bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tertiary student attitudes to bicycle commuting in a regional Australian university
Authors: Whannell Patricia , Whannell Robert , White Richard
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide executive management at a regional university with empirical data to justify, or otherwise, a substantial outlay of funds to support bicycle commuting as a viable strategy for the reduction of traffic congestion.

Design/methodology/approach

A custom designed questionnaire was completed by 270 participants who were enrolled in a first year undergraduate science, technology and society course which focussed on the environment and sustainability issues. The questionnaire targeted the likelihood that participants would use a bicycle to commute to university and the factors which influenced the decision to bicycle commute.

Findings

Principal components analysis identified a common underlying construct which addressed the likelihood to ride to university and involved the opportunity to ride on bike paths, the availability of appropriate facilities at the institution, knowledge of other people who rode to university and the number of study contact hours on a given day. Qualitative analysis identified route safety as the primary factor influencing the decision to bicycle commute. No association was identified between the likelihood to bicycle commute and the participants' confidence or experience level in riding a bicycle. While the study provides evidence to support the expenditure required to develop an appropriate built environment which facilitates bicycle commuting, it indicates that such action taken in isolation will have minimal effect on increasing this mode of commuting.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted to meet the needs of a particular institution and is not considered generally applicable. However, it provides a framework for others who may wish to conduct similar research.

Originality/value

This study targets a perceived gap in the literature in relation to the attitude of tertiary students towards bicycle commuting and provides empirical evidence to support bicycle commuting as a sustainable transport option.
Sustainability in business education in the Asia Pacific region: a snapshot of the situation
Authors: Naeem Malik , Neal Mark
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide information about the extent to which sustainability is integrated into business school education and learning in the Asia Pacific region.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was developed, and administered to business schools in the Asia Pacific region. In addition to measuring the number of courses and programs integrating sustainability, the study solicited qualitative observations by respondents, to provide information and insight into the issues.

Findings

The research found that whereas corporate governance, sustainability and business ethics were quite commonly taught in business schools, they were not generally prioritized. There was also an overall lack of systematic approaches to the integration of sustainability in business curricula, and significant barriers to the integration of sustainability into programs remained.

Originality/value

This is the first region‐wide survey of sustainability in business education in the Asia Pacific region.
Quality, risk and governance: social workers' perspectives
Authors: Taylor Brian , Campbell Barbara
Published: December 2011

Purpose

Governance is an emerging aspect of social care organisations embodying professionally‐led risk management, quality assurance and service improvement. The purpose of this paper is to put forward a broad conceptualisation of the main dimensions of quality and risk in social care.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was undertaken to seek the perspectives on social care governance (SCG) of social workers in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland where clinical and SCG is formalised in the integrated health and social care service.

Findings

The 123 respondents were from a wide range of grades, aspects of work (practice, management and training) and both children's and adult services. Approximately, 60 per cent of social workers thought themselves knowledgeable on SCG, but this self‐reported knowledge was considerably higher amongst managers and trainers than practitioners. The risk register was familiar to 61 per cent of respondents. Social workers thought that useful ways to learn about SCG were team meetings, local workshops and engagement in developmental projects rather than training events.

Research limitations/implications

The 41 per cent response rate is typical of surveys of busy professionals.

Practical implications

Social workers were generally not very aware of the systems being developed to implement accountability and support through SCG, presenting challenges to the tasks of managing risk and improving the safety and quality of services.

Originality/value

The paper shows that Northern Ireland is pioneering the development of SCG in parallel with clinical governance in health care. Valuable lessons are being learned about the application of concepts of risk and quality in the complexity of social work.
Leadership development for junior doctors
Authors: Stoll Louise , Swanwick Tim , Foster‐Turner Julia , Moss Fiona
Published: December 2011

Purpose

An innovative programme of “Darzi” Fellowships in Clinical Leadership provides doctors in postgraduate training with a unique opportunity to engage in improving systems of health care and develop their capability as future clinical leaders. The purpose of this paper is to report an impact evaluation of the programme, highlighting transferable design principles.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative and quantitative data were used iteratively and included a review of literature, analysis of background documents and internal evaluation results, face‐to‐face and telephone interviews, observation of educational events, online questionnaires and representative case studies.

