bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurship and SMEs in London (UK)
Authors: Ekwulugo Frances
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) development has been the subject of a growing interest among academics and practitioners, as well as multilateral institutions. However, the interest in the growth of African business evolution has been under‐researched, even as developments and market dynamics are increasingly impacting this sub‐sector, especially in the UK. The urgent need arises for a study that enables practitioners and educators and also lends some insight into the possibilities and limitations in the UK environment, with a view to improving entrepreneurial education that is focused on these minorities. This paper aims to fill that gap.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on the development of black African SMEs (BASMEs) in London by examining the various factors that impact their development. A qualitative methodological approach was used to gain a better understanding of the BASMEs.

Findings

This research proceeds by developing a conceptual matrix to classify the black Africans into four but significant emergent groups. It also discusses the trend of growth in the last decade. Finally, it draws conclusions on managerial implications, by identifying the various social, economic and environmental limitations that impact (BASMEs') growth.

Research limitations/implications

A substantial part of this study was based on secondary data. There appear to be several areas in need of further research. Further in‐depth research is required to assess the characteristics of BASMEs.

Practical implications

The study enables practitioners, policy makers and educators to have an insight into the possibilities and limitations in the UK environment. It will help to improve entrepreneurial education and policies that are focused on these minorities. It goes on to make suggestions as to how those may be improved, as well as identifying new areas of possible research.

Originality/value

The study provides all interested parties, the African businesses and other ethnic businesses, with a more robust body of literature and information from which new and further research can be built and expanded.
Exploring associations between employee empowerment and interpersonal trust in managers
Authors: Moye Melinda J. , Henkin Alan B.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To explore associations between employee empowerment and interpersonal trust in managers.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey designed to assess empowerment and trust was administered to a random sample of 2,000 salaried employees at aFortune500 manufacturing organization in the USA.

Findings

Results, bounded by sample and focal organizational characteristics, indicated that employees who feel empowered in their work environment tend to have higher levels of interpersonal‐level trust in their managers.

Practical implications

Implications for managers are discussed in terms of enabling employee empowerment, strengthening interpersonal trust, and increasing organizational effectiveness.

Originality/value

Highlights how increments in empowerment and trust can mitigate effects of organizational complexity, reduce transaction costs, strengthen relational systems within flatter organizational structures, and diminish the need for supervisory oversight, unproductive controls, and measurement systems that negatively impact productivity and the capacity to succeed in highly competitive markets.
The impact of a management training program for university administrators
Authors: Lennox Terrion Jenepher
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Management training is perceived as one of the most effective ways to improve management skill, increase productivity and change corporate culture. To reap these perceived benefits, the University of Ottawa has delivered, since 2001, a Management Leadership Program (MLP) to better hone the core competencies of senior directors of administrative units at the University. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of this program on the participants in terms of learning, behavioural change and achievement of core competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews.

Findings

The study found that informal learning strategies are the primary means by which University directors develop core competencies. However, the MLP provides a forum for informal learning through greater self‐awareness, the establishment and maintenance of social networks or social capital, for discussion and problem solving by senior managers and for the development and reinforcement of skills.

Research limitations/implications

Given the time that has passed since the first training modules were completed, it is likely that internal validity will be affected by maturation. Further, because the number of subjects is small, semi‐structured interviews were used to elicit rich, highly informative data. Using multiple coders enhanced reliability.

Originality/value

This article provides insights into the particular development needs of university administrators and emphasizes the role of informal learning in management development and the importance of formal training as a forum for learning to occur. Also, the article highlights the critical role of social capital in management effectiveness
An assessment of the impact of the sensory environment on individuals' behaviour in special needs schools
Authors: Shabha Ghasson
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore the relationship of a few sensory environmental parameters, mainly visual and acoustical stimuli, with childrens' behaviour and performance in special needs schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of teaching layouts and the sequence of activities in ten selected special needs schools have been conducted using questionnaire directed at carers and teachers. The findings were cross‐validated via open‐ended interviews with teachers and carers to glean more in‐depth understanding about sensory influences.

Findings

Several sensory parameters were observed in the teaching environment: bright colours and light, pattern glare, echoing, higher and low‐pitch sound and background noise level. The study identified numerous factors having a negative effect on children's behaviour.

