bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linking internal market orientation and new service performance
Authors: Sanchez‐Hernandez M. Isabel , Miranda Francisco J.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the first empirically tested model showing that internal marketing (IM) is a factor of success in new services development. It attempts to bridge internal market orientation (IMO) – the philosophical background of IM programs – with successful service innovations represented by new service performance (NSP).

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the link between IMO and NSP a structural equations model was designed considering service quality and time‐to‐market as mediator variables. Data were gathered from business service firms' senior managers in Spain and Portugal (74 service companies based on a questionnaire).

Findings

The results largely support the hypothesized theoretical relationship that organizational effort in the human resources area, supported by the marketing function and implemented through an IMO, is connected with increasing service quality and innovation success.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study are context specific. In addition, surveys usually present data collection problems such as composing questions properly, key informant bias and non‐response bias. However, the actions undertaken – such as pre‐testing coupled with personal telephone contact with managers and the good results obtained in verifying the representativeness of the sample – suggested that every effort was made to obviate the limitations.

Practical implications

The results suggest that managers must ensure that internal aspects of management, such as internal communication and employee commitment, are taken into account in order to implement successful new services. Managers need to be more proactive, trying to include the marketing function in human capital issues. Understanding internal clients' wants and needs and selling company goals internally would make external efforts in developing a new service much more likely to succeed.

Originality/value

Reflecting the literature which highlights the importance of the internal relationship between service employees and the company in service innovation, the paper pays particular attention to the role of IMO linkages and their effect on service innovation success. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time this relationship has been empirically tested.
A taxonomy of the early growth of Belgian start‐ups
Authors: Biga Diambeidou Mahamadou , Gailly Benoît
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the heterogeneity of the initial growth trajectories adopted by young firms, using an approach similar to Delmaret al.'s analysis, in order to better understand and describe the underlying development patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze the development during their initial years of existence of the population of all firms in Belgium which are more than three years old and have grown above micro‐firm size between 1992 and 2002 (n=2,152). The authors measure the evolution over time of three basic economic data (number of employees, sales and assets) and seven financial data (value added, operating income, current income, net income, cash flow, working capital and shareholders' equity).

Findings

A taxonomy was identified defined around four stable typical growth trajectories. These trajectories were adopted by a majority of firms in the sample and were not related to firm size or industry affiliation.

Originality/value

The paper's findings confirm, using an original empirical approach, previous results related to early growth and highlight the oversimplification of the life‐cycle approaches often used by practitioners and policy makers. They also open interesting research avenues regarding the endogenous and exogenous factors explaining the adoption of a given trajectory by a firm as well as why the trajectories identified are relatively stable over time.
Safety performance evaluation of Indian organizations using data envelopment analysis
Authors: Beriha G.S. , Patnaik B. , Mahapatra S.S.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The main purpose of the present study is to develop appropriate construct to benchmark occupational health and safety performance in industrial setting so that deficiencies can be highlighted and possible strategies can be evolved to improve the performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data envelopment analysis (DEA), being a robust mathematical tool, has been employed to evaluate the safety performance of industries. DEA, basically, takes into account the input and output components of a decision‐making unit (DMU) to calculate technical efficiency (TE). TE is treated as an indicator for safety performance of DMUs and comparison has been made among them.

Findings

A total of 30 Indian organizations under three industrial categories such as construction, refractory and steel are chosen for comparison purpose. It has been observed that safety performance of construction industries is consistently low as compared to other categories of industries. TE has been calculated using two types of models of DEA such as constant return to scale (CRS) and variable return to scale (VRS). A paired two‐samplet‐test indicates that TEs obtained using two models are significantly different. Mean efficiency of 30 samples is found as 0.898 using CRS model whereas same is calculated as 0.942 using VRS.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations may be number of input and output components considered for each DMU. If different set of inputs and outputs may be considered, the results may be different. Another limitation may be the number of industrial sectors considered in the study.

