bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphology and etch figures of a Yb:YAl3(BO3)4crystal
Authors: Zhao Shan Rong , Meng Jie , Wang Rong , Qiu Zhi Hui , Wang Li Jie
Published: April 2009

Yb:YAl3(BO3)4is a good self-frequency-doubling crystal with the point group 32. In this paper, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to observe the etch figures of the three forms (positive trigonal prism {11\overline 20}, negative trigonal prism {2\overline 1\overline 10} and rhombohedron {10\overline 11}) on the crystal morphology of Yb:YAl3(BO3)4. The etch figures display the point group 32 of the Yb:YAl3(BO3)4crystal. To compare the morphology and etch figures of Yb:YAl3(BO3)4with those of quartz, the classic crystal of point group 32, the etch figures of the three forms (hexagonal prism {10\overline 10}, positive rhombohedron {10\overline 11} and negative rhombohedron {01\overline 11}) on quartz were also observed using AFM. It is interesting that Yb:YAl3(BO3)4develops two prismatic forms (related by a positive–negative relationship) and one rhombohedral form, while quartz develops one prismatic form and two rhombohedral forms (also related by a positive–negative relationship). Etch figures of faces or sections with the same indices (or the same crystallographic orientations) in Yb:YAl3(BO3)4and quartz are very similar, although their crystal structures are very different. Besides diffraction methods, etch figures are a useful method for determining the point group of a crystal.
Anisotropic phonon density of states: the application of Rietveld and Mössbauer texture analysis in aligned powders
Authors: Rykov A. I. , Seto M. , Ueda Y. , Nomura K.
Published: April 2009

Since it is not always feasible to synthesize single crystals of novel materials, the orientation of layered polycrystals has become an attractive basis for studying the angular dependence of inelastic scattering of X-rays or neutrons. Utilizing Rietveld analysis, the anisotropic properties of layered structures in novel manganites and cuprates have been studied with oriented powders instead of single crystals. The phonon density of states (DOS) and atomic thermal displacement are anisotropic in theA-site-ordered manganites LnBaMn2Oyfor the seriesy= 5 andy= 6 (Ln = Y, La, Sm and Gd). This article establishes the angular dependence of the DOS on texture of arbitrary strength, links the textures observed by X-ray and γ-ray techniques, and solves the problem of disentanglement of the Goldanskii–Karyagin effect and texture in Mössbauer spectra.
High-energy X-ray diffuse scattering
Authors: Ramsteiner I. B. , Schöps A. , Reichert H. , Dosch H. , Honkimäki V. , Zhong Z. , Hastings J. B.
Published: April 2009

Diffuse X-ray scattering has been an important tool for understanding the atomic structure of binary systems for more than 50 years. The majority of studies have used laboratory-based sources providing 8 keV photons or synchrotron radiation with similar energies. Diffuse scattering is weak, with the scattering volume determined by the X-ray absorption length. In the case of 8 keV photons, this is not significantly different from the typical extinction length for Bragg scattering. If, however, one goes to energies of the order of 100 keV the scattering volume for the diffuse scattering increases up to three orders of magnitude while the extinction length increases by only one order of magnitude. This leads to a gain of two orders of magnitude in the relative intensity of the diffuse scattering compared with the Bragg peaks. This gain, combined with the possibility of recording the intensity from an entire plane in reciprocal space using a two-dimensional X-ray detector, permits time-resolved diffuse scattering studies in many systems. On the other hand, diffraction features that are usually neglected, such as multiple scattering, come into play. Four types of multiple scattering phenomena are discussed, and the manner in which they appear in high-energy diffraction experiments is considered.
Comparison of nutritional composition and anti‐nutrient status of fermented, germinated and roasted bambara groundnut seeds (vigna subterranea)
Authors: Steve Ijarotimi Oluwole , Ruth Esho Taiwo
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to demonstrate that the nutritional composition of bambara groundnut (BG) seeds can be influenced when subjected to three traditional processing methods (i.e. fermentation, roasting, and germination).

