bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of cable forces in cable‐stayed bridges constructed under parametric uncertainty
Authors: Cheng Jin
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The existing methods for determining cable forces in cable‐stayed bridges constructed are based on assumption of complete determinacy of structural parameters. This is usually referred to as deterministic analysis. But in reality there are uncertainties in design variables. These uncertainties include geometric properties (cross‐sectional properties and dimensions), material mechanical properties (modulus and strength, etc), load magnitude and distribution, etc. Thus deterministic analysis cannot provide complete information regarding cable forces in cable‐stayed bridges constructed. The purpose of this paper is to determine cable forces in cable‐stayed bridges constructed under parametric uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

An efficient and accurate algorithm is proposed to determine the cable forces in cable‐stayed bridges constructed under parameter uncertainty. The proposed method is a hybrid method, consisting of the improved Monte Carlo simulation method and forward process analysis method.

Findings

The proposed algorithm can obtain more information about the cable forces at different construction stages than the commonly used deterministic method, and it provides an improved understanding of the cable forces in cable‐stayed bridges constructed with parameter uncertainties.

Originality/value

The values of this type of research are that: it developed an efficient and accurate algorithm for determining the cable forces in cable‐stayed bridges constructed under parameter uncertainty; and it provided an improved understanding of the cable forces in cable‐stayed bridges constructed with parameter uncertainties.
Numerical analysis of unsteady flow under high‐head operating conditions in Francis turbine
Authors: Yexiang Xiao , Zhengwei Wang , Zongguo Yan , Mingan Li , Ming Xiao , Dingyou Liu
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how the hydraulic performance and pressure fluctuations in the entire flow passage of a Francis turbine were predicted numerically for the highest head. The calculations are used to partition the turbine operating regions and to clarify the unsteady flow behavior in the entire flow passage including the blade channel vortex in the runner and vortex rope in the draft tube.

Design/methodology/approach

Three‐dimensional unsteady numerical simulations were performed for a number of operating conditions at the highest head. The unsteady Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes equations with the k‐ω based SST turbulence model were solved to model the unsteady flow within the entire flow passage of a Francis turbine.

Findings

The predicted pressure fluctuations in the draft tube agree well with the experimental results at low heads. However the peak‐to‐peak amplitudes in the spiral case are not as well predicted so the calculation domain and the inlet boundary conditions need to be improved. The unsteady simulation results are better than the steady‐state results. At the most unstable operating condition of case a0.5h1.26, the pulse in the flow passage is due to the rotor‐stator interference between the runner and the guide vanes, the blade channel vortex in the runner blade passage and the vortex rope in the draft tube.

Originality/value

This study investigates the characteristics of the dominant unsteady flow frequencies in different parts of the turbine for various guide vane openings at the highest head. The unsteady flow patterns in the turbine, including the blade channel vortex in the runner and the helical vortex rope in the draft tube, are classified numerically, and the turbine operating regions are partitioned to identify safe operating regions.
Eigenfrequencies of symmetric planar trusses via weighted graph symmetry and new canonical forms
Authors: Kaveh A. , Shahryari L.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how the method recently developed for mass‐spring systems and frame structures is modified to include the free vibration of trusses.

Design/methodology/approach

Here, two methods are presented for calculating the eigenfrequencies of structures. The first approach is graph theoretical and uses graph symmetry. The graph models are decomposed into submodels and healing processes are employed such that the union of the eigenvalues of the healed submodels contain the eigenvalues of the entire model. The second method has an algebraic nature and uses special canonical forms. The present method is illustrated through three simple examples with odd and even number of bays.

Findings

The inter‐relation for the mechanical properties of elements is established using new weighted graphs, enabling easy calculation of the eigenvalues involved. Two methods are presented for calculating the eigenfrequencies of the truss structures.

Originality/value

Symmetry is used for easy calculation of the eigenfrequencies of structures.
Justice perceptions of performance appraisal practices
Authors: Thurston Paul W. , McNall Laurel
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the underlying structure of employees' justice perceptions in the context of their organizations' performance appraisal practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten multi‐item scales were designed to measure the perceived fairness of performance appraisal practices. A nested confirmatory factor analysis of employee responses (n=188) compared the four justice dimensions (i.e. procedural, distributive, interpersonal, informational) to five plausible alternatives. Construct validity was demonstrated through a structural equation model of matched employee and supervisor responses (n=117).

Findings

The confirmatory factor analysis showed evidence of four distinct but highly correlated justice constructs. Results supported hypothesized relationships between procedural justice and helpful behaviors toward the organization via appraisal system satisfaction; distributive justice with appraisal satisfaction; and interpersonal and informational justice and helpful behaviors toward the supervisor via supervisor satisfaction.

Practical implications

This study underscores the importance of fostering perceptions of justice in the context of performance appraisal. The scales developed in this study could be used to isolate potential problems with an organization's performance appraisal practices. Originality/value – The paper integrates prior research concerning the positive effects of procedural, distributive, interpersonal, and informational justice on affective and behavioral responses towards performance appraisals.
Psychological contract breach and work performance
Authors: Matthijs Bal P. , Chiaburu Dan S. , Jansen Paul G.W.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate how social exchanges modify the relationship between psychological contract breach and work performance. It aims to present two concurrent hypotheses, based on theoretical interaction effects of social exchanges (conceptualized as social exchange relationships, POS, and trust).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 266 employees in a service sector company in the USA. Regression analysis was used to explore the moderating effects of social exchanges on the relationships between psychological contract breach and work performance (operationalized as in‐role behaviors and organizational citizenship behaviors).

Findings

It was found that the negative relationship between psychological contract breach and work performance was moderated by social exchanges, such that the relationship was stronger for employees with high social exchange relationship, perceived organizational support, and trust.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected cross‐sectionally, and thus causal inferences have to be made with caution. Moreover, the data were collected from a single source. The study shows that the relations between contract breach and outcomes are moderated by the existing relationship between employee and organization.

Practical implications

Although organizations may invest in long‐term relationships with their employees, psychological contract breaches have a profound impact on work performance. Therefore, organizations should diminish perceptions of contract breach; for instance by providing realistic expectations.

Originality/value

The paper provides new theoretical insights on how social exchange can have two distinct effects on the breach‐outcomes relations. It shows that social exchanges moderate the relations between contract breach and work performance.
Work‐family enrichment as a mediator between organizational interventions for work‐life balance and job outcomes
Authors: Baral Rupashree , Bhargava Shivganesh
Published: March 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of work‐family enrichment in the relationships between organizational interventions for work‐life balance (job characteristics, work‐life benefits and policies, supervisor support and work‐family culture) and job outcomes (job satisfaction, affective commitment and organizational citizenship behaviour). It is hypothesized that organizational interventions for work‐life balance will be positively related to job outcomes and work‐to‐family enrichment will mediate these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 216 managerial employees through a structured questionnaire from four organizations in India representing manufacturing and information technology (IT) sectors. Analysis was done using multiple regressions.

Findings

Job characteristics were positively related to all the measures of job outcomes. Supervisor support and work‐family culture were positively related to job satisfaction and affective commitment. No significant association was found between work‐life benefits and policies (WLBPs) and any of the job outcome measures. Job characteristics and supervisor support were positively related to work‐to‐family enrichment. Work‐to‐family enrichment mediated the relationships between job characteristics and all job outcomes and between supervisor support and affective commitment.

Research limitations/implications

The correlational design prevents conclusions about causality.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for designing jobs, developing supportive work‐family culture and managing employee work‐family interface for maximizing individual and organizational outcomes.

Originality/value

The study reflected on the work‐family domain relationships in a novel socio‐cultural context and demonstrated the mediating role of work‐family enrichment in the relationships between organizational interventions for work‐life balance and job outcomes.
Tarde's influence on Schumpeter: technology and social evolution
Authors: Michaelides Panayotis G. , Theologou Kostas
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that Joseph Schumpeter's views are influenced by the French social philosopher Gabriel Tarde who delivered a theory of social evolution based on technological change as its driving force.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the affinities in Schumpeter's and Tarde's respective theoretical and methodological approaches.

Findings

In this context, the paper finds striking similarities in their central visions.

Practical implications

Understanding Schumpeter's theories implies a deeper acquaintance with Tarde'soeuvre.