Findings

Impact was found at the level of the fellows' learning, their organisations and the wider health system. Identified influencing factors included: clarity of purpose and aims, mutuality of workplace and external learning, learning for transformational change, ambitious but “do‐able” projects, a committed and learning‐oriented sponsor, a supportive organisational culture, high‐quality mentoring, a network of supportive peers, diversity of participants, ongoing monitoring and adaptation, planning for sustainability and the tracking of impact over time.

Research limitations/implications

The extent to which results are generalisable needs to be considered within the constraints of this programme evaluation.

Practical implications

The “Darzi” Fellowship programme is effective and impactful, spawning clinical leadership development throughout a wider system. Whole system engagement of trainee doctors in leadership will require more than a Fellowship programme alone, but it is a start.

Originality/value

The evaluation adds to what we know about leadership development generally and provides a rare study in the medical context generating helpful principles for the design of leadership development programmes, particularly in the clinical setting.
Implementing changes in the head teacher role
Authors: Corral Granados Anabel , Kruse Fredrik
Published: December 2011

Purpose

During the last 20 years inclusive practices in primary schools have been promoted by policies and worldwide organisations. Scholars confirm that school leaders have an essential role to play with direct impact on meeting children's needs and that there is a chronic deficiency of research on this issue. The purpose of this paper is to describe how strategic leadership roles implemented by head‐teachers can facilitate the implementation of inclusive policies in the school setting and present possible suggestions through the analysis of leadership theories and literature related to inclusion in primary schools.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology this research employs includes a literature review that conceptualises the roles of leadership positions in inclusive settings. This is structured as an explanatory discourse, drawing on the notion of transformational and visionary leadership as the basis of strategic leadership, in order to identify the important role and strategies of leaders in a primary school setting.

Findings

The paper highlights the benefits of exploring the role of leaders in these schools. The paper assumes that organisations are complex structures and the analysis indicates that there is not one single exclusive way of implementing an effective role and that alternatives can be created by adapting a flexible framework. This framework is conceptualised by examples from institutions in which leaders have motivated the improvement of school quality by following the described strategic tools. The implications of this for leadership are that Strategic Intent seems to address the directions of the aims of inclusive leaders: it uses unique strategies and relies on the capability of leaders to encourage further dedication and involvement in the organisation's culture. It is suggested that the key components of this framework which will result in the school setting becoming more inclusive consist of: resource allocation, consistency, strategic planning and cultural considerations.

Practical implications

This paper introduces different strategies that can be explored by school leaders with the aim of being implemented in schools.

Originality/value

This paper has developed a framework to which leaders could adapt their own needs and it assists them in their decision‐making process.
Taking a lead from the users of mental health care services
Authors: Dent Nick
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the operation of a review into service user involvement within mental health services, which was led by service users using appreciative enquiry (AE).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper gives a descriptive account of the operation of the project and highlights the barriers to its success and how these were addressed. The project itself used AE methods to overcome some of the challenges to engaging service users around improvement activity. The approach was different to the conventional application of AE as people were engaged individually through interviews and their views generalised collectively by the service user team conducting the interviews.

Findings

The project findings are reported through considering the recommendations made as a result of the work but the wider aims of challenging power relationships and developing service user leadership are also discussed.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that replicating and developing the use of AE driven by service users is a positive tool in empowering recipients of mental health services.

Social implications

The author suggests that this method could be a valuable tool in meeting the current UK Government policy of empowering local communities to take greater control of public service provision.

Originality/value

This project is an example of enabling leadership to arise from the grassroots of an organisation, turning the conventional concept of leadership on its head and challenges senior staff as to who might know best about how to improve services. It represents a novel approach to taking forward the empowerment agenda widely supported in Western democracies.
Principals' leadership style and school climate: teachers' perspectives from Malaysia
Authors: Tajasom Adel , Ariffin Ahmad Zainal
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between secondary school teachers' perception of principal leadership style (specifically transformational and transactional leadership styles) and school climate.

Design/methodology/approach

The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to assess the transformational and transactional leadership styles of principals. Climate data were obtained using the School Level Environment Questionnaire. The theoretical framework of this study is derived from Theory of Leadership Style. The authors surveyed 141 teachers from 17 urban secondary schools in northern Malaysia.

Findings

It was found that transformational leadership has an effect on four aspects of school climate (affiliation, innovation, professional interest, and resource adequacy) whereas transactional leadership only effects participatory decision making.