Design/methodology/approach

Proximate, minerals, amino acids and antinutritional factors of each of the processed food samples were investigated using AOAC methods. The results of the study were as follows: For the proximate analysis, moisture content ranged between: 1.50‐2.16 g/100 g; fat 6.02‐6.57 g/100 g; protein 20.00‐20.49 g/100 g; ash 1.17‐3.46 g/100 g; carbohydrate 65.82‐68.74 g/100 g and energy 400.2‐412.18kcal. For the minerals composition, calcium ranged between 14.12± 0.01‐18.26±0.01 mg/100 g, potassium 57.61±0.01‐80.62±0.02 mg/100 g, magnesium 50.47± 0.01‐69.34±0.02 mg/100 g, sodium 19.05±0.01‐25.97±0.01 mg/100 g, iron 0.15±0.01‐0.48± 0.01 mg/100 g, selenium 0.00±0.00‐0.21±0.01 mg/100 g and phosphorus 164.73±0.01‐187.13± 0.01 mg/100 g, while the Ca/P and Na/K ratios of the food samples range between 0.10±0.01‐0.19±0.01 and 0.30±0.01‐0.35±0.01 respectively. The total amino acid and percentage of total essential amino acid for children and adults were higher in germinated BG seed flour than fermented and roasted BG flour respectively.

Findings

The findings were that the antinutritional content of fermented bambara groundnut seed flour was low compared with germinated and roasted bambara groundnut seed flour.

Research limitations/implications

The protein content of fermented bambara groundnut flour was higher and also had a low level of antinutritional factors compared with other processed bambara groundnut flour. In view of these, further study may be conducted to establish the suitability of incorporating the fermented bambara groundnut flour into weaning food.

Originality/value

The study showed that these traditional processing methods, that is, fermentation, germination and roasting, influenced the nutritional composition of bambara groundnut seeds.
Author self‐citation pattern in science
Authors: Reza Davarpanah Mohammad , Amel Farzaneh
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the author self‐citation behavior in four disciplines: electronic engineering, general and internal medicine, organic chemistry and plant sciences.

Design/methodology/approach

By using SCI and random stratified method 1,000 articles were analysed as a sample in the four disciplines during 2004‐2006.

Findings

It was found that about 60 per cent of the articles in the four disciplines' literature contained at least one self‐citation. Four disciplines all showed skewed distributions of articles citation rates, either self‐citation or other citations. Organic chemistry articles had the highest self‐citations than the other disciplines. Share of self‐citation decreases with growing time window. The expected self‐citation rate increased with growing number of citation, co‐authorship and author productivity.

Originality/value

The outcomes of this study suggest that self‐citation indicators should be used as supplementary indicators in evaluative bibliometrics.
Common sense in philosophical and scientific perspective
Authors: Redekop Benjamin W.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deepen our understanding of the philosophical and scientific pedigree of the concept of “common sense”, and explore the implications for managerial decision‐makers.

Design/methodology/approach

After examining the management literature on this topic, a brief history of the notion and philosophy of common sense is followed by a review of recent findings in cognitive science and other fields and a discussion of implications for managerial decision‐making.

Findings

The notion of common sense has a stable perceptual basis in the makeup of the human mind, as has been shown by philosophers and scientists. Common sense intuitions serve as the basis for making sense of the world: visual perception, scientific reasoning, language, psychology, mathematics, and moral judgments are all rooted in “mental hardware” of common sense. While it is a necessary element of human cognition, common sense can nevertheless lead us astray if we are unaware of its contours and limitations, which are outlined in this paper.

Practical implications

Understanding that the mind comes equipped with a host of common sense mental instincts will have an impact on both one's own decision‐making processes, and how decision‐makers attempt to influence others.

Originality/value

Based on original research as well as literature from a variety of disciplines, this paper provides a comprehensive understanding of the philosophical and scientific pedigree of “common sense” and its implications for decision‐makers.
Magnetic fluid‐based squeeze film between porous rotating rough circular plates
Authors: Patel Himanshu , Deheri Gunamani M. , Patel Rakesh M.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study and analyze the effect of roughness and magnetic fluid lubricant on the performance of the squeeze film formed when the upper plate with a porous facing approaches an impermeable and flat lower plate by considering the rotation of the plates.

Design/methodology/approach

The roughness of the bearing surface is modeled by a stochastic random variable with non‐zero mean, variance and skewness. The associated Reynolds' equation is stochastically averaged with respect to the random roughness parameter. Results for bearing performance characteristics such as load‐carrying capacity and response time for various values of mean, standard deviation and measure of symmetry are numerically computed. The results are presented graphically as well as in tabular form.

