bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of service user involvement in research
Authors: Minogue Virginia , Boness Jean , Brown Ann , Girdlestone John
Published: May 2005

Purpose

There are many examples of consumer involvement in NHS research but few studies have examined the impact of this on service development or the research process. This study, involving service user and carer researchers working alongside professional researchers, aimed to examine the development of one service user and carer research group in a mental health Trust.

Dersign/methodology/approach

The research involved a review of existing literature on consumer involvement in research, a review of user involvement in research in South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, a survey of consumers and NHS staff in the Trust, and a skills audit and training needs analysis of consumers.

Findings

The study identified the range and extent of consumer involvement and the impact of this on consumers and the Trust. Service users and carers were involved in a range of projects, mainly on the level of consultation or collaboration. The benefits for consumers were principally on a personal level and included gaining knowledge and experience, improved sense of well‐being, self esteem, and confidence. The benefit for the Trust was in having a service user perspective and focus. However, there is a tendency to omit service users from planning and setting priorities.

Practical implications

The study pointed to the need to build the evidence base on consumer involvement in research, particularly in terms of how consumers can impact on setting research priorities and selecting appropriate methods. It identifies the need for more training for consumers and for NHS staff and for a more coherent strategy.

Originality/value

This article will be of value to anyone who is at the start or in the early stages of their journey of consumer involvement. It identifies some of the practical issues faced by consumers and staff in working collaboratively, but also points to the benefits for all the stakeholders.
Sampling for quality assurance of grading decisions in diabetic retinopathy screening
Authors: Slattery Jim
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To evaluate various designs for a quality assurance system to detect and control human errors in a national screening programme for diabetic retinopathy.

Design/methodology/approach

A computer simulation was performed of some possible ways of sampling the referral decisions made during grading and of different criteria for initiating more intensive QA investigations. The effectiveness of QA systems was assessed by the ability to detect a grader making occasional errors in referral.

Findings

Substantial QA sample sizes are needed to ensure against inappropriate failure to refer. Detection of a grader who failed to refer one in ten cases can be achieved with a probability of 0.58 using an annual sample size of 300 and 0.77 using a sample size of 500.

Originality/value

An unmasked verification of a sample of non‐referrals by a specialist is the most effective method of internal QA for the diabetic retinopathy screening programme. Preferential sampling of those with some degree of disease may improve the efficiency of the system.
Risk management strategies in physical therapy: documentation to avoid malpractice
Authors: Kolber Morey , Lucado Ann M.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This article aims to highlight the importance of a complete and accurate medical record as it pertains to potential risk exposure in the outpatient physical therapy profession.

Design/methodology/approach

Basic charting rules, correction and alteration recommendations, documentation of telephone conversations, informed consent, exculpatory release forms and incident reports are discussed. Basic risk management strategies are reviewed that may reduce outpatient physical therapy practitioners' malpractice exposure.

Findings

The authors contend that quality and thorough documentation is as important as the quality of the care that is delivered to patients, since medical records are legal documents and serve as valuable evidence as to what transpired between patients and the healthcare providers.

Originality/value

Practical documentation strategies are described in a manner that will inform physical therapists of their legal obligations relating to patient care.
Assessing performance of multi‐hospital organizations: a measurement approach
Authors: Yavas Ugur , Romanova Natalia
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to introduces a measure to assess the perceived effectiveness of multi‐hospital organizations (MOs).

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of top managers of non‐profit hospitals serves as the study setting. Data were collected via mail surveys. Usable responses were obtained from 189 hospitals. The measure was developed by considering the instrumentality and effect components of a set of relevant motives for joining an MO. During the course of the study, three alternative formulations were examined.

Findings

Results show that the measures based on effect alone and a multiplicative combination of effect and instrumentality demonstrate sound psychometric properties. The recommendation here is to adopt the latter measure.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to a particular sample. Replications among other samples are needed to validate the current findings. Also, because the exact content of the objective function of a hospital for joining an MO is not necessarily constant over time, there is a need to conduct similar studies on a periodic basis.

