bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eighteen “monozukuri‐focused” assembly line design and visual factory management principles with DENSO industrial examples
Authors: Ranky Paul G.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To offer lean design and assembly principles with a focus on “monozukuri,” meaning sustainable, environmentally friendly factories and products with simultaneously integrated product and process designs.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on extensive study of products, processes and factories, 18 “monozukuri‐focused” product, process, factory design and management principles are explained by the author.

Findings

The rule‐based approach to designing lean, sustainable, “monozukuri‐focused” flexible products, processes, production systems and factories will reduce waste at all levels, and create new opportunities for satisfying dynamically changing market needs.

Originality/value

Reveals 18 lean design and assembly line design and management principles with some practical industrial examples.
Is six sigma a management fad or fact?
Authors: Antony Jiju
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to present the results of a study carried out by the author in the form of a panel discussion on the topic – “Is Six Sigma another management fad or fact?”

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken for this paper was to form a panel of leading academics and practitioners who are familiar with the six sigma topic as well as general quality management/improvement fields.

Findings

The findings of this panel discussion was quite stimulating and the author believes that this will be extremely useful to both researchers and practitioners of six sigma.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of this panel discussion was that majority of the people who participated in this study come from the USA. It would have been better to have different views from other parts of the world such as China, Sweden, Hong Kong, Australia, The Netherlands, Germany, etc.

Originality/value

The paper provides an excellent resource for those people who would like to know whether six sigma is just a management fad or fact. The people who had participated in this panel discussion were carefully chosen by the author.
An image processing approach for jigsaw puzzle assembly
Authors: Fei Ni , Zhuang Fu , Renqiang Liu , Qixin Cao , Yanzheng Zhao
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To develop an image processing approach for jigsaw puzzle assembly.

Design/methodology/approach

First, pixels are extracted from the jigsaw puzzle blocks to calculate their rotation angles and centre coordinates. Second, a template matching method is employed to recognise each block and its orientation.

Findings

A robot‐based jigsaw puzzle system is established; and an effective image processing approach for assembly is developed.

Practical implications

Automatic assembly lines that assemble parts with the same shape, but random position and angle, can employ the jigsaw puzzle assembly method.

Originality/value

An effective image processing method for jigsaw puzzle assembly is presented in this paper. The validity of the method is proved by analysis and experiment.
XSENSOR technology: a pressure imaging overview
Authors: Cork Russell
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to present an innovative method for imaging the pressure distribution between two interface surfaces. The physical principles behind the design of the pressure imaging system are explained, and some case studies involving the use of this technology in diverse applications are described.

Design/methodology/approach

The XSENSOR pressure sensor is comprised of a matrix of capacitive sensing elements. Pressure applied to the surface of the sensing element causes a change in capacitance that is correlated to a change in pressure. Proprietary Windows based software compensates for sensor non‐linearity, hysteresis, and creep over time, resulting in enhanced accuracy.

Findings

XSENSOR's capacitive based pressure imaging sensors can graphically display pressure distributions in real time between virtually any two surfaces in contact. The sensor element is accurate, thin, flexible, and robust. These physical characteristics minimize any artificial influences created by the presence of the sensor during data collection.

Practical implications

Pressure imaging technology can be used in industrial and engineering environments for product design and verification, process control, or quality assurance.

Originality/value

This paper will be useful to the engineer or business manager interested in applying sensor technology to solve engineering or design problems.
Latest research and development of twin‐straight tube Coriolis mass flowmeters
Authors: Wang Tao , Hussain Yousif
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to theoretically predict sensor signals and calibration factors for twin‐straight tube Coriolis flowmeters. It also aims to determine an optimal flow path to minimize pressure loss.

Design/methodology/approach

Two major aspects involved in the latest research and development of a series of twin‐straight tube Coriolis mass flowmeters are presented. Firstly, the theoretical method adopted for the concept design to predict sensor signals and calibration factors is given. This is essentially a finite element method using the fluid structure interaction theory based on a Timoshenko beam coupled with one‐dimensional flow. Secondly, detailed design using computational fluid dynamics is described to optimise pressure loss. Finally, experimental results from testing a prototype meter are given and compared with the numerical results.

Findings

Finds that sensor signals and calibration factors can be predicted with the presented method. Also finds that pressure loss can be minimized with an optimized flow splitter.

