bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Damaged airplane flight envelope and stability evaluation
Authors: Asadi Davood , Sabzehparvar Mahdi , Talebi Heidar Ali
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Understanding the performance and flight envelope of a damaged aircraft is a preliminary requirement to recover the aircraft after damage. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of wing damage effect on airplane performance, local stability, and flying quality of each trim state inside the achievable flight envelope.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper demonstrates the use of attainable equilibrium points which are referred as trim states in order to estimate a damaged airplane manoeuvring flight envelope using a numerical computation method.

Findings

Wing damaged airplane manoeuvring flight envelope is estimated for different portions of the wing tip loss. Local stability at each trim condition inside the estimated flight envelope is analysed, and also motion flight modes and flying quality sensitivity to the wing damage are explored.

Originality/value

Local stability and flying quality analysis at each trim condition inside the flight envelope which demonstrate the effect of damage provides a criterion to prioritize the choice of trimmed flight condition as motion primitives for the airplane post‐damage flight and safe landing.
Effect of power on PPT discharge current
Authors: Rezaeiha Abdolrahim
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of power on pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) discharge current with respect to its peak, duration, and behavior while the power elevates in a low power range.

Design/methodology/approach

A rectangular parallel‐plate breech‐fed PPT has been developed with a self‐inductor coupling element connecting the PPT cathode to the ignitor plug cathode. The PPT has been operated in vacuum chamber at 10−6 mbar and its discharge current has been recorded using a Rogowski coil while input power has been changed by means of varying the capacitor voltage at given capacitance and frequency.

Findings

The analysis leads to elucidate the effects of input power on discharge current of a PPT employing a self‐inductor coupling element. The power varies within a range of less than 10 to more than 50 W. The results show that current peak rises from 5 to 10 kA while discharge duration and behavior seems to be independent of power within the operating range. Additionally, utilization of the coupling element seems to change the typical oscillating behavior of PPT discharge to a more efficient behavior.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is mainly focused on breech‐fed PPTs while employing a coupling element.

Originality/value

The paper analyzes the influence of power on discharge current of a PPT employing a self‐inductor coupling element. It clarifies the behavior of current peak, duration and behavior while power varies in a low power range. The effect of coupling element is shown to be promising. The results can be a help in design of μPPTs.
Shop‐floor communication and process management for quality performance
Authors: Zeng Jing , Chi Anh Phan , Matsui Yoshiki
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This study empirically examines the effect of shop‐floor communication on implementation effectiveness of process management practices, and on the corresponding quality performance gained through process management implementation. It deals with four types of communication on the shop floor (small group problem solving, feedback, instructive communication, supervisory interaction facilitation) and three process management practices (process control, preventive maintenance, housekeeping).

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression techniques were used to test the hypothesized relationships. Data were collected from 238 manufacturing plants through a questionnaire survey conducted in eight countries to develop reliable and valid measurement scales for operations management.

Findings

The statistical results demonstrate the positive effect of shop‐floor communication on the implementation of process management practices and the resultant quality performance. The results also suggest that each type of shop‐floor communication differently affects the way in which process management practices are implemented to influence quality performance.

Originality/value

Although the existing literature of quality management highlights the importance of communication and information management for the successful implementation of quality management, little detailed study has been conducted on how specific types of communication support quality management practices to obtain quality performance. This study contributes to the literature by breaking down communication into four types and providing specific empirical evidence on the relationship between each type of communication, process management practices, and quality performance.
Immigrants and welfare receipt in Ireland
Authors: Barrett Alan , Joyce Corona , Maître Bertrand
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the rates of receipt of welfare for immigrants and natives in Ireland, to see if the outcome is consistent with the operation of a policy which was designed to limit immigrant access to welfare.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use micro‐data from the Irish component European Union Survey on Income and Living Conditions for 2008, also published data on the numbers of people claiming unemployment related payments in Ireland. Descriptive statistics and results from probit regressions are presented.

