bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurial motivations and intentions: investigating the role of education major
Authors: Solesvik Marina Z.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the difference in entrepreneurial intentions, perceived entrepreneurial motivation, and cognitive profiles (attitudes towards entrepreneurship, perceived behaviour control, and subjective norms) between individuals who have participated in enterprise education programmes in the universities and those who have not. The paper also investigates the mediating role of attitudes towards entrepreneurship, perceived behaviour control, and subjective norms related to entrepreneurial motivation and the forming of entrepreneurial intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey information from 321 students from three universities in the Ukraine was hand collected. Hierarchical multiple regressions were used to test hypotheses.

Findings

Individuals who participate in enterprise programmes tend to have higher entrepreneurial motivation and are more likely to become entrepreneurs. Empirical evidence shows that attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behaviour control mediate the relationship between perceived entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurial intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on data collected from three universities in one city. The implications for education managers related to the inclusion of enterprise courses into the study plans of engineering students are also discussed here.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for the stimulation of student enterprise in transitional economies where attitudinal and resource (i.e. skill, competence and knowledge) deficiencies can retard enterprise. Entrepreneurial motivation is an important link between an intention and action. Enterprise education programs which stimulate entrepreneurial motivation should be offered to engineering students since many of them start ventures later. Engagement into enterprise development programs of engineering students might evoke earlier interest in self‐employment career path among young people.

Originality/value

The article contributes to the field of entrepreneurial motivation and intentions. The study extends insights from the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) (i.e. subjective norms, attitudes toward this behaviour, and perceived behavioural control) by also considering the perceived entrepreneurial motivation profiles of students.
The influence of training and training transfer factors on organisational learning and performance
Authors: Dermol Valerij , Čater Tomaž
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The study aims to contribute to the training‐related literature by investigating the relationship between training and training transfer factors and company‐level training outcomes, and the relationship between the latter and company performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose and test a model linking constructs related to training (the volume and quality of training, supervisor support, peer support, and organisational incentives), constructs related to company‐level training outcomes (the acquisition and interpretation of information, and cognitive and behavioural changes) and company performance. In the empirical analysis the authors use structural equation modelling based on a sample of 247 service companies.

Findings

The study confirms a strong relationship between supervisor support and the volume and quality of training as well as between supervisor support and organisational incentives for training transfer. Organisational incentives are directly related to both studied company‐level training outcomes, i.e. the acquisition and interpretation of information, and cognitive and behavioural changes. In addition, they are also indirectly related to company performance through encouraging cognitive and behavioural changes. The volume and quality of training are related only to the acquisition and interpretation of information, while no direct relationship with company performance was found.

Research limitations/implications

The study sends an important message to CEOs and HR managers showing them that companies should focus not only on the volume and quality of training but also on important training‐transfer‐related factors.

Originality/value

The study complements previous studies dealing with the relationship between training and performance by clearly distinguishing between training and training transfer factors, and by studying their combined relationship with company‐level training outcomes and, through that, with company performance. The links in the model are addressed in a way that has not yet been used in existing literature.
Internal lean practices and operational performance
Authors: Chavez Roberto , Gimenez Cristina , Fynes Brian , Wiengarten Frank , Yu Wantao
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of internal lean practices on multiple operational performance dimensions, and assess the contingency perspective of these relationships with respect to industry clockspeed.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on empirical data gathered from 228 manufacturing companies in the Republic of Ireland. The relationships between the constructs are analyzed through regression analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that the relationships between internal lean practices and quality, delivery, flexibility and cost were found to be positive and significant. Further, industry clockspeed was found to moderate the relationship between internal lean practices and quality, delivery and flexibility, but not cost.

Practical implications

While internal lean practices can improve operational performance, managers should be aware that internal lean practices are not universally applicable, and the rate of change within an industry should be considered at the time of implementing lean principles.

Originality/value

Much of the lean literature tends to be biased towards its effectiveness. However, empirical evidence shows that not all lean implementation have led to positive results, which has been attributed to the general complexity in the relationship between internal lean practices and performance. We propose to investigate further this relationship by disaggregating operational performance into four of its dimensions, namely quality, delivery, flexibility and cost, and by investigating the possible contingency effect of industry clockspeed.
Experiential learning: inspiring the business leaders of tomorrow
Authors: Baden Denise , Parkes Carole
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The complex challenges of sustainable development and the need to embed these issues effectively into the education of future business leaders has never been more urgent. The purpose of this paper is to discuss different approaches taken by two UK signatories to the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).

