bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small, high cost countries′ strategy for attracting MNCs’ global
investments
Authors: Wallin Andreassen Tor
Published: April 2007

The strategy literature focuses on the firm or industry as the unit
of analysis. In the game of “jockeying for positions”
through “a process of creative destruction”, companies
create imperfections (dominating suppliers and customers create entrance
barriers) to achieve results above average. Very seldom is government,
as an entity with its own strategies, discussed in this “war
game” between companies. States that government (i.e. central and
local) is the unit of analysis with a defined goal of maximizing utility
for the inhabitants through the services rendered, i.e. internal
efficiency and external effectiveness. To finance the services offered
to the public and various organizations, government must develop
strategies which will maximize both short‐ and long‐term tax revenues
without reducing utility for the users. Consequently government succeeds
when companies are competitive. Discusses strategic factors which are
under the control of government in order to attract MNCs′ global
investments by improving the industry structure and thereby
competitiveness; to create a win‐win situation for both companies
(domestic and MNC‐subsidiaries) and government in order to secure
long‐term domestic growth (performance).
The pursuit of excellence is not optional in the voluntary sector, it is essential
Authors: Dunn Barbara , Mathews Stephen
Published: April 2007

This paper outlines the continuous improvement journey of a voluntary organisation. The significant level of organisational growth and improving quality of services described is clearly linked to the organisation’s commitment to improvement. One of the approaches used in adopting a total quality culture was the EFQM model, specifically interpreted for the voluntary sector. Until recently such an approach would have been considered alien to the sector, not least because of its origins in the business community. This article contradicts this assumption. Issues addressed include how the improvement process is driven, the use of performance measurement, external verification and the difficulties in accessing sector appropriate benchmark data. It is suggested that the pursuit of excellence is no longer optional for the voluntary sector, it is essential.
Loveable networks – a story of affection, attraction and treachery
Authors: Dobers Peter , Strannegård Lars
Published: April 2007

In an increasingly connected age, information technology can be argued to have become more politicized. The attempts to establish network technologies to promote the development of an information society are tokens of an increasingly vested interest that politics has in information technologies. Recognition of the entanglement of politics and technology is crucial in understanding contemporary organizational change. Instead of taking organizational stability for granted, we assume organizational change to be the norm. In this paper, we point to the many organizing efforts needed to prevent technologies from drifting away into non‐existence. We present two cases of IT ventures – one seemingly failed and one seemingly successful. Together, they illustrate the point that technological networks, as stable as they may seem, can only survive as long as they permanently fascinate actors from other techno‐economic networks and thereby attract their unconditional love, affection and commitment.
The Challenge of Kaizen Technology for American Business Competition
Authors: Webb Peter B. , Bryant Harold L.
Published: April 2007

Emphasizes one of the two basic types of technology, Kaizen technology, which was principally conceived in Japan. Also discusses the relationship between Kaizen technology and the second type, innovative technology. Kaizen technology is one of the principal reasons for Japan’s economic success. Asserts here that if American businesses are to compete successfully in international trade in future years, they must integrate and apply Kaizen technology. Presently, the prevailing managerial philosophy in the US, Taylor’s “scientific management”, impedes this integration and application. This philosophy, based on Frederick Taylor’s ideas, is contrasted with Kaizen technology. Finally, recommendations are presented to assist US firms in the transition from Taylor methods to quality management and Kaizen technology.
Co‐ordination of protocol and construction: a team approach
Authors: Wadkins Donald , Eubanks Randall , Lewis Randy , Light Mike , Zopff Daniel , Lantz Brad , Damminga Gregg
Published: April 2007

Offers an overview of the unique situations arising when installing
a wafer fabrication facility into a pre‐existing structure. Discussion
includes management techniques used to implement a “clean
build”, while at the same time completing a state‐of‐the‐art
facility in record time. Outlines suggestions for co‐ordinating
construction phases with upgrades in protocol cleanliness and the
organizational development of a safety and protocol team, composed
primarily of manufacturing personnel. Draws final conclusions and makes
recommendations to provide assistance for those contemplating a similar
approach in constructing a sub‐micron, wafer fabrication facility.
Are there alternatives to merger?
Authors: Hackett Mark Christopher
Published: April 2007

The reconfiguration of the supply side of the National Health Service (NHS) has stimulated an extensive debate about the need to merge NHS Trusts to maintain viable organizations. The result has been a number of mergers across the UK. Considers the underlying advantages of mergers and their drawbacks and argues that consideration must be made to addressing the long‐term strategic direction of an organization rather than regarding mergers as ends in themselves. Undertakes an appraisal of alliances and joint partnerships as alternatives to merger. Considers the conditions necessary to create effective alliances and joint partnerships and the factors which will sustain them. Appraises these requirements in the context of the NHS Trusts, in which little detailed work has been undertaken on classifying, understanding and developing what effective alliances mean for these organizations.
Small and medium‐sized enterprises – delimitation and the European definition in the area of industrial business
Authors: Loecher Ulrich
Published: April 2007