Findings

It is observed that the bearing suffers owing to the transverse surface roughness. However, negatively skewed roughness may enhance the performance of the bearing system for suitable values of variance. It is also seen that rotation decreases the load‐carrying capacity but it has marginal influence in the presence of the magnetic fluid. Further, the performance of the bearing system registers a steady improvement with the increasing values of the magnetization parameter. In addition, the response time follows the trends of the load‐carrying capacity.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper lies in the fact that the roughness must be accounted for while designing the bearing system, even though a suitable rotation ratio parameter is chosen in the presence of a strong magnetic fluid. Of course, the best performance of the bearing system is registered in the case of negatively skewed roughness.
Making mentoring stick: a case study
Authors: Karallis Takis , Sandelands Eric
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide a case study of the mentoring process within Kentz Engineers & Constructors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reflects the experiences of those leading the mentoring process within Kentz with insights extracted from a process of action, reflection and live experimentation.

Findings

The paper concludes that mentoring is effective in the early stages of careers, but that care needs to be taken to ensure that organization‐wide mentoring programmes achieve their objectives.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are based on the experiences of one company and further research would be needed in order to generalize from these findings.

Originality/value

The mentoring process analysed is unique to Kentz Engineers & Constructors, drawing on lessons from the broader literature. Published papers from the construction industry are rare in comparison with other market sectors.
Addressing South Africa's engineering skills gaps
Authors: Hall Jonathan , Sandelands Eric
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a case study of how engineering skills gaps are being addressed by Murray & Roberts in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on skills challenges in South Africa from a reflective practitioner perspective, exploring a case example from an industry leader.

Findings

The paper explores how Murray & Roberts, within the context of the broader construction industry in South Africa, has addressed skills shortages with an integrated, multi‐faceted approach with more general application.

Research limitations/implications

The integrated approach to labour mobilization and development proposed has been successful in addressing major infrastructure construction projects. Further research will be needed to establish its broader application.

Originality/value

The paper pragmatically addresses live skills challenges, exploring creative solutions to the scarcity of skilled construction labour experience.
Same time, next year?
Authors: Ainsworth Susan , Purss Alice
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamics between management approach, human resource systems and practices, and responses of seasonal workers.

Design/methodology/approach

After reviewing literature on contingent workers focusing on seasonal workers in particular, this paper presents a case study of how seasonal work is managed in a specific organisational context.

Findings

There is a noticeable gap between the organisation's initial approach to human resource management (during recruitment and induction) and the way employees are actually managed during the course of their employment. While seasonal employees may have low levels of organisational commitment as a consequence, nevertheless their commitment to colleagues, supervisors, and in some cases, clients has side‐benefits for the organisation.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on a single case study and has illustrative value. The characteristics of seasonal work described in the case reflect a specific industry and organisational context.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that employers of seasonal workers should consider the influence of human resource management systems and practices on the expectations and experience employees have of work.

Originality/value

The paper makes an empirical contribution as seasonal work has received little attention to date. Moreover, as seasonal work potentially combines short‐term finite employment with longer‐term relational aspects, we are able to highlight the relevance of cyclical time to an understanding of how employees perceive and experience work.
Making the decision to outsource human resources
Authors: Woodall Jean , Scott‐Jackson William , Newham Timothy , Gurney Melanie
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe how the decision to outsource human resources was made by 12 large and five small organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

Desk research and key informant interviews with senior HR staff who lead the decision to outsource human resources in a purposive sample of organisations identified through an initial search of the professional literature and nomination by an expert panel.

Findings

The research identifies a number of drivers that lead organisations to consider outsourcing their HR. In large organisations cost considerations are dominant, but other factors arise out of the organisational history and context, and very often, senior managers from outside the HR function are very influential. For most organisations, paradoxically, the decision to outsource appears not to be made on the basis of a thorough analysis of costs, with consequences for the quality of HR service offered to line managers, and also for the career paths and skill sets required from HR staff.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses upon the perceptions and experiences of senior HR managers, but excludes the perceptions and experiences of all staff employed in the HR function. Also, while the use of a qualitative research design makes it possible to uncover the individual perceptions and motivations of the key informants in the sample, there are obvious limitations in respect of statistical generalisation.

Practical implications

The findings relate mainly to the future shape of the HR function in organisations where HR activity is outsourced, with consequent implications for the skill sets and career paths for HR professionals.

