bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of surface quality on textured FDM prototypes
Authors: Armillotta Antonio
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Test the detail resolution of fused deposition modeling (FDM) in the direct manufacture of rapid prototypes with textured surfaces.

Design/methodology/approach

A benchmark part carrying regular surface patterns with different feature sizes and aspect ratios has been manufactured on a FDM system with different build orientations. Layered parts have been inspected to detect the occurrence of quality defects on textured surfaces.

Findings

The experiments reveal the ability of currently available FDM systems to enhance prototype surfaces with form details on a millimeter scale. Results assist in identifying conditions which need to be satisfied in order to successfully reproduce generic texture geometries.

Research limitations/implications

Although the testing method can be applied to any layered manufacturing technique, results are limited to a specific process, and may be influenced by technical improvements of commercial fabrication systems.

Practical implications

A first contribution is given to a full feasibility assessment of direct texturing, which potentially appears as more responsive and cost‐effective solution than current post‐finishing practices.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a systematic approach to the manufacture of textured parts by rapid prototyping techniques. The analysis of surface appearance in the presence of small‐scale form details adds a novel aspect to current approaches to performance benchmarking, which typically focus on form errors and roughness of plain surfaces.
Investigating the achievable accuracy of three dimensional printing
Authors: Dimitrov D. , van Wijck W. , Schreve K. , de Beer N.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The research was undertaken to characterise the three dimensional printing (3DP) process in term of the achievable dimensional and geometric accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

New benchmark models were developed that represent characteristics needing to be investigated. The parts were fabricated in different materials. A program was written to measure the features on a numerically controlled coordinate measurement machine. Finally, a statistical analysis was done. The results are reported in terms of statistical parameters and international tolerance (IT) grades.

Findings

The paper provides general IT grades of the 3DP process for parts printed using different materials (powders).

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to specific materials and equipment.

Practical implications

The data is very useful for designing products to be manufactured on 3DP machines applying either direct or indirect methods.

Originality/value

3DP is more and more used for rapid prototyping with great potential towards rapid manufacturing. Designers need to know the capability profile of the process they are going to use. There is a significant lack of published data on the 3DP process characteristics. This research was conducted to fill this gap and provide much needed accuracy information.
The use of rapid prototyping to assist medical applications
Authors: Gibson I. , Cheung L.K. , Chow S.P. , Cheung W.L. , Beh S.L. , Savalani M. , Lee S.H.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate a number of instances where RP and associated technology has been successfully used for medical applications.

Design/methodology/approach

A number of medical case studies are presented, illustrating different uses of RP technology. These studies have been analysed in terms of how the technology has been applied in order to solve related medical problems.

Findings

It was found that RP has been helpful in a number of ways to solve medical problems. However, the technology has numerous limitations that have been analysed in order to establish how the technology should develop in the future.

Practical implications

RP can help solve medical problems, but must evolve if it is to be used more widespread in this field.

Originality/value

This paper has shown a number of new applications for RP, providing a holistic understanding how the technology can solve medical problems. It also identifies a number of ways in which the technology can improve in order to better solve such problems.
Developing the entrepreneurial skills of farmers: some myths explored
Authors: Pyysiäinen Jarkko , Anderson Alistair , McElwee Gerard , Vesala Kari
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Entrepreneurship is currently at the focus of much theoretical, practical and political interest. In Europe, agriculture has faced dramatic pressures for restructuring, and facilitation of the entrepreneurial skills of farmers and stronger entrepreneurial orientation in the rural areas have been hailed as possible solutions for the emerging problems. The aim of this paper is to use this nexus of agriculture and entrepreneurship as an illustrative example, through which the nature of entrepreneurial skills and the elements underpinning their adoption can be examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The task is carried out by reflecting theoretically on the concept of entrepreneurial skills and on their embedded nature, before demonstrating the usefulness of the concept as a tool in understanding the case of an enterprising Finnish farmer, active both in conventional farming and in diversified business.

Findings

The theoretical and case study analyses reveal that the concept of entrepreneurial skills is far from an unambiguous one, as well as is the aim to develop them through teaching. If proper care is taken to distinguish the concept from, and relate it to, the elements in which it is embedded, the notion is a useful tool for empirical investigation. By applying such a procedure, it is shown that the contexts of conventional farming and business diversification call for clearly different entrepreneurial skills, some of which are more amenable to teaching than others.