Practical implications

The measure recommended here uses multiplicative/weighted instrumentality and effect scores as opposed to only the instrumentality or effect scores. This makes it possible to go beyond the mere “why” or “how” questions. Simultaneous consideration of instrumentality and effect dimensions affords a richer and more relevant understanding.

Originality/value

Valid and reliable measures of performance are critical for both managerial and research purposes. The measure proposed in the current study could be used in structural equation models to investigate the effect of individual actions on performance and the impact of performance on other outcome measures (e.g. intentions to stay in an MO).
Headteachers’ reflections on primary headship from 1988‐2003: an exploratory study
Authors: Rutherford Desmond
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To explore the reflections of primary headteachers on a series of major policy initiatives introduced by successive Conservative and Labour governments from 1988 to 2003.

Design/methodology/method

The methodology is an interview‐based survey of six headteachers. The interviews were structured around the headteachers’ recollections of their headship during the period of Conservative government from 1988 to 1997 and, following the election of the Labour Government, from 1997 to 2003.

Findings

The headteachers’ reflections have changed from recalling a sense of excitement and anticipation immediately following the introduction of the 1988 Education Reform Act to ones of increasing disillusionment as the period of the Conservative Government drew to a close. However their expectations following the election of the Labour Government in 1977 were quickly dashed and followed by feelings of disappointment and, for some, of frustration.

Research limitations/implications

The small size of the sample is the major limitation but this opens up an agenda for future research.

Practical implications

The implications for government are to limit the number and scope of any new initiatives that schools are expected to implement and to ensure that these are properly funded.

Originality/value

The article presents an alternative view of headship that balances the overly optimistic impression that may be obtained from government and its agencies, leading to a deeper understanding of the realities of headship today.
Franchisor use of influence and conflict in a business format franchise system
Authors: Tikoo Surinder
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between a franchisor's use of different types of persuasive communication to influence its franchisees and franchisee perceptions of conflict in the franchise relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple regression analysis of survey data collected from franchisees of a US‐based franchise system.

Findings

Data analysis indicates that a franchisor's use of requests, threats, and legalistic pleas is positively related to conflict in the franchisor‐franchisee relationship. These relationships are not moderated by franchisee dependence. Franchisee dependence, does however, negatively moderate the relationship between the franchisor's use of recommendations and conflict. The franchisor's use of information exchange and promises and conflict are not related. The results suggest that business format franchisors should use information exchange and promises and restrain from using requests, threats, and legalistic pleas to influence their franchisees. Recommendations should be used to influence franchisees who are highly dependent on the franchisor.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should validate the findings of this study using data collected from business format franchisees in different cultural environments.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study to examine the relationship between a franchisor's use of different types of persuasive communication and conflict in the business format franchise setting.
Buying association and its impact on promotional utility
Authors: Borges Adilson , Cliquet Gérard , Fady André
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Even if a sales promotion attracts consumers to the store, the hi‐lo performance will be uncertain if these consumers buy only promoted categories. Retailers need to pay attention to avoid promoting categories that are frequently bought together in the same promotional action, or be faced with a strong redundancy effect. This paper proposes a method to decrease redundancy effect without reducing overall promotion utility (and store traffic).

Design/methodology/approach

Three conjoint analyses were carried out, two based on promotional assortments composed by real product categories, and one based on attribute description.

Findings

The results suggest that grocery stores can avoid redundancy effects by introducing categories with weak conjoint probabilities, resulting in a higher share of full priced products on the consumer baskets without reducing the global utility of the promotion.

Research limitations/implications

Real promotion contains large number of category/brands, and we strongly recommend further research on this.

Practical implications

Retailers can propose promotional actions that increase store traffic and develop the price image of the store. By managing buying association, retailers can create more profitable promotions.

Originality/value

The idea of building promotions that take into account the redundancy effect as well as measuring its impact on consumer promotional value and store image are the main value of this research.
Improving customer service performance within a food supplier‐retailers context
Authors: Theodoras Dimitrios , Laios Lambros , Moschuris Socrates
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a strategic approach to the improvement of customer service performance and apply it to a food supplier that distributes its products to food multiple retailers' stores (from now on, the term “retailers” instead of “food multiple retailers' stores” will be used to represent hypermarkets, supermarkets or neighbourhood stores).

