bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opening up information for better public value
Authors: Davies Robert
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to a number of initiatives in train at European and international level to promote the value of public investments in digital information from different perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Major developments in three key areas are described and assessed in terms of their potential impact on libraries in the digital era.

Findings

Significant progress is being made in opening up digital information for wider use but major barriers and constraints remain to be addressed.

Originality/value

The paper brings together inter‐related perspectives, e.g. those of public and private sector users, which are not always seen as part of the same picture. It is of interest to a wide range of stakeholders in the information society and the knowledge economy.
Excellence in libraries: a systematic and integrated approach
Authors: Herget Josef , Hierl Sonja
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a comprehensive, integrated and sustainable management concept for securing the future of libraries

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on a literature analysis from which the adaptation of a model on the library context is deducted. The model is then validated by the implementation in two case studies.

Findings

The developed approach has shown to stand the test when implemented in practice. The model leads to a comprehensive basis for a benchmarking and optimisation of libraries in the future. Furthermore, it enables the deduction of tangible future steps for the improvement on the basis of an as‐is analysis.

Research limitations/implications

Through the broad and comprehensive application of the proposed model lots of data is generated that enables the identification of best practices and benchmarking studies in the library context.

Practical implications

A specific adoption of the proposed approach on different library types and contexts must be conducted. The model appertains as basic grid and is applicable by a library with only little time and effort.

Originality/value

The paper provides the most comprehensive and coherent management concept that has been proposed in library science so far. First experiences have shown the success of implementing it to practice.
Engineering lecturers' competencies and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) at Kyambogo University
Authors: Kagaari James R.K. , Munene J.C.
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish the relevant competencies possessed by engineering lecturers and the relationship between those competencies and the exhibited organisational citizenship behaviours (OCB).

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out in two phases. Phase one was qualitative using a competency interview guide that was administered to ten engineering lecturers, selected using a purposive sampling design. From this interview, seven key result areas, competencies and critical outputs were obtained. Phase two was quantitative following the development of a questionnaire from the established competencies, key result areas and critical outputs. The questionnaire was administered to 110 engineering lecturers.

Findings

The study revealed that those lecturers who have the relevant competencies do exhibit discretionary behaviours at work. The model could be useful in deriving employee competencies and critical outputs.

Research limitations/implications

A cross‐sectional study using a small sample in a single institution could not warrant generalisability of the findings.

Practical implications

Competency‐based recruitment and selection has the potential to improve the ways in which universities could manage engineering lecturers.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new approach to competency profiling, the need for competent engineering lecturers.
High level competence: a tool for coping with organizational change
Authors: Heilmann Pia
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out and understand the different competence development needs of managers and their ways of learning. The examined managers work in middle management in Finnish information and communication technology sector (ICT) and paper business sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was qualitative by nature and the used research method was focused interview. The research group included 15 managers from three ICT companies (the ICT managers worked in software development projects) and 15 managers from three paper companies (the paper companies in this research produce pulp, paper and paperboard). Also three directors from both sectors were interviewed.

Findings

Changes in organizations force managers also to change. New demanding duties and technological development require continuous training and updating of knowledge. Business sector and previous career path of a manager direct his/her further training need. Managers were responsible themselves for updating their competence. Various learning practices existed.

Research limitations/implications

Only two Finnish business sectors were included in this study and the target group was in the middle management level in organizations. Therefore the study is not comprehensive.

Practical implications

Useful information concerning training needs of managers generally and specially in ICT and paper business sectors.

Originality/value

Provides information concerning the role of competence in changing work environments.
Towards a virtual architecture: pushing cybernetics from government to anarchy
Authors: Baltazar Ana Paula
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the possibility of joining cybernetics and architecture as a continuous and open process, bridging design, construction and use, in that which is called cyberarchitecture.

Design/methodology/approach

It develops the hypothesis that cyberarchitecture can benefit from taking the virtual into account in the design process, so that the architect is no longer the author of a finished architectural product, but of a set of instruments with which users can design, build and use their own environments simultaneously.

Findings

A set of design principles is systematised and examined in three practical realms of design: urban, building, and relational, showing cyberarchitecture's embryonic feasibility.