Practical implications

This paper provides further understanding of the key factors contributing to the quality of teaching environment consistent with user's need and expectations. It provides suggestions regarding the briefing and design to support childrens' performance. This can assist in developing alternative design guidelines based on users‐centered approach to schools design.

Originality/value

This paper will highlight issues for open discussion amongst all those involved in the process of planning, design and management of school environments which further reduce the undesirable consequences of the aforementioned parameters towards improving their operational efficiency in use.
Changes in asset valuation in the UK health service
Authors: Andrew Anthony , Pitt Michael
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To help facilities managers understand the origins and aims of the National Health Service (NHS) asset valuation and capital charging system, of the depreciated replacement cost (DRC) approach to valuation, its strengths and weaknesses and how under devolution the Scottish Health Service is adapting DRC assumptions to meet multiple policy priorities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the history of the system since inception in 1989, as an accounting and FM tool, subsequent debates on problems arising from DRC valuation methodology and recent developments in the Scottish NHS.

Findings

The original aim of the capital charging system in 1989 was to adapt a primarily financial accounting system of asset registers to create a dynamic management system to inform facility managers of the opportunity cost of their assets, encourage them to sell obsolete assets and drive modernisation of the estate. In Scotland much modernisation has now occurred. Other issues have emerged to preoccupy managers such as sustainability, preservation in use of historic buildings and concern not to overburden health bodies with an inherited older estate with onerous charges.

Practical implications

The paper presents new historic material identifying trends in the health service and professional thinking. It continues the debate between FM and valuation professionals, central government clients and researchers. The debate has implications for other specialised public sector estates such as prisons, courts, roads and defence and specialised private sector estates valued on DRC.

Originality/value

The paper explains recent developments in the UK's NHS asset valuation methodology in Scotland, and the historic roots of the capital charging system.
Longitudinal analysis of corporate real estate practice
Authors: Gibson Virginia , Luck Rachael
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To report on longitudinal change in corporate real estate (CRE) practice in the last two decades, in particular, monitoring significant changes in CRE policy, function and activities through the statistical analysis of annual survey data.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review revealed the major themes that have influenced CRE practice in the last 20 years. Applying principal components analysis the annual survey of CRE practice dataset was analysed to identify significant tends in the CRE practices reported by organizations.

Findings

A significant overlap was observed between the activities used in practice and the CRE literature, and new working practices were identified as a significant theme. Based on these analyses comment is made on the impact of changes in CRE practice over the timescale of the survey and it was predicted that new working practices will continue to influence CRE practices in the future.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils a need for evidence‐based monitoring of CRE practices to give insight into the relationship between past, present and indicative directions for future CRE practice.
The lessons of history
Authors: Baker Michael J.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To examine the lessons that may be learned by both academics and practitioners from a dispassionate review of the history of the marketing profession.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the founding fathers of marketing as a subject for academic study in the UK thinks aloud about what he has observed during more than 30 years in a leading UK business school.

Findings

The conclusion is that marketing academics exhibit one negative feature of scholarship: failure to take the historical perspective. A mutated variety of the notorious “marketing myopia” causes them to disregard anything written in what they regard as the distant past, and, therefore, to fail to see the larger picture.

Research limitations/implications

Academic researchers in marketing need to look for more basic principles and better rules of thumb, rather than esoteric irrrelevances fit only to grace the pages of the Journal of Obscurity.

Practical implications

If academics thus take a narrow and currently fashionable view, future marketing strategists, at present their students in graduate business schools, will in all probability do likewise.

Originality/value

A “viewpoint” from a privileged vantage point on the high ground.
Measuring service quality in higher education: HEdPERF versus SERVPERF
Authors: Abdullah Firdaus
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to test and compare the relative efficacy of three measuring instruments of service quality (namely Higher Education PERFormance (HEdPERF), SERVPERF and the moderating scale of HEdPERF‐SERVPERF) within a higher education setting. The objective was to determine which instrument had the superior measuring capability in terms of unidimensionality, reliability, validity and explained variance.