Design/methodology/approach

The two approaches examined are: MSc Entrepreneurship students opting for placements with social enterprises; and MBA students undertaking workshops using “live” case studies. A content analysis of the experiences of students from their written reflective narratives is presented. This is supplemented by reflections of the facilitators and tutors.

Findings

The analysis reveals that the opportunity to work with social entrepreneurs and/or “responsible” business professionals provides the business students with inspirational role models and positive social learning opportunities.

Research limitations/implications

This paper suggests that experiential learning is an effective way of integrating ethics, responsibility and sustainability into the curriculum but the research draws on the experience of two schools. Further research is important to explore these findings in other contexts.

Practical implications

The authors argue that direct exposure to a business culture (and/or behaviour) that is predicated upon ethical/social responsibility and sustainability is an effective means to embed these values in the curriculum.

Originality/value

This paper contributes by drawing on social psychological research related to behaviour change to examine how experiential learning on traditional Business Masters programmes can provide students with the knowledge, motivation and skills to contribute positively to society, in a way that more traditional pedagogies cannot.
Knowledge combination, innovation, organizational performance in technology firms
Authors: María Ruiz‐Jiménez Jenny , del Mar Fuentes‐Fuentes María
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of product and process innovation on the relationships between knowledge combination capability and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) belonging to the sector of Spanish technology‐based firms (TBFs). This study employs the structural equation model (SEM) to examine the relationships between product and process innovation, knowledge combination capability, and organizational performance.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest, first, that knowledge combination capability has a significant impact on product and process innovation. Second, product and process innovation mediate the relations between knowledge combination capability and organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

The sample includes only firms in the technology sector; future studies could analyze another kind of organization. Further studies might also use a wider sample that encompasses several countries.

Practical implications

This paper implies that, to achieve better performance in technology SMEs, the managers should focus more on knowledge combination capability to improve innovation, as this is the key to excellent business performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on innovation and knowledge. It examines the mediating effects of product and process innovation, knowledge combination capability, and organizational performance in technology SMEs. The research demonstrates empirically that innovation strengthens the effect of knowledge on firm performance in the sector studied.
High‐speed broadband: assessing its social impact
Authors: Rampersad Giselle , Troshani Indrit
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Given the increasingly significant investments in high‐speed broadband (HSB) internationally and the heightened rhetoric surrounding its benefits, the purpose of this paper is to assess the social impact of HSB.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a case study concerning HSB delivered in the ambit of Australia's National Broadband Network (NBN), the study contributes a conceptual framework to evaluate the social impact of HSB initiatives.

Findings

The authors found that key sectors, including education, health and community development, should be critically assessed across pertinent dimensions in evaluating the social impact of HSB.

Practical implications

The framework provided in this study is significant as it can be used strategically by managers and policy makers in both leveraging HSB opportunities in key sectors and monitoring the performance of such initiatives.

Originality/value

The research extends the technology adoption literature by contributing a framework that moves beyond the individual and organizational levels of technology adoption towards the wider sectoral level; and second, attempts to examine post‐adoption impact of technology.
Computer‐supported collaborative learning: a research framework
Authors: Long Yuan , Fui‐Hoon Nah Fiona , Eschenbrenner Brenda , Schoonover Terrance
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a computer‐supported collaborative learning (CSCL) research framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework was developed from a review and synthesis of the literature. More specifically, gaps in the literature were identified and a general framework for future CSCL research was proposed.

Findings

This paper proposes a research framework that identifies a fit profile between learning objectives, learning tasks, and technology in CSCL. The fit profile, in turn, is expected to influence users' learning processes and outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

This framework can serve as a foundation for future research in CSCL. More specifically, research should give consideration to the collaborative learning objective and task, which will vary in degrees of complexity and cognitive demands. Also, researchers will want to evaluate the level of sophistication of the CSCL technology, as well as its appropriateness for a given objective and task, which ultimately influences the learning process and outcomes.

Practical implications

Considerations and guidelines for development of CSCL applications are provided.