Originality/value

This paper shows how one can develop a fuller understanding of the skills that farmers need to become entrepreneurial by diversification.
Narrating the decline of subsistence entrepreneurship in a Scottish fishing community
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to explore the decline of subsistence entrepreneurship in a “Scottish Fishing Community”, namely the village of Gourdon in Kincardineshire, Scotland over a 60‐year period.

Design/methodology/approach

Presents the material in a historical perspective, as remembered by two persons who lived through the experience. Using two ethnographic accounts the paper reconstructs a vivid picture of a thriving form of subsistence type entrepreneurship, in a bygone era, when enterprise was more closely bonded to community activities, the work ethic and pride.

Findings

This paper narrates a dramatic story relating to the economic decline visited upon a living community by the forces of market change affecting multiple income streams. In this tale, there are no heroes or villains, as is normal in narrative accounts, merely victims of changing circumstances and changing patterns of social action.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this research paper have obvious limitations, because of the methodology employed, and because of the limited number of respondents interviewed. However, socio‐historical studies such as this have their place in developing an understanding of entrepreneurship as enacted in individual communities.

Originality/value

This paper tackles an under‐researched area of rural entrepreneurship using narrative methods which bring the subject to life.
An evaluation of stakeholder relationship marketing in China
Authors: Murphy Brian , Wang Rongmei
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the applicability of the stakeholder relationship marketing model, a new marketing model, to Chinese businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the stakeholder relationship marketing model holistic marketing performance is reflected in the delivery of long‐term economic, social, and environmental value to customer, employee, supplier, community, and shareholder stakeholders of a business in order to enhance sustainable financial performance. Stakeholder relationship marketing performance is measured in a stakeholder performance appraisal. The applicability of the Western stakeholder relationship marketing model in the Chinese context is tested by undertaking stakeholder performance appraisals on two Chinese businesses.

Findings

Results show that the performance of the two Chinese businesses is in line with the 57 Western businesses in the Future Research Group stakeholder performance appraisal benchmark database, and that the stakeholder relationship marketing model is applicable to the Chinese context both philosophically and practically.

Research limitations/implications

The results can be considered as an indicative evaluation of stakeholder relationship marketing in China as a foundation for definitive validation from planned research on more Chinese businesses.

Practical implications

The stakeholder performance appraisal provides Chinese businesses with a perceptual overview of holistic marketing performance and concomitant business financial performance from stakeholders. These data enable Chinese businesses, like their Western counterparts, to plan stakeholder relationship marketing strategies to enhance marketing performance and to predict future financial performance.

Originality/value

This study extends the newly developed stakeholder relationship marketing model from a Western context to the Chinese context and demonstrates the congruence between Western and Chinese holistic business philosophy.
Silicon‐on‐insulator lateral dual sidewall Schottky (SOI‐LDSS) concept for improved rectifier performance: a two‐dimensional simulation study
Authors: Jagadesh Kumar M. , Linga Reddy C.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To develop a silicon lateral Schottky rectifier with low forward voltage drop and low reverse leakage current while its breakdown voltage is significantly larger than that of a conventional Schottky rectifier.

Design/methodology/approach

A two‐dimensional device simulation has been used, to examine the effect lateral dual sidewall Schottky concept on the current‐voltage characteristics of a lateral Schottky rectifier on silicon‐on‐insulator. The Schottky contact consists of a low‐barrier metal and a high‐barrier metal.

Findings

Results show that, during forward bias, the low‐barrier Schottky (LBS) contact conducts resulting in a low forward voltage drop. During the reverse bias, the LBS contact is shielded by the depletion region of the high‐barrier Schottky contact resulting in a low reverse leakage current.

Practical implications

With this approach, silicon Schottky rectifiers with low power dissipation and improved breakdown voltage can be realized.

Originality/value

The proposed device has a large commercial potential as a low‐power high‐voltage switching device.
Thermal analysis of LED package
Authors: Aizar Abdul Karim N. , Aswatha Narayana P.A. , Seetharamu K.N.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To demonstrate thermal modeling technique for a through hole light emitting diode (LED) package using a commercial computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code and to improve its thermal performance through a series of sensitivity analyses.

