bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of trade credit supply among the Ghanaian construction sector
Authors: Owusu-Manu De-Graft , D. Holt Gary , J. Edwards David , Badu Edward
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– Trade credit (TC) provides access to capital for construction contractors globally and is an important source of finance in both developed and developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to explore key factors underpinning construction suppliers’ decisions to provide TC to Ghanaian construction firms.

Design/methodology/approach

– Primary data from a structured survey of 75 construction suppliers are analysed. Principal component (factor) analysis explores complex structures among suppliers’ decision-making variables.

Findings

– Underlying constructs of decision criteria exist among seven key factors: financial profile of the contractor; parties’ profit margins; asset portfolio and project particulars; TC quantum and repayment terms; age and experience of the contractor; contractor corporate image; and parties’ cash flows.

Originality/value

– This is a new decision criteria framework for suppliers and contractors, who utilise TC.
Does agricultural commodity speculation contribute to sustainable development?
Authors: Kleinau Christina , Lin-Hi Nick
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to conceptually analyse the role of speculation in society to determine whether agricultural commodity index funds, a new form of speculation, contribute to sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

– The theoretical arguments justifying the value of the market economic system for generating sustainable development and the positive contribution speculators make too in this context are elaborated. It is then considered whether the arguments justifying traditional speculation hold for agricultural commodity index funds.

Findings

– Traditional forms of speculation contribute positively to sustainable development; primarily due to the information they uncover on demand and supply factors which affect prices. Agricultural index funds are a danger to sustainable development, as their transactions are not based on demand and supply factors but simply represent demand for the diversification effect which commodities generate when added to an investment portfolio.

Originality/value

– The article offers a new approach to assessing whether agricultural index funds contribute to sustainable development. Empirical research has been conducted on whether speculation via index funds has unjustifiably affected commodity prices. However, results of these investigations have been inconclusive due to stark limitations in data availability. By approaching the issue from a conceptual point of view, the article delivers theoretically sound arguments as to why agricultural commodity index funds are likely to have an unjustifiable effect on prices and, hence, are a danger to sustainable development. This has strong implications for finance practice and regulation.
Rational socially responsible investment
Authors: Tobias Peylo Benjamin
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is first to give an in-depth discussion of the criticism of socially responsible investment's (SRI) alleged incompatibility with the concept of rational investment constituting an inferiority to conventional investment so as to disprove unwarranted arguments and identify potential for improvement of SRI. The second objective is to propose a framework that places SRI and conventional investment on the same level of rationality.

Methodology

– The discussion is based on a literature study. The framework uses a previously published multidimensional optimization approach and embeds it into a new, integrated methodology for investment decisions in the presence of SRI objectives. The framework is empirically evaluated using historic stock market data.

Findings

– The main findings show that SRI is not necessarily less rational than conventional investment; it can be implemented in an equally stringent and clearly defined methodology. The empirical results prove that investors can pursue SRI objectives without sacrificing performance.

Research limitations

– Focus is on the German stock market; in the future, research will be expanded to cover international markets.

Practical implications

– The results may contribute to enhance the SRI methodology.

Social implications

– Investors may be encouraged to consider SRI, strengthening the concept of sustainability.

Originality/value

– In the literature, the question of SRI’s compatibility with rational investment has often been cited but seldom scrutinized. An in-depth analysis combined with a framework to exploit of the learnings has yet been missing.
An inquiry into different perspectives of health and illness: is the reconciliation possible?
Authors: Ferdousour Rahman Khan , M. Al-Khatlan Haya
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review different perspectives of health and illness keeping the human being at the center.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper has been written based on the review of secondary literature.

Findings

– The analysis indicates that the appropriate perspective to use depends on normative considerations and the particular policy context to which it will be applied.

Research limitations/implications

– The main limitation was time and resources, which were overcome by meticulous analysis of secondary data and also through comparison of the results by achieving triangulation.

Practical implications

– The paper analyzed different perspectives of health and illness in order to increase the insight to the phenomena of health and illness; and also to reach a decision whether consensus among the perspectives is possible or otherwise.

