bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Afghanistan – the “great game” without end?
Authors: Gilbert Peter
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this viewpoint is to provide a perspective on political and military leadership in a current geo‐political situation, with some reflections on how this relates to other public services.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper makes use of historical and political sources in order to reflect on current aspects of leadership in public services.

Findings

Throughout history, Afghanistan has often played a pivotal role between the superpowers of any particular era. In the ancient world, the Greeks of Alexander the Great's Macedonian hegemony: Persians; Mongols under Genghis Khan and his successors; and a host of other groups have vied for control, often leaving ethnic traces within a complex tribal and ethnic makeup in modern Afghanistan. In the nineteenth century it was part of the “Great Game” between Great Britain and Russia; in the twentieth and twenty‐first centuries, there have been both Soviet and NATO incursions; and now, Afghanistan retains a pivotal role between India and Pakistan, China, Iran and former Soviet Republics. NATO is engaged in a task of “declared nation building”, and also to ostensibly make the streets of Western cities safe. But is this not just a “great game” but a “grand illusion”? Afghanistan has often been internally divided, but has never welcomed foreign domination, an experience which tends to bring Afghans together against the invader. Foreign troops, however well intentioned, propping up an unpopular central government, usually leads to resentment and the opposite of what was intended.

Originality/value

This paper links a number of perspectives to assist in the understanding of how and when strategies follow the wrong path.
Education spillovers: empirical evidence in rural India
Authors: Gille Véronique
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Empirical evidence of education spillovers in developing countries and rural contexts is scarce and focuses on specific channels. The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence of such spillovers in rural India, by evaluating the overall impact of neighbours' education on farm productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses cross‐sectional data from the India Human Development Survey of 2005. Spatial econometric tools are used to take into account social distance between neighbours. To be sure that the author's definition of a neighbourhood does not drive the results, three different definitions of neighbours were tested.

Findings

The results show that education spillovers are substantial: one additional year in the mean level of education of neighbours increases households' farm productivity by 2 per cent. These findings are robust to changes in specification.

Research limitations/implications

The results open the way to further research. In particular, this paper does not explore the channels through which this spillover effect happens.

Practical implications

This paper confirms the choice of improving education in developing countries: giving a child education will certainly provide him/her with greater revenues and it may also provide his/her neighbours with greater revenues. The paper shows the importance for policy makers of taking into account education spillovers and policies' complementarity when facing political trade‐offs.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the few to underline that education externalities do not only exist in urban contexts and education spillovers do not only occur between workers of the manufacturing and service sectors. There are also spillovers in sectors considered as more traditional, such as agriculture.
A time‐varying parameter model of inflation in India
Authors: Kumar Sudhanshu , Srinivasan Naveen , Ramachandran Muthiah
Published: April 2012

Purpose

In the past two decades, there has been a remarkable decline in inflation in both developed and developing countries, in sharp contrast to the period immediately preceding it. Interestingly, the behaviour of inflation in India broadly exhibits such a pattern. For much of the 1970s and 1980s, India experienced recurrent bouts of high inflation together with sub‐par economic performance. Since the 1990s the inflation record has been far better. The purpose of this paper is to answer an important question about what ultimately brought on this improved economic outcome.

Design/methodology/approach

A time‐varying parameter model for inflation is proposed which nests all the plausible explanations. The time variation in parameters is modelled as driftless random walks, and is estimated using the median unbiased estimator. The median unbiased estimate helps in addressing the pile‐up problem, which arise if variances of the state specification are small. In such cases the maximum likelihood estimates are biased towards zero. Kalman Filter algorithm is used to obtain the time path of the parameters of the reduced form equation.

Findings

The estimated time paths of the reaction function coefficients suggest gradual changes in the rule coefficients. It has been found that while better monetary policy and structural change have played a non‐trivial role, good luck and exchange rate regime have played a major role in the moderation of inflation in the 1990s. This interpretation suggests that to prevent a resurgence of 1970s‐style inflation, the central bank should reinforce as much as possible its commitment to low inflation by institutional, operational, and rhetorical means. Otherwise, sooner or later, luck will dry out and high inflation could return.