Practical implications

Comparison between experiments and theoretical results shows agreement and indicates the effectiveness of computer‐aided engineering at an early development stage of Coriolis mass flow sensors.

Originality/value

Provide a theoretical model to predict sensor signals and calibration factors for Coriolis mass flowmeters. Introduce an optimized splitter shape for a twin tube configuration.
Skills, training and development within an insular labour market
Authors: Baum Tom
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to discuss growing public interest in the non‐clinical environment of hospitals and other healthcare facilities which has recently been greatly sharpened by political debate and professional concern.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was based on a survey of members of the Catering Managers Association in order to determine their perceptions of their jobs, their career paths to date and future aspirations and the skills that they require for their work. Usable responses were received from 74 members or 23 per cent of the Association.

Findings

The background and training of catering professionals in healthcare are considered together with their long‐term career aspirations. The key finding is that the healthcare environment constitutes a relatively insular labour market within which inward and outward mobility is rare. Managers in the sector are probably under‐trained for their level of responsibility and are limited in their career aspirations outside of the sector.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a limited insight into a complex work environment and findings are based on a relatively small response rate. Non‐members of the Catering Managers Association were not surveyed.

Practical implications

The study poses challenges to the healthcare sector in addressing the need for more effective career management and development for managers with a facilities and catering function. The issue of vocational insularity is one that needs to be addressed.

Originality/value

This paper represents the first study of its kind to address career development and training issues with respect to catering managers within healthcare in the UK and raises important questions about the insularity of this relatively large national labour market.
Clients' goals and the construction project management process
Authors: Lindahl Göran , Ryd Nina
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to suggest methods that will enable innovative and effective communication and collaboration between clients and construction project management professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology involves workshops with construction clients documented in working documents circulated to participants.

Findings

Workshops revealed trends that urge a re‐evaluation of the briefing process. The need for better briefing with the focus on end‐users is increasing. The findings also pointed to difficulties for construction projects to deliver what the user‐clients need. There was considered to be a lack of systems and methods to keep track of user client demands sufficiently and in a satisfactory way. Goals need to be iterated and validated on a regular and coherent basis throughout projects. An increased interest for process‐oriented and strategic briefing was indicated.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies are required to develop a client/user driven construction process that is more than just new statements. Research needs to address not only issues in the business as such, but also what requirements should be put on the education and training of stakeholders who are active in the construction sector.

Practical implications

The paper presents a challenge to the traditional role of several actors; there is a need to communicate core business needs to construction prerequisites in a reciprocal way. There is a need of choosing logic – however, this does not diminish the need for methodologies for capturing, processing and verifying requirements in the process of provision of facilities to a user.

Originality/value

The paper proposes the idea that different logics govern actions by construction industry stakeholders, an issue the construction sector needs to address.
Problems and prospects of housing development in Ethiopia
Authors: Tesfaye Abraham
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give an analysis of the problems and prospects of housing development in Ethiopia with particular emphasis on the city of Addis Ababa.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology employed here is a descriptive analysis where the source of the data is mainly secondary data. Basic statistical tools are employed in the analyses of the data.

Findings

There is a substantial imbalance between the demand for and supply of housing units in Addis Ababa. Accumulated demand for residential housing on the one hand and the low supply of residential land on the other have pushed prices beyond the reach of the majority of the residents in the country including Addis Ababa. Overcoming the housing problem, hence, requires efforts in three main areas: housing demand; housing supply; and institutional framework. Improving the conditions in these areas, in turn, requires the combined efforts of the government of Ethiopia, regional administrations and donor agencies taking the view that overall development of the economy is crucial for the housing development in Ethiopia.

Research limitations/implications

The article is limited to discussions on housing developments in Addis Ababa, though a brief introduction is given regarding the housing conditions in other major urban towns in the country.

Originality/value

This article specifically discusses the housing problem in Addis Ababa. So far no attempt has been made to link the strategy of the government of Ethiopia with housing problems in Addis Ababa.
Pricing inter‐neighbourhood variation
Authors: Roubi Sherif , Ghazaly Ashraf
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on inter‐neighbourhood variation in the rental apartment market in Greater Cairo, Egypt, and its potential influence on property prices and performance of hedonic pricing models.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper delves into the issue of whether comparables from different neighbourhoods are homogeneous enough to be aggregated in hedonic pricing models. This paper extends the research on rental‐property market segmentation by investigating the existence of apartment submarkets determined by neighbourhoods.

