bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The quality of prescription drug utilization five years after the 2003 Bam earthquake
Authors: Sepehri Gholamreza , Haj‐Akbari Naser , Sepehri Ehsan , Mohsen‐Beigi Motahareh
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Few reports considering drug use among earthquake survivors exist. The present study aims to examine the Bam earthquake's impact on prescribing patterns and drug use among residents five years post‐disaster.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 297,104 prescriptions, issued by general practitioners in Bam city in 2008, were investigated for drugs/prescriptions, drug name, drug category, using WHO appropriate general practice prescribing indicators.

Findings

Mean drugs per prescription was 3.1. Drugs affecting the central nervous system were the most frequently used among Bam residents, representing 25.1 per cent, followed by antimicrobials, respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal tract drugs. Benzodiazepines were the most frequently used central nervous system drugs (15.8 per cent) followed by narcotic analgesics and tricyclic antidepressants. Penicillins (6.4 per cent) and cephalosporines (2.3 per cent) were the most frequently used antimicrobial drugs.

Originality/value

Results emphasize increased drug use for psychological disturbances and the need for strategies to improve mental health among disaster survivors.
Implementing NICE guidelines on risk assessment for venous thromboembolism
Authors: Thavarajah Dushan , Wetherill Martin
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis guidelines were originally published by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in April 2007. Controversy eclipsed their release. Consequently, the VTE prophylaxis publication was reviewed and republished in January 2010. The NICE guidelines recommend that all patients are assessed for risk before pharmacological prophylaxis is offered and reassessed at 24 hours to check adverse reactions; and that prophylaxis is appropriate. This paper aims to look at their implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A prospective audit and re‐audit in one orthopaedic department was completed to see how well the new guidelines were adhered to, find out first‐hand what problems there were, and how they might be remedied.

Findings

Audit and re‐audit highlighted that attaching an assessment tool to drug charts is plausible.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to one centre and used a relatively weak research design.

Practical implications

As a process, the clinical impact of risk assessment for VTE is questionable as many patients will be high risk. Removing reassessment at 24 hours from the NICE guidance is recommended.

Originality/value

The authors put the NICE guideline into clinical practice, demonstrating how effectively it can work with their method, but also highlighting its flaws.
Accountability in the Bangladeshi privatized healthcare sector
Authors: Nurunnabi Mohammad , Kamrul Islam Syed
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceived Bangladesh privatized healthcare sector accountability gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 533 patients using services in 45 Dhaka city privatized hospitals. A questionnaire was designed based on 60 patient focus study group and the literature.

Findings

Structural equation modeling provides a comprehensive picture that allows healthcare constructs and accountability to be tested. The goodness‐of‐fit statistics supported the four factors of professionals, administration and management, legal enforcement, ethics and government, which were significantly associated with accountability. Despite Bangladeshi privatized healthcare growth, the study revealed that accountability mainly depends on government initiatives and effectively implementing existing laws.

Research limitations/implications

The study covered one Bangladesh city (Dhaka) owing to resource constraints. Qualitative methods may have enriched the findings.

Practical implications

The accountability dimensions may be applicable to other countries to examine the perceived accountability gap. The study looked at the current Bangladesh privatized healthcare sector. Major issues of Bangladesh privatized healthcare accountability are discussed and recommendations for policymakers are suggested to improve the current circumstances.

Originality/value

The study is the first of its kind to examine accountability among privatized healthcare providers in developing countries. Patients’ accountability views require urgent attention from policy makers.
Entrepreneurial intention models as applied to Latin America
Authors: Guzmán‐Alfonso Carmen , Guzmán‐Cuevas Joaquín
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The aim of this research is to determine whether entrepreneurial intention models explain the entrepreneurial behaviour of individuals regarding venture creation in Latin America, as well as to test if the three factors usually taken into consideration in these models (attitudes, perceived social value, and perceived self‐efficacy, as defined by Ajzen) really determine entrepreneurial intentions in this part of the world.

Design/methodology/approach

By using panel data from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Global Report for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010, referring to Latin America, the paper employs two linear regression models to examine determinants of entrepreneurial intentions in Latin America and the role of the entrepreneurial intentions in the entrepreneurial initiative.