Originality/value

A time‐varying parameter model for inflation in India is proposed which nests the various plausible explanations for moderate inflation in the recent decade. Most empirical and theoretical studies on inflation dynamics have concentrated on developed economies. This paper pays attention to the international dimension of the issue. The reduced form model is estimated using time‐varying parameter estimation technique.
Deciphering the Hindu growth epic
Authors: Robertson Peter E.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a quantitative assessment of the factors contributing to India's growth acceleration since 1970, based on the neoclassical growth model.

Design/methodology/approach

A feature of neoclassical growth models is that capital accumulation is induced by both productivity growth and increases in investment rates. The paper uses a growth decomposition method based on that of Robertson. The method reconstructs India's actual growth path exactly, then decomposes the growth using counterfactual simulations, holding investment rates constant and productivity growth constant. The role of human capital is also discussed.

Findings

An increase in the productivity growth rate from 1970 accounts for 68per cent of India's post 1970s growth and the rise in the investment rate accounts for 30 per cent. Hence an upward trend in productivity growth has been more than twice as important as the doubling of the investment rate. A similar conclusion applies for the post 2000 era, where a rise in investment from 25 per cent to 37 per cent of GDP, only adds about 0.7 percentage points of growth to the 4.5 per cent annual growth rate over this period.

Originality/value

The paper provides quantitative estimates of the role of investment and productivity to India's growth based on the neoclassical growth model. It thus improves upon existing growth accounting studies by allowing for the induced effect of productivity growth on capital accumulation. It also improves upon existing development accounting techniques that rely on steady state restrictions, and which would therefore be inappropriate for evaluating India's recent transitional growth.
Monetary policy in an uncertain world: probability models and the design of robust monetary rules
Authors: Levine Paul
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the transformation of macro‐modelling from reduced form behavioural equations estimated separately, through to contemporary microfounded dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models estimated by systems methods. It is argued that estimated DSGE models should be seen as probability models that can be used as a laboratory for assessing new policies in a new and uncertain environment. The methodology is particularly relevant for emerging economies such as India.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has analytical, empirical and policy dimensions. Estimating DSGE models by Bayesian‐Maximum‐Likelihood methods results in a posterior distribution of parameters that quantifies the uncertainty facing the policymaker. This, in turn, can be used for robust policy design.

Findings

The paper reviews evidence that inflation targeting in emerging economies welfare‐dominates exchange rate targeting.

Originality/value

This lies in the papers reviewed including those involving the author.
The role of capital‐labour substitution in economic growth
Authors: Mallick Debdulal
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Although the importance of the elasticity of substitution between capital and labour (σ) has been recognized in many areas in economics, this parameter has not received enough attention in economic growth. The purpose of this paper is to review the recent development in the importance of σ in economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper specifically reviews the possibility of perpetual growth and slowdown, and the asymptotic behaviour of the balanced growth path for different values of σ. It also reviews the determinants of the aggregate σ.

Findings

Based on the empirical evidence that the value of σ significantly departs from the Cobb‐Douglas value of unity, the paper recommends employing the constant elasticity of substitution (CES) production function in both theoretical and empirical growth research.

Originality/value

This paper offers a new perspective on the elasticity of substitution between capital and labour due to its evaluation of various factors, methods and approaches.
Examining the temporal relationship between methamphetamine use and mental health comorbidity
Authors: Lee Nicole K. , Harney Angela M. , Pennay Amy E.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine the temporal sequencing of methamphetamine use and the onset of mental health problems among a sample of dependent methamphetamine users.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a self‐reported timeline method to examine the sequencing of first use, regular use and problematic use of methamphetamine and mental health issues among 126 users with lifetime dependence.

Findings

The majority of the sample (69 per cent) reported previous mental health diagnosis or treatment. Of this sample, 22 per cent reported mental health problems prior to their first use of methamphetamine and 72 per cent reported mental health problems after first use of methamphetamine (with the rest around the same time or unsure). On the timeline, mental health symptoms were first indicated around a year after first regular use of methamphetamine and around the same time as problematic use. Respondents identified a lag time of five years between first problematic use of methamphetamine and seeking treatment for methamphetamine‐related problems, but those that received mental health treatment engaged in methamphetamine treatment earlier.

