bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Being without existing: the futures community at a turning point? A comment on Jay Ogilvy's “Facing the fold”
Authors: Miller Riel
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to put the paper by Jay Ogilvy in the context of current debates around the philosophical foundations of future studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a review and analyzes the current literature on foresight and philosophy of the future.

Findings

The paper finds that the practical challenge of taking a “scenaric stance”, as articulated in “Facing the fold”, cannot be addressed without going beyond the typically epistemological solutions proposed by most futurists.

Research limitations/implications

The challenge is not finding ways to “know” the future, rather to find ways to live and act with not‐knowing the future.

Practical implications

The “scenaric stance” points to a way of embracing what Henri Bergson calls “the continuous creation of unforeseeable novelty.”

Social implications

The “scenaric stance” offers one way of addressing the difficult, often deeply painful challenge of reconciling the desire for certainty with the desire to “be free” – in the Senian sense of capacity – by providing a way to embrace ambiguity and spontaneity.

Originality/value

The emergence of new solutions to how people think about the future rather than what kind of future reflects a confluence of events in the realms of theory and practice. The reason why one needs to and can rethink how one thinks about the future is original to the present conjuncture.
The uses and limits of visionary scenarios: learning from the African experience
Authors: Gordon Adam
Published: July 2011

Purpose

There has been no shortage of rosy visions for the future of Africa or its regions. Almost without exception, these visions have been dashed by reality. The question therefore arises: “To what extent or under what conditions is visioning an ideal future a worthy exercise?” or “Under what conditions is it useful and when is it limiting?” In anticipating the future in general, and seeking a better future for Africa in particular, might foresight tools built on another (non‐visionary) basis provide better fruit? This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers this question as it applies to scenario planning in particular, by investigating recent, contrasting case studies of scenario‐building activities in Africa (Tanzania and South Africa).

Findings

The paper determines the appropriate uses and limits of “visionary” scenario planning, and suggests a contrasting “adaptive” basis for scenario work.

Originality/value

It is argued that maintaining the purpose‐platform distinction between these two modes is fundamental to getting full value out of scenario work in general, and in the African context in particular. The contrasting case studies explain how and why the adaptive‐normative distinction is important; how different purposes each demand different use of the scenario process tools that currently exist, and show why failure to fit scenario approaches to purpose greatly diminishes the efficacy of the method for either purpose.
Evaluating the Kindle DX e‐book reader: results from Amazon.com customer reviews
Authors: Qian Jun
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate initial user perceptions and use of Amazon's Kindle DX e‐book reader.

Design/methodology/approach

The web crawler software LocoySpider was first applied to extract the Kindle DX customer reviews from Amazon web site, then 100 records randomly selected from the 1,358 customer reviews were analyzed with QSR NVIVO 8 software to code the pros and cons of the Kindle DX.

Findings

Data analysis indicates that Kindle DX is a great e‐book device. However, customers expressed their requirements for the next generation Kindle e‐book reader.

Originality/value

This is one of the first research papers of its kind to collect customer reviews of the Amazon Kindle DX with web crawler software and use NVivo 8 qualitative data analysis software to explore user perceptions of the Kindle DX e‐book reader.
Construction and valuation of intellectual capital: a case study
Authors: Giuliani Marco , Marasca Stefano
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The aim of this study is to reflect on how the specific nature of intellectual capital influences the valuation process, in practice, and how it impacts on some of the qualities of its value.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a case study (“Ankon”) developed by adopting a modest interventionist approach.

Findings

This study highlights the relevance of the intellectual capital valuation process in spite of the intellectual capital value per se. In fact, while intellectual capital value seems to present a limited level of objectivity, consistency, comparability and understandability, its valuation process can be considered an opportunity to visualise and understand intellectual capital and its influence on financial performance. In other words, intellectual capital valuation can be considered as a practice useful to crave the attention of the managers on intellectual capital in action.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations of this study are related to the particular research methodology adopted (action research case study) and to the size of the case investigated.

Practical implications

The findings provided by this research should be useful to those interested in studying intellectual capital in action and in developing new valuation models or refining existing models. Finally, considering that some of the limitations of intellectual capital value can be related to the absence of generally accepted valuation guidelines (e.g. the absence of a common definition, a single process, etc.), this can represent an incentive for policy makers to draw up useful rules to make intellectual capital value more understandable for an outsider and to identify managerial best practices.