Findings

Results show that parameters are unstable across neighbourhoods and Chow test provides further support for utilising spatial hedonic pricing models.

Originality/value

This paper provides further support for spatial hedonic pricing models using empirical evidence from Greater Cairo, Egypt. The paper finds that explanatory and predictive powers of hedonic pricing models are improved when separate hedonic equations are estimated for each neighbourhood in Greater Cairo. The paper does not provide an elaborate solution for implementing spatial models in Greater Cairo but rather supports the notion that one has to be developed.
A socio‐technical perspective of museum practitioners' image‐using behaviors
Authors: Chen Hsin‐Liang
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to study how art museum practitioners use current image‐indexing practices and services to retrieve images from museum collections. The investigation examines several areas, including image needs, information‐seeking strategies, information queries, search functions, display formats, and human‐computer interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The six participating museums are in Washington, DC, and the states of California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio. The investigator interviewed 35 museum practitioners in various departments at the six museums about their image sources, search behaviors, and use of images.

Findings

Wide variations and internal conflicts exist among curators, IT staff, slide librarians, registrars' offices, educational staff, faculty, and photographers. Museum practitioners' knowledge and expertise should inform the design and presentation of digital images of museum collections as well as the images' relationships with the construction of digital museums.

Originality/value

Digital technologies have pushed museum practitioners to initiate organizational changes to accommodate the effects of technology. Museums' digital images and their relevant information are the foundation of the digital museums. Museums must incorporate a re‐examination of their roles in the digital age. An ideal digital museum is not just an online version of the museum, if that is achievable, or an online catalog of museum collections with pictures. It is also a resource that must be founded upon museum practitioners' expertise and professional practices.
Artificial neural network modeling of creep behavior in a rotating composite disc
Authors: Gupta V.K. , Kwatra N. , Ray S.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the capabilities of artificial neural network (ANN) for predicting the creep response of a rotating Al‐SiCP composite disc operating at elevated temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

Mathematical modeling of the steady state creep behavior, as described by Sherby's law, of a rotating disc made of isotropic aluminium‐silicon carbide particulate composite has been carried out. The creep response has been calculated for various combinations of particle size, particle content and temperature by extracting creep parameters from the limited experimental creep data available on similar material. The results thus obtained are used to train the ANN based on back propagation learning algorithm with particle size, particle content and temperature as input and stress and strain rates as output parameters. The trained network is used to predict the stresses and strain rates in the disc for the data set not covered in the training of network. The predictions obtained from the ANN model have been compared with the corresponding analytical values.

Findings

A nice agreement between the ANN predicted and analytical values of the creep stresses and strain rates has been observed.

Originality/value

ANN can be used as a reliable tool for investigating the effect of operating temperature and, reinforcement‐size and ‐content, on the creep behavior of a rotating composite disc to reach at optimum design code.
Second generation wavelets based GIS terrain data compression using Delaunay triangulation
Authors: Pradhan B. , Sandeep K. , Mansor Shattri , Rahman Ramli Abdul , Sharif Abdul Rashid B. Mohamed
Published: February 2007

Purpose

In GIS applications for a realistic representation of a terrain a great number of triangles are needed that ultimately increases the data size. For online GIS interactive programs it has become highly essential to reduce the number of triangles in order to save more storing space. Therefore, there is need to visualize terrains at different levels of detail, for example, a region of high interest should be in higher resolution than a region of low or no interest. Wavelet technology provides an efficient approach to achieve this. Using this technology, one can decompose a terrain data into hierarchy. On the other hand, the reduction of the number of triangles in subsequent levels should not be too small; otherwise leading to poor representation of terrain.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a new computational code (please see Appendix for the flow chart and pseudo code) for triangulated irregular network (TIN) using Delaunay triangulation methods. The algorithms have proved to be efficient tools in numerical methods such as finite element method and image processing. Further, second generation wavelet techniques popularly known as “lifting schemes” have been applied to compress the TIN data.

Findings

A new interpolation wavelet filter for TIN has been applied in two steps, namely splitting and elevation. In the splitting step, a triangle has been divided into several sub‐triangles and the elevation step has been used to “modify” the point values (point coordinates for geometry) after the splitting. Then, this data set is compressed at the desired locations by using second generation wavelets.