Originality/value

The paper concludes that several Schumpeterian insights appear to be less original.
Non‐profit extension in rural Cameroon: a study of demand and supply determinants
Authors: Azibo Balgah Roland , Valentinov Vladislav , Buchenrieder Gertrud
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The paper is aimed at examining the correspondence between the demand‐side and supply‐side determinants of the existence of non‐profit firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study approach is used to compare the demand‐side and supply‐side determinants for a single non‐profit organization in rural Cameroon.

Findings

It is shown that the supply‐side determinants of the examined non‐profit organization, while interrelated with the demand‐side determinants, are not reducible to these.

Research limitations/implications

This finding implies the need to steer a middle course between those theoretical approaches that assume no integration between the demand‐side and supply‐side determinants, and those that assume complete integration between these.

Originality/value

The current non‐profit economics literature, represented by the above approaches, tends to assume away the complex interaction between the demand‐side and supply‐side rationales of non‐profit organization. The contribution of the present paper is to highlight the limitations of this assumption.
“Mind the gap”: the rise of political marketing and a perspective on its future agenda
Authors: Harris Phil , Lock Andrew
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a selection of papers on such subjects as: increased application of marketing to modern politics; the perceptions of its effectiveness – particularly in closely contested elections; the escalation in funding of campaigns; and the increase in international collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

There has been a marked increase in the quantity and quality of research since the first EJM special issue in 1996. Political marketing is now in the mainstream of research in marketing. The themes in the earlier special issues are tabulated to provide a comparison with those in this issue. The contributions in each paper are summarised.

Findings

The paper reveals key issues for research. One is the rapid rise in influence of the internet in the political sphere, particularly in blogging and social networking, although it presents major methodological challenges. There is also a need for more studies crossing cultures and electoral systems and empirical work to establish a firm basis for key constructs and relate those to voter attitudes and behaviour.

Originality/value

Drawing on a number of these papers, key issues for research in political marketing going forward are identified.
Decision‐based voter segmentation: an application for campaign message development
Authors: Phillips Joan M. , Reynolds Thomas J. , Reynolds Kate
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how the segmentation of voters based on decision‐making processes, using means‐end laddering research innovations and real‐time interactive online interviewing, can aid in the formation of political communications strategy, including theme and message development.

Design/methodology/approach

To demonstrate the application of these innovations in a political context, the paper uses data from a sample of 114 voters who were interviewed during the 2004 US presidential election campaign. The paper draws on three recent innovations to the means‐end laddering methodology: elicitation questioning techniques that allow for a decision equity analysis between targeted groups; decision segmentation analysis; and real‐time interactive online interviewing; and applies them to an electoral context. It provides an interpretation of the identified decision segments and an exposition of how these common networks of meaning can serve as the basis for targeted theme and message development.

Findings

These three innovations, in concert, were found to provide an efficient set of methods to serve as the foundation for the campaign message development process.

Originality/value

This paper provides deterministic research techniques for campaign strategists who want to understand voter decision making and demonstrates a combination of methodological and technological innovations that addresses the time, cost, and geographic limitations often associated with conducting voter decision making research.
Towards the development of a cross‐cultural model of voter behavior
Authors: Cwalina Wojciech , Falkowski Andrzej , Newman Bruce I.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reinterpret and test empirically Newman's model of voter's choice behavior, where three elements influencing the choice of a given candidate were included: the media's role in the election; cognitive reasons to vote for; and emotional feelings toward the candidate.

Design/methodology/approach

The data from Polish and US 2000 presidential elections have been analyzed and compared. The research purpose is concerned with the measurement of the model's seven domains of political object evaluation (issues and policies, emotional feelings, candidate image, current events, social imagery and epistemic issues), and its predictive power for the choice of a presidential candidate. The data are analyzed using the methodology of structural equations modeling, and are interpreted with the terms of mutual causal relationships between these domains.

Findings

The key factor in influencing voting behavior is evoking positive emotions towards the candidate and then providing voters with a justification for such affect. However, this is especially applicable in an evolving democracy like Poland. In an established democracy like the USA, voters have already learned to more carefully analyze messages from presidential campaigns and they are more resistant to the unconscious power of affect. Furthermore, in the case of challengers, the media exerts a stronger influence on the valuation of their candidacies, but for incumbents, the role of the media is not so pervasive.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the results of this study is the non‐representative character of the samples used and its size. Research should be carried out on a representative sample as the next step toward a complete verification of the voter behavior model.

