bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maturity measurement of knowledge‐intensive business processes
Authors: Jochem Roland , Geers Dennis , Heinze Priscilla
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The methods of quality management, business process management and knowledge management have until now been exploited by science and the industry separately. An integration of these disciplines could unlock the potential of a solid structure to measure and gradually improve knowledge transfer processes. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A maturity model was developed for SMEs to measure and assess the quality of their business processes. This enabled the companies to determine their existing status and to take the necessary actions for the competence development of their business processes, which should contribute to the attainment of their knowledge management goals.

Research limitations/implications

This paper introduces a maturity model for knowledge‐intensive business processes that enables companies to determine their processes' actual state and take the corresponding actions for their business processes improvement, in which special attention is being given to small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Originality/value

The paper proposes an SME‐specified maturity model for knowledge‐intensive business processes. Its assessment procedure is developed based on literature researches and investigation of real processes of two industrial SMEs. This maturity model has advantages over other existing models since it accounts for the needs of SMEs by incorporating the company preference over the measured areas.
Leadership, empowerment and customer satisfaction in teaching institutions
Authors: Arif Seema , Ilyas Maryam
Published: July 2011

Purpose

By studying the leadership role of management and faculty in a Pakistani University to find out gaps in the delivery of technology integrated services in enrolment and advisory capacity offered at the beginning of every new term at the University of Central Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan, this paper seeks to find the impact of the process of service delivery on customer loyalty and positive word of mouth, the key objectives for attaining quality.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach, comprising survey and interviews were used to investigate customer satisfaction. Factorial analysis and SEM modeling was applied to quantitative data, whereas coding and interpretive analysis were used for qualitative data.

Findings

The results highlight the differences in leadership style adopted by management and faculty. The SEM model suggests that, as long as students lack autonomy and perceive a lack of empowerment of faculty, their satisfaction with the enrolment and advisory services will be affected negatively and will result in negative outcomes on word of mouth.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample and contextual nature of study limit the scope of generalization. However, the analysis contributes toward improving the leadership approach of Pakistani management and faculty at private universities.

Originality/value

The study identifies the challenges faced by the management in providing customer satisfaction with the services by approaching the problem from a different angle, i.e. leaders' use of their cognitive resources and their relationship focusing on customer satisfaction. It extends the research literature on leadership styles as being applicable to student services available.
The effects of outward FDI on home‐country productivity
Authors: Hsu Wen‐Chung , Gao Xingbo , Zhang Jianhua , Mei Lin Hsin
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the effects of outward foreign direct investment (O‐FDI) on home‐country productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel data set for 15 Taiwanese manufacturing industries over the period between 1991 and 2007 is employed for a model in which productivity is regressed on a measure of O‐FDI.

Findings

The study finds no significant positive or negative effect of O‐FDI on productivity. Breaking down the data by location of the investment, however, we find that O‐FDI in other countries enhances productivity in Taiwan, while O‐FDI in China does not. We interpret the positive role of O‐FDI in other countries as relating to the outcome of strategic asset‐seeking nature of Taiwanese investments in these countries.

Research limitations/implications

In order to analyse the productivity effect of O‐FDI more precisely, one would need to compare the firm outcomes in the presence of multinational production with the outcomes that would have prevailed in the absence of multinational production. Unfortunately, we cannot observe what would have happened to firms that did engage in multinational production had they not done so.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the Taiwanese Government should distinguish the level of liberalization towards O‐FDI for different locations and in different types of industries. In particular, the government should channel more investment towards export‐oriented industries especially those in “other countries”.

Originality/value

The paper employs a contingency approach, examining the conditions under which O‐FDI impacts upon home productivity.
Distribution of FDI across China – common policies but differing impacts by region
Authors: Foster M. John
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to illustrate how differing policy instruments linked to foreign direct investment (FDI) into China may have very different impacts. The paper looks at: patterns of FDI across China and other key, emerging nations; FDI patterns across the three declared, developmental regions of the People's Republic of China (PRC); and the effectiveness of four of the PRC Government's policy measures aimed at promoting FDI, and highlights the unexpectedly differing outcomes which can emerge from those incentives.

