bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Views of building surveyors and building services engineers on priority setting of fire safety attributes for building maintenance
Authors: Lo S.M. , Lam K.C. , Yuen Richard K.K.
Published: April 2007

Fire safety is a major concern of most maintenance managers in Hong Kong, especially since many recent, serious fires. To maintain a building at an acceptable fire safety level, the building fabric (structural fire protection means), as well as the building services (fire services installations), should be kept to good and efficient standards. However, maintenance budgets do not always meet ever‐increasing needs. Priorities must be set for different aspects of maintenance works, including fire safety. Priorities setting is normally based on the professional knowledge and experience of the maintenance managers, whose attitudes may affect the priority setting, as well as the decision making. Describes a study to investigate the attitudes of maintenance professionals of different backgrounds on the priority setting of various fire safety attributes. It was found that the professionals’ backgrounds do influence their priority setting. Nevertheless, they all perceived that structural means of escape and maintenance planning are important areas.
Building materials selection: greenhouse strategies for built facilities
Authors: Treloar Graham , Fay Roger , Ilozor Benedict , Love Peter
Published: April 2007

This paper aims to consider the embodied energy of building materials in the context of greenhouse gas emission mitigation strategies. Previous practice and research are highlighted where they have the potential to influence design decisions. Latest embodied energy figures are indicated, and the implications of applying these figures to whole buildings are discussed. Several practical examples are given to aid building designers in the selection of building materials for reduced overall life cycle greenhouse gas emissions.
Critical elements of a disaster recovery and business/service
continuity plan
Authors: Moore Pat
Published: April 2007

Outlines ideas for a well‐designed crisis plan applicable to many
corporations, institutions or government agencies. In the light of
numerous community‐wide disasters, as well as the singular disasters
that corporations, institutions, municipalities and government agencies
have suffered in the last few years, details disaster recovery needs.
Also discusses issues of site assessment – whether or not a
building is occupied, repairs, fire and water cleanup.
Evaluating contingency planning software: a checklist for recovery
planners
Authors: Aris Kathleen M.
Published: April 2007

Provides a checklist for business recovery planning software to
help buyers choose the correct equipment in which to invest. Using this
information will ideally eliminate purchase of unwanted software.
Discusses type of data, security, word processing, online help, and
customer services available.
System kitchens: improving catering quality and value for money in
HM Prison Service
Authors: Crow Neil
Published: April 2007

Discusses the new commercial status of the Prison Service under the
recent governmental reforms introducing market forces into the service.
Looks specifically at catering in prisons. Uses case studies to
illustrate.
Are you sitting comfortably?
Authors: Beckett Richard
Published: April 2007

Reiterates the salient points of the regulations set out by the
Health and Safety Regulations governing display screen equipment and
what effect these have on office seating furnishing.
How to initiate evacuation movement in public buildings
Authors: Proulx Guylène
Published: April 2007

Research and experience show that occupants tend to ignore fire alarm signals and continue their activities in large public buildings. Alternative means to alert the public in the event of an emergency and to initiate evacuation movement are discussed. The use of a standardized Temporal‐Three fire alarm signal is advocated to ensure occupant recognition of the fire alarm. Also, a communication system combined with closed‐circuit televisions (CCTVs) is recommended to convey precise information to the public. Building managers are considered responsible for developing a fire safety plan, and for ensuring that employees are well trained and that communication among staff is efficient in order to transmit information to the public that will prompt fast and safe evacuation movement.
Attitudes toward church advertising in Hong Kong
Authors: Au Alan K.M.
Published: April 2007

Investigates whether there is any room for church advertising in Hong Kong. The research was a cross‐sectional survey and questionnaires were used as the instrument to collect the required data. The results clearly demonstrated that church advertising should be further developed. But, the clergy should be more cautious in using advertising because the study found that not all kinds of church advertising received the same level of acceptance among Christians, non‐Christians, and even the clergy.
Pimps for paradise: missionaries, monetary funds, and marketers
Authors: Belk Russell W.
Published: April 2007

Missionaries, monetary funds, and marketers make strange bedfellows. The paradisal visions that they promote appear quite distinct. It seems to slander some more than others to label all three as pimps. And despite the phenomenon of serial addictions, the religious zealots, impoverished wretches, and compulsive consumers of the world seem to form mutually exclusive, if not mutually hostile, groups. Nevertheless, missionaries, international monetary funds, and other marketers all strive to incite passionate longing toward something far better, for which those seduced must pay a price. All three seek to fan the fires of fanaticism with promises of a future paradise, immediate or distant. And all three threaten hellish punishments for those who reject these promises. There are, I contend, more similarities than differences among the conversion tactics and promises of these three panderers to human fears and longings. By examining the overlapping manner in which each purveys promises of paradise, we may better understand the tap roots of human emotion that each seeks to incite.
The ethics and positioning of guanxi in China
Authors: Leung T.K.P. , Wong Y.H.
Published: April 2007

Guanxi has been a popular research topic but commentators do not have consensus on its ethical and positioning aspects. Attempts to tackle these two aspects and the problem of guanxi and favor according to a survey in a Sino‐Hong Kong business negotiation environment. Respondents perceived that there are four dimensions within the guanxi concept, i.e. opportunism, dynamism, business interaction, and protectionism. According to these four dimensions, they can be segmented into three clusters, i.e. the preserver, the wiser, and the braver. Different clusters have different psychological approaches to Sino‐foreign negotiation but there is no difference in their perceptions towards the relationship between guanxi and favor. Concludes that guanxi is basically ethical and it can be used as a positioning strategy in China. However, there is some evidence to suggest that guanxi and favor are sensitive and situation‐specific, but further research is needed to confirm these claims.
Selecting overseas markets and entry modes: two decision processes or one?
Authors: Koch Adam J.
Published: April 2007

Contrary to the prevalent theory approaches that treat market selection and market entry mode selection as two related but essentially separate decisions, this paper argues that these should most appropriately be looked on as two aspects of one decision process. It proposes that an exhaustive list of factors that can influence outcomes of such an integrated process be developed and argues that an inclusive spectrum of analysis would be able to accommodate all business contexts and most relevant business practice. It then presents a new market and market entry mode selection model (MEMS) which conforms to the proposed inclusive spectrum of the underlying decision process analysis.
Relationship marketing in an enterprise resource planning environment
Authors: Chattopadhyay Satya P.
Published: April 2007

Retention of existing customers is a priority for businesses to survive and prosper. The high cost of acquisition of new customers in a mature market has pushed organizations into actively seeking to build and sustain long‐term relationships with customers. Such relationships are strong enough to provide a substantial barrier to switching business over to competition in most cases. The transition of a neutral or negative relationship into positive territory is based on changes in one or more of the cognitive, affective and behavioral dimensions of the relationship. Information exchanges between an organization and its customers play a significant role in such a change. The nature and scope of relationship with a customer changes, as the customer needs evolve in the course of the product life cycle in the customer’s industry. A framework merging the concepts of “customer relationship management” and “product life cycle” into “customer relationship life cycle” is proposed.
Object‐oriented database systems in manufacturing: selection and applications
Authors: Zhang Qingyu
Published: April 2007

As manufacturing systems change from island of automation to enterprise‐wise integration, object‐oriented database and database management systems have many superior features to meet the new requirements. Based on the comparison with relational databases, this paper discusses the selections and characteristics of the object‐oriented database and database management systems (OODBMS) in manufacturing and summarizes the current studies and applications. It helps managers to choose appropriate OODBMS products based on the degree of complexity of their firm’s entity and data items. It provides a direction for future research.
The coming age of online procurement
Authors: Attaran Mohsen
Published: April 2007

Concerns about cost management have led purchasing officers of many companies to look for new solutions – an Internet‐based electronic procurement system. The promise of Web procurement has made it one of the hottest topics of business‐to‐business e‐commerce. The promise is simple: to streamline administrative routines, and help companies consolidate their purchasing practices, enabling them to receive better discounts and better service from suppliers. Web‐based procurement systems are still in their infancy, and a lot of extra costs are around the corner. This paper presents tips for IT managers for successful implementation of this technology.
Key data management issues in a global executive information system
Authors: Kumar Anil , Palvia Prashant
Published: April 2007

Information technology plays a significant role in a global organization. Senior executives of these organizations need constant and timely access to global information for making decisions. This information originates in different places worldwide for a global organization and needs to be organized before it can be used for decision‐making. The organization and management of global corporate data presents unique challenges. This paper discusses the data organization and management related issues for developing a global executive information systems (EIS) for senior executives of global companies. The objective of a global EIS is to provide executives with a consistent, integrated and summarized view of operational data from subsidiaries worldwide. The global EIS also provides access to external data that is captured from different sources. The system facilitates integrating the internal and external data for effective decision‐making.
Effect of computer self‐efficacy on the use of executive support systems
Authors: Hung Shin‐Yuan , Liang Ting‐Peng
Published: April 2007

Computer self‐efficacy (CSE) is generally considered to have a positive effect on information systems use. Its effect on using executive support systems (ESS), however, has not been studied. This research elucidates the effect of CSE on ESS use by undertaking a field study on a group of 16 executives in the construction industry. The results indicate that executives with a lower CSE prefer more powerful systems (i.e. ESS with both analytical and intuitive tools). Executives with a higher CSE, on the other hand, prefer systems consisting of tools that can cognitively fit the task they perform. Implications for future application and research are discussed.
A module‐based conceptual framework for largescale expert systems
Authors: Kaula Rajeev , Lander Leslie C.
Published: April 2007

Increasing utilization of expert systems in organizations has
necessitated development of large‐scale expert systems that deal with
complex problem domains requiring handling of large knowledge bases.
Adapts the concepts and structures of open information systems to
outline a conceptual framework for large‐scale expert system development
called an open‐based expert system (OES) architecture. The framework
proposes partitioning large‐scale expert systems development into
smaller and autonomous expert system modules which communicate through a
flexible interface. The expert system modules may be built small enough
to achieve reliability, and the open structure of the architecture
allows the modules to be incorporated into a larger information system.
The OES architecture is implemented on vp‐expert shell, and a prototype
is developed to demonstrate its working.
Social, cultural, economic and legal barriers to the development of technology‐based information systems
Authors: Credé Andreas
Published: April 2007

Reports on the Change and Convergence Workshop, held at the Institution of Electrical Engineers in London in March 1996. Identifies social, economic and other barriers to effective exploitation of new forms of information systems and considers actions that might be taken to eliminate or reduce their effects.
Professional property services (PPS) marketing organisation: construct and propositions
Authors: Tay Linda
Published: April 2007

While many marketing issues have been covered in the existing services marketing literature, there has been a clear lack of investigation into the structural organisation of the marketing function. This study attempts to achieve two things: to define the marketing organisation and its construct; and to identify factors responsible for influencing the way marketing function is organised in professional property services (PPS) firms and develop research propositions in relation to the identified factors and their impacts on the PPS marketing organisation. An exploratory research method is employed involving comparisons between literature‐based findings and field‐based findings. The results of the study show that size of firm, environmental uncertainty, business strategy and management attitude to marketing are important factors affecting the marketing organisation in PPS firms.
An application of the hedonic price model with uncertain attribute ‐ The case of the People’s Republic of China
Authors: Yang Zan
Published: April 2007

The implicit prices of housing characteristics concerning the physical structure, location, environment and the risk of construction quality in China are examined in this paper. The hedonic price model with uncertainty of construction quality is adopted. Data is collected from the Beijing residential market. The results indicate that consumers have different preferences for choosing residences in the different parts of Beijing and the marginal price of public facilities is negative. The most important preference suggests households in Beijing are willing to pay additional expenditures to protect themselves from low construction quality. An obvious political implication of this study is that further residential reform should be accompanied by improved construction quality under legal supervision and by encouraging real estate developers to allocate units according to the preferences of households.
Joint Venture Vehicles in Property Development
Authors: Stevenson Robert , Potts Keith , Houlton Loraine
Published: April 2007

Joint ventures in property development can bring considerable benefits
to the parties. For example, in a joint venture involving a local
authority the authority will be able to play a positive role in urban
regeneration while the developer will gain credibility and hopefully
obtain a smoother planning process. Examines the strengths and
weaknesses of the three classic joint venture arrangements: joint
venture companies; partnerships; and “contractual” joint ventures.
Unmediated document delivery at Leeds University: from project to operational system
Authors: Birch Katie , Young Ian A.
Published: April 2007