Findings

According to the results obtained, it can be stated that, also for the case of Latin America, entrepreneurial intentions are once more confirmed as a previous step of entrepreneurial behaviour with regard to venture creation. However, even though the three variables taken into consideration are significant as determinants of entrepreneurial intentions, evidence suggests a negative relationship between the perception of social value about entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial intention, which contradicts the previous literature review. A further investigation regarding this result is planned for the near future.

Originality/value

The originality of this research arises from bringing together in a model three of the main elements in the research field of entrepreneurship – entrepreneurial intention models, global entrepreneurship monitor and Latin America (one of the most important places where the entrepreneurship phenomenon takes place).
Strategic renewal and the change of capabilities in utility firms
Authors: Worch Hagen , Kabinga Mundia , Eberhard Anton , Truffer Bernhard
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how strategic renewal affects the reconfiguration of capabilities. In the context of organizational change in a large utility firm, we examine the evolution of the capability structure, and explain the emergence and persistence of capability gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an inductive multiple case study methodology to compare four processes of capability reconfiguration at Eskom, South Africa's electricity supplier.

Findings

The results show that strategic renewal unfolds through different processes, which vary in their impact. Some processes have an immediate effect in closing capability gaps. The impact of others is with a significant time lag. Most critical, however, are processes that widen capability gaps. As a result, firms may face severe and persistent performance deficiencies.

Research limitations/implications

Prior research has only marginally addressed the relationship between strategic renewal and capability reconfiguration, and has largely neglected emerging capability gaps.

Practical implications

Strategic renewal may cause unintended crowding out effects of specific capabilities. Managers need to consider these potential implications of strategic renewal.

Social implications

Understanding the challenges of how to improve the performance of utility services is crucial for economic development, welfare and social inclusion.

Originality/value

This study importantly highlights that the emergence of capability gaps is a common phenomenon rather than an exception in strategic renewal processes. The findings contribute to the strategic renewal literature and to management research in infrastructure sectors.
Analytical dimensions of knowledge transfer to the subsidiaries
Authors: Duarte Moleiro Martins José
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to provide useful insights for multinational corporations (MNCs) that intend to transfer knowledge to their subsidiaries situated in Mozambique. The local operating conditions particular to that country are influenced by three analytic dimensions: the source's ability to transfer knowledge, the climate of cooperation between source and recipient and the recipient's absorptive capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study deals with four MNCs with subsidiaries in Mozambique which have developed activities in the industrial sector. The analysis is applied to those companies in order to answer the research questions.

Findings

The results obtained reveal that the recipient should not be made to feel that the transferred knowledge is imposed by the source, so that it can be used as an asset in the production of new products, but without reproducing the business model of the source. This process of adaptation to the specific local context is crucial.

Research limitations/implications

The case study method does not permit the generalization of the results, but it does make it possible to study a combination of problems related to the phenomenon that contribute to a better understanding.

Originality/value

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the process of knowledge transfer to subsidiary companies based in Mozambique, and greater efficiency in that process, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of the local market and the local absorptive capacity.
Online PBL: a route to sustainability education?
Authors: Tomkinson Bland , Hutt Ian
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate online problem‐based learning (PBL) as a route to achieving sustainability education using sponsored projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The Royal Academy of Engineering sponsored project at Manchester; to foster education in sustainability through inter‐disciplinary problem‐based approaches, has since been extended to other groups and to a broader array of issues. One of the limiting factors is the ease with which this approach can be taken in the case of large numbers of students and a commensurate requirement for large numbers of facilitators. The University of Keele, together with partners from the universities of Manchester and Staffordshire, was awarded National Teaching Fellowship Scheme funding to explore further the use of blended or online approaches, in order to overcome these limitations. The pilot unit already has a certain amount of support using the BlackBoard virtual learning environment (VLE) but this scenario is supposed to rely entirely on online working. At the time of writing, the evaluation of the pilot has not been completed but an online questionnaire was devised to monitor students’ reactions to the online working and to ascertain whether they did in fact work entirely online or whether they chose to meet informally face‐to‐face. Difficulties encountered were both organizational (mostly relating to enrolment) and technical (this was a new version of BlackBoard and had a few teething troubles).

Findings

This pilot project has demonstrated that a blended approach to PBL is feasible. There are some forms of resistance from students. The assessment was outcomes‐driven rather than process‐driven. This meant that it was not necessary for the academic staff to have access to all the discussions, thus acting as facilitators. There is a general theme that while learners found it possible to work effectively as a group online, they also found it more difficult. It is possible that the students were having to dedicate more time and effort to the use of the online system, which had an impact on their creativity and productivity.

Research limitations/implications

In the case of the University of Manchester, the developments are being applied to a Masters‐level course unit in Managing Humanitarian Aid Projects. This unit proceeds on the basis of five scenarios that students try to resolve in small groups and in the first pilot year one of these scenarios is being delivered on‐line.

Practical implications

The results of this pilot could be fed in to different stages of programme deployment to examine impact and explore possibilities with distance learning modules.

Originality/value

This paper has looked at the effectiveness of nationally run, problem‐based learning projects that are aimed at improving understanding, engagement and deployment on diverse learning environments to include VLEs.
Quality enhancement on e‐learning
Authors: Ossiannilsson E.S.I.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Benchmarking, a method for quality assurance has not been very commonly used in higher education with regard to e‐learning. Today, e‐learning is an integral part of higher education, and so should also be an integral part of quality assurance systems. However, quality indicators, benchmarks and critical success factors on e‐learning have not been taken seriously into consideration, nor incorporated in ordinary national or international quality assurance systems. The purpose of this paper is to describe how The European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU) initiated and developed E‐xcellence+, a quality benchmarking assessment method and tool.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper, which is part of a larger research project on European benchmarking, focuses on experiences from universities taking part in the E‐xcellence+ valorization process.

Findings

The results showed that benchmarking is a powerful tool to support improved governance and management in higher education, in alignment with national and international quality agencies. The tool can serve for quality improvements in teaching and learning. Additionally, the results showed critical success issues for e‐learning.

Originality/value

This original paper reports on a Europe‐wide study examining benchmarking of e‐learning and presents suggestions for tackling quality issues.
Maintenance parameters based production policies optimization
Authors: Uzun Arzu , Ozdogan Ahmet
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Planning of manufacturing and maintenance activities together, creating a balance between maintenance and production parameters and developments on maintenance will prevent technical and economic losses and increase production efficiency. Optimizing production and maintenance scheduling enable us to see how maintenance parameters (β, η, tp, tr, a[o]) will affect production performance, completion time (Ec.) and maximum machine availability, and shows which maintenance parameters minimum completion time (Ecmin) will be provided. Difference between Ecmin and maximum completion time (Ecmak) effect to the production costs will be calculated. The purpose of this paper is to show how a genetic algorithm (GA) procedure is successfully applied to the integrated optimization model to determine optimum production policies based maintenance parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

GA is used for optimization and a computer program is prepared to make optimization for integrated preventive maintenance and production planning (IPMPP). Using the program, experimental studies are carried out with different number of jobs be done, to optimize production policy taking maintenance parameters into account.

Findings

Numerous experiments have been conducted with developed GA computer program and see maintenance parameters (β, η, tp, tr, a[o]) effect to the production performance, Ec and maximum machine availability and at which maintenance parameters Ecmin will be provided, and also operating cost saving and maintenance parameters how affect Ec subjects are examined. Due to optimal preventive maintenance (PM) and production sequence arrangement and application of PM provided by GA, Ecmin is greatly decreased.

Originality/value

In this paper, GA procedure is successfully applied to the integrated optimization model to determine optimum production policies based maintenance parameters.
The scheduling of maintenance service for a family of machines of multi‐branch firm
Authors: Huang Jia‐Yen
Published: August 2012

Purpose

It is not uncommon that a multi‐branch firm has all its branches maintaining the same group of machines from a maintenance department. Clearly there are potential opportunities to reduce costs by coordinating the joint maintenance among the branches. The purpose of this paper is to optimally coordinate the maintenance schedule of machines of multi‐branch firms to save the maintenance cost incurred.

Design/methodology/approach

A search algorithm is proposed that proceeds the searching through the junction points within the lower and upper bounds of the search range. An example is given to illustrate the method.

Findings

The optimality structure of this problem is explored and it is asserted that the optimal cost is piece‐wise convex. Based on theoretical results, an effective search algorithm is derived that can efficiently determine the maintenance frequencies for a family of machines of multi‐branch firm.

Practical implications

A well‐planned maintenance schedule can not only bring down the cost but also raise the utilization rate of a family of machines. Numerical results show that the whole maintenance system can obtain significant cost savings from the coordination policy.

Originality/value

In response to branches adopting coordinated maintenances, the maintenance manager providing the maintenances to the branches faces a scheduling problem of how to minimize its total costs. This is an area that has received little attention in the literature. By utilizing the theoretical results, an efficient search algorithm that solves the optimal solution for this problem is proposed.
Exploring the relationship among affective loyalty, perceived benefits, attitude, and intention to use co‐branded products
Authors: Tingchi Liu Matthew , Chu Rongwei , Wong IpKin Anthony , Angel Zúñiga Miguel , Meng Yan , Pang Chuan
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship among affective loyalty, perceived benefits, attitude towards co‐branded products and the intention to use such products.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 433 valid responses were collected from active bank/department store co‐branded credit card holders, from four major Chinese cities. Regression and t‐test analyses were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings revealed that affective loyalty to the bank and the department store, as well as perceived credit card benefits, all positively influence consumers' attitude toward bank/department store co‐branded credit cards. Additionally, results showed a positive relationship between attitude and intention. Moreover, gender differences were also found to be significant in affective loyalty to the bank and the department store, as well as with the intention to use co‐branded credit cards.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the co‐branding literature by gaining a better understanding of co‐branded partners in symbiotic marketing collaboration.
Brand extension: using parent brand personality as leverage
Authors: Nhat Hanh Le Angelina , Ming Sung Cheng Julian , Hua Lee Yueh , Jain Megha
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the predicting roles of extension naming strategies and categorical fit on the transfer of brand personality from a parent brand to its extension brand. Extension naming strategies include direct and indirect naming, while categorical fit is the similarity between an extended product and its parent brand's cognitive category. Further, the interaction effect and the relative effectiveness of various combinations of the two predictors when determining brand personality transfer are also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2×2 factorial between‐subject experimental design with one covariate is used to test the proposed hypotheses. The experiment involves 242 participants from a university in Taiwan.

Findings

The findings show that consumers perceive higher brand personality transfer when a direct naming strategy is applied or when the parent brand extends to a high perceived fit product. The former is the dominant predictor of brand personality transfer. There also exists an interaction effect between extension naming strategies and categorical fit. Specifically, consumers perceive the highest brand personality transfer when a direct naming strategy is applied for a high fit extended product. Moreover, the use of a direct naming strategy for an extended product with a low categorical fit still leads to a higher degree of parent brand personality than both the other cases in which an indirect naming strategy is applied for either high or low fit extended products. Furthermore, irrespective of the degree of categorical fit, the transfer of brand personality is low when an indirect naming strategy is applied.

Originality/value

The current research is pioneer work in identifying the determinants of brand personality transfer. It also notes the interaction effect and the relative effectiveness of the determinants.
Impact of retailer personality on consumer‐based retailer equity
Authors: Das Gopal , Datta Biplab , Guin Kalyan Kumar
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of retailer personality on consumer‐based retailer equity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a retailer personality scale and find its impact on consumer‐based retailer equity by adopting the scale developed by Pappu and Quester. A mall‐intercept survey was undertaken using a systematic sampling of department store shoppers of age 18 years and above in a metropolitan city, Kolkata, India. The questionnaire was used to collect data from seven department retail brands. The impact of each retailer personality dimension on each consumer‐based retailer equity dimension was explored, using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The study proposed a five‐dimensional scale to measure department store personality. Results indicated that the three dimensions of store personality, namely sophistication, dependability and empathy, have significant positive impact on each consumer‐based retailer equity dimension except one (empathy→retailer loyalty). The remaining two dimensions of retailer personality, namely authenticity and vibrancy, have no impact on each consumer‐based retailer dimension.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to propose a scale for measuring department store personality and to explore the link between retailer personality and consumer‐based retailer equity.
Do offline factors trigger customers' appetite for online continual usage?
Authors: Al‐hawari Mohammad Ahmad , Mouakket Samar
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Although many studies have analysed the impact of online factors on the online behaviour of customers', there is also a need to consider the influence of offline factors on customers' propensity for online services use. The purpose of this paper is to highlight how offline factors trigger online continual usage by customers' of airline e‐ticket booking services.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a conceptual model of the relationship between offline factors and customers' online continual usage behaviour. A convenient sample consisting mainly of undergraduate students was selected. The primary data were collected through a pencil‐and‐paper survey, and AMOS 18 was used to test for the hypothesised relationships.