Practical implications

Cyberarchitecture implies that architects are no longer authors of finished products and users, becoming designers of their own spaces.

Originality/value

Cyberarchitecture avoids the usual cybernetics approach based on control‐system, indicating a less predictive and, ultimately, anarchic path for architects and users. It focuses on architecture's intrinsic value as an event, indicating the possibility of a process‐based system, which only exists (or is organised) in present‐time, when users and instruments (or structures) interact.
Self‐observing collective
Authors: Dash D.P.
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out to provide arguments and examples supporting the idea that some “wicked” design problems may be usefully approached through the process of bringing forth a self‐observing collective, i.e. a community of observers capable of generating and dynamically adjusting a collective standpoint from where new observations can be made.

Design/methodology/approach

Interactions within a community of observers can be designed to generate a collective standpoint from where new observations can be made and fed back to the interacting observers, thus ensuring that the collective standpoint also extends the observers' capacity to observe. Instances of this process are discussed to demonstrate its contribution towards dealing with some wicked design problems.

Findings

The paper suggests that one's capacity to observe, feel, reflect, communicate, and act can be systematically harnessed in a self‐observing collective in order to strengthen each member in the face of complex and unstructured problem situations. However, the continued success of the process depends on the effective construction and dynamic maintenance of the collective standpoint that gives the self‐observing collective its unique power.

Originality/value

The paper borrows certain insights from second‐order cybernetics to suggest a way of dealing with ill‐structured (and wicked) design problems by facilitating a process of interaction within a community of observers who must be enabled to live with the wickedness of the problem with minimum harm.
The dynamics of design
Authors: Ebenreuter Natalie
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to develop the argument that a cybernetic framework will enable designers to act as an observer and participant in the process of designing. The dynamic nature of the design process will be discussed in order to better understand how these aspects impact on a designer's ability to act effectively in design.

Design/methodology/approach

A second‐order cybernetic framework is offered as a means to facilitate a designer's capacity to act as an observer‐participant in the co‐creation of a design solution. It characterizes the design process as a conversation to enhance a designer's ability to conceptually develop novel design solutions in participative situations.

Findings

The significance of the designer in the design process and the design solution is established. A second‐order cybernetic framework provides an explanation for a designer's actions by acknowledging their presence in the design process. This makes possible the collaborative development of a design situation and its solution between various participants in this process through negotiation and mutual understanding.

Practical implications

It is envisaged that the value of cybernetic concepts as a means to augment interaction, reflection, mutual understanding, creativity and innovation to facilitate designerly ways of knowing, thinking, and acting, is realized.

Originality/value

The main value of this framework is for designers who struggle with finding an appropriate framework to facilitate and rationalize the subjective nature of human‐centred design methods and the complexity of design.
How to design a black and white box
Authors: Gage Stephen
Published: November 2007

Purpose

Delight, and the possibility that an observer might continually delight in the same thing, is difficult to deal with in a rigorous way. Very little has been written recently about this subject. The purpose of this paper is to offer insights about this vital subject with reference to design work being undertaken at UCL.

Design/methodology/approach

It is the contention of this paper that arguments taken from constructivism and second, order cybernetics can help in this. The cyberneticians who have most significantly dealt with cybernetics and physical architecture are Pask and Glanville. They offer significantly different and contradictory insights. Techniques for conceptualising an interactive performative architecture are discussed, based on work undertaken with postgraduate students at the Bartlett Interactive Architecture Workshop, UCL.

Findings

Glanville and Pask can be reconciled. When physical architecture can be considered as contributing to physical performance both sets of insights can exist in a common theoretical frame.

Practical implications

Designers should consider creating work that contains rich variety and the cues for observer construction, while also offering the possibility of ambiguity where different distinctions are equally possible. It is possible to utilise the differences that arise from changes in the external environment to manipulate the latter.

Originality/value

The paper suggests ways of creating places that offer continual delight to their observers.
Systemic environmental decision making: designing learning systems
Authors: Ison Ray , Blackmore Chris , Collins Kevin , Furniss Pam
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This paper was written for a special issue of Kybernetes devoted to cybernetics and design. It aims to focus on case studies that are both informed by cybernetic and systems thinking and constitute a form of second‐order design praxis.