Originality/value

In comparison with previous studies on intellectual capital valuation, this one focuses on an in vivo intellectual capital valuation process. In addition, this research stresses the specificities and criticalities that emerge from a process perspective in which intellectual capital is considered as a conventional object. Moreover, this paper enriches the previous critical discussions on intellectual capital measurement focusing on intellectual capital financial value.
A comparative study of buildability perspectives between clients, consultants and contractors
Authors: Lam Patrick T.I. , Wong Franky W.H.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the similarities and differences in the buildability perspectives held by the client and the design team (collectively known as the design decision‐making group) and the contractor (known as the execution group).

Design/methodology/approach

Buildability attributes were identified through a questionnaire survey, followed by factor analysis to consolidate them into nine buildability factors. These were then presented to 31 construction experts (comprising clients, consultants and contractors), who ranked the buildability factors in association with common construction systems using the analytical hierarchy process.

Findings

Whilst the consensus was on “enabling design requirements to be easily visualised and co‐ordinated by site staff” to make designs buildable, clients and design teams differed from contractors in perspectives such as overcoming site restrictions, achieving standardisation and flexibility. When applied to construction systems, clients and design teams ranked precast systems higher than contractors, who favoured in situ systems.

Research limitations/implications

Since the research was conducted in Hong Kong, the interpretation of the findings should be based on this contextual background as described in the paper.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the common and different perspectives of the design decision‐making group and the execution group in evaluating buildability and the reasons underlying their decisions. It paves the way for meaningful benchmarking of an important attribute affecting all construction stakeholders. The results form part of the development of a Buildability Assessment Model for use in Hong Kong, which is a useful tool for benchmarking buildability of designs, as in other countries (e.g. Singapore) which see the benefits of this important attribute on project performance.
Student residential satisfaction in research universities
Authors: ‘Ulyani Mohd Najib Nurul , Aini Yusof Nor’ , Zainul Abidin Nazirah
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the level of student satisfaction with campus student housing facilities (SHF) at Malaysian research universities (RUs) and the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The student residential satisfaction (SRS) framework has been proposed to investigate residential satisfaction from the students' viewpoint. Questionnaires were distributed to respondents in three RUs. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Findings

In general, students are satisfied with the provided SHF with the SRS index of 2.96 or 74 per cent satisfaction level and there is a significant relationship between overall satisfaction and loyalty behaviour. The results also confirmed that the proposed model is an adequate instrument to measure SRS.

Practical implications

The existence of quality SHF is likely to act as an effective medium to attract local and international students to enrol in Malaysian universities. Further actions should be geared towards achieving a higher score of SRS index.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a practical model of SRS to be applied to universities in other countries with similar climate and culture.
Settlement of cyber disputes through terrestrial provisions
Authors: Mahabubur Rahman Mohammad , Ahmed Fariduddin , Osiur Rahman Mohammad , Hoque Azizul
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on how law, together with the internet, has created a new environment in the legal arena; and how the USA as a high‐tech nation relying upon previous territorial experience is making a new pathway for all the concerned persons and organizations to overcome the problems that have come out of cyber peculiarity.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is based on keen observation and intensive analysis of the US case laws and practices. This article concentrates on the study of the American cases as a representative type of hi‐tech nations for searching the influences of traditional territorial concept on the settlement of internet cases.

Findings

In spite of the inevitability of a distinct set of laws and legal principles to be adopted for cyber offences, the traditional territorial law can provide elements for cyber‐legal issues. As for being a pioneer hi‐tech nation, the US courts, whether federal or provincial, are very much inclined to decide the internet cases on the basis of territorial concept by applying the principles of traditional territorial notions.

Originality/value

The judges, lawyers, jurists, governments, public authorities, local authorities, statutory bodies and all other persons and institutes concerned from around the world shall find indications to chalk out the framework of solution for cyber disputes from the US practices.
Leading with purpose: a case for soul leadership
Authors: Graham Kirsten
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to explores the notion that leadership is not the accumulation of leadership skills but the discovery and expression of a leader's true nature. The paper also aims to introduce the concept of the 4Ps of soul leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper offers the author's independent perspective and commentary on leadership development in the current organizational context.