Design/methodology/approach

The initial patterns draw on published data of the relevant countries and of the China's three designated development regions. The problem of differing, and unexpected, impacts is examined by means of four mini‐cases, drawing on previously published work and featuring a number of locations.

Findings

China is near the top of the list of FDI recipients, but its relative success compared with other developing economies is more modest. FDI into China is heavily skewed in favour of the richest east region, the poor west being the weakest attractor. The mini‐cases show how the same policy can have very different and sometimes unintended outcomes in different areas. A recurring theme is the existence of common, systemic problems for investors, which may be seen as “grit” in China's economic system.

Practical implications

The PRC Government should reflect on what its investment policies may actually deliver as well as their initial intent and to seek to ensure consistent implementation across the country.

Originality/value

The originality of the work lies in the interpretation of existing information: the location of “hidden truths”.
Selection criteria for Islamic home financing: a case study of Pakistan
Authors: Hamid Ayesha , Masood Omar
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The aim of this research is to examine the selection criteria of customers for Islamic home financing in the context of Pakistan and to examine these factors with respect to gender, age, income, and occupation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative approach to investigate the choice criteria for Islamic home financing. All 18 independent variables are taken from previous research; for their analysis, descriptive statistics, independent sample t‐tests and ANOVA was used. Data were gathered from the customers of Islamic banking who use the services of Islamic home financing. The sample consists of 200 respondents. For the collection of data, a survey questionnaire with closed‐ended questions and a five‐point Likert scale was employed. The questionnaire was designed into two sections, one consisting of demographic information and the second relating to the selection criteria of Islamic home financing.

Findings

The results indicate that the shariah principle, fast and efficient services, price, bank reputation, and terms and conditions of product flexibility are the five most important factors considered by customers in choosing Islamic mortgages.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations relate to the sample area for the study, which is confined to Lahore, and due to the limited sample size, the findings cannot be generalized. Second, only four banks are considered.

Practical implications

This study is beneficial for practitioners in Pakistan by offering insight into choice criteria for Islamic home financing. The results should also be useful for Islamic bank managers who are also policy makers, as they can study and plan for attractive schemes and policies for customers through which they can fulfill their needs and expectations. For the researcher, this study will also add to the existing body of knowledge by providing novel evidence on the selection criteria used for Islamic home financing.

Originality/value

This topic has never been examined in the context of Pakistan, so this study initiates the choice criteria for Islamic home financing among Pakistani banks' customers. The paper provides potentially useful information for both customers (in selecting Islamic banks) and bank managers to identify the factors needed to attract customers.
Operational risk in Islamic banks: examination of issues
Authors: Abdullah Marliana , Shahimi Shahida , Ghafar Ismail Abdul
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess key issues in measurement and management of operational risk in Malaysian Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive, analytical, and comparative analyses are used to discuss the issues of operational risk in Islamic bank through the implications associated with the Islamic banks' operational risk as well as the implications on risk measurement, risk management, and capital adequacy.

Findings

Discussion on operational risk in Islamic banks is significant and becoming more complicated compared with conventional banking because of the unique contractual features and general legal environment. While basic Basel II core principles of effective banking supervision apply equally well and ideally suit the Islamic banking institutions, risk measurement, and risk management practices still need specific adaptations to Islamic banks' operational characteristics. These particularities highlight the unique characteristics of Islamic banks and raise serious concerns regarding the applicability of the Basel II methodology for Islamic banks.

Research limitations/implications

This study has important implications for the understanding of operational risk, particularly the specific issues of the Islamic banks' operational risk that arise from the different nature of the financing and investment activities of the banks. With regard to measuring operational risk capital charge, the banks have to choose the right and effective method to ensure the operational risk capital charge will be more in line with the banks' actual risk profile and thus will provide the adequate capital and an improved buffer once the losses are announced.

Originality/value

The paper will fill the gap to the existing literature of operational risk in banking institutions especially Islamic banks, by showing the needs of specific adaption of operational risk measurement and risk management practices due to the nature of Islamic banks.
Testing price volume relationships for Indian commodity futures
Authors: Biswas Subhasis , Rajib Prabina
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The nature of price volume relationship in asset market has been an interesting subject in financial research as it reveals a very important aspect which has implications for market efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to examine price volume relationships in Indian commodity futures market.