Design/methodology/approach

The case studies exemplify reflective practice as well as reporting outcomes, in terms of new understandings, from an action research process.

Findings

The paper describes what was involved in course design, from a cybernetic perspective, to effect systemic environmental decision making as well as developing and enacting a model for doing systemic inquiry (SI), which enabled situation‐improving actions to be realised in a complex, organisational setting. The paper lays out the theoretical and ethical case for understanding first‐and second‐order designing as a duality rather than a dualism.

Research limitations/implications

There is a danger that readers from an alternative epistemological position will judge the paper in terms of knowledge claims relevant only to their own epistemological position.

Practical implications

The main outcomes suggested by this paper concern the possibility of transforming the current mainstream identity of educators, project managers and researchers to a position that offers more choices through both epistemological awareness (and pluralism) and the design of learning systems, including SI, as second‐order devices.

Originality/value

The case studies are based on both novel settings and theories in action; the concept of the learning systems as both a design and systemic practice as well as an epistemological device is novel. The paper is potentially of relevance to any practitioner wishing to use systems or cybernetic thinking. It is likely to be of particular relevance to education policy makers and public sector governance.
Research through DESIGN through research
Authors: Jonas Wolfgang
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to make a substantial contribution to the still controversial question of design foundations.

Design/methodology/approach

A generic hypercyclic design process model is derived from basic notions of evolution and learning in different domains of knowing (and turns out to be not very different from existing ones). The second‐order cybernetics and evolutionary thinking provide theoretical support.

Findings

The paper presents a model of designerly knowledge production, which has the potential to serve as a genuine design research paradigm. It does not abandon the scientific or the hermeneutic or the arts & crafts paradigm but concludes that they have to be embedded into a design paradigm. “Design paradigm” means that “objects” are not essential, but are created in communication and language.

Research limitations/implications

Foundations cannot be found in the axiomatic statements of the formal sciences, nor in the empirical approaches of the natural sciences, nor in the hermeneutic techniques of the humanities. Designing explores and creates the new; it deals with the fit of artefacts and their human, social and natural contexts. Therefore foundations for design (if they exist at all) have to be based on the generative character of designing, which can be seen as the very activity which made and still makes primates into humans.

Practical implications

The hypercyclic model provides a cybernetic foundation (or rather substantiation) for design, which – at the same time – serves as a framework for design and design research practice. As long as the dynamic model is in action, i.e. stabilized in communication, it provides foundations; once it stops, they dissolve. The fluid circular phenomena of discourse and communication provide the only “eternal” essence of design.

Originality/value

“Design objects” as well as “theory objects” are transient materializations or eigenvalues in these circular processes. Designing objects and designing theories are equivalent. “Problems” and “solutions” as well as “foundations” are objects of this kind. This contributes to a conceptual integration of the acting and reflecting disciplines.
A sociocybernetic approach to wayfinding map studies
Authors: Kian Teck Kueh Christopher
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to apply a systemic approach to study human‐map‐space interactions that will benefit the design of a wayfinding map.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a case study that was based on Van Bockstaele et al.'s sociocybernetic theory as a research framework to map study. Van Bockstaele et al.'s theory suggests that an individual's behaviour derives from a cognitive system that consists of latent (background thinking process) and patent (amplified language or action that communicates with the public) action. To observe and understand an individual's action, the observer must also consider cognitive systems. Applying this theory, the process of individuals using maps to solve wayfinding tasks within the City of Fremantle, Western Australia was observed. The study involved observing 30 international students who use three maps, each of which presents iconic, symbolic, and iconic and symbolic representations, to locate four destinations in the city.

Findings

Findings suggest that external systems such as maps and the actual environment affect an individual's latent and patent actions, while their behaviour affects the way they perceive the external systems.

Research limitations/implications

This paper addresses the complexity of systems involved in the process of an individual using maps to solve wayfinding tasks in the actual environment.

Practical implications

This study provides graphic and information designers with a substantial understanding of human‐map‐space interactions based on systemic perspectives.