Research limitations/implications

Whereas school climate impacts student achievement and is an important element of effective schools, it was not the focus of this study. It is recommended to use a larger sample using teachers and administrators from multiple school districts to see if similar findings would occur.

Practical implications

Educational leaders must realize the impact of principal leadership behaviour on teachers and students in their journey to improvement and create a school climate that is conducive for students to achieve at expected levels.

Social implications

There is currently increased pressure at national, state, and local levels for all students to perform at superior standards. Both teachers and school principals are under increasing demands to improve their school's climate.

Originality/value

This study offers school boards and superintendents some insight into how the principal's leadership style may enhance the school climate.
Autism, communication and use of a speech‐generating device in different environments – a case study
Authors: Thunberg Gunilla , Ahlsén Elisabeth , Dahlgren Sandberg Annika
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to examine interaction patterns in two activities at home and one activity at school when a seven‐year‐old boy with autism and learning disabilities was supplied with a speech‐generating device (SGD).

Design/methodology/approach

Activity‐based communication analysis (ACA) was used as the basis for analysing and discussing of communicative behaviours in video recordings made before and during SGD intervention. The coded communicative behaviours were engagement in activity, role in turn‐taking and communicative form, function and effectiveness. Conversational topics were also analysed.

Findings

Activity characteristics seemed important for the outcome. In the two more structured activities (story reading at home and morning circle at school), the child could use the SGD to communicate more effectively within the given frames. During mealtime at home, topic length increased and the instruction to the parents to also use the SGD resulted in positive changes in this activity. ACA highlighted some important issues related to SGD intervention, such as use for expression of communicative needs and access to suitable vocabulary. There also seems to be a need for more guidance to communication partners with respect to the use of communicative strategies to support communication and machine‐mediated interaction.

Originality/value

Research of the effects of augmentative and alternative communication techniques used in natural interaction is almost non‐existent. This case study, therefore, is an important contribution to the field and provides some insights into the challenge of using an electronic device in natural interaction.
A proposed framework for decision‐making for assistive communication technology support: many perspectives, but one common goal
Authors: Griffiths Tom , Price Katie
Published: December 2011

Purpose

Some children with severe speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) can make use of assistive communication technology (ACT) to support and augment their speaking and writing. Different stakeholders may place emphasis on specific areas for ACT use, and this paper, therefore, proposes a framework for discussing and clarifying these varied expectations, using the ICF/ICF‐CY domains as a basis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors discuss how the goal of increased participation for children helps all involved to keep in mind that, despite varying focuses for the use of ACT, it is the move towards increased involvement in life situations that will best drive our joint decisions and target‐setting.

Findings

Multi‐functional PC devices can support a range of communicative functions, including “chat”, curriculum support, play and leisure. Provision and use of ACT can, in consequence, have different focuses for different stakeholders (child, family, health and education staff), which can lead to disparate expectations around implementation of such technology.

Originality/value

A framework is proposed in this paper for an approach that hopes to offer a common understanding from which to discuss potential applications for ACT. This approach encourages equal value or weighting to each of the supports for inclusion and, therefore, encourages stakeholders to value their own priorities whilst considering others'.
Dual diagnosis capability after an AOD workforce initiative
Authors: Lee Nicole K. , Cameron Jacqui , Harney Angela , Roeg Sandra
Published: December 2011

Purpose

Dissemination of good practice information to practitioners is one of the great challenges of the substance abuse treatment sector. The authors' understanding of the process by which research is translated is limited, but a whole of workforce approach is considered best practice. This paper aims to examine organisational change as a result of a workforce capacity‐building program over six months.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 195 staff (nine service managers, 39 supervisors and 147 clinicians) in 13 alcohol and other drug (AOD) services across Australia participated in mental health screening and brief intervention training using PsyCheck. PsyCheck is designed to detect and address common mental health symptoms among drug treatment clients. The Dual Diagnosis Capability in Addiction Treatment (DDCAT) index was used to measure capacity before and after training.

Findings

There was no significant difference between baseline and follow‐up DDCAT scores; however, the level of PsyCheck implementation indicated improvement in DDCAT scores.

Practical implications

The results show that where organisations implement the program successfully, capacity improves; where the program is not well implemented, capacity reduces. Successful implementers report a number of common elements: the screening tool was implemented into routine assessment; there was a single onsite “champion” supporting the implementation; and they worked with the staff and persisted with the implementation even where there was initial worker resistance.