Practical implications

The reported results make it possible to elaborate more precisely and effectively strategies to segment voters and position candidates in the minds of voters. Political consultants can use the level of electorate cognitive stability to accurately control the media in political campaigns for their candidate.

Originality/value

The paper presents an interdisciplinary and cross‐cultural approach to analyzing and understanding voter behavior. It offers a baseline to carry out research in disciplines pertinent to political marketing, communication, and psychology.
Young people and voting behaviour: alienated youth and (or) an interested and critical citizenry?
Authors: Dermody Janine , Hanmer‐Lloyd Stuart , Scullion Richard
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of trust, cynicism and efficacy on young peoples' (non)voting behaviour during the 2005 British general election.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were gathered from 1,134 interviewer‐administered questionnaires with young first‐time voters during the three‐week period following the British general election in May 2005. Validated attitudes statements were used to measure their levels of trust, cynicism and efficacy.

Findings

The research shows that young people are generally distrusting of and very cynical about politicians and the Prime Minister (Tony Blair) Thus, in part, the data support the existing evidence that cynicism contributes to feelings of political alienation. However, the paper's findings also indicate that while young people can be highly distrusting and cynical, they can also be interested in the election and vote.

Research limitations/implications

Current, negative evaluations of young people and electoral politics need to be reviewed. While, it cannot be denied that this age group are highly cynical, and their electoral participation is in decline, for some, this cynicism, when combined with personal efficacy, can act as a positive force to stimulate “monitorial” interaction with election offerings. Consequently, further research is needed to understand young peoples' perceptions of democracy and electoral politics, how their personal efficacy can be increased and what feeds their cynicism.

Originality/value

This paper offers a contemporary understanding of young people as an interested and critical citizenry and raises a number of important questions that set a new agenda for political marketers researching youth electoral engagement in the future.
If Kate voted Conservative, would you?
Authors: Veer Ekant , Becirovic Ilda , Martin Brett A.S.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

This research has been conducted with the aim of determining if celebrity endorsers in political party advertising have a significant impact on UK voter intentions. The use of celebrity endorsements is commonplace in the USA, but little is known about its effects in the UK. This research also aims to incorporate the use of celebrity endorsements in political party advertising with the political salience construct. Political salience represents how prominent politics and political issues are in the minds of the eligible voter.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 (endorser: celebrity; non‐celebrity)×2 (political salience: high; low) between‐subjects factorial design experiment was used. The results show that celebrity endorsements do play a significant role in attitudes towards the political advert, attitudes towards the endorser and voter intention. However, this effect is significantly moderated by political salience.

Findings

The results show that low political salience respondents were significantly more likely to vote for the political party when a celebrity endorser is used. However, the inverse effect is found for high political salience respondents.

Practical implications

The results offer significant insights into the effect that celebrity endorsers could have in future elections and the importance that political salience plays in the effectiveness of celebrity endorsement. If political parties are to target those citizens that do not actively engage with politics then the use of celebrity endorsements would make a significant impact, given the results of this research.

Originality/value

This research would be of particular interest to political party campaigners as well as academics studying the effects of advertising and identity salience.
Political advertising and the demonstration of market orientation
Authors: Robinson Claire
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to relate manifest market orientation to the achievement of electoral objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an analysis of advertising content against a framework of criteria drawn from key marketing concepts using examples from recent New Zealand general elections.

Findings

There is a relationship between parties demonstrating a strong voter orientation in their political advertisements and achievement of electoral success. By viewing advertising as a symptom of parties' broader market orientation, the political marketing factors that differentiate the “winner/s” from the others in an election campaign may be uncovered.

Research limitations/implications

The framework has only been applied to New Zealand Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) election campaigns. To make a more concrete connection between demonstration of market orientation and electoral success the framework needs to be tested in more than one electoral system, in more than one country.

Practical implications

The paper reveals a useful way to relate political advertising content to electoral outcome.

Originality/value

This framework has not been used before in the political advertising or political marketing fields. It strengthens the utility of political marketing explanations in relation to voter‐ and media‐generated explanations of election outcomes.
The dark side of political marketing
Authors: Baines Paul R. , O'Shaughnessy Nicholas J. , Moloney Kevin , Richards Barry , Butler Sara , Gill Mark
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss exploratory research into the perceptions of British Muslims towards Islamist ideological messaging to contribute to the general debate on “radicalisation”.