Findings

The analysis generally shows that in the years preceding the recession, immigrants were less likely to be in receipt of welfare payments, whether one looks at adjusted or unadjusted data. The recession, and the consequent job losses among immigrants, gave rise to a possible surge in the numbers of immigrants receiving welfare benefits. While this seemed to happen at the outset of the recession, the more recent trends in the numbers receiving payments would suggest that the numbers of non‐nationals stabilised, even as the number of nationals claiming payments continued to rise.

Research limitations/implications

As the data used do not give an indication of the length of time an immigrant has been in Ireland, the authors are unable to assess whether the observed patterns change with length of stay.

Social implications

The results suggest that Ireland's policy of limiting access to welfare for immigrants has been successful in its primary goal.

Originality/value

No other papers have considered the issue of immigrant welfare receipt in Ireland in the context of the massive migratory inflow after EU expansion in 2004.
The development of managerial skills in MBA programs
Authors: Varela Otmar , Burke Michael , Michel Norbet
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Business schools have been under fire for their alleged inefficacy in developing students’ managerial skills in MBA programs. On the basis of extant learning theories, the purpose of this paper is to propose a reconsideration of learning goals and assessment procedures for managerial skill development within MBA education.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review the literatures on stage, experiential, social, and action learning theories to identify pedagogical suggestions for optimal skill development and to highlight the constraints program administrators and teachers face in efforts to advance students’ acquisition of complex managerial skills in MBA classrooms.

Findings

Conceptually, the authors argue that an emphasis on mastering complex managerial skills – as an expected learning outcome – might be an overly ambitious goal that can lead to neglecting early attainments in skill acquisition and create false impressions of MBA program failure. Furthermore, the authors discuss how MBA programs could consider the use of newer evaluation procedures for evaluating skill development.

Originality/value

The paper calls for greater attention to intermediate stages of managerial skill development for establishing learning goals, the consideration of knowledge structures for assessing the degree of skill development, and a focus on managerial skill development as a life‐long process.
Robustness analysis of urban transit network based on complex networks theory
Authors: Zou Zhiyun , Xiao Yao , Gao Jianzhi
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to realize the optimization of cascading failure process of urban transit network based on Load‐Capacity model, for better evaluating and improving the operation of transit network.

Design/methodology/approach

Robustness is an essential index of stability performance for urban transit systems. In this paper, firstly, the static robustness of transit networks is analyzed based on the complex networks theory. Aiming at random and intentional attack, a concrete algorithm process is proposed on the basis of Dijstra algorithm. Then, the dynamic robustness of the networks, namely cascading failure, is analyzed, and the algorithm process is presented based on the Load‐Capacity model. Finally, the space‐of‐stations is adopted to build the network topology of Foshan transit network, and then the simulation analyses of static and dynamic robustness are realized.

Findings

Results show that transit network is robust to random attack when considering static robustness, but somewhat vulnerable to intentional attack. For dynamic robustness analysis, a large‐scale cascade of transit network may be triggered when the tolerance parameter α is less than a value, so that the robustness of transit network can be improved through some reasonable measures.

Practice implications

The results of this study provide useful information for urban transit network robustness optimization.

Originality/value

An effective method for analyzing the static and dynamic robustness of transit network is provided in this paper.
Design and optimization of key control characteristics based on improved fruit fly optimization algorithm
Authors: Xing Yanfeng
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The key control characteristics (KCCs) are very important to control dimensional quality of the final product. The purpose of this paper is to propose optimization algorithm and rules of design KCCs by optimizing KCCs of 2D and 3D workpieces based on equations and candidate locating points.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes optimization process of 2D and 3D rectangle workpieces based on equations and candidate locating points by using fruit fly optimization algorithm (FOA). For decreasing variables of the algorithm, the improved fruit fly optimization algorithm (IFOA) is presented. Moreover, the Euclidean norm of inverse Jacobian is used as the objective function of optimizing KCCs by comparing different objective functions. Finally, a case of side frame assembly is presented to illustrate design and optimization of KCCs through IFOA, and results show that the method proposed in this paper is efficient and precise.

Findings

The paper provides some reasonable conclusions for the design and optimization of KCCs.

