bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manage learning without apology: an economist's perspective
Authors: Vance David
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the current state of corporate learning from a business perspective and make specific recommendations for improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Conclusions are reached based on personal experience at Caterpillar Inc. (Caterpillar University was named Best Overall Corporate University in 2004 and ranked 1st in ASTD BEST Awards for 2005), from numerous benchmarking visits with other companies and from discussions with other learning professionals.

Findings

It is found that learning is not managed like a business in most organizations which reduces its impact and influence. Worse, many in the learning profession continually apologize for the lack of rigor and discipline, believing that it is too hard or too difficult to manage learning like other lines of business. It is concluded that learning is not any more difficult to manage than the rest of business and two key requirements for success are suggested. First, the learning function should create a written business plan with specific, measurable objectives that are strategically aligned to the organization's overall goals. Second, the plan must be executed throughout the year with discipline, rigor, accountability and transparency. Examples of alignment and measurement scorecards are included.

Practical implications

Specific recommendations to run learning like a business, including sample reports.

Originality/value

The paper brings a business perspective to learning which will be valuable for HR and training professionals without business line experience. Intended for those who want to improve their existing T&D function or start a corporate university.
Driving organisational change with internal coaching programmes: part two
Authors: Rock David , Donde Ruth
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this two‐part paper is to outline a new way of utilising coaching to drive wide scale organisational change.

Design/methodology/approach

The various benefits to using internal coaches are illustrated by fleshing out the cost benefits, and highlighting a range of ways that organisations can integrate coaching into their people, performance and culture frameworks. The paper covers training, design and implementation issues as well as looking at aligning coaching models with the organisation's strategic approach; draws on extensive case studies and posits some best practice principles, then addresses some of the key questions around this topic. This paper also draws on interviews with over 50 internal coaches over two years, and several other research papers on this topic.

Findings

The paper illustrates how training leaders to be internal coaches is a more scalable, sustainable and robust approach to driving change and improving performance than hiring external coaches. Early indicators are showing significant increases in retention, engagement, productivity and performance, as well as ROI (17X), across organisations that have developed internal coaching.

Practical implications

Data are critical to understanding coaching impacts within organisational contexts. Thanks to those organisations using measurement, impacts to the business can be determined.

Originality/value

These positive data are significant for organisations making decisions around introducing coaching initiatives, driving organisational change or adopting a coaching culture.
Interpersonal influence in the workplace – part one: an introduction to concepts and a theoretical model
Authors: Manning Tony , Pogson Graham , Morrison Zoë
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to model the relationship between influencing behaviour, personality traits, work roles and role orientation. It builds on previous research into team roles, highlighting the relationship between influencing behaviour and team role behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistical analysis on questionnaire data from a mixed, work‐based, UK sample is used to assess relationships between influencing behaviour, role expectations, role orientation and team role behaviour.

Findings

The paper argues that team roles access different types of power and influencing behaviours depending on role and role orientation. Findings establish a link between influencing behaviour and team role behaviour, as well as personality traits, developing the idea that there is a significant social dimension to team roles.

Research limitations/implications

The research does not consider specific influence attempts, nor does it present evidence regarding the effectiveness of patterns of influencing behaviour in particular contexts.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the relationship between influencing behaviour and personality and contextual variables. Considering “when” different strategies and styles are used may offer guidelines for action. Findings reinforce the significance of the social dimension of team roles and indicate a need for further research to consider the success of influencing behaviour in different contexts.

Originality/value

Previous research into influencing behaviour has focused on its relationship to either situational variables or personality traits and, where personality variable have been studied, they have been specific traits. This research considers both sets of variables simultaneously and covers the whole personality domain. This is the first study of the relationship between team role behaviour and influencing behaviour.
Strategic alignment: linking your learning strategy to the balanced scorecard
Authors: Pangarkar Ajay M. , Kirkwood Teresa
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the increasing need to move past the traditional measurement, evaluation methodologies and truly connect the value of learning and performance to organizational objectives and strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Though anecdotal research, several industry conference presentations on the topic, and discussions with senior management groups it is highly evident that there is a need for both an organization's learning group and senior management to communicate. Add to the fact that the Balanced Scorecard is becoming the tool of choice for many organizations to translate their mission into tactical outcomes, the learning and growth component is one of the weakest developed areas of this important tool but, according to the creators of BSC, it is the most significant part of the BSC enabling the other components.

Findings

The need for organizations to compete is increasing exponentially. Organizational leaders are quickly realizing that their organizations can no longer compete based on past success factors such as assets, products, or pricing in a knowledge‐based economy. The senior management groups understand that more than equipment, their success lies in the knowledge of their employees to compete. New ideas, innovation, and technology are significantly contributing to the knowledge need.

Practical implications

From this paper, readers, specifically those responsible for training, learning, and human resources along with senior managers, will be able to communicate and begin to connect their learning strategies to the organization's mission and strategic planning process.

Originality/value

Kaplan and Norton stress the need for management to be attentive to the “Learning and growth” component of the BSC and not disregard or minimize its importance to the other perspectives. To date, how to integrate and develop the learning and growth component was not addressed in any depth.
Behaviorally‐based management training: linking behaviors to employee satisfaction
Authors: Thacker Rebecca A. , Holl Kelly B.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify behaviorally‐based training for management trainees with a foundation in employees' beliefs about effective managerial behaviors, and the relationship of these behaviors to employees' satisfaction with supervision, company as employer, and job assignments.

Design/methodology/approach

Manufacturing organization and social services agency employees (N=134) were surveyed by questionnaire and asked “How important do you think it is that managers exhibit the following behaviors?” and “How well does your manager exhibit the following behaviors?” Factor analysis produced three factors: Connection with employees, Vision, Autonomy. Employee satisfaction questions were included.

Findings

Vision and Autonomy scales for “How well does your manager exhibit the following behaviors?” showed significant, positive correlations for satisfaction with quality of supervision, and with company/agency as an employer. Connection with employees scale for “How important do you think it is that managers exhibit the following behaviors?” showed significant, positive correlations for employees' satisfaction with job assignments

Research limitations/implications

Future research should include employees' perceptions of what constitutes effective managerial behaviors. Study should be replicated in larger, multicultural organizations to assess the universality of these managerial behaviors.

Practical implications

Specific recommendations for behaviorally‐based manager training of management trainees, based on employee‐identified behaviors, are provided.

Originality/value

The paper is creative in its inclusion of employees in data collection of definition of effective managerial behaviors and is valuable to those interested in management trainee programs linking behaviorally‐based development to employee satisfaction outcomes.
Is digitisation the new circulation?
Authors: Joint Nicholas
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To explore the belief that digital technology has created a steep and irreversible decline in traditional library use, particularly in borrowing from public and higher education library print collections, with a concomitant effect on familiar patterns of reading and reflection. If digital technology has led to a fundamental change in the way young people in HE process information, should traditional assumptions about library use and educational reading habits be abandoned?

Design/methodology/approach

This is a comparative analysis of statistics of library use available in the public domain in the USA and UK.

Findings

That reading habits shown in the use of public libraries are arguably conservative in nature; and that recent statistics for the circulation of print stock in US and UK university libraries indisputably show year on year increases, not decreases, except where the digitisation of print originals has provided a generous supply of effective digital surrogates for print holdings. The nature of reading has not changed fundamentally in nature. But where copyright law permits large‐scale provision of digital collections to be derived from print originals, these will readily displace borrowing from print collections, leading to lower circulation figures of hard copy items.

Research limitations/implications

This paper asserts that the restrictive nature of UK copyright law, which is demonstrably backward by international standards, is a major factor inhibiting university teachers from helping their students migrate from print to digital media. This assertion should be researched in greater depth, with a view to using such research to influence the development of future intellectual property legislation in the UK.

Practical implications

Because of the essentially conservative nature of reflective reading for educational purposes, digitisation programmes offer an important way forward for academic library service development. Library managers should not underestimate the persistent demand for traditional reading materials: where such materials are provided in digital or print formats, in most cases the digital formats will be preferred; but where high quality educational resources are only available in print, there is no evidence that the format of alternative digital media is in itself sufficient to lure students away from quality content.

Originality/value

This paper questions some of the more casual assumptions about the “death” of traditional library services.
The US information infrastructure and libraries: a case study in democracy
Authors: Thompson Kim M.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the US information infrastructure, including discussion of federal policy affecting the evolution of the infrastructure. Libraries are then discussed as a means to further utilize the information infrastructure to ensure democratic access to information.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with a brief history of the evolution of the US information infrastructure and then turns to discussion of how libraries can maximize their utility within the context of this information society.

Findings

The paper identifies the richness of the information infrastructure and the potential for information poverty of Americans if libraries are not careful to focus on the information available through information technology rather than focus on the information technology itself.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on an historical look at the democratic underpinnings of the US information infrastructure and outlines general trends in US federal information policy that lead to the modern US information society.

Practical implications

It is the author's wish that librarians and other information professionals use this work to support their focus on information access, using information technology and the rest of the information infrastructure to provide top information service and access to their users.

Originality/value

Democratic rule requires an informed populace. The key to an informed populace is utilizing a nation's information infrastructure to most fully disseminate and gather needed information to and from the citizens of that nation. This case study provides an historical overview of the evolution of one nation's information infrastructure as a means to draw attention to the leading role libraries can take in supporting a democratic society, providing access to information via information technologies.
Analysis of information use in agricultural science PhD theses at Central University of Venezuela (1986‐2002)
Authors: Isaac Chaparro‐Martínez Exio , Ángel Marzal Miguel
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To analyze information use in agricultural science PhD theses submitted between 1986 and 2002 in the Faculty of Agronomy, Central University of Venezuela (UCV).

Design/methodology/approach

The source of information was the UCV Faculty of Agronomy, Library's database, “Tesis”. The unidimensional production and use indicators analyzed included: scientific production, reference density, self‐citations, document contemporaneousness and type of documents cited, reference scattering and accessibility of the journals cited.

Findings

The analysis of the data obtained from 4,646 bibliographic references in 42 agricultural science PhD theses provides insight into information use in a Venezuelan agricultural science community. The mean number of references per thesis found was 113 ± 21. The number of women earning a PhD in agriculture was observed to grow. The percentage of self‐citations varied widely. The half‐life was 11 years and the Price's Index 22 per cent. According to the distribution by document type, most of the publications cited were articles in journals, while references to technical standards and internet publications were rare. UCV Faculty of Agronomy PhD students tended to seek information primarily in the Anglo Saxon literature. The Celestino Bonfanti Library periodicals section met a high proportion (92 per cent) of the demand for journals located in the first and second concentration‐scattering zones.

Originality/value

This is the only paper on the evaluation of PhD theses in Venezuela. The findings will be useful for education planners in Venezuela and other developing countries.
Library services for people with disabilities in Greece
Authors: Koulikourdi Anna
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate current library services for people with disabilities in Greece and their information seeking behavior and to study both libraries' and users' perspectives in this field for the first time in Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey methodology has been used as the basic research tool by sending questionnaires both to Greek libraries and to associations for the disabled.

Findings

The paper depicts the lack of library services to the disabled and acknowledges possible barriers but also presents several, recent steps of improvement and development in Greek libraries.

Research limitations/implications

Difficulty in identifying these vulnerable group of disabled users and estimating their exact figures.

Originality/value

This paper is useful for information professionals who seek a greater understanding of library services for people with disabilities in Greece, since there is almost no literature and research relevant to this topic. Furthermore, it shows that effective library programs for disabled users are generally lacking in Greece.
Nutritional composition of Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina
Authors: Frederick Eleyinmi Afolabi , Sporns Peter , Bressler David C.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To investigate the potential food, feed and industrial values of some tropical underutilized medicinal plant materials.

Design/methodology/approach

Dry‐milled plants, namely: Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina were subjected to chemical analysis to determine their proximate, mineral, elemental, fatty acid and amino acid compositions using standard procedures.

Findings

Results show that the lipid extract, ash, crude fibre and nitrogen free extractives, oxalate, phytate and tannin of the plants are within expected ranges. They however had unexpectedly high crude protein content: 27.20 and 21.69 per cent, respectively. Potassium, phosphorus, calcium and cobalt were the most abundant mineral elements. G. latifolium and V. amygdalina leaf oils are 50.22 and 24.54 per cent saturated; 39.38 and 65.45 per cent polyunsaturated, respectively. Palmitic and oleic acids were the major monounsaturated fatty acids. Degrees of unsaturation are 0.46 and 0.41, respectively. Major essential amino acids are leucine, valine and phenylalanine. Proportions of essential to non‐essential amino acid are 43.37 and 49.84 per cent, respectively.