Originality/value

The application of sociocybernetics is uncommon in map studies. This paper provides a link between the two disciplines.
Drawing a live section: explorations into robotic membranes
Authors: Ramsgard Thomsen Mette
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the conceptualisation, design and realisation of a robotic membrane. Presenting research taking place between the cross‐over among architecture, technical textiles and computer science, the paper seeks to explore the theoretical as well as the practical foundations for the making of a dynamic architecture.

Design/methodology/approach

The project employs an architectural design method developing working demonstrators. The paper asks how a material can be described through its behavioural as well as its formal properties. As new materials such as conductive and resistive fibres as well as smart memory alloys and polymers are developed, it becomes possible to create new hybrid materials that incorporate the possibility for state change.

Findings

The paper presents the first explorations into the making of architectural membranes that integrate systems for steering using traditional textile technologies. This paper presents a series of architectural investigations and models that seek to explore the conceptual, computational and the technological challenges of a robotic membrane.

Originality/value

The paper presents original thinking and technical innovation into the making of textile spaces.
Design of the netgeneration
Authors: Thomassen Aukje
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out to provide insight into the current debate on art, science and the new net generation of young professionals with the usage of the conceptual framework of cybernetics that will look into the dynamics of this netgeneration.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review will set the stage of the current debate on design education in the creative industries, which aims to provide a reflection. The theory and approaches are then applied to a case study in which the conceptual framework of cybernetics will be unfolded. These concepts are then evaluated in order to provide a proposal for continuing research.

Findings

The paper provides insight into the mechanisms of knowledge management systems in particular for the context of design‐making processes by the netgeneration. The findings are reviewed and concluded by proposing a method for continuation of research. The case study will benefit from the findings and as such design education itself.

Research limitations/implications

It is not an exhaustive scope of literature review as the literature chosen is in particular very applicable to the case study in this paper. However, the point of departure is the current debate within the creative industries on design education and the netgeneration.

Originality/value

This paper interconnects different elements which are the subject within different venues such as within design, science, pedagogy, and knowledge management. Therefore this paper might be applicable within these different articulated venues.
Informing design praxis via 2nd‐order cybernetics
Authors: Whitaker Randall
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to present lessons learned in applying 2nd‐order cybernetics – specifically Maturana and Varela's “biology of cognition” – to the actual design of interactive decision support systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This consists of a review of the rationale and bases for applying 2nd‐order cybernetics in interactive IT design, the challenges in moving from theory to praxis, illustrative examples of tactics employed, and a summary of the successful outcomes achieved.

Findings

The paper offers conclusions about the general applicability of such theories, two sample applications devised for actual projects, and discussion of these applications' perceived value.

Research limitations/implications

The applications described are not claimed to represent a complete toolkit, and they may not readily generalize beyond the scope of interactive information systems design. On the other hand, the examples offered demonstrate that 2nd‐order cybernetics can constructively inform such designs – advancing the focus of discussion from theory‐based advocacy to praxis‐based recommendations.

Practical implications

The paper presents illustrative examples of the exigencies entailed in moving 2nd‐order cybernetics ideas forward from theory to praxis and specific tactics for doing so.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the persistent deficiencies in both concrete examples and guidance for practical applications of 2nd‐order cybernetics theories. It will hopefully stimulate similar attempts to demonstrate such theories' practical benefits.
Dollars and sense in library crises
Authors: Holt Glen
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to discuss how to best handle a crisis in a library.

Design/methodology/approach

Discusses five cases of crises in libraries.

Findings

Knowing how to behave in a crisis is important.

Originality/value

Provides a discussion on how to handle a crisis in a library.
Grant funding for libraries
Authors: Sullivan Laura A.
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the sources for grants funding available to libraries

Design/methodology/approach

The author provides a narrative article.

Findings

A number of funding sources – both government and private – exist for academic, special, and public libraries.

Originality/value

Practical suggestions on where to look for possible grants funding. Additional reading on grants preparation is also provided.
Economic costs of firm‐level information infrastructure failures
Authors: Dynes Scott , Eric Johnson M. , Andrijcic Eva , Horowitz Barry
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This paper presents a method for estimating the macro‐economic cost of a firm‐level information system disruption within a supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors combine field study estimates with a Leontief‐based input‐output model to estimate the macro‐economic costs of a targeted internet outage that disrupts the supply chain.

