bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An inspection maintenance strategy using the inspection factor
Authors: Mathew Subhash
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to model an inspection maintenance strategy that is superior to existing strategies and which incorporates the inspection factor.

Design/methodology/approach

An appropriate inspection maintenance strategy can help prevent breakdown failure and reduce breakdown and repair costs. However, every inspection also incurs costs. The optimal model for an inspection maintenance strategy would be such that the inspection frequency closely follows the hazard rate of the equipment over its lifetime.

Findings

A model with a three‐layered structure needs to be developed. Over time, equipment can be expected to demonstrate a hazard rate that is decreasing, constant or increasing with time. In the first stage a model for inspection frequency is developed that is time‐dependent and can address this requirement. Second, the hazard rate has a dynamic relationship with the inspection frequency, i.e. as the inspection frequency increases, the hazard rate is known to decrease. In the second stage this is incorporated into the model, using the inspection factor. In the last stage a model for costing is superimposed for cost optimization.

Originality/value

The model developed in this paper provides maintenance managers with a powerful practical tool for determining the optimal inspection frequency for equipment over its lifetime.
UK Public Libraries and Social Networking Services
Authors: Burton Jim
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how public libraries can gain social networking services for the first time with DS Arena.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a description of DS Arena and outlines its potential uses.

Findings

DS Arena is built on modern foundations which is critical in service delivery in the rapidly evolving Web 2.0 landscape. It uses a framework of web services to provide content and interactive services; these web services can be extended and revised in an incremental manner over time.

Originality/value

DS Arena provides a real opportunity for library and information services to deliver services and thereby redefine and extend their service offering to the citizen.
Automated side‐seam placement from 3D body scan data
Authors: Ashdown Susan P. , Sung Choi Mee , Milke Eric
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The three‐dimensional (3D) body scanner is an important new technology that will impact the design and production of apparel, but use of this tool is at an early stage of development. Appropriate measurement extractions from the complex 3D scans that will address the needs of apparel patternmakers are an essential part of the development process for this new tool. The paper aims to address these developments.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a method of automatically locating the side seam for torso fitting garments from 3D body scans for a variety of body types was developed and tested. The method is based on the location of center points of body depth measurements, and five different body landmarks or combinations of body landmarks were tested to determine the best choice for implementation.

Findings

Based on rankings and ratings of the results by apparel experts, a method using the average value of body depth measurements taken at about 100 locations equally spaced from the axilla to the crotch was chosen as the best solution.

Research limitations/implications

Additional testing of this method and development of a method for locating the side seam for lower body garments is the next step in this research.

Originality/value

Identifying appropriate landmarks and body measurement extraction processes for apparel or style‐based measurements is as important as the more commonly derived anthropometric measures based on body landmarks. Landmarks such as side‐seam placement pose unique challenges that must be solved with analysis and reconstruction of style‐based data. The paper provides information on these factors.
Automatic slub detection using Gabor filters
Authors: Liu Xiuping , Wen Zhijie , Su Zhixun , Yi Shaogeng
Published: June 2008

Purpose

Automatic slub detection is vital in the classification and identification of fabric images. This paper seeks to present a rapid and accurate approach for automatic detection of slub in fabric images using Gabor filters.

Design/methodology/approach

Slub can be regarded as defects along weft or warp. Gabor filters as bandpass filters consider the directional characteristics of slub and its frequency spectrum after Fourier transform. Choosing appropriate parameters for Gabor filters, slub can be detected accurately.

Findings

The proposed method achieves automatic detection of slub. The experimental results suggest that the authors approach is effective.

Originality/value

This paper considers appropriate parameters to design a Gabor filter for automatic detection of slub. And it is helpful to classify and identify fabric images.
Shrinkage prediction of plain‐knitted fabric based on deformable curve
Authors: Su Zhixun , Zhou Xiaojie , Zhao Guohui , Liu Xiuping , Choi Ka‐Fai
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to develop a new method to predict the potential shrinkage of plain‐knitted fabric.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented method is based on deformable curve. The delivered plain‐knitted fabric is represented as a deformable parametric curve, and the relaxed fabric can be reached by minimizing the energy of the curve. Compared to the delivered‐knitted fabric, the length and width shrinkage percentages can be calculated accordingly.