Design/methodology/approach

Thermal resistance of the standard through hole LED is calculated using the simulation result. The result is then compared with actual measurement to establish the correct model. Using the validated model, series of sensitivity analyses are carried out through simulation. Taking the most optimum design, a prototype of the improved LED is fabricated and the thermal resistance performance is compared with the simulation result.

Findings

The simulation result of the standard LED is close to actual measurement with 5 percent difference. The thermal resistance of the through hole LED is reduced by changing the leadframe material from mild steel to copper alloy and increasing the leadframe width. Combination of both design changes resulted in thermal resistance reduction of 51 percent.

Originality/value

This paper identified the practicality of using CFD codes in achieving fast and accurate result in thermal modeling of LED package and also offers solutions on reducing the LED thermal resistance.
Integrating the US textile and apparel supply chain with small companies in South America
Authors: Gary Teng S. , Jaramillo Hector
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The South American textile industry is experiencing unprecedented opportunities to enter the US textile/apparel market and be a collaborator in the US textile/apparel supply chain. This study intends to provide an illustration of South American small to medium‐sized companies in the textile/apparel industry concerning supply chain management such as quality, logistics, forecasting techniques, lead time, inventory management, and integration of supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The study in this paper first identifies the principal issues that concern US companies that must be addressed by small companies in their chase to become suppliers in the US textile/apparel industry. Second, this paper provides general descriptions of small textile companies in South America and discusses their performance in the different areas of supply chain management such as quality, logistics, forecasting, production planning, and supply chain integration. A survey is done to provide the comparison between what is expected in the US textile/apparel industry and the performance of South American companies.

Findings

The analyzed results provide recommendations based on the evaluation of strengths and weaknesses that may be used as references for these small companies to increase their potential of being active partners in the US supply chain.

Practical implications

This research provides the US and South American textile/apparel companies with the understanding of the issues and constraints of potential South American suppliers and allows them to establish strategic alliances with South American suppliers.

Originality/value

The study provides a clear view of the strengths and weaknesses of South American small to medium‐sized textile/apparel companies that can help both US and South American companies in the pursuit of new opportunities in textile/apparel supply chain collaborations.
Toward a new taxonomy for understanding the nature and consequences of contingent employment
Authors: Feldman Daniel C.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The main goal of this article is to present a new taxonomy of contingent employment that better represents the wide variety of part‐time, temporary, and contract employment arrangements that have emerged since Feldman's review.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews the literature over the past 15 years.

Findings

The paper suggests that contingent work arrangements can be arrayed along three dimensions: time, space, and the number/kind of employers. In addition, analysis of the recent research on contingent employment should be expanded to include worker timeliness, responsiveness, job embeddedness, citizenship behaviours, quality of work, and social integration costs.

Originality/value

The article suggests that a wider range of individual differences (including education, race, citizenship, career stage, and rational demography) all serve to moderate the relationships between different kinds of contingent work arrangements and outcome variables.
The chameleon career
Authors: Ituma Afam , Simpson Ruth
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore claims about the changing nature of careers by focusing on how information technology (IT) workers enact careers in the context of Nigeria. The theoretical framework guiding this research is that societal context (social structure and institutions) has an influence on the career patterns exhibited by individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative research approach, which involved semi‐structured interviews with 30 IT workers.

Findings

Analysis of the findings indicates that the career trajectory of these workers conforms in part with the traditional view of hierarchical and progressive careers and partly with recent models of the boundaryless career. In order to capture a more contextual understanding, and based on findings from this research which highlight both the dynamic and the reactive nature of the careers of IT workers in Nigeria, the concept of the chameleon career isi ntroduced.

Originality/value

This research contributes the Nigerian context and perspective to the wider discourse on changing nature of careers.
Contradictions in portfolio careers: work design and client relations
Authors: Fenwick Tara J.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The paper aims to explore “Portfolio work”, an emerging form of flexible self‐employment, which has been identified as significant but under‐researched. This paper also seeks to explore the challenges and benefits of portfolio work from the perspective of individuals' experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

The argument draws from a qualitative study involving 31 individuals practising portfolio work in two different occupational groups: nurses and adult educators. Participants were interviewed in semi‐structured in‐depth conversational interviews to explore their everyday experience and work history in portfolio work.