Originality/value

A new algorithm for second generation wavelet compression has been proposed for TIN data compression. The quality of geographical surface representation after using proposed technique is compared with the original terrain. The results show that this method can be used for significant reduction of data set.
An attribution theory approach for understanding the internationalization of professional service firms
Authors: Cort Kathryn T. , Griffith David A. , Steven White D.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The aim is to gain an increased understanding of the factors motivating managers toward internationalizing their firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Attribution theory is employed in this study. Building upon the internationalization literature, an attribution model of internationalization is developed. A model of the influence of causal factors (i.e. uniqueness of offering, financial resources and competitive pricing) on a cognitive psychological consequence (i.e. expectations of success) and resulting behavioral consequence (i.e. international success) is examined in a sample of 152 managers of US‐based professional service firms through structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results, supporting the proposed model, suggest that attribution theory can provide a new lens through which greater insights into managerial mindsets driving the internationalization process can be gained.

Originality/value

This study provides new theoretical insights for international marketing academics as well as practical advice for those involved in the practice of international marketing.
Cost of quality usage and its relationship to quality system maturity
Authors: Sower Victor E. , Quarles Ross , Broussard Eric
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purposes of this study are to examine the relationship between the distribution of quality costs and the level of maturity of an organization's quality system, to assess the extent to which effective COQ systems and maturing quality systems affect organization performance, and to determine why some organizations do not utilize COQ systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was developed to determine the distribution of total quality cost among the four ASQ categories. The instrument also assesses the maturity of the organization's quality system using the ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9004‐2000 performance maturity level classification system. Correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between quality costs and quality system maturity.

Findings

External failure costs were found to decline as a percentage of total cost of quality (COQ) as an organization's quality system matures. Total COQ was found to increase as an organization moved from a very low level of quality system maturity to a higher level. Sales and profit growth were not significantly correlated with the presence of a quality cost system or with the level of maturity of the quality system. Lack of management support was found to be the most common reason why organizations do not systematically track quality costs.

Research limitations/implications

Additional research is needed to determine the relationship between the presence of a COQ system and its effective integration with the quality system and organizational outcomes. Future research is needed to expand the study beyond the boundaries of the USA. Future research involving longitudinal studies would be beneficial in more accurately assessing the nature of the changes in COQ distribution over time.

Practical implications

The findings of this study suggest that organizations planning to implement a COQ system should ensure that management supports the program and is prepared for a short‐term increase in total COQ. These findings also support the often‐suggested expectation that in the long run the COQ system will lead to a significant reduction in external failure costs.

Originality/value

Systematic measurement of COQ is underutilized in practice. This study systematically examines why this is the case. In addition the study provides information that can be useful in justifying implementation of COQ measurement systems.
Excellence in service: an empirical study of the UAE banking sector
Authors: Al‐Marri Khalid , Moneim M. Baheeg Ahmed Abdel , Zairi Mohamed
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the critical success factors of total quality management (TQM) implementation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical case studies were collected from 250 banks in UAE that have embarked on TQM successfully.

Findings

Sixteen factors were found to be critical to TQM implementation success. The factors are top management support, strategy, continuous improvement, benchmarking, customer focus, quality department, quality system, human resource management, recognition and reward, problem analysis, quality service technologies, service design, employees, services capes, service culture and social responsibility.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a framework for future research to explore organisational excellence in making TQM happen successfully.

Originality/value

This research contributes to studies of TQM and service quality in the banking sector context by considering soft issues in its implementation.
Person‐organization fit
Authors: Morley Michael J.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to introduce the special issue that brings together six papers exploring aspects of person‐organization fit.

Design/methodology/approach

This overarching paper contextualizes the theme and introduces the selected papers.

Findings

The findings in this paper vary according to the core theme of each of the six contributions.

Originality/value

Combined the papers explore new avenues of enquiry in the person‐organization (P‐O) fit domain and showcase international theoretical and empirical work on the P‐O fit construct.
A contingency perspective of the importance of PJ fit and PO fit in employee selection
Authors: Sekiguchi Tomoki
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a contingency perspective that describes the relative importance of person‐job (PJ) fit and person‐organization (PO) fit as selection criteria for hiring various types of employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the theories of psychological contracts, human capital and cosmopolitan‐local perspective, propositions are developed regarding the relative importance of PJ fit and PO fit in specific hiring situations.