Design/methodology/approach

After a pilot test, data were collected from students in two public universities, one private university and three private colleges in Malaysia between January and March 2004, by the “contact person” route. From a total of 560 questionnaires, 381 were usable: a response rate of 68.0 per cent. This sample of nearly 400,000 students in Malaysian tertiary institutions was in line with the generalized scientific guideline for sample size decisions. Data were subjected to regression analysis.

Findings

A modified five‐factor structure of HEdPERF is put forward as the most appropriate scale for the higher education sector.

Research limitations/implications

Since this study only examined the respective utilities of each instrument within a single industry, any suggestion that the HEdPERF is generally superior would still be premature. Nonetheless, the current findings do provide some important insights into how these instruments of service quality compare with one another.

Practical implications

The single dominant factor on this study is “access”, which has clear implications for institutions' marketing strategies.

Originality/value

This is believed to be the first study of its kind carried out among consumers of the higher education service.
Intention to e‐collaborate: propagation of research propositions
Authors: Cheng Eddie W.L. , Love Peter E.D. , Standing Craig , Gharavi Hosein
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This paper seeks to propose the examination of the importance of firms' intention to e‐collaborate in facilitating e‐collaboration for an informal alliance.

Design/methodology/approach

A rigorous review of the existing literature is undertaken for the purpose of developing a contingency framework that determines firm boundaries.

Findings

The conceptual framework posits that three decision contexts (the threat of opportunism, the threat of commercial failure, and the opportunity for sustainable advantage) are predictors of selecting the governance mode between e‐collaboration and arm's‐length relationship, and that an intention to e‐collaborate moderates the governance mode choice.

Originality/value

Testable propositions are offered to examine the proposed relationships in the framework. The paper concludes by suggesting that firms which would like to implement e‐collaboration in a group of companies must initiate and strengthen their intention to form the desired governance mode.
Antecedents and consequences of organizational innovation and organizational learning in entrepreneurship
Authors: García‐Morales Víctor J. , Llorens‐Montes Francisco J. , Verdú‐Jover Antonio J.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To analyze a series of strategic capabilities/factors that affects organizational innovation (OI) and organizational learning (OL) (personal mastery, transformational leadership, shared vision, proactivity and environment) and demonstrate that OL and innovation are positively related to organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on prior research, the paper develops a number of testable hypotheses. It examines how personal mastery, transformational leadership, shared vision, proactivity and environment influence improvements in performance. The paper uses inter‐factor correlations matrix and multiple regressions analyses and empirically tests these hypotheses using a sample of 408 Spanish organizations.

Findings

Considers OI and OL jointly to promote organizational entrepreneurship and to increase competitive advantages. Empirically reflects the need to strengthen different strategic capabilities to achieve an adequate level of both organizational issues and thus improve performance and encourage entrepreneurship.

Research limitations/implications

Survey data based on self‐reports may be subject to social desirability bias. The external validation of some of the variables from the archival data of a subset of respondents increased confidence in self‐reports and reduced the risk of common method variance. The paper needs to concentrate on other sectors. Future studies should place greater emphasis on longitudinal studies and should be based on a larger sample, preferably in more than one country. It would be interesting to analyze other strategic activities for entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

Organizations' managers must encourage the organization's members to achieve high levels of personal mastery. This environment can be provided by continually encouraging personal vision. The style of management must be more transformational. They must foster shared vision. The leader must prepare the organization and shape the mental models. Specific actions must be taken to overcome the internal and external obstacles to shared vision. The leader will play an important role in linking the organization and the environment and generate proactivity.

Originality/value

This paper is fundamental to promote strategy capabilities that are necessary to entrepreneurship (OL and OI).
Social and ethical considerations in virtual worlds
Authors: Kerbs Robert W.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The computer has evolved from a tool used solely for business, research and governmental purposes to an instrument characterized by social interaction invirtual worlds. In this context, like‐minded people can converse and interact online in ways that are both enjoyable and satisfying. However, virtual worlds also bring with them cause for concern. These concerns include – but are not limited to – the loss of one's privacy, the fear of being exploited, and the loss of identity. This paper seeks to investigate the current state of affairs of online virtual worlds in terms of what many people deem acceptable and unacceptable forms of behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A study is presented that explores the unmonitored distribution of electronic materials through the internet. Available technologies are surveyed and recommendations made based on these analyses.