Originality/value

This paper provides the opportunity to assess workforce capacity building and the feasibility of utilising the DCCAT to measure co‐occurring mental health and substance use disorders in Australian AOD services.
Moving traditional Caribbean medicine practices into healthcare in Canada
Authors: McKenzie Kwame , Tuck Andrew , Noh Marianne S.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to describe Caribbean traditional medicine and to consider whether and how it could be integrated into health systems in Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a literature review and synthesis.

Findings

Caribbean traditional healing takes a variety of forms reflecting the diversity of histories of the people of the Caribbean. A number of arguments including quality, equity, cost, and social climate will be important factors in facilitating or hindering the expansion of these complementary therapies. However, linking an expansion of therapies to other policy imperatives such as developing stronger communities and expansion of trade may make success more likely.

Research limitations/implications

This is a narrative and document review. It is an argument which aims to produce discussion rather than empirical research.

Practical implications

Taking a discursive narrative approach to difficult policy issues may help in considering strategies for promoting change.

Originality/value

This is the first study which has attempted to consider traditional Caribbean medicine in the Canadian context. It is also the first to consider the strategies for convincing health systems to adopt this form of complementary medicine.
Inclusion or exclusion – recruiting Black and Minority ethnic community individuals as simulated patients
Authors: Holland Lauren , Ousey Karen
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore perceived barriers to the recruitment and retention of Black and Minority Ethnic community individuals partaking in healthcare education role playing activities using simulated patient scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted with a self‐selecting, convenience, sample of 25 participants from Black and Minority communities using one‐to‐one and group interviews to elicit data. Ethical approval was successfully received from the University.

Findings

Five broad emergent themes were identified: language, knowledge, power, inequalities and inclusion.

Originality/value

The participants' sharing of their own experiences developed a feeling of personal achievement through an understanding in others of their own community and values.
Your tutor is your friend: using experiential learning to enhance second year transition
Authors: MacDonald Kathleen , Gibson Caroline E.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper describes a second‐year induction programme developed to support student transition. The sophomore slump theory suggests that students may experience a slump in the second year, resulting in poorer outcomes and increased attrition rates. Students were asked to reflect on their first year experience in order to identify learning and plan for the year ahead, in order to reduce potential for a slump during the second year.

Design/methodology/approach

Students beginning the second year of a four‐year BSc Honours Nursing programme participated in a one‐day induction prior to commencement of semester 1 classes. Students were assigned to groups and asked to reflect on some key questions in relation to their first year experience. Responses were collated on flip chart paper and discussed together.

Findings

Emergent themes are discussed here: forward planning, engagement with the institution, and building a strong foundation.

Practical implications

This process served to illustrate to staff some of the “hidden curriculum” issues and offered opportunities to focus on areas of student weakness such as referencing and academic writing. Using a combination of reflection, and experiential learning in induction may serve to transition students through the sophomore slump.

Originality/value

The challenge for academics is to continue to find ways to enhance the student experience in an increasingly diverse student population, and determine its effect on attrition rates. This paper offers a reflective commentary, exploring the authors’ learning, on the implementation of one innovative programme of longitudinal induction.
Behavioral factors influencing virtual knowledge sharing: theory of reasoned action
Authors: Hassandoust Farkhondeh , Logeswaran Rajasvaran , Farzaneh Kazerouni Mehdy
Published: December 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the results of an exploratory investigation of the behavioral factors in relation to virtual knowledge sharing among Multimedia University students, Malaysia, based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA).

Design/methodology/approach

A search and review of the existing literature was followed by an empirical test of the proposed model in the pilot study (number of participants: n=50) and the main study (n=250).

Findings

Trust, anticipated reciprocal relationship and willingness to share knowledge as an individual's attitude; while identification and organizational culture acting as subjective norms, indirectly have an impact on individual's intention to share knowledge virtually. No positive relationship was discovered between the degree of competition and an individual's attitude to share knowledge; nor between collectivism and subjective norms.

Research limitations/implications

The results may have been influenced by self‐selection bias, as only one university was sampled.

Practical implications

This study encourages academic researchers and service providers in educational institutions to focus on an individual's attitude and institutional subjective norms to comprehend students’ behavior in virtual knowledge sharing and to improve the knowledge sharing activities among them, allowing scholars to benefit from better results in their routine academic tasks.

