, involving various emerging technologies, for the development of an agent‐based quality enhancement system with the distinct feature of the ability to cope with the potential quality problems from various customers' requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed system is equipped with the “distributed problem solving” feature which automatically identifies and divides the potential quality problems into sub‐problems and directs straight to the associated agents that are capable of interacting and negotiating with each other to support customer needs. The new feature of this agile quality enhancement system is characterized with the incorporation of the quality mining engine through the capabilities of the online analytical processing, case‐based reasoning, fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks, achieving the optimization of the performance of organizations.

Findings

In this paper, the detailed architecture and the components included in the proposed system are described with a case study to validate its feasibility of application in actual environment.

Originality/value

The proposed system is to enhance customer satisfaction by automating problem solving procedures in all business processes.
Consumer demand for informative labeling of quality food and drink products: a European Union case study
Authors: Dimara Efthalia , Skuras Dimitris
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to examine the range of information consumers seek on labels of quality products and construct an indicative check‐list of various types of informational labeling as well as to examine whether quality of information demanded segregates the market‐creating segments to be targeted by firms.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive interdisciplinary literature review based on findings in marketing, economics, geography and sociology reveals the often neglected range of factors forcing consumers to place importance on regionally denominated food and drink. The European Union (EU) has responded to growing consumer trends towards regional and traditional food and established special schemes regulating the production of such food and drink. A survey of 640 consumers of quality wine carried out within the framework of an EU‐funded program provides the empirical material of this work.

Findings

The study records the range of informational labeling sought by consumers as well as critical factors influencing their consuming behavior. Informational labeling linking product to place ranks top among a wide set of information sought on labels. A Poisson count data model reveals that consumers’ willingness to acquire information from labels is influenced by various socio‐economic characteristics and, in general, high demand for information is associated with higher expenditures for wine.

Originality/value

Informational labeling is a significant step for place revalorization and cultural relocalization and provides significant prospects to enterprises marketing local culture. Research should be extended to the examination of other products and the comparative assessment of the findings.
Hotel yield management using different reservation modes
Authors: Sanchez Jean‐François , Satir Ahmet
Published: April 2005

Purpose

This paper explores the implementation of yield management using different reservation modes at a global hotel network (referred to as the “Group”).

Design/methodology/approach

The Group operates close to half‐a‐million rooms in about 4,000 hotels world‐wide. Following an overview of yield management in hotel industry, the two reservation modes used in the Group are presented. The performance of Group's online and off‐line reservation modes globally over a two‐year period is then discussed in terms of three yield management performance measures, namely: average price (AP), occupancy rate, and average revenue per available room.

Findings

The findings indicate that the online mode outperforms the off‐line mode with respect to performance measures of AP and average revenue. Further to a global‐based comparison, a localized evaluation of these two modes is also presented for two sub‐groups of hotels clustered in a given region. Statistical analysis of findings is provided, pointing to a substantial revenue increase for the hotel sub‐group that switched from the off‐line to the online reservation mode, compared with the hotel sub‐group that continued to operate off‐line. The paper concludes with a brief discussion on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with the online reservation mode.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could look into the impact of specific macro and micro economic conditions on the three yield management performance measures defined.

Originality/value

The research reported is of value to hotel executives who want to pursue online reservations.
Following the pathway of female entrepreneurs
Authors: McClelland Emma , Swail Janine , Bell Jim , Ibbotson Patrick
Published: April 2005

Purpose

There has been increased policy and research interest in the growing number of female entrepreneurs and their potential contribution to both the local and global economy. Nevertheless, the extant literature on female entrepreneurship is often limited to the start‐up phase of business. An important gap in the literature is an enquiry into the development of these female‐owned organisations from inception to maturity, and their growth in domestic and/or international markets. This paper therefore aims to address key themes such as motivation to start‐up, growing the business, gender issues and the challenges faced by these women.

Design/methodology/approach

An innovative, internet‐based methodology was employed to collect the data in the chosen locations. Using internet resources such as online media, company web sites and other pertinent sites, a significant volume of information was gathered. Any information gaps or issues requiring further clarification were then addressed via e‐mail exchanges with the individual entrepreneur.

Findings

Initial findings demonstrate threads of commonality between female entrepreneurs in different countries. It also highlights differences in the experiences of these women, not only across countries but also within certain countries. A comprehensive discussion of these findings is contained in the paper.

Research limitations/implications

This research has highlighted a number of issues which merit further investigation; however, the issue of social responsibility within this sample of female entrepreneurs would indicate that women have much more socially‐oriented motives for starting and developing a business. The authors would like to investigate this further using qualitative investigation of a larger sample within one country before drawing any definitive conclusions.

Originality/value

Given a limited understanding of such issues mentioned above, this contribution seeks to provide an insight into the heterogeneous experiences of female entrepreneurs using cross‐national data rather than a one‐country study.
Entrepreneurial women and private capital
Authors: de Bruin Anne , Flint‐Hartle Susan
Published: April 2005

Purpose

To explore the demand and supply of private capital for successful women entrepreneurs in New Zealand. To obtain and interpret fine‐grained information in order to mitigate the research gap on growth finance for women‐led businesses in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple approaches for data collection and analysis. Includes interviews with key decision makers in the private capital industry and an e‐mail survey of venture capitalists (supply‐side) and the narrated experiences of women entrepreneurs (demand‐side).