Findings

The new method is more convenient than the traditional trial and error method, and need less‐input parameters than the STARFISH technique. Experimental results show that this method is feasible.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new method for shrinkage prediction of plain‐knitted fabric based on deformable curve and energy minimum. The work can be linked with shrinkage control in textile industry.
Seam pucker indicators and their dependence upon the parameters of a sewing machine
Authors: Juciėnė Milda , Dobilaitė Vaida
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The paper aims to establish and introduce seam pucker assessment indicators and their dependence upon the fabric characteristics and parameters of a sewing machine.

Design/methodology/approach

Seams pucker defect is specific to garment from lightweight fabrics, therefore the investigation was performed with this kind of fabrics. The structure and friction properties of fabrics were determined. The influence of rotational frequency of the main shaft (varied from 200 till 2,300 min−1) and pressing force (from 25 till 85 N) on seam pucker was analysed. The seam pucker was evaluated by characteristic of sharpness calculated as ratio of pucker height and length.

Findings

Analysis of the obtained results allows stating that pucker sharpness increases with growing rotational frequency of the main shaft and decreases, increasing pressing force. On the basis of correlation analysis, the relationship between proposed new indicator of seam pucker evaluation and parameters of sewing machine was sought. The obtained result demonstrates that in most cases the relative pucker coefficient is dependent upon rotational frequency of the main shaft: increasing rotational frequency also leads to higher pucker coefficient. The linear relationship between the pucker coefficient and pressing force was not observed.

Practical implications

This investigation has practical implications in the clothing and other nearly related industries. In the paper, results involved with evaluation of seam pucker are presented.

Originality/value

The research showed that in order to define seam pucker more comprehensive, it is necessary to evaluate not only ratio of pucker height and length, but also the quantity of puckers as well as their propagation. Considering to this, the new criterion for seam pucker evaluation was proposed.
Heat and moisture transmission properties of clothing systems evaluated by using a sweating thermal manikin under different environmental conditions
Authors: Celcar Damjana , Meinander Harriet , Geršak Jelka
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate thermal comfort properties, such as heat and moisture transmission through male business clothing systems, by using a sweating thermal manikin Coppelius that simulates heat and moisture production in a similar way to the human body and measures the influence of clothing on heat exchange in different environmental and sweating conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten different combination of male business clothing systems were measured using the sweating manikin, under three environmental conditions (10°C/50 per cent RH, 25°C/50 per cent RH and −5°C), and at 0 and 50 gm−2 h−1 sweating levels, in order to evaluate the influence of environmental and sweating conditions on thermal comfort properties of clothing systems.

Findings

The results show how business clothing systems influence on the dry and evaporative heat loss between the manikin surface and environment in different environmental and sweating conditions.

Practical implications

When using sweating thermal manikin Coppelius, water vapour transmission (WVT) through and water condensation on the clothing can be determined simultaneously with the thermal insulation (It) of clothing system. Measured thermal comfort properties of clothing systems evaluated with a sweating thermal manikin can provide valuable information for the clothing industry by manufacturing/designing new clothing systems.

Originality/value

In this investigation, the heat and moisture transmission properties of male business clothing systems were measured in different environmental and sweating conditions. In the past few years, clothing materials containing microencapsulated phase‐change materials (PCMs) have appeared in outdoor garments, particularly sportswear; therefore, we decided to investigate the thermal comfort properties of different standard male business apparel, as well as male business clothing that contain PCMs used as liner and outerwear material.
Making technology public
Authors: Ross Winthereik Brit , Johannsen Nis , Strand Dixi Louise
Published: June 2008

Purpose

Through an analysis of a demonstration video presenting a new national e‐health portal, this paper aims to explore the assumptions and limitations of the concept of “script” and suggests a different approach to analysing the moral order of technology design.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the work of authors who have written about scripts and scripting, and thereafter analyses a demonstration video with a particular user script. Based on the analysis of the video coupled with material from interviews, observation and analysis of other representations, the paper examines the transformative potential of the portal presentation for reconfiguring relationships between citizens, health care systems, and information and communication technology (ICT). The analysis is guided by Haraway's notion of diffraction.