Design/methodology/approach

There are two competing models in price volume relationship. Mixture of distribution hypothesis, suggesting a positive contemporaneous relationship and sequential information arrival hypothesis (SIH), suggesting a positive intertemporal causal relationship. Both are tested using correlation coefficient and Granger causality test with vector auto regressive methodology.

Findings

Though there exists contemporaneous correlation between volume and price change in some of the cases, but in general on the basis of the presence of Granger causality it follows that SIH is supported.

Research limitations/implications

As only three commodities futures have been studied in this paper, this study can be extended to include more number of commodities currently being traded so as to make it more exhaustive.

Practical implications

The research has been done with the data of MCX Gold, MCX Silver and MCX Crude. The results of causality suggest that inefficiency level is maximum in Silver which may be attributed to informational asymmetry.

Originality/value

The Indian commodity futures market is of very recent origin. Hence, very little research work has been undertaken in this space. The paper presents an assessment of the existence of informational asymmetry among the three commodity futures under the study.
The Nordic Welfare Model: barrier or facilitator of women's entrepreneurship in Denmark?
Authors: Neergaard Helle , Thrane Claus
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The welfare states of Scandinavia have been regarded as forerunners of gender equality, but structural barriers to women's participation in the labour market may discriminate against women and create opportunity costs delimiting women's career choices. Family policies are defined to include maternity/paternity leave, benefits, childcare and leave to take care of sick children. The aim of this paper is to increase awareness and elucidate the impact of welfare policies on women's entrepreneurship because it may impact on women's entrepreneurial behaviour. Hence, it seeks to investigate the reasons underlying this apparent anomaly so that future policies in Scandinavia and Europe may be tailored to suit the needs of female entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses publicly available statistical data combined with unique survey data from a sample of 1,000 sole proprietors (men and women), all members of the Danish Association for the Self‐employed, to identify the problems encountered by female entrepreneurs. The survey findings are illustrated with three interviews with female entrepreneurs that have been published in the Danish newspapers discussing the problems encountered by self‐employed female entrepreneurs.

Findings

Even though the various Scandinavian models provide for ample maternity leave, benefits and childcare, on the whole, the Nordic Welfare Model is too heavily grounded in the ideals of employment favouring employment over entrepreneurship. For example, in Denmark, a sole proprietor is not allowed to work whilst on maternity leave. If she does so, her maternity allowance is reduced. This may be tantamount to closing the business down if you have a child, and may account for the fact that women are generally much older than men when starting a business. The majority of women in the survey are critical of the maternity leave system and 30 percent perceive the childcare system as a significant barrier to starting a business.

Research limitations/implications

Future research needs to compare the Danish evidence with that from other Nordic countries to establish whether the problem is restricted to Denmark. Additionally, research should focus on identifying whether child‐bearing and ‐rearing influences on the age at which women start a business.

Originality/value

So far, it has been taken for granted that the initiation of public childcare would facilitate increased entrepreneurship among women. This study shows that this is not necessarily so, and that there is a schism between welfare models that facilitate employment and those that facilitate entrepreneurship.
Rethinking “quality” by classic grounded theory
Authors: Christiansen Ólavur
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a supplementary definition of quality and quality‐building in business. This supplementary definition is the outcome of a predominantly inductive research approach that has been delimited to the conceptual explanation of the main concern and its recurrent solution of those involved in the operation and management of businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Classic grounded theory (CGT) has been used as the methodology. The main hallmark of CGT is concept and theory generation directly from data, while delimiting to the most important and problematic for those being studied. A rethinking of existing concepts takes place during one of the last stages of a CGT study. During this stage, the concepts of the generated theory are conceptually compared to the literature.

Findings

When the building blocks of the generated CGT of business and management were compared to the existing literature, the generated concept of “confidence‐building” emerged as a close conceptual synonym to “quality‐building”. Confidence‐building is understood as the application of certain trust‐building techniques (“saming”, transparency, distinguishing) that facilitate the modification or maintenance or prevention of people's behaviour (i.e. own, employees', customers', suppliers', etc. behaviour) in such a manner that the company's survival or growth is sustained.