Findings

Quantifies the degree of women's current participation in the venture capital (VC) industry and delineates key considerations in the private capital investment decision‐making process. Confirms the absence of overt gender discrimination in the VC market but draws attention to the presence of other – some of which are more hidden – considerations which affect mobilisation of private capital by women entrepreneurs.

Research limitations/implications

Highlights that a combination of supply‐side (private capital) and demand‐side (entrepreneurs) influences, as well as country‐specific structural and policy factors, needs to be considered when seeking explanations for the lower incidence of private capital to women business owners.

Originality/value

Mitigates the large research gap on women's entrepreneurship in New Zealand and supplements the literature on the private capital and women's business nexus. Signals the importance of policy considerations in growing the role of private capital.
Careers in overlapping institutional contexts
Authors: Kaulisch Marc , Enders Jürgen
Published: April 2005

Purpose

Studying academic careers can be particularly useful for discussions about new forms of professional careers. This conceptual paper seeks to shed light on academic careers by discussing the (changing) multiple contexts governing academic careers.

Design/methodology/approach

A neo‐institutional framework for analysing academic careers is developed that treats them as outcomes of overlapping institutions belonging to the different social contexts in which academics simultaneously act. This approach allows one to locate academic careers in the context of new and traditional career literature and to address changes in the institutional context of academic careers.

Findings

Shows how traditional structures and mechanisms of academic careers are interwoven with the overall patterns of national higher education systems and their societal embeddedness. Empirical evidence was found that academic careers are becoming more boundaryless. But evidence was also found that academic careers are more bound to the organisation due to recent changes in university policies and practices.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited to the discussion of overlapping institutional contexts governing academic careers. Further international comparisons could deepen understanding of specific formal and informal rules. Future macro‐micro research enables one to show how the career models can be traced to the career experiences and practices. Micro‐macro research allows one to see how the aggregate outcomes of individual actions can be traced to the overall performance of a given higher education system.

Originality/value

This conceptual paper proposes a neo‐institutional framework for analysing academic careers. This approach is useful for cross‐national comparisons, the study of emerging new career models and practices in academe, and the study of macro‐micro‐links in career research.
Connecting career management to repatriation adjustment
Authors: MacDonald Susan , Arthur Nancy
Published: April 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an examination of Black et al.’s theoretical framework of repatriation adjustment as it relates to career planning for employees with international work experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach combines narrative with argument and analysis.

Findings

This paper expands on re‐entry adjustment to include additional research on repatriation, and discusses the utility of these theoretical propositions for individual and organizational career planning.

Research limitations/implications

Suggestions for future research include repatriation strategies, incorporating concepts from the literature on other life transitions, and the importance of recognizing psychological variables in work adjustment.

Originality/value

Implications for career development are also discussed to help employees and career counsellors understand the impact of working internationally and to help organizations design ways to help employees integrate their expertise and experience through proactive and supportive repatriation practices.
A teddy bears' picnic or the lion's ring?Do non‐executive directors add value?
Authors: Chambers Andrew
Published: April 2005

Purpose

Aims to consider whether non‐executive directors add value.

Design/methodology/approach

A discussion based on current and recent trends in thinking about the role of non‐executive directors.

Findings

Considering the effect of the non‐executive director is not quite the same as addressing “the effective non‐executive director”. Do non‐executive directors have any effect and, if so, what are the effects and to what extent? Of course, positive answers to these questions would suggest tests to apply in determining whether someone has what it takes to make an effective contribution as a non‐executive director. This would also assist in determining the scope of the evaluation of the performance of each non‐executive director – which is now very much part of the 2003 Combined Code on Corporate Governance.

Originality/value

This paper offers useful insights into the roles of non‐executive directors.
Corporate social responsibility: modern vis‐à‐vis Vedic approach
Authors: Sharma A.K. , Talwar Balvir
Published: April 2005

Purpose

With increasing competitiveness today's business scenario has become highly complex. Aims to focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR), which has become increasingly important in the modern era.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual discussion and approach are taken.

Findings

CSR encompasses a wide variety of concerns such as ethical values in business, welfare of society, awareness, respect and protection of the natural and built environment as regular action that business can take to solve the problems being faced by the Society. CSR is an integral part of Vedic philosophy. Vedic philosophy emphasizes that those actions, which are coming from the core of heart, will provide the long lasting results. Veda advocates for minimum accumulation, mutual cooperation and maintenance of natural harmony. Veda reiterates non‐centrality of money in human life, but for corporations money is the real nerve of business systems. Vedic economic philosophy is pure and focused on “Prosperity for all”. The present study attempts to critically evaluate the modern concept of CSR and enrich it with the path described by Vedic philosophy to attain the corporate excellence.

Originality/value

Focuses on issues such as corporate accountability, corporate ethics and disclosure of relevant corporate information which are increasingly becoming important centres of attention in business.