Design/methodology/approach

To attain the performance's enhancement, the requirements are: the identification, evaluation and selection of customer service elements and the establishment of measures as well as performance standards. To identify service elements, previous research and the food supplier's as well as the retailers' viewpoints were taken into consideration. To evaluate service elements, 40 retailers were asked to rate the elements' importance and the two competitors' performance. The usable questionnaires were subjected to correlation analysis, paired‐samples t‐test and multiple ANOVA. To select the appropriate service elements, on which measures and performance standards would be established, positioning matrices were also formed.

Findings

With respect to sausage market in Greece, the analysis points out that the supplier should apply measures in the service elements order completeness, invoice error‐free, on‐time delivery, delivery of products without defects, efficient handling of returned products, informing about shortages in the orders, providing technical information and efficient handling of customers' requests. The performance should be improved in the first three elements and maintained as it is in the remaining five elements.

Originality/value

The study provides insight into the customer service elements which a supplier should measure and into which of them a supplier should improve its performance or maintain it. Moreover, the elements that constitute customer service in the Greek sausage sector are identified.
The influence of ethical trading policies on consumer apparel purchase decisions
Authors: Iwanow H. , McEachern M.G. , Jeffrey A.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To explore the extent to which consumers' ethical concerns impact upon apparel purchase decisions and highlight the value of The Gap's corporate code of conduct in meeting these concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

Face‐to‐face questionnaires were conducted with Scottish consumers in February 2003. Respondents were recruited from central shopping areas using a convenience sampling method.

Findings

Despite consumers possessing a high level of awareness of ethical issues, results reveal that factors such as price, quality and style have a greater influence on their apparel purchase behaviour than their concerns about the ethical practices of the supplier.

Research limitations/implications

As the study was exploratory in nature and consisted of Scottish consumers only, generalisations of the results should be approached with some caution.

Practical implications

Provides a useful insight into The Gap's corporate code of conduct and the extent to which such codes meet the ethical concerns of consumers in relation to their apparel purchasing decisions.

Originality/value

The emergence of the ethical consumer has been much discussed, particularly in relation to global food markets (e.g. food miles, fair trade, organics, etc.). However, little agreement exists surrounding the ethics of apparel production. This study aims to contribute to this research gap by exploring consumer influences upon the apparel purchase decision‐making process.
Supermarket access and consumer well‐being
Authors: Lavin Marilyn
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To extend the research stream that, in the UK and USA has linked supermarket access to consumer diet by focusing on Pathmark, a supermarket chain that operates in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the square footage allocated to fresh produce, fish, meats, snack foods, soft drinks and similar items in Pathmark's Harlem store, and the pricing and promotion of those various foods. It also reviews news accounts of the controversy leading to the selection of Pathmark as the operator of a second store in Harlem.

Findings

The allocation of space to nutritious foods and to those with minimal nutritional value as well as the pricing and promotion of those goods at the Pathmark Harlem store is similar to that of suburban supermarkets. The debate over the second supermarket in Harlem further shows that community leaders, food activists, and neighborhood residents recognize that large chain supermarkets may be uniquely positioned to improve access to healthy foods in lower‐income urban areas.

Research limitations/implications

The study examines only one chain in one US city.

Originality/value

The paper uses retail space allocation rather than self‐report data to consider the likely impact of the availability of nutritious foods on shoppers' diets. It also supports growing beliefs that large chains as well as small entrepreneurs may play important roles in urban regeneration.
From prescription to description: a critique and reorientation of service culture
Authors: Skålén Per , Strandvik Tore
Published: May 2005

Purpose

A fundamental aim of the service management discourse is the transformation of the culture of organisations to a culture of consistent and coherent service excellence. The aim of this paper is to analyse the possibility and plausibility of such changes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on data from a two‐and‐a‐half‐year study of the introduction of service management initiatives at the public hospital in the county of Värmland in Sweden. Interviews and participant observation are used to gather data. Sensemaking theory is adopted to evaluate the change of service culture.