Originality/value

CSCL is an important research area that has attracted the attention of researchers from various disciplines (e.g. information systems, educational psychology). However, the findings are varied and sometimes conflict with each other. By emphasizing a fit profile between learning objectives, learning tasks, and technology, this paper proposes a theory‐based research framework to address the inconsistencies observed in the literature.
Going‐concern audit opinions for bankrupt companies – impact of credit rating
Authors: Feldmann Dorothy , Read William J.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether credit ratings inform auditors' going‐concern (GC) audit opinions for companies facing imminent bankruptcy.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from BankruptcyData.com the authors identify US publicly‐held, financially‐distressed companies that filed bankruptcy from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2009. Logistic regression is applied by regressing audit opinion type on select financial, industry, and credit rating data.

Findings

Results show that the likelihood of an auditor issuing a GC opinion is associated with the credit rating issued by Standard & Poor's (S&P) preceding the audit report date. In results supporting the idea that the auditor's opinion has informational value, the paper also finds that after issuance of a GC report, S&P's credit rating tends to be downgraded.

Research limitations/implications

While the findings indicate observable relationships between audit opinions and credit ratings, the models used in primary analysis cannot determine causality.

Originality/value

This study sheds some light on how credit ratings and audit opinions may be inter‐related in distressed companies, an issue previously not investigated in the literature.
Recent developments in exchange‐traded fund literature
Authors: Charupat Narat , Miu Peter
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief review of three strands of the literature on exchange‐traded funds.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts with a review of the history of the growth of exchange‐traded funds and their characteristics. The paper then examines the key factors and findings of the existing studies on, respectively, the pricing efficiency, the tracking ability/performance, and the impact on underlying securities of exchange‐traded funds.

Findings

Although there has been a substantial amount of research conducted to advance our knowledge on the trading, management, and effect of exchange‐traded funds, the findings are still far from conclusive in addressing a number of research questions.

Practical implications

Investors and other market participants will find this review informative in enhancing the understanding of exchange‐traded funds.

Originality/value

By highlighting the general theme of the related research findings, the paper provides a systematic review of the existing literature that future researchers can utilize in developing their research agenda.
Transient electromagnetic field, losses and forces in a synchronous turbogenerator rotor
Authors: Pantelyat Michael G. , Bíró Oszkár , Stermecki Andrej
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The paper seeks to present a methodology of computer simulation of 3D transient electromagnetic fields, losses and forces due to negative sequence currents in fragments of large synchronous turbogenerator rotors. The methodology allows for the preparation of initial data for further computations of thermal and mechanical behaviour of rotors.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations for 3D negative sequence transient electromagnetic fields with the Coulomb gauge using magnetic vector potential and scalar electric potential A, V – A are solved by the nodal finite element method in a Cartesian coordinate system moving synchronously with the rotor.

Findings

The presented methodology of 3D transient electromagnetic phenomena computation seems to be effective because the electromagnetic field in the rotor of a synchronous generator is generally three dimensional, and therefore 2D field‐computation approaches and software are not able to simulate intrinsically 3D electromagnetic processes in turbogenerator rotors.

Research limitations/implications

Currently it is difficult to carry out accurate numerical simulation of 3D transient electromagnetic fields and therefore losses and forces within the whole structure of the rotor because of the resulting huge computational expenses. This paper is devoted to the finite element analysis of electromagnetic fields, losses and forces in separate structural parts of the rotor. As an example of practical utilization of the developed technique, the computer simulation of electromagnetic phenomena in junctions of nonmagnetic rotor slot wedges of a 300 MVA class synchronous turbogenerator is carried out.

Practical implications

The methodology can successfully be used during the design process of modern large synchronous turbogenerators.

Originality/value

This paper presents numerical analysis of intrinsically 3D transient electromagnetic phenomena in large turbogenerator rotors.
Advanced adaptive algorithms in 2D finite element method of higher order of accuracy
Authors: Karban Pavel , Mach František , Doležel Ivo
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The paper presents the principal elements of automatic adaptivity built in our 2D software for monolithic solution of multiphysics problems based on a fully adaptive finite element method of higher order of accuracy. The adaptive techniques are illustrated by appropriate examples.