Examines the definitions of small and medium‐sized enterprises with particular focus on the industrial sector. It considers delimitation according to qualitative traits.
Mechanical fabric properties influencing the drape and handle
Authors: Frydrych I. , Dziworska G. , Cieślińska A.
Published: April 2007

The aim of this contribution is to answer the question if and how mechanical fabric parameters being components of a formability coefficient as well as mechanical parameters being components of fabric handle influence the fabric drape. Therefore, all these parameters were measured for ten fabrics and correlated with the drape coefficient.
A novel technique to measure stick‐slip in fabric
Authors: Taylor P.M. , Pollet D.M.
Published: April 2007

Stick‐slip is characterised by an intermittent movement when two materials are sliding across each other at very low speeds. This paper describes a new method of measuring stick‐slip on knitted and woven fabrics when sliding over non‐fibrous materials. The technique uses emitter‐receiver pairs arranged at regular intervals along the full length of the fabric panel, which each visualise the irregular movement of sticking and sliding. It is found that an extensible knitted fabric exhibits either shear or micro‐slip during the stick phase, before the actual gross slip movement.
Geometrical modelling of garments
Authors: Chiricota Yves , Cochaux Olivier , Provost André
Published: April 2007

This paper describes a method for fast three‐dimensional approximation of clothing from flat patterns. The pictures obtained are closely related to technical sketches used in the apparel industry. Our approach was implemented in a CAD program as currently used in the industry. Based on the parameterisation of flat polygonal curves and measurements, a geometrical approximation of the garment is achieved by reshaping the surfaces, using some curves as stating points. The methods herein described were applied to model certain elements inherent to the field of clothing design, such as collars, lapels and waistbands.
A remote, on‐line 3‐D human measurement and reconstruction approach for virtual wearer trials in global retailing
Authors: Stylios G.K. , Han F. , Wan T.R.
Published: April 2007

A powerful 3‐D system has been developed for on‐line 3‐D human measurement and reconstruction that interferes with a SQL Server database for virtual wearer trials in global retailing. In this research, 3‐D body profiles have been captured and analysed using an on‐line image measurement and processing system developed in this research and then stored in the database system. A parametric geometric human model has been devised with an effective search algorithm that utilises body measurements obtained on‐line or retrieved from the database. A SQL server database system has been constructed with user friendly interfaces which enables users to collect, manage and analyse all related information including human body images.
Influence of some parameters on stitching velocity of sewing
Authors: Zunic Lojen Darja
Published: April 2007

Presents the influence of seam length, normal stitching velocity of a sewing machine and a working method on stitching velocity of sewing. Results show that better stitching velocities of sewing are gained by longer length of seams and higher than normal stitching velocities of a sewing machine. Reveals the working method and type of feeding of material affect the achievement of higher stitching velocities.
Investigation of operative logical movement groups in garment sewing
Authors: Dragčević Zvonko , Rogale Dubravko , Trgovec Ljiljana
Published: April 2007

The development of the equipment for investigating operative logical movement groups in garment production is presented. The characteristics of the equipment and software packages used are described, as well as the processing of the video recordings, from recording at the workplace, marker separation to marker system chain‐linking, which, as a final result, are used in the course of logical movement group defining.
Eco‐efficiency in corporate budgeting
Authors: Burritt Roger , Schaltegger Stefan
Published: April 2007

Any measure of eco‐efficiency requires financial information, for calculating the numerator, and physical information about the environment, for calculating the denominator. Accounting and finance staff provide key financial information about the numerator in eco‐efficiency calculations. Hence, for eco‐efficiency measures to be calculated and for the measures to add value it is essential for them to be integrated with accounting and financial management processes such as budgetary control. Calculating measures of eco‐efficiency is not enough on its own to ensure corporate value is added. Accounting and finance staff have to be involved in the planning of future long‐term eco‐efficiency improvement. If value added from continuous improvement in eco‐efficiency activities is to be anticipated it is necessary for eco‐efficiency and budgeting to be integrated. The paper provides some conceptual and practical guidance to help managers achieve this integration. Recently a number of companies have suggested that corporate budgeting no longer serves a purpose in their organizations (e.g. in network organizations). By demonstrating that, if information related to the neglect of potential environmental protection activities is ignored, the costs to business can be very high, this suggested change in practice is considered. It is concluded that a set of contingent guidelines need to be developed for budgeted eco‐efficiency situations to help management and regulators assess value‐added opportunities from using this new environmental management tool.
Task allocation using case‐based reasoning for distributed manufacturing systems
Authors: Choy K.L. , Lee W.B.
Published: April 2007