Originality/value

The views of HR directors and senior managers have provided a valuable insight into the strategic decision to outsource HR activity and will be of interest to those involved in the same field.
Executive development
Authors: Preece David , Iles Paul
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review some uncertainties experienced by a group of CEs, and how they are assuaged through their participation in an executive development (ED) programme. These uncertainties relate both to their involvement in the programme as such, particularly during their early days of membership, and to their everyday work experience.

Design/methodology/approach

An in‐depth, longitudinal case study of an ED programme undertaken by the authors, using participant observation, semi‐structured interviews and documentary analysis.

Findings

Five main CE uncertainties are identified: knowledge, job/career, behavioural, personal, and contextual. The case study section of the paper outlines each of these uncertainties, and illustrates how they are being assuaged through the CE programme.

Research limitations/implications

The usual caveats apply about generalising from a case study. On the other hand, the paper presents a rare detailed “insider” account of and reflection upon chief executives' experience of an ED programme, situating it in the wider contexts of their work and anxieties.

Practical implications

In the light of the uncertainties identified, a number of implications for the design and operation of executive development programmes are outlined and discussed.

Originality/value

New data is presented and analysed, linked to relevant themes in the ED/Leadership Development literatures.
Assessing the status of six sigma implementation in the Indian industry
Authors: Antony Jiju , Desai Darshak A.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results from an empirical investigation of six sigma status in the Indian industry and underrepresented region of investigation on six sigma implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire which applied in the UK industry is applied in India. The survey is adapted so that it is suitable to Indian industry. The results of the study are based on descriptive statistics.

Findings

The results of this empirical study reflect the reasons for application of six sigma by Indian organizations, the most and least commonly used tools and techniques, critical success factors (CSFs) for the implementation of six sigma, and common impediments in the implementation.

Research limitations/implications

This study was carried out with some boundaries such as the number of companies surveyed, time and budget constraints. Moreover, a detailed understanding of the status of six sigma applications in Indian industry by means of semi‐structured interviews could not be executed due to above constraints.

Originality/value

Very little research has been carried out relating to the status of six sigma implementation in the Indian industry. This paper will provide value to academics, practitioners of six sigma and those researchers who are involved in six sigma research.
Re‐assessing minimum‐age standards for children's work
Authors: Bourdillon Michael F.C. , White Ben , Myers William E.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to call for re‐thinking of the universal minimum‐age approach to problems of child labour.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors point out that there has been no serious policy analysis on universal minimum‐age approaches, and question common assumptions concerning such policies by reviewing available knowledge on the impact of work on children.

Findings

Available research does not support a presumption that blanket minimum‐age laws are beneficial. In some cases, it is clear that they are injurious to children, underlining the need for systematic policy analysis.

Practical implications

The promotion of universalized minimum‐age policies should cease until their effect on children has been reliably assessed. In the meantime, more energy and investment should be devoted to alternative, proven ways of combating forms and conditions of work that are genuinely likely to cause harm, and to promoting access to education.

Originality/value

This paper contributes towards introducing more appropriate policy on children's work.
Service, services and products: rethinking operations strategy
Authors: Spring Martin , Araujo Luis
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper proposes a new approach to operations and supply strategy in the light of recent developments in the analysis of the respective roles of products and services in delivering benefits to customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews and synthesises concepts from operations management (OM), marketing, economics and related areas. Examples of product and service combinations are considered, drawing attention to the ways in which services may be distinguished from products. An institutional basis for defining services is favoured over IHIP. A corollary of this is how services are made tradable: the modularity theory of the firm is used to do this. The paper then outlines, considers and compares various approaches to the combination of products and services: “service‐dominant logic”, support services, product‐service systems, systems integration, performance‐based logistics, bundling and, finally, the notion of “the offering”.

Findings

It is found that the notion of the business model is useful as an integrating concept. This focuses on four areas: network structure, how transactions are made, how revenue models and incentives interact and how capabilities are accessed. Implications for future research in OM are considered.

Research limitations/implications

Hitherto, operations strategy (OS) has concentrated on intra‐firm capabilities, which is only part of one of the four areas identified. Therefore, an extensive agenda for research into inter‐firm capabilities and the other three areas identified is presented.