Design/methodology/approach

Presented are algorithms for realization of theh‐adaptivity,p‐adaptivity,hp‐adaptivity, creation of curvilinear elements for modelling general boundaries and interfaces. Indicated also is the possibility of combining triangular and quadrilateral elements (both classical and curved).

Findings

The presented higher‐order adaptive processes are reliable, robust and lead to a substantial reduction of the degrees of freedom in comparison with the techniques used in low‐order finite element methods. They allow solving examples that are by classical approaches either unsolvable or solvable at a cost of high memory and time of computation.

Research limitations/implications

The adaptive processes described in the paper are still limited to 2D computations. Their computer implementation is highly nontrivial (every physical field in a multiphysics task is generally solved on a different mesh satisfying its specific features) and in 3D the number of possible adaptive steps is many times higher.

Practical implications

The described adaptive techniques may represent a powerful tool for the monolithic solution of complex multiphysics problems.

Originality/value

The presented higher‐order adaptive approach of solution is shown to provide better results than the schemes implemented in professional codes based on low‐order finite element methods. Obtaining the results, moreover, requires less time and computer memory.
Exact and Physical‐Optics analysis of the electromagnetic scattering by an elliptic cone
Authors: Kijowski Michael , Klinkenbusch Ludger
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare exact and Physical‐Optics‐approximated results of the electromagnetic field scattered by a perfectly conducting semi‐infinite elliptic cone illuminated by a plane wave. The results are important for judging the reliability of Physical‐Optics based field estimations of electrically large environments which include tip‐like structures (e.g. airport scenarios).

Design/methodology/approach

The spherical‐multipole analysis is applied to determine the exact total field outside a perfectly conducting semi‐infinite elliptic cone. The underlying boundary‐value problem is solved by a separation of variables of the Helmholtz equation in sphero‐conal coordinates leading to a two‐parametric eigenvalue problem with two coupled Lamé differential equations. The exact scattered far field is determined from the exact surface current on the cone using a bilinear expansion of the dyadic Green's function. The Physical‐Optics (PO) field is evaluated similarly starting from a surface current which is directly found from the incident magnetic field.

Findings

The diffraction coefficients of the exact scattered field and the PO scattered field are compared for different parameters (polarization and angle of incidence) of the plane wave. Reasonably well corresponding results are obtained for those angles of incidence of the plane wave where the entire cone is illuminated, otherwise the error of the PO approximation is increasing not just in the shadow region.

Originality/value

If carefully applied, the Physical‐Optics method can be useful and sufficient to obtain fields scattered by cone‐like structures.
Uniformity analysis of magnetic field in an electromagnetic cold crucible used for directional solidification
Authors: Yang Jieren , Chen Ruirun , Ding Hongsheng , Su Yanqing , Jingjie Guo , Huang Feng , Fu Hengzhi
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a numerical calculation method to study the uniformity of the magnetic field in a cold crucible used for directional solidification (DS) and provide information for designing a cold crucible that can induce a uniform magnetic field.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain the characteristics of the magnetic field in a cold crucible and its influence on the directional solidification processing, based on experimental verification, 3‐D finite element (FE) models with different crucible configuration‐elements and power parameters were established to study the uniformity of the magnetic field in a cold crucible. In addition, different TiAl ingots were directionally solidified with different cold crucibles, and the solid/liquid (S/L) interfaced were examined to investigate the effect of the magnetic field on the macrostructure of those ingots.

Findings

The uniformity of the magnetic field in a given domain can be quantitatively analyzed by statistical methods. Numerical calculation results showed that the uniformity of the magnetic field can be improved by optimizing the crucible configuration and adopting lower frequency. Better uniformity of the magnetic field in a cold crucible is beneficial to directional solidification.