Findings

The propositions developed in this paper suggest that PJ fit will be more important than PO fit when organizations hire employees to form transactional psychological contracts, to obtain general human capital, and/or who are categorized as cosmopolitans. On the other hand, it is suggested that PO fit will be more important than PJ fit when organizations hire employees to form relational psychological contracts, to develop firm‐specific human capital, and/or who are likely to become locals.

Research limitations/implications

Further empirical and theoretical work should be conducted to elaborate the contingency perspective. A more comprehensive contingency theory of person‐environment (PE) fit could include other types of PE fit, other contingency variables, and cover a wider range of management practices.

Practical implications

Organizations should be aware of the trade‐off between PJ fit and PO fit in the selection process, and carefully examine what type of employees they will hire in order to determine the relative weights of PJ fit and PO fit as selection criteria.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt to consider the different types of employees and employment relationships that determine the relative importance of PJ fit and PO fit in selecting employees. It is done through incorporating different theoretical perspectives.
Gender enactment at work
Authors: Young Angela M. , Hurlic David
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore gender‐related behavior in relation to person‐group fit, person‐organization fit, and career decisions in order to identify relevant constructs and relationships and present suggestions for further research.

Design/methodology/approach

A model was developed based on a review of several literature bases including gender theories, gender enactment, person‐group fit, and person‐organization fit.

Findings

Propositions for future research were developed and focus on the relationships influencing an individual's perceptions of person‐group fit, person‐organization fit and career decision making. It is proposed that a deviation from a group's collective gender orientation and accepted behaviors is likely to be met with unfavorable perceptions by group members and impact person‐group fit, person‐organization fit, perceived stress, self‐efficacy, and career decision making.

Practical implications

Managers and supervisors can use ideas presented in the model and paper to better understand nuances of gender‐related behavior and its potential impact on behavior and perceptions in the workgroup and organization. Diversity managers and training professionals could incorporate aspects of gender‐related differences into training programs, and individuals might use some ideas presented in this paper to consider the important implications of person‐group and person‐organization fit to career success.

Originality/value

The model developed in this paper is a unique perspective combining historical perspectives on gender and gender‐related behavior and workplace concepts such as person‐group and person‐organization fit to identify the potential impact of gender‐related differences at work.
Work value fit and turnover intention: same‐source or different‐source fit
Authors: van Vianen Annelies E.M. , De Pater Irene E. , Van Dijk Floor
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between work value PO fit with fit being operationalized as a same‐source or different‐source measure.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 94 employees from a company located in Curac¸ao completed a questionnaire in which they rated their personal work values, their perceptions of the work values of the organization, and their turnover intention.

Findings

The different‐source work value fit measure was significantly and more strongly related to turnover intention than the same‐source work value fit measure.

Research limitations/implications

This study underscores the need for a careful reflection on the content and operationalization of fit measures.

Practical implications

Managers are able to manage the fit of their employees by creating positive group level perceptions of the work environment.

Originality/value

This study examines the effects of different fit measures on individuals' turnover intention. Moreover, work values fit was investigated.
When person‐organization (mis)fit and (dis)satisfaction lead to turnover
Authors: Wheeler Anthony R. , Coleman Gallagher Vickie , Brouer Robyn L. , Sablynski Chris J.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The present study examined the relationships between P‐O fit, job satisfaction, perceived job mobility, and intent to turnover. It was hypothesized that job satisfaction mediated the P‐O fit‐intent to turnover relationship and that perceived job mobility moderated the job satisfaction‐intent to turnover relationship such that the combined effect of high job dissatisfaction and high perceived job mobility predicted intent to turnover.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained utilizing a field survey from a sample of 205 full‐time employed adults working in two geographic regions in the USA. Participants completed an HTML‐based web survey that contained measures of the constructs of interest to this study.

Findings

Mediated and moderated regression analyses revealed statistical support for the hypothesized relationships, which were interpreted as evidence that P‐O misfit and job dissatisfaction do not necessarily lead to intent to turnover.

Research limitations/implications

The potential for common method variability was present in the study, the impact of which could either attenuate or inflate estimated statistical relationships.