Practical implications

The method, being a generic one, can be adopted by the managers to assess present safety performance and find a suitable peer to which, it should follow to improve own TE followed by in what respect it has to improve. Industrial safety and occupational health concerns in industries is not only important from government regulation point of view but also essential for enhancing productivity and profitability to become competitive in the marketplace. The practical limitation may be collection data quantitatively from various DMUs because many a time the DMUs are unwilling to share data.

Originality/value

This work proposes use of simple mathematical tool like DEA for benchmarking based on safety performance in Indian industries. In Indian context, safety performance of industrial settings has hardly been assessed. The study provides a simple but comprehensive methodology for improving safety performance. The study also outlines comparative evaluation of safety practices in different industries.
Performance modeling of Indian business schools: a DEA‐neural network approach
Authors: Sreekumar S. , Mahapatra S.S.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The main purpose of the present study is to develop an integrated approach combining data envelopment analysis (DEA) and neural network (NN) for assessment and prediction of performance of Indian B‐schools for effective decision making as error and biasness due to human intervention in decision making is appreciably reduced.

Design/methodology/approach

DEA, being a robust mathematical tool, has been employed to evaluate the efficiency of B‐schools. DEA, basically, takes into account the input and output components of a decision‐making unit (DMU) to calculate technical efficiency (TE). TE is treated as an indicator for performance of DMUs and comparison has been made among them. A sensitivity analysis has been carried out to study robustness of the ranking of schools obtained through DEA. Finally, NN is used to predict the efficiency when changes in inputs are caused due to market dynamism so that effective strategies can be evolved by the managers with limited available data.

Findings

A total of 49 Indian B‐schools are chosen for benchmarking purpose. The average score of efficiency is 0.625 with a standard deviation of 0.175 when Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes (CCR) model is used. Similarly, when the Banker, Charnes and Cooper (BCC) model is used the average score is 0.888 with a standard deviation of 0.063. The rank order correlation coefficient between the efficiency ranking obtained through CCR and BCC model is 0.736 (p=0.000) which is significant. The peer group and peer weights for the inefficient B‐schools have been identified. This is useful for benchmarking for the inefficient DMUs. They can identify the parameters in which they lack and take necessary steps for improvement. The peer group for the inefficient B‐schools indicates the efficient B‐schools to which the inefficient B‐schools are closer in its combination of inputs and outputs. The TE obtained through DEA is used as output variable along with input variables considered in DEA as input and output parameters in a generalized regression NN during training phase. It can be observed that root mean square error is 0.009344 and 0.02323 for CCR‐ and BCC‐efficiency prediction, respectively, during training. Similarly, root mean square error is 0.08585 and 0.03279 for CCR‐ and BCC‐efficiency prediction, respectively, during testing. Now, individual schools can generate scenario with the data within their control and test their own performance through NN model.

Originality/value

This work proposes integration of DEA and NN to assist the managers to predict the performance of an individual DMU based on input consumed and generate various “what‐if” scenarios. The study provides a simple but comprehensive methodology for improving performance of B‐schools in India.
Analysis and application of international dam safety policy benchmarks
Authors: Tingey‐Holyoak Joanne , Pisaniello John D. , Burritt Roger L.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Farm dam safety in Australia is being flouted and sustainability of catchments compromised because of the potential and severe consequences of dam failure. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to explore policy issues associated with safety of farm dam water storage through a comparison of developments in two Australian states against an analysis of international benchmarks and to provide an exemplar of best practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A strategic review and content analysis is firstly undertaken to establish international dam safety policy benchmarks ranging from minimum to best practice as well as selection guidelines for varying circumstances, and to identify an exemplar best practice model. Longitudinal study over a 12‐year period then provides the basis for case analysis in order to reinforce the established minimum level benchmark and to demonstrate the application of the benchmarked model policy selection guidelines.

Findings

Research results show that in Australia, South Australia is lagging international benchmarks for on‐farm dam safety management in a number of ways whilst a second state, Tasmania, provides leadership in this respect. The paper adds to the existing international benchmarking literature by identifying updated international best practice in private/farm dam safety assurance policy whilst establishing and providing longitudinal case study reinforcement for an acceptable minimum level benchmark in this area. The updated policy guidelines presented can be used to determine appropriate dam safety policy for any jurisdiction.