Originality/value

This kind of analysis has not been done before. One implication of this rethought quality concept is that all issues pertaining to people relationships in business become an inseparable part of the quality issue – as well as issues like HRM, marketing, organisational adjustments and strategic decision making.
Tourist shopping motivation: go with the flow or follow the plan
Authors: Sundström Malin , Lundberg Christine , Giannakis Stavroula
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The objective of the study is to describe and analyse different tourist shopping typologies based on their motives for visiting a shopping destination well known for its low prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected by means of structured questionnaires administered to tourists visiting the Swedish destination. The survey instrument measured constructs designed to understand shopping motivation and feelings experienced during the course of shopping.

Findings

Two distinct tourist shopping typologies were found, based on a tourist's primary purpose in travelling, and designated “Follow the Plan” and “Go with the Flow”. The present study proposes the use of a theoretical continuum that takes into account feelings experienced at a low‐priced destination and consumer shopping motivations.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on tourism shopping by suggesting typologies built on feelings experienced and shopping motivations, thus providing new insights on tourist shopping typologies found at a low‐price destination. Results are not general for any low‐priced destination, thus further research is needed in other destinations as well.
Class action and financial markets: insights from law and economics
Authors: Porrini Donatella , Ramello Giovanni B.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Class action (CA) has long been used in practice (mainly in the USA) and studied by academics especially in the shareholder protection area. This paper aims to apply the same practice within the current financial meltdown context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper faces the issue by comparingex anteregulation with anex postregulatory system, basically dependent on the action of the consumer who can sue firms that behave unfairly. The arguments are provided by the law and economics (LE) approach.

Findings

According to LE, pure economic loss is a private loss that is not socially relevant but simply implies a redistribution of wealth. Consequently, wrongful behavior that induces reallocation of costs and benefits with no consequences on social welfare is not considered socially harmful, so is not necessarily subject to compensation. Since pure economic loss is very often financial, the above reasoning also applies to financial markets. However, the same LE arguments suggest that in financial markets, the policy of internalizing pure economic loss by means of CAs can be more far‐sighted than simply compensating the victims: the liability system has the particular feature of producing deterrence and driving the market towards an efficient outcome.

Originality/value

The paper maintains that CA intended as a complementaryex postregulatory device can play a significant role in addressing a failure thatex anteregulation has not in financial markets. This is coherent with the LE tradition that interprets tort law remedies as a solution for internalizing externalities and providing the correct incentive to the markets.
Consumption of functional food model for Malay Muslims in Malaysia
Authors: Hasnah Hassan Siti
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal and understand the consumption of functional food model for Malay Muslim consumers in Malaysia. The paper presents a new framework to understand how the majority of Malay Muslim consumers living in multicultural societies make their functional food choices in the modern world.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through a self‐administrated questionnaire survey that was distributed using convenience sampling. The items for the questionnaire were identified from a preliminary model derived from the qualitative analysis input using ethnoconsumerist and grounded theory methodologies. Structural equation modelling was used to develop the consumption of functional food model for Malay Muslims in Malaysia.

Findings

These findings have practical implications for public policymakers (e.g. government and consumer educators), industrial food practitioners, market researchers and manufacturers who produce, sell or market functional foods in Malaysia.

Research limitations/implications

This research is specific to functional food consumption and Malay Muslim consumers. Thus, the results in this study may not be applicable to cultures in general.

Originality/value

In terms of originality, the empirical findings of this study represent a contribution to the literature in the area of food marketing in developing multicultural countries, because the model is developed in a cross‐cultural context. The model is specific to the Malay Muslim population.
Domains of privacy and hospitality in Arab Gulf homes
Authors: Sobh Rana , Belk Russell
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report findings of an ethnographic study of homes in the Arab Gulf country of Qatar. The authors' analysis and contribution focuses on resolving the tension between privacy and hospitality in Qatari homes in the context of identity threats posed by an influx of Western modernity and its implications to marketers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves observation and in‐depth interviews with 24 middle‐class male and female home‐owning Qataris living in Doha. The analysis followed the logic of hermeneutic research.

Findings

It was found that values of privacy and hospitality are notably emphasized in Qatari homes. The authors discuss how these values coexist despite their glaring contradiction and also show that in this context privacy is used to reveal consumption and display status rather than to hide it away from the public arena.