Findings

This paper has shown that effective enforcement of online behavior is, at least, a very complicated undertaking – not one that will be quickly or easily solved. However, it demonstrates a number of techniques people may use today to protect themselves and those around them.

Originality/value

A number of techniques are described to help people traverse virtual worlds in a safe, secure and confident manner. This includes recommendations for people of all ages, from children through to adults.
The use of internet service providers by cybercafés in Nigeria: an update
Authors: Adomi Esharenana E. , Oghenevwogaga Adogbeji Benson , Oduwole A.A.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This paper sets out to investigate cybercafés' change of internet service providers (ISPs) in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Employs a survey design using questionnaires to collect data from 89 cybercafé entrepreneurs/managers in four states of Nigeria (Delta, Edo, Lagos, and Ogun), and analyses the data using frequency counts and percentages.

Findings

The findings reveal that most cybercafés were established between 2002 and 2003. The majority of the cybercafés have ten PCs connected to the net, while a greater number of them are connected to the net via wireless means. A good number of cybercafés have changed ISPs once. The lack of or poor technical support and frequent loss of contact/signals with the ISP were two of the reasons reported for cybercafés changing their ISP. Cybercafés would like ISPs to increase their speed of transmission, etc., to serve them better. It is recommended that cybercafés should obtain adequate information before engaging ISPs, and that ISPs should conduct periodic customer assessment of their service in order to improve on their services.

Originality/value

This research and its findings will assist Nigerian (and other) ISPs to improve their services to their clients. Using the results of this study, cybercafés and other ISP clients will know what to take into consideration before signing up with any ISP.
An approach to mapping CCF to Dublin Core
Authors: Chandrakar Rajesh
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This paper seeks to describe efforts in the area of converting bibliographic records into Dublin Core from the Common Communication Format.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides examples of two mappings, one for unqualified Dublin Core metadata elements, and the other for qualified Dublin Core metadata elements.

Findings

Some difficulties may occur during the conversion of bibliographic records, and these difficulties are stated along with possible solutions.

Originality/value

The paper provides a methodology which would enable an algorithm to be developed for converting CCF‐based bibliographic records into Dublin Core metadata elements.
SME retailer internationalisation: case study evidence from British retailers
Authors: Hutchinson Karise , Quinn Barry , Alexander Nicholas
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The internationalisation of large multinational retailers is well documented and much research attention has been given to their motives and strategies for expansion. Yet, no research in this field has specifically addressed the internationalisation of small‐ to medium‐sized companies (SMEs) operating in the retail industry. The theoretical insights from the literature revealed important gaps in extant research, which relate to the barriers, stimulants, drivers, facilitators, process, and market entry strategy of retail SME internationalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to fill these gaps. Since the intention of this study was not to describe, but rather to build theory from an unexplored area of research, an in‐depth case approach was deemed most appropriate. Therefore, the paper presents the findings from a number of case studies of SME retail internationalisation operating from the UK.

Findings

Key findings from this study not only confirm that smaller British retailers have both the potential and capability to enter international markets successfully, but provides initial insights into how they overcome the constraints of size and establish an international market strategy. The findings from this study also offer insights into the SME sector of the retail industry in the UK in terms of their experience and adoption of government exporting programmes, and details the main implications for managers of small international firms.

Originality/value

Although knowledge on SME retailer internationalisation, as it stands, is at a very early stage of development, this analysis of actual company activity in the UK retail industry provides important insights into a neglected area of international retail study and should help to develop the body of knowledge on SME internationalisation in general.
Foreign diversification vs concentration strategies and firm performance
Authors: Mas Francisco J. , Nicolau Juan L. , Ruiz Felipe
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact on firm performance of foreign concentration vs diversification strategies, as well as the moderating role played by market, product and firm characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Moderated regression analysis is used.

Findings

Distribution and cultural distance (CU) moderate the relationship between foreign concentration‐diversification and stock market performance; while the non‐repetitive character of product purchase moderates the relationship at an accounting performance level.

Research limitations/implications

First, the lack of information prevented us from examining other groups of determining factors. Second, the possible existence of bias in the results due to the selection of stock market quoted firms.