Originality/value

This paper designs and optimizes KCCs of fixtures and parts to improve dimensional quality of the final product.
Multi‐objective linear programming with interval coefficients
Authors: Hossein Razavi Hajiagha Seyed , Amoozad Mahdiraji Hannan , Sadat Hashemi Shide
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend a methodology for solving multi‐objective linear programming (MOLP) problems, when the objective functions and constraints coefficients are stated as interval numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach proposed in this paper for the considered problem is based on the maximization of the sum of membership degrees which are defined for each objective of multi objective problem. These membership degrees are constructed based on the deviation from optimal solutions of individual objectives. Then, the final model based on membership degrees is itself an interval linear programming which can be solved by current methods.

Findings

The efficiency of the solutions obtained by the proposed method is proved. It is shown that the obtained solution by the proposed method for an interval multi objective problem is Pareto optimal.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed method can be used in modeling and analyzing of uncertain systems which are modeled in the context of multi objective problems and in which required information is ill defined.

Originality/value

The paper proposed a novel and well‐defined algorithm to solve the considered problem.
Keypoint based automatic image orientation and skew investigation on tie points
Authors: Altuntas Cihan
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The relative orientation (RO) is an important step on photogrammetric processes of stereoscopic images. The relationship between the stereoscopic images is constructed by tie (conjugate) points. Many automatic tie point selection methods have been introduced by photogrammetry community so far. The scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) and speeded‐up robust features (SURF) are frequently used for automatic tie point selection from stereoscopic images. However, any research has been performed related to RO errors (y‐parallaxes) on SIFT and SURF extracted tie points. The purpose of this paper is to compute errors on tie points and investigate their distributions on the model area in terms of size.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental studies were performed on an historical building as it enables more tie points for investigation. While a couple of the stereoscopic images include rich details, the other has poor details. The image orientation and tie point selection accuracy were evaluated by root mean square and y‐parallaxes, respectively. The relationship between y‐parallaxes of tie points and their distances from centre of the images were investigated.

Findings

SIFT and SURF have a large number of tie points according to manual method. The y‐parallaxes on tie points have uniform distribution for two methods. There are relations between the precision of the SIFT and SURF keypoints and their distances from the centre of the image. Moreover, the accuracy of the RO and size of the y‐parallaxes on tie points depend on matching accuracy of the keypoints. Furthermore, although there are a few tie points that have large y‐parallax especially by the SURF, RO could be performed with high accuracy thanks to numerous tie points.

Originality/value

Stereoscopic images of close‐range photogrammetry have different scale and rotations, unlike aerial photogrammetry. Manual selection of tie points is time consuming and tedious. Furthermore, if the measurement surface has no implicit entities, enough tie points from the images cannot be selected by manually. However, tie point selection can be performed by SIFT and SURF automatically, even if there are scale, noise and rotation between the images.
Human resource integration in subsidiary mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Łupina‐Wegener Anna A.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on challenges faced in human resource (HR) integration in subsidiary mergers of western corporations in Poland. The paper seeks to investigate the central themes in HR integration in terms of the role of the HR function and the implications for the local workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative method research design was adopted with semi‐structured formal and informal interviews, participant observation, and secondary/primary data analysis.

Findings

Findings provide insights into the challenges of integrating the subsidiaries of western corporations based in transition economies and why problems might emerge from the collaboration between local and foreign managers. Specifically, the analysis suggests that a success of the HR integration might be particularly at stake in circumstances of a low HR power in a subsidiary and a low multiculturalism of the foreign investor.

Research limitations/implications

The main study limitation concerns the fact that investigations concerned perspectives of local managers. It would be interesting in future research to observe the HR processes as perceived by both local executives and foreign parent decision‐makers.

Practical implications

The paper's findings may help managers and change agents to understand the specific challenges to HR integration of subsidiary mergers.