Originality/value

The calculation of the uniformity of the magnetic field is proposed as a method for quantitative study of the distribution characteristics of the magnetic field in a cold crucible. The relationship between the S/L interfaces of TiAl ingots and the uniformity of the magnetic field is initially characterised; additionally, techniques for improving the uniformity of the magnetic field in a cold crucible are suggested.
Numerical investigation of a high order hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method for 2d time‐harmonic Maxwell's equations
Authors: Li Liang , Lanteri Stéphane , Perrussel Ronan
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This work is concerned with the development and the numerical investigation of a hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) method for the simulation of two‐dimensional time‐harmonic electromagnetic wave propagation problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed HDG method for the discretization of the two‐dimensional transverse magnetic Maxwell equations relies on an arbitrary high order nodal interpolation of the electromagnetic field components and is formulated on triangular meshes. In the HDG method, an additional hybrid variable is introduced on the faces of the elements, with which the element‐wise (local) solutions can be defined. A so‐called conservativity condition is imposed on the numerical flux, which can be defined in terms of the hybrid variable, at the interface between neighbouring elements. The linear system of equations for the unknowns associated with the hybrid variable is solved here using a multifrontal sparse LU method. The formulation is given, and the relationship between the considered HDG method and a standard upwind flux‐based DG method is also examined.

Findings

The approximate solutions for both electric and magnetic fields converge with the optimal order of p+1 in L2 norm, when the interpolation order on every element and every interface is p and the sought solution is sufficiently regular. The presented numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed HDG method, especially when compared with a classical upwind flux‐based DG method.

Originality/value

The work described here is a demonstration of the viability of a HDG formulation for solving the time‐harmonic Maxwell equations through a detailed numerical assessment of accuracy properties and computational performances.
Managing in‐store logistics: a fresh perspective on retail service
Authors: Bouzaabia Olfa , van Riel Allard C.R. , Semeijn Janjaap
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Traditional retailers still insist on using price, product, and promotion as sources of competitive advantage. This emphasis typically ignores the potential of in‐store logistics operations in the creation of customer value. A major objective of retail customers is to navigate the retail servicescape in an efficient, convenient, enjoyable and effective manner. In‐store logistics operations largely determine how and to what extent the customer may achieve this objective. However, customer‐perceived indicators of in‐store logistics performance, such as product returns, order information, opening hours, and product availability and accessibility, have been largely ignored in research on retail service. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of in‐store logistics in determining customer outcomes such as store image, satisfaction and loyalty intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is developed based on extant research in the areas of logistics service quality, service logic, store image, and customer loyalty. To test the plausibility of the model, 200 supermarket customers were surveyed in an exploratory field study. Data were analyzed by means of structural equation modeling in SmartPLS.

Findings

Results show that customers may derive a substantial share of their satisfaction from interactions with in‐store logistics operations. Customer‐perceived performance of these operations – an important element of the retail servicescape – influences customer satisfaction directly, but also through its influence on store image.

Research limitations/implications

In‐store logistics dimensions were identified based on exploratory research. A more structured, theory‐driven approach, might yield further insight. Explained variance levels in the outcome variables point at unobserved influences. Future research into the drivers of retail experience satisfaction could further complete the picture.

Originality/value

From a customer perspective, the paper investigates in‐store logistics performance and its effects on customer outcomes in a field study.
Implementing open source software to conform to national policy
Authors: Weilbach Lizette , Byrne Elaine
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implementation process of an open source enterprise management system in the South African public sector. Change management was observed in relation to challenges and opportunities in the alignment of the internal organisational changes to the imperatives of the national Free and Open Source Software policy.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretive case study, using interviews, observation and document review was used.

Findings

Alignment of the organisational environment, change management strategies and technology is required to address many of the “common” change management challenges. However, ICT policies are formed and adopted in a highly complex environment and have embedded property and power relations which impact the nature and direction of their implementation. In this case, one of the main challenges arose from the alignment of internal organisational change to a national policy, which did not seem to have the full support of the agency which was tasked with implementing it.

Originality/value

Many of the challenges faced by the public sector department are commonly described in change management literature, such as inadequate consideration for the social context in which the change was to take place. What emerges from this paper is a caution that there is not a single voice within government and that in a multi‐levelled and multi‐sectoral institution, many different rationalities exist. The internal alignment of the divergent voices within government would be a prerequisite for the organisational environment, change management strategies and technology to be aligned.
Understanding the concept of care in cross‐cultural settings
Authors: Marin Kawamura Kristine
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purposes of this conceptual paper are fivefold: first, to present a resource definition of care in work organizations that allows business and its managers to reconnect human wealth with social progress and economic wealth in order to create a responsible, sustainable, and healthy world; second, to examine the sociological and feminist origins of care; third, to discuss identifiable qualities of care; also, to compare and contrast care with the knowledge resource; and then, to identify future research directions for care.