Findings

Two dimensions of portfolio work, work design and client‐relations, are found to generate experiences of both deep satisfaction and deep anxiety and stress. The paper argues that portfolio careers simultaneously embed both liberating and exploitative at dimensions for workers, which are at least partly related to their own conflicting desires for both contingency and stability. Further, portfolio work embeds labour that often remains unrecognized, even by the self‐employed individuals assuming responsibility for it.

Practical implications

Portfolio workers need to recognise and document their unpaid but necessary labour in work design and client relations that sustains their careers; portfolio workers may need to educate clients about the nature of portfolio work; and employers who contract to portfolio workers must take more responsibility for negotiating fair contracts that are sensitive to overwork and unfair time pressures, and that anticipate and compensate contractors.

Originality/value

These findings challenge existing conceptions of portfolio work aseitherexploitativeorliberating, and expose contradictions embedded in both the conditions of the work and individuals' expectations and attitudes towards it.
Using knowledge management to revise software‐testing processes
Authors: Nogeste Kersti , Walker Derek H.T.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to use a knowledge management (KM) approach to effectively revise a utility retailer's software testing process. This paper presents a case study of how the utility organisation's customer services IT production support group improved their test planning skills through applying the American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC) KM framework to define a software‐testing process. This included the ongoing maintenance and use of a business knowledge repository comprising software test cases.

Design/methodology/approach

An action learning approach was used for workplace training facilitated by one of the authors. Applying and refining learnings gained in a series of three workshops achieved these outcomes. The first two workshops focused on improving test‐planning skills and the third on introducing KM concepts, the APQC KM framework and the development of a KM based software‐testing process that combined explicit and tacit knowledge.

Findings

The combination of workshop outputs, workshop evaluation feedback and lessons learned during the following two months suggests that the KM approach was an effective way for teams or organisations wanting to capture and convey tacit knowledge on software testing.

Research limitations/implications

Participants viewed the described approach as an easily comprehensible and relatively quick method to define a KM based process and define the factors that can influence the success of a KM based process. While our results suggest that this KM approach could be more generally applied to transfer of high‐intensity tacit knowledge workplace training situations, the case study was confined to a single group and focused on software testing only.

Originality/value

Provide information on a utility retailer's software testing process.
Approaches to learning in the workplace
Authors: Geertshuis Susan A. , Fazey John A.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The aim of this study is to explore approaches to learning in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Computer based questionnaires are used with a sample of over 300 employees.

Findings

Using a version of the Revised Approaches to Study Inventory (RASI) adapted to workforce development, the factor structure of deep, surface and strategic approaches was obtained. Differences in approaches to learning as measured by the RASI were associated with training and learning histories, reasons for engaging in training, perceptions of current skill level and self reported development needs. Practical implications – It is argued that the notion that approaches to learning impact on success in a given degree course and/or are context/teaching style dependent under represents the impact that approaches to learning may have on workplace learning. Originality/value – The study demonstrates that the adapted RASI can be used with employees and that its principal psychometric properties reflect those reported for student samples.
Premium growth, underwriting return and segment analysis
Authors: Calandro Joseph , Flynn Robert
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Many insurance companies vigorously pursue top‐line growth, even though it has the potential to develop unprofitably over time. The time lag (or tail) between when insurance is sold and when claims are paid generates risks unique to insurance companies. Furthermore, the insurance market is both mature and efficient (i.e. its level of competitive risk is very high), which means that profitable opportunities are both rare and untenable unless protected by competitive advantage. There is currently no practical measure available (of which the authors are aware) at the business unit level to evaluate insurance premium growth in the face of the industry's risks, impairing executives' ability to assess segment opportunities (and hazards), thus hampering strategic decision making. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a practical measure developed by the authors called Underwriting Return (UWR) which aims at helping to alleviate this situation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces UWR which was developed during the course and scope of the authors' work in the insurance industry, and their research into applying value‐based management to that industry.

Findings

The paper finds that UWR is a practical measure that property and casualty executives can use at the business unit level to help quantify market segments to grow, hold, harvest and abandon.