Practical implications

With Qatar's collectivist orientation and strong gendered protectionism, marketing and advertising in the Gulf needs to be sensitive to these cultural practices.

Originality/value

By developing an understanding of the privacy/hospitality dialectic in Qatar, the paper provides insights into how these values are incorporated or resisted in the design and use of family homes in a modern era of increasing globalism and suggests implications for marketers.
The application of Halal in supply chain management: in‐depth interviews
Authors: Tieman Marco
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to describe the basic requirements of Halal food supply chains in order to ensure the integrity of Halal food at the point of consumption, which is an obligation for Muslims.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory research paper is based on in‐depth interviews to better understand what is Halal, the Islamic sources that are essential for Halal supply chains, and identify the guidelines and principles which are essential for the integrity of Halal supply chains.

Findings

Halal supply chain management is based on avoiding direct contact with Haram, addressing the risk of contamination and ensuring that it is in line with the perception of the Muslim consumer. In particular, the product and market characteristics are important variables in the supply chain management of Halal supply chains. Further empirical research is needed to measure the perception of the Muslim consumer. A better understanding is also required into the principles in organising the Halal supply chain for different markets (Muslim and non‐Muslim countries). There is a need for a Halal supply chain model that is able to describe and optimise Halal supply chains.

Research limitations/implications

Since this paper is an exploratory study, it provides some insights into the considerations in organising Halal supply chains. However, further qualitative and quantitative research is needed in order to provide the industry with concrete tools to design effective Halal supply chains.

Practical implications

In response to the logistics industry that started with Halal logistics solutions, the Halal certified food industries needs to know whether and how to start with a Halal supply chain approach. This paper presented key considerations to address in organising effective Halal supply chains.

Social implications

Halal in non‐Muslim countries is not very well understood, where in logistics only the aspect of avoiding of contact with Haram is addressed mainly through packaging. This article presents a better understanding of Halal and the application of Halal in supply chain management.

Originality/value

There is a lack of academic research in Halal logistics and supply chain management. This exploratory research provides some basic fundamentals on the supply chain management of Halal products.
Enhancing post‐earthquake disaster resilience
Authors: Tyler Jacob , Singh Amarjit
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a multi‐year assistance plan aimed at promoting a disaster resilient and foreign‐aid‐independent community in rural Peru in the wake of the August 2007 Peru earthquake.

Design/methodology/approach

A collaborative effort among students and professionals from several fields including engineering, public health, business, planning, economics, and marketing is proposed to provide a holistic approach to mitigating effects of future disasters on a rural developing community.

Findings

This paper assesses community vulnerabilities exposed by the August 2007 Peru earthquake and provides conceptual solutions to mitigating effects of future disasters.

Research limitations/implications

Because this is a student‐driven, volunteer‐based initiative, implementation of the discussed plan is sporadic in nature. As student leadership changes, solutions and implementation time frames discussed in this paper may be altered significantly.

Practical implications

The student‐professional collaborative plan for enhancing disaster‐resilience discussed in this paper may be beneficial to educators who seek to extend the educational experience beyond the classroom. The holistic model of enhancing disaster‐resilience discussed in this paper may help relief organizations to better understand the issues facing small post‐disaster communities and subsequently help to develop more efficient recovery plans.

Social implications

This project will have a great impact on improving the social and family life of the inhabitants of La Garita; the improvements in water supply will reduce health problems throughout the community.

Originality/value

This paper discusses a unique student‐professional collaborative approach to incorporating disaster‐resilience in the built environment. An educational component is incorporated into the framework of assistance in the interest of developing knowledgeable students and community members to provide a catalyst for future development projects in neighboring communities.
Recovery: rebuilding a resilient housing stock
Authors: Rosowsky David V.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to address a critical aspect of post‐event recovery, namely the rebuilding of the housing stock following a devastating natural disaster. Using hurricanes as an example, challenges and opportunities are systematically discussed in hopes of sparking some further discussion and new economic models (including incentive‐based) that can help move communities toward greater resiliency and sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

As a viewpoint paper, this paper relies on the author's experience in post‐hurricane damage investigation, structural retrofit, and design to minimize loss.