Practical implications

Among this sample, mental health problems coincided with problematic methamphetamine use (rather than any use) suggesting prevention efforts may be better directed at preventing transition to heavy use or use of potent forms or injecting, rather than directed at prevention of uptake. On this basis, stepped care might be appropriate for methamphetamine users.

Originality/value

Despite a substantial research literature establishing the link between methamphetamine use and mental health problems, little is known about the order of onset and the implications of this for treatment. This is one of the few studies specifically investigating the temporal sequencing of methamphetamine use, mental health symptoms and treatment seeking among a sample of dependent methamphetamine users.
Assessment of Deaf dually diagnosed clients
Authors: Walls Rebecca , Hamilton Ian
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This article seeks to explore the assessment issues for Deaf people who have a co‐occurring mental health and substance use problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the expertise of a clinician who works with this client group, also using the available literature on this topic.

Findings

Dual diagnosis for Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users has not been well researched. Deaf people may be unable to access some forms of assessment/treatment due to compromised cognition, understanding of concepts, and material not being accessible in an appropriate format. This paper discusses an approach which may be of particular use to assessing this minority group.

Originality/value

This paper considers an approach which may be of particular use to assessing this minority group. Although current techniques can be adapted such as cognitive‐behavioural integrated treatment (C‐BIT), there is a need for further research to evaluate and develop appropriate screening and assessment instruments for this client group.
A critique on accounting for the mudarabah contract
Authors: Atmeh Muhannad A. , Hadi Ramadan Abdul
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the accounting treatment for mudarabah contract and its implications on the reliability and fairness of the financial statements. In addition, the paper also aims to explore the effect of provisions and reserves on profit allocation among unrestricted investment account holders (UIAHS).

Design/methodology/approach

This study reviews the accounting treatment for mudarabah contract as stated in the Accounting Standards for Islamic Financial Institutions issued by the AAOIFI and compares it with other financial reporting frameworks, especially the IFRS.

Findings

The paper finds that presenting UIAHS in a separate category in the financial position statement (balance sheet), without reclassifying the assets in the financial position statement to reflect the assets attributable to UIAHS, suggests undue bias in the financial statements. This contradicts the concepts of full disclosure and true and fair view of the financial statements. The paper also reveals that reserves may result in profit misallocation among UIAHS. Additionally, there is an overlap between provisions and reserves, which may affect the reliability and fairness of the financial statements. It is also revealed that reserves presented under the UIAHS section could not be readily understandable since investors have no right to these reserves. The paper further finds that using a donation contract in business may result in diverting wealth from the less wealthy to the wealthier.

Originality/value

The paper criticizes the AAOIFI treatment for UIAHS and suggests an extension to this treatment by presenting assets attributable to UIAHS in order to enhance disclosure. Additionally, it questions the applicability of using donation (Tabarru) contract in transactions with profit‐making substance.
Disclosure of Shariah compliance by Malaysian takaful companies
Authors: Aziah Abu Kasim Nor
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the disclosure of Shariah compliance as reported by the Shariah Committee (SC) in the annual reports of takaful companies in Malaysia. Disclosure of Shariah compliance is important in enhancing and protecting the Islamic identity of takaful operators, thereby providing Muslims with an alternative insurance system. The paper also aims to discuss whether the advisory role constrains the SC members to improve disclosure which can boost consumers' confidence and companies' accountability. Both confidence and accountability on Shariah compliance would also help promote Malaysia as an Islamic financial centre.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis of the SCs' reports in the 2008/2009 annual reports of seven takaful operators in Malaysia were conducted and the findings discussed with three officers from Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia). Subsequent to the discussion, the findings were further clarified and confirmed with a former member of the SC through e‐mail correspondence.

Findings

Disclosure of Shariah compliance by the SC reflects high conformance to the Bank Negara Malaysia guidelines. Although the high level of conformance promotes comparability, it does not necessarily fully address disclosure issues such as providing adequate and relevant information. Shariah compliance by takaful companies seems to develop in much the same manner as other disclosure practices, that is, a tendency to comply with rules rather than with principles. Related to the disclosure issue, SC members are constrained by the advisory role and part‐time basis of appointment from fully participating in every stage of product process from its conception to its implementation.