Findings

The analysis demonstrates the particular way in which the user is scripted in an e‐health demo, as a manager of his own health and, consequently, as a good citizen. This is a kind of script that does not directly groom its user, as implied in the notion of script, but rather figures up a probable future user in order to create and manage strategic partnerships that may secure the future of the technology and organisation behind it.

Research limitations/implications

The paper extends the script metaphor beyond a limited designer‐technology‐user configuration and argues that scripts in the paraphernalia of technologies also can and should be “de‐scribed” in understanding the making of the technology and the distributed networks of actors involved.

Originality/value

The paper is a contribution to the discussion on inscriptions in technology and the politics of technology design. Its originality lies in the combined use of notions of script and making things public. Empirically it contributes to the discussion of transformed patient identities following in the wake of implementation and use of ICT in the health care sector.
A social representations perspective on information systems implementation
Authors: Gal Uri , Berente Nicholas
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advocate a “social representations” approach to the study of socio‐cognitive processes during information systems (IS) implementation as an alternative to the technological frames framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper demonstrates how social representations theory can improve research outcomes by applying it to three recent studies that employed the technological frames framework.

Findings

It is found that because the technological frames framework is overly technologically centered, temporally bounded, and individually focused, it may lead to symptomatic explanations of IS implementation. Alternatively, using the theory of social representations can offer more fundamental causal explanations of IS implementation processes.

Research limitations/implications

IS researchers are encouraged to use a social representations approach to study IS implementation as the theory provides a rich vocabulary to examine the formation, change, and content of representations of IS, and their relationship to people's actions toward IS.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a new theoretical perspective into the IS research discipline, which can be applied to provide better research results concerning IS implementation.
Riding a hydra
Authors: Timms Carolyn , Lankshear Colin , Anderson Neil , Courtney Lyn
Published: June 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to identify aspects of work environment, culture or expectations that contributed to women's comfort or discomfort within the information and communication technology (ICT) industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is empirical in nature and addresses the perspectives of 178 professional women currently working within the Australian ICT industry who responded to the “Women in ICT” survey conducted through James Cook University. Likert‐scale responses were subjected to principal component analysis and then K‐mean cluster analysis, distinguishing four groups of respondents. Explanations for group membership were then sought from responses to open‐ended survey questions.

Findings

There was common agreement among respondents that, when making their career decisions, they had expected to enjoy good community image, and that their work would be socially useful, satisfying and flexible. Respondents also agreed that careers in ICT are rewarding, and provide opportunities, and disagreed with prevailing negative stereotypes about the industry. Opinions diverged on the organisation‐specific issues of management approachability and equality, as well as around respondents' confidence in their own technical ability and their intention to encourage young women to enter the industry.

Originality/value

This paper identifies distinct patterns of response and thereby provides support for the thesis that the widely reported discomfort of women within the ICT industry is not a cultural (industry‐wide) phenomenon but, rather, one that has its roots within particular workplace relationships. It is these relationships that appear to encourage or undermine confidence and women's intentions to encourage others to enter ICT.
Exploring the relationship between gender and career outcomes for social scientists
Authors: Gallivan Michael , Benbunan‐Finch Raquel
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The paper seeks to provide a structured review of the literature on gender and scholarly career outcomes in the social sciences and discuss its relevance to research on IS scholarship, in order to guide researchers who seek to conduct studies on the role of gender in academic IS careers.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review the literature to identify all published studies that compare (or theorize about) various academic career outcomes for men and women in the social sciences.

Findings

In comparing the literature from the IS field with other social science disciplines, the authors conclude that gender has been entirely overlooked in studies of IS scholars' publication patterns and other career outcomes. Propositions are developed for researchers in order to guide future studies that examine the relationship between gender and academic career outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on studies that compare research productivity and other career outcomes for men and women in social science disciplines. Studies in other disciplines such as engineering, physical sciences, arts and humanities, are omitted. Studies that focus on women only or studies that examine the general antecedents to scholarly outcomes but which ignore gender are also excluded.

Practical implications

This paper seeks to open up a discussion of gender as a valid issue for investigation regarding career outcomes for IS scholars. The authors seek to motivate other researchers to examine whether women are achieving parity in the IS academic field.

