bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concurrent commercialization and new‐product adoption for construction products
Authors: McCoy Andrew P. , Badinelli Ralph , Theodore Koebel C. , Thabet Walid
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to report on data from case studies of development process, and a survey of use patterns over ten years, for 13 highly innovative products. While the paper does not claim concurrent commercialization (CC) as a universal solution, it aims to highlight significant correlates between management best practice, concurrent commercialization and builder use rates for these 13 highly innovative products in the USA residential construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the effect of CC on new‐product adoption rates by installers, the authors assembled data from the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Builders' Practices Survey (BPS) for the years 1996 through 2005. The data collection was executed in three phases. Best practices were collected from literature. Explanatory variables regarding best practice and presence of CC were collected and measured through case studies. The measure of market penetration, based on the concept of innovativeness, was obtained from the BPS survey data.

Findings

Data analysis of 13 highly innovative products indicates that CC is consistent with accepted best practice in product development. These products suggest that some organizations might contain 100 percent CC with varying degrees of best practice management ideals, and also include equilibrium.

Research limitations/implications

The extent to which products, with varying CC percentage, are affected by individual steps within CC is a direction for future research. The authors also did not have the ability to look at the entry year for other products strongly rooted in CC; there could be other explanations for a product entering the market strongly.

Practical implications

CC is essentially directed at designing a commercialization process, as opposed to designing a product, which benefits the product development from exposure to all members along the construction supply chain. CC, drawing on concurrent engineering, expands the definition of the market to include all supply‐chain participants, not just the installers and advocates the establishment of a complete supply chain, possible only if every member of the chain foresees net benefits to joining. In strengthening the commercialization process, the product might experience better probability of success.

Originality/value

The paper places reason upon product failure, in the residential construction industry, through further investigation of sound commercialization process.
Collaborative product development
Authors: Luo Changyue , Mallick Debasish N. , Schroeder Roger G.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of internal coordination capability on supplier involvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypothesized relationships are tested using confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical linear regression models.

Findings

It was found that internal coordination capability and supplier involvement effort have a positive effect on collaborative product development (CPD) performance. In addition, internal coordination capability positively moderates the relationship between supplier involvement and CPD performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study used targets or goals as the standard for measuring all scales in CPD performance. Although, this approach has several advantages and it is widely reported in the literature, it fails to account for the aggressiveness of the goals or targets as well as relative importance of the metrics.

Practical implications

Managers attempting to gain short‐term benefits through increased collaboration scope will risk negative CPD performance unless they are willing to invest significant effort in supplier involvement to reduce the transaction cost.

Originality/value

Unlike existing literature which focuses either on internal integration or external integration, this study focuses on their interaction. It provides empirical evidence that internal coordination capability has a direct and an indirect impact (as moderator) on CPD performance.
Role of farm real estate in a globally diversified asset portfolio
Authors: Nartea Gilbert , Eves Chris
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the benefits of further diversifying a global portfolio of financial assets with New Zealand farm real estate (FRE).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper compares efficient sets generated with and without FRE using portfolio theory.

Findings

The results show that given the predominantly negative correlation between FRE and financial assets, the risk‐return tradeoffs of portfolios of financial assets can be improved significantly. The diversification benefits measured in terms of risk reduction, return enhancement, and improvement in the Sharpe performance ratios are robust under a number of FRE risk‐return scenarios as well as under high and low inflationary periods. Using five and ten‐year rolling periods it also finds that FRE is a consistent part of risk efficient portfolios. Consistent with the results reported in Lee and Stevenson, for the UK real estate the risk reduction benefits of diversifying with FRE are larger than the risk enhancement benefits.

Practical implications

The results suggest that FRE takes on a consistent role of risk‐reducer rather than a return‐enhancer in a globally diversified portfolio. FRE appears to deserve more serious consideration by investment practitioners that it has been accorded in the past.