Findings

The authors find that supply chain vulnerability or resiliency to cyber disruptions is not necessarily dependent on the types of technology employed, but rather how the technology is used to enable supply chain processes and the type of attack experienced. The authors find that some supply chains like oil and gas could be significantly impacted by certain cyber disruptions. However, similar to other causes of supply chain disruptions such as labor disputes or natural disasters, the authors find that firms can be very resilient to cyber disruptions.

Research limitations/implications

The validity of the approach is limited by the accuracy of parameters gathered through field studies and the resolution of government economic data.

Practical implications

Managers should examine how information technology is used to enable their supply chain processes and develop capabilities that provide resilience to failures. Lean supply chains that focus on minimizing inventory may be more vulnerable to major information system failures unless they take special steps to build resilience.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new approach to estimating economic vulnerability due to supply chain information failures.
What it takes to succeed in information technology consulting
Authors: Joshi K.D. , Kuhn Kristine M.
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This article aims to investigate prototypes of excellent performance in IT consulting and to examine the gender typing of the critical attributes used in prototyping.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory qualitative data were collected from focus group sessions and interviews of employees of a large international IT consulting firm. Responses were coded according to the gender typing of elicited attributes and content analysis was used to examine responses across stakeholders and levels.

Findings

The picture that emerged of a “top performer” covered a variety of skills and attributes, and overall was somewhat masculine‐typed. An employee's own characterization of excellent performance in his/her own job level was not necessarily congruent with other stakeholders' perceptions.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected from only one US‐based company and client perceptions were not directly assessed. Future research is needed to establish how prototypes impact performance evaluations and employee outcomes.

Practical implications

List of top performer attributes suggests ways in which IS/IT curricula could be improved, and also will be useful for recruitment and development of top performers.

Originality/value

This paper goes beyond identifying necessary skill sets to examine what “excellence” means to various stakeholders. It suggests it may be critical to understand how employees match up, or not, to this prototype.
Customer complaint behaviour from the perspective of the service‐dominant logic of marketing
Authors: Tronvoll Bård
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to utilise the service‐dominant logic of marketing to propose a conceptual model that captures a dynamic perspective of customer complaint behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

To support the conceptual model advances in this paper, four narratives about the service industry is used. Each of these narratives represents different sectors within the service industry.

Findings

Customer complaint behaviour has often in conventional marketing been seen as a static and post‐purchase activity. This paper finds that customer complaint behaviour in services, in which exchange of ownership is absent, should be understood as a dynamic adjustment process that occurs during the service interaction and include post‐interaction activities related to the evaluation of value‐in‐use.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a better understanding of the dynamic aspects of customer complaint behaviour.
Identifying competitive customer value propositions in retailing
Authors: Rintamäki Timo , Kuusela Hannu , Mitronen Lasse
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for identifying competitive customer value propositions in retailing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on existing literature on customer value and competitive advantage in order to form an understanding of the key dimensions of customer value, developing a hierarchical model of value propositions and establishing a link between customer value and competitive advantage.

Findings

The work suggests a framework for identifying competitive customer value propositions (CVPs) where four hierarchical key dimensions of customer value – economic, functional, emotional, and symbolic – are first identified. In the second stage, a CVP is developed on the basis of these value dimensions. In the third stage, the CVP is evaluated for competitive advantage. It is proposed that economic and also functional CVPs are more likely to represent points of parity, whereas emotional and social CVPs represent points of difference for retail companies seeking differentiation from their competition and gaining of competitive advantage.

Originality/value

Identifying competitive CVPs, the paper combines a hierarchical perspective on customer value and the concept of competitive advantage in a manner that offers managers a strategic positioning tool that links the customer's value needs to company resources and capabilities.
Culture and service quality expectations
Authors: Kueh Karen , Ho Voon Boo
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of individual‐level cultural dimensions on Generation Y consumers' expectations of service quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Service quality and individual‐level cultural values were measured using existing scales from the literature. Factor analysis was conducted to verify the factor structures of both constructs while structural equation modeling was employed to examine the measures for cultural values and service quality dimensions.