The Documents Direct project’s aim was to investigate the feasibility of offering user‐initiated unmediated requesting and delivery of documents, as an alternative to traditional periodical holdings and conventional ILL. The project’s initial user group involved four science and engineering schools at the University of Leeds. The project’s trial demonstrated, with both quantitative and qualitative analysis, the value of the service and the project became a trial service 12 months after its inception. This article examines the initial trial and evaluates the trial service.
Interlending and document supply developments in Italy
Authors: Vaglio Anna
Published: April 2007

Today in Italy, interlibrary loan and document delivery are important elements in the strategic plans of most libraries. Their growing importance is a reflection of the increasing number of Italian OPACs and the development of the National Library System (SBN). More Italian libraries offer efficient ILL services through the use of electronic mail, easy payment methods, clearly stated ILL policies on their Web pages and request forms linked to OPAC records. Many problems still remain, however. These stem from a lack of a national, centralised ILL system and from the heterogeneity of the various local and regional library networks.
Opinion paper: docster – instant document delivery
Authors: Chudnov Daniel
Published: April 2007

Explores the possibility of using docster, a bibliographic management tool for file sharing. Instead of just citations, docster stores the files themselves and retains a connection between the citation metadata and each corresponding file.
The future of interlending
Authors: Jackson Mary E.
Published: April 2007

This keynote address identifies and describes ten trends in interlending and document supply over the period 2003 through to 2008.
Mary Jackson's musings
Authors: Jackson Mary E.
Published: April 2007

Describes what the author of this column envisages for the future of this regular feature. Gives a brief outline of her career history, commenting on the changes in working practices within ILL operations.
Using document delivery data for selecting medical titles in a large STM library: the experience of CISTI
Authors: Ireland Michael , Brown Beverly
Published: April 2007

Purpose

The Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI) undertook an in‐depth analysis of its current serial subscriptions to determine whether they were meeting the needs of internal clients at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and document delivery clients. The assumptions were that extended gaps existed in business literature needed by NRC clients and medical literature needed by document delivery clients. Seeks to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis was done from two perspectives: review and analysis of usage of the print serials subscriptions; and analysis of unfilled document delivery orders. The project team matched current serial titles with document delivery usage and then classified the titles by subject. Second, the team used data from unfilled orders to create a ranked list of titles not held at CISTI but for which clients were requesting articles. The ranked titles were validated by data from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) on titles requested by Canadian libraries and not widely available in Canada.

Findings

NRC users showed a need for more business titles and all client groups showed a marked need for medical titles. While 36 percent of titles in the collection were medical, they accounted for 57.2 percent of document delivery activity and for 64.6 percent of unfilled orders. As a result, CISTI purchased 135 new medical serial subscriptions and will update its collection development policy to allow for a broader collection in medicine and business.

Originality/value

The study shows that document delivery usage data can play a key role in supporting strategic collection decisions.
The digital object identifier system: digital technology meets content management
Authors: Paskin Norman
Published: April 2007

The management of intellectual content in a digital environment (Internet) requires the existence of persistent, reliable unique identifiers for each distinguishable piece of content, and associated services activated by these identifiers to manage access and other rights. The digital object identifier (DOI) is a major initiative from the content industries which is now being implemented widely. The DOI is a unique identifier of any piece of intellectual content (in any form), together with a system for using that identifier to locate digital services (on the Internet) associated with that content. This paper describes as separate strands the approach of the technology and the content communities, and how these have been brought together in the DOI initial implementation (as a reliable location tool) and future implementations of other services. The DOI has strong support from many quarters, and is funded by a not‐for‐profit independent foundation.
Element‐free Galerkin method for contact problems in metal forming analysis
Authors: Li Guangyao , Belytschko Ted
Published: April 2007