Originality/value

The study examines the role of direct real estate in a globally diversified portfolio of financial assets.
REIT excess dividend and information asymmetry: evidence with taxable income
Authors: Lee Ming‐Te , Chiu Bang‐Han , Lee Ming‐Long , Chiang Kevin C.H. , Carlos Slawson V.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

US real estate investment trusts (REITs) typically distribute more dividends than required by tax regulations. This paper aims to focus on discretionary dividends, and examines the impact of information asymmetry on this excess component of dividends.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper considers a set of US REITs with reported taxable income figures over the 2000‐2007 period, and employs regression analysis to examine the influence of information asymmetry on the excess component of dividends. The explained variable is specified as excess dividends scaled by total assets. Excess dividends are dividends paid over the mandatory dividend payments calculated with taxable income, instead before‐tax net income. Following the REIT studies of Hardin and Hill and Han, this study employs TobinQas the proxy for asymmetric information.

Findings

Contrary to Hardin and Hill's conclusion, but consistent with dividend signaling theory as well as agency cost explanations, the results indicate that REITs with higher level of asymmetric information pay out significantly more excess dividends. Nevertheless, in contrast to Deshmukh's study on manufacturing firms, the REIT results are against the prediction of the pecking order theory.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the few studies that explicitly examine the factors influencing REIT decision on discretionary dividends. Contrast to previous studies, this study is able to obtain taxable income and compute the discretionary dividends more accurately. Furthermore this paper is able to provide evidence against the pecking order theory, which is not investigated in the existing REIT dividend studies.
The impact of market conditions using appraisal models
Authors: Brotman Billie Ann
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to generate estimates of appraised value using two present value appraisal models. Financing for a commercial property is contingent on an appraiser estimate of value. The paper seeks to address the issue of which approach generally provides more conservative estimates‐of‐value.

Design/methodology/approach

The Comparative‐Income Growth Model and Mortgage‐Equity Capitalization models are presented and discussed. Estimates of return to equity while holding the lending rate constant are calculated. This analysis is followed by a mathematical side‐by‐side comparison of the value estimated generated by the respective models.

Findings

Depending on the discount rate selected using a fixed lending rate the models yielded comparatively higher, the same or lower estimates of value for a hypothetical commercial property. The mortgage‐equity capitalization model yielded significantly high estimates of value at lower discount rates, but at higher discount rates, the comparative‐income approach estimates were comparatively higher.

Original/value

A systematic comparison of the appraised values yielded by these two income models has not previously been undertaken in research literature. Explicitly indicating the underlying‐return on equity assumptions for given discount rate has not previously been shown.
Simple solutions to complex issues in the built environment
Authors: Sharp Mark
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This paper purports that a holistic approach needs to be adopted in order to ensure that effective solutions can be found to enable the environment that we build is fit for purpose.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces complexity theory within the context of the built environment, and investigates several existing and assumed problems (e.g. socio‐technical‐economic) using this approach in order to develop new solutions and garner deeper understanding.

Findings

Many of the problems that we readily identify with are simply put down to fragmentation or the “nature of the industry”; complexity theory, however, offers the possibility of “how” to change.

Originality/value

The real value of this paper is to provide readers with an alternative approach to conventional problems. This innovative approach aims to quantify why problems exist and how they can be addressed.
Client perceived barriers to change of the construction process
Authors: Vennström Anders , Erik Eriksson Per
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify client‐perceived barriers to a change towards increased client influence on the end result of the construction process. Additionally, the variables of size of clients' markets and the extent of external project management are investigated in order to see how they influence the perceptions concerning important barriers to change.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data were collected through a survey responded to by 87 Swedish construction clients.

Findings

Identified barriers are divided into three types: attitudinal, industrial and institutional. Attitudinal barriers (adversarial attitudes, lack of ethics and morality, focus on projects instead of processes and a short‐term focus) and industrial barriers (traditional organization of the construction process, conservative industry culture, industry structure and traditional production processes) are perceived to be important, whereas institutional barriers (standard contracts, laws and traditional procurement procedures) are not perceived to be critical. Each different type of barrier is tested against the use of internal or external project management and the sphere of activity of the client. Attitudinal barriers are perceived as being more critical by clients using external project management. “Nearness” in terms of the sphere of activity (e.g. how large is the client's market?) also has an effect on how clients perceive the barriers. Locally, active clients do not consider attitudinal barriers to be as influential on the end result of the construction process as nationally active clients.

Research limitations/implications

Since the empirical results are based on data collected only from Swedish clients, international generalizations should be made with caution.