Originality/value

The results shed light on HR integration in subsidiaries of corporations from western economies based in emerging or developing regions. Specifically, in circumstances of a low HR power in a subsidiary and a low multiculturalism of the foreign investor, officially proclaimed friendly mergers may turn to hostile takeovers and drastic changes risk implemention without a clear understanding of the local context. Then, HR integration risks having a dysfunctional impact on the workforce and consequently, failing to deliver expected synergies and, in the long‐term, cause M&As failure.
Qualitative research methods in international organizational change research
Authors: Garcia Dominie , Gluesing Julia C.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The central purpose of the research presented in this paper is to synthesize the current state of the field in qualitative methods in international organizational change research and to provide a call to researchers to use this type of methodology more frequently. The intent is to provide readers with an overview of how and when qualitative research methods should be used for investigating important theoretical and empirical questions in management research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed several working hypotheses based on their own experiences in using an extensive array of qualitative methods in organizational change research. They coupled this with an extensive literature search to understand how these methodologies have been used to date. The findings from the literature search were analysed to uncover where there are gaps in the work and how organizational change and other management scholars can effectively use qualitative methods to advance their understanding of international change phenomena, given the unique questions and situations confronted in various contexts. The authors include an array of examples to show how qualitative research has been used to successfully test theories, uncover new phenomena, find connections between various situations, and provide a deep understanding of contextual influences on organizational change.

Findings

The authors' findings include several examples and ideas of how and when scholars can use qualitative methods to advance understanding of international change phenomena. This provides a much richer, deeper, and more nuanced understanding of many of the phenomena and issues under investigation by employing the more observational and human‐centric techniques available through the use of qualitative methods. Several of the implications of context are only observable through some of the qualitative methods discussed, such as ethnography, case studies, interviews, observations, and their respective analysis methods. Qualitative research can be employed successfully and fruitfully in organization studies' contexts to: help uncover new organizational phenomena; build and test theories of change; and create new methods that researchers can use specifically in international change studies.

Originality/value

The paper is the only one of its kind, bringing a cohesive and focused review of qualitative methods studies in international organizational change research. It provides readers and the field with a menu of ways to effectively use qualitative methods and a description of where and how to bring in these methods to answer questions and uncover new themes that are not effectively dealt with through the use of more commonly employed quantitative methods and analyses.
Impacts of learning orientation on product innovation performance
Authors: Calisir Fethi , Altin Gumussoy Cigdem , Guzelsoy Ezgi
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The present study aims to examine the effect of learning orientation (commitment to learning, shared vision, open‐mindedness) on the product innovation performance (product innovation efficacy and efficiency) of companies in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural equation‐modeling approach was applied to identify the variables that significantly affected the product innovation performance. Using LISREL 8.54, the data collected from 150 companies were used to test the proposed research model.

Findings

Empirical testing of the research model revealed that open‐mindedness was the sole predictor of product innovation efficacy as well as efficiency. However, the effects of shared vision and commitment to learning on the product innovation performance were found to be insignificant.

Practical implications

Relevant implications are provided for management as to how to improve product innovation performance.

Originality/value

The present study puts forward a theoretical model that identifies and explains the relation between the learning orientation and product innovation performance of companies operating in Turkey.
Social business: an opportunity to transform work and create value
Authors: Korsten Peter J. , Lesser Eric , Cortada James W.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This is a report on an IBM Institute for Business Value study, based on responses from more than 1,100 individuals and interviews with more than two dozen executives from leading organizations, that aims to suggest ways organizations can use social approaches to create meaningful business value.

Design/methodology/approach

IBM conducted interviews of key executives of companies learning to embed their external social tools into core business processes and capabilities.

Findings

The paper reveals that leading firms are using social approaches not only to communicate better with their customers, but also to share knowledge with their suppliers, business partners and, perhaps most important, their employees.

Practical implications

Social business tools facilitate engagement in extensive discussions with employees, customers, business partners and other stakeholders and allow sharing of resources, skills and knowledge to drive business outcomes. Executives are concerned because social business represents a different way of thinking about employees, customers and how work is accomplished, as well as the potential risks of increased organizational openness and transparency.

Originality/value

Leading firms are rapidly progressing to a substantive transformation in how they work, an approached called social business. Social business can create valued customer experiences, increase workforce productivity and effectiveness and accelerate innovation.
A continuous‐learning process that updates and enhances planning scenarios
Authors: Harris Gerald
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to describe how, during the period after the scenarios have been sketched out but before the company leadership reaches the strategy‐development or investment‐decision stage, a continuous learning process can help planners and senior decision‐makers identify and track the unfolding events that are most relevant to the challenges and big issues facing their organization.