Findings

In evaluating how best to rebuild following a natural disaster, there are clear opportunities (and needs) in the areas of structural damage/loss mitigation, codes and standards, building material and system selection, and risk communication. Specific suggestions are made in each of these areas and the importance of risk‐based decision is stressed in each area.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the ongoing and informed discussions on resiliency, sustainable design, and disaster‐resistant communities.
Transient institutional investors and insider trading signals
Authors: Wang Juan
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine how informed traders, i.e. transient institutional investors that actively trade on information to maximize investment profits, use insider trading signals in addition to accounting numbers to mitigate future abnormal returns.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 44,843 firm‐quarters from 1988 to 2001 in the USA, the paper examines how informed investors use insider trading signals and the extent to which the use of these signals by informed investors impacts insiders' future abnormal returns from trading.

Findings

This study finds that the change in transient institutional ownership in the next‐quarter is positively associated with net insider trading in the current quarter, after controlling for accounting information (including total accruals, unexpected earnings, etc.). In addition, this study finds that insider profits decrease in transient institutional ownership, consistent with the notion that trading by informed investors limits insider profits.

Research limitations/implications

The institutional ownership data are only available on a quarterly basis, which may not capture institutional investors' immediate response to insider trading signals.

Originality/value

This study provides systematic evidence on how informed traders use insider trading signals. This study adds to existing knowledge of the information environment of institutional investors by showing that transient institutional investors use insider trading signals in addition to accounting information in making investment decisions. Moreover, this study contributes to the literature on the determinants of insider profits by providing evidence that informed trading by investors has incremental power to explain insider profits.
Incremental information content of option‐related excess tax benefit under FASB Statement No. 123R
Authors: Hossain Mahmud , Mitra Santanu , Rezaee Zabihollah
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This study aims to examine the incremental valuation implication of excess realized tax benefit under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 123R: share‐based payment (123R excess tax benefit), which is required to be reported as a component of financing cash flows by the publicly traded corporations.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises of Standard and Poor's (S&P); large‐, mid‐ and small‐cap firms who adopted SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006. The study covers a time period of the first and second quarters of 2006.

Findings

The multivariate regression analyses indicate that the capital market evaluates the SFAS 123R excess tax benefit in presence of accruals, and operating, investing and other financing cash‐flow components at different rates in pricing equity securities.

Research limitations/implications

The primary results, however, are mostly restricted to large‐ and mid‐cap S&P firms. No incremental valuation consequence of SFAS 123R excess tax benefits for small‐cap S&P firms is observed.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that the 123R excess tax benefit reported as a financing cash‐flow component is incrementally informative in equity valuation but the timing and extent of its market valuation is impacted by firm size, its visibility and information environment, and the magnitude of the excess realized tax benefit in dollar terms.
Corporate regulatory strategies in context
Authors: Levi‐Faur David , Rozen Bachar Ziva
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The wave of regulatory reforms in European telecoms and electricity industries has had an important impact on the structure of the state as well as of corporations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the establishment of these regulatory organizations at the state and corporate levels within a unified theoretical framework, that is grounded in the politics of regulation.

Design/methodology/approach

The case selection includes governance structures at the state and corporate levels in 16 European countries in both telecoms and electricity.

Findings

The data reveal that regulatory agencies exist in both telecoms and electricity sectors in all 16 countries under study, with the notable exception of Switzerland's electricity sector. At the same time, business corporate reforms were also evident, mainly via the creation of corporate regulatory offices at the headquarters of the firms. These departments, which redefine the patterns of responsibility within the corporation and have played the leading role in the negotiations with the external regulatory environment.