Originality/value

– After analyzing the existing perspectives of health and illness, this paper proposes that an appropriate approach is needed to reconcile different perspectives for sustainable use.
Women with disabilities
Authors: Folguera Conxita
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the views of women with disability about their working lives in a company in the Barcelona metropolitan area which is unusual in that it employs more than twice the percentage of people with disabilities as the legally established quota (2 percent). The paper specifically addresses concealment of disability in a context provided by organizational inclusion policies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Narratives from women with disabilities were developed within the case study of the firm to give voice to them and bring forward their perspectives on their own working experience in the organizational context.

Findings

– The author found that in an arguably inclusive organizational context, unlike their experiences in other contexts, women could choose whether or not to conceal their disability. The organizational context allowed women to forget their disability, yet disability was vindicated in different ways. Emotions were varied and nuanced around feelings of pride, happiness, a wish for independence, pain and relief.

Research limitations/implications

– The research was done in a specific organization with an unusually high percentage of employees with disability. While results cannot be generalized to other companies, this research can aid understanding of what the processes of inclusion may involve for employees, and for those organizations that choose to engage in inclusive practices.

Practical implications

– The results of this research are relevant for managers and policy makers in order to obtain insights about how inclusive policies may be perceived by those to whom they are addressed.

Social implications

– Disability inclusion in organizations is part of disability inclusion in societies. Disability affects 15 percent of the world population. Addressing inclusion processes of people with disability is socially relevant and needed.

Originality/value

– In contrast to previous research, disability inclusion processes are examined though the voices of the women with disabilities working in the company.
Scientometric analysis of Iraqi-Kurdistan universities’ scientific productivity
Authors: Noruzi Alireza , Abdekhoda Mohammadhiwa
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This purpose of this study is to examine research performance of Iraqi-Kurdistan universities, using the number of papers appearing in journals and proceedings, and the number of citations received by those papers as covered by Scopus, 1970-2012. This study also identifies subject coverage (domain/field) of publications and determines the preference of research communication channel within the research community?

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 459 papers published by Iraqi-Kurdistan universities and indexed by Scopus during the given time period were considered. The source items (i.e. records of publications by the faculty members of the Iraqi-Kurdistan universities) were all the documents published in international journals and proceedings indexed by Scopus (an Elsevier bibliographic database) from the time period ranging from 1970 to 2012. All papers having an authorship or a co-authorship associated with the Iraqi-Kurdistan universities were included and the number of citations received by them was counted for the period.

Findings

– The study found that major journals used by Iraqi-Kurdistan universities were Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, Journal of Chinese Clinical Medicine, Asian Journal of Chemistry, Hemoglobin and Journal of Applied Sciences Research. Additionally, three older institutions (Salahaddin University-Hawler, University of Sulaimani and University of Duhok) were the most productive universities. Moreover, the study revealed that 237 of 459 (52 per cent) of publications have international collaborations. It is further evident that among the 459 publications, 211 (40 per cent) have been cited 1,020 times; while 248 (60 per cent) of the papers have not been cited even once, so about 60 per cent of the papers were invisible to world science during the study period. This study also noted that the 25 highly cited papers were cited 484 times, representing 47 per cent of all the citations (484 of 1,020). This indicated a concentration effect, whereby a relatively small number of papers earn most of the citations and research impact generated by the faculty members of Iraqi-Kurdistan universities.

Originality/value

– This is the first scientometric research to analyse Iraqi-Kurdistan universities’ scientific productivity.
Least-squares finite element solution of Euler equations with H-type mesh refinement and coarsening on triangular elements
Authors: Yigit Akargun Hayri , Sert Cuneyt
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate successful use of least-squares finite element method (LSFEM) with h-type mesh refinement and coarsening for the solution of two-dimensional, inviscid, compressible flows.

Design/methodology/approach

– Unsteady Euler equations are discretized on meshes of linear and quadratic triangular and quadrilateral elements using LSFEM. Backward Euler scheme is used for time discretization. For the refinement of linear triangular elements, a modified version of the simple bisection algorithm is used. Mesh coarsening is performed with the edge collapsing technique. Pressure gradient-based error estimation is used for refinement and coarsening decision. The developed solver is tested with flow over a circular bump, flow over a ramp and flow through a scramjet inlet problems.

Findings

– Pressure difference based error estimator, modified simple bisection method for mesh refinement and edge collapsing method for mesh coarsening are shown to work properly with the LSFEM formulation. With the proper use of mesh adaptation, time and effort necessary to prepare a good initial mesh reduces and mesh independency control of the final solution is automatically taken care of.