Design/methodology/approach

In the case example, a web‐connected Event, Pattern, Structure (EPS) tool allows all members of a multi‐stakeholder Scenario Planning Steering Group, as well as invited experts, to submit news articles, conference reports, research, scholarly articles and other published information into a database that is organized with links to four scenarios and their driving forces.

Findings

As the case demonstrates, an ongoing EPS process related to the scenarios and key drivers can support strategic monitoring of the business environment with the scenarios serving an organizing structure.

Practical implications

This continuous learning tool is particularly useful for companies that develop scenarios that evolve over long periods of time, a practice that is usually determined by the investment window or marketing cycle of an organization.

Originality/value

Research collected in the EPS system can be used to watch for developments that portend operating‐environment changes. Planners can generate early indicators that signal whether a particular scenario or trends within a scenario are emerging.
Aftermath of the VAT fraud on carbon emissions markets
Authors: Frunza Marius‐Cristian
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to recognize the effect of the VAT fraud upon the market prices and to assess the occurrence of money laundering on the carbon emissions market. The paper presents an analytic breakdown of the MTIC pocketed funds and estimates the bearish impact of the VAT trade on the carbon prices. The VAT carousel could also be used for all the steps of money laundering given the lack of control and surveillance of various trading firms.

Design/methodology/approach

In a previous work by Frunza and Guégan it was shown that the European carbon market is strongly influenced by fundamentals factors such as oil, energy, gas, coal and equities. Using public market prices and volumes for both futures and spot exchanges, the model allows us to assess and quantify the spread between the observed carbon prices and the theoretical fundamental prices. The dataset analysis reveals that the spot volumes remained abnormally high compared to an empirical economic level, even after the end of the VAT fraud on the organised exchange. These abnormal volumes could be explained by the occurrence of speculative trading linked to the money laundering.

Findings

Findings present an analytic breakdown of the MTIC pocketed funds and a bearish impact of 2‐3 euros upon the carbon prices. The paper also explains the origin of a relative persistence of high volumes on the spot market by proposing a model of placement, layering and integration steps on the carbon emissions market, similar to the VAT carousel.

Originality/value

This paper is the first study that quantifies the market manipulation effect due to VAT fraud. The work is also unique as it provides the first estimation of money laundered on the carbon emission market.
Influences of relationship transparency from intellectual capital reporting on supply chain partnerships with suppliers: a field experiment
Authors: Su Hwan‐Yann , Fang Shih‐Chieh , Young Chaur‐Shiuh
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the intellectual capital (IC) information needed to enable relationship transparency and the influences of relationship transparency on supply chain partnerships.

Design/methodology/approach

A field experiment research design is adopted to examine whether IC information facilitates relationship transparency with partners in the supply chain of a focal firm and contributes to supply chain partnership enhancement.

Findings

This study identifies an IC transparency framework consisting of two components – the transparency of important business characteristics and the transparency of relationship atmosphere – for guiding the provision of IC information and enabling relationship transparency. The provision of the focal firm's IC information to partners in its supply chain significantly increases partner's trust, satisfaction and commitment towards their relationships. Thus the results suggest that relationship transparency derived from IC transparency enhances supply chain partnerships. Relationship transparency facilitates the focal firm to develop and integrate its supply chain through improved understanding pertaining to itself and its relationships with partners in its supply chain. Thus, this transparency of the focal firm with partners constitutes a flexible and attainable alternative to managing the relationships for its supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

This study suggests that the field experiment research design allows researchers to effectively observe IC transparency's influences on supply chain partnership enhancement.

Practical implications

For firms increasingly interconnected with supply chain models of competition, this study proposes a practical IC transparency framework specific for guiding the provision of IC information to enable relationship transparency and enhance supply chain partnerships.