Findings

It is concluded that the programme of service management reform studied here creates heterogeneous and conflicting cultures, rather than the culture of coherent and consistent service excellence that it was supposed to produce.

Research limitations/implications

The study suggests that a shift in focus from “prescription” to “description” is required in research into service culture.

Practical implications

Service organisations are multi‐faceted – thus rendering cultural engineering ineffective. The creation of shared meaning in a common, consistent, and coherent service culture is therefore not usually possible. Managers should concentrate on understanding the culture of their organisations, rather than attempting to change that culture.

Originality/value

The paper investigates an attempt to create service culture. Such a study has not been undertaken in previous research.
Customers’ expectations of service in Greek fitness centers
Authors: Afthinos Yanni , Theodorakis Nicholas D. , Nassis Pantelis
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Aims to identify the aspects of service delivery deemed most important by the users of Greek fitness centers and to examine whether their desires differ according to the type of fitness center they use as well as according to certain demographic and motivation patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on the QUESC instrument developed by Kim and Kim. A total of 346 individuals who were members of public and private fitness centers in Athens/Greece completed the questionnaires. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was conducted for each item of the instrument in order to examine whether different groups had different desires for service delivery. Where a difference between group means was identified, Duncan's multiple range tests were performed to determine which means were significantly different.

Findings

The aspects of service delivery desired more by sports centers users refer to the tangible elements of the facilities, the personnel attitudes and abilities, attributes related to the cost of participation and items related to the programming and scheduling of services provided. The findings also suggest that significant differences of desires exist between males and females as well as between users of public and private sports centers.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of the fitness centers was convenient rather than statistical. The reason was that there is no official agency in Greece with a complete list of fitness centers.

Practical implications

This paper is a useful source of information for fitness centers management to identify their customers’ wants, take action to improve service delivery, and establish standards of performance to address the identified customers’ needs.

Originality/value

This paper sought to address questions on the way certain demographic variables and patterns of use might affect sports centers’ users’ desires, so that an information package can be applied in making marketing decisions for improving sports centers service delivery.
A strategic service quality approach using analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Chua Chow Clare , Luk Peter
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The paper aims to develop a technique that considers competition using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) framework to measure service quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study adapted the AHP methodology to the measurement of service quality, involving five steps – referred to as “analytical hierarchy process for service quality” (“AHP‐SQ”). Subsequently, the authors demonstrate how the technique can be applied to the fast‐food restaurants.

Findings

The AHP‐SQ approach described in this study thus assists management to devise and maintain a relevant, competitive plan for ongoing improvements in service quality. Specifically, such analysis enables the following questions to be addressed: “How does the firm perform in terms of service quality in relation to its competitors?”; “Given the firm's resources, which service initiatives will enhance its service competitiveness?”; “Which service areas require immediate improvement?”; “How should the firm's service improvement be prioritized?”, and “What opportunities exist for service improvement in relation to the competition?”

Research limitations/implications

It would be important to consider the “right” dimensions of service quality that are relevant to the respective industry. It would also be essential to collect responses from customers who have utilized the services of the focal firm as well as its competitors in order to have an accurate opinion.

Practical implications

The framework proposed here allows management to address two main issues pertaining to its competitive advantage: establishing its performance ranking in the marketplace; and identifying the service elements that most require improvement.

Originality/value

The paper develops a cohesive approach to help managers identify which reliability, assurance, tangibles, empathy, responsiveness (RATER) service dimensions require attention to create a sustainable competitive advantage. It offers a “bigger picture” in service‐quality management.
Role of microfinance in disaster mitigation
Authors: Anand Kumar T.S. , Newport Jeyanth K.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

In the context of the Indian subcontinent, aims to examine the suitability of using microfinance for natural disaster risk reduction at the household and community level, and also of delivering it in the wake of a natural disaster.

Design/methodology/approach

Explains microfinance strategies comprising: diversifying income source; designing new loan products; risk management; sustainability of microfinance institutions post‐disaster; liquidity management post‐disaster, etc.

Findings

States that microfinance should be recognized as one of a series of measures within a disaster risk management strategy. Along with eco‐friendly farming it can help overcome poverty in developing countries.