Originality/value

A variety of strategic analysis tools, such as the popular Boston Consulting Group matrix, are utilized today. In general, the application of such tools is hampered by an imprecision of measurement but each can add a level of insight to executives' resource allocation options. UWR can further aid insurance executives in strategic analysis by helping to quantify in which segments to compete, and which ones to abandon. The paper demonstrates the utility of the measure in an example based on an actual analysis.
Testing the limits of solicitor‐client privilege
Authors: Schneider Stephen
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To explore how lawyers are used to launder the proceeds of criminal activity. Regulatory measures that compel legal professionals to report suspected money laundering, and the implications this has for solicitor‐client privilege, are also addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of Royal Canadian Mounted Police proceeds of crime (POC) case files using a standardized questionnaire.

Findings

A statistical analysis reveals that lawyers came into contact with the POC in 49.7 percent of all RCMP cases examined. Lawyers are implicated in money laundering (both wittingly and unwittingly) primarily through their role as an intermediary in a commercial or financial transaction. In the majority of these cases, lawyers were facilitating a real property transaction by an individual engaged in drug trafficking. Lawyers were also used by offenders or their nominees to incorporate companies, purchase securities, and conduct bank transactions, including those pertaining to legal trust accounts.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis of money laundering is based exclusively on an analysis reliance of police cases. The RCMP database from which the sample was drawn was not as complete as originally thought.

Practical implications

Associations representing the legal profession have vehemently resisted mandatory reporting obligation, arguing that it abrogates solicitor‐client privilege. This paper supports the tacit consensus emerging internationally that mandatory reporting for legal professionals should apply only to the financial and commercial transactions mediated by lawyers on behalf of clients.

Originality/value

This research helps to inform the debate over the extent to governments should mandate lawyers to report transactions or clients that may be involved in money laundering.
Protecting the financial system from abuse
Authors: Barry Johnston R. , Carrington Ian
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To examine the implications of the changing compliance environment confronting banks as the international anti‐money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) standards have become more rigorous and more attention is paid to integrity related concerns by supervisors and market participants.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes recent regulatory and financial sector developments and draws analytical lessons.

Findings

Banks are facing increasing pressure from a number of sources to improve their compliance with AML/CFT and integrity related standards, and a number of institutions are responding positively to the challenge to establish robust AML/CFT regimes. However, there is a risk of disruption of legitimate business lines.

Practical implications

Striking the right balance in protecting systems from abuse while avoiding disruption to legitimate business lines will require further research on how best to implement the standards.

Originality/value

The paper initiates a discussion on the cost/benefit analysis of the implementation of the AML/CFT standard and outlines some of the challenges involved in going forward.
Financial enmeshment – banking systems in Western, and Central and South‐Eastern Europe
Authors: Ridley Nicholas
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the banking systems in Western, and Central and Southeastern Europe, focusing on the interactive factors of anti‐money laundering, transitional economies and the underground illicit economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a comparative analysis of the banking systems in Western, and Central and Southeastern Europe.

Findings

The transition economies of central and Southeastern Europe face, and have been confronted for over a generation by, the interlinked problems of the transition stage post‐1989, the alternative or illegal economy, and the vulnerability of banking systems to money laundering. In contrast, by the 1990s, Western European central banks have become established as an essential government organ in macro‐economic policies.

Originality/value

Suggests an interesting lesson that might be gained from the experiences of central and Southeastern Europe and anti‐money laundering since the late‐1990s, where a national bank or central bank has not been essential, indeed has been comparatively unimportant, compared to the developed banking system led by the individual banks.
Underground banking in Malaysia: a case study of ROSCAs
Authors: Bawani Satkunasingam Elsa , Shanmugam Bala
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To provide arguments in favour of legalising rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) as they play an important role in savings and credit for women in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper refers to previous studies on ROSCAs in Malaysia and extracts information that shows that ROSCAs are used mostly by women as a method of forced‐savings, credit and insurance against uncertainties. It suggests different methods that can be used to make ROSCAs more efficient. Finally, it provides suggestions for amendments to existing legislation which will not interfere with the social structure that supports ROSCAs, yet permit participants to sue defaulters.

Findings

The findings show that ROSCAs are widely practised in Malaysia especially in the rural and suburban areas. The participants are mostly women from middle income and low‐income groups who used it as a form of savings or credit. The benefits of permitting ROSCAs outweigh the risks. Legalising ROSCAs will not remove the benefits but will substantially reduce the risks.