Introduces a case‐based management system (CBMS) for decision making such as allocating tasks under a distributed manufacturing environment. The distributed manufacturing environment can be viewed as a multi‐agent system in which each manufacturing plant is an agent to produce the whole or part of the products ordered by the customers. The knowledge is represented as cases in the system which can be reused to produce new solutions. This learn‐by‐experience approach provides a particular strength to case‐based reasoning over most other AI methods. The effectiveness of the proposed concept is demonstrated by applying the CBMS to a task allocation example. By using the CBMS approach, tasks or jobs can be assigned to appropriate agents effectively. Moreover, CBMS can be used locally or globally via WAN or Internet with high‐security protection as a knowledge management system in small and medium enterprises.
Interpreting the role of disruptive technologies in e‐businesses
Authors: Dhillon Gurpreet , Coss David , Hackney Ray
Published: April 2007

In interpreting the role of disruptive technologies in the relative success and failure of firms, this paper uses Christensen’s principles to review the strategies of Amazon.com and Barnes & Nobel. The core argument of the paper is based on the assertion that firms that fail to recognize the uniqueness of a disruptive technology fall short of succeeding in their line of business. The argument is conducted by reviewing the various aspects of disruptive technology, as they relate to the business of selling books online. In a final synthesis, insights based on occurrences within the US e‐business context are presented.
A comparison of just‐in‐time inventory and the quantity discount model in retail outlets
Authors: Aghazadeh Seyed‐Mahmoud
Published: April 2007

The inventory management system of a discount retail store was examined. A just‐in‐time inventory management model and a quantity discount model were used to determine the appropriateness of each model for the retail outlet. Based on the calculations performed, it was determined that utilizing a retail just‐in‐time (JIT) policy is unrealistic. Customer demands constantly change, and shortages due to stock‐outs can cause huge losses in profits, especially when customers are lost to competitors. Additionally, the quantity discount model provides the lowest total cost for a retail outlet. Not only are the prices cheaper when inventory is bought in large quantities, but shortages or stock‐outs are rare. The optimal solution for a retail store is implementing the quantity discount method.
The Logistics Response
Authors: Scribbins Rod
Published: April 2007

The objective of any business must be to maximize share‐holder value.
This can only be achieved by providing products and services which
delight customers and through the commitment of all people within the
business to its goals. Logistics is a means of providing effective
customer service within that overall strategy and has the potential to
be a significant contributor to improved value. Traces the evolution of
logistics, looks at the way in which thinking in logistics parallels
that in other business areas, and examines how logistics can contribute
to maximum shareholder value.
Responsive manufacturing demands alignment of production control methods to business drivers
Authors: Little David , Peck Matthew , Rollins Ralph , Porter Keith
Published: April 2007

For the past 20 years production planning and control has been dominated by manufacturing resource planning (MRPII) and its antecedents. The authors are completing case study based research that is aimed at developing novel planning and scheduling reference models for industrial sectors where the MRPII paradigm is not appropriate. It outlines the process mapping approach adopted for data capture within the case study companies and the use of ARIS, Scheer’s enterprise modelling tool, for the production of sector reference models.
Contextual shaping in the origination, implementation and uptake of manufacturing cells
Authors: Dawson Patrick
Published: April 2007

Data drawn from a longitudinal case study of change is used to examine contextual factors in the conception, uptake and operation of manufacturing cells. Attention is given to the external context of change and the importance of internal factors, such as the technical configuration of work, and the culture and history of plant operations, in shaping change outcomes. In charting a number of contextual dimensions, political process is also identified as a central element which overlaps and intertwines with context. Highlights how political process and context are important in shaping both the process of change (for example, local implementation strategy and employee responses to change) and change outcomes (for example, operating practices around the new cell arrangements).
Conflict management strategies of principals in site‐based managed schools
Authors: Henkin Alan B. , Cistone Peter J. , Dee Jay R.
Published: April 2007