Practical implications

Managers must realise that CU, distribution channel, and the product factor of non‐repeat purchase, play an important role in the choice of a concentration vs diversification strategy when explaining business results. Government authorities should develop training programmes for firms located in middle‐income countries in order to detect the CU with target markets, as well as the development of effective distribution channels and of product strategy in these markets.

Originality/value

The findings of this study and the implications proposed show the relevance of this topic. The paper focuses on a middle‐income country (Spain) and uses two measurements of firm performance: an accounting rate and a market measure based on the event‐study (excess returns on the stock market generated by the announcement of a foreign expansion).
Successful new‐to‐the‐market versus “me‐too” retail financial services
Authors: Papastathopoulou Paulina G. , Gounaris Spiros P. , Avlonitis George J.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of marketing, sales, EDP/systems and operations in the ultimate success of new‐to‐the‐market vs “me‐too” retail financial services.

Design/methodology/approach

To collect the data, the “dropping off” method was followed using a self‐administered questionnaire. Respondents were new service development project leaders. The unit of analysis was the service innovation project. After two follow‐up contacts, 114 usable questionnaires were returned from 64 companies, yielding a company response rate of 76 per cent and a project response rate of 68 per cent.

Findings

There are significant differences in the involvement of marketing in the stages of business analysis and marketing strategy, technical development, testing and launching, and the involvement of EDP/systems during technical development between “me‐too” and new‐to‐the‐market retail financial services. Further, in the case of new‐to‐the‐market projects, the involvement of marketing and sales positively influences performance. By contrast, the performance of “me‐too” retail financial services is positively affected by the involvement of the technical‐related functions, namely EDP/systems and operations.

Research limitations/implications

The study offers only indirect evidence of a strong link between market orientation adoption and performance of innovative retail financial services. Future research attempts should incorporate a measurement of market orientation and examine directly its relation with the performance of major innovations. Also, the development process is only one of the many factors, which may explain variations in the performance of different new services. Future research is again needed in order incorporate in the analysis measures of such factors and refine the links that this study has revealed.

Originality/value

On the basis of the study's findings, middle and top management may reconsider their new service development process and possibly reassess their practices regarding the different roles that various functions hold during the development process.
Further probing of higher order in satisfaction construct
Authors: Hooi Ting Ding
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to bring a new insight by examining the satisfaction model in a more complex manner to capture the variations of the satisfaction construct better.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a subsequent expansion from a previous research. The methodology used is similar, as the researcher believes that it is the best way to measure and to capture the curvilinear relationship of the variables under study. Regression of a higher form has been discussed and established and three variables were tested, i.e. word‐of‐mouth referrals (dependent variable), satisfaction (independent variable), and ownership (moderating variable). In order to test for the moderating effect, the hierarchical moderated regression analysis has been employed.

Findings

This study contributes to the body of knowledge in two ways. First, a literature review and exploratory study suggest that marketers should consider a higher‐order model in the models of satisfaction. Second, further considerations should be made to determine the curvature of the relationship where the researcher suggested that there might be a “U”‐shaped relationship between satisfaction perception and word‐of‐mouth referrals when there is a change in ownership.

Research limitations/implications

Customer satisfaction should be seen as a non‐linear construct. In fact, in most industries there are tendencies to build marketing strategies around their core services. However, this research suggests that customers in Malaysia view beyond satisfaction in choosing their banks. Malaysian bank customers prefer patronizing banks from the same ethnic group as theirs, where banks owned by the same ethnic group as the customers are able to moderate the satisfaction level.

Originality/value

The paper shows and suggests how satisfaction construct should be measured in a non‐linear form with interaction in a different cultural context as in the banking sector in Malaysia.
Banking customers' varied reactions to service recovery strategies
Authors: Duffy Jo Ann M. , Miller John M. , Bexley James B.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Through means of an empirical study of service recovery in US retail banking this paper aims to examine the link between satisfaction and various recovery strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 310 bank customers responded to a survey addressing customer demographics, levels of satisfaction, types of recovery strategies, and service recovery employees. Frequencies, chi‐square analysis and correspondence analysis were used to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings show no significant difference in recovery strategies or satisfaction by customer age, gender, or tenure with bank. However, the degree of customer satisfaction was strongly influenced by the type of recovery strategy used by the bank. The results indicate that recovery efforts are best directed toward empathic listening and fixing the problem rather than apologizing or making atonement.