Originality/value

– LSFEM is used for the first time for the solution of inviscid compressible flows with h-type mesh refinement and coarsening on triangular elements. It is shown that, when coupled with mesh adaptation, inherent viscous dissipation of LSFEM technique is no longer an issue for accurate shock capturing without unphysical oscillations.
Numerical Simulation of PCM melting over a wavy surface
Authors: Kousksou Tarik , Mahdaoui Mustapha , Ahmed Arid , Batina Jean
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to conduct a numerical study to analyze the melting process along a vertical wavy surface with uniform surface temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

– The cavity horizontal walls are insulated while the left hot wavy wall and the right cold wall are maintained at temperatures, TH=38.3°C and TC=28.3°C, respectively. The enclosure was filled by solid Gallium initially at temperature TC. A numerical code is developed using an unstructured finite-volume method and an enthalpy porosity technique to solve for natural convection coupled to solid-liquid phase change. The validity of the numerical code used is ascertained by comparing the results with previously published results.

Findings

– The effect of number of wavy surface undulation and amplitude of the wavy surface on the flow structure and heat transfer characteristics is investigated in detail. The numerical results show that the enhanced total heat transfer rate seems to depend on the amplitude of the wavy surface.

Originality/value

– Flow and heat transfer from irregular surfaces are often encountered in many engineering applications to enhance heat transfer such as micro-electronic devices, flat plate solar collectors and flat-plate condensers in refrigerators, etc. Roughened surfaces could be used in latent storage systems where the wall heat flux is known. One of the reasons why a roughened surface is more efficient in heat transfer is its capability to promote fluid motion near the surface; in this way a complex wavy surface is expected to promote a larger heat transfer rate than a flat plate. This complex geometry will promote a correspondingly complicated motion in the fluid near the surface; this motion is described by the nonlinear boundary-layer equations.
Identifying a time-dependent heat source with nonlocal boundary and overdetermination conditions by the variational iteration method
Authors: Zhou Guanglu , Wu Boying
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the inverse problem of determining a time-dependent heat source in a parabolic equation with nonlocal boundary and integral overdetermination conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The variational iteration method (VIM) is employed as a numerical technique to develop numerical solution. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the advantages of the method.

Findings

– Using this method, we obtain the exact solution of this problem. Whether or not there is a noisy overdetermination data, our numerical results are stable. Thus the VIM is suitable for finding the approximation solution of the problem.

Originality/value

– This method is based on the use of Lagrange multipliers for the identification of optimal values of parameters in a functional and gives rapidly convergent successive approximations of the exact solution if such a solution exists.
Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) squeeze film characteristics between finite porous parallel rectangular plates with surface roughness
Authors: Kesavan Sundarammal , J. Chamkha Ali , Krishnan Narayanan Santhana
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consider magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) squeeze film characteristics between finite porous parallel rectangular plates with surface roughness.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based upon the MHD theory, this paper analyzes the surface roughness effect squeeze film characteristics between finite porous parallel rectangular plates lubricated with an electrically conducting fluid in the presence of a transverse magnetic field.

Findings

– It is found that the magnetic field effects characterized by the Hartmann number produce an increased value of the load carrying capacity and the response time as compared to the classical Newtonian lubricant case. The modified averaged stochastic Reynolds equation governing the squeeze film pressure is derived.

Research limitations/implications

– The present study has considered both Newtonian fluids and non-Newtonian liquids.

Practical implications

– The work represents a very useful source of information for researchers on the subject of MHD squeeze film with finite porous parallel rectangular plates lubricated with an electrically conducting fluid.

Originality/value

– This paper is relatively original and illustrates the squeeze film characteristics between finite porous parallel rectangular plates with MHD effects.
Monte Carlo simulation of aerosol evolution in a planar mixing layer
Authors: Zhou Kun , He Zhu
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate aerosol evolution in a planar mixing layer from a Lagrangian point of view. After using Monte Carlo (MC) method to simulate the evolution of aerosol dynamics along particles trajectories, the particles size distributions are obtained, which are unavailable in mostly used methods of moments.

Design/methodology/approach

– Nucleation and growth of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) particles are simulated using the quadrature method of moments in a planar mixing layer, where a fast hot stream with DBP vapor is mixing with a slow cool stream without vapor. Trajectories of aerosol particles are recorded. MC method is used to simulate the aerosol evolution along trajectories.