Practical implications

While P‐O fit researchers typically associate misfit with decreased job satisfaction and increased turnover, the present research suggests that intervening variables, such as job mobility, influence employee intentions to turnover.

Originality/value

The phenomenon of misfit is understudied in larger context of P‐O fit; thus this research represents one of the first studies in this area of research.
Management practices and performance reporting in the Sri Lankan apparel sector
Authors: Malmadana Kapuge Anton , Smith Malcolm
Published: February 2007

Purpose

An increasing number of organisations in developing countries are implementing management accounting innovations in order to generate improvements in accounting practices, which should ultimately impact on financial performance. This study aims to focus on the implementation of one such innovation, total quality management (TQM), among apparel companies in Sri Lanka, to determine the impact on business strategy, management practices and performance reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey is conducted of Sri Lankan companies to identify differences in their management practices depending on whether or not they have implemented TQM.

Findings

The results demonstrate a significant difference in the business strategy implemented by the two groups, with those companies adopting TQM regarding quality as more important than cost efficiencies. Significant differences in both quality management practices and performance reporting systems were observed, except in the area of employee empowerment.

Research limitations/implications

The research is subject to the normal limitations of survey research, and its scope means that the findings may not be generalisable to industries other than garment manufacturing, or outside Sri Lanka. The findings should motivate comparative studies to determine the influence of both industry setting and national culture on the results.

Practical implications

The absence of employee empowerment is an important finding, with long‐term implications for the competitiveness of the Sri Lankan apparel industry, suggesting that corrective action is necessary.

Originality/value

The study is one of the few to examine improvements in organisational performance in developing countries.
Disclosure and corporate governance in developing countries: evidence from Ghana
Authors: Tsamenyi Mathew , Enninful‐Adu Elsie , Onumah Joseph
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Following previous studies the paper seeks to use disclosure scores to examine corporate governance practices of Ghanaian listed firms. The study is motivated by the dearth of literature on corporate governance practices in the developing world despite the increasing interests in the topic in both the developed and the developing world.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the analysis are gathered from 22 listed companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE representing 95 percent of the Ghanaian market capitalization). The paper also examines the extent to which factors such as ownership structure, dispersion of shareholding, firm size, and leverage influence disclosure practices.

Findings

Consistent with findings reported in studies from other developing countries the study finds that the level of disclosure in Ghana is low. Furthermore, ownership structure, dispersion of shareholding, and firm size (measured as total assets and market capitalization) all have significant effect on disclosure. However, the correlation between disclosure and leverage is insignificant.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the research will help policy makers and practitioners in formulating corporate governance policies. However, this research is limited because it focuses on only companies listed on the GSE. The results may therefore not be representative of all companies operating in Ghana.

Originality/value

The study is important because of the recent surge in international capital into the developing world (including Ghana) as a result of the ongoing World Bank and IMF led economic reforms. These reforms have emphasized transparency and accountability. There is therefore the need to understand corporate governance practices in these environments.
Untapped: strategies for success in underserved markets
Authors: Weiser John
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Domestic and international underserved markets represent a multi‐trillion‐dollar opportunity that is largely untapped. They offer the chance both to build significant profits and to meet social needs as well. But recent experience shows there are significant risks as well. The purpose of this paper is to present strategies which can help guide companies through these complex markets, building sustainable advantage and avoiding painful pitfalls.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents two case studies of companies – Citibank and Manpower – which are successfully selling to and hiring from underserved markets. It also presents five success strategies derived from an analysis of over a hundred similar case studies. It focuses on some of the key differences between underserved markets and mainstream markets, and how to address these differences.

Findings

This research on trailblazing companies shows that there are five key strategies for achieving success in these markets: mine and translate local market information; adapt business model to community realities; change internal incentives and challenge cultural assumptions; create partnerships and strategic alliances; and improve the enabling environment. For each, the paper gives specific examples of how companies, including CEMEX, Pathmark, 7‐Eleven, and ABN Amro, are applying the strategy in underserved markets.