Findings

The paper finds that the strongest leaders are those that lead through an awareness and expression of their unique 4Ps (passion, purpose, possibilities, place) of soul leadership. This is increasingly true in complex, global environments of unprecedented change.

Practical implications

Leadership development (and skill building in general) is more effective if built on a foundation of self‐awareness and connection to an individual's 4Ps.

Social implications

Soul leadership encourages individuals and organizations to be the best possible version of themselves. In aligning to one's passions and purpose natural leadership, productivity and creativity are likely to come to the fore, which fuels individual, organizational and societal growth in turn.

Originality/value

Reframing leadership as a unique expression of an individual's 4Ps with implications for individuals, organizational leaders and learning and development practitioners.
Analyzing the interaction of factors for success of total quality management in SMEs
Authors: Kr Singh Rajesh
Published: July 2011

Purpose

After globalization of markets, product quality and satisfaction of customers have become essential for sustainable growth of small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this paper is to identify and develop the structural relationship among different factors for success of total quality management (TQM) in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research a total of 11 factors have been identified for successful implementation of TQM. Interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach has been applied to develop a structural relationship among these factors.

Findings

Top management commitment, employees' training and empowerment, supplier development and coordination between departments are found to be the major driving factors for implementing TQM, whereas process management, product/service design, product quality and customer satisfaction are observed as dependent variables.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that management of SMEs needs to address driving variables more carefully for successful implementation of TQM.
Evaluation of customer satisfaction in R&D organization: a conceptual framework
Authors: Sarkar Tapas , Batabyal Asit Kr.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to develop an evaluation model of the customer satisfaction index (CSI) in an R&D organization. A conceptual framework on customer satisfaction with a probabilistic approach has been attempted based on customer requirements and expectations in compliance with the clauses of ISO 9001:2008.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey through a well‐designed customer feedback data sheet has been used as an effective tool for the measurement of CSI. The questionnaire was framed on the basis of the requirements of a quality management system with advice to the customer for allotting grade points on a given scale to the quality parameters. The research model has been analyzed based on a fault‐tree approach and the probability of failure of each quality parameter has been assigned on the basis of grade point average. Data analysis for the estimation of the probability of failure at a customer satisfaction level (CSL) was carried out based on the probability of failure of each quality element graded by the customers. The data were also tested through statistical inference of whether customer‐to‐customer satisfaction level differs or not.

Findings

As a result of case study analysis, 88 percent of customers are fully satisfied. This gives significant information to the management process as well as providing a guiding tool for future improvements. The analysis was carried out based on a framed questionnaire graded by the customer and the result reveals that there is no significant difference between customer satisfaction levels.

Research limitations/implications

This model can be used by any organization, irrespective of the number of customers participating, as well as the number of quality parameters being assigned in the customer feedback analysis.

Originality/value

A literature review found that there are various approaches for evaluating a CSI. The paper describes how a newly‐applied conceptual model based on the failure of CSL in the form of a fault‐tree approach was designed and how the probability of failure of each element/parameters was assigned on the basis of a grade point average to evaluate the CSI, as well as the variation in satisfaction levels between customers being analyzed.
Overview of remote sensing techniques in earthquake prediction
Authors: Valizadeh Alvan Habibeh , Omar Husaini b.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The matter of predicting disasters has always been one of the hottest and most challenging tasks in geology. Earthquakes are among the most destructive ones among all the natural hazards. Occurring often without any warning, they are the most feared and unpredictable natural phenomena. In recent years with the emergence of new remote sensing instruments and techniques, geologists interested themselves to define accurate and reliable procedures to foresee disasters using this new technology. This paper aims to examine some of the data that have been used so far in earthquake prediction as well as cheap, relevant remotely sensing and geographic information systems methods to acquire and manipulate data.

Design/methodology/approach

Earthquakes are not the same in terms of origins, places (depth) and effects. So after having a brief look at the earthquakes, this paper examines the data that can be used for predicting earthquakes and reviews some of the remote sensing methods used to predict tectonic earthquakes. According to the types of measurements, remote sensing methods can be categorized in three main types; crust displacement, thermal and electromagnetic detecting techniques. Regarding the area's geological characteristics, satellites with optical and/or synthetic aperture radar sensors applications in prediction of large‐scale natural disasters will be discussed.