Research limitations/implications

The paper relies heavily on Shariah compliance reported by the SC in the annual reports of takaful companies. Nonetheless, findings were confirmed with three officers from Bank Negara Malaysia and with a former member of the SC to enhance the findings' credibility. In future, interviews can be conducted with other stakeholders such as takaful managers, Islamic academics and members of the SC to better understand the nature of disclosure practices by takaful companies.

Practical implications

Insights drawn from this study suggest the need to enhance disclosure on Shariah compliance in the SC reports and to further strengthen the role of the SC members. As Shariah governance mechanisms, both the SC reports and SC members can be utilised to enhance the identity of Islamic businesses and fulfils the religious obligations.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the need for increased transparency through adequate and relevant disclosure of Shariah compliance information in the SC report of takaful companies. It also raises the concern that the advisory role entrusted to SC members might not be adequate for them to effectively ensure that compliance with Shariah principles are adhered to at all times as expected by Bank Negara Malaysia.
Viewpoints: when the Islamisation model doesn't work
Authors: Ul‐Haq Razwan
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to encourage debate around the issues of the bank and Islamisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The work is an ideological examination of approaches to Islamisation and includes references to thinkers from Muslim history.

Findings

The Islamisation model is not wholly appropriate in the banking sector.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the limitations of the Islamisation approach and puts forward the case for another methodology, Namely the model of Islamication.

Social implications

The impact of the author's recommendations, if followed would revolutionise the way banking is carried out.

Originality/value

The conceptualization of Islamication with regard to banking has not yet been academically formulated. This paper provides a platform to do this. Although Muslim societies and Muslims living in the West will be interested in the paper, non Muslim scholars Europe too, faced with a banking crisis may welcome some of the report's recommendations.
Undocumented immigration and the business of farm labor contracting in the USA
Authors: Alves Pena Anita
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Farm labor contractors operate as intermediaries between farmworkers and agricultural employers by recruiting and supplying labor to US farms. In a political economy where there are employer sanctions for hiring workers without proper documentation, contractors share risk alongside final employers. Furthermore, contractors may facilitate quick employment matches during time sensitive agricultural tasks such as harvesting. For undocumented workers, using a contractor may decrease uncertainty associated with a foreign labor market and ease language barriers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current role of labor contractors in delivering immigrant agricultural workers, particularly undocumented workers, to farms.

Design/methodology/approach

Determinants of labor contractor use and relationships to final worker outcomes are examined using econometric methods and a large nationally‐representative worker survey that is distinctive in that it distinguishes legal status.

Findings

Undocumented farmworkers are shown to be more likely to use contractors than are documented workers, though statistical significance is sensitive to the inclusion of crop and task indicators, and wages and fringe compensation to workers who use contractors are lower, even after controlling for legal status.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to limited recent academic work on the role of labor contractors in US agriculture. Future work may examine ongoing changes to this role in the context of mutable immigration policy and public opinion.

Practical implications

It is argued that the decline in labor contracting increases the need for employer‐level bilingual communication skills and compliance with labor regulations.

Originality/value

Understanding current dynamics of the agricultural labor market should be of value to scholars of rural economies, farm owners and agricultural policymakers.
The webnovela and immigrants in the United States
Authors: López‐Pumarejo Tomás A.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the webnovela, a new type of marketing genre and sentimental serial drama which is popular among immigrants, pivotal to the future of the US Spanish‐language media and informative about its past. No academic research currently exists on this topic.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies cultural studies, management, new media and marketing theory to the study of the first three webnovelas launched from 2006 to 2011. It analyzes how this new genre fits into the history of sentimental serial drama; how it appeals to Hispanics and to immigrants at their home countries and at their host country as well; and how the US Spanish‐language television and new media address their $900 billion Hispanic consumer market.

Findings

This study revealed that although webnovelas are likely to continue being popular as romantic fiction for the new media and profitable as a marketing system, they are unlikely – as operationally defined by this analysis – to be produced independently from the Univision media group in the foreseeable future, even when the entry barriers for competitors are low.

Originality/value

This paper should be of value to those interested in the latest developments in ethnic marketing, narrative theory, interactive marketing, and international business and communications.
Efficient labor reallocation and the liability of localness
Authors: Perez‐Batres Luis A.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore the polarizing subject of immigration, from a business/economics perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adds to the theoretical discussion the concept of “liability of localness”; a concept associated with the negative repercussions suffered by indigenous firms, after a regional free trade agreement takes place.