Originality/value

This study of service recovery in US retail banking provides useful information on the link between satisfaction and various recovery strategies.
Where next for account aggregation?
Authors: Matthews Mark
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine the progress of account aggregation, the means by which consumers can view all their online banking accounts on the same PC screen.

Design/methodology/approach

The study looks at the examples of several online banks and their experiences.

Findings

The article finds that account aggregation is very much in its infancy with banks still only on the brink of really exploiting the customer data that account aggregation can provide. It also discovers that, rather than being viewed as a standalone product, it looks as if account aggregation could involve added value services such as enhanced customer security, electronic bill payment and personal cash management services.

Originality/value

This article provides a useful insight into the development of account aggregation.
Sustained quality management: how to receive the Swedish quality award twice
Authors: Palmberg Klara , Garvare Rickard
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how Agria Animal Insurance Sweden (Agria) has organised its quality‐related work through a sustained and systematic focus on basic elements of quality management such as value focused leadership, employee involvement, process management and control, customer focus, and continuous improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has been based on interviews, document studies and action research. It is a single case study design with limited intentions of generalisation.

Findings

The analysis shows that the top management at Agria has been a strong driving force that has effectively united leaders at all levels as agents of change. Additional success factors have been the deployment of basic values, the “five always”, and the value focused leadership. Further on the company has succeeded in creating a cultural basis and structures for systematic work with improvements.

Practical implications

A way to address corporate culture in order to open up for a climate of micro improvements of practice within present routines is illustrated in this paper.

Originality/value

Agria could be considered an example for others to study and get inspired by when working with quality‐related issues.
A management control perspective of quality management
Authors: van Iwaarden Jos , van der Wiele Ton , Williams Roger , Dale Barrie
Published: June 2006

Purpose

In many industries (e.g. cars and clothing) manufacturing complexity and unpredictability have increased over the last couple of years because of an increasing variety of products and shortening product life cycles. At the same time the manufacturers in these industries appear to have more problems with maintaining high quality levels. This paper aims to develop a methodology to study the effects of these developments on quality management systems.

Design/methodology/approach

At three European automotive manufacturers the two trends have been studied by means of a case study approach. Simons' four levers of control model is utilised to categorise and interpret the results of the case studies.

Findings

The application of a management control model in the field of quality management is found to be useful in explaining what changes are necessary to maintain high quality levels. From the case studies in the automotive sector it is concluded that there is a shift in quality management systems from a diagnostic towards a more interactive approach. This is in line with what can be expected as a result of the increasing uncertainty in the automotive sector, caused by shortening life cycles of car models and smaller batch sizes.

Originality/value

This research presents a novel application of Simons' four levers of control model to the field of quality management. Based on the experience with three case studies at European automotive manufacturers, this approach seems to have potential.
ISO 9000 series of standards: comparison of manufacturing and service organisations
Authors: Singh Prakash J. , Feng Mei , Smith Alan
Published: June 2006

Purpose

While manufacturing organisations were early adopters of ISO 9000, lately, many service sector organisations have also pursued adoption. The aim of this paper is to compare the experiences with the standard of the two sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The research collected data from 149 service and 160 manufacturing organisations using a common survey measurement instrument.

Findings

Results show that there are no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of time and cost of obtaining registration. Also, there are only small points of differences in motivation for registration and difficulties faced. There are greater differences between the groups in terms of benefits gained and management practices associated with the standard.

Originality/value

These results provide interesting insights into how the two groups perceive and engage with the standard, how cross‐industry diffusion could be taking place, and the veracity of the claims made about the universal applicability of the standard. These findings imply that service organisations can learn from the experiences of the manufacturing sector, but copying carte blanche the implementation strategies is fraught with risks. Further, the standard is not universally applicable and may need industry‐specific tailoring.
Implementing FMEA in a collaborative supply chain environment
Authors: Gary Teng S. , Ho S. Michael , Shumar Debra , Liu Paul C.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The aim of this research was to call attention to the implementation of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) in a collaborative environment, the issues occurred in the implementation process, and a tool that can be used by all parties in a collaborative environment for FMEA process.