Findings

Presentation of the definitions and characteristics of earthquakes, categorized representation of the types of data used in this field as well as the types and names of the ground, aerial‐ and space‐borne data providers are the most important products of this review paper.

Originality/value

This method, if fully and systematically conducted, can be the cornerstone of an earth‐predicting system.
Application of RCM for a chipping and sawing mill
Authors: Fore Stanley , Mudavanhu Thabani
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This research is focused on the application of reliability‐centred maintenance (RCM) in a chipping and sawmill company. The aim of the study was to illustrate the application of RCM in a chipping and sawing mill.

Design/methodology/approach

RCM is a structured process, which develops or optimises maintenance requirements of a physical resource in its operating context in order to realise its inherent reliability by logically incorporating an optimal combination of reactive, preventive, condition‐based and proactive maintenance practices. A detailed analysis of the RCM approach is presented as a step towards improving preventive maintenance (PM) within a sawmill.

Findings

The study shows that the way that PM tasks are specified is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the PM program and could be a major source of maintenance‐related downtime. It is also revealed that most maintenance programs, which purport to be proactive, are in fact reactive. The paper also shows that RCM can be successfully applied to industries anywhere; even in less industrialized countries.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on a pilot study of a section of a chipping and sawmill. The development and implementation of the RCM approach is elaborated based on a pilot program in the edging unit of a sawmill company. Further application to the entire plant, albeit time‐consuming, is recommended.

Originality/value

Application of RCM in sawmill industries, within developing countries, has had limited application. The paper demonstrates that regardless of technological challenges in less developed economies, maintenance approaches such as RCM can still be fruitfully applied in order to achieve maintenance excellence. The paper should be useful for maintenance practitioners and researchers, particularly in less industrialized countries.
A survey of AI in operations management from 2005 to 2009
Authors: Kobbacy Khairy A.H. , Vadera Sunil
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The use of AI for operations management, with its ability to evolve solutions, handle uncertainty and perform optimisation continues to be a major field of research. The growing body of publications over the last two decades means that it can be difficult to keep track of what has been done previously, what has worked, and what really needs to be addressed. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to present a survey of the use of AI in operations management aimed at presenting the key research themes, trends and directions of research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper builds upon our previous survey of this field which was carried out for the ten‐year period 1995‐2004. Like the previous survey, it uses Elsevier's Science Direct database as a source. The framework and methodology adopted for the survey is kept as similar as possible to enable continuity and comparison of trends. Thus, the application categories adopted are: design; scheduling; process planning and control; and quality, maintenance and fault diagnosis. Research on utilising neural networks, case‐based reasoning (CBR), fuzzy logic (FL), knowledge‐Based systems (KBS), data mining, and hybrid AI in the four application areas are identified.

Findings

The survey categorises over 1,400 papers, identifying the uses of AI in the four categories of operations management and concludes with an analysis of the trends, gaps and directions for future research. The findings include: the trends for design and scheduling show a dramatic increase in the use of genetic algorithms since 2003 that reflect recognition of their success in these areas; there is a significant decline in research on use of KBS, reflecting their transition into practice; there is an increasing trend in the use of FL in quality, maintenance and fault diagnosis; and there are surprising gaps in the use of CBR and hybrid methods in operations management that offer opportunities for future research.

Originality/value

This is the largest and most comprehensive study to classify research on the use of AI in operations management to date. The survey and trends identified provide a useful reference point and directions for future research.
Evaluating the performance of technology transfer offices
Authors: Ustundag Alp , Uğurlu Seda , Serdar Kilinc Mehmet
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causal relationships among the factors influencing the technology transfer offices' (TTOs) performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) method is used in this study.

Findings

The findings from this research is that TTO human resources, industry research demand, R&D budget of university and economic uncertainty are the most influential factors on the performance of TTOs. The performance outputs which are mostly affected are the factors, licenses, patents, established spin‐offs, industry research contracts and consulting income.

Originality/value

This study provides a contribution by building the mental map among the concepts which are influencing the TTOs' performance. The causal relationships are defined in a non‐hierarchical network model. Indirect effects are considered in examining the TTOs performance. The pair wise influence degrees of the factors are determined by an empirical study. Using the FCM, the impact of factors on the performance of TTOs is investigated.
Guanxidynamics and identity construction
Authors: Kosmala Katarzyna , Xian Chunyan
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This study aims to examine aspects of the construction of professional identity, based on an interpretative inquiry in two Chinese professional service firms in Beijing.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered through participant observation, archival material and interviews. The interpretive nature of the research experience facilitated openness to the local field and avoidance of a heavy reliance on assumptions that derive from privileging the Western constructions of professional identity, where “I” (the researcher) am situated epistemologically.