Originality/value

The results indicate that trust, anticipated reciprocal relationship and willingness to share knowledge were significant predictors of an individual's intention to share knowledge indirectly through their attitude toward knowledge sharing. Therefore, lecturers interested in developing and sustaining knowledge exchange through virtual communities should develop strategies or mechanisms that encourage the interaction and strength of the relationships among students. Lecturers can encourage reciprocity by using extrinsic motivators such as assigning rewards for knowledge sharing activities among students. Also, lecturers can facilitate the factor of “trust” among student relationships by enhancing the norm of reciprocity.
Survey of patients' and families' experiences of rare diseases reinforces calls for a rare disease strategy
Authors: Nutt Stephen , Limb Lauren
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to report the key findings of two studies which were undertaken by Rare Disease UK to: understand patients' and their families' experiences of living with a rare disease; identify issues preventing research and access to good quality information, care, treatment and support; identify examples of good practice; and develop recommendations to improve service provision for patients with rare diseases and encourage research.

Design/methodology/approach

Across the two reports discussed, a range of methods were used including: a survey of patients/family members; five multi‐stakeholder working groups; conference workshops; a consultation paper; interviews; and desk research.

Findings

There are a number of detailed findings across the two reports. At a broad level, the findings identify that despite the diverse range of rare diseases each with different symptoms and prognoses, patients often face similar issues. The report also identifies a number of possible solutions to facilitate research, speed up diagnosis, improve co‐ordination of care and ensure high‐quality information is available to patients and professionals.

Practical implications

The findings and recommendations in the two reports discussed are informing the development of a UK plan for rare diseases by all four of the UK's health departments. This plan will be the first strategic approach to improving service provision for all patients with rare diseases in the UK.

Originality/value

Very little research has been conducted into the experiences of patients with rare diseases or on how to improve service provision for all rare diseases in the UK. As a result, the two reports offer a substantial body of new evidence.
Depression, anxiety and employment status after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Coetzer Rudi , Carroll Emma , Ruddle Jean A.
Published: December 2011

Purpose

In addition to physical, behavioural and cognitive impairment, emotional difficulties such as anxiety and depression are also common after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can contribute to chronic disability. Understanding more about the relationship between emotional problems and social factors such as employment status after TBI can potentially help to inform rehabilitation practice to improve long‐term outcomes. This study attempts to determine if depression and/or anxiety after TBI are associated with being unemployed.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative study considered the associations between depression, anxiety and employment status in people with TBI. The participants were 62 adults with a history of TBI, on average 99 months post‐injury, and attending community‐based rehabilitation. Data regarding anxiety and depression as measured by the HADS as well as employment status were collected and analyzed for potential associations between these variables.

Findings

A statistically significant association between the presence of depression and not being in employment was revealed by this study. The same association, however, was not found for anxiety and employment status. The relationship between depression and employment may be complex and should also be considered within for example the societal context, including actual availability of opportunities for employment, legislation and statutory initiatives to facilitate return to work initiatives. The employment of disabled persons, including as a result of TBI, should be viewed within the wider context of societal discrimination against disabled people.

Research limitations/implications

There are several limitations to be considered when interpreting the findings from this study, including modest sample size, a broad range in time since injury, the wide age range of the participants, as well as the use of only questionnaires to confirm the presence or absence of depression and anxiety symptoms after TBI.

Practical implications

Practitioners should be aware of the potential adverse effect of depression and anxiety on outcome after TBI. Where limited opportunity exists for successful employment outcome after TBI, practitioners should work towards preventing repeated failure in persons with TBI trying to get back to work. Specialist case management may have a valuable role to play in this area.

Originality/value

This study confirms an association between unemployment and depression in people with TBI.
Blurred vision: direct payments, funding cuts and the law
Authors: Thornton Austin
Published: December 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to focus on legal issues concerning direct payments for social care for adults. Its aim is to consider whether the aspirations for choice, control and innovation, central to successive governments' purpose in introducing direct payments and which have caused it to gain public support, risk being undermined by budget cuts within social service departments and whether the legal framework provides sufficient guarantees to those in need.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper summarises the legal basis for direct payments; considers issues of brokerage, choice, resource allocation and commissioning; and looks at relevant legal challenges made up to May 2011.