Originality/value

Probably the first real attempt to explore the importance of microfinance interventions in natural disasters both at the personal level and generally.
A decision model for involvement in vulnerability reduction
Authors: Hellström Tomas
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To develop a decision model supporting employee involvement in industrial vulnerability reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

A synthesis review of some of the relevant extant literature on technological/industrial vulnerability, and their application within a normative decision‐making model (i.e. the “Vroom‐Yetton model”).

Findings

The insights on vulnerability drawn from the literature are highly amenable to a systematic decision‐making model for employee involvement. Various aspects of vulnerability, specifically with regard to substantial, social and temporal dimensions may be included in such a model.

Research limitations/implications

New insights about the context‐dependent aspects of vulnerability are offered by considering these within a contingency decision model. This suggests that vulnerability categories are not absolute, but have to be assessed in relation to a specific decision‐making framework.

Practical implications

The developed model provides a way of weighting various dimensions of vulnerability and making more appropriate decisions regarding leadership style in a range of circumstances.

Originality/value

While decision models exist for assessing risk in organizations, no contingency model for employee involvement in vulnerability assessment has been presented to date.
A mitigation strategy for the natural disaster of poverty in Bangladesh
Authors: Mclean S.N. , Moore D.R.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Aims to bring attention to the problems faced by rural Bangladeshis. Several objectives for the paper were identified. First, to illustrate that Bangladeshis suffer from acute levels of poverty, a lack of clean drinking water and regular flooding and cyclonic conditions. Second, to establish the failure of western “handout” aid provision to address these problems. Third, to evidence the possibilities for the production of more durable building materials utilising regionally available waste materials and proven solar technologies. Finally, to present strategies in which solar technologies could contribute to the reduction of poverty and improvements in health standards.

Design/methodology/approach

The ongoing development and testing of the innovative solar technology concepts reported in the paper were informed by a literature review covering solar cookers and solar kilns. The methodology and detail of the testing of that solar technology is currently considered commercially sensitive. With regard to the poverty alleviation strategies proposed within the paper, their development was underpinned by a methodology combining a thorough review of the relevant literature with input from practitioners in Bangladesh.

Findings

Utilising aid moneys for the establishment of solar technology‐based small‐scale production of vernacular building materials could address poverty by affording access to wealth‐generating activities in the sale of goods and clean drinking water from rainwater harvesting. Additionally, such activities would enable Bangladeshi society to be better able to withstand and then recover from natural disasters, by possessing more resistant shelters, and being more economically resilient.

Research limitations/implications

The experimental component of the research is ongoing and considered commercially sensitive. No limitations have thus far been identified within this component. The implications of the research regarding solar technologies are potentially considerable in that the innovative approach under examination, if underpinned by positive results, represents a new area of activity and has both social and technical implications.

Practical implications

Current aid is not significantly alleviating the problems experienced by Bangladeshis resulting from poverty, arsenic contamination of deep water aquifers and regular flooding. The technology and strategies proposed address the fact that the current vernacular shelters provide little resistance to flooding, and are unsuitable for rainwater harvesting, whilst also allowing participation in wealth‐generating activities. Such a combination has the potential to reverse the trend for Bangladesh to increasingly rely on “hand‐out” aid.

Originality/value

The value of the paper is largely in the area of bringing new possibilities to the attention of the research and practitioner communities dealing with both solar technologies and developing world poverty alleviation.
How the balanced scorecard complements the McKinsey 7‐S model
Authors: Kaplan Robert S.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This article shows how the McKinsey 7‐S model and the balanced scorecard (BSC) model complement each other.

Design/methodology/approach

The developer of the widely used BSC model analyzes and compares the features and functions of the two models.

Findings

One can view the BSC as the contemporary manifestation of the 7‐S model, helping to explain its popularity as a practical and effective tool for aligning all the organizational variables and processes that lead to successful strategy execution.

Research limitations/implications

There is no data on the financial impact of the BSC mdel on the companies that have adopted it.

Practical implications

The author suggests that the BSC is not only fully consistent with the 7‐S framework, but can also enhance it in use.