Findings

Professionalism discourse, a powerful resource of ambiguity, becomes an arena where identity is “asserted” through organisational performance, incorporated in normative Western‐driven laws. Enacted professionalism appears consistent with the pursuit of an elevated Western image. The relationships with the clients, however, are embedded inguanxidynamics and related accountabilities, reflecting the local ways of doing things.

Originality/value

Empirical material offers insights into professionalisation processes in Chinese firms, with a focus on the construction of professional identity, located within organisational micro‐dynamics.
Experiences with G2G: a location‐aware mobile social networking system
Authors: Mourtzoukos Konstantinos , Christou Ioannis T. , Efremidis Sofoklis
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to report on lessons learnt from operating a location‐aware mobile social networking application, and critical functionalities that were deemed necessary in order to provide a pleasant user experience. As a result of user feedback, the authors enhanced their social networking system, G2G, with functionalities such as login with Facebook.com credentials without the need to sign up to their system first, and a much improved localization system that works across different mobile operators. Mobile advertisement was included for enhancing the user experience.

Design/methodology/approach

A modular approach has been followed for the system design. The original G2G system interfaced cleanly with the Facebook application programming interfaces (APIs) and the mobile advertisement subsystem through wrapper components.

Findings

The result was a much improved user experience as existing Facebook subscriptions facilitated new users to use the system. Mobile advertisement functionalities were seen as an essential add‐on. The aforementioned functionalities, combined with the ability to upload/search/download location‐aware multimedia notes, and a back‐end interface that allows advertisers to add location‐aware, personalized content, resulted in a significantly enhanced user experience as evidenced by higher user active participation to the system.

Originality/value

The enhanced system integrates seamelessly with Facebook (facilitating thus the entry of new users) and with a mobile advertisement platform, and provides for advanced security functionalities. Moreover, it supports Android‐based smart‐phones.
Joint ventures between US MNCs and foreign governments
Authors: Glambosky Mina , Gleason Kim , Wiggenhorn Joan
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the initial stock price reaction and long‐run returns for joint venture announcements between US MNCs and foreign governments as well as the firm characteristics and political risk factors of the foreign governments that affect the abnormal returns. In addition we determine changes in total and systematic risk following the joint venture.

Design/methodology/approach

Announcement abnormal returns are calculated using event study cumulative abnormal returns. Long‐run returns use a buy and hold methodology. Cross section regressions are performed on both the announcement and long run returns.

Findings

Announcement abnormal returns are a positive 0.37 percent; however, the long‐run returns are a significant −3.99 percent the end of the first year. Both short‐run and long‐run returns are higher when the level of internal conflict is low, and surprisingly when the level of corruption is high. Also, surprisingly, short‐run returns are higher when ethnic violence is higher, but, as expected, long‐run returns are higher when there is higher democratic stability.

Research limitations/implications

One implication is that when US managers are confronted by foreign government corruption, there may be a conflict between the success of the project and the ethical/legal requirements of the company.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on joint ventures with foreign governments rather than the usual foreign companies. Also, unlike previous papers that have used only one measure of political risk, this paper uses five of the PRS categories of political risk.
Illusive victimizations of a homeowner in mortgage foreclosure
Authors: Michele Coppedge Krisha
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This conducive and concise phenomenon aims to review the illusive victimization homeowners face and to zero in on the underlying factors optimistically stimulating deceptive and oppressed sensations homeowners endure in America before, during, and after mortgage foreclosure. The purpose is to accurately discover the behaviors, which lead to the homeowner's decision making from real storytelling of those alleged victimized homeowners.

Design/methodology/approach

The homeowner, an autonomous contributor, who stands to reason has its own non‐prejudiced commentaries, and places the propositions in a binding framework, adapts this preparation.