Design/methodology/approach

Four focus groups were undertaken with a mixture of Bangladeshi and Pakistani British Muslims who were shown a selection of Islamist propaganda media clips, garnered from the internet.

Findings

The paper proposess that Islamist communications focus on eliciting change in emotional states, specifically inducing the paratelic‐excitement mode, by focusing around a meta‐narrative of Muslims as a unitary grouping self‐defined as victim to Western aggression. It concludes that British Muslim respondents were unsympathetic to the Islamist ideological messaging contained in the sample of propaganda clips.

Originality/value

The paper provides an insight into how British Muslims might respond to Islamist communications, indicating that, while most are not susceptible to inducement of paratelic‐excitement, others are likely to be, dependent on which genre of clip is used, the messages contained therein, and who that clip is targeted at.
The duality of political brand equity
Authors: Phipps Marcus , Brace‐Govan Jan , Jevons Colin
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The democratic political product is complex and untangible. An underlying assumption of a democratic system is the involvement of voters, or consumers, but with contemporary political apathy this aspect is relatively unacknowledged. This paper aims to explore the role of the consumer in political branding.

Design/methodology/approach

Two contrasting case studies compare the balance between the corporate brand of the political party and the brand image of two different kinds of local politician. Aaker's “Brand Equity Ten” is adapted to provide a suitable conceptual framework for the case study comparison.

Findings

Investigating the interaction between the community and politicians drew out important implications for the political brand. The paper concludes that managing the political brand entails a recognition of the inherent duality that resides in the political product. In an environment of reduced differentiation of political offerings to the electoral marketplace it is important for politicians and the political party to make early decisions about which aspect of this brand duality best serves individual careers and the party. Key to this decision is the opinion‐leading role of politically aware consumers.

Research limitations/implications

This research shows that an individual politician's brand can compete with or enhance the corporate political party brand, which implies that political branding must take into account the communication role of the highly involved consumer.

Originality/value

This paper examines the under‐researched area of consumer contribution to political branding. The role of highly involved political consumers in constituency politics is clearly shown to affect the politician's brand equity. This leads to a re‐conceptualisation of the politician's brand vis‐à‐vis the political party brand.
Entrepreneur training for creativity and innovation
Authors: Sarri Katerina K. , Bakouros Ioannis L. , Petridou Eugenia
Published: March 2010

Purpose

This paper's primary purpose is to emphasize the importance of entrepreneur training regarding creativity and innovation. Their significance and the importance of the latter regarding the development of business and training needs are the research questions of a survey conducted in northern Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey, of 116 entrepreneurs, owners of small medium and very small enterprises, investigates awareness, attitudes and perceptions regarding creativity and innovation, for facilitating the design and development of training interventions. Data were collected using modified and extended questionnaires of an analogous tool created for the needs of the TRACTORS project. The questionnaires included both open‐ended and closed questions. Descriptive statistics were generated by the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.

Findings

Findings suggest that entrepreneurs/owners and/or managers of micro and small medium enterprises in northern Greece are largely aware of the significance of creativity and innovation, believing that these are positively related to each other and interact in the development of their business. Training intervention is deemed as of great importance, and obstacles concerning financial resources, experience, time, infrastructure and not risk averse, were underlined.

Research limitations/implications

Creativity and innovation training interventions for entrepreneurs in terms of process, content, method, duration, trainers etc., is in a fledgling stage and requires further research to determine the “right training intervention mix” serving the needs of the non homogeneous entrepreneurial category.

Originality/value

Although entrepreneurship creativity and innovation are viewed as the “creation of the future”, little has been done to train entrepreneurs to participate creatively in the innovation economy. The present paper traces these needs.
Money, money, money – how do attitudes toward money impact vanity and materialism? – the case of young Chinese consumers
Authors: Durvasula Srinivas , Lysonski Steven
Published: March 2010

Purpose

China is undergoing a radical change as the forces of industrialization and modernization transform its society. Money is taking on an increasingly important role, particularly among young Chinese, as the Western ideals of individualism and hedonism thrive. The goal of this research is to understand attitudes towards money in China and how these attitudes affect elements of consumer behavior such as materialism and vanity.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a well‐accepted scale (with several dimensions) to explore attitudes towards money. Research questions examine how the dimensions of attitudes towards money affect materialism and achievement vanity. The sample comprises 127 young Chinese consumers. Statistical results based on confirmatory factor analysis as well as path analysis are reported.