Findings

Four out of the five hypotheses are supported and the last one is partially confirmed in terms of directional support. Service quality expectations are positively related to uncertainty avoidance and long‐term orientation but negatively related to power distance. Masculinity and collectivism did not have a significant relationship. Service quality was found to be a three‐factor construct consisting of tangibles, reliability and responsiveness/empathy/assurance. Cultural values were confirmed to consist of five dimensions according to Hofstede's typology. Generation Y consumers are found to be low in power distance and have high expectations of service quality.

Research limitation/implications

The main limitations are that the study did not distinguish between different types of full‐service restaurants in its analysis and the sample consisted of undergraduate students only.

Practical implications

The findings indicate the importance of measuring individual‐level cultural values which may be used as a segmentation variable to guide service delivery and resource allocation.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the scant research on service quality among Generation Y consumers in developing countries. It also assesses the five‐factor structure of the SERVQUAL scale in a new country setting, that is, Malaysia.
The role of intrinsic and extrinsic quality attributes on consumer behaviour for traditional food products
Authors: Espejel Joel , Fandos Carmina , Flavián Carlos
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the perceived quality of two traditional food products with protected designation of origin (PDO). Specifically, we study the influence of perceived quality of intrinsic attributes (e.g. colour, flavour, smell, appearance) and extrinsic attributes (e.g. brand, denomination of origin, and image of traditional product) on consumer satisfaction, loyalty and purchasing intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire to consumers of both food products. After the fieldwork, a screening process was performed to obtain 223 (olive oil) and 251 (air‐cured ham) valid questionnaires. Structural equations model was applied to relate the perceived extrinsic and intrinsic quality with satisfaction, loyalty and purchasing intention.

Findings

In relation to the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic quality attributes we have found. First, for the new PDO of olive oil, the results reveal the existence of a significant influence of intrinsic perceived quality on satisfaction and loyalty. Nevertheless, no evidence has been found to support the link of extrinsic attributes on satisfaction and loyalty. Second, for the consolidated PDO of air‐cured ham our results show that the influence of intrinsic perceived quality on satisfaction and loyalty are not significant. In contrast, the influence of extrinsic perceived quality is significant in this case.

Practical implications

The results of this paper suggest the need to promote and increase the consumer knowledge of brands protected under the PDO and specially the PDO itself.

Originality/value

This paper analyzes the quality concept, adopting a double dimensional perspective (intrinsic and extrinsic attributes).
Human hazard analysis
Authors: Lawrence Philip , Gill Simon
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out to outline a human hazard analysis methodology as a tool for managing human error in aircraft maintenance, operations and production. The methodology developed has been used in a slightly modified form on Airbus aircraft programmes. This paper aims to outline a method for managing human error in the field of aircraft design, maintenance and operations. Undertaking the research was motivated by the fact that aviation incidents and accidents still show a high percentage of human‐factors events as key causal factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted takes traditional aspects of the aircraft design system safety process, particularly fault tree analysis, and couples them with a structured tabular notation called a human error modes and effects analysis (HEMEA). HEMEA provides data, obtained from domain knowledge, in‐service experience and known error modes, about likely human‐factors events that could cause critical failure modes identified in the fault tree analysis. In essence the fault tree identifies the failure modes, while the HEMEA shows what kind of human‐factors events could trigger the relevant failure.

Findings

The authors found that the methodology works very effectively, but that it is very dependent on locating the relevant expert judgement and domain knowledge..

Research limitations/implications

The authors found that the methodology works very effectively, but that it is very dependent on locating the relevant expert judgement and domain knowledge. Using the method as a prototype, looking at aspects of a large aircraft fuel system, was very time‐consuming and the industry partner was concerned about the resource implications of implementing this process. Regarding future work, the researchers would like to explore how a knowledge management exercise might capture some of the domain knowledge to reduce the requirement for discursive, seminar‐type sessions with domain experts.

Practical implications

It was very clear that the sponsors and research partners in the aircraft industry were keen to use this method as part of the safety process. Airbus has used a modified form of the process on at least two programmes.