Findings

Prior to the year of 2000, the real estate market was booming. It was at an all‐time high. The rich, the powerful, the influential, etc. were making top dollars off some innocent and some not so innocent homeowners. Suddenly, American homeowners everywhere found themselves drowning in mortgage foreclosure meltdown (debt) crisis. This crisis, believed to be a consequence of the Commodities Act of 2000, was under the watch of former President Bill Clinton. However, although, this Legislative Act appears to have been inconsiderate, unethical, and immoral for sure the homeowner had a choice in the decision for or against the loan as well. This review's contribution to the book of knowledge finds that from the mortgage foreclosure stories told by homeowners, they are also really held accountable for their responsibility, virtuality, answerability, decision making, and appreciative intelligence in this situation. This newfound knowledge seeks to find the cruciality in one looking before one leaps.

Practical implications

The paper intends to provide stratagems, which are insightful, and of unimaginative thinking to get into the hearts and minds of individuals by helping them to understand the reality of their behaviors. Homeowners should recognize the importance of self‐honesty towards education, credit ratings, and their happiness or unhappiness in terms of the best decision for themselves before signing on that dotted line.

Originality/value

The paper extricates strenuous research for researchers, educators, and those seeking to educate themselves about the potential difficulties of being a homeowner in a mortgage foreclosure situation. The value of this contribution provides the most pertinent information, which is accessible in a conducive, concise and stress‐free digestive format. The originality of this contribution is designed to influence the willingness many of the world's leading banks, bankers, lenders, mortgage brokers, mortgage companies, and most of all the homeowner to change their behavior and to stop the unethical practices relating to the continuing mortgage foreclosure crises today.
Sustainability marketing in the emerging markets: imperatives, challenges, and agenda setting
Authors: Nkamnebe Anayo D.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the imperatives for sustainability marketing (SM) adoption in the emerging markets (EMs), identifies challenges that are encumbering them from adopting SM orientation, and proposes research agenda for better understanding of the construct in the EMs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws from literature and experiential knowledge of the author in the EMs to address the objective of the paper.

Findings

Pressure from the global market system, incidence of poverty in the EM, and unsupportive local conditions are argued to be inimical to the adoption of SM orientation in the EMs.

Research limitations/implications

Given the heterogeneity of EMs, the conclusions in this paper may apply to various EMs differently. This must be borne in mind when generalizing the conclusions.

Practical implications

This paper emphasizes the urgent need to modify existing public policies in EMs and to equally redirect the attention of organizations and consumers in EMs to foster sustainability behaviour as a strategic choice for development rather than seeing it as an option.

Originality/value

Apart from bringing to light the imperatives and challenges of SM in EM, the paper offers a blueprint that would guide research in this area.
The Mauritian business sector and the fight against poverty: a NGOs' perspective
Authors: Jean Francois Ragodoo Nicolas
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to analyse the contribution of business organisations towards non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) engaged in the fight against poverty. Studies generally refer to figures and reports provided by business organisations themselves. This present research, however, aims to turn towards NGOs engaged in the poverty battle to have their views on the role presently being played by the business sector. It aims to study the case of Mauritius, a developing‐economy.

Design/methodology/approach

For data‐collection purposes, a research instrument, in the form of a structured interview schedule, has been devised and applied to a representative sample (50 per cent) of the 110 NGOs actively engaged in helping the poor in Mauritius. Data collected provide valuable information with regard to the NGOs' perception of business organisations and their engagement in the poverty battle through CSR initiatives.

Findings

From this work, it is clear that the perception of NGOs engaged in the poverty battle is generally negative towards business organisations. The range of CSR initiatives is considered as being poor, and the funding they received from the business sector is considered as being marginal. They are also of the opinion that their on‐the‐ground expertise is not presently being used.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the scarce literature on CSR in Africa by taking a deep insight into the business‐NGO relationship from an innovative angle. It analyses the present situation and identifies steps to be taken for this link to be strengthened so as to be more effective in the poverty battle.
Is there any relationship between organizational charts and corporate social responsibility? The EU‐15 banking case
Authors: Cea Moure Ramiro
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The main goal of this paper is to establish whether there is some relationship between organizational charts (OC) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in banks. The analysis is based on contents disclosed in their CSR/sustainability reports, as well as Mintzberg's taxonomy for OC.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes, from a theoretical point‐of‐view, both issues (CSR and social responsible actions), as well as OC patterns according to Mintzberg's taxonomy. Then, an empirical review is gained of CSR/sustainability reports published by a representative sample from the banking industry in the EU‐15. Using a triangular methodology, an attempt has been made to verify whether there is some correlation between Mintzberg's OCs patterns and their CSR contents disclosed, mainly referring to internal management issues.