Design/methodology/approach

The discussion includes the procedure of an integrated FMEA approach, how to implement the procedure in a supply chain, and the common problems occurred in its implementation in automotive industry under a collaborative environment.

Findings

The research provided an example of inconsistency in the ranking of severity, occurrence, and detection to show that the inconsistency may delay FMEA implementation in a supply chain.

Originality/value

This study offered guidelines for manufacturing industry in correcting the problems in FMEA applications, so companies can adopt their FMEA process into a collaborative supply chain environment. This paper also demonstrated a Microsoft EXCEL‐based tool that can ease the FMEA process in a collaborative environment for determining sampling size, reliability and confidence level for tests in design verification and control plan as a part of integrated FMEA process.
The impact of a budgetary design system: direct and indirect models
Authors: Yuen Desmond
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Numerous accounting studies have investigated the effects of participatory budgetary processes. The job satisfaction of participating employees is one of the most frequently researched issues. Increased employee participation in budgeting widens the responsibilities and experience of employees. However, it might also increase the level of task difficulty and reduce task clarity. The purpose of this study is to design an improved budgeting system for subordinates so as to enhance job satisfaction in a working environment of difficult task setting and low goal clarity.

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper employs two models (direct and indirect) to investigate the level of employee satisfaction during budgetary participation, focusing on the hotel industry in Macau.

Findings

The direct model suggests that task difficulty and clarity do not directly affect satisfaction levels among employees during budgetary participation. However, the indirect model suggests that, under conditions of increased task difficulty and unclear goal situations, the level of job satisfaction is mediated indirectly through the influence of four core dimensions (budget variety, autonomy, task identity, and feedback). The study thus finds that improved design of budgetary processes, taking account of four core dimensions (budget variety, autonomy, task identity, and feedback), produces greater job satisfaction among employees who are desirous of satisfying higher‐order needs. Moreover, these employees are rated by superiors as performing higher‐quality work during the budgetary process.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the budgeting literature in several ways. It confirms the beneficial effect of improved budgetary design in enhancing employees' job satisfaction in a working environment of task difficulty and unclear goal setting, which is particularly important in the hotel industry and other service sectors. The paper also extends the literature that has hitherto typically focused on the examination of factors that affect the level of employees' job satisfaction, and recognizes the importance of budgetary design to job satisfaction.
Distributive justice
Authors: Kilchrist Erica , Block Walter
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Catholic social teaching is predicated upon their notion of “social justice.” In this perspective, the rich, as do the poor, have rights only to a bare subsistence level of income. Any wealth greater than this amount is owned by all of mankind, not by those who hold private property title to it. Rawls, a secular egalitarian, supports this notion with his concept of the veil of ignorance, according to which, if we did not know the future roles we would play in society, we would all choose moderate egalitarianism.

Design/methodology/approach

The present authors argue, along with the libertarian Nozick, that such redistribution is unjust, amounting to theft. It is also counterproductive to the supposed goals of the egalitarians, since the poor are much better off in societies that eschew such forced redistribution.

Findings

A possible reconciliation between libertarianism and Catholic social teaching is broached: as long as social justice applies only to members of this faith, it is not incompatible with the ethic of free enterprise and private property rights.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on the views of the Catholic social teaching philosophy on distributive justice.
Understanding the health and nutritional status of children in Pakistan
Authors: Iram Uzma , Butt Muhammad S.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to increase the level of knowledge pertaining to nutritional status of preschoolers and to identify/quantifying the relative importance of various socioeconomic and environmental factors which may have significant role in determining nutritional status of preschoolers in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Household food availability, childcare practices, and child health status being focused as proximate determinants of child nutritional status pose problems for the simple regression analysis. An ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation of the regression with nutrition as an outcome and these three proximate variables as determinants could be biased for two reasons. First, there may be unobserved variables that are relegated to the error term but are correlated with the variables included on the right side. Second, explanatory variables may exit that are endogenous or codetermined with the outcome variable and hence are correlated with the error term. The approach to address these problems is to use instrumental variables (IV) approach. The credibility of the IV approach will rest on the ability to find variables that are correlated with the suspected endogenous explanatory variables but that do not affect the outcome variable (other than through the explanatory variable being instrumented).