Design/methodology/approach

Theory development and literature review were carried out to present a conceptual definition of care.

Findings

A definition of care is proposed: care is a universal construct and is inherent in all human beings; care is the core foundation, the core energy, of all human activity, work, and interaction; care may be seen as a socioeconomic resource that acts similar to the knowledge resource and may be built into organizational strategy, management, and leadership and serves as a measurable and trainable managerial capability; and care comprises identifiable qualities in individual, relational, and managerial decision‐making categories. This definition has important cross‐cultural implications and is valid for any culture, team, and organization.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is conceptual in nature and lays the foundation for further research, which is outlined in the discussion. Follow‐on work should include case studies and other qualitative research methods as well as quantitative research methods to substantiate the definition with evidence.

Practical implications

In this paper, the author proposes that care lies at the core of being human. Care energizes all human work activity and may be employed by leaders, managers, and strategists across all organizations and cultures to maximize human potential, integrate care with the wealth creation process, and create healthy, sustainable organizations. Care is proposed as a driver for economic success and human well‐being that can give rise to the next major transformation in business and thinking. The proposed care definition, and especially, its comparison to the knowledge resource, offers scholars and practitioners a new orientation to apply to the value creation process in organizations. Care can be seen as an essential aspect of management practice, organizational strategy, and socioeconomic transformation.

Originality/value

This paper offers a unique and profound definition of care. Care has never been studied or examined in terms of energy or socioeconomic resource before. It leverages the definition of care associated with ethics of care research and provides a broader and deeper means to energize and transform work environments, management practice, and organizational strategy.
Meaning, authority, rationality and care as MARCs of sustainable organisations
Authors: Westelius Alf , Westelius Ann‐Sofie , Brytting Tomas
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to present MARC, a model for assessing – and improving – the health of organisations from a humanistic point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

The model has been developed in an organisational development clinical research tradition. The validity of the model rests on logical reasoning grounded in organisational and salutogenic research, and on it appearing useful to clients and members in organisations where it has been employed.

Findings

When using the MARC model to structure analyses and facilitate discussions in organisations that have sought aid, the model has helped reveal major sources of imbalance between its four aspects: meaning, authority, rationality and care. A major survey revealed no statistically significant differences between men and women. This indicates that the MARC concepts are general rather than gender‐specific. The results also contradicted the often stated notion that men emphasise “hard” aspects (A and R) while women emphasise “soft” ones (M and C).

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that support for the importance of each of the four aspects – meaning, authority, rationality and care – as perspectives in analysing and understanding organisations can be found in the organisational research literature. The authors' contribution is to argue the case that they represent four important human needs that need to be attended to in balance in an organisation if cooperation between the individuals in the organisation is to be sustainable from a human‐centred perspective. MARC is designed to help visualise and focus this balance.
The pseudo‐panopticon: the illusion created by CSR‐related transparency and the internet
Authors: Timothy Coombs W. , Holladay Sherry J.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how corporate social responsibility (CSR) transparency claims are propagating a belief in a modern panopticon for ensuring responsible corporate behavior. Corporations use transparency claims to cultivate the impression of full disclosure. The paper aims to explore why people believe transparency ensures responsible behavior from corporations as well as the negative effects of this pseudo‐panopticon.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores transparency in relation to CSR, CSR reporting, the internet, and activism and describes how their confluence produces pseudo‐panopticon.

Findings

The paper finds that the pseudo‐panopticon allows corporations to claim transparency in CSR communication and for stakeholders to accept that claim. The reality is that a minority of activist stakeholders bear the burden of ensuring true transparency by questioning disclosure.

Social implications

Transparency should be seen as a process, and it fails if activists cannot create public awareness of CSR shortcomings. The challenge is to find ways to make transparency as a process work in a world where apathy and self‐deception, in part facilitated by the pseudo‐panopticon, work against the process.

Originality/value

The paper builds on the process view of transparency by developing its implications for CSR communication. The result is a novel approach to CSR reporting and transparency that contributes to other critical voices concerned about the value and effects of CSR communication.
Advertising corporate social responsibility
Authors: Pomering Alan , Johnson Lester W. , Noble Gary
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how social topic information (STI) and corporate social responsibility commitment (CSRC) substantiate the firm's CSR claims and promote message persuasion.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2×2 between‐subjects experimental design was used to examine the impact of STI and CSRC on output variables using an online sample of 176 participants in Australia.