Findings

– Investigation on aerosol evolution along the trajectories prompts to classify these trajectories into three groups: first, trajectories away from the active nucleation zone; second, trajectories starting from the active nucleation zone; and third, trajectories crossing over the active nucleation zone. Particle size distributions (psds) along selected representative trajectories are investigated. The psd evolution exhibits interesting behavior due to the synthetic effects of nucleation and condensation. Condensation growth tends to narrow down the psd, and form a sharp front on the side of big particle size. Nucleation is able to broaden the psd through generating the smallest particles. The duration and strength of nucleation have significant effect on the shape of psd.

Originality/value

– As far as the authors knowledge, it is the first simulation of aerosol evolution that takes a Lagrangian point of view, and uses MC simulation along particles trajectories to provide the particles size distribution.
Pressure and flow propagation rule beyond original premixed area of methane-air in tunnel
Authors: Zhang Qi , Ma Qiuju
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– Whether a fire can be initiated in an explosion accident depends on the explosion and deflagration process. In the methane-air explosion in a tunnel, the flame accelerates from the ignition point. However, where it begins to decelerate is not clear. The purpose of this paper is to examine the explosion overpressure, flow and flame propagation beyond the premixed area of methane-air in a tunnel.

Design/methodology/approach

– The numerical simulation was used to study the explosion processes of methane-air mixtures in a tunnel. Based on the numerical simulation and its analysis, the explosion overpressure, flow and flame propagation rules beyond the premixed area were demonstrated for a methane-air explosion.

Findings

– The peak overpressure of methane-air mixture explosion was observed to reach its maximum beyond the original premixed area of methane-air. The hazardous effects beyond the premixed area may be stronger than those within the premixed area for a methane-air explosion in a tunnel. Under the conditions of this study, the ratio between the length of combustion area (40 m) and that of original premixed area (28 m) reaches 1.43.

Originality/value

– Little attention has been devoted to investigating the explosion overpressure, flow and flam propagations beyond the original premixed area of methane-air in a tunnel. Based on the numerical simulation and the analysis, the propagation rule of overpressure wave and flow inside and outside the space occupied by methane/air mixture at the volume fraction of 9.5 percent in a tunnel were obtained in this work.
Numerical study of flow around and through a porous diamond cylinder in different apex angles
Authors: Rashidi Saman , Masoodi Reza , Bovand Masoud , Sadegh Valipour Mohammad
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study steady, laminar, and two-dimensional flow around and through a porous diamond cylinder.

Design/methodology/approach

– The governing equations are written for two zones: the clear fluid zone and the porous zone. For the porous zone, the modified Navier-Stokes equations, including Darcy, Brinkman, and Forcheimer terms are used. The governing equations are solved numerically using a finite volume approach.

Findings

– It was found that as the apex angle and Reynolds number decreases the wake length decreases and the separation is delayed.

Originality/value

– There is no published research in the literature about flow around and into porous diamond cylinders to study the effect of important parameters, such as apex angle, Darcy number, and Reynolds number.
Numerical analysis of laminar fluid flow characteristics past an elliptic cylinder
Authors: Paul Immanuvel , Arul Prakash K. , Vengadesan S.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of Angle of Attack (AOA), Axis Ratio (AR) and Reynolds number (Re) on unsteady laminar flow over a stationary elliptic cylinder.

Design/methodology/approach

– The governing equations of fluid flow over the elliptic cylinder are solved numerically on a Cartesian grid using Projection method based Immersed Boundary technique. This numerical method is validated with the results available in open literature. This scheme eliminates the requirement of generating a new computational mesh upon varying any geometrical parameter such as AR or AOA, and thus reduces the computational time and cost.

Findings

– Different vortex shedding patterns behind the elliptic cylinder are identified and classified using time averaged centerline streamwise velocity profile, instantaneous vorticity contours and instantaneous streamline patterns. A parameter space graph is constructed in order to reveal the dependence of AR, AOA and Re on vortex shedding. Integral parameters of flow such as mean drag, mean lift coefficients and Strouhal number are calculated and the effect of AR, AOA and Re on them is studied using various pressure and streamline contours. Functional relationships of each of integral parameters with respect to AR, AOA and Re are proposed with minimum percentage error.

Practical implications

– The results obtained can be used to explain the characteristics of flow patterns behind slender to bluff elliptical cylinders which found applications in insect flight modeling, heat exchangers and energy conservation systems. The proposed functional relationships may be very useful for the practicing engineers in those fields.

Originality/value

– The results presented in this paper are important for the researchers in the area of bluff body flow. The dependence of AOA on vortex shedding and flow parameters was never reported in the literature. These results are original, new and important.
Impacts of climate change
Authors: H. Rao Purba , Thamizhvanan Arun
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore whether the private sector consider voluntary involvement in efforts to combat the impacts of climate change in the lines mitigation approaches and adaptation approaches. Today’s world has increasingly become aware of the adverse effects of climate change and its impact on the poor, though the latter impact is not that well known. To address these impacts, recommendations exist that follow two different though interrelated approaches – mitigation and adaptation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a survey questionnaire as the research instrument and a sampling frame of 350 junior corporate executives, an empirical study was conducted in the Chennai area in southern part of India to evaluate/measure the linkages between awareness to climate change, its impact on the poor and the willingness of private sector to act on adaptation as well as mitigation strategies.

Findings

– From the data analysis, it emerges that there is significant awareness about the impacts of climate change, though the awareness to vulnerability of the poor is not yet significant in Chennai area in the private sector. However, the study concludes that there does exist a significant linkage between awareness and the willingness to support adaptation strategies on the part of junior corporate executives.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is country specific because the research was carried out in a defined region in India.

Practical implications

– Because the study brought out the result that private sector was willing to participate in adaptation strategies, extensive awareness building can be carried out for corporate executives and plan out activities which will enable them to participate in adaptation strategies which would help the poor in India to help address the devastations caused by Climate Change from time to time.

Social implications

– Executives taking up the Climate Change adaptation strategy would help protect and benefit all communities especially the poor in the country. Companies operating in India would find an avenue to reach out in their efforts to touch communities around them. Employees in such companies may be organized and gathered together to participate in such reach-out activities on the part of the companies.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfils urgent need to inspire the corporate executives to take up initiatives related to climate change. The paper lays the groundwork on which an array of corporate activities can be developed to implement the adaptation strategies. Further extensive thinking can follow this research as to where and how exactly private sector can help.
Business agglomeration in tourist districts and hotel performance
Authors: Marco-Lajara Bartolomé , Claver-Cortés Enrique , Úbeda-García Mercedes
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The present paper aims to analyze how the performance of hotels located on the Spanish Mediterranean coast (peninsular and Balearic) and Canary coast is affected by the degree of business agglomeration in tourist districts. If agglomeration affects hotels positively, then the externalities generated in tourist districts will be relevant when locating an establishment. Otherwise, the reason why hotels group together geographically would be more related to the suitability of beaches as a tourist destination. The study also analyzes the impact that regions or autonomous communities have on hotel performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The hypotheses are tested by multiple linear regression in which hotel profitability acts as the dependent variable which can be explained by independent variables such as the greater or lesser agglomeration of tourist companies at the destination and the autonomous region where the hotel is located.

Findings

– The results show that hotels situated at destinations with a higher degree of agglomeration are less profitable, probably due to the greater rivalry that exists among nearby competitors. However, in accordance with the theory of tourist districts, one could expect hotels located at destinations with a higher degree of agglomeration to be more profitable because of the greater externalities generated within the district. In this sense, it is possible that hotel location decisions were based more on the natural advantage model, where firms look for specialized inputs like beach or climate, than on production externalities models.

Research limitations/implications

– It was necessary to work with secondary information sources which contain no data about RevPar (revenue per available room) or GopPar (gross operating profit per available room), the hotel profitability measures most often used in research studies.

Practical implications

– The paper could be useful for hotel companies, when they are deciding on a location, and for public administrations.

Originality/value

– The present paper is original for several reasons. First, it is one of the first studies which applies the theory of industrial districts to the tourism sector, a line of research which is still in its early stages of development. Furthermore, the ISTAT methodology is applied for the first time to the identification of Spanish tourist districts. Also, various studies relate the degree of agglomeration to hotel profitability, but none so far have used the degree of company agglomeration within a tourist district, linking it to profitability.
Non-technical barriers for decentralised energy and energy efficient buildings
Authors: I. Goodier Chris , Chmutina Ksenia
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to demonstrate the complex inter-relationship of non-technical barriers involved in the implementation of decentralised energy (DE) projects. To meet its ambitious 2050 target of 80 per cent carbon emission reduction, the UK needs to increase dramatically the wider uptake of DE systems. Many examples exist internationally of DE systems leading to enhanced carbon emissions reductions, including systems based not only on technological but also on more innovative policy, financial and social-economic approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

– Following semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and thematic analysis with NVivo8, four exemplar international DE case studies have been investigated.