Originality/value

This paper provides arguments to legalise ROSCAs in Malaysia and provides suggestions to ensure greater efficiency and a lower default rate. It also suggests amendments to the legislation to enable participants to take quick and cheap legal action against defaulters.
Combating terrorist financing and other financial crimes through private sector partnerships
Authors: Forman Marcy M.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Partnerships between the public and private sectors represent one of the strongest means to detect, deter, disrupt and deny terrorist and other criminal organizations illicit profits and material support required to fuel their evil acts. The purpose of this paper is to discuss and illustrate through case study, the importance of public and private sector partnership in combating terrorist financing and other financial crimes.

Design/methodology/approach

Two case studies are presented demonstrating how the public and private sectors can collaboratively work to target how criminal organizations earn, move and store their illicit profits. Highlighted is US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE's) outreach and partnership program, Cornerstone. Through working partnerships with US financial, trade, manufacturing and transportation sectors, Cornerstone's goal is to eliminate systemic vulnerabilities that could be exploited by terrorist and other criminal organizations.

Findings

ICE provides the private sector with information on trends, patterns, and “red flag” indicators that are identified during criminal investigations. This information can be used by the private sector to assist in establishment of internal controls and systems designed to protect their institutions from criminal exploitation.

Practical implications

Sharing identified vulnerabilities and information with trusted private sector partners, is the first line of defense against financial crimes, and the cornerstone of private/public partnership.

Originality/value

The paper stresses that all nations must recognize that any criminal act – whether driven by profit or ideology – threatens a nations economic security and integrity. In today's global economy, this impact can have devastating consequences transcending many borders.
Achieving business excellence through synchronous supply in the automotive sector
Authors: Bennett David , O'Kane James
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To provide the reader with an appreciation of the present trends in the UK automotive supply industry as they affect the first and second tier supply chain and aims to give researchers an insight into the complex interaction between suppliers and their customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review which is divided into the sub‐sections of strategy, structure, processes and co‐ordination required within the manufacturing environment, to identify the influence of synchronous supply as it affects these main areas of operations management.

Findings

Through the use of examples from previous papers written on automotive and related supply industry operating methods, and to date Grounded Theory forming a pilot study to empirical research for this research, it concludes that synchronous supply can provide the lead for an efficient automotive supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

The concept of synchronous supply presents a challenging research framework for supplier operating strategy, structuring processes and co‐ordination between the vehicle manufacturer (VM) and the whole supply chain.

Practical implications

A useful source of information for VMs and their first tier suppliers to understand more about synchronous supply and its affect on the supply chain.

Originality/value

This paper presents the concept of synchronous supply as a challenging framework for supplier operating strategy, structuring processes and co‐ordination between the VM and the whole supply chain.
A benchmarking methodology for metalcasting industry
Authors: Ribeiro Laura M.M. , Sarsfield Cabral J.A.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To provide the basis for the development of a specific benchmarking methodology for the foundry industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology was developed with the support of the Portuguese Foundry Association (APF). The project was structured in two stages: developing the model for the performance assessment (including performance indicators specially designed for the foundry companies); and conducting a pilot benchmarking exercise in order to validate the model. Both stages received the contribution of eight relevant national foundries.

Findings

Provides information about expectations of the benchmarking partners group. Make available a specific benchmarking model for assessing the foudries' performance based on critical factors. Provides foundry‐oriented indicators. Confirms that benchmarking is a time‐consuming tool, demanding continuous commitment of the top‐managers.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of the study is the number of benchmarking partners (eight foundries). The statistical analysis of the results based on this small sample was not practicable, preventing the definition of the presumed causal relations between improvement practices and performance outcomes.

Practical implications

The benchmarking model is now available at the APF. From now on, this institution can provide its members with a tool for promoting the co‐operation among companies and to enhance and enlarge significantly the available information about this sector. This activity will, certainly, help to improve organisations' performance, upgrading the competitiveness of the metalcasting industry in Portugal.

Originality/value

This paper helps the development of benchmarking in the metalcasting industry in which the number of published studies is very limited.
Best practices of collaboration between university and industrial SMEs
Authors: Peças P. , Henriques E.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the implementation of best practices of collaboration between university and industrial small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the experience carried on by a university group fostering the collaboration with SME companies involving young engineering students and researchers in projects designed for the resolution of real industrial problems. A collaboration model is proposed and described. Four real case studies are presented.