Site‐based management depends on collaboration and teamwork among teachers, administrators, and parents. Collaborative decision making in educational systems is frequently characterized by conflict and disagreement, given differing perspectives and opinions among participants, and differing interests in the status quo. School principals, charged with facilitator roles in locally managed schools, are challenged to address resulting conflicts in ways that yield functional synergies and constructive outcomes which enable schools to respond to community needs. The purpose of this study is to develop a profile of preferred conflict management behaviors and strategies of a sample of principals in a large, urban school district who work in site‐based managed schools. Results reflect these principals’ preference for solution‐oriented conflict strategies. Findings are discussed in terms of the changing leadership responsibilities of principals in site‐based managed schools.
Implementing educational policy at the school level – Organization dynamics and teacher concerns
Authors: Van der Vegt Rein , Smyth Leo F. , Vandenberghe Roland
Published: April 2007

Difficulties in implementing change in schools have been explained either by referring to the concerns of teachers or to the organizational dynamics of the school. This article presents a framework in which these two sets of factors are linked. It is suggested that the school, in responding to major policy change, triggers specific organizational issues that in turn will arouse specific concerns on the part of the individual teacher. The implementation of major change is seen as the resolution of these issues and their related concerns. The framework maps the interplay of organizational issues and personal concerns; it serves as a reflection on the dynamics of change and on the management of “the implementing school”.
School‐based, decision‐making councils – Conflict, leader power and social influence in the vertical team
Authors: Johnson Patsy E. , Scollay Susan J.
Published: April 2007

School‐based, decision‐making councils were studied as vertical teams, groups of individuals who share a common purpose but operate on different levels from different role perspectives within the organization. These role perspectives were considered important determinants of the amount of conflict experienced by council members when conflict was considered to be a function of the bases of leader power of the principal and the social influence of the council members. Subjects were from 144 schools in Kentucky, representing the three school council constituencies: teachers, principals, and parents. Findings of the study revealed significant differences in the amount of conflict, power, and influence between the three council constituencies and a significant relationship between the amount of conflict and power and influence.
Coordinating work in Swedish schools
Authors: Jacobsson Christian , Pousette Anders
Published: April 2007

Intra‐organizational coordination is studied almost exclusively using a case approach, with the implementation of one specific coordinating method and evaluation of the effects of that method. By contrast, this study explores the daily use of five coordinating strategies in 30 Swedish schools. Furthermore, the relationships between coordinating strategies and co‐ordination problems in the schools and burnout among teachers are investigated. The most important coordinating strategy was “professional consideration”, followed by “striving for goals”. “Mutual adjustment” was perceived as important to a few, and hardly any teachers judged “following routines” and “following the boss” as important. The results showed that “striving for goals” was related to less frequent coordination problems and lower levels of burnout than was “professional consideration”.
Learning to lead global changes in local cultures ‐ Designing a computer‐based simulation for Thai school leaders
Authors: Hallinger Philip , Kantamara Pornkasem
Published: April 2007

The process of globalization is carrying educational policies across borders to an extent and at a pace never seen before. This has in turn led to a global focus – for the first time – on the training of school leaders. A key issue in the design and delivery of training and development for school leaders concerns the knowledge base for school leadership. This article presents the results of a research and development project that has sought to understand the cultural basis for educational change in Thai schools. The research found that leading change in Thai schools bears similarities and differences from educational change in the West. This article focuses on the cultural adaptation of a computer‐based simulation for use with Thai school leaders. It describes the methodology employed in the cultural adaptation of the simulation, highlighting successful change strategies grounded in Thai culture.
Using commercial property indices for measuring portfolio
performance
Authors: Brown Gerald R. , Matysiak George A.
Published: April 2007

The measurement of property portfolio performance is an important
issue that, superficially, appears very straightforward. All that is
required is an index of property market movements which can then be used
as a reference point for comparing performance. Problems can arise,
however, if the statistical characteristics of the index are different
from the portfolio being analysed. This is not a trivial issue as the
difference can be large enough to obscure the true performance of the
portfolio and can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis of investment skill.
Draws on recent research into index construction and examines some of
the issues surrounding these problems. Discusses tracking errors and
benchmarking issues.
Estimated realization price: what do the banks want and what can
realistically be provided
Authors: Lovell Richard , French Nick
Published: April 2007

Studies the effects of the downturn in the property market in the
late 1980s on banking business practices and the banks′ consequent
reassessment of their reliance on loan‐to‐value ratios for lending
purposes. Looks at the philosophy underlying the RICS′s publication, in
September 1995, of new valuation guidance notes and highlights the
importance of the new requirements placed on the valuer.
Environmental risk: potential rational borrower behaviour
Authors: Groth John C. , Baumann Mark W.
Published: April 2007

Addresses the conceptual consequences of rational behaviour in the
context of potential outcomes from environmental risk. Identifies the
main scenarios faced by a borrower and the behaviour one might expect
given the circumstances. Focuses on the implications of borrower
behaviour.
SCATTR: an instrument for measuring shopping centre attractiveness
Authors: Khei Mie Wong Grace , Lu Yu , Lan Yuan Lim
Published: April 2007