Practical implications

Clients wishing to act as change agents need to be aware that their use of internal versus external project management affects their chances to influence the other construction actors and implement change and innovation. Large national and international client organizations, which due to their size have significant opportunities to influence the industry, rely heavily on external project management, which may hamper their change agent role. Hence, such clients should make careful and purposeful selections of project management companies. Another more influential alternative is to strengthen their organisation and rely less on external project management.

Originality/value

This paper presents a unique investigation of the connections between the use of internal/external project management and perceived barriers to change.
An empirical test of causal relationships of factors affecting ICT adoption for building project management
Authors: Ahuja Vanita , Yang Jay , Skitmore Martin , Shankar Ravi
Published: April 2010

Purpose

Building project management (BPM) requires effective coordination and collaboration between multiple project team organisations which can be achieved by real time information flow between all participants. In the present scenario, this can be achieved by the use of information communication technologies (ICT). The purpose of this paper is to present part of a research project conducted to study the causal relationships between factors affecting ICT adoption for BPM by small and medium enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis conducted to test the causal relationships between quantitative factors. Data for quantitative analysis were gathered through a questionnaire survey conducted in the Indian construction industry.

Findings

SEM analysis results help in demonstrating that an increased and matured use of ICT for general administration within the organisation would lead to: an improved ICT infrastructure within the organisation; development of electronic databases; and a staff that is confident of using information technology (IT) tools. In such a scenario, staff would use advanced software and IT technologies for project management (PM) processes and that would lead to an increased adoption of ICT for PM processes. But, for general administration also, ICT adoption would be enhanced if the organisation is interacting more with geographically separated agencies and senior management perceives that significant benefits would accrue by adoption of ICT. All the factors are inter‐related and their effect cannot be maximized in isolation.

Originality/value

The results provide direction to building project managers for strategically adopting the effective use of ICT within their organisations and for BPM in general.
Offsite production in the UK: the way forward? A UK construction industry perspective
Authors: Nadim Wafaa , Goulding Jack S.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on findings from the first stage of an ongoing research with regard to the UK construction industry's perception of offsite production (OSP) adoption/uptake, in an attempt to inform the second stage of the research (not reported in this paper) to infer the skills/knowledge areas needed for the wider uptake of OSP.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective of this paper was to capture the UK construction industry's perception vis‐à‐vis OSP characteristics using a quantitative approach. Postal surveys were employed to collect industry perception which was then analysed statistically for inference and conclusion.

Findings

Findings from 36 large construction organisations suggest that irrespective of respondents' organisations prime activity or professions, the majority of respondents perceive OSP to be the future of the UK construction industry; with a considerable belief that the industry is ready to embrace OSP. Nevertheless, the industry do not seem to fully appreciate OSP, which is implied by the uncertainty recorded in most of the responses.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst the data validity and sample set coherence can be considered robust and defendable, it should be acknowledged that care needs to be taken when interpreting results, especially as the data collected depended heavily on the survey approach. Furthermore, these findings are limited to the UK context only, as such, the level of generalisability/repeatability outside this context may not be representative of the findings presented here.

Originality/value

OSP falls under the overarching umbrella of modern methods of construction, which is high on the UK Government Agenda. OSP has attracted numerous research over the last decades; however, there is limited literature to quantify industry perception in this regard, especially to enable the inference and prioritisation of skills and knowledge areas needed to support the wider uptake of OSP (not reported in this paper).
Value management awareness and practice by South African architects: an empirical study
Authors: Bowen Paul , Jay Ian , Cattell Keith , Edwards Peter
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate value management (VM) practice by professional architects in South Africa. A primary aim is to test the assertion of Kelly et al. that VM has “evolved to become an established service with commonly understood tools, techniques and styles.”

Design/methodology/approach

A web‐based, online questionnaire survey was employed to establish VM practice by South African registered architects. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the survey response data.

Findings

The results suggest that awareness of VM is not widespread among South African architects, and that its actual practice is minimal. Where VM was used on projects, it was invariably cost‐minimization driven in terms of both the project and the VM process itself. These findings are in direct conflict with the assertion of Kelly et al. There is also a mismatch between clients' value system key performance variables and objectives defined for VM studies. Use of VM for project brief facilitation is not widespread, and the integration of VM with risk and quality management systems is not pervasive. Where VM was undertaken, no attempt is made to benchmark VM activities against international standards.