Findings

The purposed model promotes the involvement of the young engineers with authentic industrial experiences, enables the build‐up of their practical framework and encourages their entrepreneurial growth. It also promotes the innovation process in SME companies through the close collaboration with universities.

Practical implications

The collaboration between universities and SME companies should be based on a small projects base. These projects must be focus in localized and specific problematic areas in the industrial companies, where the potential of improvement and innovation is large, must diagnose the problematic situation and propose new and efficient solutions supported by technical/scientific methodologies. The involvement of managers and collaborators of SME companies and the clearly definition of their roles in the project are fundamental issues for the collaboration success.

Originality/value

The model presented in this paper describes an innovative step‐by‐step procedure, easy to be implemented by the universities. It emphasises the impact of some details during the collaboration process that enhance the success potential of university‐SME companies' projects, the quality of the research work produced and the quality of young future engineers training. It also fits with the SME companies' demands of a mix of structured knowledge and empirical experience.
An expert diagnosis system for the benchmarking of SMEs' performance
Authors: St‐Pierre Josée , Delisle Sylvain
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that benchmarking allows SMEs to improve their operational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a fully implemented expert diagnostic system which evaluates on a benchmarking basis the performance of SMEs.

Findings

The research results with hundreds of SMEs show that benchmarking allows them to improve their operational and financial performance thus confirming the usefulness of benchmarking for SMEs, especially since traditional performance models for large enterprises do not apply well to SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

Based on data mining techniques, future work should allow us to significantly extend our knowledge on SMEs, and further improve our evaluation model of SME performance.

Practical implications

Practitioners and researchers should pay more attention to benchmarking as a valuable performance evaluation tool, not only for large businesses, but for SMEs as well.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the development and use of a benchmarking‐based “360‐degrees” performance evaluation system for SMEs.
The performance of property developments of institutional investors
Authors: Kurzrock Björn‐Martin , Roth Michael
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Only a small amount of research is available as yet on the performance of property developments. This article seeks to analyse the performance of property developments in institutional property investors' portfolios over four European countries – France, Germany, Sweden, and the UK – based on property level data submitted to the IPD property databank. The study also aims to consider total returns of standing investments as a benchmark for property developments.

Design/methodology/approach

Performance data over the period 1998 to 2002 are analysed by means of a multi‐factor analysis of variance where the factors are the country, property use type, year of completion, duration and capital value groups of property developments. As property developments usually carry higher risks, one would expect total returns of developments to be higher than for standing investments. By comparing weighted total returns of property developments with those of standing investments, support was found for this assumption in most cases.

Findings

Only in Germany did property developments perform even worse than the standing investments. Country and capital value were found to be the key performance drivers for property developments in the four countries. Interestingly, property use type does not yield a significant impact on performance.

Originality/value

As a first contribution, the findings of the study are supposed to be valuable for European institutional property investors in their asset allocation decision processes.
Freehold valuations: the relationship between implicit and explicit DCF methods
Authors: French Nick
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Proposes to elucidate the relationship between implicit and explicit discounted cash flow (DCF) methods in freehold valuations.

Design/methodology/approach

Sets out a calculation of annual growth with respect to a rack‐rented property.

Findings

Finds that the advantage of the DCF model is that it makes the assumptions underpinning the valuation explicit.

Originality/value

This shows how the valuer is allowed to analyse the market and to answer not only the question of the price of the property but also the question of whether it is worth that price.
From underground cult to public policy for citizens: democratizing an open source artifact at a policy level in South Korea
Authors: Lee Kwang‐Suk
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This study aims to explore the feasible use of free and open source software (FOSS) at a policy level in South Korea, which is reacting against being locked into only one technology company, Microsoft.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on participatory democratic theory, this paper suggests that the normative role of the state is as a public mediator in the development of an information technology (IT) infrastructure, encouraging greater freedom of choice and the establishment of an electronic environment – such as the community‐based use of software technology – for citizens to use easily and freely.

Findings

South Korean policymakers have explored FOSS as a kind of a political metaphor: at the international level, FOSS offers a rare opportunity to free the country from its technological dependence on transnational software vendors. At the national level, it is an engine for technological innovation and for market competition. However, the market or business paradigm has dominated most discussions of FOSS in Korea. As a result, the economic paradigm of FOSS is vulnerable and could easily surrender to the proprietary logic of the software market.