Originality/value

This study combines limited research on relationship transparency with IC theories to propose an IC transparency framework for enhancing supplier relationship management and represents a first step to examining the quantitative effects of IC transparency in the context of supply chain partners.
Cultivating support for nonprofit news organizations: commitment, trust and donating audiences
Authors: Powers Elia , Yaros Ronald A.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of relationship fundraising and cultivating committed donors for nonprofit news outlets seeking financial sustainability, particularly during a time of major changes in the journalism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines four nonprofit news organizations and their audiences of financial contributors. Results from a survey of 465 donors and subsequent interviews with donors are discussed.

Findings

Nonprofit news organizations rely heavily upon individual supporters who typically give often but in small chunks. Donors tend to favor nonprofit journalism organizations that report quality, local news stories not usually found in other news sources. Donors place a premium on developing a relationship with journalists in their communities and are likely to support their local nonprofit news source once the news outlet has earned their trust.

Research limitations/implications

News organizations were allowed to choose which donors received invitations to take the survey, and donors to one news organization provided the vast majority of responses. Future research should explore how nonprofit journalism donors differ from donors to other types of nonprofit organizations.

Practical implications

This paper reveals new data about audiences of emerging media organizations. The interests and behaviors of donors help to provide new insights into audience engagement.

Originality/value

The paper profiles donors to four relatively new nonprofit organizations and investigates their motivations for providing financial support. Managers of communication organizations could benefit from new strategies for audience cultivation.
The taxing business of money laundering: South Africa
Authors: Schlenther Bernd
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The OECD recently identified tax crime as one of the top three sources of money laundering. In the context of increased acknowledgement that tax evasion, capital flight and money laundering are key threats to the economic stability of developing countries, South Africa, like many other countries, has put information‐sharing agreements in place to enable better recovery of money hidden in the financial system. There is, however, a general ineffectiveness of anti‐money laundering regimes to stop revenue leakage and there is a high cost of enforcement and tax collection associated with money laundering investigations. South Africa has a low prosecution rate under its main anti‐money laundering legislation, which is a clear indication that money laundering and organised and related crime, are not effectively dealt with. Under South African law, tax evasion is a predicate offence to money laundering and it is proposed that it is possible to deal effectively with aspects of money laundering through tax legislation, treaties and by means of tax audits.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the differences between money laundering and tax evasion whilst highlighting the linkages to each other. An analysis of court cases and statutes, tax policy, audit techniques and international agreements shows how tax tools can be used to address money laundering.

Findings

From the research it is evident that the success of both money laundering and tax evasion, though they are operationally quite distinct processes, depends on the ability to hide the financial trail of the income. In this context it is shown that tax tools can be used effectively to uncover money laundering and to pursue revenue due to the fiscus. The ability of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to detect financial crimes and to combat tax evasion may have a meaningful impact on reducing flows of laundered funds.

Originality/value

This paper serves to expand on the limited scholarship of the nexus between tax crime and money laundering and points out mechanisms that can be used where the anti‐money laundering regime is not functioning optimally.
Review of the current gap between clients’ expectations and perceptions of received service in national library by using gap analysis model
Authors: Neshat Narges , Dehghani Mozhdeh
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure service quality in a national library from users’ views, based on gap analysis model by using the LibQUAL+™ tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was done using a LibQUAL+™ survey. In this research, service quality has survived in three dimensions: Affect of Service, Information Control, and Library as Place in three levels – “minimum”, “perceived levels of services” and “desired level”. Statistical population of this research included all users (female and male) who use different parts of the National Library of Iran (NLAI) in the year 2010. Due to the high volume of population and time & budget restrictions, 332 people formed the sample size.

Findings

Findings showed that from users’ views, librarians could not meet minimum users’ expectations except in some cases. Library resource quality in perceived level of service is less than their expectations minimum. In other words, library resources could not meet minimum expectation and there are more gaps until desired level. Library as Place dimension has more quality than the two other dimensions, but NLAI place quality in perceived level is less than users’ expectation minimum. Of course there is a little gap with perceived level in this dimension.

Practical implications

The similarity in some results of LibQUAL+™ in academic libraries and national library implies that perhaps LibQUAL+™ tool is applicable for measuring library services in different type of libraries.