Findings

The findings clearly show that attitudes towards money in China are not monolithic; instead there are variations among young Chinese. Materialism is affected by the power‐prestige and anxiety dimensions, but unaffected by the distrust dimension of money attitudes. Achievement vanity is affected by the power‐prestige dimension of money attitudes.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could examine other developing countries and other generational consumer segments. Another future research topic is to develop a comprehensive model of money attitudes, materialism, vanity, compulsive buying, and their possible antecedents or moderators.

Practical implications

These findings offer insight into the mindset of young Chinese. Beliefs that money permits one to attain not only status and possessions, but also power and control over others are contributing to increased materialism and expressions of vanity among young Chinese. For marketers, the results imply that positioning products based on the possession of money and the use of this money to indulge hedonism may resonate well with young Chinese consumers. However, some of the relationships we found may cause concern to ethicists and consumer watchdogs because of the associated problems of compulsive buying and other problems which are prevalent in consumer societies.

Originality/value

So far, no study has examined whether money attitudes drive materialism and achievement vanity, especially among younger consumers in developing countries such as China.
The interactive influence of country of origin of brand and product involvement on purchase intention
Authors: Prendergast Gerard P. , Tsang Alex S.L. , Chan Cherry N.W.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Globalization and outsourcing have decoupled country of origin into the country of origin of manufacture (COM) and the country of origin of the brand (COB). This study seeks to extend the work of Gurhan‐Canli and Maheswaran and Lee et al. by investigating the interactive influence of COB and personal involvement with a product on purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 168 young adults in Hong Kong were intercepted for mall interviews and presented with mock advertisements for personal computers ostensibly with brands originating in Japan and Korea. Their personal involvement with such products was measured using an instrument designed by Zaichkowsky, and their purchase intentions were self‐assessed.

Findings

COB was found to predict purchase intentions among consumers with a low level of personal involvement with computers, but not among consumers with a high level of personal involvement.

Research limitations/implications

First, to improve internal validity, the study involved a single product type and a sample limited to 15‐34 year olds. However, this improvement in internal validity places limitations on generalisability. Second, a median split was used to divide the subjects into low and high involvement groups. Third, only one dependent variable, purchase intention, was studied.

Practical implications

For marketers whose product is branded in a country with a favorable image, emphasizing the COB would be appropriate when communicating with low involvement consumers. Marketers whose product is branded in a country with a less favorable image ought to emphasize other peripheral cues when communicating with low involvement consumers.

Originality/value

By finding that COB has a significant impact on the purchase intentions of low involvement consumers, but not with those more highly involved, this research constitutes a small but important extension of the conclusions of Gurhan‐Canli and Maheswaran and Lee et al.
Manufacturing competition: how accounting practices shape strategy making in cities
Authors: Kornberger Martin , Carter Chris
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Recent years have witnessed an increasing number of cities develop strategies. The discourse of strategic management has become an obligatory point of passage for many city managers. This paper starts by posing an ostensibly simple question: why do cities need strategies? The commonsensical answer to the question is: because cities compete with each other. This paper aims to problematise the seemingly natural link between cities, competition and strategy. It also aims to explore the role that calculative practices play in creating city league tables that, in turn, function as the a priori condition that generates competition between cities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is interdisciplinary and draws on the related disciplines of accounting, organization theory and strategy. The argument unfolds in four steps: first, it briefly provides some theoretical background for analysis and relates it back to strategizing and accounting as a calculative practice; second, it scrutinizes league tables as ana prioriof competition; third, it discusses the implications of the argument for city management and critical accounting; finally, it concludes with a discussion of the power effects of those calculative practices that shape strategizing in cities through the production of competition.