Originality/value

This the first article to compare the characteristics and functionality of the McKinsey 7‐S model and the BSC model.
Philosophies in entrepreneurship: a focus on economic theories
Authors: Pittaway Luke
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To analyse the philosophies underlying economic studies in entrepreneurship and to explain how they contribute to the understanding of entrepreneurial behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of historical studies is reviewed that examine entrepreneurship from an economic perspective. A framework of social science research paradigms is used to categorise these approaches according to their philosophical assumptions.

Findings

The paper finds that certain philosophies can harm the development of theory and that study using a wider range could help improve the value of research.

Originality/value

This paper fills an identified gap in philosophical discussions by exploring the economic theories. In doing so, it provides a structured approach to understanding some of the differences that underlie economic policy supporting the promotion of enterprise.
Understanding the processes that facilitate and hinder efforts to advance women in organizations
Authors: Kottke Janet L. , Agars Mark D.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Aims to look at the way women in Western industrialized countries have made significant career advancements but barriers remain which necessitate organizational intervention. A number of initiatives that have commonly been introduced to help women in their career development have produced only modest gains in women's advancement.

Design/methodology/approach

Argues that four basic underlying processes – social cognitions, justice, threat, and utility – must be considered and managed as part of the development, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives targeting women's career advancement, if such initiatives are to have their desired impact. These underlying processes and their implications are presented with recommendations for organizational leaders and human resource professionals.

Findings

The goal of women's advancement is both noble and vital to long‐term organizational success, and initiatives to further the cause are needed. These goals are not, however, without their obstacles. By understanding how social cognitions, perceptions of fairness, threat, and utility can individually and collectively impact the success or failure of programs to advance women, organizational leaders can develop and implement informed practices that are embraced by all members of the organization and which, consequently, further the advancement of all organizational members.

Originality/value

The article focuses on the key underlying processes that are believed to be critical for understanding the barriers to women's career advancement, but it is necessary to note that, as with any organizational initiative, there are other organizational factors that must be considered, such as top management support, and the history of the organization with regard to gender.
Factors related to the career satisfaction of older managerial and professional women
Authors: Armstrong‐Stassen Marjorie , Cameron Sheila
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The labour force participation of older women has increased substantially in Canada. This study aims to examine the factors that are important to the career satisfaction of older managerial and professional women.

Design/methodology/approach

Managerial and professional women aged 50 and above completed a questionnaire assessing their career satisfaction, individual characteristics and organization‐related factors.

Findings

For managerial women, the significant predictors of career satisfaction were perceived as organizational support, job content plateauing, and health status. For professional women, the significant predictors of career satisfaction were perceived efforts by their organization to retain its older managerial and professional employees and job content plateauing.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a small sample and the respondents were primarily employed in the public sector. Further research is needed using larger samples and a better representation from the private sector. Researchers also need to identify other factors that influence the career satisfaction of older managerial and professional women.

Practical implications

The career satisfaction of older managerial and professional women is heightened when they are challenged by their job and have an opportunity to learn and grow in their job. Beyond this, enhancing the career satisfaction of older managerial and professional women will require different approaches tailored specifically to each group.

Originality/value

Very little is known about the career‐related issues that are of special concern to older managerial and professional women. This study provides some insight into the differences between older managerial and professional women and the factors that contribute to their career satisfaction.
Generation X women in high technology
Authors: Feyerherm Ann , Vick Yvonne H.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Seeks to undertake research of Generation X women in high technology in order to determine what type of corporate environment would support their needs for professional success, personal fulfillment, and sustain longer‐term employment.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study looked at high‐potential Generation X women (born between 1965‐1980) within the high‐technology industry and explored their relationship with work which means how they interact with bosses, peers, subordinates, and the corporate culture.

Findings

The study found that, for Generation X women, personal fulfillment was intrinsically connected to professional success, and that they wanted support from their companies in terms of mentors for guidance and development, opportunities to excel, recognition for efforts, relationships, and flexibility to achieve work/life balance.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size was small and, while the research applies to the high‐technology industry, care would need to be taken in wholesale application to all industries. The way Generation X women perceive the importance of work/life balance carries implications for corporations in terms of training, development, promotional practices and corporate culture.