Findings

The paper finds that severe budgetary restraint is likely to undermine the original vision for personalisation and direct payments; and that the legal framework of social service delivery creates risks for councils and service users.

Practical implications

In order to achieve their legal entitlement, users of self‐directed support should always seek top‐up discretionary funds in addition to their initial resource allocation schemes budgetary indication, unless satisfied that the initial indication meets their needs. User groups should be careful to ensure that in funding care services, councils conduct a proper balancing exercise and do not over focus on their own budgetary agenda which may be unlawful.

Originality/value

The paper should provide a useful reference point for users of self‐directed support and their advisers.
The Hangzhou Wahaha Group: an insight into diversification strategy of China's private enterprises
Authors: Li Linyi , Xia Lulu , Liu Menglei , Ling Yunzhi
Published: December 2011

Subject area

Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship, Business Management.

Study level/applicability

This case is of medium level of difficulty and is designed for students in School of Economics and Business Management, also an optional course for students in other majors who have strong interest in strategic management and entrepreneurship. Students from all disciplines are welcomed and encouraged to take this course; however, it will be better if registered students have already gained basic ideas about industry, company analysis and marketing.

Case overview

In 2010, Hangzhou Wahaha Group (The Group), a leading Chinese beverage company launched its new brand – Edison milk powder. Meanwhile, people were concerned about food security because of several scandals and Wahaha had to convince the mass public during the high time. The decision makers had to balance various options besides Edison. In this case, we would mainly discuss several possible long–term strategies of this eye–catching private enterprise. The Group intended to carry out diversification strategy in several industries domestically and internationally to maximize its profit.

Expected learning outcomes

Have an insight into China's beverage industry and dairy sector, with the representative Hangzhou Wahaha Group., Know how to develop analytical and decision skills facing multi–choices. SWOT model is recommended here., Have a comprehensive understanding of diversification strategy and how to make priorities.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes.
Teaching farmers to hunt – developing commercial skills at BDO Hungary
Authors: Buzády Zoltán
Published: December 2011

Subject area

Organizational innovation, leading change, customer service management in professional service firms.

Study level/applicability

Advanced undergraduate, MBA/executive education.

Case overview

This case describes the human resource (HR) dilemma faced by BDO Hungary in 2010, an international audit and tax consulting partnership, operating in the country since 1989. In order to continue its past growth story and to reach closer to “Big Four” BDO has to enter new business segments, offer more services to its existing customers and seize higher value-added business potentials. The new strategy, however, is challenged by its incumbent, traditional core business: auditing, which is highly regulated by ethical, legal, and professional standards including non-advertisement regulations to which the resulting organizational culture and HR routines are congruent. The case is described from the perspective of the Equity Partner, HR Director and Executive MBA student, who is tasked with a new HR plan for training and development and is charged with implementing it successfully. How best to adjust current training and development policies to the best meet new strategic growth goals? How to develop existing human capital? How to make employees more commercially oriented in such a conservative, risk averse, and highly regulated environment? How to improve their customer service and the sales skill?

Expected learning outcomes

Exploring the importance of training and development in improving customer service levels in professional service firms operating in emerging markets. Understanding the limitations and the possibilities of transferring international HR policies and standards across borders and cultural differences.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes.
Shavteli Winery: where to go from here?
Authors: Gilinsky Armand , Trela Brent
Published: December 2011

Subject area

International marketing, national competitiveness, strategic decision-making, wine.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate and MBA.

Case overview

The nationally important Georgian wine industry by 2008 was in a deep recession due largely to the continuing 2006 Russian wine embargo, prior to which Russia had been the largest export market for Georgian wines. Second World War-era Georgian wineries such as Shavteli (disguised), in the historic Racha-Lechkumi wine-producing region, were disadvantaged due to aging facilities, lack of tourist infrastructure, and inadequate capital to make needed changes to compete in the global markets for emerging economy wines. All nearby wineries faced continuing operating deficits, high inventory levels, and could lose much of their aging wine inventory to oxidation if they could not quickly sell more wine or convert the wine to brandy. To avert becoming another defunct producer, Shavteli needed a strategy. Industry observers were divided about whether Shavteli and its sister Georgian wineries should continue operating independently, seek government support, or form a marketing association to create new export demand. Students need to prepare a strategic plan for Shavteli and the Georgian wine industry.