Originality/value

The authors are aware that the UK MOD uses fault tree analysis that includes human‐factors events. However, the researchers believe that the creation of the human error modes effects analysis is original. On the civil side of the aviation business this is the first time that human error issues have been included for systems other than the flightdeck. The research was clearly of major value to the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Airbus, who were the original sponsors.
Spatial recognition of a rock fall velocity model developed in C++ using Geographic Information Sciences (GIS)
Authors: Deka Ranjan , Pachauri A.K. , Bhushan Bharat
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to strive to develop a rock fall velocity model in C++ language and to give spatial attributes to the model using Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities. Interaction between the parameters involved in the model is evaluated through GIS embedded techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The mathematical model developed in C++ is based on the physical law of gravitation pull, adjudging the potential fall between two points at different elevation. Further, parameters influencing the velocity gradient – namely local relief, coefficient of land use friction, slope amount and slope length – are incorporated in the model. GIS is used extensively to generate the data required for the model. GIS capabilities are also explored for visualisation and interpretation of the model output. Section profiles and a co‐relation coefficient further strengthen the velocity map.

Findings

The rock fall velocity map generated using GIS shows variations in the velocity gradient at selected sections. It is concluded from analysis that friction values play a pivotal role in drastically changing the velocity gradient.

Research limitations/implications

The model presented is restricted to rock fall velocity evaluation for a rectangular matrix of input data and spatial extent, rather than for specific locations. Incorporating parameters to delineate source areas and runout zones would produce a more realistic scenario. Trials along this line are in progress and are expected to be executed successfully very shortly.

Practical implications

The paper presents a versatile model with easily extractable parameters to compute rock fall velocity at a regional scale, conditioned for rugged terrain. The model has specific implications in infrastructure development and planning management for rocky terrain. Moreover, the model's output can be implemented effectively in preliminary investigations of the protection of forest development and erecting defensive measures in rock fall‐prone areas.

Originality/value

Not many models are available for rock fall velocity estimation on a regional scale. The model developed through this research work provides a platform for a regional‐scale study using parameters that can be easily derived from DEM and a land use map. It is reiterated that the model output is helpful for land planners and managers engaged in mountain development. The model is an effective tool in the strategic development of hazard management plans in slide‐prone areas.
Intragroup conflict as a mediator between cultural diversity and work group outcomes
Authors: Vodosek Markus
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which intragroup conflict mediates the relationship between cultural diversity and group outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Three types of intragroup conflict were considered: relationship, process, and task conflict. Cultural diversity was defined as group members' dissimilarity in horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism. Group outcomes were operationalized as satisfaction with the group and perceived performance of the group. Mediated regression analysis was used to test the hypothesized relationships with data from 76 science research groups.

Findings

Cultural diversity was positively related to relationship, process, and task conflict. In turn, the three conflict types were associated with unfavorable group outcomes. Further, the three types of conflict were shown to mediate the relationship between cultural diversity and group outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Potential limitations of this study include its cross‐sectional design, common method bias, generalizability of findings, and use of three different questionnaire formats. The possible impact of these limitations is addressed.

Practical implications

Although this research implies that culturally homogeneous groups have better outcomes, it is often impossible and undesirable to assemble such groups. The targeted use of cross‐cultural training programs may help individuals function well in culturally diverse groups by lessening conflict and thus allowing more favorable group outcomes.

Originality/value

Previous research has either asserted a relationship between cultural diversity and unfavorable group outcomes or shown a relationship between intragroup conflict and unfavorable group outcomes. The contribution of this study is to show that intragroup conflict mediates the relationship between cultural diversity and group outcomes.
Contracts and conflict resolution strategies in foreign ventures: a transaction cost perspective
Authors: White George O. , Joplin Janice R.W. , Feras Salama M.
Published: November 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theory based on transaction cost economics to help explain how firms venturing into different foreign markets should properly formulate and implement contractual governance mechanisms to create greater efficiency, lower costs, and minimize conflict with partners.

Design/methodology/approach

Defines and discusses a conceptual framework of the determinants regarding contracts and strategies used to manage conflict in foreign ventures through the integration of foreign venture conflict resolution, contract, and transaction cost economics literature.

Findings

Suggests that perceived transaction costs will predict which contractual governance mechanism and which conflict resolution strategy a partner firm will choose when resolving conflict in a foreign venture. Postulates that consistency of conflict resolution strategy with contract type will impact the performance of the foreign venture, and that cultural distance, relative power, and interest alignment will all play a moderating role in this process.