Findings

The paper answers why despite the suggested net economic gains brought by immigrants, there is still a big negative sentiment regarding the issue of immigration. It is proposed that regional trade agreements force labor reallocation, and in so doing, negatively affect the unskilled labor force.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not consider other academic disciplines to explain the problem, as it would be beyond the scope and aim of this journal.

Practical implications

The advanced proposition suggests the need to have mechanisms in place to mitigate the negative consequences brought about by reallocation pressures (suffered mostly by unskilled labor).

Social implications

This paper has social/policy applicability as it deals with the negative effect brought to local communities by foreign communities (at time 2), who lost their way of life (at time 1) after the implementation of a free trade agreement (at time 0).

Originality/value

In general, the negative consequences brought by free trade agreements do not garner the attention they deserve. By advancing the liability of localness concept into the immigration topic, this paper provides theoretical insights about the negative consequences originated by free trade agreements.
Attention deficit/hyperactive disorder as an entrepreneurial “marker” among family business members
Authors: Hayek Mario , Harvey Michael
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain why individuals with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) gravitate towards and excel in highly dynamic environments such as those encountered by family business owners.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper draws on extant literature to establish parallels between the executive functions of individuals with AD/HD and entrepreneurial cognition. The authors use previous theoretical and empirical research to suggest that the use of intuition in the decision‐making process may explain the link between individuals with AD/HD and entrepreneurs.

Findings

Family members with AD/HD suffer from diminished executive functions that force them to make decisions and act upon information that would be insufficient for the non‐entrepreneur in the family.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presents evidence suggesting a link between executive functions and intuitive decision making in the family business context, however, empirical research is now warranted to advance this line of research.

Practical implications

Establishing the relationship between AD/HD and entrepreneurship may lead family business leaders to identify and integrate family members with AD/HD in to the family firm.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is to explain, based on bounded rationality, why individuals with AD/HD gravitate to entrepreneurship.
Vision, leadership and emotional intelligence transforming family business
Authors: Boyatzis Richard E. , Soler Ceferi
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the role of emotional and social intelligence in family business leaders and how it can lead to a shared vision and dramatic increase in success of a family business.

Design/methodology/approach

Single organization case study interpreted through Intentional Change Theory.

Findings

Using emotional and social intelligence, two fifth‐generation family business members inspired others by building resonant relationships with them. They created a shared vision among the various stakeholders in the family, the organization and the community. They got others excited about the vision using positive, emotional contagion. The contagion and resonance spread to others in the family, organization, and region.

Research limitations/implications

Although a case study, the implications for future research are to focus on the shared vision or lack thereof in family businesses, focus on resonant leadership, and multi‐level leadership.

Practical implications

Visionary leadership, with emotional intelligence (EI) and resonance can inspire renewal in organizations, families and regions.

Originality/value

Research on the power of vision and EI to transform businesses is emerging, but none of it has focused on family businesses, and in particular, multi‐generational ones. This paper shows how such leadership can transform a family, its business, and a region.
Overseas Chinese family business research: a comparative analysis
Authors: Teik‐Cheok Loy Johnben
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative review and analysis of peer‐reviewed journal articles on overseas Chinese family businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Journal articles were selected from relevant sources and broadly analyzed by research area, type of research (theoretical or empirical), geographical coverage, and method (quantitative or qualitative). The main themes of changes and continuity were identified and summarized.

Findings

The literature suggests that overseas Chinese family firms around the diaspora are beginning to differ from one nation to another. At the same time, the literature suggests the continuity of the challenge of the forces of globalization on overseas Chinese family firms and the need for these firms to learn to adapt and compete.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that future research would need to pay more attention to differences between overseas Chinese family businesses from one country to another.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel comparative analytical review and summary of the literature on overseas Chinese family businesses in peer‐reviewed journals. It is useful for scholars who are new to the area.
Family, business and power: illustrating three extreme cases
Authors: Cisneros Luis , Genin Emilie , Peerally Jahan
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how small family business (SFB) leader‐founders exhibit a dominant logic of action over less dominant prevailing ones. The authors investigate three logics of action: family, power and economic.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory qualitative research is conducted based on case studies. The authors use Cisneros and Genin's conceptual model, to identify, through an iterative sampling frame, three extreme SFB cases where in the first the leader exhibits a dominant family logic, in the second, a dominant power logic and in the third, a dominant economic logic.

Findings

The authors illustrate the characteristics of the SFB leaders when they exhibit a dominant logic of action and also present some of the implications of SFB leaders’ dominant logics of action on the SFB and the family and non‐family members.

Research limitations/implications

The three extreme case studies provide an important building block for future studies based on larger samples of SFBs. However, the authors’ results cannot be generalised due to the exploratory nature of the study.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the importance, for practitioners and researchers alike, of being able to diagnose when SFB leaders use a dominant logic of action. The paper also accentuates the need for a greater awareness of logics of action in training programmes for SFB leaders and for consultants who work with those leaders.

Originality/value

The concept of logics of action has never been previously empirically applied to large, medium or small family businesses. The paper highlights the relevance of identifying dominant logics of actions in SFB leaders.
Cultures, ideologies and family businesses
Authors: Gupta Vipin , Levenburg Nancy
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the varying ideologies guiding the cultural dimensions of family business and to examine the cultural sensitivity of these varying ideologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The research relies upon the CASE framework of nine cultural dimensions of family business. First, the literature pertaining to varying ideologies associated with each of the family business cultural dimensions is reviewed to form a conceptual analysis. Second, hypotheses are generated regarding the anticipated relationships between the two major dimensions of societal culture (power distance and in‐group collectivism) and the nine family business cultural dimensions. Data from the GLOBE program and the CASE project are then used to conduct non‐parametric tests.

Findings

The nine family business dimensions are shown as ideologies intersecting three systems of family business (family, business and social) and three social interaction elements (structural, relational and cognitive). Empirical support is found for the cultural sensitivity of the family business dimensions, in terms of the two major societal culture characteristics (power distance and in‐group collectivism).

Originality/value

This work provides insights into a broader conceptualization of family business in an increasingly global context. By virtue of the cultures in which they are formed, nurtured, and grow, family firms are influenced by a number of ideologies. Ideological differences – both quantitative and qualitative – mean that the forms and formats of family businesses also differ, as a reflection of their ideological and cultural underpinnings. In particular, it is useful to consider how family businesses differ, depending on their proportional support for the family, business and social system ideologies.
A day to remember!
Authors: Jain Kamal K.
Published: April 2012

Subject area

Performance management, human resource management.

Study level/applicability

This case is appropriate for undergraduate and post graduate studies.

Case overview

A premier business school in Central India decides to offer the Best Teacher Award to a faculty who gets the highest feedback from the students. The idea is to motivate the faculty and also help them improve their teaching pedagogy/style, etc. A feedback form is designed and administered in the last session of the course. The average across all the sections and courses is calculated and displayed on the institute's intranet. Soon doubts are raised on the validity of the decision to give away the Best Teacher Award based on students' feedback. The case makes an attempt to highlight that performance is a function of several factors. What apparently seems to be a great performance may not be a great performance and similarly what apparently appears to be poor performance may not necessarily be poor performance. One needs to dig deep into this to arrive at any meaningful conclusion.

Expected learning outcomes

Performance should not be judged at face value. Performance analysis is necessary for any meaningful decision.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes.
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd: measuring beyond the metrics
Authors: Singhania Monica , Venkatesh R.
Published: April 2012

Subject area

The focus is on a performance management system and its strategic alignment using a Balanced scorecard in a Public Private Partnership framework. This case study analyses the situation for Tata Power Delhi Distribution (TPDD) which needs to realign its strategy to meet the emerging sustainability challenges of inclusive growth and combating the climate change. The case covers the field of strategic management, strategy formulation and performance management system deployment using the balanced scorecard. It touches upon the emerging need for corporates to look beyond economic signals and take social and environmental impacts into strategy planning process.

Study level/applicability

The case can be used in the following courses; post graduate program in public administration; MBA/Post graduate program in management in strategic management; executive training program for Government executives in public sector organizations to highlight the concept of performance management system in PPP companies.

