bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge transfer between preparedness and emergency response: a case study
Authors: Eriksson Kerstin
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the transfer of knowledge between preparedness activities and emergency response at the municipal level to improve emergency response.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was carried out in the municipality of Ljungby using prewritten questions to analyse the collected empirical material. This material consisted of both municipality documents and interviews. The investigation involved municipal units that participate in emergency preparedness activities and those involved in the emergency response to a violent storm Gudrun that took place in 2005.

Findings

The findings show that the people in charge of the immediate response to the storm did not effectively use the analytic preparations created by those responsible for planning and preparations. Indeed to a great extent they used general response patterns and functions discovered from their own earlier experiences. These findings led to the development of a preliminary draft of requirements for a well‐functioning knowledge transfer from emergency preparedness work to response.

Research limitations/implications

The paper demonstrates a need for municipalities to develop methods to increase transfer of knowledge of preparedness plans and analyses to improve response.

Originality/value

The paper shows that there is a potential to improve the preparedness process to reduce the gap between preparedness planning and its use in emergency response. The paper suggests a preliminary proposal for developing preparedness activities (in particular risk and vulnerability analyses) more suitable for emergency response.
Framing effects on preparation intentions: distinguishing actions and outcomes
Authors: McClure John , White Jo , Sibley Chris G.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show whether positive or negative framing of preparation messages leads to higher intentions to prepare for earthquakes, and whether the more important component of the message is the framing of the preparation action or the framing of the outcome of not preparing.

Design/methodology/approach

Four message conditions were created by crossing the framing of preparation actions (taking or not taking action) and the framing of outcomes (experiencing harm and avoiding harm in an earthquake). They were presented to citizens (n=240) in Wellington, New Zealand, who judged the general importance of preparation and specific preparation steps.

Findings

The study finds that intentions to undertake both general and specific preparation were higher with negatively framed outcomes than positive outcomes. With specific actions, negative outcomes led to higher intentions to prepare when the action frame was positive (i.e. being well prepared).

Research limitations/implications

This research shows that negative framing should apply to outcome preparation and not to the action of preparing

Practical implications

These findings clarify that negative framing of outcomes is likely to increase preventive actions in relation to natural hazards.

Originality/value

This is the first study to show the affects of message framing on preparing for disasters.
Factors affecting smoking tendency and smoking intensity
Authors: Ben David Nissim , Ben Zion Uri
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the relative effect of relevant explanatory variable on smoking tendency and smoking intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data collected by the Israeli Bureau of Statistics in 2003‐2004, a probit procedure is estimated for analyzing factors that affect the probability of being a smoker. Using ordinary least square methods, the factors that affect smoking intensity are also estimated.

Findings

The findings show that the probability of being a smoker, as well as having greater intensity of smoking, is larger for males, non‐Jews, and those who are un‐married and younger. When estimating different equations for males and females, the results for males are in the same direction as the results for all sample observations, but for females it is found that being Jewish significantly increases smoking probability and females born in America or Europe smoke more intensively.

Research limitations/implications

Our findings enable the focusing of the relevant authorities' attention on the population that is at a higher risk of smoking.

Practical implications

Concurrent with the necessary legislation, a strategy has to be developed that can appropriately target the different educational, ethnic, age and gender groups, and effectively communicate the correct health message that will properly impact on long‐term behavior.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to existing knowledge in two main aspects: the first is in measuring the relative effect of each significant explanatory variable on smoking tendency and smoking intensity. The second is in using a unique data set that includes many agents' characteristics and examining the significance of the various characteristics on smoking tendency and smoking intensity.
Healthy behaviours in music and non‐music performance students
Authors: Ginsborg Jane , Kreutz Gunter , Thomas Mike , Williamon Aaron
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the self‐reported health‐promoting behaviours of music and non‐music performance students in higher education. It also seeks to determine the extent to which perceived health and self‐reported symptoms are associated with lifestyle, emotional affect state, self‐regulation and self‐efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Music performance students from two conservatoires (n=198) and students of nursing and biomedical science (health students) from two universities (n=65) aged 18‐26 years completed the health‐promoting lifestyle inventory; the positive and negative affect, the self‐efficacy and the self‐regulation scales, as well as reporting their present health and completing an inventory of musculo‐ and non‐musculoskeletal health problems.