Expected learning outcomes

Students should develop well-supported recommendations for competitive strategies in an emerging economy. Students should use strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and country competitiveness analyses to ascertain vision and mission, segmentation, targeting, positioning, and alliance strategies for international markets.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes.
Al–Maha mobile shop
Authors: Katsioloudes Marios , Jabeen Fauzia
Published: December 2011

Subject area

Strategic management/entrepreneurship.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate and/or MBA level in either a strategic management and/or entrepreneurship courses.

Case overview

The dilemma that Zayed, Al–Maha's founder and owner, is facing, is typical for an entrepreneur who has been successful for a number of years (ten, in his case), without a formal strategy. He is now at a cross–road: should he expand in his present location in the Madinat Zayed Shopping Center, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, or open another store in another location? if he grows within its current location, how would that be? Zayed, like many small–store owners in a developing economy, faces fierce competition especially in the mobile phone business. Technology is changing constantly, demand is increasing and he has to address all these issues, among others, before making a decision. Should he create an advisory council so he can be the recipient of feedback from trusted individuals who might serve on this council? Finally, he is seeking his close friend Refaat's opinion, as to what to do next and how.

Expected learning outcomes

Students should be able to: analyze the internal and external environments of a small–medium enterprise (SME); understand the importance of a vision/mission and smart objectives; make strategic decisions regarding the future direction of an SME; analyze the financial statements of an SME; draft a strategic plan based on the aforementioned; and understand the pros and cons of an SME in a developing economy such as the UAE.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes.
Auditor industry specialization in a MENA region country: lessons learnt from PricewaterhouseCoopers - Egypt
Authors: Abdel-Meguid Ahmed M.
Published: December 2011

Subject area

Auditing, accounting, finance, control.

Study level/applicability

Upper level undergraduate, MBA, MS accounting.

Case overview

This case takes an internal approach by exploring how PricewaterhouseCoopers - Egypt develops and applies industry specialization in an emerging market such as Egypt. The case focuses on three aspects of specialization. First, the strategic drivers behind specialization. Second, the internal processes of building industry-specific knowledge. Finally, the costs and benefits of specialization.

Expected learning outcomes

Industry specialization is a strategy:

Specialization is a strategy primarily used by Big 4 auditing firms, such as PwC-Egypt as a means of differentiating it self from the market.

Industry specialization is a culture:

For specialization to be fully effective a learning culture should be in place in which firm personnel are committed to continually seek new in-depth knowledge about clients and their industries.

Human resources are the most valuable asset of auditing firms:

Auditing is a service that involves extensive professional judgment. Thus, knowledge and expertise of its personnel is what differentiates one auditing firm's staff from another.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes.
Road to Kamaka: the struggles of poverty and desertification
Authors: Khoury Joseph , Barin-Cruz Luciano
Published: December 2011

Subject area

Sustainable development (in under-developed rural communities).

Study level/applicability

Bachelor's degree.

Case overview

The case follows six young adults from Quebec, who are mandated with a three-month agro-environmental project in the fight against desertification and poverty, in Kamaka, a village in the Sahel region of Mali. The project's central element is the development of a community garden that would ensure the diversification of the community's nutritional diet, and the rehabilitation of the environment. The mandate also consists of various environmental awareness workshops pertaining to efficient energy consumption, composting, and solar food drying techniques. The project, in its fourth year of collaboration between the Quebec organization and their local Malian partner, does not seem to have been yielding the desired results. The team is faced with the challenges of understanding the opportunities and limitations of the project so that they can try to succeed where previous teams have failed; while overcoming the organizational and logistical shortfalls that they faced prior to the start of their work, as they simultaneously struggled to adapt to their totally new context.

Expected learning outcomes

How to prepare for, approach, and carry out local community development projects – environmental and/or social – in under-developed regions such as Mali. Mainly, how to create a shared vision with the concerned community; build an effective multi-stakeholder network; and ultimately co-create sustainable value (as per the proposed Senge model).

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes and short documentary online link.
Financial closure of Bengaluru International Airport Limited
Authors: Rajan Thillai , Gemson Josephine
Published: December 2011

Subject area

Infrastructure finance.

Study level/applicability

II MBA/Executive MBA (Project Finance, Infrastructure Finance).