Findings

This paper argues that city strategizing is best understood as a set of complex responses to a new competitive arena, one rendered visible through calculative practices, manifested through city rankings. The paper makes five key contributions: one, league tables reduce qualities to a quantifiable form; two, league tables create an order amongst an heterogeneous ensemble of entities; three, league tables stimulate the very competition they claim to reflect; four, once competition is accepted, individual players need a strategy to play the game; and five, league tables have important power effects that may result in unintended consequences.

Practical implications

The paper contributes to understanding how calculative practices relate to strategy; it explores the organizational environment in which city managers strategize; in addition, it discusses the problem of civic schizophrenia.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to open up an agenda for studying city management, strategy and accounting.
The use of SPC tools for a preliminary assessment of an aero engines' maintenance process and prioritisation of aero engines' faults
Authors: Vassilakis E. , Besseris G.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a relatively straightforward approach of implementing standard statistical process control (SPC) concepts while instituting problem‐solving intonations in aero‐engine maintenance processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The inspection workflow approach is presented in order to aid in collecting and monitoring critical aero‐engine data. Observed defects are categorized according to a Pareto analysis assisted by a cause‐and‐effect diagram. A binomial process capability analysis is performed on nonconforming aero‐engines based on operating curves produced specifically for this case study. The time frame for experimental analysis is reflected in a span of six months.

Findings

It is found that a significant number of aero‐engines may be benefited by entering a more progressive maintenance program relying on predictive maintenance on the way to establishing a more effective Total Productive Maintenance scheme.

Research limitations/implications

The case study showcases an approach to aero‐engine rejection statistical rates by accepting the fact that maintenance process may not be viewed as a process that may be limited to constant sampling.

Practical implications

For a long time, total quality management (TQM) tools have been deeply rooted in design, manufacturing and assembling of airliners and jet fighters alike. However, a comprehensive study focusing on the maintenance function of such complex machines may prove worthwhile now that an unstable global economy may prohibit extensive replacement of aging flying fleets.

Originality/value

With the lack of a prior practical unfolding in the field of genuine aero‐engine maintenance, this presentation aims to fill in the gap for engine rejection treatment. The variant operating curve notion introduced in the text is also a unique idea espoused for variable sampling situations when a binomial distribution is adopted.
Research opportunities in maintenance of office building services systems
Authors: Wu Shaomin , Neale Keith , Williamson Michael , Hornby Matthew
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to highlight special characteristics of building services systems and investigate how practitioners view reliability and maintenance. These characteristics include energy‐hungry services systems, operating modes, maintenance types, the relationship between procurement costs and maintenance costs.

Design/methodology/approach

The practitioners' viewpoints on reliability and maintenance are explored through a workshop. The authors wish to draw the attention of researchers in the reliability and maintenance community and furthermore emphasise the difference between building services systems and systems in industries other than construction.

Findings

It is shown that a lack of failure data and maintenance data is the main problem from both academic researchers' and industrial practitioner's points of view. The paper suggests that there exists no fixed cost ratio available to apply to building services systems; the analysis of RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety) should include duty cycles and the environment; and clients of the construction industry would benefit from mandating a LCC to be applied to the build.

Practical implications

The gap between academia and practitioners should be bridged through better understanding each other's needs. Accurately estimating the ratio between procurement and maintenance costs is needed from a whole life costing perspective.

Originality/value

This paper is a good reference for building designers, facility managers and maintenance staff of building services systems. It also offers reliability researchers references on special characteristics of building services systems.
System failure behavior and maintenance decision making using, RCA, FMEA and FM
Authors: Sharma Rajiv Kumar , Sharma Pooja
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to permit the system reliability analysts/managers/engineers to model, analyze and predict the behavior of industrial systems in a more realistic and consistent manner and plan suitable maintenance strategies accordingly.

Design/methodology/approach

Root cause analysis (RCA), failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) and fuzzy methodology (FM) have been used by the authors to build an integrated framework, to facilitate the reliability/system analysts in maintenance planning. The factors contributing to system unreliability were analyzed using RCA and FMEA. The uncertainty related to performance of system is modeled using fuzzy synthesis of information.

Findings

The in‐depth analysis of system is carried out using RCA and FMEA. The discrepancies associated with the traditional procedure of risk ranking in FMEA are modeled using decision making system based on fuzzy methodology. Further, to cope up with imprecise, uncertain and subjective information related to system performance, the system behavior is quantified by fuzzy synthesis of information.