Originality/value

The paper provides an original contribution of analysis, establishment and case study validation of international benchmarks and guidelines on developing appropriate dam safety management and assurance policy for varying jurisdictional circumstances. In addition, it provides an updated exemplar of how policy benchmarks can go towards addressing cumulative threats of smaller dams in catchments not previously addressed.
How GAAP and accounting treatments influence property management
Authors: Liapis Konstantinos J. , Christodoulopoulou Elena P.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify how different Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) influence property management. The study is based on two basic accounting principles for the valuation of assets: fair value and historical cost. The study focuses on land and buildings as a main part of the total fixed assets of a company. It uses the framework of the Greek real estate market as an experimental setting where the principles of historic cost and fair value accounting can be compared.

Design/methodology/approach

The topic is approached using an integration of fixed assets into four main portfolio categories: own used; investments; held for sale assets; and inventories. According to this framework the study examines the accounting treatments under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), US GAAP and Greek GAAP for each portfolio transaction and analyses the impact of accounting entries to equity and profit and loss account.

Findings

The study results to a comparative analysis of the different studied GAAP and tries to establish a purchase price allocation method for property acquisition.

Originality/value

The contribution of this article is that it surveys principles, literature and practice about the above issues from a critical perspective, and presents a way to managing and monitoring real estate investments, using logical decision trees, from an accounting point of view.
A new evaluation procedure in real estate projects
Authors: Liapis Konstantinos J. , Christofakis Manolis S. , Papacharalampous Harris G.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is the formulation of an integrated procedure for the evaluation of real estate investments.

Design/methodology/approach

The main methods for evaluation of real estate investments are presented initially. The paper analyses both the academic and the professional points of view of all these methods and compares them to each other, denoting that they could be implemented in the evaluation of real estate projects. Also, it presents the internal and external variables that influence the evaluation.

Findings

The primary focus is the calculation of the investor's interest (required return) in relation to the risk of the investment. In this framework the most common financial methods that have been used at an academic level in an attempt to estimate the risk‐return ratio of an investment are used and relevant proposals based on the available data and practices are made. The use of these components in a real estate investment in the Greek real estate market is tested empirically, giving future trends and prospects.

Originality/value

A new integrated procedure for the evaluation of real estate investments is proposed. This methodological approach helps in effective property management and decision making in real estate projects.
Valuing in the downturn: understanding uncertainty
Authors: French Nick
Published: May 2011

Purpose

In the last ten years, there has been much debate about the veracity and certainty of valuations. However, this academic analysis was not mirrored in the profession as the buoyancy of the property market meant that rising prices hid any worry about the certainty of the valuation. But since 2007, the downturn has lead to a paucity of transactions and an accentuated degree of uncertainty. Valuers worldwide have been asking how to account for this uncertainty in their valuations. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper looks at the way in which uncertainty can be reported to the user of the valuation both in a form of words in accordance with the RICS's Valuation Standards as well as the suggested use of a probability‐based valuation model (using Crystal Ball) that provides a graphical representation of the expected state of the market at the time of the valuation.

Findings

The RICS Standards require the valuer to report uncertainty in valuations but they do not offer any advice on the form that such advice should take and, thus, there is no consistent approach. This paper suggests a matrix of outputs to allow users to identify quickly the uncertainty in the market at the date of the valuation.

Originality/value

This study contributes significantly to the practical application of probability‐based models to valuation. In particular, the findings from the study will be useful for clients to understand better the context in which a valuation figure is provided to them.
New hope for Africa? Copyright and access to knowledge in the digital age
Authors: Schonwetter Tobias , Ncube Caroline
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper's main purpose is to deepen the general understanding regarding copyright exceptions and limitations as an important balancing tool of copyright law, particularly for developing countries in Africa. It seeks to address the problematic interplay between copyright exceptions and limitations on the one hand and technological protection measures (TPMs) on the other. It then aims to offer a solution for mitigating the potentially detrimental impact of TPMs on otherwise‐permitted uses of copyright‐protected knowledge materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper's approach is legal doctrinal research that relies exclusively on written texts.