Focuses upon shopping centre developments through joint venture enterprises. By adapting the process proposed by Churchill to develop measures of marketing constructs, an instrument to assess perceived attractiveness of joint venture shopping centres in China is formulated. The proposed instrument (SCATTR) contains 21 attributes in five dimensions and exhibits high internal consistency and validity. The purpose of this instrument is to provide China’s joint venture shopping centres with an indication of their performance as well as an avenue to gain more knowledge about consumers in China. Concludes that the SCATTR instrument is a reliable and valid tool to assess the attractiveness and performance of shopping centres as perceived by consumers.
Identifying the success factors in e‐grocery home delivery
Authors: Punakivi Mikko , Saranen Juha
Published: April 2007

Efforts in the electronic grocery shopping, i.e. e‐grocery business, focus especially on the physical distribution of the goods. For example, in the USA there are several e‐grocery service providers with various operating concepts and offering various service levels. The home delivery concept of Streamline is based on a reception box at the customer’s garage or home yard enabling unmanned reception. In contrast, WebVan has launched a home delivery concept where the customer can select a convenient half an hour delivery time window. Various service concepts have been implemented and offered, but has anyone really analysed the differences in cost structures of these two and of other concepts in between the two extremes? Investigates existing home delivery service concepts from different angles and presents concrete simulation results of various parameters representing several home delivery service levels. Eventually, identifying the parameters will give guidelines for the future development of the e‐grocery home delivery services.
Ten years after: the impact of German unification on retail pharmacies
Authors: Schmidt Ruth Ä. , Pioch Elke A.
Published: April 2007

Building on a previous study of retail change the impact of the German unification on retail pharmacies is conceptualized in terms of the interaction between changes in system and life world with the retail pharmacist located at the interface between the two realms. A series of key informant interviews with retail pharmacists located in Berlin and Brandenburg forms the basis for grounded theory building. Differences between the previous system and the current status quo are examined and a tentative typology of eastern pharmacies posited.
Export implications for the Japanese fruit market: fruit‐specific lifestyle segments
Authors: Shim Soyeon , Gehrt Kenneth , Lotz Sherry
Published: April 2007

Examines the Japanese fruit market, which, as a result of production and distribution factors, represents a viable target for fruit exporters around the world. The study provides guidance for fruit exporters by identifying three fruit‐specific segments based on fruit‐specific lifestyle factors. The process of identifying the lifestyle factors relies on a cross‐culturally validated theoretical framework developed within the context of food consumption. Cluster analysis is used to identify the segments: creative/highly involved; practical/moderately involved, and aesthetic/uninvolved. These three segments of the everyday fruit consumption market are characterized in terms of fruit shopping, fruit consumption, and socioeconomic factors. The creative/highly involved segment, older and more traditional, represents today’s heavy‐consumer of fruit in Japan, followed closely by the practical/moderately involved segment. Although the aesthetic/uninvolved segment is composed of relatively light consumers, its demographics suggest that exporters need to develop this segment in order to succeed in this market.
An examination of capital structure in the restaurant industry
Authors: Upneja Arun , Dalbor Michael C.
Published: April 2007

Examines the capital structure decisions of restaurant firms. Hypothesizes that these decisions are based upon a financial “pecking‐order” as well as the position of the firm in the financial growth cycle. Using ratios from publicly‐traded restaurant firms in the USA and ordinary least squares regression models, the results tend to support the notion that both the pecking‐order and the financial growth cycle influence financing decisions. However, the results also indicate that there may be separate factors affecting long‐term and short‐term debt decisions made by restaurant managers.
Managerial attitudes towards work activities in the hospitality and service industries
Authors: Waryszak Robert , King Brian
Published: April 2007

This paper identifies the extent to which front‐line managers in the hospitality, retail and banking sectors perceive work activities to be pleasant or unpleasant. General factorial multivariate analysis of variance was used to assess attitudes towards ten activities according to demographic characteristics. The activities were: deskwork, decision making, developing, disciplining, informing, innovating, leading, monitoring, persuading and time pressure. The findings indicate that managers in the service sector generally have a range of perceptions about activities, with some regarded as pleasant and others as unpleasant. The managerial perceptions identified in this study could have useful implications for the introduction of attempts to enhance staff motivation and performance. An improved awareness of managerial activity preferences on the part of senior managers and researchers may help to avoid certain problems and strengthen staff motivation. The present research is exploratory and should be followed up with a thorough assessment of whether there is a relationship between performance and activity preference.
Managing the supply chain with standard mixed loads
Authors: Teulings Martijn F. , van der Vlist Piet
Published: April 2007