Originality/value

This study describes how the Korean government must maximize the societal benefits of FOSS within the public sector in order to reduce reliance on proprietary software and open the developmental path to alternative technologies.
Two tales of one service: user acceptance of short message service (SMS) in Hong Kong and China
Authors: Yan Xu , Gong Min , Thong James Y.L.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The short message service (SMS) has been available in Hong Kong and China since the late 1990s. However, the user acceptance patterns for this service have been evidently different in these two regions. Based on fieldwork in Hong Kong and China, this study attempts to explain these differences.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the information technology acceptance framework, which posits that various external factors impact on a person's perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and subjective norms, leading to user acceptance of the SMS.

Findings

This study contributes to telecommunications research by delineating the various stimuli to consider for successful technology acceptance in a global setting, which can account for differential impacts across regions. These stimuli include the economic development level, cultural differences, political censorship, business models, market competition, and input language.

Research limitations/implications

More rigorous statistical analysis will further enhance this paper.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can assist telecommunications operators in formulating an effective region‐specific strategy when launching a wireless data service in a particular environment.

Originality/value

This paper is of use in that it studies telecommunications issues with reference to the theories of information systems.
A study of internet industry structural determinants with interconnection strategies: will regulation be necessary?
Authors: Shin Seungjae , Tucci Jack , Glaser‐Segura Daniel
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to survey the internet industry structure from the interconnection point of view and demonstrate why peering is difficult to achieve in the local access market.

Design/methodology/approach

An internet interconnection game model is built and equilibrium analysis is provided in this paper.

Findings

The paper finds that the key element as an internet industry structural determinant is peering interconnection and the relationships created by that interconnectedness. Even if peering is an efficient way to exchange traffic freely, the dominant strategy for small, local internet service providers (ISPs) in the internet access market is transit. This result shows that it is hard to make a peering arrangement for the small ISPs with small amounts of traffic and a limited number of subscribers.

Originality/value

This paper supports internet policy makers reviewing the internet interconnection policy.
Convergence of telecommunications, media and information technology, and implications for regulation
Authors: Shin Dong‐Hee
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to review current policy debates on convergence in Korea and the UK. This study compares the two countries' cases of how they prepare for convergence, what are the regulatory frameworks, and what are the conflicting issues in the convergence.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a comparative case study between Korean and the UK. Data are collected through literature review, regulatory document and market research.

Findings

The regulation in the UK has been focused on how to change the notion of public interest in the convergence era, whereas the agenda in Korea seems to be how to apply a legacy of public interest to convergence services. The laws of public interest in Korea have been drawn from a legacy regime, which makes applying in a convergence era increasingly difficult. There is a compelling need for conceptual clarification in understanding the meaning of public interest in the convergence environment.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may further investigate the effective regulatory framework in the emerging convergence era.

Practical implications

Regulation needs to be transparent, clear and proportional and distinguish between transport and content. This implies a more horizontal approach to regulation with a homogenous treatment of all transport network infrastructure and associated services, irrespective of the nature of the services carried.

Originality/value

This research identifies issues regarding convergences and suggests a way in which the two different principles of broadcasting and telecommunications can be integrated; how public interest laws can be reconciled with considerations of competition and economic efficiency is explained.
Recent developments in the telecommunications industry of Nepal
Authors: Whalley Jason
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to chart the development of the Nepalese telecommunications industry and assess how they may develop in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

A country case study approach is adopted. The Nepalese context is outlined before the telecommunications industry is described and the main drivers of its development identified. The paper draws on interviews as well as secondary sources and models the relationship between the main drivers of the industry in Nepal.

Findings

Although the Nepalese telecommunications industry has substantially changed since the modernisation process began in early 1980s, large parts of the country remain without access to telecommunication services.

Research limitations/implications

Some data collection problems were encountered, but these were addressed through the use of multiple sources.

Practical implications

The industry's future development will be shaped by the interplay between geography, resources and the CPN (Maoist) insurgency.

Originality/value

Previous studies have tended to focus on one part of the Nepalese telecommunications industry or one specific issue. This paper provides a broad overview of the industry and draws attention to the inter‐relationships that exist between the key drivers of telecommunications diffusion in Nepal.