Originality/value

This is among the first papers in OM to break completely with IHIP as a basis for service definition and to work through the implications for OS. It is also the first to develop systematically an understanding of how the emerging concept of the business model can inform OM.
Developing integrated solution offerings for remote diagnostics
Authors: Brax Saara A. , Jonsson Katrin
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper analyzes two manufacturing firms entering condition based maintenance business reveals the complex nature of establishing integrated solutions. Existing literature on integrated solutions is contrasted critically against empirical findings.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive, comparative case study focuses on solution offerings in two different companies. The data consist of 57 thematic interviews of both manufacturer and customer representatives and company documents.

Findings

In integrated solutions, value is created incrementally through the customer‐provider co‐production process. Building integrated solutions business requires managing the interdependence of the solution components – both within the provider company and the offering, and between the provider and the client – to enable this collaborative process.

Research limitations/implications

The case studies were first conducted separately and later compared. However, despite some minor differences in case methodologies, no problems were encountered in the comparative analysis of the data sets.

Originality/value

The paper departs from the canons of earlier literature as it proposes a revised definition for integrated solution offerings; it emphasizes balanced amalgamation of multiple perspectives instead of just replacing the old ones; it questions the view of solutions development as a straight‐forward implementation process; and it switches perspective from the manufacturer to the business of the client as the main system.
Managing corporate assets with RFID
Authors: Conneely Karen
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the benefits to be obtained from radio frequency ID (RFID) for improved asset management and accountability.

Design/methodology/approach

Examines the technology's potential for asset management across industry sectors.

Findings

Finds that the majority of companies have very little grasp of how inaccurate the asset register can be, believing stored data could only be a maximum of 5 per cent inaccurate. RFID tags allow those responsible for managing fixed assets far greater visibility into the true condition and value of those assets. For example, workers of heavy machinery, such as mechanics and drivers, can gain instant insight to all the machinery parts' maintenance history as well as information on unique identifiers including part numbers, serial numbers and manufacturers' codes.

Practical implications

By adopting RFID, scanning can be undertaken by line managers on a regular basis in a matter of minutes, without impacting the organisation's core operations in any way. The tight integration with the full asset history and general ledger ensures unprecedented accuracy and auditability of the entire asset register.

Originality/value

Draws attention to the benefits of RFID and the current under‐utilisation of this established technology.
The potential for management development in NGO‐private sector partnerships
Authors: Borwankar Anjaney , Ramakrishna Velamuri S.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the potential for management development in non‐governmental organization (NGO)‐private sector partnerships.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an in‐depth case study of a program run by the British subsidiary of a large European financial services company that had sent 60 middle and senior managers and two external consultants over a ten‐year period (1994‐2004) on capacity building assignments to nine NGO partners in southern India. Questionnaires, interviews and archives of the program were the sources of data.

Findings

The study finds that assignees described the effect of the assignments on them as profound, some as transformational. Managers completed the capacity building assignments successfully and returned with greater self‐awareness and enhanced self‐confidence, and with a greater ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty. Based on the input provided by the NGO partners, they also benefited from the assignments. However, the benefits to the private sector company (financial services organization) are not clear from the study.

Research limitations/implications

This theoretical contribution is situated in the literature on self‐awareness and proposes management development as a viable objective in NGO‐private sector partnerships. Limitations of generalizing from a single case study are acknowledged and future research avenues identified.

Practical implications

The ten‐year experience of a large European multi‐national organization of partnering with nine Indian NGOs highlights rich potential for management development in such partnerships, through the development of self‐awareness and self‐confidence of key managerial talent. The circumstances under which such interventions might be appropriate are suggested.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, the potential for management development in NGO‐private sector partnerships has been under‐studied in the academic literature. The authors believe that the paper offers interesting insights and suggests further avenues for exploration.
A comparison of strategic planning practices in companies from the UK and Turkey
Authors: Glaister Keith W. , Dincer Omer , Tatoglu Ekrem , Demirbag Mehmet
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the nature and practice of strategic planning in two different environmental contexts, the UK and Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a structured mail questionnaire, the study collected data from a sample of UK and Turkish firms. Using a sampling frame of 500 firms from the EXTEL database of UK listed companies, 113 usable responses were received for the UK firms. In total, 135 responses were obtained from the Turkish firms based on a sampling frame of 638 firms derived from the database of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry's 500 largest Turkish manufacturing companies and the database of companies quoted on the Istanbul Stock Exchange.