Practical implications

Professional architectural associations in South Africa should adopt a proactive role in promoting the use of VM by architects; facilitated by continuing professional development programmes.

Originality/value

The originality of the research lies in determining the nature of, and extent to which, architects in South Africa practice VM.
Empirical study of the current United States facilities management profession
Authors: Sullivan Kenneth , Georgoulis Stephen W. , Lines Brian
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify pre‐existing perceptions of the facilities management (FM) industry through the collection of empirical evidence that establishes the current state of the profession. Data collected will identify the major challenges facing the FM industry, and will be used in the development of proposed academic programs to address these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

Two online surveys of facilities managers on the national and local scale were used to produce a quantifiable description of the profession and its deficiencies. These surveys also focused on obtaining data to aid in the development of formal academic programs to train future facilities managers and measured the willingness of industry representatives to support the proposed academic programs.

Findings

Results indicate that there is an insufficient number of facilities managers entering the field to account for the high rate of attrition that will occur in the next ten to 15 years. The main reason for the lack in new facilities managers is the severely limited number of formal academic programs that specifically educate students in FM.

Originality/value

Results of this paper are valuable in that they quantified the main challenges facing the profession as well as the willingness of the US FM industry to support and recruit from proposed undergraduate programs. Collected data are also used to develop a specific undergraduate curriculum to educate students in the core skills needed to become successful facilities managers.
Key competences of design‐build clients in China
Authors: Xia Bo , Chan Albert P.C.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

Design‐build (DB) clients play a vital role in the delivery of DB system and the clients' competences are critical to the success of DB projects. Most of the DB clients, however, remain inexperienced with the DB system. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key competences that DB clients should possess to ensure the success of DB projects in the construction market of China.

Design/methodology/approach

Five semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews and two rounds Delphi questionnaire survey were conducted in the construction market of China to identify the key competences of DB clients. Rankings have been assigned to these key competences on the basis of their relative importance.

Findings

Six ranked key competences of DB clients have been identified, which are, namely: the ability to clearly define project scope and objectives; financial capacity for the projects; capacity in contract management; adequate staff or consulting team; effective coordination with DB contractors; and experience with similar DB projects. Calculation of Kendall's coefficient of concordance (W) indicates a statistically significant consensus of panel experts on these top six key competences.

Practical implications

Clients should clearly understand the competence requirements in DB projects and should assess their DB capability before going for the DB option.

Originality/value

The examination of DB client's key competences will help the client deepen the understanding of the DB system. DB clients can also make use of the research findings as guidelines to improve their DB competence.
Operation and maintenance
Authors: Yik Francis W.H. , Lai Joseph H.K. , Chau C.K. , Lee W.L. , Chan K.T.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The survey reported here is intended to obtain an understanding of the general public's perception about building services and building services practitioners in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

Targeting a sampling error of within ±1 per cent at a confidence level of 95 per cent, a team of six surveyors conducted face‐to‐face interviews with 751 laypersons at places around 11 residential estates.

Findings

Over 90 per cent of the general public know the presence of various building services installations in buildings and 12 per cent know that building services is the collective name of such installations. The general public are satisfied with the operability and reliability of building services installations but are just marginally satisfied with their performance at higher levels, such as energy conservation and indoor air quality control.

Research limitations/implications

A paucity of teenagers know about building services, which is a concern to the future development of both the building services profession and the facilities management (FM) industry in Hong Kong. Future work may investigate the situation in other regimes with a similar FM setting and study on how the profession is perceived for buildings with restricted access to the general public. Operation and maintenance personnel of the FM offices, who are approached by most people when problems with building services installations arise, are the key on the perceived image of building services professionals.

Originality/value

In addition to informing higher educational institutes the need to reinforcing promotion of building services engineering to school leavers, the findings can help professional institutions in formulating how the social status of building services engineers may be raised.
Dimensions of usability assessment in built environments
Authors: Rasila Heidi , Rothe Peggie , Kerosuo Heidi
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the usability dimensions that end‐users utilise when they assess the usability of built environments in Finland.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is carried out by utilising directed content analysis. A directed content analysis starts by creating (theoretical) pre‐understanding of possible categories and then goes on to test this pre‐understanding with empirical evidence.