Describes the complementary standard mixed loads concept (the standard mix concept in short), which allows for assembling mixed loads at an upstream echelon. These standard mixed loads are assigned to customer orders at an echelon downstream of the chain. Describes two applications of the use of the standard mix concept in order to identify up‐front the logistic advantages, both in inventory reduction and in handling reduction. Presents the basic principles of the concept and offers some mathematical modelling. Describes the effects on the inventory at the various points of the supply chain, and presents some simulation results. Concludes that the concept offers new perspectives for supply chain management and intermodal transport.
Customer valuation as a foundation for growth
Authors: McDougall Duncan , Wyner Gordon , Vazdauskas David
Published: April 2007

Customers differ widely in the long‐term value they represent to a company, and the “best” customers are often many times more valuable than the average ones. Cites four customer value components: acquisition cost, revenue stream, cost stream and length of relationship. Argues that by understanding and managing lifetime customer value, a company not only allocates resources to its customers more effectively, but also becomes better able to focus on developing long‐term customer relationships. Examines ways to calculate lifetime customer value and use it as the basis for strategy development.
Quality in Oregon, USA ‐ the state quality award and its winners
Authors: Taylor Chris
Published: April 2007

Reveals that in common with many US states, Oregon has its own quality award programme ‐ one of several across the USA familiarly described (in a manner which fails to do them full justice) as “mini‐Baldriges”. The Oregon Quality Award itself, was created in 1994 on behalf of the State of Oregon by the Oregon Quality Initiative (OQI), a not‐for‐profit organization dedicated to creating learning opportunities in continuous quality improvement. Explains the process of the award, and profiles three of the most recent winners.
Keep your market definitions up to date ‐ or risk losing your customers
Authors: Lele Milind M.
Published: April 2007

“Our market is everyone living North of Main Street and East of Broad”. This sentence graphically describes a common problem: “framing” markets incorrectly, defining them according to our perceptions rather than the realities. Discusses why companies consistently wear blinkers when viewing their markets; describes the dangers of myopia in this important, but overlooked, area of strategy, and highlights typical causes.
Responding to an unfair performance appraisal
Authors: Knippen Jay T. , Green Thad B.
Published: April 2007

Dealing with a less‐than desirable performance appraisal takes
skill and preparation. Provides many tips on preparing to discuss your
appraisal with the boss. Runs through a possible scenario and summarizes
the various stages to go through.
“Good” leadership
Authors: Drouillard Scott E. , Kleiner Brian H.
Published: April 2007

Makes a necessary and rarely touted distinction as to moral or “good” leadership versus amoral leadership. The most common textbook definitions of business leadership are lacking, because of their lack of a moral stance. Re‐emphasizes the important distinction between a manager and a leader, which has been revealed in great depth by many authors earlier. Discusses and gives form to the most important and agreed‐on characteristics or attributes of leadership, many of which are inseparable from “goodness”. Addresses the issue of whether these attributes can be learned and developed, or are inherent at birth. Concludes that good leadership has a moral foundation and that leadership skills can be learned.
Delivering the Promise
Authors: Williams Robert A.
Published: April 2007

Focuses on the benefits of actually carrying out the tenets of
simultaneous, or concurrent, engineering on a project. The advantages
are not explained in purely theoretical fashion but rather, are
presented with factural data and experiential retrospect. The
Hewlett‐Packard (HP) 34401A Multimeter not only represents a
breakthrough in its market and specifications, but also a radical
improvement in the product development process and subsequent
manufacturing processes required to bring it to the marketplace in a
tough global economy. Shows how HP integrates tools such as DFMA, QFD,
and activity‐based‐costing into the concurrent engineering process to
give the customer what he really wants at a competitive price. Lower
manufacture and assembly techniques, lower cost and higher reliability
is being achieved.
An engineering designer′s view of virtual engineering and rapid
prototyping
Authors: Medl Tony
Published: April 2007

The design process is an uncertain activity which the designer must
learn to handle. This is done, to a limited extent, by adopting standard
procedures and problem containment strategies. Both can lead to
inefficient operations and non‐optimized designs, which affect the time
to market and user acceptability. The advances in virtual engineering
and rapid prototyping can be seen as elements in a new model‐based
approach directed at providing increased confidence in a design at the
earliest possible stage. These new techniques can be used to provide
early feedback and improvements in products, in areas as diverse as
customer response to style and form, through to the evaluation of new
operating procedures and training. The resolution of such problems
during the design phase will greatly improve not only the quality of the
product, but also its time to market. Such an approach is currently
being investigated by the author′s research group, and a computer‐aided
design environment incorporating these ideas is being created for the
design of process machinery.
Implementing engineering data management solutions
Authors: McIntosh Kenneth G.
Published: April 2007

Discusses the implementation of engineering data management (EDM)
which is one of the more recent technologies to be considered by
enterprises needing to be more responsive to business pressures.
Highlights the considerations for a successful implementation stressing
the need for companies to learn from the mistakes and success of others.
Only a timely and efficient implementation will realize the benefits of
EDM.
Women′s leadership styles: a heuristic analysis
Authors: Stanford Jane H. , Oates Barbara R. , Flores Delfina
Published: April 2007

Poses the question: do women have different leadership styles from
those of men? With the current and projected impact of women‐led
business on the world′s economies, this question is an important one.
Surprisingly, however, there is an insignificant amount of empirical
research into this leadership‐gender debate – most of the
contemporary literature is purely conceptual. Therefore, the goal of the
present study is to initiate scientific inquiry of this topic. An
exploratory investigation of a sample of women business owners and
managers was conducted to examine their leadership styles. From this
preliminary study, utilizing the qualitative research methodology of
content analysis, a heuristic model of female leadership is developed.
Using an employee attitude survey to understand level playing‐field
issues
Authors: Burke Ronald J.
Published: April 2007

Describes a consulting project in which survey data were analysed
to further an organization′s understanding of level playing‐field
issues. Data were collected from 1,608 women and men employed by a
single large professional services firm, using questionnaires completed
anonymously. Only 5 per cent of the partners of the firm were women,
though half of new professional hires from universities were women.
Women working in particular departments, and women working in particular
offices, reported more negative experiences. Women and men, however,
showed similar patterns in relationships among measures of work
experiences and work outcomes, suggesting that women and men would both
benefit from organizational initiatives addressing issues in this area.
The role of the partners in supporting and bringing about fundamental
change was highlighted.
Policy responses, institutional networks management and post‐Hurricane Ivan reconstruction in Jamaica
Authors: Osei Philip D.
Published: April 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate how the Government and people of Jamaica responded to the onslaught of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, against the background of the established institutional response framework, including the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management Act (1993) and Disaster Prevention and Emergency Management Plan of 1983 and established norms of practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative methods for primary research were adopted in the study including élite interviews, attendance at press briefings, and reviews of policy documents and media reports. It also adopted a critical application of policy outcomes frameworks in a bid to interpret and evaluate the policy interventions during the event of Ivan.

Findings

The research revealed the following: that established configurations of working relations were upset by the establishment of an ad hoc reconstruction agency called Office of National Reconstruction (ONR); that the decentralised institutional level of response, the Parish Disaster Committees, were expected to possess the relevant capacity for assessment and response, even though these committees had not been capacitated to make an appropriate response; that by placing the ONR outside the legally established response agency, the government had weakened the prospects for institutional learning and preservation of institutional memory, as well as generated undue conflict which impinged on coordination, at a time when unity of purpose was most required.

Originality/value

Posits that, if there was a real and continuous need for an ONR, then its location would be better within the Office of Disaster Planning and Emergency Management. It also suggests that the Parish Disaster Committees are critical to disaster prevention and management as they are located at the interface between government and community, and should be appropriately empowered to play their role.
Why does the pilot sit at the front? And does it matter? Or: what you see isn’t what you get, necessarily
Authors: Weir David T.H.
Published: April 2007

Investigates the reasoning behind why a passenger pilot, for instance, sits at the front of the plane, showing why the answer to this is not as obvious as it may seem. Uses other variations on this theme to emphasize the important methodology involved. Looks at risk management within this sphere and makes a few valid points about this and other connected issues.
Fair value accounting: breaking a butterfly upon a wheel?
Authors: Ebling Paul
Published: April 2007

Recent proposals to require all financial instruments to be measured at fair value are raising some pretty basic issues about bank accounting. The author, who headed up the UK end of the project to produce the new rules, argues whether, as bankers might suggest, they are overkill or whether they are a reasonable response to a serious problem. He argues that accounting rules around the world are moving steadily away from historical cost accounting and towards fair value accounting. The banks argue that their figures would become more volatile. The standard‐setters argue that, if reporting more realistically shows volatility, then so be it. But the proposals are the most comprehensive examination of the problem and he commends its study.
Active loan portfolio management through the use of credit derivatives
Authors: Van der Maas Paul
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this article, which is based on a recent presentation by Paul Van der Maas, is to give the reader a brief overview of common credit derivatives, the size and scope of their markets and their role in structured credit products. The case study uses as a reference a current deal that Bank of America has structured using credit derivatives.
Operational risk: an example from the mining industry
Authors: Yee Chong Yen
Published: April 2007