Findings

There are a number of significant differences between the strategic planning practices of Turkish firms and UK firms. Contrary to expectations, it appears that Turkish firms rather than UK firms are more favourably disposed to strategic planning. The exception to this is the adoption and use of a range of tools/techniques of strategic analysis, which are more regularly employed by UK firms than by Turkish firms.

Practical implications

Organisations should be aware that strategy formulation is futile without appropriate strategy implementation and should seek a coherent interface between those responsible for the strategic planning process and those responsible for implementation to ensure that each group is working to the same set of objectives. With the development of the market economy in Turkey, and the increased competition from foreign firms as globalisation proceeds, it may be necessary for the Turkish firms to increasingly adopt the techniques and tools of strategic planning.

Originality/value

This paper provides some important insights to the applicability of Western strategic management thinking to the business environment in emerging countries.
Estimating buildings' energy consumption and energy costs in early project phases
Authors: Stoy Christian , Pollalis Spiro , Fiala Dusan
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that building stock is currently one of the largest energy consumers. It is thus imperative that buildings are optimally planned, constructed, and used from both the environmental and the economic point of view. Cost models are relevant tools for achieving this objective as they can be used to estimate the occupancy costs in early project phases including energy costs.

Design/methodology/approach

In the paper a regression model for predicting the energy consumption and energy costs of office buildings is developed based on the results of a survey conducted in 80 Swiss office properties.

Findings

The proposed energy cost model shows good agreement with the observed field data. The mean absolute percentage error resulted in 12 per cent. Validation tests using five properties not used for the model development revealed percentage errors ranging between −17 per cent and 7 per cent. The proposed concept and the presented cost model can be used as a basis for future studies.

Research limitations/implications

The energy consumption and energy cost model can be improved as the database for developing them is further extended (including properties from different owners with different strategies, for example energy contracting, outsourcing, and maintenance strategies).

Originality/value

The objective of the study was to develop and validate a predictive model to facilitate the estimation of occupancy costs in early project phases. A procedure is presented on how quantitative energy consumption and cost models can be developed. Provided that sufficient empirical data are available, this proecdure can be used in further studies as a suitable and practicable concept to advance occupancy cost models.
A planning solution for virtual business relationships
Authors: Sommer Rainer A.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to show that the planning‐oriented reference model is a conceptual approach that may provide a more complete alignment of strategic information, governance constructs, as well as process and information flows in the development of virtual partnerships.

Design/methodology/approach

The research consists of a literature review along with interviews and observations recorded from previous public/private sector engagements in virtual planning and process change initiatives.

Findings

There are very few references that directly address the alignment of strategic plans, governance, and processes within the context of a reusable reference model library. Hence, such an approach may have merit in enhancing the body of knowledge associated with virtual business planning efforts.

Practical implications

If narrative strategic planning and policy information can be aligned and subsequently formally documented within a process‐oriented reference model structure, the resultant blueprint may be helpful in facilitating the rapid formation of virtual business partnership.

Originality/value

In a global economy competitive advantage will increasingly depend on how quickly organizations are able to reorganize in response to changing demand and market condition. Hence, virtual relationships will play an important role in the competitive challenges of the twenty‐first century. The framework proposes the use of reusable, process‐based planning libraries that could reduce the time and complexity associated with the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of virtual partnerships.
Are supplier selection criteria going green? Case studies of companies in Brazil
Authors: Jabbour Ana Beatriz L.S. , Jabbour Charbel J.C.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify if Brazilian companies are adopting environmental requirements in the supplier selection process. Further, this paper intends to analyze whether there is a relation between the level of environmental management maturity and the inclusion of environmental criteria in the companies' selection of suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of mainstream literature on environmental management, traditional criteria in the supplier selection process and the incorporation of environmental requirements in this context. The empirical study's strategy is based on five Brazilian case studies with industrial companies. Face‐to‐face interviews and informal conversations are to be held, explanations made by e‐mail with representatives from the purchasing, environmental management, logistics and other areas, and observation and the collection of company documents are also employed.

Findings

Based on the cases, it is concluded that companies still use traditional criteria to select suppliers, such as quality and cost, and do not adopt environmental requirements in the supplier selection process in a uniform manner. Evidence found shows that the level of environmental management maturity influences the depth with which companies adopt environmental criteria when selecting suppliers. Thus, a company with more advanced environmental management adopts more formal procedures for selecting environmentally appropriate suppliers than others.