Findings

The findings suggest that the users use 12 different dimensions when they assess the usability of built environments.

Practical implications

Understanding the usability dimensions end‐users use in assessing built environments makes it possible to make improvements in existing environments and in creating new environments that suit end‐user needs better.

Originality/value

Even though discussion about usability dimensions and user experiences is vast, the existing discussion about usability dimensions in built environments is limited and this paper adds understanding of four “new” dimensions that have not been discussed previously in this particular context.
Applying continuous improvement in public reporting
Authors: Birnbaum David , Van Buren Jude
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the history and growth of mandatory public reporting of healthcare‐associated infection rates and the philosophy and implementation of an evidence‐based total‐quality‐oriented state government program and also to provide critical appraisal of recognized assumptions underlying this movement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a narrative review of pertinent evaluation research literature and the authors' own experience.

Findings

Washington is one of few states that hired experts in the subject area to develop its new program. It is one of the first exploring optimal ways to validate the rates reported, and one of very few taking evidence‐based approaches to all aspects of program design.

Practical implications

The work provides a model for less‐developed agencies to follow.

Originality/value

This is a new and unprecedented role for state health departments, but offers opportunities to raise standards of practice through continuous quality improvement approaches with hospital partners while regaining public trust through transparency. Weak evidence supporting fundamental assumptions, and failure of prior approaches, indicate that we must explore new paths rather than follow established ones.
Quality of health care and patient satisfaction
Authors: Camgöz‐Akdağ Hatice , Zineldin Mosad
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The aim of this research is to examine the major factors affecting patients' perception of cumulative satisfaction and to address the question whether patients in Istanbul evaluate quality of health care to be similar or different to that of the Kazakhstani, Egyptian and Jordanian patients.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model including behavioural dimensions of patient‐physician relationships and patient satisfaction has been used for approach. As the empirical research setting, this study concerns people who are or were patients once in Istanbul hospitals.

Findings

The questionnaire was taken from another research regarding Egyptian and Jordanian medical clinics. The same research was also done by the authors in Kazakhstan in 2008. A total of 48 items (attributes) of the newly developed five quality dimensions (5Qs) by the second author were identified to be the most relevant.

Practical implications

The results of this study can be used by the hospitals to reengineer and redesign creatively their quality management processes and the future direction of their more effective health care quality strategies.

Originality/value

A 5Qs model to measure the patients' satisfaction of medical care is proposed as for previous studies for Kazakhstanian, Egyptian and Jordanian hospitals. As mentioned previously the 5Qs model encompasses technical, functional, interaction, infrastructure and the atmosphere qualities and services. The results can be used by the hospitals to reengineer and redesign creatively their quality management processes and the future direction of their more effective health care quality strategies.
A quality management system application to investigate and troubleshoot process failures
Authors: Balasundaram Mirunali , Tsai Miranda , Clarke Amanda , Leung Didi , Munro Sarah , Wagner Susan , Mayo Michael , Moore Richard , Holt Robert
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a practical approach taken by utilizing the non‐conformance/event management and failure investigation (FI) system to formally troubleshoot an actual process failure observed in the sequencing facility.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study the authors describe how the cause for the poor quality sequence data, as indicated from the quality score, involving high molecular weight follicular lymphoma DNA samples for a study of tumor‐associated genome rearrangements was successfully identified and confirmed through the application of a well structured FI process.

Findings

Through this FI process the underlying causes were effectively identified, immediate corrective actions were executed and a preventative action to avoid or minimize reoccurrences was also implemented and monitored for effectiveness.

Originality/value

This paper establishes that by applying a systematic, documented FI process the underlying causes of a process failure in an organization can be effectively identified and appropriate corrective and preventative actions can be successfully adopted.
Quality assessment using concordance and discordance rates in medical findings
Authors: Kalra Jay , Entwistle Lyndon , Suryavanshi Sudhir , Chadha Rajeev
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of concordance and discordance between clinical diagnosis and post‐mortem findings in patients admitted to the hospitals of the Saskatoon Health Region.