Findings

The study found that manipulation of STI had a statistically significant impact on outcome variables, but that CSRC did not.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to Australia and used a fictitious brand in the experiment.

Practical implications

For marketing communications and brand managers, this study informs CSR‐based corporate image advertising.

Social implications

Support for more socially responsible businesses through responsible consumption can potentially transform product attributes and markets. More effective CSR communication is critical to this response.

Originality/value

To date, no research has examined how consumer persuasion of CSR advertising claims might be enhanced using message variables. This study has implications for theory and practice for the effective communication of pro‐social achievements, and suggests further research areas.
Potentiality of polysilicon nanogap structure for label‐free biomolecular detection
Authors: Dhahi T.S. , Hashim U. , Ali M.E.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to systematically study the electrical properties of 5‐, 42‐ and 75‐nm gap polysilicon structures to evaluate the potentiality of these structures to be used in biomolecular sensing devices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors previously reported the fabrication and morphological characterization of these structures. In this report, they electrically probed the presence of nanogap through current measurement. The effects of electrolytes on the capacitance profiles of these structures were systematically studied with air, water and various dilutions of phosphate buffer saline.

Findings

An increment in capacitance was found with the increment in electrolyte concentration. Improvement in current flow, capacitance, permittivity, and conductivity were observed with the smaller size nanogaps, suggesting their applications in low power consuming devices.

Originality/value

Since nanogap‐based dielectric biosensing devices need to be operated with a low level of current to avoid biomolecular damage, these structures should have potential applications in dielectric‐based biomolecular detection using a low cost dielectric analyser.
Thick film screen printed environmental and chemical sensor array reference electrodes suitable for subterranean and subaqueous deployments
Authors: Atkinson J.K. , Glanc M. , Prakorbjanya M. , Sophocleous M. , Sion R.P. , Garcia‐Breijo E.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report thick film environmental and chemical sensor arrays designed for deployment in both subterranean and submerged aqueous applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Various choices of materials for reference electrodes employed in these different applications have been evaluated and the responses of the different sensor types are compared and discussed.

Findings

Results indicate that the choice of binder materials is critical to the production of sensors capable of medium term deployment (e.g. several days) as the binders not only affect the tradeoff between hydration time and drift but also have a significant bearing on device sensitivity and stability. Sensor calibration is shown to remain an issue with long‐term deployments (e.g. several weeks) but this can be ameliorated in the medium term with the use of novel device fabrication and packaging techniques.

Originality/value

The reported results indicate that is possible through careful choice of materials and fabrication methods to achieve near stable thick film reference electrodes that are suitable for use in solid state chemical sensors in a variety of different application areas.
Which cultural values matter to business process management?
Authors: Schmiedel Theresa , vom Brocke Jan , Recker Jan
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Business process management (BPM) requires a holistic perspective that includes managing the culture of an organization to achieve objectives of efficient and effective business processes. Still, the specifics of a BPM‐supportive organizational culture have not been examined so far. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to identify the characteristics of a cultural setting supportive of BPM objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the constituent values of a BPM‐supportive cultural setting through a global Delphi study with BPM experts from academia and practice and explore these values in a cultural value framework.

Findings

The paper empirically identifies and defines four key cultural values supporting BPM, viz., customer orientation, excellence, responsibility, and teamwork. The paper discusses the relationships between these values and identifies a particular challenge in managing these seemingly competing values.

Research limitations/implications

The identification and definition of these values represents a first step towards the operationalization (and empirical analysis) of what has been identified as the concept of BPM culture, i.e. a culture supportive of achieving BPM objectives.

Practical implications

Identifying these cultural values provides the basis for developing an instrument that can measure how far an existing cultural context is supportive of BPM. This, in turn, is fundamental for identifying measures towards achieving a BPM culture as a necessary, yet not sufficient means to obtain BPM success.