Case overview

It is generally believed that the economy of India is on the threshold of achieving significant growth in the coming years. The availability of adequate infrastructure facility will play a key role in realizing this growth potential. To accelerate the process of creating infrastructure capacity, the Government of India has opened up many infrastructure sectors for private sector investment. Creation of international standard airport facilities is an important component of such new infrastructure creation. This case study presents the initial development and financing closure of Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), the first major private sector airport in India. In retrospect, it is generally felt that BIAL was an important milestone in the privatization of airports in India. The blueprint for the greenfield PPP airport in Hyderabad was closely modelled on the BIAL project. The experience gained in the development of BIAL also played a major role in subsequent brownfield PPP airport expansion projects in Mumbai and Delhi.

Expected learning outcomes

The goal of this case study is to illustrate the complexities that exist in the process of infrastructure development and financing. This following are the expected learning outcomes:

The importance of using an appropriate project structure.

The prevalence of early returns to project sponsors as compared to lenders.

The process of achieving financial closure.

Analyzing project risks and returns.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes.
An unforgettable journey: a story of corporate-social transformation of Huntsman Tioxide (Malaysia)
Authors: Muhammad Nik Maheran Nik , Hassan Marhaini , Awang Suryani , Ariffin Anidzan
Published: December 2011

Subject area

Leadership style and organizational change.

Study level/applicability

The case study level is rated medium to difficult depending on the depth of the analysis undertaken. Managers and executives who undergo training in leadership related issues will benefit from the case study through development of analytical- and decision-making skills. In addition, this case study is written for high level managers and postgraduate students in business courses.

Case overview

This case study revolves around a man whose name is Rozano Saad. He was a man with strong will, imagination, and ready to explore the new world of Huntsman Tioxide. To him, development of people was necessary. Development of people is the process of getting people to progress from dependent to socially and economically self-reliant. This man with positive views saw difficulties with enthusiasm and noted obstacles as opportunities. He was brave enough to go that extra mile into moulding the organization in the “right pattern.” He was an optimistic angel who was sent to the bleak area of Teluk Kalong, though others might just pack their bags and leave. He was eager for improvement and never stopped looking for ways to make the situation better.

Expected learning outcomes

The target users of the case study are expected to:

Identify the critical success factors (CSFs) of successful leader.

Examine the leadership and decision making styles employed by the leader.

Develop the competencies or capabilities of a leader.

Determine programmes or initiatives and strategies used by the leader in transforming the organization.

Apply the lesson learnt of a successful leader to their organization.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes.
Chang'an Automobile and the Chinese automotive industry
Authors: Roberto Michael , Guo Grace Chun , Jiang Crystal X.
Published: December 2011

Subject area

International business

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate/graduate/executive education.

Case overview

China has become the world's largest producer of automobiles, surpassing the USA and Japan. The Chinese auto industry differs quite significantly from those countries though. While the industry exhibits a substantial degree of concentration in the USA and Japan in early 2011, it remained highly fragmented in China. The Chinese Central Government had announced a desire for consolidation, yet it remained unclear whether a significant shakeout would occur in the near term.

Like many Chinese automakers, Chang'an partnered with well-known global auto makers to develop, produce, and distribute its products. In the coming years, Chang'an hoped to develop more independence from its foreign partners, including the production and distribution of self-branded cars. However, the company grappled with how it could strive for independence while managing its existing joint ventures. Executives worried too about how to compete with foreign automakers who had achieved global economies of scale.

The case provides a rich description of the evolution of the Chinese auto industry, and it documents how the Chinese industry differs from other global markets. Readers can analyze the extent to which they believe scale economies provide foreign firms an advantage over smaller Chinese rivals, and they can evaluate the conventional wisdom regarding the industry's minimum efficient scale. The case also provides a detailed account of Chang'an's rise to prominence. The case concludes by offering an in-depth description of the firm's key rivals, and it presents the key questions being considered by Chang'an executives in 2011.

Expected learning outcomes

Enables students to examine how and why an industry's structure can differ substantially across geographic markets.

Enables students to examine whether the need to achieve economies of scale may cause substantial consolidation in the Chinese auto industry.

Provides an opportunity to evaluate the pros and cons of the joint venture strategies employed in China.

Provides an opportunity to examine how a relatively small firm can position itself against large multinationals in a high-growth emerging market.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes.