bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing company turnarounds: how to develop “destiny”
Authors: Harker Michael
Published: July 2002

States that, despite the rhetoric in the literature concerning the importance of information in the market‐planning process, there is scant attention to the “life blood of the planning process” in the published work on company turnarounds. Addresses this problem through a study of companies undergoing turnaround in the mature engineering industry. Compares the practices in three companies which were successfully turned around with a company in which turnaround attempts did not come to fruition. Finds that successful turnaround managers go through an elaborate process, “destiny development”, to establish the foundations of a turnaround plan. The turnaround plan relies heavily on sound and innovatively generated information. Explores the destiny development concept for theoretical and practical purposes.
The role of employee commitment and trust in service relationships
Authors: Iverson Roderick D. , McLeod Colin S. , Erwin Peter J.
Published: July 2002

Believes that organizations need to match their internal marketing programmes to fit with their external marketing orientation. According to the contingency view of marketing, we can achieve organizationally desirable outcomes, by managing the factors that lead to “mediators” in the form of employee trust and organizational commitment. Presents the findings of a study, based on a survey of 513 patient contract employees in a major public hospital, ascertaining that organizational commitment and dimensions of trust have different antecedents and relationships with preferred organizational outcomes. Argues that organizations which emphasize flexibility and customer orientation will need to develop organizational commitment and trusting relationships with their employees through appropriate internal strategies.
Brand naming in China: a linguistic approach
Authors: Chan Allan K.K. , Yuan Huang Yue
Published: July 2002

Brand names contribute to product success. Studies on brand naming have been mainly conducted in western countries with western European languages and few researchers have focused on how cultural and linguistic diversity is related to brand naming. Attempts to fill the gap by investigating the linguistic content of brand names in the People’s Republic of China. Analyses over 500 brand names of Chinese award‐winning products. Generalizes the characteristics of Chinese brand naming and identifies the preferred syllabic, tonic, semantic and morphological structures. Aims to provide guidance to local marketers to generate a good Chinese brand name in their culture and international marketers to properly localize an international brand in Chinese words in order to enhance business success in the Chinese market.
Relationship marketing and regular customer cards: daily product retailing in Finland
Authors: Boedeker Mika
Published: July 2002

Investigates the characteristics of the regular customer cards of four major Finnish retail organizations in the daily product sector with respect to the basic characteristics of (customer) relationship marketing. The purpose is to study whether, and to what degree, relationship marketing is the right framework in this regard for today’s retailing in Finland, and how this “new paradigm” can be applied in future to improve the effectiveness of the regular customer cards. Regular customer cards are found to correspond to relationship marketing mainly on its lowest level, and thus at a level where the benefits of relationship marketing are lowest as well. Alternatively, the regular customer systems and programmes are not yet developed enough to take advantage fully of the possibilities of relationship marketing. There is a lot of potential to improve regular customer systems and cards towards more relationship‐based marketing in the daily product sector in retailing by customization, augmentation, and internal marketing.
Formulating a strategic marketing mix for quantity surveyors
Authors: Sui Pheng Low , Hui Ming Kok
Published: July 2002

The quantity surveying profession has a long history in the building industry. Although the profession has reached maturity, practising quantity surveyors seem to have failed in so far as strategic marketing and planning are concerned. Many quantity surveying firms do not have formal written marketing plans. They do not appear to believe that such plans are useful because of uncertainties in the construction market. In view of this lacuna, aims to highlight the importance of strategic marketing and planning to quantity surveyors. Examines the seven Ps in the marketing mix concept for applications in the quantity surveying profession. Quantity surveyors should keep these applications in mind when marketing their professional services.
The marketing of a consumer icon: Mini Cooper into Japan ‐ coals to Newcastle?
Authors: Laverick Stuart , Johnston Kevin
Published: July 2002

Explores the issue of brand bonding, ie. the “linking” of the corporate house brand and product brands within an organization’s portfolio. In examining the marketing of the Mini motor car in Japan it becomes clear that the approach to brand bonding may vary spatially, depending on perceptions target markets have in relation to the core values of the house and product brands.
Keeping secrets: marketing decision making in America after Redmond
Authors: Wyld David C.
Published: July 2002

Looks at the recent US court decision in the case of Pepsico v. Redmond. The case centred on the circumstances of Quaker’s hiring of William Redmond, a former Pepsico marketing executive, to co‐ordinate the company’s distribution strategy for its newly‐acquired Snapple product line. At issue in the Redmond case was the unique question of whether or not knowledge of corporate strategy could be considered protectable proprietary information under the American incarnation of trade secret law. To understand the setting for the Redmond case, presents a brief overview of trade secret law in the USA. Then, after an examination of the facts and judicial decision in the Redmond case, concludes with a discussion of the implications of this case for marketing strategic decision making and executive recruitment in the post‐Redmond environment.
Mail myopia: or examining financial services marketing from a brand commitment perspective
Authors: Debling Fiona
Published: July 2002

This paper is part of a doctoral study of how direct marketing affects brand commitment in the financial services sector. The research explores how to build consumer‐brand commitment within a UK personal finance context, focusing on retail banking. This paper reviews brand loyalty and brand commitment literature and assesses their relevance to personal finance, and their potential contribution as models and measuring instruments for a proposed study of direct mail relationship marketing programmes. Additionally the paper looks at aspects of the commitment construct itself from a review of literature including: relationship and interfirm marketing, organisational behaviour (employee‐employer commitment) and social psychology. The paper touches on the shortcomings of some of the brand commitment definitions available. The paper ends with a draft conceptual framework for use in marketing to develop brand commitment. It includes dimensions taken not only from brand loyalty/commitment literature but also from social psychology and interfirm marketing.
International publicity: concepts and applications
Authors: Burnley Rosemary
Published: July 2002

This article examines the issue of publicity within an international context. The tools and processes for a publicity campaign are similar for the domestic and foreign market, although the task of international publicity is more complex, given the various constraints posed by different foreign environments, notably cultural differences, language barriers, media availability and differing regulatory frameworks. The “standardisation” versus “adaptation” debate will be applied, albeit sparingly, to international publicity planning, bearing in mind that, as with all other communication tools, successful international publicity campaigns are largely dependent on the consideration of the peculiarities of foreign environments. The impact of these constraints in terms of strategy and planning are also considered and further areas for research identified.
Strategic group analysis in strategic marketing: an application to Spanish savings banks
Authors: José Más Ruíz Francisco
Published: July 2002

The analysis of strategic groups has important implications in marketing in the identification of a firm’s competitive position. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that differences in the performance between the strategic groups within an industry exist. The initial hypothesis is that mobility barriers between the groups mean that their members have a relative advantage over other participants in the sector as far as expenses regarding imitation are concerned. Therefore, differences in profits tend to be maintained on a medium‐ and long‐term basis. However, the majority of empirical studies do not show the differences in the perfomance in a clear way. The methodology used consists of different multivariant statistical techniques. On their application to the Spanish savings banks, a limited support for this relation is obtained for some variables.
Making himself attractive: the growing consumption of grooming products
Authors: Sturrock Fiona , Pioch Elke
Published: July 2002

Explores men’s increasing use of grooming products by considering the link between the construction of the male concept under postmodern conditions and the consumption of toiletries. Applies an interpretist research approach, incorporating phenomenological interviewing and emic as well as interpretative group techniques to data analysis. Suggests that men consume male grooming products to alter their body and body image and proposes that through changing this image, the respondents aimed either to create or to alter their “self‐identity”. Also suggests that the respondents consume male grooming products not simply for the tangible benefits they provide but also for the meanings conveyed by consuming them. Concludes that image creation, concerns about enhancing one’s attractiveness, reducing the ageing process and the maintenance of health are factors combined with the pleasure of using grooming products which fuel the current market growth.
Trade show: who, what, why
Authors: Herbig Paul , O’Hara Bradley , Palumbo Frederick A.
Published: July 2002

Although trade shows are a major portion of the marketing mix in the industrial marketplace, second only to personal selling and above advertising, very little has been researched on their function in industrial marketing. This paper reports the results of an extensive business survey of trade show usage, presents results, compares results to previous studies, provides analyses of the results, and recommendations to businesses to increase efficiency of trade show performance. Study indicates that few companies engage regularly and extensively in international trade shows, although most see the need. Also reports that the evidence suggests that some international companies generate as much as 70 per cent of their annual sales at trade fairs.
Financial wealth and the distribution of income
Authors: Edmunds John C. , Potter Mark E.
Published: July 2002