Findings

Music performance students score lower than health students on health responsibility, physical activity and spiritual growth; also on self‐efficacy and self‐regulation. Music performance students rate their health, generally, worse than do health students, and report a wider variety of symptoms, which they rate as more severe than do health students. Perceived present health is most strongly correlated with reported healthy lifestyle. This in turn is associated with positive affect, self‐efficacy and self‐regulation.

Research limitations/implications

This is a relatively small‐scale investigation of the health‐promoting behaviours and experiences of ill‐health reported by two groups of students following different programmes of study and with different career aspirations. Firm conclusions cannot therefore be drawn.

Practical implications

While nursing and biomedical science students may be atypical in that they are likely to gain a greater awareness of health issues from their studies, it could be argued that music performance students need to adopt healthy lifestyles in order to reach their full potential as musicians, and health promotion should be part of their training.

Originality/value

The interrelationships among lifestyle, physical health and psychological well‐being have been studied in a number of populations. The health‐promoting behaviours of music performance students in comparison with those of other students are of particular interest given the physical and emotional demands of expert music making.
Employee engagement is a two‐way street
Authors: Rama Devi V.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the significance of creating a retention‐rich organizational culture and discuss the drivers of employee engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the personal view of the author, based on research findings and practical experience.

Findings

The paper advances the view that finding and retaining talent are critical elements of an organization's ability to improve profitability, manage costs, grow by acquisition, innovate, develop new products and services, and discover new markets. Corporate cultures characterized by teamwork, pleasant working conditions, considerate treatment of employees, growth opportunities, flexible‐working practices, and good leadership and management practices foster employee engagement.

Practical implications

The paper argues that, in today's competitive environment, companies need to acknowledge the importance of the manager in retaining employees.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates why employee engagement is based on a two‐way relationship between employer and employee.
Making change work: closing the change gap
Authors: Buckingham Mark , Seng Jason
Published: April 2009

Purpose

To discover the important, practical factors that Make Change Work.

Design/methodology/approach

Global survey conducted through online and face‐to‐face interviews. Statistical analysis using correlation and cross tabulation.

Findings

Study identified four areas correlated with project success – real insights, solid methods, better skills, right investment. We call this the Change Diamond. Combined effectively, they make change work better.

Practical implications

Change practitioners can more effectively deploy their resources to deliver maximum change impact through targeted intervention. Change practitioners can focus on the Change Diamond facets to enable better change.

Originality/value

The largest study of its kind in the field of Change Management in the last decade.
An integrative metatheory for organisational learning and sustainability in turbulent times
Authors: Edwards Mark G.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Theories of organizational learning and sustainability must be able to respond to contemporary social issues and accommodate, in some way, the multiplicity of perspectives that are present in society on these topics. One way of developing multi‐perspectival capacities in the scientific understandings is through the building of metatheory. Nowhere is this task more urgently needed than in the study of organisational sustainability. To be sustainable, organisations must not only meet economic, environmental, social and governance requirements but also learn to embody them in their practices and values even during times of turbulence and extraordinary upheaval. The purpose of this paper is to propose a metatheoretical approach to organizational sustainability that can accommodate this plurality.

Design/methodology/approach

Three important metatheoretical lenses – the developmental, internal‐external and learning lenses – are presented which have particular relevance to turbulent organizational environments and the transformational imperatives that arise from them. These lenses are then used individually and in combination to discuss several paradoxes related to learning and sustainability issues.

Findings

The growth, learning and sustainability paradoxes present a number of challenges to organisational learning capacities that can be usefully discussed within a metatheoretical context. The set of metatheoretical lenses identified here provide some new avenues for achieving authentic sustainability.

Practical implications

There are two important implications of metatheoretical discussion. The first is the opening up of new directions for middle‐range theory. The second is the capacity of metatheory to critically examine extant theories and research paradigms. Several issues are raised in this paper concerning the evaluation of current theories of organisational learning and sustainability.

Originality/value

The metatheoretical approach to learning and sustainability proposed here resolves some fundamental paradoxes facing organisations and it opens up new ways of conceptualising the radical transformations required to meet the sustainability challenges that are being faced in the twenty‐first century.
Sustainable competence: a study of a bank
Authors: Hagström Tom , Backström Tomas , Göransson Susanna
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Decentralization and company cultures have emerged to master increasing external flexibility, as in a competitive bank in Sweden, raising issues of the sustainability in terms of competence and competence development. The purpose of this paper is to study how the staff members in a bank perceive a company culture and how this perception is related to background aspects (gender, age, etc.), and engagement in regular regulating activities decided by the company.

Design/methodology/approach

An “abductive” approach inspired by action‐, adult developmental‐, complexity‐ and “holon” theory comprise a frame of reference applied on a multi‐methodological case study in progress, within which a survey distributed in the whole bank in Sweden has been analyzed in terms mainly of a multiple linear regression analysis.

Findings

Results indicate strong integration in the company culture related to active engagements in regular and regulating activities. The regression analysis clearly indicates that the cultural integration is more influenced by those activities than by individual background variables. However, results also show more critical attitudes towards the culture. This may reflect both an individual developmental aspect and a generational aspect.

Research limitations/implications

Results are only one of many necessary contributions to a deeper multi‐methodological ongoing approach.

Originality/value

The approach combines different lines of reasoning and data providing both a broad an in‐depth elucidation of the issues studied.
Long run post issue performance of fixed price and book built IPOs: an empirical study on Indian markets
Authors: Gopalaswamy Arun Kumar , Chaturvedi Kartikeya , Sriram N.
Published: April 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the difference in long run post issue performance of initial public offerings (IPOs) that tapped the Indian primary market through a fixed price offer and book building offer; also to assess the persistence of underperformance between these two routes of offering. Design/methodology/approach: The after market performance of the IPOs is empirically assessed based on their market prices and also taking into consideration the other factors associated with the after market performance such as the period of issue (boom/slump), sector in which the industry is operating, etc. Findings: The results suggest that there is no difference in the direction of performance of the issues post listing in the short run, however in the long run the issues that tapped the market through the book building route seemed to perform far better than the ones that raised money through a fixed price offer. The results also suggested that the average return irrespective of the route of issue remains the same and this is because of the high initial return of issues that tapped the market with fixed price offers. Originality/value: The paper provides useful information about the IPO markets of India and abroad, related literature and theories or hypotheses concerning methods of issue.
Managing bullwhip effect: two case studies
Authors: Ravichandran N.
Published: April 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present two examples based on real life experiences where the Bullwhip effect (BWE) in supply chain is considerably reduced. Both examples relate to the consumer durables industry in India. Design/methodology/approach: The first example uses enterprise resource planning and vendor managed inventory as tools to reduce the BWE. The second example uses a modification of the classical inventory control policies to eliminate BWE. Research limitations/implications: This paper could initiate research in an area which would help supply chain researchers and managers to understand why some companies are able to contain BWE and others are not. Findings: Based on these two empirical case studies, the paper argues that managing BWE is a strategic initiative by organization and the best approach is a combination of several tactical initiatives. Originality/value: This paper briefly summarizes the managerial approaches to tame BWE in two different contexts. The two examples have some similarities, differences and offer unique insights related to managing BWE.
Do product variants appeal to different segments of buyers within a category?
Authors: Trinh Giang , Dawes John , Lockshin Larry
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This study responds to the call of Fader and Hardie for more research on buyer behaviour toward stock keeping units (SKU). This paper aims to examine whether different SKU‐based product variants appeal to buyers with different demographic characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the product variants (such as size, formulation, type) of a range of brands in six consumer goods categories. The authors calculate and compare the market share of each variant within each demographic group. If a variant has a higher market share within a specific demographic group than the overall average, this indicates segmentation at the product variant level.

Findings

The findings show that there are many differences in the market shares of product variants among different demographic groups of buyers. The largest differences are found extensively within the age and employment status variables.

Originality/value

Functionally different product variants tend to draw different demographic‐based segments of buyers, which has not been previously shown.
Privacy and fair information practices in ubiquitous environments
Authors: Karyda Maria , Gritzalis Stefanos , Hyuk Park Jong , Kokolakis Spyros
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse about the nature of privacy and its role in ubiquitous environments and provide insights for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses the privacy implications of particular characteristics of ubiquitous applications and discusses the fundamental principles and information practices used in digital environments for protecting individuals' private data.

Findings

A significant trend towards shifting privacy protection responsibility from government to the individuals is identified. Also, specific directions for future research are provided with a focus on interdisciplinary research.

Research limitations/implications

This paper identifies key research issues and provides directions for future research.

Originality/value

This study contributes by identifying major challenges that should be addressed, so that a set of “fair information principles” can be applied in the context of ubiquitous environments. It also discusses the limitations of these principles and provides recommendations for future research.
Qualitative analysis and the construction of causal models
Authors: Prince Melvin , Manolis Chris , Tratner Susan
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a methodology by which qualitative analyses serve as rich source materials for discovery of theoretically cogent interrelations between latent variables.

Design/methodology/approach

In an illustrative case, qualitative data are collected from US franchisee managers from a single branded franchise of automotive repair outlets. Qualitative analysis of franchisee experiences and attitudes is critical for construction of a causal model used to predict conflict intensity between franchisee managers and franchisors.

Findings

The model is based on franchisees' normative expectations for resource allocation within the franchise; and their perceptions of franchisor normative violations, which are determinative of grievances, distrust, and hostility. This theoretical orientation serves to generate a system of interrelated empirically testable propositions.

Research limitations/implications

In principle, the primary limitation of using qualitative analysis for the construction of causal models is the fruitfulness of the theoretical orientation shared by the qualitative analyst and the causal modeler.

Practical implications

The methodological approach advanced in this paper advances qualitative research and causal modeling beyond the individual contributions. Qualitative analysis infuses variables and process imagery into causal modeling. In turn, causal modeling elaborates the qualitative analysis and makes explicit logical connections between variables.

Originality/value

This paper advances a methodology by which qualitative analysis and causal model construction may be usefully integrated. Theory‐based qualitative analysis may be formalized to map latent concepts and their interrelations. Further, operational measures of these concepts may be adduced from the analysis of textual data.
Are voters, consumers?
Authors: Peng Norman , Hackley Chris
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deepen and add nuance to previous explorations of the voter‐consumer analogy in order to generate new insights into wider applications of the marketing concept.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual analysis is supplemented and enriched with insights from a non‐representative case of voter responses to political advertising.

Findings

Findings suggest that limitations to the voter‐consumer analogy revolve around the differing contexts of marketing in each case and reflect differing audience responses at the micro‐level.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical component of this study is not representative or generalizable. However, it is used not to verify generalizations but to add qualitative insights to the conceptual discussion. Findings suggest that research which applies the marketing concept to non‐commercial settings, especially political marketing but also possibly extending to social marketing, non‐profit and public sector marketing, should be cautious in assuming that consumers of non‐commercial marketing respond in the same way to marketing initiatives as consumers of commercial marketing.

Practical implications

The research has implications for the application of the marketing concept in political and other non‐commercial contexts.

Originality/value

The application of the marketing concept in non‐commercial settings as well as commercial settings has become so common it is often taken for granted. Yet the behaviour, attitudes and responses of consumers in these different settings may diverge in important ways at the micro‐level. Explorations of the applicability of the marketing concept in different settings are relatively rare and this paper adds a previously unpublished empirical aspect to an original conceptual analysis which aligns secondary research from disparate sources in political science and cultural studies as well as marketing.
An exploratory study of Canadian international new venture firms' development in overseas markets
Authors: Spence Martine , Crick Dave
Published: April 2009

Purpose

In the past decade, research on rapidly internationalizing firms, commonly referred to as “international new ventures” (INVs), has mainly focused on their inception phase and relatively little is known of what becomes of these firms after this period in respect of their international marketing strategies. The purpose of this paper is therefore to gain insights into how management teams within small INVs assess international opportunities and develop appropriate international marketing strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach employed involves interviews with key respondents in five small, independently owned firms that have a significant percentage of turnover overseas.

Findings

The paper identifies that specific types of knowledge are related to growth strategies as are perceptions of market potential and the management team's vision.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide further understanding of patterns of internationalization and more specifically that foreign market knowledge can be acquired in various ways and allows firms to become more highly committed to some remote markets much earlier than previously anticipated. This understanding could help policy‐makers to provide more targeted and relevant support to INVs.

Originality/value

Both planned and unplanned activities are evident in the research suggesting international marketing growth is not as strategically planned as a good deal of earlier research suggests.
An application of TQM tools at a maintenance division of a large aerospace company
Authors: Vassilakis E. , Besseris G.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Devoted to a description and evaluation of a selected maintenance process (assembly) at the aero‐engines maintenance unit of a large aerospace company by implementation of TQM tools, this paper attempts to identify the causes behind the defect observed and form the scientific platform for initiatives in a TQM‐governed enterprise and to broaden the principles of TQM for the selected process, prior to moving to a more structured plan that will include the entire unit.

Design/methodology/approach

Process monitoring and evaluation are organised by an application of control charts in order to provide vital information regarding the level of control in the selected process. Quality control data are contrasted with component specifications by employing control charts to provide a metric for the level of the process capability index. As a result a Fishbone diagram is constructed to identify existing interrelations between the causes responsible for the defect observed.

Findings

The maintenance process selected was the assembly process of an aero‐engine module (exhaust nozzle unit) at the aero‐engines maintenance unit of a large aerospace company. Process evaluation by means of multivariate control charts and tolerance analysis exhibited poor results. It was observed that certain measurement stations were out of control, whilst low actual capability index values were exhibited in others..

Research limitations/implications

Process monitoring and evaluation carried out for the purposes of the present study had the form of an off‐line tool. The paper shows that the aero‐engines maintenance unit had no infrastructure for an online process control and monitoring system. Consequently, performed analysis indicated that the implied assembly process was inadequately implemented. As a result, the maintained assembly units were out of stated specifications limits.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on TQM in the aerospace maintenance business.
Mobile solutions for engineering asset and maintenance management
Authors: Emmanouilidis Christos , Liyanage Jayantha P. , Jantunen Erkki
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to present an overview of current trends in employing wireless solutions to engineering asset and maintenance management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews literature and technological advances in wireless technologies and their applications in engineering asset and maintenance management from the viewpoint of assessing their potential impact, use and penetration in industrial practice. Rather than attempting a literature survey, the paper highlights emerging opportunities, benefits and potential hurdles in the adoption of mobile application solutions for industrial assets.

Findings

Despite the fact that the use of advanced application solutions in manufacturing, production or process facilities takes place at a different scale, the emerging trend has already shown that mobile technologies have a great potential to redefine and re‐engineer the conventional setting for industrial asset and maintenance management. They have already begun to form the basis for offering advanced and smart solutions to remotely manage complex, high‐risk, and capital‐intensive assets, regardless of the geographical location, building agile information and knowledge networks. The key characteristics of the emerging environment include: 24/7 connectivity for active data management, enhanced web‐based interactivity, ready access to knowledge and information, and growth of use of advanced communication networks.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on analysing current trends and concludes by highlighting promising research directions in employing wireless and mobile solutions for engineering and maintenance asset management.

Practical implications

Managerial and engineering personnel, as well as practitioners, can examine on a case‐by‐case basis the specific benefits that can be offered by the introduction of mobile technologies for engineering asset and maintenance management.

Originality/value

The recent penetration of mobile technologies in industrial practice highlights the need to assess the benefits of the technology in maintenance engineering. Much of the literature focuses on the contribution of ICT in maintenance, without analysing the impact of mobile technologies. The paper goes some way towards examining and analysing the current practice and prospects of implementing mobile application solutions in maintenance.
An integrated cost optimisation maintenance model for industrial equipment
Authors: Khalil Jean , Saad Sameh M. , Gindy Nabil
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated‐cost optimization maintenance model for industrial equipment, based on a balance between preventive and corrective maintenance costs.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model is mathematically based and takes into consideration the stochastic nature of equipment failures. The output from the model is a cost distribution against time from which the minimum cost may be found for a particular period and this period is defined as the optimum lifespan of the machine part.

Findings

The output from the proposed model was constrained to the production conditions on machine level. This constrained output was then refined subject to recent failure trends in comparison with historical trends. Guidelines have also been given for a smooth completion of the maintenance actions on a machining cell level. The anticipation of the failure rate of every machine‐part is made possible as well as the improvement of the part's availability at an extra financial cost that would be clearly anticipated. The results promise improvement in equipment availability, inventory and workforce planning, along with reductions in failure rates.

Practical implications

The implementation of the proposed model is expected to have a significant impact on an industrial organisation in terms of reducing its maintenance‐related costs, production lines backlogs and scrap rates.

Originality/value

The angle, from which the paper approaches the maintenance problem in industry, is original in nature and beneficial in result. It allows the user to have a deep understanding of his/her industrial domain without being involved in too much theoretical derivation. It also helps the user to treat only the contaminated spot (machine‐part) and not the whole assembly (the machine), which adds accuracy and potential impact to the output.
Developers and terminators in hypermarkets' relationships with Chinese customers
Authors: Stanworth James O.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify distinguishing attributes of (dis)satisfying service contacts in a Chinese cultural context. Design/methodology/approach – The data were collected in the form of critical incidents from a purposive snowball sample of hypermarket customers. Analysis of the responses revealed 277 critical judgements related (dis)satisfying determinants.

Findings

Findings reveal 17 determinants with 37 sub‐determinants for all the experiences: five determinants relate to satisfactory evaluations, seven to dissatisfactory, and a further five to both. The determinants represent a marked departure from existing determinants of service quality described in the Western oriented literature.

Originality/value

The findings are related to Chinese (Confucian) culture to suggest determinants that can both develop and lead to termination of hypermarkets' relationships with their customers. A focus on the developers and terminators provides practical insights to foreign and indigenous managers of hypermarkets in the Far East for focus in service delivery.
Financial analysis of road project delivery systems
Authors: Lahdenperä Pertti , Koppinen Tiina
Published: April 2009

Purpose

A project delivery system (PDS) refers to the organizational framework of a project that defines the control mechanisms and the relationships between actors and their incentives. It is of major importance to the project owner as it, for instance, contributes to the project's level of efficiency. This paper aims to define indicative, relative cost performances of different PDSs in a road management context to support the road owner's strategy development.

Design/methodology/approach

This study compares the costs of design‐bid‐build, construction management at‐fee, design‐build, design‐build‐operate and design‐build‐finance‐operate based on an international data capture focusing on the operational performance of these PDSs. A financial analysis was made to determine the systems' present costs to a road authority based on relevant market estimates. Moreover, a step towards understanding their overall efficiency was taken by focusing also on differences in speed of delivery which result in expenses or savings to the user community.

Findings

Although the applicability of a PDS depends on project properties and constraints, the study concludes that, in general, the broader the scope of services supplied by a single contract, the lower the system's present cost to the owner. The inclusion of private finance and early commissioning advantage, however, change the ranking so that universal conclusions cannot be drawn. DBFO seems to be commonly in the middle category.

Research limitations/implications

Here, PDSs are applied to a relatively large project, minimum size €30‐60m, in well‐known conditions and involving no factors of uncertainty due to third parties. The results are not valid in smaller and/or more constrained projects.

Originality/value

The study provided new knowledge of the owner's and society's average comparable cost performances in the case of five different PDSs. Since a single‐value, exclusive solution hardly exists, the study on the sensitivity of different PDSs to key financial parameters is also valuable.
Developmental evaluation framework for innovation and learning networks
Authors: Ramstad Elise
Published: April 2009

Purpose

During the past decade new types of broader networks that aim to achieve widespread effects in the working life have emerged. These are typically based on an interactive innovation approach, where knowledge is created jointly together with diverse players. At the moment, the challenge is how to evaluate these complex networks and learning processes. This paper seeks to present a developmental evaluation framework for innovation and learning networks.

Design/methodology/approach

The evaluation framework is based on a systemic and complementarity view on knowledge sources and innovation activities. The framework integrates three different elements of network: structure, learning processes, and the outcomes for different actors. The basic assumption is that networks with several actors based on an expanded triple helix model (workplaces, R&D infrastructure, and policy makers) and several learning processes enable better innovation potential and broader outcomes. Here criteria for an evaluation framework are created, which are then contested with empiria, in this case learning network projects (n=17) funded by the Finnish Workplace Development Programme.

Findings

The results show that the created evaluation framework offers a useful tool to point out the networks with a best potential to broader outcomes for diverse actors. It can provide a tool for policy makers, but also for involving participants, in order to direct and coordinate innovation and generative learning more effectively. However, there is not, and cannot be, a common and strict pattern for an innovation and learning network, as one of their main goals is to create and experiment with new forms of development cooperation.

Originality/value

Evaluation framework is needed in order to direct and increase the validity of innovation and learning networks.
Fuzzy multiple criteria base realignment and closure (BRAC) benchmarking system at the Department of Defense
Authors: Tavana Madjid , Bourgeois Brian S. , Sodenkamp Mariya A.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The US Government adopted the base realignment and closure (BRAC) to resolve the military, economic and political issue of excess base capacity. There have been five rounds of BRAC since 1988, and more are expected to come in the years ahead. The complexity of the closure and realignment decisions and the plethora of factors that are often involved necessitate the need for a sound theoretical framework to structure and model the decision‐making process. This paper aims to address the issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a multiple criteria benchmarking system that integrates the employment, environmental, financial, strategic, and tactical impacts of the closure and realignment decisions into a weighted‐sum measure called the “survivability index.” The proposed index is used to determine whether the returns generated by each military base on the Department of Defense (DoD) hit list meet a sufficient target benchmark.

Findings

There is a significant amount of evidence that intuitive decision making is far from optimal and it deteriorates exponentially with problem complexity. The benchmarking system presented in this study helps decision makers (DMs) crystallize their thoughts and reduce the environmental complexities inherent in the BRAC decisions. The presented model is intended to create an even playing field for benchmarking and pursuing consensus not to imply a deterministic approach to BRAC decisions.

Originality/value

An iterative process is used to consistently analyze the objective and subjective judgments of multiple DMs within a structured framework based on the analytic network process and fuzzy logic. This iterative and interactive preference modeling procedure is the basic distinguishing feature of the presented model as opposed to statistical and optimization decision‐making approaches.
Maintenance performance indicators (MPIs) for benchmarking the railway infrastructure
Authors: Åhrén Thomas , Parida Aditya
Published: April 2009

Purpose

For railway infrastructure, benchmarking is an effective tool that can support the management in their pursuit of continuous improvement by the use of maintenance performance indicators (MPIs). Hence, there is a need to study the MPIs and link them with benchmarking. The purpose of this paper is to present case studies dealing with the application of benchmarking and maintenance performance indicators for the railway infrastructure.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies were conducted at Banverket (the Swedish Rail Administration) and at Jernbaneverket (the Norwegian National Rail Administration), which is responsible for the Norwegian part of the Iron Ore Line between Kiruna in Sweden and Narvik in Norway. The results from the two case studies are compared and analyzed. The benchmarking data for the railway infrastructure are retrieved, classified and analyzed for best practice improvement.

Findings

MPIs can successfully use benchmarking as a tool for improvement by learning from within or from other organizations for continuous improvement, which is a rather new phenomenon in the railway industry.

Research limitations/implications

Each railway infrastructure is unique due to its geographical locations and constraints, besides the organization, management and other resources. These factors need to be considered while benchmarking the railway infrastructures.

Practical implications

The results obtained in these case studies can be used by the railway infrastructure managers for continuous improvements. Moreover, other relevant MPIs required by the railway infrastructure managers can be benchmarked in a similar manner.

Originality/value

The paper presents a structured method for continuous improvement of railway infrastructure by using MPIs for benchmarking.
Application of benchmarking for assessing the lean manufacturing implementation
Authors: Gurumurthy Anand , Kodali Rambabu
Published: April 2009

Purpose

In recent times, many organizations have attempted to implement or have already implemented lean manufacturing (LM). Some companies have implemented a few tools/techniques/practices/procedures (i.e. “elements” in short) of LM, while others have implemented a whole spectrum of LM elements. Under such circumstances, it becomes very difficult to gauge which organization has really embraced the lean philosophy and where it stands in comparison with other LM organizations. This paper seeks to determine the current status of benchmarking in the field of LM.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study, demonstrating the application of a benchmarking (BM) process is presented.

Findings

This research lists out the elements and performance measures of LM apart from highlighting the gaps in terms of performance and practices between the two organizations.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study are that only a preliminary BM study was carried out instead of a complete study. Similarly, not all the steps of the BM process proposed could be validated.

Practical implications

The conceptual BM process model proposed in our earlier study has been validated using a case study. Hence, it is believed that managers will be able to apply BM in assessing the LM implementation in their organization.

Originality/value

Though a few papers relating BM and LM/just‐in‐time are available in the literature, none has utilized a structured BM process. However, this paper has demonstrated the same, thereby adding value to the existing body of knowledge on LM and BM.
Six shamanic concepts: charting the between in futures work
Authors: Bussey Marcus
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper offers six shamanic futures concepts to augment Inayatullah's six pillars, questions and concepts of futures studies.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on Ashis Nandy's use of the shaman as a futures category that posits alterity and the unknowable as the dissenting component of futures studies, six concepts (geophilosophy, rhizome, intercivilisational dialogue, heterotopia, immanence and hybridity) from poststructural thinking are proposed to offer an account of the agency‐structure interface (context) that is of practical value to futures practice.

Findings

Futures praxis is pragmatic and goal driven, seeking preferred futures outcomes for those in context. The six shamanic futures concepts further this end by outlining conceptual processes that deepen understanding of context as a co‐creative and living space.

Research limitations/implications

Futures studies is becoming increasingly sophisticated; the six shamanic concepts push practitioner's understanding of how to facilitate deep organizational change.

Practical implications

This paper provides six concepts that enable futures practitioners to better understand the nature of their own practice.

Originality/value

This paper extends Inayatullah's mapping of the futures field by suggesting six concepts that facilitate an understanding and harnessing of the potential of context.
Emerging trends in sourcing of business services
Authors: Sharma Ajay , Loh Patricia
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine key emerging trends in sourcing of business services.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is primarily theoretical and observational. It is based on the author's review of major academic and managerial publications, extensive interactions with industry leaders and prior experience in the industry.

Findings

Scale and scope of sourcing of business services from across firm and national boundaries is increasing. Offshore is increasingly being leveraged for higher value activities. As business services get more industrialized, activities are being split into smaller units for servicing, and a services supply chain is beginning to emerge. With sourcing becoming more strategic, risk management has become more complex and critical.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides an overview of significant emerging trends in sourcing of business services. Further complementary research – theoretical, survey or case‐study based – on each of these identified trends will help develop a more exhaustive understanding.

Practical implications

This paper provides business executives with a framework to view emerging changes in sourcing of business services, and to better prepare for future opportunities and challenges.

Originality/value

This paper takes a holistic view at sourcing of business services and identifies some key emerging trends. The review of academic, managerial and popular press publications, and insights gathered from the field have been summarized into this succinct overview. This perspective should guide further focused academic research as well as practical application in business projects.
Improving the business processes of a bank
Authors: Climent Cristina , Mula Josefa , Hernández Jorge E.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the business processes of a bank by considering a graphical and a descriptive view in order to find critical processes and to improve them.

Design/methodology/approach

A methodology with which the business processes are modeled based on the flow diagram (FD) and integrated definitions (IDEF0) techniques.

Findings

Detects the descriptive and graphical view of the main critical business processes of a bank. Allows to propose correct and effective improvements to them and considers different views and degrees of detail.

Research limitations/implications

This study considers a static view of the processes. A future line of research includes the simulation of the critical business processes of the bank detected with the modeling techniques herein proposed.

Practical implications

The business process modeling techniques apply to one subsidiary of a bank company, and can thus be extended to all subsidiaries to compare their performance and to apply the improvements by considering global objectives.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a structured modeling to capture the critical business processes of a bank through well‐known techniques, such as the FDs and IDEF0, and helps compare and detect these relevant aspects for the bank.
Dynamic outsourcing through process modularization
Authors: Wu Lifang , Park Daewoo
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a dynamic outsourcing framework for making and implementing process outsourcing decisions in a rapidly changing environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework incorporates three major concepts/techniques: the order winner concept to identify strategic level competitive priorities, the modularization concept to reconfigure enterprise organizational structure, and the analytical hierarchy process technique for linking critical demand attributes with process modules at the operational level.

Findings

The study presents a dynamic outsourcing approach through organizational modularization and shows when and how core and non‐core activities can be outsourced in a fast changing market.

Research limitations/implications

The complexities of the framework will need facilitation and supports on issues such as organizational modularity, multi‐goal optimization, and empirical validation.

Practical implications

This paper offers practical insights and clarifies common confusions associated with strategic outsourcing.

Originality/value

The paper tries to fill the gap between the existing outsourcing literature and the practical need for choosing specific outsourcing activities at the operational level. The dynamic framework creates a foundation for continuous process improvement on a cyclic basis.