Design/methodology/approach

A retrospective record review of the medical and autopsy charts was carried out for all the deceased adult in‐patients admitted during calendar years 2002, 2003 and 2004. A total of 3416 in‐patient deaths were registered during the study period. Autopsies were performed on 206 of the deceased resulting in an autopsy rate of 6 percent. In accordance with selection criteria, 158 cases were included for this study. The mean age of subjects was 66.6±15.3 years with a range of 16‐94 years. The study group consisted of 92 males (58.2 percent) and 66 females (41.8 percent) with an average length of stay at the hospital of 12.9±10.9 days.

Findings

The concordance rate between clinical and autopsy diagnosis was found to be 75.3 percent. The discordance rate was 20.9 percent and in 3.8 percent of the study population a conclusive clinical or autopsy diagnosis was not finalized.

Practical implications

These results suggest that despite of the technical advances in medical and diagnostic modalities, diagnostic discrepancies in the present day health care system remain prevalent.

Originality/value

The authors encourage residents and physicians to continue using autopsy as an important tool to extend understanding of disease processes.
Utilization of hospital resources: a survey‐based study of Saudi hospitals in Riyadh City
Authors: Al‐Omar Badran , Al‐Ghanim Saad
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to show that there is inappropriate utilization of resources in hospitals in all three health care sectors (whether Ministry of Health, military or private). Such misuses can be tracked down by understanding the factors associated with such utilization.

Design/methodology/approach

The results were based on the assessment of some of the health staff and it could be argued that the rate of inappropriate utilization of hospital resources would have been different if it had been based on the patients' own assessments.

Findings

The results of this study show that regardless of the hospital type (or ownership), a substantial percentage of respondents perceive that hospital resources are inappropriately utilized. In fact, more than half of respondents in the three health care sectors indicate that the utilization of hospital resources is inappropriate. These results are inline with previous research which reported that the patient or the patient's family can contribute to unnecessary utilization by pressuring the physician to admit or by delaying discharge. In addition, although not examined in this study, patient characteristics such as lack of family support, age and lack of a health post‐discharge influence inappropriate hospital utilization.

Practical implications

If overutilization or underutilization continues in this vein, it will markedly increase the burden on these hospitals and adversely affect the delivery of health services to the Saudi population.

Originality/value

While several studies in different countries have described the problem of inappropriate utilization of hospital facilities, no previous studies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appear to have discussed this issue other than the present study.
Quality audit experience for excellence in healthcare
Authors: Alhatmi Yasmeen S.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

To make an improvement on a larger scale and continuing along the path of quality auditing, this paper aims to identify the steps taken towards excellence for patient care in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH).

Design/methodology/approach

SQUH, in the Gulf country Sultanate of Oman, has enthusiastically entered the challenge of improving quality in healthcare while traveling towards healthcare excellence. It began with the successful achievement of ISO 9001:2000 certification (May 2005) and re‐certification (May 2008) and is now adopting accreditation standards.

Findings

Being a prominent 500‐bed teaching research hospital in the country offering general and distinguished specialized clinical services while adhering to continuing professional development, the source of motivation derives from the hospital's vision and mission, thus bringing the primary focus of auditing to a peak. By performing internal quality audit, proper monitoring of conformity by measuring the effectiveness to the stated intention in a cycle of continuous quality improvement (CQI) is ensured.

Research limitations/implications

Traditionally, health prevention and cure have always been the aim for the healthcare industry. Consequently it is the one industry that faces continuous pressures to improve quality and the one with the fastest‐growing interest in quality.

Originality/value

The paper puts forward a model that incorporates the fundamentals of quality improvement through quality auditing step by step in a systematic manner and shows measurable results.
Early organizational involvement (EOI): creating successful transitions from higher education to the work place
Authors: Cord Bonnie , Clements Michael D.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to present EOI as an mechanism for higher education to better prepare students for the ever changing workforce, a collaborative effort from higher education and organizations is needed to support the transition of students from the classroom into industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This viewpoint provides a mechanism to enhance the student outcomes from work related learning (WRL) programs, supported by student reflection. This paper presents one such WRL program that provides a vehicle for EOI to enhance student learning outcomes.

Findings

The positive learning outcomes through student reflection on their experience in the program endorses EOI as a mechanism for students' early professional development.

Practical implications

Involving organizations earlier in higher education transition programs enables both students and perspective employers to maximize opportunities for learning and development. Engaging organizations through EOI will ensure WRL programs better prepare students and manage their expectations for the workplace, leading to greater retention and outcomes of graduates entering the workplace, benefiting the student, higher education and employer.