Originality/value

If companies can provide a cultural environment to support attainment of professional success and personal fulfillment as defined by these women, it may provide a link to longer‐term employment, reduced employee turnover, and improved bottom line corporate performance.
Advancing the careers of women with children
Authors: Metz Isabel
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This study aims to assess whether differences exist in the barriers reported by, and in the person‐ and situation‐centred factors related to the managerial advancement of, women with and without children. The study also seeks to examine whether having children influences women's advancement, by affecting person‐situation factors such as training and development or work hours.

Design/methodology/approach

A confidential, voluntary survey was mailed to 1,183 female staff who held from non‐manager to executive positions in the banking industry. The response rate was 65.23 per cent or 848 respondents, of whom 209 (24.6 per cent) had children and 639 (75.4 per cent) did not.

Findings

The survey results indicate that, although the links and barriers to the advancement of mothers and non‐mothers are similar, important differences exist. Specifically, internal networks are negatively related to the advancement of women with children, but unrelated to the advancement of women without children. In addition, having children weakens the relationship between work hours and managerial advancement.

Research limitations/implications

This is a cross‐sectional study that included women currently in the workforce. Future research needs to include women who have left their organisations and needs to examine causal effects. The interaction of marital status and children should also be examined in future research, because marital status may not be a barrier to advancement for women but being a single mother might be.

Originality/value

The results provide some support for the belief that mothers experience additional barriers to advancement when compared with women without children.
Senior women managers’ transition to entrepreneurship
Authors: Terjesen Siri
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the phenomenon of senior women managers leaving corporate organisations to start their own companies. Women's advancement to senior management roles is facilitated by the acquisition of human capital and social capital. Female ex‐corporate managers leverage personal accumulations of knowledge, skills, relationships and networks when starting and growing new ventures. A conceptual framework of “embedded career capital” accrued during past experiences and transferable to the individuals’ new entrepreneurial ventures is put forward.

Design/methodology/approach

Structured, in‐depth interviews with ten female entrepreneurs who recently left senior management positions in large UK corporations to start their own ventures support a spectrum from embedded career capital which is transferable and value‐creating to embodied career capital consisting of immobile, non‐rent‐generating accumulations.

Findings

Senior women managers leverage “embedded career capital”, human capital and social capital accumulated from past experiences, when founding and growing their own businesses. Embedded career capital is mobile and value‐generating to the women's new start‐ups. In contrast, embodied capital is not capable of generating rents outside the arena in which it was developed and not transferable to the new venture.

Research limitations/implications

This exploratory study is based on ten interviews, and reveals practical implications for both senior women managers eager to advance their careers as entrepreneurs and companies keen to retain these women.

Originality/value

The results provide support for the new concept of embedded career capital. This paper is one of the first to examine how women account for the use of human capital and social capital in the transition from corporate management to own ventures.
Development of measures of individual leadership for health promotion
Authors: Anderson Donna , Plotnikoff Ronald C. , Raine Kim , Barrett Linda
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This purpose of this research was to develop and establish psychometric properties of scales measuring individual leadership for health promotion.

Design/methodology/approach

Scales to measure leadership in health promotion were drafted based on capacity assessment instruments developed by other provinces involved in the Canadian Heart Health Initiative (CHHI), and on the literature. Content validity was established through a series of focus groups and expert opinion appraisals and pilot testing. Psychometric analyses provided empirical evidence of the construct validity and reliability of the leadership scales in the baseline survey (n=144) of the Alberta Heart Health Project.

Findings

Principal component analysis verified the construct of the leadership scales of personal work‐related practices and satisfaction with work‐related practices. Each of the theoretically a priori determined scales factored into two scales each for a total of four final scales. Scale alpha coefficients (Cronbach's alpha) ranged between 0.71 and 0.78, thus establishing good scale internal consistencies.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the relatively small sample size used in determining psychometric properties. In addition, further qualitative work would enhance understanding of the complexity of leadership in health organizations. These measures can be used by both researchers and practitioners for the assessment leadership for health promotion and to tailor interventions to increase leadership for health promotion in health organizations.