Originality/value

Using the LibQUAL+™ Survey has helped the national library in Iran to better serve its main user groups and showed that the translated and domesticated version of LibQUAL+™ can be reliably implemented in different type of libraries.
Climate policy and business climate strategies
Authors: Okereke Chukwumerije , Küng Kristina
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive analysis of the carbon management activities of the cement industry in Europe, based on a study involving the four largest producers of cement in the world. Based on this analysis, the paper explores the relationship between managerial perception and strategy, with particular focus on the impact of government regulation and competitive dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on extensive documentary analysis and in‐depth interviews with senior managers from the four companies who have been responsible for and/or involved in the development of climate change strategies.

Findings

It was found that whilst the cement industry has embraced climate change and the need for action, there remains much scope for action in their carbon management activities, with current effort concentrating on hedging practices and win‐win efficiency programs. Managers perceive that inadequate and unfavourable regulatory structure is the key barrier against more action to achieve emission reduction within the industry. Interestingly, EU cement companies are also shifting their CO2 emissions to less developed countries of the South.

Originality/value

The paper analyses corporate climate strategy in one of the most carbon intensive and yet least studied industries. With specific focus on the EU, the paper highlights a number of policy approaches for encouraging the cement industry on the path of deeper emission reduction.
Determinants of smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change in the semi arid Nguru Local Government Area, Northeastern Nigeria
Authors: Othniel Yila Jummai , Resurreccion Bernadette P.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the factors determining smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change, in the semi‐arid region of Nguru, Nigeria and toward sustainable management of their agricultural production and livelihood.

Design/methodology/approach

Both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected by use of structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Based on the research plan, a total of 250 individual households were randomly selected and interviewed.

Findings

The stepwise multiple linear regression model ran using SPSS revealed nine variables significantly determining the adaptation of climate change strategies. The variables found significant were: agricultural labor force, level of education of the household head, land tenure arrangements, gender of the household head, extension service availability, out‐migration of labor, years of farming experience, household size and availability of farmer to farmer extension. The predicted R value of 0.87, R2 of 0.63, and adjusted R2 of 0.60 indicate high explanatory power of the model as a whole.

Originality/value

The acceptance of the variables included in the model helps very useful policy conclusions for climate change adaptations to be drawn. All these variables, except gender and out‐migration, have a positive influence on climate change adaptation strategies. The influence of agricultural labor force appeared to be strongest, indicating the very important role of this factor in adaptation and the need for promotion of less labour‐intensive, but more remunerative adaptation strategies that would enable smallholder farmers to manage all of their farm plots in an effective way.
Importance of recreational ecosystem services in Helsinki, Finland
Authors: Yli‐Pelkonen Vesa
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Land‐use and cover change threatens remaining urban green areas and the provision of ecosystem services. The purpose of this paper is to address the importance, sufficiency and needs of local recreational ecosystem services in urban areas.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study area is the City of Helsinki, Finland. In total, 30 key informants representing 19 neighbourhood associations in the urban‐rural gradient within the city were interviewed.

Findings

The results of the Helsinki case show that residents visit the focused nature areas frequently and spend considerable amount of time there. All the mentioned activities during visits were associated with getting recreational experiences. Of these the most frequently mentioned were getting “feel‐good feeling” and physical exercise, which were closely associated with walking and sports‐like activities. The importance of easy accessibility to local nature areas was emphasized. Recreational ecosystem services partly result from specific landscape features in the nature area and from biologically diverse nature.

Practical implications

Planners, managers and decision makers can use the findings from this study in determining the values of similar urban green areas in urban development.

Originality/value

The Helsinki case shows that these local nature areas are appreciated and attractive and that the residents of the focused study areas perceive the numerous benefits that the local nature areas provide as very important. It appears that conserving a considerable amount of remnant nature amongst urban housing has paid off in flourishing recreational ecosystem services in the studied area.
Through the eyes of the eGov scholarly community
Authors: Dwivedi Yogesh K.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

There are a number of published studies that have ranked journals publishing research in information systems and related areas such as electronic commerce. Despite electronic government (eGov) research reaching a decade‐old milestone, none of the existing research has attempted to explore and determine the quality of journals publishing research related to this multidisciplinary area. To fill this gap, the purpose of this paper is to present the findings from a pilot survey exploring the scholarly perceptions of academic journals publishing eGov research.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire‐based pilot survey was employed as the method for conducting this research. The survey was conducted by employing an e‐mail questionnaire which was designed as a Word file. In total, 31 usable responses were received and these provided the data presented in this paper.