Findings

The paper finds that copyright exceptions and limitations are currently in tension with the legal regulation of TPMs and their circumvention. The two do not seem to be optimally balanced, with some African countries having adopted an unduly restrictive legal approach. The paper therefore suggests a more balanced model that is in keeping with developmental ends and human rights concerns.

Originality/value

The paper makes a meaningful contribution by locating the discussion in Africa and providing a suggested equitable legal approach.
The potential of mobile remittances for the bottom of the pyramid: findings from emerging Asia
Authors: Sivapragasam Nirmali , Agüero Aileen , de Silva Harsha
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the extent to which low‐income migrant workers in emerging Asia are aware of and are likely to use mobile phones for remitting money to family members at home.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained through a survey of 1,500+ local and overseas migrant workers at the bottom of the socio‐economic pyramid and subsequent qualitative research in Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Thailand.

Findings

Findings reveal that less than a quarter of respondents in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were aware of such services. However, the Philippines and Thailand reported awareness of levels of over 40 percent. Using a logit model to assess socio‐economic characteristics of those aware of such services (versus those who are not), findings revealed those aware of such services tended to enjoy higher standards of living, in terms of both income and education and ownership of mobile phones and bank accounts. Barriers to use are also explored.

Originality/value

This study is likely one of the first of its kind in attempting to empirically estimate socio‐economic characteristics of those aware of such services versus those who are not. Such findings can, undoubtedly prove useful to operators in deciding how best to market such services, including addressing potential barriers to use, such as perceived ease of use and trust and reliability issues.
Engendering communication: a perspective on ICT access and usage in Africa
Authors: Milek Anne , Stork Christoph , Gillwald Alison
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Information communication technologies (ICTs) are widely seen as having the potential to contribute positively to economic growth and development and to improve the livelihoods and quality of life of individuals and households and yet access to ICTs and usage of them remains highly inequitable. This paper aims to identify areas of inequality in access to ICTs between men and women in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the Research ICT Africa (RIA) household and individual ICT survey conducted in 17 African countries between 2007/2008 the paper provides an empirical basis for assessing gender dimensions of ICT access and usage. Additionally, focus group studies were conducted in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda to gain a greater qualitative understanding of access to and usage of ICTs from a gender perspective.

Findings

Although the results confirmed in many countries the widely held belief that men have greater access to ICTs than women in some instances more women than men owned mobile phones such as in South Africa and Mozambique. In Cameroon women were found to have greater knowledge of the internet than their male counterparts. Most significantly perhaps is the finding that when women have similar income, education and employment status they have comparable access to ICTs as their male counterparts. However, as women generally do not have the same access to those core factors that enhance ICT access and usage, their access to ICT is generally lower.

Originality/value

The quantitative as well as focus group results of this study confirm gender differences in access to ICTs, raising important questions about the points of policy intervention to redress such imbalances.
A structured evaluation of business process improvement approaches
Authors: Zellner Gregor
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a structured overview of so‐called business process improvement (BPI) approaches and their contribution to the actual act of improving. Even though a lot is said about BPI, there is still a lack of supporting the act of improving the process. Most approaches concentrate on what needs to be done before and after the improvement act, but the act of improving itself still seems to be a black box.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is mainly based on a review of literature that deals with the term “Business Process Improvement”. The analysis of the literature is supported by qualitative content analysis. The structure of the evaluation follows the mandatory elements of a method (MEM).

Findings

A lot of literature and consulting approaches deal with the restructuring and improvement of business processes. The author finds that even so‐called BPI approaches do not describe the act of improvement itself. And if they do, they lack a methodological structure that can be reused.

Research limitations/implications

To constrain the complexity of this research at this first stage of investigation only the search criterion “business process improvement” was used in the database search (EBSCO and Emerald).