Originality/value

This paper strives to overcome the tendency in the scholarly literature to look only at one or the other aspect of the growth of regulatory development and therefore also to offer a narrow understanding of the growth of regulation. It asserts that the commonalities in the expansion of autonomous regulatory agencies and corporate regulatory departments suggest that the growth in the regulatory professionalization of the state and of business corporations reflects the changing nature of capitalist economy and society and the rise of a new global order of “regulatory capitalism”.
Factors impacting the credibility of website disclosures
Authors: Epping Lori L. , Wilder W. Mark
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine credibility attributes in a website disclosure venue.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 100 MBA and Masters of accountancy students participated in an experiment to assess whether specific disclosure characteristics impact the credibility of optimistic, forward‐looking voluntary disclosures. The disclosure characteristics examined include management's ability to meet the current earnings forecast and the disclosure of positive corporate governance qualities. A between‐subjects 2×2 analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings indicate that disclosure of positive corporate governance qualities improves the credibility of optimistic, forward‐looking voluntary disclosures. In addition, the credibility of optimistic, forward‐looking voluntary disclosures is greater when management has met its current earnings forecast.

Research limitations/implications

Suggestions for future research include determining whether the importance of credibility attributes differ across presentation venues. For example, credibility attributes that are important in a website venue may be less important when used in conjunction with voluntary MD&A disclosures. In addition, the impact of the disclosure of corporate governance qualities on the credibility of voluntary disclosures may differ across subject groups.

Originality/value

The increasing use of the investor relations pages of corporate websites and the push for enhanced disclosures underscores the importance of understanding voluntary disclosures in a website venue and the related attributes that improve the credibility of these disclosures.
IFRS – preparedness of Indian banking industry
Authors: Firoz Mohammad
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the preparations carried out by the Indian banking industry for the implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standards on and after 1 April 2011.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based upon the critical analysis of the financial statements of the Indian banking industry and the relevant provisions of IFRS and other relevant laws applicable for the Indian banking industry.

Findings

The main finding of this paper is that the Indian banking industry is preparing according to the target for convergence from 1 April 2011, but amendments in the various statutory laws of India are yet to be implemented/approved by the government.

Research limitations/implications

This paper covers only the Indian banking industry and excludes all other industries in India.

Originality/value

This paper shows the areas in which the Indian banking industry is required to focus before and after the implementation of IFRS, and their consequences on the financial statements of the bank.
Compliance and value relevance of audit committees: evidence from Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Raymond S.Y. , Lau Charles K.S. , Ng Artie W.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Audit committees (ACs) have been perceived as an important means of corporate governance, safeguarding the interests of shareholders by monitoring internal control and risk management. This study aims to examine specific structural and operational characteristics of ACs for firms in Hong Kong, where regulators have strived to adhere to international compliance standards.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a cross‐sectional examination of disclosures on ACs by 223 listed companies in Hong Kong.

Findings

The independence and financial expertise of AC members do not enhance the value of the respective firms, despite maintaining satisfactory compliance. The discrepancy in the value relevance of ACs in prior studies is explained by the possible inadequacy of the resources available to ACs.

Research limitations/implications

The data in this study are entirely from secondary sources of disclosures by listed companies for the year immediately following the implementation of the code of best practices of corporate governance. No in‐depth case studies are supplemented.

Practical implications

A key implication of this study to the regulators is that the proper allocation of resources to an AC should be considered beyond the independence and financial expertise of AC members to ensure the effectiveness of an AC.

Originality/value

This paper is an empirical study about the practices and compliance of ACs among listed companies in a global financial centre.
Lean Six Sigma: the contribution to business excellence
Authors: Corbett Lawrence M.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how quality award‐winning organisations have used lean Six Sigma to assist their efforts to improve their business excellence scores.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a case study approach and uses data collected by interviews and at public workshops. In addition, publicly available materials such as award applications were also examined. Two organisations were studied, one in New Zealand and one in the USA.

Findings

The results show that lean Six Sigma can contribute strongly to each category of the business criteria for performance excellence. There was no evidence of compatibility problems between the lean and Six Sigma components.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on two case studies of award‐winning companies that had adopted lean Six Sigma after a long journey using a wide range of improvement approaches. More work is needed to examine the use of lean Six Sigma in the early stages of the business excellence journey.

Practical implications

Some literature on lean Six Sigma suggests that the tools associated with each component are used in a sequential fashion or dominant/subordinate roles. This research showed that the choice of lean Six Sigma tools by project teams was decided more by the complexity of the project rather than following some particular sequence.