Originality/value

The nutritional composition of the plant materials suggests that they may find use in food/feed formulation operations and as industrial raw materials.
Knowledge and practices of food safety regulators in Southern India
Authors: Sudershan R.V. , Subba Rao G.M. , Rao Pratima , Vishnu Vardhana Rao M. , Polasa Kalpagam
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To assess knowledge, perceptions and practices of grassroots‐level food safety regulators.

Design/methodology/approach

Knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) study using quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection. Quantitative data was collected using a pre‐tested knowledge assessment questionnaire. Qualitative data was collected by conducting a focus group discussion (FGD) and six in‐depth interviews among food safety regulators from all 23 districts of the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS package (version 14.5). The FGD and in‐depth interviews' recordings were transcribed verbatim and translated into English before compiling them into individual reports. These reports were read independently by a group of researchers before inferences were drawn.

Findings

The respondents' knowledge on basic food microbiology was limited. They attributed their inability to monitor all cases of food poisoning/adulteration to delay in receiving information and lack of laboratory facilities. They had sound knowledge of conventional adulterations, but were not equipped to check newer adulterations. Their knowledge on health/nutrition claims on food labels is almost nil. Orientation towards food safety issues other than adulteration is the need of the hour.

Originality/value

The results of the study can serve as the basis for developing an in‐service training module for food safety regulators.
Application of whey in fermented beverage production using kefir starter culture
Authors: Mazaheri Assadi M. , Abdolmaleki F. , Mokarrame R.R.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Milk whey is a by‐product of the cheese‐making industry which presents about 85‐95 per cent of the milk volume. Whey fermentation by the isolated kefir starter culture could be a sensible solution for the use of this by‐product from the dairy industry. For the first time, in Iran the microbial flora of kefir grain was isolated and identified (Motaghi et al.). This paper aims to examine the various ratios of starter culture of kefir grain for production of fermented beverage using whey as the substrate.

Design/methodology/approach

Various ratios of lactic bacteria, yeasts and acetic acid bacteria were tested. The incubation time (24 h) temperature (25○C), substrate (pasteurized whey), and inoculation rate (3‐5 per cent) and mixing rate (90 rpm) were the same for the all products. The products were analyzed for protein, fat, sugar, alcohol, carbon dioxide, acidity, density, dry material, ash, and riboflavin content.

Findings

The quality (smell and flavor) of the product was assessed. Samples produced with 3 per cent (v/v) lactic acid, acetic acid bacterial mixed cultures and 2 per cent (v/v) yeast culture were considered as best with respect to quality and organoleptic quality.

Originality/value

The ability of kefir starter cultures to ferment whey to formulate and mix cultures consisting of certain species of kefir grain micro‐organisms in‐order to develop a procedure where lactic acid fermentation is followed by yeast fermentation. The potential of local kefir starter culture in production of healthy beverage from whey is a new finding since this particular beverage has the taste of artificial butter milk and it is naturally carbonated.
Fermentation of Jerusalem artichoke by Zymomonas and Saccharomyces
Authors: Bekers M. , Upite D. , Kaminska E. , Linde R. , Scherbaka R. , Danilevich A. , Grube M.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The aim of this study is to find out the appropriate fermentation conditions of Jerusalem artichoke powder (JAP) based media to obtain light beverage containing inulin.

Design/methodology/approach

JAP water suspension or filtrate were used for preparation of growth media with or without enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin for fermentation by Zymomonas mobilis 113 “S” or Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Findings

If enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin was not used significantly higher amount of inulin (7.42 per cent) was unconverted by Z. mobilis than by S. cerevisiae (2.22 per cent) while the ethanol concentration was much higher (2.86 per cent) after S. cerevisiae fermentation than after Z. mobilis fermentation (1.21 per cent). Considerably more ethanol was produced by Z. mobilis during co‐fermentation with Fructozyme L of JAP suspension filtrate (5.98 per cent) and suspension (4.96 per cent). Analyses of volatile components of fermentation broths showed that for production of inulin containing light beverages the best was Z. mobilis fermentation of JAP water suspension or filtrate without enzymatic treatment. FT–IR spectroscopy can be used as a quick semi‐quantitative method for evaluation of inulin content.