Case overview

After the initial tumultuous years, TPDD emerged as one of the efficient power distribution companies in Delhi region. One of the major management tools that was helpful to achieve this was the balanced scorecard. TPDD's general manager for corporate strategy & planning reviewed the process and the due diligence that went into designing and implementing the balanced scorecard. Now, after the balanced scorecard success story, he along with Dr Ganesh Das, Head of Group – Strategy wants to take it to a next level and integrate their strategies related to inclusive growth of community and combating the ill effects of climate change. They believe that the balanced scorecard method that had helped them to achieve their strategic goals will help them to achieve future objectives too. But whether the existing four perspectives: financial, customer, internal process and learning and growth would adequately address the emerging challenges or whether there was a need to introduce a new perspective – “The Social Perspective” – is what they contemplate in the case.

Expected learning outcomes

The case can be used to teach the following: the importance of strategy in an organization and how it helps the firms to realize their stated vision; to highlight the process of strategy formulation and its deployment; to help students realize the difficulties in realizing a strategic goal through performance management system; use the balanced scorecard as an effective tool for strategy deployment and organizational alignment; to introduce students the concept of sustainability in the organization and emerging global challenges; and to illustrate the complexities involved in a strategic planning process

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes.
Coping with capacity expansion: Go-Goal Hydro's panache
Authors: Koul Saroj , Arora Mayank
Published: April 2012

Subject area

Operations management.

Study level/applicability

This case study is intended for MBA, final year industrial engineering and 1st year PhD students, for use in graduate engineering, post graduate and executive level management programs. The case study illustrates operational and participative management control system in a matrix and flexible organization structure.

Case overview

Satish Arora (CEO) and Praveen Arora (Director Finance), a husband and wife team, own and operate Go-Goal Hydro Power Ltd (Go-GoalHPL) as a small medium enterprise (SME). Go-GoalHPL renovates hydro power generating machines up to 250 MW rating. Their current renovation/overhauling projects are located at different sites in India. Go-GoalHPL has grown its business by pursuing new avenues that include execution of major renovation projects and construction of new projects on a turnkey basis. Go-GoalHPL's management, despite their on-going successes, are concerned about severe capacity shortages if immediate actions were not taken. They have identified three capacity expansion options: continue current operating practices and obtain additional production space; undertake a make-versus-buy study and consider outsourcing parts; and implement world-class manufacturing techniques through adoption of focused factories. The first two options represented simple incremental changes while the third presents a radical alternative that required a major reorganization of the company operations and support functions.

Expected learning outcomes

These include knowledge about competitiveness, corporate survival, sustainable business, operations management, productivity, performance.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for faculty. Please consult your librarian.
Performance management at Bolts' convenience stores
Authors: Bhatt Seema , Natrajan Sridar
Published: April 2012

Subject area

The case throws light on performance management in general and performance appraisal in a specific Indian context, its linkages with various other HR systems in an organization and the various issues and challenges attached with it. The case is especially suited for understanding people management in small organizations and organizations in emerging markets.

Study level/applicability

This case has been tried and tested in the classroom setting with management students pursuing a post graduate diploma in business management (PGDBM). The case has been administered to students in Chennai Business School, Chennai in their core course human resource management (first year PGDBM) and to second year students specializing in HR in their course “Performance management and compensation management” in G D Goenka World Institute, Sohna.

Case overview

The case is set in the southern part of India in a retailing organization which grew from a small retail store catering to the daily needs of the student community to a four store retail store (Bolts'). Mr Andrew (Head, HR), introduced performance management and appraisal at Bolts'. Since the appraisal was interrelated with various other HR systems like motivation, compensation, training and development and promotions, it generated a lot of excitement among the employees. After implementation of performance appraisal, the organization seems to experience one problem after another. There were complaints from customers, followed by a range of challenges such as discontented employees, unprofessional behavior, low motivation in the organization and loss of profit.

Expected learning outcomes

Understand and analyze the performance management in general and performance appraisal in a specific Indian context, its linkages with various other HR systems in organization and the various issues and challenges attached with it. Understand people management in small organizations and organizations in emerging markets. Assess and identify HR practitioners' problems in studying SMEs' HR related problems in an Indian context.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available to faculty. Please consult with your librarian.
Editorial for the Journal of Organizational Ethnography
Authors: Brannan Matthew , Rowe Mike , Worthington Frank
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the new journal, its history, scope and ambitions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the current growth in interest in ethnographic research in organizational and management studies, reflected not least in the success of the Liverpool‐Keele Ethnography Symposium.