Originality/value

This is the first known study to verify if Brazilian companies are adopting environmental requirements in the supplier selection process.
Land price changes in the evolving land market in Beijing
Authors: Li Ling‐Hin
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine land price changes in Beijing 1993‐2004. Examination of attributes of land price changes seeks to illustrate whether this market is overshadowed by government regulations and controls leading to immature development and uncertainties.

Design/methodology/approach

Land price changes in Beijing within the study period are examined by statistical analyses as well as spatial observations using a GIS platform.

Findings

Land prices in Beijing are influenced by common market indicators such as GDP growth and investment, although market transactions of land in this city are not entirely open and the so‐called market prices are largely price levels agreed between the private developer and the authority under private treaty grant, instead of open auction or tender.

Research limitations/implications

The analyses of market land prices in Beijing in this paper show, however, that land prices do follow generally market principles and the highest and best use principle is more or less observed.

Originality/value

The paper shows that it is possible for a market mechanism to be established as long as the authority is resolved to achieve a steady reform progress in the urban land use system; however the basic conditions of a market mechanism may not be completely ready.
Capabilities and propensity for cooperative internationalization
Authors: Camisón César , Villar Ana
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an in‐depth appraisal of the internal drivers motivating firms to select cooperative internationalization processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the resource‐based view, and using a sample of 401 Spanish firms, the authors examine the direct and indirect effects of ability to internationalize on propensity for cooperative internationalization.

Findings

Capabilities are a positive predictor of propensity for cooperative internationalization, though this relationship is mediated by the adoption of a differentiating competitive strategy. In contrast, the propensity for international growth through alliances decreases as the firm's degree of involvement abroad increases.

Practical implications

Firms that aim for international expansion should accumulate internationally transferable capabilities. Managers should reflect on the best ways to grow in foreign markets considering the maturity of the firm's internationalization process. Managers must assess whether the costs of searching for cooperative internationalization opportunities are worth paying.

Originality/value

The accumulation of internationally transferable capabilities does not alone determine a firm's international growth through cooperative internationalization; a strategy of competitive differentiation also plays a role. Moreover, the learning process of international growth reduces firms' need to cooperate.
Union duopoly with heterogeneous labor: the effect of minimum wage regulation
Authors: Martins Ana Paula
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the labor market outcome when there are two unions in the industry, representing heterogeneous workers – substitutes or complements in production – and using wage strategies, in the presence of minimum wage regulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Three strategic environments are considered: symmetric Bertrand‐Nash duopoly, Stackelberg duopoly, and efficient cooperation between the two unions.

Findings

Usually, minimum wage legislation (floor) would decrease employment; it is shown that in Stackelberg environment, minimum wage legislation may induce an increase in total employment. Wage‐pushing strategies by a leader may also arise; and if workers are substitutes, entry deterrence strategies by the leader may be observed.

Originality/value

This paper analyses the impact of minimum wages in duopoly scenarios in an extensive way.
Accountants' attitudes toward advertising: a longitudinal study
Authors: Clow Kenneth E. , Stevens Robert E. , McConkey C. William , Loudon David L.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the attitude of accountants towards advertising and to investigate changes in attitude that may have occurred between 1993 and 2004.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from accountants using a mail survey approach in 1993 and using an e‐mail survey approach in 2004. Questions on the two surveys were identical and a random sample of accountants was selected for each study. Statistical tests were used to compare responses from 1993 with responses in 2004.

Findings

Analysis of the results revealed significant positive shifts in the attitudes accountants have toward advertising of accounting services. Negative attitudes toward various aspects of advertising shifted to either a neutral or a positive position. This dramatic, positive shift in advertising attitudes by accountants occurred while skepticism towards advertising remained relatively high, overall, among the general public. Between the two time periods, changes in the use of various marketing tools (such as web sites to attract new clients) were also found to have occurred. In addition, the use of marketing professionals by accounting service providers increased substantially over the 11‐year time period of the longitudinal study.

Research limitations/implications

Sample selection and size create some concern about generalizability of the study. With any random sample selection process, the view of the non‐respondents is not known nor whether those who responded tended to have a higher level of acceptance of advertising.