The author takes mining as his paradigm and analyses the approach to risk management showing that financial and fuzzy factors should be taken into account and, if handled effectively, can produce a very useful operational risk analysis.
Asset and liability management for banks: a lawyer’s perspective
Authors: Finch Ruth
Published: April 2007

Risk management issues and the implications and implementation of the Basel Accord are concentrating the minds of the banking industry. The author assesses the implications and, from a legal standpoint, advises on how to apply the new skills which will be required. She also suggests various planning points which financial institutions should take into account in the preparation for the day when the Basel Accord takes effect.
Attitudes of UK managers to risk and uncertainty
Authors: Helliar Christine , Lonie Alasdair , Power David , Sinclair Donald
Published: April 2007

The authors provide an overview of their research into the attitudes of UK managers to risk and uncertainty. They find that, when it comes to decision making, managers in UK enterprises tend to focus on loss aversion rather than risk aversion. They found that managers’ personal attitudes to risk were often more important than risk management systems and their appropriateness.
Asset management: equities demystified
Authors: Acharya Shanta
Published: April 2007

In this series of extracts from the concluding chapter of Acharya’s book, Asset Management: Equities Demystified, the author argues that the major factor in future developments will be legislation and regulation. But she suggests that ultimately knowledge management will be the crucial competitive advantage. “As knowledge is power”, she says, “knowledge is more powerful today than ever before”.
Liquidity risk: what lessons can be learnt from the crisis in Japan’s banking system?
Authors: Fiedler Robert , Brown Karl , Moloney James
Published: April 2007

With the need to expel huge amounts of non‐performing loans from their balance sheets, their share prices sinking and their credit ratings lowered, Japan’s banks are struggling to raise new capital and may face collapse. But the current crisis could have been avoided. If they had implemented rigorous liquidity risk management structures, the banks would have a clear view of their true position and could have avoided spinning into the vicious circle of a funding crisis.
Caught in the middle: the treasury view of 2004
Authors: Raeburn Richard
Published: April 2007

The author, chief executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers, looks ahead at two challenges of 2004 in the continuing arguments over international financial reporting rules on financial instruments, which he believes will create inconsistencies in banking accounts and treasury practices, and in the implementation of the Sarbanes‐Oxley legislation which he believes will create a burden of excessive certification.
High‐performance leadership
Authors: Jones Graham
Published: April 2007

High‐performing leaders are those who can effectively deal with the complexities of modern business. They can respond quickly to change, deal with ambiguity, provide direction, manage around constraints, and leverage the commitment and intellectual capital of the people around them. When this capability is cultivated across an organization, it creates a distinct performance environment that enables the organization to adapt, innovate, and ultimately win and sustain competitive advantage.
Building your people for the profit of your business
Authors: Owen Claire
Published: April 2007

Purpose

Highlights the importance of strong company values in helping to achieve organizational success.

Findings

Outlines how to identify who is right for the organization and suggests that job advertisements detailing the demands of the role, rather than simply listing required skills, place the onus on the applicant to prove that he or she can provide what the job requires. Stresses the importance of cultural identity.

Practical implications

Provides useful guidelines for anyone involved in the recruiting process and shows how to keep employees happy and motivated.
Quality and assessment
Authors: Hinett Karen , Knight Peter
Published: April 2007

Assessment is used for purposes of accountability and the improvement of teaching and learning. In addition, stakeholders such as employers and government funding councils rely on assessment to provide them with data ensuring quality of provision and standards of education. Illustrates how these seemingly conflicting demands can be met with reference to three empirical sources: interviews with staff at the University of Central Lancashire, England; and fieldwork conducted at James Madison University (JMU), Virginia, and Alverno College, Milwaukee, USA. Makes a case for assessment which is integrated into the learning experience, responsive to student needs, and which is congruent with the aims of individual programmes and the mission statement of the institution.
Information systems security in the Greek public sector
Authors: Loukis Euripidis , Spinellis Diomidis
Published: April 2007

The security aspects of public sector information systems are important as the respective systems are often part of critical infrastructures or deal with personal or sensitive data. A set of 53 Greek public sector organizations were investigated by means of a structured questionnaire concerning important aspects of information systems security. We present the relevant theoretical background, the methodology of our research, and an analysis of the obtained results. Greek public sector organizations have only a basic level of information system security awareness. Most care about digital data confidentiality; however, only a small percentage have developed a systematic, complete, and integrated approach towards the security of their information system, including internal audit procedures. The importance of proper training and generally the importance of the human factor for achieving high levels of information systems security is often underestimated.