The gap between wealthy and poor is widening, in part due to the epochal rise in the value of financial assets. Middle‐class savers channel their monthly contributions into mutual funds, which in turn invest the money in stocks and bonds. These accounts then accumulate, and the gains are largely tax‐free until they are liquidated. Savers who began contributing early, or who set aside more each month before the stock market rally, are now massively ahead of those in their cohort who did not. The accumulated stock market holdings, and the hair‐trigger switches from one mutual fund to another, make the stock market a mammoth and fickle force. Over the next 20 years the value of financial assets may exceed five times the value of world output. Its power to reward and punish corporate managers and governments is unprecedented. The financial wealth accumulation dynamic is now entrenched, and will continue. Managers can assess its implications, and adjust their plans accordingly.
A framework for a hybrid intelligent system in support of marketing strategy development
Authors: Li Shuliang , Duan Yanqing , Kinman Russell , Edwards John S.
Published: July 2002

A framework for a hybrid intelligent support system is proposed, on the basis of a discussion of the main problems of current computer‐based support systems and the roles for computer‐based systems in developing marketing strategy. The objectives of the framework are: to integrate the strengths of different support techniques and technologies; to assist strategic analysis; to couple strategic analysis with managers’ judgement; to help managers deal with uncertainty; and to aid strategic thinking. Within this framework, the benefits of different strategic analysis models are combined to offer enhanced support for a logical sequence of strategic analysis, while the advantages of diverse support techniques and technologies are integrated and fitted to support different aspects of the marketing strategy development process. As well as the theoretical basis for the proposed framework, the paper also examines the associated technical issues.
E‐mail survey response rates: targeting increases response
Authors: Jackson Anita , DeCormier Ray
Published: July 2002

E‐mail is the most used of the electronic media. It is a cheap and quick means of communicating with clients and customers. It is also a means of collecting information on customers. This study analyses the response rates of a targeted and non‐targeted group to a financial questionnaire. The targeted group provided more complete and useful data than the non‐targeted group. The conclusions indicate strategies for using e‐mail to gather customer information.
An assessment of the dimensions and the stability of items in the MARKOR scale
Authors: Caruana Albert
Published: July 2002

The MARKOR instrument for the measurement of market orientation has received considerable attention in recent literature. Reports the results of two studies: one a mail survey of large service firms in the UK and one from Malta consisting of personal interviews with a range of firms from all sectors. Using confirmatory factor analysis in LISREL, five alternative models of the dimension structure of the market orientation construct are tested. This is followed by a reduction process to investigate the stability of the items in the final MARKOR scale. The findings suggest that MARKOR may lack generalisability across industries, economies and cultures and more fundamentally the conceptualisation on which it is based may need to be reassessed.
Measuring the effect of political advertising and the case of the 1995 Irish Divorce Referendum
Authors: Harris Phil , Lock Andrew , O’Shaughnessy Nicholas
Published: July 2002

Reviews the political advertising literature at the start of the run‐up to the 1997 UK general election and looks at the 1995 Irish Divorce Referendum result and assesses the consequent High Court Appeal case which cast doubt on the possibility that one can measure the effectiveness of political advertising. Outlines the literature on the measurement of political advertising, analyses data from the result and posits ways in which some of these doubts in measurement could be resolved. Suggests a number of methods of measurement of available data from the Irish Divorce Referendum which indicate the effectiveness of the political communication campaign. Finally proposes a number of critical areas of research which will need further exploration if we are to be able to prove our effectiveness in political markets, “beyond reasonable doubt”.
Critical marketing in the classroom: possibilities and challenges
Authors: Catterall Miriam , Maclaran Pauline , Stevens Lorna
Published: July 2002

Critical marketing studies are currently on the margins of the discipline, and the ideas and challenges to conventional marketing thought posed by these critiques are rarely examined in the marketing classroom. Drawing largely from debates in the management literature, discusses the problems and considers the possibilities of integrating critical reflection into the marketing curriculum.
Quality, competitiveness and development in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Mersha Tigineh
Published: July 2002

Increased liberalization of international trade that resulted from negotiations at the Uruguay Roundtable of 1995 has brought pressure to bear on Sub‐Saharan African (SSA) industries to be more competitive both in price and quality to succeed even in their domestic markets. In addition, most African countries have adopted export promotion as a development strategy. Yet, Africa’s export performance has remained very poor. This paper argues that obtaining ISO certification and implementing total quality management (TQM) in private and state‐owned organizations in SSA would strengthen their export capability, enhance their competitiveness and boost domestic demand for their products, thereby stimulating economic growth and development in the region. Further, it suggests that, for these quality improvement methods to be successfully implemented and sustained, the implementation process should be grounded on the unique social, cultural and economic conditions prevailing in SSA.
The Year 2000 crisis: the ongoing business
Authors: Koh Seokha , Lee Sooun , Yen David C.
Published: July 2002

The year 2000 (Y2K) remedy process is an ongoing business to be continued even after the rollover of the century. This is especially true for the organizations that fail to cope with the crisis properly. In this paper, major problems associated with the crisis are identified and key remedy issues such as effective remedy methods, a systematic implementation model, compliance testing, and resource management issues are identified and presented. Post‐millennium remedy guidelines are also suggested, as the Y2K crisis will be an ongoing business for many organizations for an extended period of time after the rollover of the millennium.
New product introduction delays in the computer industry
Authors: Rosas‐Vega Rosario , Vokurka Robert J.
Published: July 2002

In the 1980s, quality was the competitive priority that won orders in the marketplace. More recently, time‐based competition has emerged as the winning strategy, especially in fast‐cycle industries. Being the first to introduce a product into the market can bring significant benefits like higher price premiums or greater market share. Conversely, delaying the introduction of new products can lead to fearful consequences such as lower market share, lower margins, or the loss of customer goodwill. This paper reports on the reasons for delays in the introduction of new products in the computer industry. The analysis of the data suggests that quality should be built into the new product development process as a first step to accelerate the market introduction. The use of quality function deployment is suggested as a useful tool for reengineering the new product development process.
Adoption of Internet shopping: the role of consumer innovativeness
Authors: Varma Citrin Alka , Sprott David E. , Silverman Steven N. , Stem Donald E.
Published: July 2002

The projected sales potential for Internet commerce indicates that businesses must understand those consumer characteristics that will influence consumer adoption of this medium for shopping. An empirical study conducted here (n = 403) investigates the extent to which open‐processing (more general innovativeness) and domain‐specific innovativeness explain the conditions under which consumers move from general Internet usage to a product purchase via the Internet. The results of our study find that generally higher amounts of Internet use (for non‐shopping activities) are associated with an increased amount of Internet product purchases. Importantly, however, this relationship is moderated by domain‐specific but not general innovativeness. Implications for business practice and academic research are provided.
Information technology’s critical role in corporate downsizing
Authors: Beheshti Hooshang M. , Bures Allen L.
Published: July 2002

There are two types of interrelated downsizing; human resource downsizing, which refers to reduction in personnel, and computer downsizing, or the migration from a mainframe to distributive processing platforms. The corporate strategies underlying each vary, but technology is generally involved at some level. Top executives and corporate planners must be aware of the personnel, budget, training, outsourcing, obsolescence, and standardization issues involved in downsizing. This article will explore various applications of information technology contributing to both types of downsizing, the benefits achieved and the problems encountered.
Inter‐functional spread of quality in manufacturing
Authors: Mandal Purnendu
Published: July 2002

Very little is known of the pattern of spread of quality initiatives and their implementation amongst various functional areas in manufacturing organisations. The knowledge of the actual pattern would have a number of managerial implications with regard to the future quality improvement policies. This paper explains the significance of even (or uneven) spread of quality initiatives amongst functional areas. Evidence is presented to establish that the actual spread, in fact, has been uneven across functional areas in manufacturing organisations – maximum spread in the production area and much less in the other functional areas. The paper discusses the future implications of the observed trends to corporate performance.
Implementing an industrial continuous improvement system: a knowledge management case study
Authors: Beckett Alan J. , Wainwright Charles E.R. , Bance David
Published: July 2002

Describes the practical application, in an industrial setting, of an information system designed to support continuous improvements. This system, based on a quality monitoring system, differs from conventional application in that it seeks to support both quality conformance and continuous improvements to design and research activities. Such activities traditionally fall outside the quality management function, but are encompassed within knowledge management goals and techniques, which are used in this research to construct a system framework. The integration of information into functional areas previously unlinked to manufacturing issues is illustrated as the major obstacle which had to be overcome. The implications for management practices are subsequently described. Concludes that knowledge management principles can support a wider application of continuous improvement to obtain benefits for the organisation, by providing higher quality information, and increasing the levels of organisational expertise which can be applied to it.
Competitive agility and the challenge of legacy information systems
Authors: Reddy Sabine B. , Reddy Ram
Published: July 2002

Using a case study in the temporary services industry, this paper illustrates the common concerns of large multinational corporations with their legacy information systems. The paper uses the popular concept of the organizational life cycle to demonstrate how and when to respond to new competitive challenges and opportunities. Organizational and systems rigidities faced by large and mature firms are identified. These rigidities include: a multitude of diverse and globally dispersed systems that need to remain operational while new systems are being implemented, thus diverting staff attention from development to maintenance; formalized, but possibly outdated business processes are embedded into existing information systems; within each functional area, “ownership” relationships exist regarding business processes and related IT systems; and difficulties in achieving cross‐functional consensus for cross‐functional systems.
Human resource assignment system for distribution centers
Authors: Trappey Amy , Ho Pei‐Shun
Published: July 2002

Information technology and its wide range of applications have begun to make their presence in a new generation of logistic and distribution service industry. A more flexible breed of application packages is emerging by the application of fourth generation language (4GL) technologies, which are able to provide foundations for true enterprise resource planning (ERP). There are many good reasons for adopting enterprise‐wide resource planning systems. This research, however, focuses on the development of a human resource assignment module (HR module), usually considered as an essential part of an ERP system. This module provides crucial human resource data and supports decisions in human resource utilization in distribution center operations. We detail the crucial algorithm for the HR module, which provides efficient and effective manpower management for key logistic/distribution center operations.
Implementation of a customer satisfaction program: a case study
Authors: Chien Te‐King , Su Chin‐Ho , Su Chao‐Ton
Published: July 2002

For an enterprise striving to implement total quality management (TQM), customer satisfaction (CS) is an important objective to achieve. The success of CS is not only closely related to a company’s TQM performance but it also has permanent effects on the company’s future. However, many corporations still fail to implement CS due to lack of experience, or not being able to keep up with the continuous implementation of CS. This study takes a look at one large Taiwanese multi‐product manufacturing company with nine years of CS implementation experience. The implementation steps developed over nine years of CS implementation would be used as the foundation in building the CS implementation framework so that the possibility of actual performance failure would be minimized.
A methodological framework for innovation transfer to SMEs
Authors: Caputo A.C. , Cucchiella F. , Fratocchi L. , Pelagagge P.M. , Scacchia F.
Published: July 2002

The paper deals with technological and managerial innovation transfer to small and medium sized enterprises. A comprehensive framework is presented, identifying a networked architecture in which different actors (universities, other R&D centers, consulting companies, the European Union, national government, local public administration) interact. In so doing, the need of a specific promoting role is pointed out. Consequently, introduction of an innovation center (IC) responsible for the whole transfer process is proposed. Within this organizational unit, the role of innovation promoter (IP), that is the interface with the specific SME, is analyzed and discussed. Finally, a general scheme of IC and IP actions and competences is presented.
BS 7750, BS 5750 and the EC′s Eco Management and Audit Scheme
Authors: Bohoris G.A. , O’Mahony E.
Published: July 2002

Examines the relationship between BS 7750 on Environmental Management
Systems (version of 1992) and BS 5750 on Quality Systems (version of
1987) and the relationship between BS 7750 and the EC′s Eco Management
and Audit Regulation (draft version of March 1993). Makes some
judgements regarding the relative difficulty of implementing the
standards and on the best order to do this, given that an organization
wishes to implement more than one. Discusses the merits and problems of
replacing BS 5750 with BS 7750 for some industries and the possible
conflicts that could arise from the simultaneous implementation of BS
7750 and BS 5750. Concludes that the natural progression should be from
registration under BS 5750, then BS 7750 and finally the European
Scheme, and that conflicts between the different requirements of the
standards are unlikely to arise.
Japan′s Quest for Global Leadership in IT
Authors: Hsieh Chang‐tseh
Published: July 2002

Over the past three decades, the Japanese information technology
industry has been questing for global leadership. With the help of
keiretsu, a special social organization, and government agencies, those
giant information technology companies such as NEC, Fujitsu, etc. have
become the leaders in dynamic random access memory chips (DRAM), disk
storage devices, video display, fuzzy logic and neural networks.
Proposes some strategies to counter the actions taken by the Japanese
firms.
Manufacturing versus Service Organizations
Authors: Yavas Ugur , Yasin Mahmoud
Published: July 2002

Reports on a survey conducted among manufacturing and service
establishments in Saudi Arabia. Discusses the computerization motives of
these establishments and the steps they have taken in computerization as
well as their current satisfaction with computerization. Also highlights
future computerization plans of manufacturing and service organizations.
The Utility of Information Systems
Authors: Yasin Mahmoud M. , Quigley John V.
Published: July 2002

The views of 25 chief executive officers and their information systems
executives on the utility of information systems in their organizations
were examined. A gap was detected between these two groups of executives
with regard to their satisfaction with information systems and those who
run them. It is concluded that such a gap must be eliminated through
training and education, if information systems are to be effective in
achieving a strategic competitive advantage for the organization.
Re‐engineering information technology
Authors: Hoplin Herman P.
Published: July 2002

Addresses the need for re‐engineering information systems (IS) in a
rapidly changing environment, and the urgency of doing this to meet
current and future needs of organizations whose existence is dependent
on coping with rapidly changing requirements. Implicit in this view is
the need for restructuring the industry to meet new applications
including the creation of software for an era that has not quite
arrived. Stresses the interdependence of technical, organizational, and
human aspects in the integration of a broad range of new methodologies
and tools needed to create software for the balance of this century.
Re‐engineering is the examination and alteration of a system to
reconstitute it in a new form and the subsequent implementation of the
new form. Looks into the major management alternatives or options with
particular focus on functional and information managers and their
organizations.
Review of soft systems methodology
Authors: Platt A. , Warwick S.
Published: July 2002

Soft systems methodology (SSM) is an approach to modelling human
activity systems that is becoming increasingly popular as a means of
learning about, and improving, such systems. Any system that involves
humans engaged in purposeful activity can be modelled using SSM. Gives
an overview of the methodology and its development, indicating the ways
in which it can assist managers in the development of improved systems.
Usability: form that says function
Authors: Desbarats Gus
Published: July 2002

Historically, a product was perceived as a “static
manifestation of image with fixed attributes”. Today, advanced
product design thinking is more likely to see it as a “company
representative delivering service over time”. Explores this shift
and demonstrates how contemporary practice is concerned with the entire
customer‐product relationship over its whole life cycle – from
pre‐purchase prejudice to disposal and how this relationship is itself
at the heart of the way in which brand values, and brand loyalty, are
created. In so doing looks at the most effective ways to manage the
product design process – drawing on illustrations ranging from
personal computers and telecommunications to cars and kitchen equipment.
Selecting a microcomputer: look before you leap
Authors: Records Harold A.
Published: July 2002

In order to remain competitive, businesses need to rely heavily on
the productivity utilization of microcomputer technology. Microcomputer
manufacturers have responded to this need with such a dazzling array of
computers and optional equipment that it is becoming progressively more
difficult to choose the most appropriate machine. Assists managers with
the specification, selection and acquisition of microcomputers. The
selection process includes profiling the user, and understanding key
computer components and options including physical size, chip features
and power, data bus pathways, memory, video, keyboard, mouse, price,
acquisition sources, and vendor support services. Understanding what
these items are, how they work, and how they work together enables
managers to make informed choices relative to hardware acquisition.
Using metrics to monitor concurrent product development
Authors: Rook Jim , Medhat Sa’ad
Published: July 2002

The benefits associated with implementing concurrent engineering mean that more and more companies are looking to use it for their new product introduction process. Previously, methods for monitoring product development have included the use of metrics. “Predictive” metrics have also been used, but have mainly tended to focus on the software and firmware aspects of a product. Outlines metric ideas, but takes a holistic view of the product under development. Details an industrial case study which shows how information obtained during the product development process can be used to produce predictive metrics. These can be used as a means to make the development process more efficient. Discusses the benefits of predictive metrics and the impact that concurrent engineering approach has on the ability to provide these metrics.
The revitalization of the UK automobile industry
Authors: McDermott Michael C.
Published: July 2002

1996 marks the centenary of car production in the UK. Once a by‐word for inefficiency, contends that the UK car industry has been revitalized. The political environment of the 1980s rendered the UK an attractive location for Japanese “transplants”. Explains how Japanese producers have transferred their highly competitive manufacturing processes and management techniques to their UK facilities, prompting other producers to emulate these practices. The UK automobile industry is world‐class once again.
Doing it right the second time
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Motwani Jaideep
Published: July 2002

Discusses the steps taken by Laser Inc. in the development and implementation of a statistical process control (SPC) system for two specific production lines. The SPC programme included a total of 16 steps. Explains each of these steps. Suggests that they are comprehensive in nature and can be used by any organization wanting to implement an SPC system.
Industry scenarios: short‐termism revealed
Authors: Mercer David
Published: July 2002

Discusses research, derived from scenarios describing the future of a wide range of industry sectors as developed by managers and professionals from more than 150 large organizations. Suggests that such organizations mainly focus on “regulation” as the factor which will be most important in determining their longer‐term future. At the same time, in terms of the industry their organizations operates within, they do not subscribe to many of the conventional assumptions as to what are likely to be the main drivers for change in their macro‐environment, and they focus on the nation state to which they belong rather than international developments. Posits that most surprising of all, they do not see IT as a major driver for change!
Information systems project development: knowledge and domain requirements for the systems analyst
Authors: Daryl Nord G. , Horn Nord Jeretta
Published: July 2002

A principal participant in developing computer‐based information systems is the systems analyst. A wide range of skills and knowledge requirements seems to be necessary to be a systems analyst. To date, few studies have attempted to identify the specific skills that analysts indicate are critical to their success during the systems development life‐cycle process. Identifies and investigates the characteristics of a successful systems analyst’s domain and knowledge base. Specifically, groups domain knowledge into four major categories: technical skills, systems skills, managerial skills, and business skills. From within each category, analysts indicated which skills they perceived to be of importance to perform their job functions as systems analysts successfully. The results help identify the educational and training requirements for future systems analysts that need to be in place for both academic and corporate instructional programmes.
When strategic alliances make sense
Authors: Drago William A.
Published: July 2002

Suggests that strategic alliances have become a popular competitive weapon, yet knowledge of when effectively to use this interorganizational relationship remains scarce. Examines the use of strategic alliances in the information technology industry. Develops several propositions for the effective use of this competitive weapon, based primarily on the matching of the benefits of strategic alliances to existing and forecast situational characteristics of the information technology industry.
Planning and managing the information system ‐ a manager’s guide
Authors: Williams L.T.
Published: July 2002

It is no longer enough for information systems (IS) to support the operation. Information systems should be developed as part of the strategic plan of the organization. We first must recognize the culture and the financial position of the business before assessing whether an IS is worth investing in; together with the information technology department we must take into account what technical support we already have and if we can make enough use of it. Planning must be well structured but on assessing various planning methods we find that this task is best handled by experienced teams that may consist ideally of IS staff and management combined. Information systems are costly and slow to develop, so we must plan well and in line with the strategic policy of our business.
SME business leaders need powerful on‐board computers
Authors: Heathfield Paul
Published: July 2002

Recent surveys of the accounting software market show an increasing focus on new technologies that can adapt to changing business requirements and generate meaningful data for decision making. Looks at current and future requirements for business management software in the SME (small and medium‐sized enterprises) sector. Profiles IBM’s Concorde XAL business management software solution, and demonstrates the benefits of a flexible technology approach enjoyed by Luxo UK, part of the Scandinavian lighting group.
Management know‐how transfer to Saudi Arabia: a survey of Saudi managers
Authors: Yavas Ugur
Published: July 2002

Considers the effectiveness of foreign business education as a conduit for management know‐how transfer to Saudi Arabia. Uses data from a survey of Saudi managers returning from study in the USA. Highlights skills seen as important and unimportant for daily operations in Saudi. Cites factors such as marketing, importing and negotiation skills as key elements. Notes the importance of Saudi organizations adapting their cultures to today’s realities.
The successful development of information systems for FMS: some useful lessons
Authors: Canel Cem , Mathieu Richard G. , Das Sidhartha R.
Published: July 2002

The successful development of information systems for flexible manufacturing systems depends on several factors. Many studies have been investigating these factors during the development of information systems for various applications. Examines findings from the MIS literature and derives some lessons on how they can be used in the development of an information system for FMS.
Underlying dimensions of business location decisions
Authors: Karakaya Fahri , Canel Cem
Published: July 2002

Most previous studies dealing with business site selection decisions have been theoretical and mainly concerned with cost factors. There are many variables other than cost, some of which are qualitative and intangible in nature. This study attempts to provide empirical evidence on the importance of cost and other location‐related variables. The 84 fastest‐growing businesses in New England and New York were surveyed utilizing 27 variables associated with location decisions. Most of the 27 variables are industry‐specific and their importance varies from industry to industry. Factor analysis, using principal component extraction method and varimax rotation showed that there are six underlying dimensions considered in business site selection decisions. Cities and towns can benefit from utilizing the findings of this type of research in attracting new businesses and preventing the existing businesses from leaving for other locations.
An analysis of the Taiwan retail market using Leites’ method
Authors: Trappey Charles V.
Published: July 2002

Links and analyzes qualitative and quantitative sources of information about the Taiwan retail market using an adaptation of Leites’ method. Qualitative interviews are abstracted and integrated with quantitative secondary source data and survey data. Outlines, categorizes, and summarizes information useful for making management decisions about consumers, retail formats, products and services, retail development projects, market strategies, and commercial laws and regulations. Demonstrates an efficient means to survey general trends in newly developed retail and consumer markets and shows promise for implementation as a soft OR method to derive management strategies.
Workforce, information technology and global unemployment
Authors: Shah Vivek , Mehta Kamlesh T.
Published: July 2002