Originality/value

The complementary adoption of the techniques as discussed in the study will help the maintenance engineers/managers/practitioners to plan/adapt suitable maintenance practices to improve system reliability and maintainability aspects after understanding the failure behavior of component(s) in the system.
Research paradigms of contemporary knowledge management studies: 1998‐2007
Authors: Ma Zhenzhong , Yu Kuo‐Hsun
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the research paradigms of contemporary knowledge management studies in the past decade using citation and co‐citation analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Research in any academic area often clusters into informal networks that focus on common questions in common ways, and the accumulated knowledge often flows between members of these networks, revealed in patterns of citations. The research paradigms of a given field can be identified by analyzing corresponding knowledge flows and citation and co‐citation process. The methods used in the study include citation analysis, co‐citation analysis, and social network analysis.

Findings

The paper draws an intellectual map of knowledge flows between knowledge management scholars. Key research themes and concepts as well as their relationships in the field of knowledge management are identified.

Research limitations/implications

An in‐depth analysis of the relationships between knowledge management research and industrial practices should be conducted in future in order to examine the impact of academic research on knowledge management and the management of knowledge accumulated in the practice.

Originality/value

The paper profiles knowledge management studies in the past decade and presents a solid foundation for a better understanding of different research paradigms in the area of knowledge management. It helps identify the invisible network of knowledge management studies that traces the evolution of knowledge management research, which thus provides a new perspective on knowledge management research.
Recursive view of the project‐based companies' knowledge production
Authors: Koskinen Kaj U.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

According to the traditional “stable‐process” problem, the project‐based company's memory and project implementation cannot interact. They remain conceptually distinctly different entities, the differences stemming from epistemologically different theoretical projects. However, the idea of recursivity within autopoiesis theory and autopoietic epistemology might enable an approach to this problem by bridging the gap. A recursive view of the project‐based company assumes that the memory of the company and the project implementation processes within the company exist at different levels of analysis. They remain analytically distinct from each other, yet they interact in such a way that they are both modified through interaction. Therefore, this paper aims to show that, with the help of a recursive view, it can shed new light on the problem of knowledge production in project‐based companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Knowledge production in project‐based companies is conceptualized with the help of autopoiesis theory and autopoietic epistemology, in that the focus is on the recursivity.

Findings

The idea of recursivity seems to represent explanatory potential by bringing new light to relationships between the project‐based company's memory and project implementations.

Originality/value

Current theories about knowledge production in project‐based companies are largely based on the idea of transferability of knowledge between people and across borders. These theories are challenged by the implications of autopoiesis theory and autopoietic epistemology, which suggest transition from these theories to the theory of knowledge production as a creational matter. That is, autopoietic epistemology and the recursive view within it provide a lens through which individuals may advance their understanding of the dynamics of project‐based companies' knowledge production.
The correlation between organizational culture and knowledge conversion on corporate performance
Authors: Tseng Shu‐Mei
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Organizational culture can significantly promote or hinder the success of knowledge management initiatives. Therefore, this study seeks to develop and test empirically a conceptual framework to investigate the correlation between organizational culture and knowledge conversion on corporate performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire and statistical analytical techniques were applied to gain best exploration on organizational culture, knowledge conversion and corporate performance.

Findings

The results of the questionnaire analyses indicate that an adhocracy culture enables knowledge conversion and enhances corporate performance more than clan and hierarchy cultures.

Research limitations/implications

The research investigates the correlation between organizational culture and knowledge conversion on corporate performance under a Chinese‐centric set of societal, cultural and linguistic attitudes and behaviors. However, different countries have different cultures. Future research could extend this study to other regions of the world with a different set of attitudes and behaviors.

Practical implications

If the organization can nurture an adhocracy culture, it will be easy to create an environment where knowledge workers can learn, feel comfortable, and have the opportunity to be creative and innovative, improve corporate performance and increase the organization's value.

Originality/value

A lot of evidence shows that successful knowledge management initiatives can increase business innovation capacity. However, there is still a lack of empirical evidence regarding organizational culture, knowledge conversion, and corporate performance. Thus, a statistical analytical model for assessing the correlation between organizational culture and knowledge conversion on corporate performance with three cultural aspects and four knowledge conversion activities was developed in the study.