Originality/value

The paper examines which cultural values create an environment receptive for BPM and, thus, specifies the important theoretical construct BPM culture. In addition, the paper raises awareness for realizing these values in a BPM context.
Eliciting intrinsic knowledge in the business processes of electronic government with UML extensions
Authors: Santos Paloma Maria , de Melo Braga Marcus , José Rover Aires
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the application of UML extensions on the elicitation of the knowledge that is intrinsic to the business processes of electronic government that will be available on digital TV.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the understanding that: knowledge of e‐government is inherent in the applications available to the citizen; these applications aggregate content and services; and business processes result in products or services that are available for the citizen, this study seeks to, through the use of diagrams proposed by Eriksson and Penker, elicit the knowledge intrinsic to business processes, facilitating the development of applications destined to digital TV.

Findings

The proposed model facilitates the understanding of business processes and the identification of opportunities for improvement. The application of the BP diagram has enabled the authors to obtain an overview of all elements participating in the process as well as detail the relationship between them in a single diagram to facilitate the understanding of the process as a whole and assist its implementation. The assembly line diagram not only highlighted the interaction between business processes and information objects read and written in the assembly line, but also aided the identification of use cases that support the actors of the system and, consequently, the preparation of the t‐Government application requirements. The activity diagram provided highlights of how the activities that comprise the processes interact among each other and what flow of action is necessary to achieve the goal of the business process.

Research limitations/implications

It is worth mentioning that what is being dealt with here is t‐Government applications accessible via iDTV (a fixed device). It is also understood that such applications are not tied to a specific TV program, since they are treated as resident applications; that is, citizens download them from an STB TV Channel and can interact with them whenever they want, regardless of the program that is being aired at the moment.

Originality/value

The use of unified modeling language (UML) extensions as a technique for knowledge modeling is a domain still little explored in literature. Although UML was originally designed to assist in systems modeling, its application has been extended to business and knowledge modeling.
Betrayal: an inevitable part of leadership?
Authors: Fuchs Ben , Shohet Robin
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to bring to light how betrayal can be found between individuals in organizations, and gives examples of how this can be avoided and managed effectively to create more collaborative and supportive working environments.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a viewpoint paper which discusses how betrayal is viewed and responded to by leaders in organizations. This paper makes use of the authors' personal experiences of leadership.

Findings

This article proposes a framework for recognizing patterns in behavior in organizations; especially between individuals, from which feelings of betrayal can occur.

Research limitations/implications

The article describes “betrayal” in the context of small, medium and large organizations; however this is deemed to be something which is defined by the individual who has experienced the feelings of betrayal, making this a difficult concept to define universally.

Practical implications

The findings in this viewpoint can be applied to experiences of leadership and betrayal across the public sector.

Originality/value

This paper explains that naming the feeling of betrayal enables the proposal of a new framework, in which patterns in behavior can be identified which will enable leaders to understand their own responses and those of their employees. This will allow leaders be more readily aware of the “psychological contract” which exists between them and their colleagues, and to learn how to manage their relationships more effectively in light of this and the subtle expectations of their employees.
A care pathway approach to identifying factors that impact on diagnosis of heart disease in British Pakistani women
Authors: Piercy Hilary , Chowbey Punita , Soady John , Dhoot Permjeet , Willis Lerleen , Salway Sarah
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The authors examined the cardiac care pathway with the aim of identifying factors that impact on diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease in British Pakistani women.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory qualitative study. In depth interviews and focus groups with an opportunistic sample of Pakistani women and a purposive sample of clinicians working at different points along the care pathway were conducted. The authors used a pathways to care approach to illustrate how their individual and cumulative effect may contribute to differential receipt of treatment, including revascularisation, and health inequalities.

Findings

Four major issues were identified: complex life circumstances; “atypical” presentation and symptomatology; problems related to investigative testing; and poor communication. Mapping these barriers onto the Pathways to Care Model provided valuable insight into their impact on patients' progression through the different stages of the care pathway.

Research limitations/implications

Adopting a care pathway approach demonstrated how individual factors have an impact at several points along the care pathway. It indicated where further, more detailed enquiry is merited and where intervention studies might usefully be directed to improve care.

Practical implications

Examining the whole care pathway identified areas of service improvement that merit a co‐ordinated response.

Originality/value

The framework provided by the Pathways to Care Model offered insight into the causes of the previously observed attenuation in women's progress along the cardiac diagnosis and treatment pathway and is an important first step to addressing this health inequality in a holistic way.