Findings

– The main non-technical barriers were not necessarily financial, as is often believed; governance barriers, such as out-of-date regulations or unreliable partners, can also play a critical role in a project’s success or failure. Social barriers such as public apathy and misinformation often affect a project’s operation. It is further hypothesised that non-technical barriers are often shaped by personal and/or organisational values related to consumption, abundance, trust and control. Finally, recommendations are provided on overcoming these barriers with regards replicating similar DE projects in the UK context.

Originality/value

– A systematic perspective is presented, which takes into account the possible interactions between the various barriers and demonstrates that to remove some of these barriers, it is important to understand and account for their varied and interconnected nature.
Discrete-time indirect adaptive fuzzy control for robot manipulators
Authors: Mehdi Fateh Mohammad , Azargoshasb Siamak
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to design a discrete indirect adaptive fuzzy controller for a robotic manipulator. This paper addresses how to overcome the approximation error of the fuzzy system and uncertainties for asymptotic tracking control of robotic manipulators. The uncertainties include parametric uncertainty, un-modeled dynamics, discretization error and external disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed controller is model-free and voltage-based in the form of discrete-time Mamdani fuzzy controller. The parameters of fuzzy controller are adaptively tuned for asymptotic tracking of a desired trajectory. A robust control term is used to compensate the approximation error of the fuzzy system. An adaptive mechanism is derived based on the stability analysis.

Findings

– The proposed model-free discrete control is robust against all uncertainties associated with the robot manipulator and actuators. The approximation error of the fuzzy system is well compensated to achieve asymptotic tracking of the desired trajectories. Stability analysis and simulation results show its efficiency in the tracking control.

Originality/value

– A novel discrete indirect adaptive fuzzy controller is designed for electrically driven robot manipulators using the voltage control strategy. The novelty of this paper is compensating the approximation error of the fuzzy system and discretizing error for asymptotic tracking of the desired trajectory.
Capabilities of the new strategic organization
Authors: D. McCarty Thomas , Gottschalk Douglas
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study/paper is to highlight emerging themes in CRE capabilities and organizational models. The authors explain a Lean Six Sigma-based staffing optimization and integration methodology which ensures organizational design is aligned with enterprise requirements. The ultimate objective is a CRE organizational model that sets resourcing requirements for years ahead while yielding innovative new savings. These priorities set an archetypical precedent for emerging organizational models. The emerging organizational blueprint demonstrates a clear move away from the traditional CRE model by optimizing functional service delivery toward a model that drives business integration, strategy development and creative solution deployment.

Design/methodology/approach

– Throughout numerous assessments of corporate CRE organizations in the past year, the authors have witnessed emerging themes in CRE priorities and the capabilities required for achieving those priorities. The authors have utilized a Lean Six Sigma-based staffing optimization and integration methodology which ensures that organizational design is aligned with enterprise requirements.

Findings

– Whereas previous models were built to emphasize functional service delivery, the emerging model is structured to enable a core team to focus on developing strategic relationships and delivering strategic solutions. Functional service delivery is managed directly through a strategic partnership with an outsourced service provider. The emerging model suggests a small, centralized core leadership team. Careful governance and communication protocols must be developed to ensure the duplication and redundancy does not become an issue.

Originality/value

– Lean Six Sigma has evolved into a business improvement system that has taken hold within many high-performing real estate and facility services – a methodology that emerged from mechanized manufacturing might seem ill-adapted to CRE organizational development. Yet, with guided implementation and disciplined use, we have observed that Lean Six Sigma yields high-impact results in service environments and even with non-technical areas like organization design. This is a unique vantage point that combines engineering technicality against cultural aspects of organizational development.
Office building adaptation and the growing significance of environmental attributes
Authors: J. Wilkinson Sara
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to investigated the importance of environmental attributes for office building adaptation and whether the importance of environmental attributes for adaptation has changed over time from 1998-2008 to 2009-2011. With 1-2 per cent added to the total stock of buildings each year and the need to take action to mitigate the impacts of predicted climate change (IPCC, 2013), it is necessary to focus efforts on adaptation of existing buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research adopted a quantitative approach, using a database of office building attributes and applying principal component analysis to ascertain the respective importance of various building attributes in adaptation. Using two databases; the first dating from 1998 to 2008 and comprising 5,290 adaptation events and the second covering the period 2009 to 2011 and comprising 1,272 adaptation events, a comparison of results was undertaken.