Originality/value

Business excellence awards are common in many parts of the world. Organisations are continually seeking ways to improve their performance and to advance up the scoring scale. This paper shows how two award‐winning companies have harnessed lean Six Sigma to improve their operations and improve their scores.
The Toyota Way – a quantitative approach
Authors: Marksberry Phillip
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to quantify Toyota's managerial values known as the Toyota Way to understand the cultural aspects of the Toyota production system (TPS).

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology in this paper utilizes latent semantic analysis and singular value decomposition to analyze corporate memory documents to determine from organizational view how TPS is prescribed ideally to achieve Toyota's culture.

Findings

This work shows that the Toyota Way heavily centers on the principle ofGenchi Genbutsuwhich is the practice of seeing problems first hand. Findings also show that Toyota's widely popularizedKaizenphilosophy is de‐emphasized compared to team work and respect for people. Toyota's culture is somewhat balanced between individualism and collectivism which disagrees with most national Asian cultures. Finally, results show that Toyota reinforces both long‐ and short‐term orientations which disagree with most national views of Japan's national culture.

Research limitations/implications

Future work using latent semantic analysis should include a broader spectrum of literature on which to perform the analysis. This analysis is limited to developing theories about Toyota's culture but does not actually describe the culture that exist in the workplace.

Practical implications

This work provides a broad guideline with which to structure a lean culture. It provides the reader with knowledge of what parts of a corporate culture to deem the most significant. Improving upon each of these company values with the weighted significance elicited in this document could provide a positive impact within an organization.

Originality/value

The methodology used in this paper is a brand new, fledgling technique that could provide significant improvements in studying lean cultures. The concepts of this technique will be useful to researchers in this field and the results will be of value to management who wish to create a more efficient organization.
The rise and fall of accruals: a case of Nepalese central government
Authors: Adhikari Pawan , Mellemvik Frode
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to trace the rise and fall of accruals in the Nepalese central government, contributing to the literature on accrual accounting by looking at the developments in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The ideas of institutional theory have provided a theoretical setting through which to trace the country's journey toward the accrual basis of accounting. Document search and informal interviews represent the major methods of collecting data for this paper.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that Nepal has been acquainted with the notion of accrual accounting since the late 1980s. The interest of international organizations and the involvement of professional accountants have been the two main factors driving this accrual accounting journey. The study also shows that the implementation of accrual accounting in the Nepalese central government has been an unsuccessful mission. This is why the notion of accrual accounting has been replaced by the improved version of cash accounting anchored on the cash basis International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS).

Research limitations/implications

It is beyond the scope of this paper to generalize that the trend toward accrual accounting has also reversed in other developing countries.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature dealing with the role and influence of international organizations in facilitating public sector accounting reforms in developing countries. Moreover, the study argues that there has been a change in the attitude of international organizations toward exerting pressures on developing countries to carry out accrual accounting reforms. This changing attitude of international organizations has led many developing nations to focus more on improvements in their existing accounting standards and procedures.
The use of multiple performance measures and the balanced scorecard (BSC) in Bangladeshi firms
Authors: Khan Habib‐Uz‐Zaman , Halabi Abdel K. , Sartorius Kurt
Published: July 2011

Aims

This paper aims to examine: the status and the use of financial and non‐financial measures, and the balanced scorecard (BSC) in Bangladeshi companies; the reasons for BSC adoption; and associated problems.

Design/methodology/approach

Data via a questionnaire were obtained from the chief accounting and finance officers of a cross section of 60 Bangladeshi companies listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange. A combination of descriptive statistics, bi‐variate, and multi‐variate techniques of statistics were used to test three research questions.

Findings

The results indicate that financial measures are more widely used, but that 78.4 per cent of companies use some non‐financial indicators. Further, the exercise of a full BSC is limited to only 10 per cent of the sample. The results also show that companies adopt these frameworks to aid decision making, and the problems associated with the adoption of BSC include a cost‐benefit perspective and a lack of management support.

Practical implications

The findings suggest many companies are using a dashboard of financial and non‐financial performance measures that could possibly be a precursor to adopting more holistic performance measurement frameworks like the BSC.

Originality/value

There have been recent calls for more in‐depth analysis of the management accounting systems of emerging countries and these findings contribute further knowledge to an under researched area. In particular, the paper demonstrates how a performance measurement framework may evolve in an emerging country context.