Findings

The results from empirical analysis shows that factors on the maternal and household level are more important determinants of child nutritional status. Food availability, childcare practices and child health (diarrhea) are significantly related to child nutritional status. Household size has negative and significant impact on child nutritional status. Household income has an important and significant impact on child nutritional status. Childcare practices are negatively and significantly related to child nutritional status. This may suggest that as childcare practices improve, they may complement the need for other sources of improved energy for preschooler's nutritional status. The findings suggest that women's education plays a very important role in improving children's nutritional status and that the nutrition status among children depends on both better sanitary conditions and on dietary intake.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to data limitation present analysis employed child calorie adequacy ratio (CCAR) as a proxy of child nutritional status. For that to estimate, commonly used measures are nutrient intake, caloric adequacy ratio and relative caloric allocation.

Practical implications

A key message of this research is that significant achievement could be made toward reducing malnutrition through actions in sectors that have not been the traditional focus of nutritional interventions like improved hygiene conditions.

Originality/value

This could be the first ever effort in describing child nutritional status with the help relative more robust analytical technique for Pakistan.
Payment for health in Singapore
Authors: Reisman David
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Singapore's rapid economic progress has been accompanied by a series of experiments in medical savings and health insurance. This paper aims to examine the “three Ms” – Medisave, MediShield, and Medifund – in order to establish the way in which the policy‐instruments are expected to deliver the status required.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper collects evidence on both outcomes and payments.

Findings

Results show that a nation in which the median citizen is under 40 is in a strong position to rely principally on individual medical savings accounts. The paper predicts that Singapore, as its population ages, will probably rely more heavily on risk pooling and insurance.

Practical implications

The practical implications are that an extension of insurance is inevitable, but that earmarked savings will probably remain the first line of defence.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to document the Singapore experience of payment for health. It draws inferences and makes recommendations that will be of interest to policy makers both in poorer and in richer countries.
Analysis of currency impact on international investment
Authors: Shetty Anand , Manley John
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Aims to examine the currency impact on return, risk and market correlations from the perspective of both dollar and non‐dollar‐based investments.

Design/methodology/approach

Monthly data on six stock index series and exchange rates from Financial Times Sources are used, covering the period 1988‐1997.

Findings

Finds that the impact of exchange rate on returns measured in the investor's currency is generally negative for all investor groups, and it raises return volatility above the level of local markets most of the time. The correlation of returns is, however, lower than that of the local returns.

Practical implications

The study reports little evidence of a forward hedge improving the return for investors, but the hedging does reduce volatility for four out of six investors.

Originality/value

Whereas past studies examining market correlations, the risk‐return outcome of international investment, and/or the impact of exchange rate movement on the risk‐return out come, have generally used dollar‐based investment, this paper uses both dollar‐ and non‐dollar‐based investments to determine whether these are any major differences in the way exchange rate affects investment outcomes and market correlations.
Does quantity reflect quality? Financial disclosure size and future performance
Authors: Jensen Marlin R.H. , Marshall Beverly B. , Pugh William N.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate whether a firm's financial disclosure size can help investors predict performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Controlling for size and industry, the relationship between financial disclosure size and subsequent stock performance for all Standard and Poor's (S and P) 500 firms over a seven‐year period is examined.

Findings

It is found that firms with smaller 10‐Ks tend to have better subsequent performance relative to their industries. However, the findings suggest that the performance explanation may not lie in the size of the 10‐K itself. Firms with smaller 10‐Ks tend to perform better because they are smaller in terms of total assets and more focused, with fewer business segments.

Research limitations/implications

While the study is limited to examination of S and P 500 firms, no consistent evidence is found of a relation between changes in a firm's disclosure size and future performance changes.

Practical implications

The results suggest that more disclosure relative to a firm's size is not necessarily bad. Investors attempting to predict future firm performance cannot use the firm's disclosure size alone.

Originality/value

This paper extends two recent Merrill Lynch studies that appear to contradict the extant financial literature's view that increased disclosure reduces the informational asymmetry problem. While the results confirm the findings of these studies, they suggest that the performance explanation may not lie in the size of the 10‐K itself.