Originality/value

JAP – containing not only inulin but all tuber ingredients, was used as a media for ethanol fermentations by Z. mobilis 113 “S” or S. cerevisiae with or without hydrolysis of inulin. It was shown that Z. mobilis fermentation broths containing 7.42 per cent of inulin can be used as beverage with prebiotic‐dietary fibre benefits. The taste of this product can be regulated by appropriate fermentation conditions and the concentration of fructose and ethanol.
The influence of processing techniques on the energy, ash properties and elemental composition of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale Linn)
Authors: Fagbemi T.N.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide information on how processing technique affects some of the nutrient in cashew nut. It aims to guide processors of the nut on the processing techniques that can retain or minimize losses of nutrients during processing.

Design/methodology/approach

Cashew nuts were obtained from commodity support service that procure cashew for export. Standard methods and techniques of processing (boiling, fermentation, germination, roasting) were employed. Standard Association of Official Analytical Chemist methods were used for analysis.

Findings

Cashew nut is low in deleterious elements and processing methods (boiling and fermentation) techniques reduced them. The energy values ranged from 25‐27.38 kJ/g. The nut contains micro‐ and macronutritive elements that can effectively supplement daily requirement of man especially potassium. Processing reduced some of the essential mineral elements. Cashew nut may be used to improve low protein diet.

Research limitations/implications

Processing was carried out using locally available materials. Fermentation was not controlled.

Practical implications

Cashew nut can be included in low protein diet, it can improve mineral intake and deleterious elements pose no threat to its consumption.

Originality/value

The paper provides information on processing effect on cashew nuts which had not been reported in literature, hence, provides data base information.
Preparation of sourdough bread using a blend of bacterial culture and baker's yeast
Authors: Anjum Faqir M. , Pasha Imran , Ghafoor Kashif , Issa Khan M. , Raza M. Ali
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Wheat is the staple food in many parts of the world and bread is one of the most important products of wheat flour. There is a need for innovations in bread making to increase its shelf life and consumer's attraction. Fermentation is mostly done by yeast but it does not produce appreciable amounts of organic acids, which are required to enhance the shelf life of bread. The present study aims to determine the effect of bacterial and yeast culture blends on the quality and shelf life of sourdough bread and to observe the sugar utilization during fermentation.

Design/methodology/approach

Three treatments were made using different blends of bacterial cultures (homo‐fermentative and hetero‐fermentative) and baker's yeast compared with a control having only baker's yeast. Chemical analysis, sugar utilization (Sucrose, glucose and fructose) through high performance liquid chromatography, sensory characteristics (both internal and external) and microbial count (Bacterial and fungal count) for each treatment were conducted at different storage intervals.

Findings

The hetero‐fermentative bacteria i.e. Lactobacillus plantarum along with baker's yeast exhibited the best results regarding the utilization of sugars during fermentation (after 3 h of fermentation 0.0158 mg/ml sugar remained), objective evaluation of bread and its sensory characteristics. The bread prepared using the blend of hetero‐fermentative bacteria (0.5 per cent) and yeast (0.5 per cent) also showed greater resistance against bacteria (9×101 cfu/g after 60 h of storage) and mold (1.1 ×  102 cfu/g after 60 h of storage) growth.

Research limitations/implications

Hetero‐fermentative bacteria along with baker's yeast can be utilized in sour dough to improve major bread characteristics. This study is a step further in improving the shelf life of sourdough.

Originality/value

Presently only baker's yeast is being used by bread industry for fermentation purpose but a blend of bacterial culture along with baker's yeast can give better performance for better quality and shelf life of the bread.
Urban and rural households' fresh chicken meat consumption behaviors in Turkey
Authors: Yıldırım İbrahim , Ceylan Melike
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The major purpose of this study was to compare the fresh chicken meat consumption structure of urban and rural households of different income levels in Van province, Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample size of 96 urban and 95 households were selected randomly using sampling selection method where the population is limited. The data were collected by personnel interviewing from the households in eight districts and eight villages of Van province, Turkey between 15 November 2004 and 5 March 2005. The households were classified as the lowest, medium, upper medium and the highest income groups. Independent‐samples t‐students, one‐way ANOVA, chi‐square and linear regression statistical tests were used.

Findings

The average yearly fresh chicken meat consumption per head was 19.1 and 14.6 kg for urban and rural households, respectively. According to regression test results $1,000 increase in yearly income will raise the yearly chicken meat consumption of urban and rural households by 3.8 and 8.7 kg, respectively. The income was effective on both the consumption level and behavior of households. The urban households attached more attention to habit and nutrition value variables, while the cheapness was the major factor affecting the rural households' preference of chicken meat.