The total Lagrangian formulation and implementation of the element‐free Galerkin method (EFG) is presented for the analysis of contact‐impact problems with large deformations and for the simulation of metal forming processes. An integration scheme based on stress points is used, so no mesh is needed. A simple but general contact searching algorithm is used to treat the contact interface and an algorithm for the contact force is presented. Numerical results for Taylor bar impact are compared to finite element solutions and agree well. Solutions to upsetting, extrusion of metals with large material distortions are given to show the effectiveness of the algorithm. In particular, EFG is shown to be more capable of treating motions of the workpiece around corners of the punch than finite element methods.
Some observations on embedded discontinuity models
Authors: de Borst R. , Wells G.N. , Sluys L.J.
Published: April 2007

The formulation of finite elements with incompatible discontinuous modes is examined rigorously. Both weak and strong discontinuities are considered. Starting from a careful elaboration of the kinematics for both types of discontinuities a comprehensive finite element formulation is derived based on a three‐field variational statement. Similarities and differences are highlighted between the various formulations which ensue.
Large‐strain elasto‐plastic shell analysis using low‐order elements
Authors: Crisfield M.A. , Tan D.
Published: April 2007

Describes two low‐order shell elements, one (quadrilateral) with 16 degrees‐of‐freedom; twelve translations and four rotations and another (triangular) with 12 degrees‐of‐freedom; nine translations and three rotations. The elements are formulated in a geometrically non‐linear manner and large strains, which may be hyper‐elastic or elasto‐plastic, are also considered. Hills yield criterion with a Lankford constant for the special case of transversely isotropic problem is introduced into the large‐strain formulations. To illustrate its application, the hydrostatic bulging of rectangular diaphragms with different aspect ratios is analysed and the obtained results are compared with the experimental ones. The elements have advantageous nodal configuration that makes them particularly suitable for analysing structures with junctions. Such a problem is an initially square steel box loaded with internal pressure. This problem is analysed and comparisons are made with experimental results.
Simulation of physical experiments in immersive virtual environments
Authors: Noor Ahmed K. , Wasfy Tamer M.
Published: April 2007

An object‐oriented event‐driven immersive virtual environment is described for the creation of virtual labs (VLs) for simulating physical experiments. Discussion focuses on a number of aspects of the VLs, including interface devices, software objects, and various applications. The VLs interface with output devices, including immersive stereoscopic screen(s) and stereo speakers; and a variety of input devices, including body tracking (head and hands), haptic gloves, wand, joystick, mouse, microphone, and keyboard. The VL incorporates the following types of primitive software objects: interface objects, support objects, geometric entities, and finite elements. Each object encapsulates a set of properties, methods, and events that define its behavior, appearance, and functions. A “container” object allows grouping of several objects. Applications of the VLs include viewing the results of the physical experiment, viewing a computer simulation of the physical experiment, simulation of the experiment’s procedure, computational steering, and remote control of the physical experiment. In addition, the VL can be used as a risk‐free (safe) environment for training. The implementation of virtual structures testing machines, virtual wind tunnels, and a virtual acoustic testing facility is described.
Measurement and tracking of brand equity in the global marketplace ‐ The PepsiCo experience
Authors: Kish Paulette , Riskey Dwight R. , Kerin Roger A.
Published: April 2007

The conceptualization and measurement of brand equity, including its sources and outcomes, are a challenging task, particularly in a global marketplace. This paper briefly describes how PepsiCo, Inc. conceptualizes and measures brand equity across brands, countries, and over time. Special attention is given to the EquitrakTM brand equity model developed by PepsiCo, Inc. and the global brand equity tracking methodology employed by the company in 14 countries. The paper concludes with managerial insights obtained from this effort.
Exploring the link between market orientation and innovation in the European and US insurance markets
Authors: Lado Nora , Maydeu‐Olivares Albert
Published: April 2007

Despite the increasing research importance of market orientation in the marketing literature, few comparative studies between the European Union and the USA have been conducted. This limits the understanding of marketing orientation strategy in global markets. Investigates the influence of competitive environments on the uses of market orientation in insurance firms in the EU and the USA and the effects of market orientation on innovations. Using Lambin’s conceptualization of market orientation, our results indicate that, although EU and US insurance firms analyze and react to their environment differently, which in turn is reflected in a differential impact on their degree of innovation, this, however, does not translate into overall market orientation differences across markets, differential relations across markets between overall market orientation and innovation degree and innovation performance. Furthermore, there is a positive impact of overall market orientation on insurance firms’ innovation degree and innovation performance in both the US and EU markets. The managerial implications of these findings seem clear: the magnitude and the effectiveness of the innovation activities of a firm can be enhanced through the adoption of market orientation principles.
KEY ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
Authors: Cahill Dennis J.
Published: April 2007