Findings

Surveying the state of the field, this paper has identified a need for a natural home for organizational ethnographers. The continuing growth and development of the Symposium is also a reflection of the shared experience among would‐be ethnographers who find that, when presenting ethnographic work at other conferences, their choice of methodology is more often subject to contrarian rather than constructive discussion. It is only by debating the merits of the empirical and theoretical themes and perspectives that inform the subject in a constructive way with others, who are genuinely appreciative of the tradition, that it will develop.

Originality/value

The paper presents the case for a platform for the publishing of quality organizational ethnographies and for a forum in which to debate and develop the methodology and methods associated with them. It argues for a “collective manifesto” embracing and encouraging the diversity of approaches and introduces the first contributions.
Ethnography in evolution: adapting to the animal “other” in organizations
Authors: Hamilton Lindsay , Taylor Nik
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Traditionally, ethnography has been well placed to take account of the messy and complex processes that produce workplace cultures. Likewise, it has always taken interest in the objects, materials and symbolic artifacts that help furnish those organizational cultures. Yet researchers face a particular challenge when the organization in question includes animals. The purpose of this paper is to ask: How do we take account of such others? Are they objects, things, agents or should they be considered to be workers?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors consider several examples of animal‐human workplaces, including abattoirs, laboratories and farms, to argue that ethnography can, and should, take account of animals in creative new ways. First‐hand experience of such settings is drawn upon to argue that contemporary post‐human scholarship and the creative arts offer the potential for more subtle research methods.

Findings

The authors’ fieldwork shows that it is not always a straightforward desire to care for other species that motivates people to work with animals. Instead, a range of unexpected meanings can be drawn from the interaction with animals. It is also unsatisfactory to claim that those working with animals are always motivated by the promise of paid employment. In many cases, notably the rescue shelter, work is often done on a voluntary basis. So the rewards are not always financial but reach into more symbolic and ethical domains of value creation. Conversely, in slaughterhouses, the mechanization of the shopfloor makes it difficult for workers to relate to the “products” as animals at all. The repetitive nature of this work disconnects those on the production line from the idea that they are dealing with bodies. The complexity of these human‐animal relationships means that field methods for studying them must be adapted and evolved.

Originality/value

This paper provokes some new questions about human‐animal meaning making for organizational ethnographers. It does so to generate creative new ideas about field methods and the nature of the “others” that researchers participate with to observe.
The personality of public documents: a case study in normalising Aboriginal risk
Authors: Sullivan Patrick
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential usefulness of public documents as subjects of ethnography and propose that public documents offer a way to understand modern cultures. It examines the multiple personalities brought into being through the dissemination of policy documents. It shows how the ritual use of policy pronouncements manages the arena of social crisis and normalises the subjects of policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines three statements of intent produced by the Council of Australian Governments about relations between the majority settlers and the Aboriginal peoples. These are the 1992 National Commitment to Improved Outcomes in the Delivery of Programs and Services for Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders; the 2004 National Framework of Principles for Delivering Services to Indigenous Australians; and the 2008 National Indigenous Reform Agreement. The paper borrows methodology developed for the ethnography of internet virtual communities to examine these public documents.

Findings

If the virtual communities of public documents are analysed as if they could be self‐generating and self‐referring, they can show us through their internal structure a different, possibly deeper, truth about their origins than if we view them as a mere artefact or by‐product of the cultures that produce them.

Originality/value

The paper encourages the development of a field of ethnography that analyses public documents as constructed virtual worlds.
A historiographical account of workplace and organizational ethnography
Authors: Down Simon
Published: April 2012

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to argue that the production of past workplace and organizational ethnographies needs to be better understood in their historical context.Design/methodology/approach– A programme of research work on the history of workplace and organizational ethnography is proposed, and a historiographical discussion outlines the purpose, scope and means by which such a project might be realised.Findings– The article highlights why organizational ethnographers should understand the history of their research practice.Originality/value– The paper suggests that a serious attempt is made to create a body of historical knowledge about workplace and organizational ethnography. The value of this would be to deepen the contribution ethnographic research makes to organization and management studies, and ensure that continuity and change in ethnographic research practices are better understood.