Findings

The paper found no solid evidence to accept or reject a possible relationship between both variables (type of OC adopted by each bank and reporting contents revealed). However, this is a promising research line for future analysis, using a bigger sample and more CSR reporting issues.

Originality/value

This paper opens a new research path in CSR/Sustainability and OCs, for a possible link between both variables, a matter that has not been previously explored.
Sustainability measurement system: a reference model proposal
Authors: Delai Ivete , Takahashi Sérgio
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The primary aim of this paper is to develop a reference model for measuring corporate sustainability that can be used by organizations to integrate sustainability measures into their current performance measurement system, helping them to embed sustainability into daily activities and to forge a sustainability culture. A secondary intent is to present a critical analysis of some well‐known sustainability measurement initiatives, showing their strengths and shortcomings.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach employed to develop the reference model described in this paper is a qualitative analysis of the complementarity, shortcomings and strengths of eight well‐known sustainability measurement initiatives alongside an extant corporate sustainability literature review.

Findings

The research carried out has found that there is not a single initiative analyzed that tackles all sustainability issues and in fact there is no consensus around what should be measured and how. The main divergences are related to the following aspects: different criteria are applied by the initiatives to classify issues between dimensions; same impacts are evaluated at different levels of a cause‐effect relationship continuum by the same initiative; disagreement about the groups of stakeholders a company should engage and assessing the company impacts that should be taken into account (direct only or those of its whole value chain). Moreover, the way in which most initiatives measure sustainability performance is not the most adequate to embed it into the performance measurement systems, since they evaluate sustainability via presence of management practice and employ absolute values indicators rather than result‐oriented measures and ratio indicators that are more adequate for internal decision making. In this context, a sustainability measurement model was developed that is more comprehensive, objective and value‐oriented, constituting an attempt to shed light on these problems.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation is the fact that the proposed model does not provide any guidance to select the sustainability key issues for an organization to be integrated into its current performance measurement system. It mainly provides a very comprehensive set of sustainability issues and measures that could be used.

Originality/value

This paper sheds light on some sustainability measurement current challenges – lack of consensus of what should be measured and how – and sustainability embedment into daily activities. Academics will find it useful in their research efforts since it presents a broad review of sustainability concepts as well as an analysis of strengths and shortcomings of all and each sustainability initiative focused. Practitioners will also find it useful as a tool to better understand the sustainability concept, to start measuring sustainability performance, to integrate it in, as well as to evaluate, their current performance measurement systems.
Lemmings in the Casino: Metamorphoses of the Crises of Capitalist Accumulation ‐ Threats and 238 Opportunities of the Current Stage
Authors: Mraovic Branka
Published: July 2011

Following Braudel’s conceptualization of capitalism and Arrighi’s periodization of systemic cycles of accumulation, the authors focus on the patterns of recurrence of financial expansions enabling capitalism to revitalize itself through crisis; in this, crisis is considered in both aspects ‐ crisis‐as‐restructuring and crisis‐as‐rupture. The ways in whichfinance aided by the blocks of governmental and business agencies in the present stage affects investment and business cycles result in a progressive increase of inequality between rich and poor countries, as well as inequality within the most developed countries. The authors tackle the crisis phenomenon through a genealogical analysis of the formation, consolidation and disintegration of the successive regimes of accumulation on a world scale through which the capital economy expands. They furthermore examine the crisis of capitalist accumulation through the relation of money and the state, which leads them to the field of debates on the changed relationship between the global economy and the national state. However, the crisis is also marked by a milestone which, despite dangers and pitfalls, opens up endless possibilities. They end the paper with a critique of the politics of money and advocate a socially responsible finance management, which will pave the way for a structure of society in which humanity will exist as an end in itself, rather than as a resource for the accumulation of money.
Disclosure Regulation and Accounting Education in the UK: Moving Towards Corporate Accountability 252 and Transparency
Authors: Salama A. , Cathcart A. , Andrews M. , Hall R.
Published: July 2011