Findings

The results revealed that employee‐based service quality has a positive and direct relationship with pre‐existing offline trust and image, and no direct relationship with online continual usage. Surprisingly, and contrary to current literature, pre‐existing offline trust had no direct relationship with online continual usage. However, both pre‐existing offline image and subjective norms confirmed the literature and had a direct significant relationship with online continual usage.

Research limitations/implications

This study used a sample of mainly university students to test the proposed conceptual model. Thus, it might not be possible to generalise the application of the outcomes of this study to different populations.

Practical implications

The results of this study confirm the importance of offline factors as a vital tool that support organisations' attempts to encourage their customers to continue using online channels, which are both efficient and convenient. The paper also offers decision makers general guidelines on managing offline factors to stimulate customers' online continual usage behaviour.

Originality/value

The key contribution of this paper is a conceptualisation of predictors of customers' usage of online booking services, that takes into account the most researched offline factors cited in the literature.
What makes sales in Chinese shampoo industry?
Authors: Yang Chenchen , Yang Feng , Xia Qiong , Ang Sheng
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The paper aims to find the functional relationship among 14 shampoo brands' price, quality, marketing expense and sales in the Chinese shampoo industry. Also studied is which one, among these factors, is the more important.

Design/methodology/approach

By using data envelopment analysis models, the authors propose to maximize the sale allocating efficiency scores to satisfy the hypothesis that the shampoo market is efficient, and then, the sales functions, linear and exponential, can be determined and specified.

Findings

It is found that an exponential sales function is more suitable to characterize the Chinese shampoo industry, and the price factor is a major influence on creating sales.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a method, from an original perspective, to analyze the sales function among the influence factors and to determine which one is more important. The method can be applied to other markets if the assumed conditions could be satisfied.
A study of supply chain partnerships based on the commitment‐trust theory
Authors: Wu Mei‐Ying , Weng Yung‐Chien , Huang I‐Chiao
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use high‐tech companies in Taiwan as research subjects to verify the fit of the commitment‐trust theory and explore the supply chain relationships among research variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The key mediating variables model (KMV) proposed by Morgan and Hunt is applied to construct the research structure, hypotheses, and questionnaire. The research hypotheses are validated through structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

Research results show that for two parties of an exchange relationship, higher levels of trust can lead to better interactions and trust is an important factor affecting their supply chain partnerships. It helps increase interests of both parties, facilitate constant co‐operation and communication, and reduce uncertainties. Higher levels of commitment can also help increase value benefits, reduce a partner's propensity to leave, and enhance supply chain co‐operation efficiency.

Originality/value

Empirical results indicate that relationship marketing is a strategy that promotes trust and commitment of partners in high‐tech industries. While information sharing and communication can increase partners' intention of long‐term co‐operation, functional conflicts can facilitate positive interactions and reduce uncertainties. Through relationship marketing, high‐tech companies can create win‐win strategic alliances to develop their competitive advantages in the market.
Complexity and control: benchmarking of automobiles and electronic products
Authors: Fujimoto Takahiro , Won Park Young
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory paper is to analyze how complexity of an artifact affects designing processes of its mechanical, electric, and software sub‐systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on existing empirical research and frameworks of axiomatic design, product architecture, and product development process, the paper proposes a simple model of functional and structural design to examine how engineers' ways of thinking differ among mechanical, electric and software engineers.

Findings

This paper argues that products and artifacts tend to become complex (often with integral architecture) when customers' functional requirements become more demanding and societal/technological constraints become stricter, and that complex mechanical products are often accompanied by electronic control units with complex functions. This implies that designing complex mechanical products often requires intensive coordination among mechanical, electric and software engineers. This, however, is not easy, as engineers' way of thinking is often different among the three areas: mechanical engineers want to complete structural design information first to build prototypes; electrical and software engineers (the latter in particular) request complete functional information first.

Research limitations/implications

In order to solve the above‐mentioned mechanical‐electrical‐software coordination problem, engineers need to share basic design concept of the product in question. Heavy‐weight product managers who infuse the product concept to the project members might be the key to this coordination. Companies may need to make sure that their product development processes are friendly to all of the three groups of engineers.