Originality/value

The article analyzes the differences/similarities of urban and rural households in terms of consumption expenditures and consumers' behaviors towards fresh chicken meat. The paper is an original research subject as regards its potential contributions of the nutritional measures to be taken and marketing strategies to be developed in the region.
“The white stuff?”
Authors: Bower John A. , Mateer Nicola
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To examine the perceptions of Scottish consumers regarding the current “milk moustache” marketing campaign in order to discover aspects of milk perception, the campaign's effectiveness in portraying milk as an enjoyable, healthy, modern product and its use as a vehicle for raising consumption of milk.

Design/methodology/approach

A face‐to‐face survey was conducted in Edinburgh and South Lanarkshire with a sample (n = 100) of Scottish consumers.

Findings

The results showed that there was a high recognition of and a positive attitude portrayed towards the campaign, and the celebrities used to endorse it. Milk appeared to be viewed as a commodity and although health benefits were recognised they did not appear to be instrumental in raising consumption levels. There were few differences in perception according to gender, age, socio‐economic grouping and on comparison with a small group who had not seen the adverts, except in perception of some non‐nutritional views.

Originality/value

The paper provides information on advertising effects on perception of milk.
Folate content of different edible portions of vegetables and fruits
Authors: Phillips Katherine M. , Rasor Amy S. , Ruggio David M. , Amanna Karen R.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Significant differences may occur in the nutrient content of different edible portions of vegetables and fruits. The purpose of this study was to screen the folate content of different edible portions of some common fruits and vegetables.

Design/methodology/approach

5‐methyltetrahydrofolate was measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in composites of asparagus tips and stems, broccoli florets and stems, the bulb and leaves of leeks, and the peel and flesh of apples, pears, peaches, and potatoes.

Findings

Folate content was significantly higher (25 µg/100 g) in asparagus tips vs stems or whole vegetable and leek bulbs compared to leaves or the whole plant, on an as‐consumed basis. No significant difference was found in the edible portions within the other products.

Practical implications

Selective consumption of asparagus tips and leek bulbs would increase folate intake compared to the whole vegetable or the stems and leaves. Consideration should be given to possible differences in composition within other vegetables and fruits not studied.

Originality/value

There have been no previous reports on folate distribution in edible portions of vegetables and fruits that are rich sources of this vitamin.
Cognitive styles and managerial behaviour: a qualitative study
Authors: Cools Eva , Van Den Broeck Herman
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute further insights into how cognitive styles influence managerial behaviour, using a qualitative approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Written testimonies were gathered from people with different cognitive styles, and content analysed (n=100).

Findings

Qualitative evidence was found for managerial style preferences in accordance with cognitive styles, leading to various ways of decision making, conflict handling, and giving feedback.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should explore how these results can be linked to contextual elements and to managerial performance.

Practical implications

This study contributes to increased managerial style awareness, which is important for intrapersonal development and interpersonal cooperation.

Originality/value

This is one of a few studies that have sought to qualitatively grasp the implications of having a particular cognitive style. It provides relevant insights into task‐ and people‐oriented managerial practices beyond previous, mainly quantitative studies.
Learning styles across cultures: suggestions for educators
Authors: Charlesworth Zarina M.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to present research findings on the relationship between culture and learning styles, as defined by Honey and Mumford in a Higher Education setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted with first semester students studying in an International Institute of Higher Education. A questionnaire administered to students (n=113) of Indonesian, Chinese and French origin was analysed in order to compare their learning style preferences. This was followed by a detailed item‐by‐item analysis of their responses to the same questionnaire.

Findings

In the first instance, the data support a relationship between learning styles preferences and cultural background at the outset of a programme of Higher Education. Subsequent analysis provides insight into the nature of these differences.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the research findings is limited owing to the nature of the sample.

Practical implications

Educators in both Higher Education and business settings can draw on these research findings. It is suggested that allowing incoming students to explore learning style differences will enhance their understanding of how they go about learning as well as possibly influence their learning outcomes. Parallels have been drawn with incoming international employees.