Originality/value

Many companies are interested in serving markets at the “bottom of the pyramid”, but relatively little is known about how to do this effectively. This article shows how to sell to, hire from, and purchase from these rapidly growing markets profitably. It also shows how business can help address the pressing social needs created by the coming growth in the populations of underserved markets.
Assessment of risk resulting from unattached tin whisker bridging
Authors: Fang Tong , Mathew Sony , Osterman Michael , Pecht Michael
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to present a methodology for estimating the risk of component level electrical bridging failures from unattached conductive (tin) whiskers.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on experimental data an algorithm was developed and assessed by further experiments. The risk estimate is based on whisker parameters, generated from experiments over a period of time. A bridging failure risk is defined as the probability of a conductive whisker landing between two isolated electrical conductors. A probabilistic estimate for electrical bridging failure risk is achieved by randomly sampling distributions of conductive whisker length, deposition angle, and density for a defined electrical structure. A fine pitch quad flat package attached to a printed wiring board is used as test vehicle to verify the risk estimate.

Findings

The estimated risk is found to be higher than planned in the experimental test. The lower experimentally determined risk was found to be the result of high contact resistance between the conductive whisker and the electrical conductors that form the unintended circuit. Contact resistance between the whisker and electrical conductors was found to mitigate the whisker shorting risk.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to quantify the risk failure due to unattached conductive whiskers in electronic products. A methodology for estimating electrical bridging risk due to unattached conductive whiskers is provided. Contact resistance of conductive whiskers is found to be a critical issue that may be mitigate failure risks.
“System in package technology” – design for manufacture challenges
Authors: Richardson Andrew , Bailey Chris , Marc Yanou Jean , Dumas Norbert , Liu Dongsheng , Stoyanov Stoyan , Strusevich Nadia
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To present key challenges associated with the evolution of system‐in‐package technologies and present technical work in reliability modeling and embedded test that contributes to these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

Key challenges have been identified from the electronics and integrated MEMS industrial sectors. Solutions to optimising the reliability of a typical assembly process and reducing the cost of production test have been studied through simulation and modelling studies based on technology data released by NXP and in collaboration with EDA tool vendors Coventor and Flomerics.

Findings

Characterised models that deliver special and material dependent reliability data that can be used to optimize robustness of SiP assemblies together with results that indicate relative contributions of various structural variables. An initial analytical model for solder ball reliability and a solution for embedding a low cost test for a capacitive RF‐MEMS switch identified as an SiP component presenting a key test challenge.

Research limitations/implications

Results will contribute to the further development of NXP wafer level system‐in‐package technology. Limitations are that feedback on the implementation of recommendations and the physical characterisation of the embedded test solution.

Originality/value

Both the methodology and associated studies on the structural reliability of an industrial SiP technology are unique. The analytical model for solder ball life is new as is the embedded test solution for the RF‐MEMS switch.
Labour manoeuvrability and economic performance
Authors: Modderman Eelco , Gorter Cees , Dalhuisen Jasper , Nijkamp Peter
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explain the relationship between economic performance and labour manoeuvrability of township‐village enterprises in the Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China.

Design/methodology/approach

After a concise general overview of recent economic developments in the Chinese economy and the functioning of labour markets, a statistical analysis was performed on economic performance and labour market conditions based on a sample of 103 enterprises in the area considered.

Findings

The analysis shows that the flexibility to fire employees has a considerable impact on the rise in added value of the enterprises, whereas hiring flexibility appears to have negligible effects.

Research limitations/implications

Although the paper has a limited scope related to one Chinese province, it seems plausible that the results – a positive economic effect of deregulation – have a more general validity, but this would call for a broader comparative study across sectors and regions.

Originality/value

The paper thus offers a novel contribution to a better understanding of the economic performance after the fast changes in the Chinese economy.
Reply to criticisms of marketing, the consumer society and hedonism
Authors: O'Shaughnessy John , Jackson O'Shaughnessy Nicholas
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reply to Andrew V. Abela's “Marketing and consumption: a response to O'Shaughnessy and O'Shaughnessy”: European Journal of Marketing. The article challenges a number of alleged claims in their paper “Marketing, the consumer society and hedonism”, and the authors' response seeks to present a systematic and, hopefully, intellectually coherent answer to Abela's critique.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proceeds via discussion, argument and conceptual analysis. The three key areas of critique, which focus on the notion that these authors are somehow desensitized to the ethical significance of materialism and marketing's role in its causation, are examined in succession.