Originality/value

This paper provides a comprehensive, structured literature review to systematically study whether gender plays a role in research productivity and other career outcomes for IS scholars.
Online distribution strategies and competition: are the global hotel companies getting it right?
Authors: Gazzoli Gabriel , Gon Kim Woo , Palakurthi Radesh
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The internet has significantly changed the ways hotels distribute and price their products. The imminent success of online intermediaries caused financial problems for hotel chains since online travel agencies offered better prices than the hotel brand websites. The existing literature on hotel online distribution has focused on pricing strategies and room availability issues for different segments of hotels. This paper, however, aims to compare online room prices of global hotel chains across online distribution channels and their own brand websites.

Design/methodology/approach

By using only the internet, 2,800 room rates were collected and analyzed. Descriptive statistics such as means and percentage were used to answer the research questions. Personal interviews with a CEO of an e‐business company and an area revenue director of a global hotel chain were conducted to confirm our findings and to gain additional insights in the related issues.

Findings

Descriptive statistics indicated that US properties are doing a much better job than their international partners in regards to “best rate guarantee,” “rate parity,” and room availability across online channels. Rate consistency still remains a problem within US properties.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study is the use of convenience sampling methods, sample size, and currency conversion instruments.

Originality/value

Findings of this study would benefit revenue managers, general managers, hotel owners, and corporate brand managers to make decisions and to formulate new policies concerning their online distribution, revenue, and brand optimization strategies.
How do the preferences of online buyers and browsers differ on the design and content of travel websites?
Authors: Law Rob , Bai Billy
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The issue of perceptions between buyers who have made online purchases and browsers who have browsed websites on the quality of travel websites is rarely, if ever, investigated by tourism and hospitality researchers. This paper aims to report on a study that examined these two groups of users' perceived importance of the factors that contribute to content richness and ease of use of travel websites. In addition, it seeks to study these users' level of satisfaction and purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 862 international travelers were interviewed in Hong Kong International Airport in October 2005.

Findings

Empirical findings indicated that travel website users viewed quality factors important, and they were generally satisfied with travel websites. Although these website users had a positive view for purchase intention in the long term, there existed significant differences between the two groups of users in all attributes of customer satisfaction and purchase intention. Most importantly, research findings showed that travel website quality factors were positively correlated to customer satisfaction, which in turn, was significantly correlated to purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

The generalization of this research is limited by its time scope and sample size.

Originality/value

This paper should be of interest to tourism and hospitality practitioners as well as academic researchers to better understand e‐consumers' behavior.
Hospitality workplace problems and poor training: a close relationship
Authors: Poulston Jill
Published: June 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine common hospitality problems with the aim of identifying relationships between them, and the central issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Self‐completed questionnaires were used to collect data from hospitality students and employees, and analyses of variance used to identify relationships between the problems, and isolate the central issue.

Findings

The paper finds that poor training is associated with workplace problems, and improving training is likely to reduce problems such as under‐staffing and theft.

Research limitations/implications

The collection of data on exact lengths of employment would have facilitated a more rigorous analysis of the causes and effects of staff turnover and is recommended for future studies of training and turnover.

Practical implications

Investment in training is recommended even when turnover is high, as training reduces workplace problems.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the relationships between problems, rather than investigating them in isolation, facilitating an holistic approach to solving staff turnover.
A network perspective on managing stakeholders for sustainable urban tourism
Authors: Timur Seldjan , Getz Donald
Published: June 2008

Purpose

This study aims to examine the current network of inter‐relationships of stakeholders representing government, the community and the tourism and hospitality industry, and their perceptions of critical stakeholders in destination development.

Design/methodology/approach

While the network analysis enabled examination of the interconnectedness of stakeholders, the stakeholder approach identified the critical stakeholders in destination development. These two approaches helped determine how the existing relationship structures of destination stakeholders might influence sustainable destination development.

Findings

The destination marketing/management organizations (DMOs) and stakeholders with access to or possession of critical resources have the highest centrality in urban destinations. In all three clusters, local government and DMOs are perceived to hold the greatest legitimacy and power over others in destination development. It is also found that there is a lack of “bridges” between the three clusters of industry, government and the community.

Research limitations/implications

The study demonstrates the use of a network analysis methodology as a potential tool for researchers and managers in examining destination stakeholder relationships.

Practical implications

DMOs, hotels and attractions stakeholders have the most crucial roles in achieving inter‐stakeholder collaboration for sustainable destination development, particularly because the many and diverse industry actors trust or depend on them.

Originality/value

There are very few studies that have applied both network and stakeholder perspectives to destinations to examine the structure of inter‐stakeholder relationships and the potential influence of this relational structure on sustainable destination development.
A survey method for identifying key drivers of guest delight
Authors: Crotts John C. , Pan Bing , Raschid Andrew E.
Published: June 2008

Purpose

Key drivers of guest delight are attributes that have a surprise value and a direct relationship with customers' repeat visit intent and thus a business' overall success. It is an important strategic task to determine what those critical attributes are. The aim of this paper is to provide a method for identifying those key drivers that contribute to guest delight.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted two survey questions from Pritchard and Havitz to obtain liked and disliked service attributes, and two additional questions to identify the delighted and highly satisfied guests as measured by their overall satisfaction and intent repeat visit. Drawing from a sample of guests to a food and wine festival, this research purports a simple but inherently useful tool to identify key drivers of guest satisfaction and delight through four survey questions.

Findings

The four questions could be an economic and useful way to discover the key drivers of guest delight. The questions and their further analysis method evoke personally meaningful responses from guests, at both the micro and macro levels, that have practical implications for managers.

Research limitations/implications

This paper used a survey of festival visitors to test the method. Further testing on other types of travel and service surveys need to be conducted.

Originality/value

This research clearly adds new knowledge to the present body of hospitality and tourism literature by providing a simple and economic way to measure key drivers of visitor satisfaction; it also offers managerial implications for practitioners to improve their service quality.
Screw cap or cork? Keeping tags fresh (and related matters)
Authors: Medeiros Norm
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to comment on the excitement caused by release of On the Record, the final report of the Working Group (WG) on the Future of Bibliographic Control.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper highlights areas of the WG report that have particular relevance to the author.

Findings

Convergence of enriched catalogs, WorldCat Local, and federated tools, along with the Library of Congress' decisions vis‐à‐vis the WG report will have a significant impact on libraries this year.

Originality/value

This paper provides a snapshot of a memorable moment in time.
Library as virtual abbey
Authors: Fox Robert
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the current state of the text encoding initiative (TEI) community and suggests directions in which that community should strive based on recommendations from experts in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

Looks at the history of, the present state of and future of TEI.

Findings

This column is simply exploratory, and examines issues regarding the TEI and the TEI consortium.

Practical implications

TEI is a very robust and expressive markup language used in the analysis of literature in the humanities fields. The community is encouraged to take proactive steps to ensure TEI as a viable markup language for the next 20 years, at least.

Originality/value

This column examines the enormous contribution that TEI has made to the humanities fields and explores ways in which the usage of TEI, even by non‐experts, can be expanded in order to enrich scholarship.
ITIL: a framework for managing digital library services
Authors: Cervone Frank
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework and its relevance to digital library projects and operations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the ITIL framework.

Findings

The use of the ITIL has been pervasive in the corporate environment, particularly in the UK. With the release of version 3 of the library, the use of the library is expected to grow and expand into newer areas, such as digital library infrastructure management.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap in the digital library management literature by exploring the applicability of the ITIL framework as a means for more effectively developing and delivering services in IT organizations that support digital libraries.
Electronic theses and dissertation (ETD) repositories
Authors: Yiotis Kristin
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the electronic theses and dissertation (ETD) repository as a subset of local institutional digital repositories. The paper discusses the originating institutions and organizations including Virginia Tech Initiative, the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization and the United States Department of Education.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is informational in nature and explores the topic of ETD repositories. It provides information relevant to academic and digital librarians interested in including an ETD repository in their institution's digital library. The paper discusses interoperability among repositories and the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting. The paper discusses issues related to ETD repositories including intellectual property rights, publishers' views of ETDs as prior publications, plagiarism issues, development costs, and long‐term preservation issues.