Originality/value

This paper provides an approach to support students transitioning from higher education into the workforce by engaging with organizations early on in the students' professional education.
Has anybody told the learners? A case study from the UK public sector
Authors: Bonsall Gary
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to consider whether current discourse about the change from trainer‐centered to learner‐centered interventions is a reality for trainers within a large UK public sector organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Structured interviews were conducted with a small sample of training staff. Data were analyzed to identify issues in relation to three areas in the literature: the changing role of the trainer; the role of the line manager in learning and development (L&D); and the importance of learning in the workplace.

Findings

The sample audience was aware of the need to improve or develop learner‐centric skills. However, they needed more strategic guidance as to what was required of them. Additionally, although the literature emphasizes the need for learners to be proactive in their learning, the sample audience's perception was that learners are not generally aware of this. It was also perceived that many line managers are ill‐equipped to play a full role in the L&D process, either through lack of skills or lack of interest. Furthermore, although all of those interviewed recognized the importance of learning in the workplace for themselves, this was not explicitly viewed as being relevant for the learning of others in the organization.

Research limitations/implications

The research could be extended to include a larger sample of non‐trainers.

Practical implications

There is a need for both managers and learners to be educated about their responsibilities for L&D.

Originality/value

The paper challenges the orthodoxy that learners are taking responsibility for their own learning. It is valuable to trainers, managers and learners as they adopt more learner‐centered approaches.
Experiential learning – a way to develop agile minds in the knowledge economy?
Authors: Jennings Charles , Wargnier Jérôme
Published: April 2010

Purpose

Technology development over the past 20 years has radically increased the options we have in developing skills. Today's “new frontier” requires fresh approaches to developing agile minds and workforce capability. Experiential learning, an age‐old approach refreshed by recent technology developments, provides a key element in this new approach. A new understanding of experiential learning is essential if we are to develop new, efficient and effective learning paradigms.

Design/methodology/approach

This article explores the latest thinking and practice of twenty‐first century experiential learning and is based on work carried out over the past two years and presented at a private event in London in October 2009.

Findings

The key finding is that most of our learning results from the experiences we have, from practice, from the opportunity to interact with others, and from taking time to reflect on these activities. In light of this, experiential learning and an “unknowingly prepared” mindset are the two keys to unlocking workforce capability which is about action rather than information. The adage “knowledge is power” has been replaced by “access is power”. Today's technology, particularly Web 2.0 and social media, provide the oil to this powerful new engine.

Practical implications

There are several practical implications. Approaches to individual and organizational learning need to change. In the new world, learning is part of work and work needs to be seen as a set of learning experiences.

Originality/value

This paper offers a fresh perspective to how we learn. Companies that move to embed experiential learning approaches will be better‐placed to build and maintain workforce excellence and innovation.
When Web 2.0 becomes an organizational learning tool: evaluating Web 2.0 tools
Authors: Boateng Richard , Mbarika Victor , Thomas Carlos
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the link between Web 2.0 and organizational learning through a framework that assesses its adaptability as a learning tool.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper using arguments from organizational learning literature.

Findings

The authors show that, as learning tools, Web 2.0 tools should be able to create interaction, enable knowledge sharing, access pre‐knowledge, and generate and store new knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

The constructs are stepping stones towards a complete learning organization.

Practical implications

The proposed framework brings organizations closer to prioritizing and evaluating learning tools and aligning them to dynamic social interactions in the workplace.

Social implications

The proposed framework can inform the development of policies and procedures concerning the use of Web 2.0 tools by employees in the workplace.

Originality/value

The framework opens a new insight to the evaluation process for learning tools and an area of information systems and organizational development research where a handful have ventured.
Consumer behaviour and environmental quality in Hawaii
Authors: Choy Derrek , Prizzia Ross
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to add to the body of knowledge on the relationship between consumer behavior and environmental quality. The specific purpose is to gauge the predisposition of Hawaii residents to purchase a hybrid auto and their level of agreement to support legislation that improves ands protects environmental quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is a case study based on a literature review of relevant Hawaii, national, and international publications and a survey of Hawaii consumers. The survey is an exploratory study using a non‐random sample of 350 Hawaii residents identified as owners of non‐hybrid cars.