Originality/value

The paper is valuable for academics and practitioners because the impact of BPI on organizational performance is high. Its originality is in the structured evaluation of so‐called BPI approaches according to the MEM, which so far no one has investigated.
A critical analysis of supply chain management content in empirical research
Authors: Soni Gunjan , Kodali Rambabu
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to carry out a critical assessment of empirical research content in supply chain management (SCM). The assessment involved 569 empirical research articles published in 21 selected journals between 1994 and 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of critical assessment involved selection and classification of 569 empirical research articles in SCM. A systematic classification and a critical analysis is carried out so as to identify research gaps in content of SCM in empirical research, as well as to recommend directions for future research.

Findings

Critical analysis of selected articles led to conclusion that SCM content in empirical research is very much based on analysis of focal firms and most of the authors prefer to perform empirical studies for combination of various entities of analysis considering possible elements of exchange. Performance measurement is on the rise and will continue to be but should be used at higher levels of analysis as well. The principal component bodies of SCM need further development to stage SCM at maturity level. Overall, it is highlighted that there is still a need for better frameworks that can overcome the shortcomings in extant empirical research literature of SCM.

Originality/value

Many literature reviews that aim at critical examination of SCM literature are reported but none of them focused exclusively on content of empirical research in SCM. Another unique feature of this paper is that the sample size of articles with respect to number of papers (569 papers) as well as number of journals (21 journals) is larger then ever considered for literature review in SCM. The paper spans a longer time span of 15 years (1994‐2008) as well.
Stakeholder perspective on internal marketing communication
Authors: Finney Sherry
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Communication strategy during the management of change has been one success factor widely cited in the literature. However, despite its recognition within the enterprise resource planning (ERP) domain, there has been little regard for stakeholder perspective and even less for practical suggestions regarding communication planning.

Design/methodology/approach

This mixed‐method research investigated the ERP implementation process from the perspective of four key stakeholder groups and generated greater understanding of their differing views on communication effectiveness and preferred communications strategies during the management of change process.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed that stakeholders differ, significantly in some respects, in how each group believes certain aspects of the project should be handled, from a tactical communication standpoint.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on a single case study, which adds caution to the generalizability of the results. Further, the survey sample was self‐selected and not random.

Practical implications

This paper has made a significant contribution in terms of understanding differing perspectives regarding communication strategies during change. Particularly, we have learned how each group believes certain aspects of the project should be handled, from a tactical standpoint.

Originality/value

The lack of case studies addressing practical challenges has already been identified as a gap in the literature. Further, with a stakeholder perspective combined, this research has revealed another element, which is that the management of ERP projects is not as simple as a “one size fits all” strategy.
Competitive intelligence: a research model tested on Portuguese firms
Authors: Franco Mário , Magrinho André , Ramos Silva Joaquim
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the practices of economic intelligence used by Portuguese firms and to identify the attributes that may increase the probability of their adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was designed and addressed to the CEOs of Portuguese firms. The authors used the mixed logit method to select a number of significant variables that influence the use of economic intelligence by firms in the sample.

Findings

From the results, the authors concluded that firm size, information and environmental scanning connected to the markets, social networks, economic diplomacy and public policies, namely clusters and industrial policies in the context of competitive intelligence, were some of the attributes relevant in this study. It is concluded that the probability of firms adopting competitive intelligence practices lies in two spheres: in orientations of business policy and strategy and in public policies that improve business context in the perspective of competitive intelligence.

Research limitations/implications

The different categories of attributes that explain the existence of economic intelligence practices are relatively limited when compared with studies made outside Portugal. This derives from specific factors tied to Portuguese entrepreneurial culture.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on this area of research. One of the innovations introduced here was the design of a conceptual model proposal integrating business and public policy approaches connected to the competitive intelligence and, consequently, the capacity to formulate entrepreneurial strategies and public policies geared for the adoption of competitive intelligence procedures.
Culture in business process management: a literature review
Authors: vom Brocke Jan , Sinnl Theresa
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Business process management (BPM) is a management approach that developed with a strong focus on the adoption of information technology (IT). However, there is a growing awareness that BPM requires a holistic organizational perspective especially since culture is often considered a key element in BPM practice. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of existing research on culture in BPM.

Design/methodology/approach

This literature review builds on major sources of the BPM community including the BPM Journal, the BPM Conference and central journal/conference databases. Forward and backward searches additionally deepen the analysis. Based on the results, a model of culture's role in BPM is developed.