Originality/value

Although designing complex artifacts has been a popular research theme since H. Simon's seminal work, issues of organizational coordination for developing complex products, with increasing managerial importance, need further research. With an empirical case of the automobile and electronic products, the present paper is unique in that it combines frameworks of product development processes, product architectures, and organizational capabilities.
Trust‐driven joint operational activities to achieve mass customization
Authors: Liao Kun , Sharkey Thomas W. , Ragu‐Nathan T.S. , Vonderembse Mark
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify relationships among buyer‐supplier trust, joint operational activities, and the degree of mass customization as well as the interactions between cultural factors (i.e. long‐term strategic alignment and autonomy) and trust in the context of supply chain management.

Design/methodology/approach

The model of trust is based on joint operational activities and mass customization using theories of social capital and the resource‐based view of the firm. Also, culture‐related antecedents of trust are identified. Based on 208 responses from suppliers in the USA and China, this study uses structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses.

Findings

This study empirically supports the notion that trust positively drives manufacturer‐supplier activities in operations. It also supports the claim that joint operational activities contribute to mass customization capabilities in a significant way. Moreover, two culture‐related antecedents are found to be significantly related to trust.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is limited to the auto industry in North America and China. As in other supply chain studies, individual respondents may have somewhat limited information about different aspects of their company's supply chain.

Practical implications

In general, it appears that trust is important in determining mass customization capabilities regardless of culture. For practitioners, long‐term strategic alignment is more important for firms to increase trust than autonomy although both can significantly increase the level of trust between buyer and supplier.

Originality/value

Long‐term strategic alignment and autonomy are identified as antecedents of trust and empirically supported.
Benchmarking sustainability practices: evidence from manufacturing firms
Authors: Hong Paul , Jungbae Roh James , Rawski Greg
Published: August 2012

Purpose

With increasing emphasis on the environment, firms are required to include sustainability practices at all levels – strategic, operational, and outcome measures. The purpose of this paper is to present a research model that defines sustainability practices in the context of the competitive business environment, strategic driver, operational and supply chain practices, and performance outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identifies research gaps in the areas of integration of sustainability practices across functional levels within firms and across networks. In total, 379 companies were analyzed in structural equation modeling.

Findings

This study has three important findings: First, firms striving for responsiveness to market and customers also improve environmental performance; second, this study confirms lean practices as an important mediator to achieve excellent environmental performance; third, the focal company takes the lead in achieving environmental performance, and suppliers are in the supportive circle of influence.

Originality/value

This study provides a research model based on rich theoretical support. It further provides reliable measures of sustainability practices as benchmark tools.
The scope of the Common European Sales Law: B2B, goods, digital content and services
Authors: Illescas Ortiz Rafael , Perales Viscasillas Pilar
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This article aims to take a critical look at the proposed Common European Sales Law (CESL) and its field of application.

Design/methodology/approach

The article provides a comparative analysis of the scope of application of CESL with that of the Convention on Contracts for the International Sales of Goods (CISG). The approach is critical in nature in that it questions the regulation of business‐to‐business (B2B) transactions under CESL. It also takes a critical look at the CESL and its coverage of three areas of contracting – sale of goods, supply of digital content, and supply of services.

Findings

The article exposes some of the shortcomings of the CESL in relation to its field of application.

Research limitations/implications

The CESL as proposed offers an optional regulation that complicates the law of transborder sales within the European Union (EU) and between EU member states and non‐EU states. The article recommends that CESL not extend its coverage to B2B transactions and leave transborder commercial transactions to the CISG. The article also suggests other changes to improve the CESL.

Practical implications

Further analysis is needed and more defined rules should be considered before CESL is enacted into law.

Originality/value

This article questions the wide scope of application of CESL. It further questions the rationality and practicality of the CESL's coverage of B2B transactions.
Time for a change: highlighting the Partnership Model
Authors: Wordsworth Russell , Malinen Sanna , Sloman Martyn
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This paper highlights the Partnership Model as an apposite approach to the planning and implementation of learning in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors provide a brief overview of the changing context for learning and development in organizations, followed by a discussion on the need for a shift in our approach to training. The authors draw attention to the Partnership Model as a solution to move forward.

