bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The intellectual foundations of the social market economy
Authors: Ebner Alexander
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper suggests that an adequate understanding of the notion of the social market economy, which has become a prominent aspect of debates on the social model of the European Constitution, is to be assessed in the context of the historist tradition in German economic and social thought.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores the intellectual history of the notion of the social market economy and its conceptual relevance for a dynamic European social model by highlighting Alfred Müller‐Armack's contributions to ordoliberalism and their relationship with German historism, in particular with Gustav von Schmoller's approach toSocialpolitik.

Findings

The paper finds that the decisive concern of the notion of the social market economy is the reconciliation of economic dynamism and social cohesion in a basic setting of legal rules and cultural values, reaching beyond common interpretations that focus more narrowly on institutional aspects of social policy.

Practical implications

By highlighting the interplay of economic, social and cultural dimensions, the paper suggests an extension of the conceptual horizon of current debates on the social model of the European Union, promoting policy implications that account for the possibilities of balancing conflicting social interests in the process of integration.

Originality/value

The paper applies a reconstruction of the intellectual history of the notion of the social market economy to the problem of designing a social order for the European Union with its underlying discourse on the constitutional status of a European social market economy.
Productivity trends in the United States
Authors: Serletis Apostolos , Feng Guohua
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate productivity growth and technical progress bias in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the work of Kohli in 1978 and Diewert and Wales in 1992, the paper estimates output supply and input demand functions in the context of a normalized quadratic (NQ) variable profit function using US data (over a period from 1960 to 2002) on six goods: output, exports, imports, labour, reproducible capital, and fixed capital.

Findings

Results show that the NQ variable profit function with linear splines works very well and the technique for determining structural breaks is effective. Estimates show that the US productivity rate in the last decade recovered in a stepwise manner, rather than jumped overnight in 1996 (as some previous studies have suggested), and that the US productivity revival after 1995 has been volatile and fragile.

Originality/value

This paper highlights productivity trends in the USA.
How to get marketing back in the boardroom
Authors: McDonald Malcolm
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To show how the marketing discipline has lost its boardroom credibility by its own short sightedness over the past half century, and suggest how the situation might be redeemed.

Design/methodology/approach

Personal reflection, based on long, broad and deep experience.

Findings

Whereas success is measured in capital markets in terms of shareholder value‐added, balanced against risks associated with future strategies, the time value of money and the cost of capital, marketing management avoids such issues – this despite the fact that most of the capital value of companies resides in intangibles, the very things on which their actions have an impact.

Practical implications

Senior practitioners, business‐school academics and marketing consultants will have to change their attitudes and behaviour if the marketing function is to be restored to the boardroom.

Originality/value

A call to arms.
Subjective appraisal of service quality using fuzzy linguistic assessment
Authors: Liou Tian‐Shy , Chen Ching‐Wen
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This study proposes a conceptual model to assess the perceived service quality properly using fuzzy set theory, since customers' perceptions of service quality are generally expressed subjectively in vague linguistic terms

Design/methodology/approach

To demonstrate the proposed model, the exploratory prospect of empirical study with questionnaire is given in measuring the service quality. The customer first records his or her perception of service quality in linguistic terms. The reviewer then quantifies the perception with fuzzy numbers. By mutually comparing all the criteria, importance weights of criteria in assessing the service quality can be prioritized. The fuzzy perceived quality score is then calculated by combining the fuzzy numbers of criteria with the corresponding weights. The fuzzy scores are then transformed to linguistic terms to reflect the customer's satisfaction level of overall service quality as interpreted by the reviewer.

Findings

The investigation shows that distinguishing satisfaction scores with crispy numbers may be difficult, but that customer satisfaction is much easier to identify. The sample information reveals the percentage of population customers who are satisfied with the service provided, since customer satisfaction and attitude toward perceived service quality are linguistic in nature.

Originality/value

Fuzzy linguistic assessment of service quality is much closer to human thinking than methods based on crispy numbers. Similarly, the proposed method can also be extended to other studies or contests in which the evaluation or appraisal is subjective or verbal in nature.
Innovative SCM
Authors: Soroor Javad , Tarokh Mohammad J.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

As the technology evolves, the ways in which supply chain is coordinated improve. During a careful study on the intelligent wireless web (IWW) and its services for future applications, its great potentials for the implementation of a mobile real‐time system for supply chain coordination were realized. This paper seeks to introduce a development process for the IWW. In addition, it aims to explain the concept of mobile real‐time supply chain coordination, and propose and describe a practical model for this subject matter based on the most recent technologies including the IWW and agents.

Design/methodology/approach

Objectives were achieved through a thorough study on the IWW, agent technology, and the ways of applying them for mobile real‐time coordination in supply processes. As a method to conduct the research, first, the paper made out what the IWW services are and how one may develop them. Since mobile real‐time coordination is an absolutely innovative concept, the study prepared a comprehensive understanding of it and then, a practical framework was sketched and explained to implement the suggested system. The approach to this topic was a realistic one and an attempt was made to include all the prerequisites and details for the intended system.

Findings

In the course of the work, it was found that the IWW and other corresponding technologies have the greatest potentials ever available for the realization of a mobile real‐time supply chain coordination system and most of the chapters illustrate the claim.

Originality/value

Mobile real‐time coordination and its use in supply chains is something new. The development process for IWW proposed here is totally practicable and no other implementation scenario for the application of the IWW in mobile real‐time coordination has been suggested yet.
Clear and present questions: formulating questions for evidence based practice
Authors: Booth Andrew
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The paper seeks to provide an overview and update of thinking in relation to the theory and practice of formulation of answerable research questions within evidence based information practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the healthcare and information literature on question formulation, augmented by structured and purposive internet searches.

Findings

Although a few key authors have published extensively on all aspects of the evidence‐based information practice process, including question formulation, there is little in the way of empirical research.

Research limitations/implications

In the absence of an empirical research base from within the specific domain of information practice, this conceptual paper extrapolates findings from healthcare research to general librarianship.

Practical implications

This article models the process of question formulation using a proposed conceptual framework (SPICE) and encourages practitioners to identify their own practice‐based questions.

Originality/value

This is the first article specifically to address question formulation for a general (i.e. non‐health) library audience.
An examination of buying centres in Irish biotechnology companies and its marketing implications
Authors: Howard Paul , Doyle Declan
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This research is a qualitative study which aims to investigate the intricacies of organisational buying behaviour in the context of the Irish biotechnology industry. Particularly the research seeks to focus on the phenomenon of buying centres as the core decision‐making unit in an organisation and examines the functionality of such a process. The main aims of the research study is to examine key influencers, as well as to examine the decision process itself so as to fully comprehend modern organisational buyer behaviour and to discuss these issues from a practical viewpoint beneficial to both the marketing and purchasing functions.

Design/methodology/approach

The research process was conducted through qualitative methods, which formed a combination of focus group and key respondent interviewing. A triangular approach of data was also used to obtain quality information and to achieve a platform upon which to base accurate conclusions. A small number of organisations from industry participated in this study, which was deemed sufficient as the purpose of the study was gaining insight as opposed to proving or disproving previous theories.

Findings

It was discovered that users were key influencers in the decision process as were quality control personnel. In addition the business functions were found to be the decision makers in a highly dynamic buying centre process, which is constantly changing in terms of numbers, participation, and structure. Based on the finding of the research newer models of organisation buying behaviour were developed in addition to appropriate marketing strategies being put forward in order to better represent the realities of modern business‐to‐business marketing. This is where the real benefits of this research will be seen as marketing organisations become more efficient, buying organisations develop best practice procedures, and academics can build on this research base to further enhance marketing knowledge.

Originality/value

The paper examines buying centres in Irish biotechnology companies and offers recommendations for future research.
An exploration of organizational factors in new product development success
Authors: Kandemir Destan , Calantone Roger , Garcia Rosanna
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This study surveys a broad spectrum of new product development (NPD) projects from the biochemistry industry in the USA, Canada, Germany, the UK, and Belgium with the purpose of exploring the role of the organizational activity factors in the NPD success.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the resource‐based view of the firm, the authors present a set of hypotheses concerning the relationship between the people resources, development resources, testing resources, and launch resources committed to NPD projects and their financial success. In addition, the effect of the firm's international market involvement on the NPD project success is considered. In this study, testing of the hypothesized relationship is accomplished through linear probability model, binary probit model, and binary logit model.

Findings

Empirical results generally support the predictions from the theory. Specifically, the findings of this study show that: the involvement of a strong champion, use of a multi‐disciplinary team, and focus of a dedicated team are key factors for NPD project success among the people resources; the detailed market research has a significant impact on the project success in the development phase of the NPD process; the allocation of resources to the testing of the product with the final customer, market testing, and production start‐up positively influences the NPD project success; advertising quality plays a key role in the NPD project success during its launch; and the NPD project success is positively associated with the degree of a firm's diversification into international markets.

Originality/value

This study provides several guidelines for product managers seeking to launch new products. It offers critical insights into the identification of firm resources that influence the NPD project success. This study also has important implications for firms that consider diversifying or have already diversified into international markets. Understanding the role of market diversification in the NPD project success advances the ability of managers to direct their efforts in international market involvement.
The emancipatory potential of online reporting
Authors: Gallhofer Sonja , Haslam Jim , Monk Elizabeth , Roberts Clare
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate upon the notion of counter accounting, to assess the potentiality of online reports for counter accounting and hence for counter accounting's emancipatory potential as online reporting, to assess the extent to which this potential is being realised and to suggest ways forward from a critical perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

There are several components to a critical interpretive analysis: critical evaluative analysis, informed to some extent by prior literature in diverse fields; web survey; questionnaire survey; case study.

Findings

Web‐based counter accounting may be understood as having emancipatory potential, some of which is being realised in practice. Not all the positive potential is, however, being realised as one might hope: things that might properly be done are not always being done. And there are threats to progress in the future.

Originality/value

Clarification of a notion of counter accounting incorporating the activity of groups such as pressure groups and NGOs; rare study into practices and opinions in this context through a critical evaluative lens.
From organization to hypermodern organization
Authors: Roberts Joanne , Armitage John
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to question extant categorizations of organization and to introduce the concept of the hypermodern organization. In so doing, it aims to contribute to the understanding of the hypermodern organization by means of a case study of the accelerated appearance and disappearance of Enron.

Design/methodology/approach

Consideration is given in the paper to organization and its various forms, namely, the premodern, the modern and the postmodern organization. The hypermodern organization is then introduced and elaborated upon. To demonstrate the contemporary relevance of the hypermodern organization the increasing speed of both the appearance and disappearance of Enron is reviewed. The contribution of an increase in velocity to the disintegration of the hypermodern organization of Enron is considered.

Findings

Existing approaches to organizations and organizational change in the main fail to recognize the context and impact of hypermodernity. To address this, the paper introduces and develops the concept of the hypermodern organization. The relevance of the hypermodern organization to an appreciation of organization and organizational change is demonstrated through an analysis of the accelerated appearance and disappearance of Enron.

Research limitations/implications

The paper introduces a new conception of organization and organizational change. Further research is necessary to verify and build on the findings.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the understanding of organizations and organizational change. It argues that the information and consumer‐driven societies of the advanced countries are characterized by hypermodernity. Existing approaches to organizations and organizational change essentially disregard the significance and impact of the hypermodern organization. The paper suggests that one of the results of the hypermodern organization is the accelerated appearance and disappearance of business organizations.
The development of an employee satisfaction model for higher education
Authors: Chen Shun‐Hsing , Yang Ching‐Chow , Shiau Jiun‐Yan , Wang Hui‐Hua
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Most studies on higher education focus on students as customers, and evaluate student levels of satisfaction/dissatisfaction with their programs, while generally neglecting teacher work satisfaction. Thus, this study evaluates how employee dissatisfaction with various investment items determines the improvement priority.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the academic literature to establish a satisfaction model for higher education employees. The model is divided into six dimensions: organisation vision, respect, result feedback and motivation, management system, pay and benefits, and work environment. Using a questionnaire based on the model, 248 teachers were surveyed to investigate and analyze their importance‐satisfaction level. The importance‐satisfaction model (I‐S model) was then applied to place each quality attribute into the I‐S model, and thus determine the improvement strategy.

Findings

The analytical results showed that higher education employees focus on high salaries and fair promotion systems. Investigations of the job satisfaction of college teachers in Europe and America have produced similar results.

Originality/value

The employee satisfaction model for the higher education sector not only considers satisfaction levels but also degrees of importance in deciding the improvement strategy.
Demand management in agri‐food supply chains
Authors: Taylor David H.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report findings from a major UK research project covering six agri‐food supply chains, each spanning from farm to consumer.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper gives an overview of relevant literature out of which three research questions are posed. The research methodology is then outlined, followed by an overview of the methods used to collect and analyse the case study data. A summary of the research findings is then presented followed by a discussion of the findings in the context of the research questions. The paper concludes with an assessment of the validity of the research followed by some tentative suggestions regarding the need for, and potential benefits of, improving demand management in agri‐food chains.

Findings

The research has found that demand management is an area, which in practice is beset by difficulties and inefficiencies, which in turn affects the operational performance of the supply chains. Analysis of the characteristics of demand along the chains demonstrates a propensity for misalignment of demand and activity due to issues such as demand amplification and inappropriate production policies. The paper also identifies a number of operational inefficiencies and inconsistencies, which typically occur in the information systems and data handling procedures within these chains.

Originality/value

Suggestions are given as to how demand management processes could be improved through cooperative efforts across the supply chain.
Parents' school satisfaction: ethnic similarities and differences
Authors: Friedman Barry A. , Bobrowski Paula E. , Geraci John
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Parent satisfaction with their children's school is an important issue in today's competitive educational environment characterized by school choice and government standards; however, few empirical studies address school satisfaction similarities and differences among parents from different ethnic groups. The purpose of this paper is to determine empirically similarities as well as differences in the factors important to parents from different ethnic backgrounds.

Design/methodology/approach

This article presents a conceptual model of parent satisfaction with schools that was derived from the literature as well as researchers at the Harris Interactive Poll Organization. The article reports the findings from a survey of 27,605 African‐American, Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic parents from 121 schools in 27 school districts across the US. Regression analyses identified factors that contribute to overall school satisfaction among the ethnic groups.

Findings

Ethnic parental groups share attributes with respect to school satisfaction; however, the importance groups place on such school characteristics as parental involvement, school administration, and technology varies. Across ethnic groups, parents' school satisfaction was influenced most by their rating of school safety, followed by the school budget and teacher effectiveness. Factors more proximal to children's school experience (e.g. safety, teachers, and facilities) had greater influence on parents' school satisfaction than factors of lesser proximity (e.g. district administration).

Originality/value

The study furthers our understanding of parent's school satisfaction with their children's schools, especially with respect to ethnicity. The study findings have practical implications for school administrators who must first understand parents' school satisfaction across and among ethnic groups, set priorities, and take action to increase parent school satisfaction.
Reflective, ethical, and moral constructs in educational leadership preparation: effects on graduates' practices
Authors: Arredondo Rucinski Daisy , Bauch Patricia A.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

A 34‐item Likert‐type survey instrument, The Reflective, Ethical, and Moral Assessment Survey (REMAS), measuring perceptions of use of reflective, ethical and moral dispositions and leadership practices was developed. Items, component factors, and results of the self‐assessment of graduates from an educational leadership preparation program in which the reflective, ethical and moral constructs are two of four curricular strands are reported.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from mailed surveys from 106 program graduates and 113 co‐workers were compiled and analyzed. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used for analyses of program graduate responses on the factor scores based on demographic variables of age, gender, and position, i.e. higher education, p‐12, or other.

Findings

Its show differences among the graduates by gender for the defensive behavior factor with males tending to be more defensive than females, and for age on the reflective dimensions factor, with older graduates tending to be more reflective. Data were subjected to factor analysis to confirm that the hypothesized items were measuring predicted constructs. Extraction of principal components, with orthogonal rotation yielded four factors, with approximately 62.3 per cent of the variance explained. Alpha reliabilities ranged from 0.91 on the first factor to a low of 0.71 on the third.

Originality/value

The REMAS instrument is newly developed and fulfills a void in the literature on this topic. Both the literature review and instrument will be useful to universities as changes emphasizing reflective, ethical and moral leadership are made to preparation programs and increased needs for program assessments are articulated.
Critical research in information systems: looking forward, looking back
Authors: Kvasny Lynette , Richardson Helen
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to reflect on the development of critical research in information systems and give an overview of the papers chosen for this special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

To set the scene by discussing the origins and the developing field of critical research in information systems and to analyse each paper, suggesting ways in which it relates to the chosen themes.

Findings

The papers chosen address theoretical foundations, paradigmatic and methodological issues, empirical studies and praxis and reflexivity in critical information systems research.

Originality/value

Highlights the growing interest in critical research in the information systems discipline and enables reflection on the difficulties, barriers and opportunities for development.
The impact of various levels of collaborative engagement on global and individual supply chain performance
Authors: Thron Thomas , Nagy Gábor , Wassan Niaz
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Most collaborative SCM research has focused on the ideal situation of a manufacturer engaging with all its downstream partners. In view of extensive entry costs, lack of trust or simply non‐suitability of electronic data processing systems this, however, provides only limited support to actual problems of many companies. The paper seeks to investigate various common supply chain performance measures to show what impact increasing adoption of collaborative replenishment between manufacturer and several major customers has on each market participant.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses discrete event simulation to evaluate various adjustments within the distribution frameworks of two food‐manufacturers and their major customers.

Findings

The analysis suggests that manufacturer and customers can substantially benefit from even a partial increase in demand visibility. This nevertheless can be costly since favouring some customers due to sharing a collaborative replenishment system, while others often seem to experience heavier delivery delays and declining service‐level.

Research limitations/implications

The research focused on the delivery framework of the two involved manufacturers and the chosen products. Hence, research findings may differ and need to be modified before drawing conclusions for different products, companies or industries.

Practical implications

The analysis aims to help practitioners to identify possible opportunities and threats within an expanding collaborative SC replenishment system.

Originality/value

Investigating heterogeneous delivery frameworks within an emerging collaboration system has not been addressed much within prior SCM research. It aims to help mainly small‐ or medium‐sized enterprises to reveal possible advantages and drawbacks within the process of emerging with a varying number of customers from a traditional predetermined reorder‐point into a collaborative VMI/CPFR system.
Leadership in complex, stressful rescue operations: a qualitative study
Authors: Sjöberg Misa , Wallenius Claes , Larsson Gerry
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To develop a theoretical understanding of leadership in stressful, complex rescue operations.

Design/methodology/approach

A grounded theory approach was used. Twenty rescue operation commanders from four complex rescue operations in Sweden were interviewed.

Findings

A model was developed which suggests that leadership in stressful, complex rescue operations can be understood as a causal process consisting of three broad time‐related categories. The pre‐operation everyday working conditions affect the leadership during rescue operations, which in turn affects the post‐operation everyday working conditions, etc. Everyday working conditions include training and exercises, previous mission experiences, personal knowledge of co‐actors, and organisational climate. The leadership during a complex rescue operation is affected by the leader's appraisal of the balance between what is at stake, human lives in particular, and the manageability of the situation. Patterns of stress reactions among rescue commanders and their leadership behaviour and managerial routines, were identified. Three problem areas were noted: role shifts during long‐lasting operations, staff work, and practical routines. The post‐operation conditions include the leader's evaluation of the outcome, organisational climate, and post‐event stress reactions.

Research limitations/implication

Small sample, lack of representativeness, and lack of illumination of possible gender‐related aspects.

Practical implications

The model may be valuable in training and exercises with rescue operation commanders.

Originality/value

A new integrative, theoretical process model of leadership in complex, stressful rescue operations.
An information privacy taxonomy for collaborative environments
Authors: Skinner Geoff , Han Song , Chang Elizabeth
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Information Privacy is becoming an increasingly important field of research with many new definitions and terminologies. Along similar rates of increase are the use, uptake and expansion of collaborative environments (CEs). There is a need for a better understanding and classification of information privacy concepts and terms. The purpose of this paper is to provide a taxonomy of information privacy in CEs. The knowledge provided from an information privacy taxonomy can be used to formulate better information privacy policies, practices, and privacy enhancing technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the hierarchical classification and categorization of information privacy concepts and principles an organized representation of these components has been produced. Each area was well surveyed and researched and then classified into a number of sub‐categories according to their nature and relevance.

Findings

A taxonomy was successfully developed with the identification of three high level dimensions of information privacy. Within each dimensional view a further three sub‐classifications were proposed each with their own unique nature.

Originality/value

This paper provides an Information Privacy taxonomy for CEs, the first of its kind to be proposed. A number of new Information privacy terms are defined that make up the categorization and classification of information privacy concepts and components.
Exploring the integration of health and safety with pre‐construction planning
Authors: Hare Billy , Cameron Iain , Roy Duff A.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on findings from a research project, commissioned by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), to investigate the integration of health and safety with pre‐construction planning.

Design/methodology/approach

Four steering groups and three expert panels were interviewed, using focus group methods, to define critical success factors through qualitative, grounded theory, analysis.

Findings

The main outcomes from the analysis are: critical success factors rely on adopting integrated teams; and effective two‐way flow of information is essential. Also, existing design and management tools can be adapted to satisfy the factors identified as opposed to prescribed requirements for a standard health and safety plan.

Originality/value

This study has informed further research including the development of a gateway process model and supporting integrated management tools. It has also informed HSE with policy decisions for their review of CDM.
Alliances in construction
Authors: Ingirige Bingunath , Sexton Martin
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to prove that alliances in the construction industry can be used as vehicles to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first sets out a theoretical proposition through a literature review and synthesis, then details an empirical case study in the construction industry to investigate the theoretical proposition.

Findings

The findings indicate the existence of the “project based mindset”, within the working practices of the different players in construction alliances. This overly narrow project focus constrains the process of achieving sustainable competitive advantage for alliances.

Research limitations/implications

This research, in broad terms, provides insights on the value of long‐term orientated collaboration in construction alliances and specifically target practitioners by identifying benefits of balancing alliance tasks and activities among senior executives and project managers in an appropriate way.

Originality/value

The paper makes an original contribution to the general body of knowledge on alliances and specifically to construction alliances by identifying the core value addition in the process of long‐term orientated collaboration so that the processes are carefully designed, interpreted and nurtured in practice. Also, recommends initiatives by the alliance management to redesign tasks and activities such that collaboration becomes part‐and‐parcel of senior executives and project managers’ daily routine, rather than considering collaborative encounters as extra activities that need “slack” time.
The iPod phenomenon: identifying a market leader's secrets through qualitative marketing research
Authors: Reppel Alexander E. , Szmigin Isabelle , Gruber Thorsten
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the potential for learning from customers of a market leader through qualitative marketing research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents findings from a study that applies a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. An online variation of an existing qualitative research method is proposed.

Findings

The results suggest that the proposed method can be transferred successfully to an online environment and combines the effectiveness of qualitative research with the efficiency of quantitative research.

Research limitations/implications

A general problem with online research is that it excludes all individuals who are not online. Moreover, the results are limited by the nature of the sample, which only includes German‐speaking respondents. Finally, further research should investigate the differences in depth between responses of online‐ and offline‐conducted interviews.

Practical implications

Offers a relatively inexpensive yet effective solution for product and brand managers to uncover the reasons that drive customers to a market‐leading competitor.

Originality/value

Compared with many other approaches available to product and brand managers, this paper proposes a more realistic and practical method of understanding a market leader through the eyes of its customers.
Managing the risk aspects of the product development process at the Upjohn Company
Authors: Prevel Katsanis Lea , Pitta Dennis
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to describe an innovative practice that has implication for new product developers within and outside the pharmaceutical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The case describes an approach to managing the risk inherent in marketing drugs. The organization's original name has been retained, although individual managers' names have been changed at its request. Interviews with former company employees and publicly available data were used to write the case study.

Findings

The paper provides information and action approaches to new product developers that may reduce the risk of losing products to regulatory action. The subject company devised a risk management response to its product development. Their results offer direct implications for new product development teams in the drug industry. By extension, the implications may aid traditional companies outside of the pharmaceutical industry.

Research limitations/implications

As in all case studies, the specific conditions found in one organization may not be found more generally in others. Readers are cautioned that the conclusions drawn in the case may have limited applicability.

Practical implications

The case depicts an innovative application of the risk minimization to the new product development process. Other organizations may find the technique of value in their own efforts.

Originality/value

The case is the first to describe a successful application of risk management to the product development/product management process. It offers the potential of improving the lifetime of pharmaceutical products in the marketplace, allowing the company a longer time to reap profits.
Using polarisation to identify variations in behavioural loyalty to price tiers
Authors: Jarvis Wade , Rungie Cam , Goodman Steven , Lockshin Larry
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper has two purposes: to use polarisation to identify variations in loyalty and to apply polarisation to an important non‐brand attribute, price.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive revealed preference data set of wine purchases is used to apply polarisation. Polarisation was defined in two ways: as a function of the beta binomial distribution (BBD) to give a measure of loyalty for an alternative; and as a function of the Dirichlet multinomial distribution (DMD) to give a baseline level of loyalty. Variations were identified by analysing the differences between the BBD and DMD.

Findings

Polarisation was shown to be one way of identifying variation across price tiers. In the empirical example used, the DMD model is violated with the price tiers not being directly substitutable with one another. Buyers show excess loyalty towards the lowest and highest price tier levels. One tier shows “change‐of‐pace” loyalty. Small brands do better when they focus on high loyalty tiers, middle brands compete in the change‐of‐pace tier and large brands do well across all tiers.

Originality/value

Very little work has been undertaken into price tier loyalty and no known empirical research has been undertaken into behavioural loyalty to price tiers in wine. Very little empirical research has considered the association between excess loyalty for attribute levels (such as price tiers) and the existence of niche, change‐of‐pace and reinforcing brands.
Improving training needs assessment processes via the Internet: system design and qualitative study
Authors: Tao Yu‐Hui , Rosa Yeh C. , Sun Sheng‐I
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The goal of this research is to demonstrate how web‐based applications improve the effectiveness of a very important human resource (HR) function. It proposes a framework of a web‐based training needs assessment system for HR professionals to effectively assess employee needs for competency‐based training.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework of a survey‐based training needs assessment using the Internet was developed. A use case detailing a walkthrough of a prototype system developed under this proposed framework was created to illustrate how this system works. A two‐phased operation test of the prototype system was then conducted to assess how well human resource (HR) managers would accept and adopt this technology to develop organizational competencies. The first phase involved demonstrating the use case to a group of experienced HR managers and polling their opinion toward the system. The second phase involved one‐on‐one interviews with three select HR managers who were asked to experience the prototype system hands‐on.

Findings

HR managers from both phases of validation demonstrated positive acceptance of both the needs assessment model and the process improvement generated from the web‐based prototype system.

Research limitations/implications

The qualitative validation test was conducted to a small sample of Taiwan's HR managers. Caution is advised when generalizing the positive results to other regions or countries with more advanced IT applications in HR practices.

Practical implications

This study contributes to the HR practice in several ways. First, it qualitatively confirms that HR professionals accept a competence‐based approach to build company's training curriculum. Second, it observes a lack of effective tools to help HR professionals in the task of training needs assessment. Third, it shows that HR professionals do recognize the power of web technology in helping them become more efficient.

Originality/value

Formal competency‐based training programs are rarely implemented in the real world because the process required is both tedious and time‐consuming. This paper adopts Internet technologies in a conceptual model for effective competency‐based training needs assessment, and presents an efficient web‐based tool to assist HR professionals in the needed analysis.
Factors motivating people toward pirated software
Authors: Kin‐wai Lau Eric
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The costs of software piracy are enormous. According to Business Software Alliance, it was estimated that the software industry lost $34 billion globally due to software piracy in 2005. The present study was an exploratory attempt to analyze software piracy at individual level, using a qualitative approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research study with few, if any, theoretical preconceptions would seem to be justified in the Asian context. An internet online survey and a content analysis of internet newsgroups were conducted. Data were transcribed, coded and interpreted so as to generate main predictors of the reported leniency toward software piracy.

Findings

Using extensive qualitative data from two studies, marketing, individual and situational variables are examined as a set of predictors of respondents' reported leniency towards software piracy. The results of the content analysis suggested that the cost of original software was extremely important in software piracy. Respondents commented that excessive price of original software was the key factor pushing them to commit piracy.

Originality/value

This is the first piece of qualitative research to study software piracy. The results of the content analysis suggested that the cost of original software was extremely important in software piracy. It provides new insights to software companies and government officials who are developing programs to promote the concept of anti‐piracy.
Maintenance management: literature review and directions
Authors: Garg Amik , Deshmukh S.G.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on maintenance management and suggest possible gaps from the point of view of researchers and practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper systematically categorizes the published literature and then analyzes and reviews it methodically.

Findings

The paper finds that important issues in maintenance management range from various optimization models, maintenance techniques, scheduling, and information systems etc. Within each category, gaps have been identified. A new shift in maintenance paradigm is also highlighted.

Practical implications

Literature on classification of maintenance management has so far been very limited. This paper reviews a large number of papers in this field and suggests a classification in to various areas and sub areas. Subsequently, various emerging trends in the field of maintenance management are identified to help researchers specifying gaps in the literature and direct research efforts suitably.

Originality/value

The paper contains a comprehensive listing of publications on the field in question and their classification according to various attributes. The paper will be useful to researchers, maintenance professionals and others concerned with maintenance to understand the importance of maintenance management
The workaholism phenomenon: a cross‐national perspective
Authors: Snir Raphael , Harpaz Itzhak
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the workaholism phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

Workaholism was defined as the individual's steady and considerable allocation of time to work, which is not derived from external necessities. Subsequently, it was measured as time invested in paid work, controlling for the financial needs for such an investment. Workaholism is examined from a cross‐national perspective through representative samples of the labor force in Belgium, Israel, Japan, The Netherlands, and the USA

Findings

The Japanese worked more hours per week than all other nationalities. The following findings have remained stable across nations: respondents with a high level of work centrality worked more hours per week than did those with a low level of work centrality. Men worked more hours per week than women. Married women worked fewer hours per week than unmarried women, while married men worked more hours per week than unmarried men. Private‐sector employees worked more hours per week than public‐sector employees.

Research limitations/implications

The cross‐national comparisons are based on aggregated self‐reported data obtained from individuals. However, the present study makes three major contributions: applying a non‐biased definition of workaholism, indicating that the existing conceptualizations of workaholism as an attitude have underestimated the importance of sex‐roles in shaping work patterns and behaviors, and findings of similarities as well as of differences across nations on the phenomenon of workaholism.

Practical implications

Developing awareness of cultural variations concerning workaholism.

Originality/value

This is perhaps the only empirical study so far making a cross‐national comparison of workaholism, which also has high external validity.
Career‐related continuous learning
Authors: Rowold Jens , Schilling Jan
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Within the framework of learning in organizations, the concept of career‐related continuous learning (CRCL) has gained increasing attention from the research community. The purpose of the present study is to explore the combined effect of job‐ and career‐related variables on formal CRCL activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on a longitudinal framework with multiple sources of data. A total sample of n=106 call center agents provided information about job‐ and career‐related variables. Subsequently, their CRCL activities within their first 18 months in one of 11 call centers were assessed from company records.

Findings

Regression analysis revealed that job involvement predicted subsequent CRCL. Interestingly, women engaged in more CRCL activities than their male colleagues.

Research limitations/implications

In addition to objective measures of formal CRCL activities, future research should include subjective measures (i.e. survey methodology) of informal CRCL.

Practical implications

Via interventions such as active participation in decisions, and in task and work design, organization might want to foster employees' job involvement to ensure high degrees of subsequent CRCL behaviors.

Originality/value

The paper addresses a phenomenon (i.e. CRCL) that receives increasing attention from both practitioners and researchers; objective, longitudinal data provide evidence for the proposed relationship between job attitudes and CRCL and thus, causal inferences can be drawn.