Findings

It was found that library administrators who implemented ETD repositories at various universities adapted their models to the needs of their institutions and their graduate students. ETD administrators made decisions about implementation models and software and hardware infrastructure in terms of human and technical resource allocation.

Practical implications

The paper argues that ETD repositories benefit students and universities by enhancing graduate education, expanding graduate research, increasing a university's visibility, and instructing students, faculty, administration, and librarians about digital technology.

Originality/value

The value of this paper for digital and academic librarians concerned with EDT repositories is in providing a historical overview, a discussion of the benefits, and a review of the issues involved with implementing an ETD repository at their institution.
Digitizing criminals: web delivery of a century on the cheap
Authors: Belcher Ellen , Sexton Ellen
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the process, challenges and lessons learned from carrying out a small digital project to create a web resource of unique historic materials related to crime in New York City. All aspects of digital project management are discussed, including selection, infrastructure, budgeting, workflow and delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

Experiences from project administration, including management of a combination in‐house and outsourced digitization and metadata are discussed. Formation and management of the resulting web resource is explained, which is the product of a creative amalgamation of commercial and open source software. Challenges encountered are presented with suggestions for practical solutions and considerations for future projects.

Findings

This grant‐funded pilot project presented foreseen and unforeseen problems. Lessons learned and solutions suggesting best approaches for a small‐scale digitization project are presented here.

Practical implications

In this paper best practices and suggestions for managing a small digital project are presented, including financial, staffing and technical considerations.

Originality/value

Unlike many other discussions that focus on management of large institutional projects, this study presents an incremental approach for small‐scale digitization projects. Presented here are practical uses of available applications for establishing project infrastructure to sustain and continue growth of digital content for small institutions.
An analysis of the factors influencing success of bank‐issued micropayment system in Taiwan
Authors: Kheng Tan Wee , Chen Shih‐Kuo
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The point of sale (POS) e‐micropayment program is undergoing a revival in Taiwan. Local banks are co‐operating with organizations which have existing captive markets to issue e‐wallet smart cards. Such co‐operation reflects the restriction imposed by Taiwan's Banking Act and the very high density of convenience stores in Taiwan. The paper aims to help researchers and the program's operators to understand the dynamics influencing such a revival.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended Post‐acceptance Model of IS Continuance incorporating network externality is used and the roles of factors such as perceived usefulness and network externality are determined through hypothesis testing.

Findings

The study shows that these programs have good potential to succeed even though consumers' choice on whether transport‐related or convenience store‐related card has highest potential to succeed differs in different parts of Taiwan. Network externality cannot be ignored and contributes to Taiwan consumers' choice on the program which has the highest potential to succeed.

Practical implications

The paper's findings clearly advise the program's operators that their priority is to get more outlets to participate in these programs.

Originality/value

The paper shows how external factors such as regulatory restriction, retail structure affect the program's development and how the roles of network externality are subsequently affected.
The influence of strategy‐making types on IT alignment in SMEs
Authors: Kyobe Michael
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and compare the influence of three strategy‐making modes (planned, adaptive and entrepreneurial) on IT‐business strategy alignment in small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical research using a questionnaire was conducted. In total, 108 SME owners and managers participated in the study and the data were analysed using quantitative techniques.

Findings

The planned mode provided better results as predicted. Each strategy‐making mode was found to influence certain specific aspects of alignment and performance. For instance the planned mode ensures better understanding of business and IT objectives and provides high growth sales. The adaptive mode encourages participation of stakeholders in planning and improves communication and staff productivity. The entrepreneurial mode can facilitate immediate revision of plans in organizations operating in dynamic and competitive environment.

Research limitations/implications

Many factors influencing alignment were excluded. Second, the study was conducted in only three provinces and excluded the views of staff and IT personnel. These limit generalization of findings.

Practical implications

Assistance in planning and access to support programmes are necessary. Understanding the impact of SME characteristics can also assist the government in prioritizing resource allocations and focusing development programmes. The inconclusive results of this study, the impact on alignment of practices such as corporate governance, use of the balanced scorecard, and affirmative action should be researched further.