Findings

The knowledge‐driven economy demands new skills sets for employees and new approaches to learning in organizations, yet trainer‐centric models such as ADDIE still dominate the training literature and practice. As a result, potentially more suitable approaches, such as the Partnership Model, have not gained traction with practitioners. The authors suggest that this is in part due to the practical challenges involved in establishing learning cultures and partnerships in organizations.

Research limitations/implications

The paper offers practical suggestions for developing a more learner‐centric, strategically aligned learning and development function through partnership and conversation with key stakeholders in the organization.

Originality/value

The paper offers practical suggestions for developing a more learner‐centric, strategically aligned learning and development function through partnership and conversation with key stakeholders in the organization.
Going the extra mile: developing managers to encourage voluntary, helpful, organizational behavior
Authors: Bandura Randall P. , Lyons Paul R.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This paper presents: the concept of voluntary, helpful organizational behavior (hereafter, V‐HOB), and an introduction to practical training and development approaches aimed at establishing a work environment in which V‐HOB can flourish.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors synthesize relevant research to provide a practical view useful for training and development of managers and supervisors.

Findings

Training and development of existing staff may be a more effective approach than attempting to recruit individuals predisposed toward V‐HOB. Management training and development in the area of V‐HOB can be extremely effective in establishing an environment conducive to organizational success.

Practical implications

The authors provide guidance to managers useful for management training toward nurturing an environment in which V‐HOB is more likely to be manifested.

Originality/value

This paper defines and describes behaviors that support V‐HOB. A gap is bridged between academic study of such behaviors and pragmatic techniques for development of today's managers.
Does the sky have to be the limit? Utilizing cloud‐based learning in the workplace
Authors: Ratten Vanessa
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the benefits of cloud‐based learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides examples of how cloud‐based learning is currently being implemented, and informs learning and development (L&D) professionals how to make the most of this technology.

Findings

In order to get the most out of cloud‐based learning, L&D practitioners need to encourage content creation and knowledge sharing in their organizations. As cloud‐based learning offers a useful way to take data and information from all parts of an organization and make it readily accessible to all employees, it is important that a number of steps be followed.

Practical implications

Cloud‐based learning reduces costs in terms of hardware purchase and maintenance, whilst increasing the availability of real time data from any geographic location.

Originality/value

The paper offers a checklist that L&D professionals might find useful to assist their thinking on how they might make the most of the opportunities this technology offers.
Riding the Waves of Innovation
Authors: Wollard Karen K.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Reviews the latest learning and development books across the globe and pinpoints practical implications.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Organizational development students and practitioners will find familiar theories and concepts presented in a new and thought provoking way. The authors challenge the conventional wisdom of dichotomies and two‐ends‐of‐a‐spectrum by showing how creativity and innovation happen as individuals move along a continuum, adapting as need and circumstance dictate.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to digest format.
Investing abroad and investing at home: complements or substitutes?
Authors: Globerman Steven
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to assess whether outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) and home country capital investment are substitutes or complements.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies of 22 Canadian multinational companies (MNCs) were carried out, and the qualitative and quantitative information from the case studies was used to evaluate whether OFDI and home country capital investment were substitutes or complements for the sample MNCs over the period 2000‐2010.

Findings

Two primary strategic motives were identified for the OFDI undertaken by the sample MNCs: market‐seeking; and resource‐seeking. Across the sample, domestic investment was typically a poor strategic alternative to OFDI. Furthermore, OFDI promoted faster revenue growth for the MNCs which stimulated increased domestic investment in later time periods. Hence, OFDI and domestic capital investment are complements in the longer run.

Practical implications

Home country government policies that directly or indirectly discourage OFDI will also discourage domestic investment by home country MNCs. This, in turn, might discourage investment by small and medium‐sized enterprises in the home country, if government limitations on OFDI hamper the growth of MNC head offices in the home country.

Originality/value

The study provides evidence drawing on case studies rather than traditional econometric models. The case study methodology provides evidence on the underlying strategic imperatives for OFDI that is not identified by econometric studies.
Three‐stage supply chain allocation with fixed cost
Authors: Panicker Vinay V. , Sridharan R. , Ebenezer B.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is of two‐fold. First, the authors propose the application of genetic algorithm (GA)‐based heuristic for solving a distribution allocation problem for a three‐stage supply chain with fixed cost. Second, a methodology for parameter design in GA is discussed which can lead to better performance of the algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

A mathematical model is formulated as an integer‐programming problem. The model is solved using GA‐based heuristic and illustrated with a numerical example. An investigation is made for determining the best combination of the parameters of GA using factorial design procedure.