Findings

The results of the literature review provide evidence that culture is still a widely under‐researched topic in BPM. Furthermore, a framework on culture's role in BPM is developed and areas for future research are revealed.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis focuses on the concepts of BPM and culture. Thus, results do not include findings regarding related concepts such as business process reengineering or change management.

Practical implications

The framework provides an orientation for managerial practice. It helps identify dimensions of possible conflicts based on cultural aspects. It thus aims at raising awareness regarding potentially neglected cultural factors.

Originality/value

Although culture has been recognized in both theory and practice as an important aspect of BPM, researchers have not systematically engaged with the specifics of the culture phenomenon in BPM. This literature review provides a frame of reference that serves as a basis for future research regarding culture's role in BPM.
Experiences of environmental professionals in practice
Authors: Bootsma Margien , Vermeulen Walter
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the labor market position of environmental science graduates and the core competencies of these environmental professionals related to their working practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out two surveys amongst alumni of the integrated environmental science program of Utrecht University and their employers. The surveys addressed alumni's working experiences and employers' assessment of the core competencies of environmental science graduates.

Findings

The surveys indicated that environmental science graduates have a fairly strong position on the labor market. They are employed in a diverse range of functions and working sectors, including consultancy agencies, research institutions, governmental organizations and NGOs. Graduates as well as employers consider a number of generic academic skills (e.g. intellectual qualities, communication skills) as well as discipline specific professional knowledge and practical skills as important competencies for the working practice of environmental scientists.

Practical implications

These insights can be used for the improvement of environmental science curricula in order to increase the employability of their graduates.

Originality/value

This paper presents data on the labor market position of graduates of “integrated” environmental science programs and provides insights into the core competencies of these graduates.
Transforming knowledge for sustainability: towards adaptive academic institutions
Authors: Miller Thaddeus R. , Muñoz‐Erickson Tischa , Redman Charles L.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that the types of and ways in which academic institutions produce knowledge are insufficient to contribute to a transition to sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Reflecting on experiences at the School of Sustainability, the authors contend that a different kind of knowledge is needed, what we call sustainability knowledge. A conceptual approach is taken wherein the authors propose several characteristics of sustainability knowledge and offer some proposals on how academic institutions must be structured to produce it.

Findings

Sustainability knowledge has several characteristics including social robustness, recognition of system complexity and uncertainty, acknowledgement of multiple ways of knowing and the incorporation of normative and ethical premises. In order to produce sustainability knowledge, the knowledge production process itself must be changed to be more adaptive and engaged with society. Two organizing characteristics for institutions seeking to produce such knowledge are proposed – epistemological pluralism and reflexivity. The adaptive cycle from resilience theory is then used as a heuristic to illustrate how these design characteristics play out in making the institution (and individual) more adaptive.

Practical implications

As more academic institutions move to address sustainability, this paper does not offer a roadmap; rather, it raises important issues that must be addressed in performing research and education for sustainability.

Originality/value

The paper shows that type of knowledge that academia must produce and how it might produce it are redefined for sustainability problems.
Patent strategizing
Authors: Dolfsma Wilfred
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to further the development of strategic thinking, relevant for both academics and practitioners, about a key asset in the knowledge economy: patents.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on existing insights on the strategic use of patents, presenting them in a coherent framework.

Findings

The paper discusses the different aspects to patent strategizing that need dedicated management attention, and discusses the key considerations to be taken into account. The paper also indicates at which levels in the organization patent strategizing needs to take place.

Practical implications

Practitioners will be much more aware of the strategic options for using patents to further a firm's competitive position.