Originality/value

For marketing professionals, this shift to a more positive attitude by accountants provides opportunities to offer greater marketing and advertising services. This shift also signals an increasing awareness on the part of accountants to market their services.
Regionalisation in the Gdańsk area
Authors: Czepczyński Mariusz
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to present some of the key obstacles and general conditions which shape regional cooperation between municipalities of Poland's third largest agglomeration of Gdańsk, also called Tri‐City.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the role of leadership in organizations representing business interests, and the competing and conflicting perspectives on the “right” scale to do so – local and/or regional, drawing on participatory insights into the relevant processes.

Findings

It is found that economic competition and post‐1990 neo‐liberal governance practices enhance the isolationism and rivalry between localities within the agglomeration. Any public claims to “cooperation” are mainly limited to the practicalities of public transportation. Individual actors and their personalities and policy‐making abilities play a key part in any collaborative agenda, often pushed by EU funding conditions that require institutional collaboration.

Originality/value

The obstacles to, and mechanisms of, city‐regional governance are very topical. The contribution of this paper is timely and offers a rare insight into the competing ambitions and “visions” in local public administration after the end of communist‐era top‐down government.
Using data mining to segment healthcare markets from patients' preference perspectives
Authors: Liu Sandra S. , Chen Jie
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an example of how to use data mining techniques to identify patient segments regarding preferences for healthcare attributes and their demographic characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were derived from a number of individuals who received in‐patient care at a health network in 2006. Data mining and conventional hierarchical clustering with average linkage and Pearson correlation procedures are employed and compared to show how each procedure best determines segmentation variables.

Findings

Data mining tools identified three differentiable segments by means of cluster analysis. These three clusters have significantly different demographic profiles.

Practical implications

The study reveals, when compared with traditional statistical methods, that data mining provides an efficient and effective tool for market segmentation. When there are numerous cluster variables involved, researchers and practitioners need to incorporate factor analysis for reducing variables to clearly and meaningfully understand clusters.

Originality/value

Interests and applications in data mining are increasing in many businesses. However, this technology is seldom applied to healthcare customer experience management. The paper shows that efficient and effective application of data mining methods can aid the understanding of patient healthcare preferences.
A study of thermo‐mechanical reliability of lead‐free PTH solder joints
Authors: Nguyen Jennifer , Geiger David , Rooney Dan , Shangguan Dongkai
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider PTH solder joint reliability, particularly on the PTH solder joints with partial hole‐fill and without pin protrusion. Also, the impact of voiding on the solder joint reliability is discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

Thermal cycling tests for samples of different hole‐fill percentages and voiding were conducted, and cross‐sections of the PTH solder joints were performed to evaluate the solder microstructure, intermetallic formation, via hole‐fill, and the condition of the PTH metallization and PCB dielectric prior to thermal cycling and at different times during thermal cycling.

Findings

Different failure mechanisms were observed for solder joints with and without pin protrusion. PTH components with pin protrusion had better through hole‐fill and less voids than PTH components without pin protrusion.

Originality/value

The paper discusses in detail the effect of hole‐fill percentage and voiding on PTH solder joint reliability.
Development of industrial service offerings: a process framework
Authors: Kindström Daniel , Kowalkowski Christian
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a service development process that is adapted to manufacturing companies and to discuss its implications for companies with a traditional focus on product development and product sales.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at new service development (NSD) literature and argues for a rationale to study NSD processes in a manufacturing context. Next, a generic NSD framework for manufacturing companies is presented. Examples are given based on an explorative multiple case study (ten companies) with in‐depth interviews and focus groups. The analysis reveals organizational requirements and other critical factors related to each stage of the NSD process.

Findings

A four‐stage service offering development framework is presented. Critical aspects of NSD in a manufacturing context are highlighted. The importance of considering both NSD and new product development (NPD) together is also emphasized.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations are based primarily on methodology; the case studies focused only on the service organizations of the manufacturing companies studied.

Practical implications

Managers need to be aware of the inter‐relationship that exists between NSD and NPD and on the specificities of service development in companies where an industrial logic dominates. A number of managerial implications are proposed and discussed.

Originality/value

The paper emphasizes the importance of latter stages in NSD, something that has not previously been extensively studied or addressed. In addition, to explicitly discuss NSD in a manufacturing context is novel.