This paper was motivated by the current debate over the voluntary approach to environmental disclosures in corporate annual reports and assesses the effectiveness of the current policy of voluntarism in the UK. A brief review of the relevant theories, which explain why managers might choose to voluntarily provide environmental responsibility information to parties outside the organisation, is presented. With this background, the paper then questions whether the UK government’s faith in voluntarism and the pursuit of best practice will be enough to generate any real change in current environmental reporting practices. We argue that voluntarism is not effective and that there is an urgent need to introduce strict governmental regulations on the information that must be disclosed and the form in which it should be presented in corporate annual reports as have been established in several other countries. In addition, further consideration is needed to achieve reforms in academic accounting education in order to improve corporate accountability and transparency in corporate annual reports. Organisations need to respond to the growing demands for corporate social and environmental responsibility and this will be possible with the support of an accounting profession that takes a more proactive approach to engaging with stakeholders. For this to happen, we need to rethink the focus of accounting and business education. We must move away from the dominant model, which treats accountancy as a set of techniques, towards a more holistic approach which recognises the social and environmental impacts of organisational activity.
Think global, act local: Corporate Social Responsibility Management in Multinational Companies
Authors: Morand M. , Rayman‐Bacchus L.
Published: July 2011

This paper investigates corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy management in multinational companies (MNCs). The focus is on examining the relationship between subsidiaries and headquarters in the management of CSR, in terms of the commonplace notion of ‘think global, act local’. Primary and secondary data was collected in one MNC and a case study produced. The findings show that the initiative to launch a CSR policy is taken and enacted exclusively by the headquarters, mainly as an answer to the financial and legal pressure felt to accompany the present widespread interest in CSR. Findings are articulated around three major steps used to manage CSR initiatives: the determination of values, the integration of those values in action and the evaluation of the policy. Consistency of policy is driven from headquarters, through adoption of a corporate value framework, while the implementation is to some extent localised. Feedback from subsidiaries is collected and shared by the centre, which also seeks out synergies in pursuit of increased efficiency. Corporate structure is therefore linked to CSR management. Implementation is observed to comprise three parts: the headquarters seek to motivate local actions through reference to the company culture, through directive measures, and by pedagogic action. Pedagogy comes out as necessary in order for the CSR policy to permeate the entire organisation and initiate the right actions and reactions in the variety of situations encountered throughout the organisation. Constant scrutiny and evaluation are considered necessary in order to sustain the credibility of the policy in relation to external stakeholders.
Fragilitiy in Banking Sector and Public’s Role
Authors: Sönmezler Gökhan , Siriner Ismail
Published: July 2011

Low cost financing in establishing economical development is very important. At this point, financial intermediaries provide great contributions to economic development by eliminating asymetrical information problem between lender and borrower. It is possible to see capital market in anglo‐saxon countries and banking system in Europe and Japan mostly from historical dimension. However, long term financing is done through capital market in most developed countries at present. It is a common characteristic in countries such as Turkey, Chile and Mexico whose economies are financed by banking system. Singh and Weisse (1998), suggests that it is because of late industrialisation 1. Developing countries are generally those where there is less capital. Therefore attracting both internal and external savings into the banking system (for these countries) is very important from economical development point. At this point, powerful banks are preferred by the investors. Because the possibilty of failure is low (for these banks) 2. The most important factor that effects banks risk structure is public’s role. Because public can effect banks risk structure both at macro and micro level. Public’s influence on bank’s risk structure at macro economic level is due to general economical structure. If the general economic structure has high volatility and is away from consistency, this situation will increase the risk for banking sector. On the other hand, fiscal dominance is one of the main problems especially in developing countries. Fiscal dominance caused by lack of enough public revenue affects banking sector negatively. Thus, a goverment which can not prepare the macro economic environment where banks can function at high productivity will increase banks’ risks. In addition, banks require strict regulations and controlling as its structure is open to fraud. That these regulations are ignored or not prepared will lead to risk accumulation in the sector. It becomes a social responsibility of the state to take necessary cautions as these kinds of issues change a large cost on the society. Within this framework, the aim of our study is to examine public’s role on fragilities in banking sector. These examinations will be conducted for Turkey which experienced a collapse in banking sector in the recent period. In the first and second part of our study, public’s influence on the sector at macro and micro level will be examined. Experiences gained through Turkey example will be presented in the conclusion.