Originality/value

These findings have relevance for educators, both in Higher Education and in industry, concerned with how to best develop international graduates and managers.
Emotional competence and drop‐out rates in higher education
Authors: Kingston Emma
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the emotional competence of first year undergraduates enrolled on a high or low drop‐out rate (HDR and LDR, respectively) course, at a newly established university within the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was used. The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue) established participants' emotional competence, and semi‐structured interviews were used to probe the findings from the TEIQue.

Findings

The results indicate that typical HDR course participants have high self‐esteem and a good level of interpersonal skills, but are controlled by their emotions and exhibit an external locus of control. This manifests itself in a distrust of peers as a source of support and a reactive attitude to self‐improvement. Typical LDR course participants have low self‐esteem and a good level of intrapersonal skills, but have developed the ability to control their emotions and exhibit an internal locus of control. This manifests itself in a high level of confidence in peers as a source of support and a proactive attitude to self‐improvement.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the learning styles literature by investigating the impact of students' characteristic affective behaviours on their vulnerability to drop‐out.
Trainee teachers' cognitive styles and notions of differentiation
Authors: Evans Carol , Waring Michael
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the cognitive styles of trainee teachers with their notions of differentiation and perceptions of its place/location within their teaching and learning during a PGCE programme of ITE.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 80 trainee teachers completed the Cognitive Style Index (CSI) at the beginning and at the end of their course. After completing the CSI measure trainees received instruction on cognitive styles. To assess their initial understanding and prior knowledge of differentiation, all trainees completed a questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of their course.

Findings

At the outset rudimentary understandings of differentiation were found to be held by the trainees, as well as stylistic differences between the four style groupings. Gains in understanding of differentiation and the use of cognitive style in school were evident in all trainees. Moderate changes in style were evident, with all trainees becoming more intuitive over the course of the programme.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size may be seen as a limitation in terms of generalisability.

Practical implications

The predominant direction of cognitive style movement was from analytic to intuitive. The suggestion that cognitive style, while relatively fixed, is also something that can be developed is a feature which should offer encouragement to those developing university courses through interventions such as this.

Originality/value

Teaching sessions on how cognitive styles can be used in the classroom were used to enhance trainee understandings of individual learning differences and increase awareness of one's own style to facilitate understanding of differentiation.
Implementation of learning styles at the teacher level
Authors: Nielsen Tine
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present, try out, and evaluate a strategy for implementation of learning and teaching styles at the teacher level.

Design/methodology/approach

The study takes a qualitative approach to evaluating the short‐term and long‐term effects of a workshop on teaching and learning styles with regard to changing teachers' implicit beliefs and teaching practice.

Findings

Fourteen months after a two‐day workshop on learning and teaching styles, teachers' implicit beliefs about learning and teaching remain explicit and their teaching practice has changed towards a higher degree of differentiation as a result of the workshop.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates that it is possible to change experienced teachers' teaching practice to a higher degree of differentiation with a two‐day workshop.

Originality/value

The paper provides knowledge on how to change in‐service teachers' implicit beliefs and how to affect their teaching practice to making use of of learning and teaching styles in their teaching practice.
Using concept mapping to measure learning quality
Authors: Hay David , Kinchin Ian
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a method of teaching that is based on Novak's concept‐mapping technique.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper shows how concept mapping can be used to measure prior knowledge and how simple mapping exercises can promote the integration of teachers' and students' understandings in ways that are meaningful.

Findings

The concept‐mapping method facilitates quick and easy measures of student knowledge‐change so that teachers can identify the parts of the curriculum that are being understood and those that are not. This is possible even among very large student groups in the 50‐minute slots that are allocated to so much teaching in higher education.

Research limitations/implications

Concept mapping is discussed in the wider context of student learning style. The styles literature has been criticised because it tends to encourage undue labelling of people or behaviours. The approach described here also uses “labels” to typify learning (using the terms non‐learning and rote or meaningful learning to identify different qualities of change).

Originality/value

The difference in this approach is that terms are attached to empirical measures of learning outcome, not to personal or psychological styles. Concept mapping makes learning visible so that the actual quality of the learning that has occurred can be seen and explored. Using concept mapping in the course of teaching means that learning is no longer a complex and intractable process, measurable only by proxy, but an observable phenomenon.
Supply management contribution to channel performance: a top management perspective
Authors: Eltantawy Reham
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This study serve aims to fill a gap in the supply management literature with respect to supply management contribution to channel members' performance and its antecedents: strategic supply management skills and supplier integration. The resource‐based theory of the firm is used to establish the tested theoretical framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample used consists of 152 firms represented by highly ranked supply management professionals. The conceptual model and the hypothesized relationships are tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Support was found for the causal relationships among: strategic supply management skills and supply management contribution to channel members' performance; supplier integration and supply management contribution to channel members' performance; and for supply management strategic skills and supplier integration. Additionally, strategic supply management skills were found to have a significant mediated effect on supply management channel members' performance through supplier integration.