Findings

– The findings indicate the importance of some environmental attributes in building adaptation has changed and that legislation and changes market perceptions towards to promote built environment sustainability may be having a positive impact. The research demonstrates that different property attributes vary in importance over time and used existing buildings in an international city to confirm application to urban settlements elsewhere where existing buildings can be adapted to reduce the effect of climate change.

Research limitations/implications

– The databases are limited to Melbourne, Australia and to these specific points in time. It is possible that other cities are seeing changes in adaptation practices to accommodate increased awareness and the growing importance attributed to environmental issues; however, additional studies would be required to ascertain whether the level of importance was stronger or weaker than that found in Melbourne.

Practical implications

– The impacts of the mandatory The National Australian Built Environment Rating System energy rating tool and the Green Star voluntary tool provide actionable data for property stakeholders and the academic community. Policy-makers can see that building owners are integrating environmental attributes into their stock and that the market is shifting towards increased sustainability. This study uses real world data to feed the scholarship process, with real economic and commercial impacts. New buildings account for about 1-2 per cent of the total building stock annually and existing buildings must be adapted, and thus the questions of the success of voluntary or mandatory measures are essential to future environmental decision-making.

Originality/value

– This research reports on data covering all office building adaptation conducted from 1998 to 2011 in the Melbourne CBD. As such, it is a comprehensive analysis of all works undertaken and how the significance of different physical, social, economic and environmental attributes is changing over time.
Is corporate real estate at a crossroads?
Authors: Harris Rob , Cooke Howard
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the way that corporate real estate (CRE) has developed in the UK since the early 1990s.

Design/methodology/approach

– Review of how various professional bodies, occupiers and landlords have responded to the changing business and workplace environment.

Findings

– CRE managers and the professional bodies that represent them are at a crossroads. Whilst the business world has evolved since 1990, the CRE sector has not and faces the prospect becoming purely a technical rather than a strategic subject.

Originality/value

– A review of what has happened and not new research.
Corporate sustainability in the German real estate sector
Authors: Stibbe Rosemarie , Voigtländer Michael
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The aim of the study is to investigate the implementation of corporate sustainability (CS) in the German real estate sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors begin by outlining the framework set by the European Union and the German Federal Government for companies wanting to be classified as sustainable. After this, the relevance of sustainability for German real estate companies is discussed. Their empirical section contains an international comparison. Finally, they present an analysis checking the implementation of CS for the main 135 German real estate companies.

Findings

– The present analysis shows that German real estate companies compare well with their international counterparts, in 2012 representing 15 per cent of all real estate firms reporting on the basis of the Global Reporting Initiative. However, of the 135 companies in Germany surveyed, only a small proportion classify themselves as CS and CSR (corporate social responsibility) enterprises. This number could be rapidly increased by better documentation of companies’ commitment to sustainability.

Practical implications

– The study’s importance lies in the overview it provides of CS activities in the German real estate industry. In addition, it provides hints on how companies can improve their documentation to classify as CSR enterprises. Although the analysis concentrates on Germany, the results are also relevant for companies in other European countries.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to offer a comprehensive overview of the CS activities of the German real estate industry.
Sustainable and fast ICT: lessons from dromology
Authors: Taro Lennerfors Thomas
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to suggest that ethical issues in information and communications technology (ICT) should be researched from a holistic perspective, including environmental values and other values inherent in ICT. This paper thoroughly discusses the value of speed by drawing on ICT advertisements and theories of speed, primarily Paul Virilio’s work.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology consists of a semiotic analysis of ICT-related advertisements primarily from Sweden. These empirical data are combined with a close reading of Paul Virilio’s work, and the analysis moves abductively between theory and empirical data.

Findings

– Speed is promoted in ICT-related advertisements and may be analyzed using concepts of dromology, dromocracy, dromoscopy, the dromosphere, instantaneity and grey ecology.