Findings

The findings in the form of scholarly perceptions of journals publishing eGov research from this pilot survey explored the quality of journals. This pilot survey also explored respondents’ views on the following: whether the journals dedicated to eGov should be included in various journal rankings; and whether there is a need to have separate rankings for journals that publish eGov.

Research limitations/implications

The generalization of findings is limited due to the small sample size as it was a pilot study. Hence, the findings should be treated as indicative rather than confirmatory of the quality of journals publishing eGov research. A larger survey needs to be conducted, in order to validate and generalize the findings reported in this submission.

Practical implications

The findings would be helpful for eGov researchers in terms of determining potential outlets with appropriate quality for future publications, and for universities/institutions engaged in supporting research in this area by recognizing and promoting publication in high‐quality outlets. The findings may also aid the decision making of those involved in maintaining journal rankings in reference to disciplines, in order to include dedicated eGov journals in such rankings.

Originality/value

There has been no research conducted and published (as far as the author is aware) that explores and determines the quality of journals publishing eGov research, which this paper attempts to achieve. Therefore, the findings presented in this paper are timely, original, and relevant to the eGov scholarly community. Since this is the very first step towards determining journal quality for publishing eGov research, the most important contribution of this paper would be to stimulate constructive debate amongst researchers of eGov (and its reference disciplines) on this topic, which (the author hopes) will then lead to the creation of rigorous consensus‐based ranking of journals publishing eGov research.
Ensuring benefits realisation from ERP II: the CSF phasing model
Authors: Lawrence Norton Andrew , May Coulson‐Thomas Yvette , Coulson‐Thomas Colin Joseph , Ashurst Colin
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Delivering benefits from ERP II is challenging and the purpose of this paper is to investigate the allocation of resources contributing towards benefits realisation.

Design/methodology/approach

A case‐study investigation was based on a five‐month placement within the project team of an organisation implementing ERP II. A critical success factors (CSF) phasing model was developed in order to categorise invested resources. Participant observations formed the first stage of the research and two years post implementation the observations were presented back to four key members of the project team to identify which invested resources contributed towards benefits realisation. Subsequently, the findings were presented to seven supplier organisations to validate the CSFs required to deliver benefits realisation from ERP II implementations.

Findings

This research has identified 19 CSFs for ERP II, contributing an additional six to those already outlined in literature. A critical pathway for ERP II implementations has been presented, allowing the identified CSFs to be tackled at the appropriate stages of the implementation.

Originality/value

This is the first time CSFs have been allocated to different phases of the implementation lifecycle using a structured model. As a result, resources contributing towards benefits realisation can be more effectively applied, saving the organisation valuable resources.
A teleological process theory for managing ERP implementations
Authors: Williams Janet , Williams Michael D. , Morgan Arthur
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The literature on enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation has been dominated by variance theories which have identified numerous lists of critical success factors (CSFs) for managing implementation but there has been relatively little research adopting a process theory approach which explains how change occurs. One such theory, the teleological process, has been criticised in the IS literature for its capability to evolve and learn due to its convergence towards an end goal. Drawing upon the field of organisational development (OD), the purpose of this paper is to illustrate the usefulness of the theory and contend that, whilst it exhibits planned behaviour, events are adaptive and learned and emerge though social construction of actors in organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

An in‐depth interpretive study of eight public‐sector organisations is used. During the investigation, two primary methods of data collection were analysed: survey questionnaires (2) and in‐depth interviews (38).

Findings

The data were analysed and contrasted with themes and attributes associated with teleological design. The article highlights how the central role of an agent or entity, and its interaction with eight key attributes, is critical to the success of the change process.

Originality/value

The article proposes benefits of applying teleological theory to the context of designing the change, pre and post project implementation. Whilst the data are based in the UK, the framework also provides a useful starting point for further research in ERP implementation in developing and emerging nations of areas likely to be problematic.