Findings

There can be no finality in this discussion, only further debate; nevertheless we believe we substantiate our claim that marketing alone does not “cause” materialism but that it is an inalienable fact of human nature. The first claim attributed to us was that the harms of materialism had not been demonstrated empirically. This misrepresents what we said and nowhere in the paper did we make such a claim. The second alleged claim is that we said it is unlikely that marketing causes materialism. Much here depends on how Abela is interpreting cause, since we do not deny marketing contributes by facilitating materialism but reject the idea that it is a necessary or sufficient condition for materialism. The third claim is that we see no alternatives to the current system that are consistent with human freedom. This paper acknowledges this charge, but questions whether strong consumer materialism is a major problem and maintains in any case that the alternative suggested by Abela is neither feasible nor viable.

Research implications/limitations

This stands as part of the larger fields of marketing ethics, macromarketing and, more broadly, the “politics of consumption” (which would include such areas as globalisation); the merit/demerit of marketing as a transformative social force, and whether it is materialising peoples and cultures, is high on any future marketing research agenda. This article contributes to that debate.

Practical implications

If the ills of society are successfully attributed to the agency of marketing – and “materialism” is a convenient shorthand for these ills – then we invite legislative and other forms of retribution. It is important therefore that alternative perspectives get a hearing.

Originality/value

This topic is ultimately about the ethical status – and by extension social value – of marketing itself. By rigorous conceptual analysis and theoretic and literary support, these authors create a credible, though by no means uncritical, alibi for marketing.
Segmenting cyberspace: a customer typology for the internet
Authors: Barnes Stuart J. , Bauer Hans H. , Neumann Marcus M. , Huber Frank
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This research sets about discovering if it is possible to identify distinct, practice‐relevant and addressable clusters by means of selected criteria for constructing typologies – such as psychographic, culturally‐specific and purchasing behaviour‐relevant features – which permit an online supplier to efficiently and effectively focus on attractive consumer segments.

Design/methodology/approach

To answer the research question, the study conducted an online survey with 1,011 participants. The respondents were from three countries, each with culturally‐distinct features: France, Germany and the US. Underpinning the research are theoretically‐secured constructs of purchasing behaviour on the internet.

Findings

Cluster analysis confirmed the outstanding validity of a three‐cluster‐solution (97.7 per cent score) – risk‐averse doubters, open‐minded online shoppers, and reserved information‐seekers. Discriminant analysis shows that certain constructs, particularly “neuroticism”, “willingness to buy” and “shopping pleasure”, separate the clusters best.

Research limitations/implications

An extension of our clustering approach to more countries and especially non‐western cultures promises interesting results. Furthermore, researchers are encouraged to enlarge the catalogue of clustering variables to allow an even more specific fine‐tuning of the main clusters identified in this research.

Practical implications

The classification created provides the potential for a much closer fit between a company's goods and services and heterogeneous customer needs.

Originality/value

The principal contribution of the paper is the identification of three different clusters of internet users. This can be of good use for shaping internet marketing, particularly by virtue of the likely stability over time from cultural and personality characteristics.
Towards a contingent, empirically validated, and power cognisant relationship marketing
Authors: Kasabov Edward
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deconstruct a growing area in marketing theory. It aims to critically examine the principles of relationship marketing as found in the literature and suggest opportunities for future conceptual maturation.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual discussion aims to assist future progress of relationship marketing and, more generally, marketing theory. While focusing on specific areas of departures and inadequacies in past and current research in the area, the discussion notes seminal philosophical questions which underpin current marketing sensibilities and which inform the nature of relational discourses.

Findings

It is argued that, in spite of recent developments in and maturation of relational discourses, some research in the field remains rather non‐contingent, theoretical and not observation‐informed. Importantly, it is biased towards the discussion of positive aspects of relationships. Matters of consequence to practice and research such as power and disciplining remain under‐researched.

Research limitations/implications

By deconstructing and reconstructing current relationship marketing theory – partly by using a study of power and disciplining in situations of consumer dissatisfaction – ways of confronting shortcomings of relational research are illustrated. A more balanced and nuanced approach to marketing research and practice is proposed.

Originality/value

This is one of the few papers in marketing research, and relationship‐marketing research in particular, conceptually intrigued by the peculiarities of current thinking of relationships and exchanges. The contribution centres on three observations and a number of suggestions for future relational analysis. The discussion aims to help promote a fuller, deeper understanding of exchanges. It has been designed as a sketchy guide to future relationship marketing research.