Findings

Regardless of age and gender, respondents agreed that they would purchase a hybrid car if the cost was the same as a traditional gas fueled car. There were significant correlations between agreement to purchase a hybrid car and agreement to support legislation that provides tax credits to consumers who purchased a hybrid car and other environmentally safe products, tax credits to companies that produce environmentally safe products, and penalties for government agencies, private organizations, and individuals who pollute the environment.

Originality/value

The paper is based on primary data from a survey of Hawaii consumers. Its content is not only valuable to people in the same field, but generates hypotheses for future research.
Contaminated sites and brownfield management
Authors: Luiza Silva Spínola Ana , Philippi Arlindo , Tomerius Stephan
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to briefly present aspects of public brownfield management policies from Brazilian and German points of view.

Design/methodology/approach

The data collection method combined literature and documental research. The bibliography included Brazilian and German literature about brownfield management. The documental research includes Brazilian and German legislation and official documents published by CETESB, the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Furthermore, publications of German governmental research institutions have been integrated in the paper.

Findings

In Brazil, despite the lack of a federal public policy, the State of São Paulo has approved specific rules to deal with contaminated sites. Topics that could be targets of scientific studies have been identified. Experiences in Germany show that it is essential to have political will and cooperation between the different political levels and technical disciplines. Partnerships between German and Brazilian universities would be welcome as there is a wide range of opportunities for academic post‐graduation studies and research focusing on human resources capacitation in environmental management.

Originality/value

The paper makes an original contribution of exploring an area (brownfield management) that is at the forefront of discussion in academe and industry.
Towards sustainable municipal solid waste management in Allahabad City
Authors: Saxena S. , Srivastava R.K. , Samaddar A.B.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the present waste management scenario in the city of Allahabad listing the gaps in the waste management system.

Design/methodology/approach

The research work was divided into three stages. The first stage was the collection of background data regarding municipal solid waste management systems such as waste generation, waste collection, treatment and disposal methods. The second stage involved data organization and data analysis. The third stage provided the conceptual framework that has been developed for MSW management, and finally a sustainable and suitable waste management option was provided for improving the MSW management in Allahabad.

Findings

The existing solid waste management approach in the city is highly unprofessional and lacking in scientific methodologies. There is neither proper collection nor proper treatment and disposal of waste. Most of the waste is dumped in low lying areas leading to pollution of land, air and water due to leachate generation.

Practical implications

There is need to develop a correct and detailed database of waste generation, collection and treatment system in various wards of Allahabad so that required manpower, equipments and other services can be estimated for designing a proper waste collection, treatment and disposal system. No site for engineered landfill has been identified as per the site selection criteria provided by Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. The suggestions in this paper have been made on the basis of data collected, actual observations and analysis.

Originality/value

The work identifies the gap in the present solid waste management system of Allahabad City.
Identifying pollution prevention opportunities in the Mexican auto refinishing industry
Authors: Munguía Nora , Zavala Andrea , Marin Amina , Moure‐Eraso Rafael , Velazquez Luis
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explore the pollution prevention practices performed by workers in the Mexican auto refinishing industry as well as their implications on the occupational, safety and environmental health of workers and community.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviewer‐administered questionnaires were conducted with shop owners, workers, and neighbors, and repeated site visits to collect information on occupational practices (personal protective equipment (PPE) in use, engineering controls, hazard communication, level of technology), environmental impact (chemicals usage, wastes amounts, disposal, supply chain, impact to the neighborhood), and possible symptoms of work‐related adverse health effects.

Findings

The findings indicate that the Mexican auto body shop industry is not consistent with the accepted precepts of sustainability because it is not addressing the underlying topics of health, safety, and environment. When comparing working conditions between auto body workers in developed countries and those in Mexico, it is evident that Mexican workers perform their tasks under critical conditions; therefore, under considerable occupational and environmental risks.

Practical implications

This article reveals five P2 opportunities that seem to have a potential relevance to the development of prevention and intervention strategies in the region to secure long‐term economic growth while improving environmental and working conditions.

Originality/value

This article provides the first insights about several opportunities for adopting pollution prevention strategies that improve environmental and occupational conditions in the auto refinishing industry in developing countries.