Originality/value

This was the first attempt to investigate the relationship between strategy‐making practices and IT alignment in South African SMEs. It provides empirical evidence confirming that these practices influence specific aspects of alignment and performance. SME managers can adopt the approach used to identify practices that ensure better alignment.
Peer‐to‐peer online communities for people with chronic diseases: a conceptual framework
Authors: Stockdale Rosemary
Published: June 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine peer‐to‐peer online communities for people with chronic diseases in order to present a conceptual framework that identifies the needs of members. This framework aims to improve understanding of the role of these communities in the enhancement of people's self‐management of chronic disease care.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework is drawn from the literature and tested against three illustrative case studies using an ethnographic approach. Taking an objective perspective, the data were examined against the proposed framework. The iterative cycle of qualitative analysis supported reflection through the ongoing observation of the case communities over several months.

Findings

The research underpins identification of members' needs as presented in the framework. It finds that the constructs of the shared space provide a context for the identified needs of members which are revised to reflect the findings. Social needs are broadened to include the powerful influences of communication through self‐expression, spiritual support and advocacy. Hedonic needs are found to play a significant role in continued participation.

Practical implications

Improved management of chronic disease care benefits both the patient and a range of stakeholders concerned with delivery of care services. Greater recognition of the identified needs of online community members supports the capability to improve the effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

Originality/value

This research provides a framework for enhancing the ability of online communities to empower patients. It identifies specific needs of members and presents a conceptual framework to facilitate continuing research in this significant area.
Interpreting the success and failure of regional internet community portals in promoting e‐commerce adoption by SMEs
Authors: Gengatharen Denise E.
Published: June 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of cultural factors on the success or failure of three Western Australian (WA) government‐funded collaboratively‐owned regional internet community portals designed to encourage small to medium‐sized enterprise adoption of e‐commerce. Two portals were rural/country‐based and the third was in metropolitan WA.

Design/methodology/approach

Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory is used to interpret the findings of study which employed the structured case study methodology using a multiple‐case embedded‐design.

Findings

Australia with cultural traits of high individualism, masculinity, low power distance and moderately low uncertainty avoidance, would not be a laggard in adopting technological innovation. In such a culture, the individual's perceived usefulness and personal gain will be the most important factors in technology acceptance. However, this research highlights a need for caution in using national culture to examine IS adoption. In this study, the collectivist culture of the rural communities was instrumental in initially sustaining their portals, as participants placed the community's perceived usefulness and gain from the portal above that of the individual. The individualistic nature of the owners and the communities catered for by the metropolitan portal resulted in its failure.

Research limitations/implications

While culture is an important construct in the success of community‐based IS endeavours, it should be examined at the local level instead of a national one. The limitations of this paper are that culture is examined only from the perspective of collectivism or individualism, and that the study is based only in Australia.

Practical implications

Cultural contexts underlying regional collaborative IS efforts can in some cases be leveraged to achieve intended outcomes. In others, they can indicate that the initiatives are not suitable and would require significantly greater resources.

Originality/value

This study contributes to knowledge in the area of the role of culture in community‐based IS initiatives by showing that outcomes of similar initiatives can differ based on sub cultural differences within a national culture.
Clinical usefulness of handheld wireless technology in healthcare
Authors: Gururajan Raj , Quaddus Mohammed , Xu Jun
Published: June 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate the drivers and inhibitors of clinical usefulness of handheld wireless technology in healthcare domain in Australia and India. Because of cultural differences in these two countries the paper also attempts to show how a cross‐national study of this nature can be carefully designed and undertaken to produce useful results.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed‐method research design was used in this study. First, qualitative approach was used to develop the list of drivers and inhibitors in Australia and India via interviews and a research model was developed. This was then followed by a quantitative approach where questionnaire was developed and distributed to 300 health professionals each in both Australia and India. The collected data were analysed using a combination of optimal scaling and partial least square (PLS) techniques.

Findings

The result of the study was very interesting. The PLS application to the raw data did not support any of the hypotheses. As the study was cross‐national optimal scaling procedure were used to standardize the data and then PLS used again. It was then revealed that for Australia inhibitors significantly influence the clinical usefulness of handheld wireless technology while the drivers do not. However, for India the drivers significantly influence the clinical usefulness but the inhibitors do not. Possible reasons for such contrasting results are highlighted in the paper.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size although appropriate for the tools used was a bit on the low side. The study did not follow up with representative respondents from Australia and India to get a deeper understanding of the results.