Research limitations/implications

– Most of the data are from the Swedish context.

Social implications

– To create a sustainable society, one must explicitly discuss how speed forms and shapes society.

Originality/value

– The paper combines philosophical theories with everyday commercials. It draws on the work of Paul Virilio, whose theories are seldom used in studies of information ethics, and redraws attention to the need for a holistic perspective to understand the values of ICT.
Metric proposal for customer engagement in Facebook
Authors: Ángeles Oviedo-García Mª , Muñoz-Expósito Miriam , Castellanos-Verdugo Mario , Sancho-Mejías María
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a comprehensive metric for customer engagement in Facebook, the top social networking site.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach is conceptual and it makes operative customer engagement concept in the specific context that is Facebook.

Findings

– In the new dynamic business environment fostered by Internet, where customer value goes beyond what the customer spends on a brand or a firm, firms will be able to fine-tune their customer engagement strategy by means of the metric results and its evolution.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper, which provides insight and a metric for customer engagement in Facebook, is a starting point for future conceptual and empirical research that might be conducted to further refine the proposed metric. The assessment of engagement achieved as a result of actions on Facebook will allow marketers to evaluate the efficiency of the action and, through its longitudinal evaluation, the fluctuation according to different posting strategies used, so managers can see whether engagement or disengagement is happening and then make decisions about which type of content generates better engagement.

Originality/value

– The metric offered is unique, as it focuses on customer engagement on Facebook, and to the best of author’s knowledge, there is not any previous attempt to measure it.
A day in the life of a peer support worker: Melinda
Authors: Watson Emma
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into a day in the life of a peer support worker.

Design/methodology/approach

– Narrative account and analysis of the boundary challenges and “boundary issues” raised by work with a client.

Findings

– Reflective account, no findings presented.

Originality/value

– An original viewpoint on the challenges and “boundary issues” raised in the work of a peer support worker.
Recovery is for staff not just for people using services
Authors: Walker Liz
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to illustrate, from the lived experience of the author, that recovery does not only apply to people who use services, it is just as relevant to the staff who work in those services.

Design/methodology/approach

– Narrative account.

Findings

– Reflective account, no findings presented.

Originality/value

– In offer the author's account of moving from a dissatisfied, passive approach at work towards a rewarding, hopeful position, this paper demonstrates the relevance of hope, control and opportunity in recovering job satisfaction.
The determinants of internet financial reporting in Slovenia
Authors: Dolinšek Tatjana , Tominc Polona , Lutar Skerbinjek Andreja
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to establish the level of internet financial reporting (IFR) of Slovenian companies, including the contents as well as the presentations of online financial information. The second objective was to explore the opinions of users towards newer methods of online financial reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

– IFR was evaluated on the basis of the IFR index composed of 32 contents-related and 18 presentations-related elements. By means of regression analysis, the authors have established the intensity and direction of impact of six factors on the IFR index: size, profitability, the company's legal form, ownership concentration, age and sector.

Findings

– During the first research phase, the authors established that 110 (52.64 per cent) of large companies disclose its financial information on its web site. Factors which impact the IFR are as follows: company size, ownership concentration, legal form and sector of operation. Larger companies, companies with a lower ownership concentration, public limited companies and financial sector companies disclose financial information to a greater extent compared to other companies.

Practical implications

– This research will enable the comparison of the annual level of IFR in Slovenia and in other countries where such research has already been performed.

Originality/value

– Through the disclosure of financial information online, companies will be able to improve the possibility of attracting foreign investors who often rely on the internet as the only source of information.
A model for assessing blog-based learning systems success
Authors: Wang Yi-Shun , Li Hsien-Ta , Li Ci-Rong , Wang Chian
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– Based on previous information systems/educational technology success models, the purpose of this paper is to establish a comprehensive, multidimensional model for assessing blog-based learning systems success.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data collected from 240 blog-based learning systems users in the context of higher education were tested against the model using the structural equation modelling approach.

Findings

– The results indicate the interrelationships between six system success variables: system quality, content quality, context and linkage quality, user satisfaction, system use, and learning performance. In particular, this study confirms that quality attributes positively affect user satisfaction, which in turn positively influences learning performance directly or indirectly through the mediation of system use.

Originality/value

– This study is a pioneering effort to develop and validate a blog-based learning systems success model.