This paper explores the ramifications of information technology on the global workforce and impact of technology on the world economy. The paper discusses complex issues facing the governments, societies, and business corporations such as changing job contents, global unemployment, and transition from human workers to machines. In conclusion, the replacement of workers by machines is going to force every nation to rethink the role of technology in everyday life in the twenty‐first century.
Managers’ motivation for using information technology
Authors: de Souza Dias Donaldo
Published: July 2002

Survey data gathered from 79 operations managers holding positions in 55 companies were utilized to test extrinsic and intrinsic motivation for using microcomputers in the workplace. Three motivators for usage were investigated: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived enjoyment. Usefulness is an example of extrinsic motivation whereas enjoyment is intrinsic. The results suggested that the three studied motivators were interrelated and that perceived enjoyment is an important factor for considering microcomputers useful. Perceived enjoyment and perceived ease of use had significant direct effects on perceived usefulness. In addition, managers reported less anxiety in using computers when they perceived them to be easy to use.
Measurement of the intensity of global information technology usage: quantitizing the value of a firm’s information technology
Authors: Sakaguchi Toru , Clay Dibrell C.
Published: July 2002

With the increasing convergence of international markets, a greater number of firms are entering the global arena. As these firms compete in the global marketplace, they utilize information technology to formulate and implement strategies and to control and coordinate their resources. This increased dependence on information technology by the firm leads to the following question: how do firms measure the value of a global information system to the performance of the firm? Ideally, information technology would be evaluated based on its degree of strategic use through a firm’s performance. However, the resulting benefits of IT as a utility in performance are generally difficult to identify. First, this paper attempts to conceptualize the intensity of global information technology usage by constructing a new instrument measuring IT investment, strategic importance of the IT and degree of IT training. Second, the paper formulates and submits a pilot test of a holistic model of the relationship between the intensity of global information technology usage and a firm’s global strategy and performance.
Groupware: a strategic analysis and implementation
Authors: Yen David C. , Wen H. Joseph , Lin Binshan , Chou David C.
Published: July 2002

The term groupware is widely used but not clearly defined. Owing to ongoing rapid developments, a consistent definition of the term has proved elusive. However, there is a good reason to view groupware as a technology that addresses the vast areas of collaboration, human‐computer interaction, and human‐human interaction through digital media to bring substantial improvement and transformation to organizations. This paper analyzes the definitions, implementation, and management of groupware. The focus is on the strategic considerations rather than technical solutions. Factors that contribute to the future development of groupware are also discussed.
Can there be different forms of market orientation and new product development?
Authors: Enright Michael
Published: July 2002

This paper examines popularly accepted approaches to market orientation and compares and contrasts them with currently applied alternative approaches. Approaches to new product development are also discussed. It argues for consideration of the existence of pluralism in the marketing domain, with conventional views on what constitutes market orientation and appropriate new product development practice being at times at odds with what is practised.
Identifying future trends in information technology
Authors: Savoie Michael J. , Raisinghani Mahesh S.
Published: July 2002

Few information technology trends have received more attention from the industry than electronic (e‐) commerce – and considering the industry’s predisposition to hyperbole, that is saying a lot. This paper discusses the diffusion of e‐commerce in three wave‐migration phases from current computer communications. From an ontological perspective at the meta level, this paper explains why e‐commerce may have a greater impact on exchanging information and optimizing existing business processes than on generating funds flow. In evaluating the nature of e‐commerce applications, it is proposed that e‐commerce will replace the traditional inventory‐based model with an information‐based model and the basis of competition will shift from companies with strong distribution systems to those with strong information systems. This might help explain the predictions of triple‐digit e‐commerce market growth and stock valuations of Internet companies that defy fundamentals.
Product innovation programme in the field of flexible components for automotive suspension systems
Authors: Marcello Pelagagge Pacifico
Published: July 2002

The paper presents results of a pilot project on technological innovation of main flexible components for automotive suspension systems, that are coil springs and stabilizer bars. Current technology has been described and related problems have been outlined. In order to fulfil features such as compactness, lightness and environmentally conscious design, solutions based on new forms, materials and manufacturing processes have been proposed. Improvements in weights, dimensions, noiselessness, corrosion and fatigue strength, environmental effects, have been all assessed, keeping a quite low project cost (around $3 million).