Originality/value

This study is original in the way the research model was developed from ground up. Our approach can be used for similar research. The study also makes original contribution in terms of designing an appropriate research approach for cross‐national study and how various data analyses tools can be used effective for meaningful outcomes.
The internationalization process of a franchise system: an ethnographic study
Authors: Quinn Barry
Published: June 2008

Provides an ethnographic study of the internationalization process of a UK natural‐based bodycare products operation which expanded rapidly through franchising – with 249 franchised outlets operating in 31 countries by 1995. Recounts the first overseas market entry in 1987 into Sweden, which happened almost accidentally. Reports that the economic recession in the late 1980s in the UK focused the company’s attention on expanding overseas. Notes that the company preferred potential franchisees to contact them, rather than the other way round. Finds that a successful franchise operating in one country often led to expansion in neighbouring countries. Indicates that expansion overseas was an ad hoc affair but, in fact, when interviewing top management, an expansion plan becomes discernible. Explains how the company improved its performance by putting in place a better support package for franchisees, by more aggressively attracting potential franchisees, and by motivating existing franchisees. Concludes that ethnographic studies are valuable to find out what happens in practice as opposed to in theory.
The effect of financial resource availability and system size on ownership redirection in franchised channels of distribution
Authors: Dant Rajiv P. , Paswan Audhesh K.
Published: June 2008

Examines the effects of financial resource availability and system size on ownership redirection patterns – the argument that successful franchisors will acquire less successful franchisee units, resulting in corporate ownership – in 12 franchising business sectors. Discusses the theory of ownership redirection in more depth. Hypothesizes that: as franchise systems gain increased financial resources, there is a greater likelihood of ownership redirection favouring the franchisors; and that, as the size of the franchise system increases, there is a greater likelihood of ownership redirection favouring the franchisors. Draws on data from the US “Franchising in the economy”, over the period 1977‐1986. Conducts a LISREL‐based path analytic approach. Finds a more complex interplay of effects than anticipated, particularly that differences occur depending on the business sector – uniform effect patterns occur in educational products and services, laundry and dry cleaning services, and rental equipment; conversion orientation patterns occur in hotels, motels and campsites; cautious redirection patterns occur in the automotive products and services industry; and, finally, strategic dilemma patterns occur in food retailing. Concludes that further research is required to substantiate (or not) the theory on ownership redirection.
Franchise systems as strategic networks studying network leadership in the service sector
Authors: Sydow Jö
Published: June 2008

Links the literature on interorganizational networks and relations research on franchising in an attempt to address when to opt for franchising and how to manage franchises. Asserts that franchise systems are strategic network organizations and pinpoints what that means and how such a system can be managed. Looks at the social theory of structuration and applies it to franchise management. Focuses on six franchise networks in Germany – McDonald’s (fast food), OBI (DIY superstore), Anfina (estate agents), Schulerhilfe (provides tutoring), Computerland (selling and servicing computers), and Hyper Services (a service provider). Finds differences among their network organization, particularly in the relationship with the centre firm. Indicates that network firms require very careful interpersonal relationship management which should be monitored, and that leadership by the centre firm cannot be assumed to control network processes.
Is massive mobilization a viable government response to the future?
Authors: Abeles Tom P.
Published: June 2008

Purpose

This article aims to review the response of the National Academies of Science, in the USA to the question posed by the US Congress as to how the USA can remain competitive in a world with rapid advances in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It posits that the responses via rapid scaling up of research cannot meet the needs as it has in the past as with putting a person on the moon or mastering nuclear energy.

Design/methodology/approach

The article reviews alternatives that describe and reframe the problem and provides alternative possibilities for a response by the USA.

Findings

The ability of knowledge to migrate globally via the internet or the migration of humans coupled with the rapid rise in education and research in India and China suggest that the USA needs to reassess its position in a changing world both from an technological and economic perspective.

Originality/value

The analysis provides a future perspective that is counter‐intuitive and offers an alternative from which to develop policy and support of technology development in a global society.