Findings

The optimum population size for the selected problem size is found to be 100. The mutation probability for a better solution is 0.30. The objective function value at the above mentioned levels is better than that obtained at the other combinations.

Research limitations/implications

This work provides a good insight about the fixed cost transportation problem (FCTP) in a three‐stage supply chain and design of numerical parameters for GA. The model developed assumes a single product environment in a single period. Hence, the present study can be extended to a multi‐product, multi‐period, and varying demand environment. In the parameter design, three distinct numerical parameters are considered. The parameters, population size and mutation probability are set at four levels and the parameter, crossover probability is set at three levels. More levels can be selected so that more combinations can be experimented.

Originality/value

The paper presents the formulation and solution of a distribution‐allocation problem in a three‐stage supply chain with fixed cost for a transportation route.
A genetic algorithm‐based approach for job shop scheduling
Authors: Phanden Rakesh Kumar , Jain Ajai , Verma Rajiv
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to optimise the job shop scheduling problem using simulation and genetic algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a simulation‐based genetic algorithm approach for the job shop scheduling problem. In total, three cases have been considered to access the performance of the job shop, with an objective to minimise mean tardiness and makespan. A restart scheme is embedded into regular genetic algorithm in order to avoid premature convergence.

Findings

Simulation‐based genetic algorithm can be used for job shop scheduling problems. Moreover, a restart scheme embedded into a regular genetic algorithm results in improvement in the fitness value. Single process plans selected on the basis of minimum production time criterion results in improved shop performance, as compared to single process plans selected randomly. Moreover, availability of multiple process plans during scheduling improves system performance measures.

Originality/value

The paper presents a simulation‐based genetic algorithm approach for job shop scheduling problem, with and without restart scheme. In this paper the effect of multiple process plans over single process plans, as well as criterion for selection of single process plans, are studied. The findings should be taken into account while designing scheduling systems for job shop environments.
Novel model for inhabitants prediction in smart houses
Authors: Kadouche Rachid , Abdulrazak Bessam
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel model for inhabitant prediction in smart houses based on daily life activities. It uses data provided by non intrusive sensors and devices to predict the house occupant. The authors' model, named Behavior Classification Model (BCM), applies Support Vector Machines (SVM) classifier to learn the users' habits when they perform activities, and then predicts the user. BCM was tested using real data and compared with a frequency based approach. In this paper the authors present also their approach to improve the accuracy of BCM using SVM feature selection algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

The model, named Behavior Classification Model (BCM), applies Support Vector Machines (SVM) classifier to learn the users' habits when they perform activities, and then predicts the user.

Findings

BCM was tested using real data and compared with a frequency based approach. In this paper the authors' also present their approach to improve the accuracy of BCM using SVM feature selection algorithm.

Originality/value

The paper is based on blind user recognition in smart homes.
Dynamic similarity‐based activity detection and recognition within smart homes
Authors: Hong Xin , Nugent Chris D. , Mulvenna Maurice D. , Martin Suzanne , Devlin Steven , Wallace Jonathan G.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Within smart homes, ambient sensors are used to monitor interactions between users and the home environment. The data produced from the sensors are used as the basis for the inference of the users' behaviour information. Partitioning sensor data in response to individual instances of activity is critical for a smart home to be fully functional and to fulfil its roles, such as correctly measuring health status and detecting emergency situations. The purpose of this study is to propose a similarity‐based segmentation approach applied on time series sensor data in an effort to detect and recognise activities within a smart home.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores methods for analysing time‐related sensor activation events in an effort to undercover hidden activity events through the use of generic sensor modelling of activity based upon the general knowledge of the activities. Two similarity measures are proposed to compare a time series based sensor sequence and a generic sensor model of an activity. In addition, a framework is developed for automatically analysing sensor streams.

Findings

The results from evaluation of the proposed methodology on a publicly accessible reference dataset show that the proposed methods can detect and recognise multi‐category activities with satisfying accuracy, in addition to the capability of detecting interleaved activities.

Originality/value

The concepts introduced in this paper will improve automatic detection and recognition of daily living activities from timely ordered sensor events based on domain knowledge of the activities.