Originality/value

The paper draws to some extent on existing knowledge about patents. Such knowledge has, however, been scattered across different domains. The strategic options for a firm of using patents have not been discussed at length or in the context of a comprehensive framework either in the academic literature or in that for practitioners.
Valuing intellectual capital of innovative start‐ups
Authors: Grajkowska Aleksandra
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to contribute to the theory of intellectual capital (IC) with the new IC valuation method based on the economic value added (EVA®) concept as well as to present the Innovation Funnel, which is a useful management method and tool from which companies would benefit.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first explains the links and differences between IC and intellectual assets (IAs) and aims at improving the reader's understanding of the share of the two classes of shareholders, monetary capital investors and intellectual capital investors, of the innovative start‐ups. The paper provides practical guidance for use in IC valuation and financial management of innovation rather than a theoretical framework, and is based on the literature on innovation, IC, corporate finance as well as the practical experience of a few early stage venture capitals with whom the author cooperates.

Findings

The findings show a way of calculating fair share of an innovative company's shareholdings. The method reflects the risk adjusted future value of cash invested by monetary capital investors and a real market value of IC contributed by the founders. The paper also presents a method of financial management of innovation projects.

Research limitations/implications

The presented methods focus on creating shareholder value and on financial aspects of IC rather than on IC indicators and their graphical representation, hence, members of the IC community who seek more practical concepts may be more interested in the paper.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a practical perspective on the method for IC valuation, innovation projects' financial management, as well as fair division of a start‐up shares between intellectual and monetary capital investors that would be useful for venture capital officers, innovative companies founders and R&D centers' managers.
Disclosure of non‐financial information in the annual report
Authors: Arvidsson Susanne
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the management teams' views regarding different aspects related to the disclosure of non‐financial information in the annual report. The focus is on the following aspects: incentive, quantity, focus, use of non‐financial key performance indicators (KPIs) and trends.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are based on a comprehensive questionnaire survey addressed to investor‐relation managers (IRMs) at the largest companies listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

Findings

The study confirms an increasing focus of non‐financial information related to intangible assets in corporate disclosure. This increase appears to be both regulatory and demand driven. Encouraging indeed is that management teams seem to have acknowledged the importance not only to describe the less tangible values per se, but also to explain the roles they play in the value‐creation process and in corporate strategy. Furthermore, the study reveals a trend shift from research and development (R&D) and relational information towards corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employee‐related information, an increasing number of non‐financial KPIs and a positive attitude to mandatory requirements. Overall, the findings indicate that voluntary disclosure compensates for the deficiencies of financial statements to properly disclose intangible assets. This may lessen the risk of the argued impairment of the efficient allocation of resources on the stock market.

Practical implications

The findings reveal that quite a few challenges lie ahead in shaping efficient corporate disclosures where also intangible assets are in focus. The most critically relate to dealing with the concerns of reliability and comparability associated with disclosures of intangible assets and their related non‐financial KPIs. This needs to be taken on promptly by management teams, policy makers and financial market regulators if the corporate‐disclosure process shall function efficiently and facilitate decreased information asymmetry and uphold an efficient allocation of resources on the stock market.

Originality/value

Herein not only one aspect related to disclosure of non‐financial information is being analysed, but also several and from a management‐team perspective, which is a perspective often neglected for the sophisticated‐user perspective.
An agent‐based intelligent virtual learning environment for construction management
Authors: Obonyo E.A.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the deployment of an e‐learning environment for construction courses based on enhancing virtual computing technologies using agent‐based techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

This research involves designing and deploying a complex application that combines advanced visualisation, interactive management through complex virtual devices, distributed multi‐user communication and intelligent components. The proposed agent‐oriented methodology and resulting application organises construction knowledge into a structure that enables the students to undertake more self‐directed, systematic and scientific exploration.

Findings

There is great potential for experimenting with a wider variety of educational technologies such as “intelligent” virtual environments. This is a concept that needs further experimentation within construction courses to enrich students' learning with practice‐based experiences. The use of ageny‐oriented objects within simulations and modeling make the virtual learning environment a highly interactive experience. Attempts to do this using traditional intelligent tutoring systems have been frustrated by integrations challenges. Agent‐based systems can handle such challenges. The agent approach is also more efficient in analysing the impact of different decisions in various scenarios by automating the execution of repetitive, time‐consuming actions.

Research limitations/implications

This research identifies specific gaps in the existing e‐learning infrastructure that can be addressed using the intelligent agent paradigm. In particular, the research demonstrates how the notion of learning by actively exploring and controlling environmental variables can be best utilised in the selected domain by giving the learners the means to rapidly visualize the effects of their decisions.