Practical implications

This study offers some guidance to supply management professionals who need both a clear understanding of the underlying tradeoffs involved in deploying the tested strategies and a prescriptive model to help guide their use. The results of this study will help supply management professionals in rationalizing their making various decisions concerning supplier relationships, recruiting the necessary skills in the supply management function, and investing in a supply knowledge base.

Originality/value

Although previous literature documented the link between supply management and the focal firm's performance, the research of supply management's contribution to channel members' performance has been largely overlooked. This work answers the recent calls for more empirical research in general and, specifically, for more empirical supply management strategy research. It should assist future researchers who focus on strategic supply management and channel performance and would also be of interest to supply management practitioners interested in keeping up with the academic literature.
System dynamics modelling for a balanced scorecard
Authors: Nielsen Steen , Nielsen Erland H.
Published: April 2008

Purpose – This paper seeks to construct a dynamic model/framework inspired by a case study based on an international company. As described by the theory, one of the main difficulties of balanced scorecard (BSC) is to foresee the time lag dimension of different types of indicators and their combined dynamic effects. Design/methodology/approach – A case study model is used to develop time or dynamic dimensions by using a system dynamics modelling approach. The model includes five perspectives and a number of financial and non‐financial measures. All indicators are defined and related to a coherent number of different cause‐and‐effect relationships based on knowledge and experience. Through three different scenarios we demonstrate the effects of different drivers on the profit and on Return on Capital Employed are demonstrated. Findings – The results show that a minimal change in one of the base variables (skills, customer base or work in process) may have a major influence on other indicators and profit and may be impossible to predict without using a dynamic model. Practical implications – The model may be used as the first step in quantifying the cause‐and‐effect relationships of an integrated BSC model. Using the system dynamics model provides added insight in the BSC and may also serve as a teaching exercise of BSC. Originality/value – Work on dynamic aspects of BSCs is just in an early state, so the aim of any work is to contribute to both scholars' and practitioners' basic understanding of how such delayed dynamics propagate through systems and time.
Variable pricing through revenue management: a critical evaluation of affective outcomes
Authors: Palmer Adrian , McMahon‐Beattie Una
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Numerous studies have measured short‐term behavioural response to variable pricing, but affective responses have been under‐researched. Trust is a focal point for this research, which assesses the affective consequence of variable pricing as applied using revenue management techniques. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal, quantitative approach was used to measure respondents' level of trust. The sample was divided into a control group which received constant price messages, and an experimental group, which received variable price messages. In stage one, respondents were presented with hypothetical scenarios of restaurant pricing over a period of six weeks. In stage two, a hotel chain's database was used to send control and experimental messages over a period of six months.

Findings

There is mixed evidence for the proposition that variable pricing leads to distrust by consumers. While there was evidence for this in stage one, the evidence from stage two was more complex. A profile emerged of relatively young, male, highly educated frequent purchasers who were more likely to trust a company using variable pricing compared with older, female, infrequent purchasers of lower educational attainment.

Research limitations/implications

It is probably not variable pricing itself that leads to mistrust of a company, but an individual's knowledge of the “rules” by which variable pricing operates. The high levels of trust recorded by younger, highly educated frequent purchasers suggests acceptance by them of the rules of variable pricing, and the benefits and problems associated with the practice.

Practical implications

This research informs management strategies that seek ever‐finer price discrimination through the use of customer databases and individually targeted price offers. Some customer segments may be amenable to variable pricing and will happily play along with the company's “rules”. Other groups may not understand such rules, and in these circumstances may distrust a company that practises variable pricing.

Originality/value

This study uses a longitudinal approach to measure issues of trust and fairness perceived in companies' efforts at price discrimination. Previous studies have tended to measure the success of variable pricing/revenue management practices through short‐term measures of behavioural response (e.g. increase in sales). This study incorporates an affective measure into the assessment of consumers' response to variable pricing.