Originality/value

The model demonstrates the necessity of examining how coupling certain conflict resolution strategies and contract types will impact foreign venture performance.
Accounting for firms' training programs: an exploratory study
Authors: Antunes Brás Filomena , Lima Rodrigues Lúcia
Published: November 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse two competing approaches to accounting for a firm's investment in staff‐training activities: the accounting and labour economics approach (which argues that no asset should be recognized from training activity); and the human resources management approach (which advocates recognition of an asset).

Design/methodology/approach

A case study analysis was conducted in two large Portuguese companies where human capital is said to be a critical factor of firm success. The authors used document analysis and interviews to help understand the training phenomenon from a company's point of view. This meant knowing of motivations, training programme curricula, training practices and expected benefits of training.

Findings

The paper identifies and defines two situations concerning a firm's investment in human capital training: one, where no asset (value) is generated; and the other, where the accounting definition of an asset, requiring value generation, is satisfied.

Research limitations/implications

Case studies possess the strength of specific instance detail and interpretation, and the ostensible weakness of interpretation of a small sample. But such research can provide for a reframing of conceptual perspectives. They can stimulate additional efforts to improve accounting and financial reporting.

Practical implications

A guideline system for firm investment in training was developed. This system allows different accounting treatments of a firm's investment in training activity. It proceeds on the basis of perceptions of whether training activity undertaken by a firm generates, or does not generate, value.

Originality/value

This paper provides a much‐needed case‐based empirical analysis of accounting and human capital arguments, and asset recognition arguments. It clarifies the situations in which an asset should be regarded as being generated by training expenditure.
Economic and political inequality and the quality of public goods
Authors: Motiram Sripad , Nugent Jeffrey B.
Published: November 2007

Purpose

To formalize and test the hypotheses that economic and political inequality tend to lower the quality of public education and thereby the overall quality of education in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses both international cross‐section data and panel data from almost 100 countries to test these hypothesized effects of the two types of inequality on educational quality. Three different indicators of school quality, all at the primary level, are used. The paper tests the robustness of the findings to different estimation methods, specifications and the use of instruments for a potentially endogenous variable.

Findings

There is clear empirical support for the hypothesized negative effects of political inequality and ethnic fragmentation on educational quality. The evidence for the hypothesized effect of income inequality, however, is very weak at best.

Research limitations/implications

The educational quality measures are crude and the analysis is at the country level. Future work can use more direct, achievement‐based measures of quality and data at the district or county levels.

Practical implications

Redistribution of income and democratization can have beneficial effects on educational quality.

Originality/value

The paper provides a theoretical model that formalizes the hypothesis that economic and political inequality can lower the quality of public education and thereby the overall quality of education. It empirically tests this model using panel and cross‐sectional data.
Supporting mobile worker networks: components for effective workplaces
Authors: Venezia Camille , Allee Verna
Published: November 2007

Purpose

To better understand mobile work and the lives of mobile workers from the employee perspective and to identify aspects of mobile work that are working well or could be improved.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 557 respondents involved in mobile work, including managers and workers. Questions focused on how mobile workers identify roles and communicate socially/professionally; how they use space, technology, and collaborative tools; and how they feel about mobile working.

Findings

Identifies the workplace needs of mobile workers. Gaps in mobile workers' stated activities and work patterns are revealed in relation to current thinking about workspace utilisation. Considerable employee disenchantment suggests that office design is not supporting the new roles mobile workers are asked to fulfill.

Research limitations/implications

This report summarises the findings of the first phase of a multi‐year research study which included 557 mobile worker respondents representing 84 world‐wide organisations.

Practical implications

Demonstrates the need to reconfigure physical infrastructure to support the rapid changes in business practices, such as mobile, flexible, and collaborative work. Results are useful to managers under pressure to make better use of existing resources, free up space, or grow without adding space.

Originality/value

The first multi‐year study of global mobile workers. Research has rarely examined the roles mobile workers play, the professional interactions they need to conduct, and differences in their output. Recent applications of network analysis in organisational settings have revealed that different roles can have very different needs for support of mobile work. Providing the necessary infrastructure by evaluating mobile worker roles creates new business opportunities and transforms the provision of space and services.