Originality/value

Establishing the psychometric properties and quality of leadership measures is an innovative step toward achieving capacity assessment instruments which facilitate evaluation of key relationships in developing health sector capacity for health promotion.
Cross‐industry differences in SME financing behaviour
Authors: Johnsen Pal C. , McMahon Richard G.P.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Aims to ascertain the extent to which industry appears to influence the financing behaviour of a sample of Australian small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs data for several thousand SMEs taken from the Australian federal government's Business Longitudinal Survey undertaken over four financial years from 1994‐1995 to 1997‐1998. The principal analytical technique employed is logistic regression modelling with various financial structure measures as dependent variables, and with industry as the independent variable of central interest.

Findings

The research findings reported in the paper provide substantial empirical evidence that cross‐industry differences in financing behaviour do exist even after controlling for other relevant influences on SME financing choices such as enterprise size, business age, profitability, growth, asset structure and risk. The key finding is that industry does not simply proxy for one or more of these other factors, but is an important influence in its own right.

Research limitations/implications

There are evidently effects arising from the fundamental nature of industries that require better understanding before a reliable prescriptive position on SME financing can be reached. What these effects are cannot really be ascertained using the research data and methods employed in this study, which give a relatively superficial perspective on the matter. A need for more in‐depth qualitative investigation is indicated.

Originality/value

The main implication of this research for scholars and policy‐makers concerned with SMEs is clearly the need to regard industry as an important independent influence on financing behaviour.
Business angels as facilitators for further finance: an exploratory study
Authors: Sørheim Roger
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The main aim of this article is to widen one's understanding of the value‐added contributions of business angels and, more specifically, their role as facilitators for further finance.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is based on in‐depth case studies of five experienced business angels. Data were collected by using a loosely structured interview guide which focused on the investment process.

Findings

Business angels add value besides the initial financial capital offered, typically in the form of strategic advice and networking. However, previous research has to a small extent examined the role of business angels as facilitators for further finance. The empirical findings in this study indicate that experienced business angels play a key role in order to facilitate further finance. Furthermore, entrepreneurs should bear in mind that the previous track record of the business angel strongly affects if and how they can facilitate further finance. Thus, active business angels can be viewed as a part of the entrepreneurial team, hence reducing the “liability of newness” for the entrepreneurial firm.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should continue to examine business angels by using insight from social capital theory. Moreover, by using larger samples the findings from this exploratory study can be tested, thus getting more reliable results to extend one's knowledge about how business angels act as facilitators for further finance.

Originality/value

This study suggests that concepts from social capital theory seem to be viable when examining how business angels work when they are securing further finance for their portfolio firms.
The benefits of external support to SMEs
Authors: Ramsden M. , Bennett R.J.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Aims to provide an assessment of the role of external business advice for small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), comparing “soft” outcomes (improved ability to manage, ability to cope), “hard” outcomes (profitability, turnover, reduced costs), and overall satisfaction levels.

Design/methodology/approach

A telephone survey using a stratified random sample frame provides a representative sample that allows comparison of the benefits of advice to SMEs in different size categories.

Findings

The paper demonstrates a large and varied supply of advice with no evidence of reluctance by owners/managers to seek advice. “Hard” and “soft” outcomes tend to be combined for many SMEs, but the widest effects of external advice seem to be intangible, such as reassurance or reducing uncertainty. There is less variation between SMEs of different size than expected, but strong variation between types of external suppliers of advice. The level of regulation of suppliers and extent of their reputation or brand appear to have positive association with the level of their use, impact and satisfaction levels. Public sector advisers have special difficulties of managing quality and better relating marketing to what they can reliably deliver.

Originality/value

The research provides to researchers a better understanding of the form of intangible benefits that businesses receive from advice, and how these interrelate with “hard” benefits of reduced costs and increased profits. Private sector advisers need to note the interaction between feelings‐based and “hard” outcomes. Public sector advisers need significantly to improve their consistency and better relate marketing to their capacity to deliver.