Originality/value

Construction disciplines have increasingly embraced the use of advanced visualisation applications and display systems that allow students to gain a better understanding of the construction process and the resulting facility's performance. Existing efforts are based on image visualisation or animation detailed using, for example, Virtual Reality Modeling Language and 3D Studio Max‐based design animations and walkthroughs. None of these efforts has explored the use of an agent oriented, virtual tutoring approach. A comprehensive literature review established that of no formalised methodologies exist for deploying agent‐based virtual learning environments.
Mapping of synchronous activities through virtual management momentum simulation
Authors: Beran V. , Dlask P. , Eaton D. , Hromada E. , Zindulka O.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to present an approach to the improvement of the risk analysis of construction projects by linking risk analysis to the potential variances in time and cost performance of endogenous variables. This link is synchronous, such that changes in either the cost or time schedule variables are uniquely modelled to the overall time and cost profile of a project.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented approach is based on synchronous time and cost scheduling, simulation and the methodology presented here develops technical indicators on the basis of virtual management momentum (VMM).

Findings

The paper shows a potential improvement to management decision making by the use of VMM. Senior management can test alternative strategies and develop probability matrices defining the potential results.

Research limitations/implications

The current model simulates the impact of endogenous risks, and therefore by implication excludes all exogenous risks. This limitation can be removed by the introduction of other risk vectors, but is beyond the scope of the current research.

Originality/value

The mapping technique utilised to display these changes makes the appreciation of such impacts visually simple and is extremely effective in improving the management of endogenous project risk.
Logistics simulation modelling across construction supply chains
Authors: Vidalakis Christos , Tookey John E. , Sommerville James
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a logistical analysis of construction supply chains by assessing the impact of varying demand on the performance of builders' merchants' logistics.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking into consideration that the vast majority of construction materials are distributed through intermediary organisations, the paper focuses on the logistics of builders' merchants. The study follows a field study approach to develop a conceptual logistics model facilitating experimentation using simulation modelling.

Findings

The paper highlights the importance of incorporating intermediary organisations in the study of construction supply chains and reveals the implications of varying demand on logistics performance related to inventory and transportation costs.

Research limitations/implications

In order to limit assumptions associated with individual company characteristics, the sample has included data from one builder's merchant company. To allow external benchmarking, the suggested approach has to be applied to a wider sample.

Practical implications

The paper provides a practical understanding in terms of the function of intermediary organisations in construction supply chains and the application of logistics management in construction.

Originality/value

Considering the complexity involved in construction supply chain operations, the value of this research is twofold. First, the research contributes to an interdisciplinary approach to the study of construction supply chains and second, provides a risk‐free environment for modelling supply chain cost performance.
The adoption of innovative asphalt equipment in road construction
Authors: Habets Thijs , Voordijk Hans , van der Sijde Peter
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the adoption process of innovative asphalt equipment in road construction and how the level of knowledge as characterised by the level of education in the companies affects this process. The emphasis is on equipment used for transporting asphalt from asphalt plant to construction site or at the construction site itself. It is assumed that the uptake of this equipment is influenced by the radicality of the innovation and the company's level of education.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, the innovation behaviour of construction companies is assessed through a case study, an expert opinion, and an industry survey (of which 55 per cent of the total population participated).

Findings

The results show that on average, experts and companies alike give more radical equipment innovations less adoption chances. Companies prefer to make minor improvements and perceive no benefits in implementing a risky radical equipment innovation. Companies that have a higher level of knowledge are found to show a more positive and professional attitude towards implementing innovative asphalt equipment.

Research limitations/implications

The defined knowledge is restricted to the formal level of education of both management and the firm in one part of the construction industry. The knowledge indicator used in this study has a high validity (it is easy to measure). Further research could focus on other types of knowledge affecting innovation adoption in other parts of the construction industry.

Originality/value

The value of this study is that it addresses the important questions of how managers of construction firms select equipment and how it is affected by the level of knowledge.