This article presents the concept of the “learning organization” as a means to establish and preserve competitive advantage. This concept, relatively new and most familiar to those who specialize in organization studies, is defined and described in practical terms. One of the most difficult aspects of developing a learning organization is maintaining an outward focus, as the marketing concept demands. Maintaining communications with the firm’s key accounts is presented as the method for achieving an easier transition to the learning organization.
An empirical investigation of the Turkish consumers’ acceptance of Internet banking services
Authors: Nui Polatoglu Vichuda , Ekin Serap
Published: April 2007

An exploratory study of consumer acceptance of Internet banking (IB) services is conducted in a Turkish bank. Examines both consumer‐related factors that may affect the adoption of an innovation or a product (such as complexity, perceived risk, and relative advantage) as well as organizational factors such as marketing effort. The results suggest that IB not only reduces operational cost to the bank, but also leads to higher levels of customer satisfaction and retention. Accordingly, it is argued that IB is strategically important to the banking sector in an emerging economy, such as in Turkey.
The internationalisation process of Spanish banks: a tale of two times
Authors: Cardone‐Riportella Clara , Cazorla‐Papis Leonardo
Published: April 2007

Attempts to shed light on strategies and international entry modes of financial services firms, providing a framework of the internationalisation process in one specific industry. This is based upon the analysis of four case studies of Spanish banks entering the Latin American markets at two different stages – before and after the 1990s – to see how internationalisation strategies of financial services have evolved over time. Shows that, in accordance with the perceived market risk and the commitment of resources involved, firms may opt to enter a foreign market in a gradual (lineal) process or in a more opportunistic (contingent) way. The foreign direct investment decision vis‐à‐vis the resources and risks involved in the operation has been evolving through time, industry and country of destination.
Affinity credit card issuers and their relationship with their alumni affinity group partners
Authors: Worthington Steve
Published: April 2007

Examines the relationship between the financial institution that issues the affinity credit card and one of the recognized affinity groups on whose behalf the card is issued, the alumni of higher education institutions. Builds on previous research and publications (Worthington and Horne, 1995, 1996) but involves taking into account a new perspective on the relationship, that of the affinity credit card issuer. Bases research on the same five‐phase model of relationship formation and development used in the previous studies. Before discussing the results of the research, considers the context of the study, followed by a section on methodology. Then presents the research results followed by a summary and conclusion.
Marketing financial services to businesses: a critical review and research agenda
Authors: Tyler Katherine , Stanley Edmund
Published: April 2007

Reviews the existing literature on the marketing of financial services to businesses. There are three principal aims: to anatomise differences within the literature in conclusion and methodology; to problematise these divisions; and to provide an approach which reconciles difference, rather than stumbling over it. The literature is divided along epistemological, methodological, perspective and market lines. Through analysis, a perspective has emerged which understands these divisions as complementary, and significant in the development of the literature. This development is characterised by an increasing examination of specialist contexts, and the utilisation of more rigorous empirical research methods. This in turn not only increases the coherence of the literature, but also its predictive, transferable and nomothetic value. The examination of the development and characteristics of the literature has been used to develop a research agenda.
A proposed model of TQM implementation based on an empirical study of Malaysian industry
Authors: Thiagaragan T. , Zairi M. , Dale B.G.
Published: April 2007

This paper is based on an empirical study of TQM implementation in the Malaysian industrial context. The main focus of the study was to identify quality factors for effective TQM implementation, which are critical for TQM to flourish in Malaysian industries, and to understand the dynamics of TQM implementation in a Malaysian context. The paper presents the outcomes from this research in the form of an implementation framework, constructed through the use of practical guidelines, the key steps of which have been validated and supported empirically.
Service quality between internal customers and internal suppliers in an international airline
Authors: Frost Frederick A. , Kumar Mukesh
Published: April 2007

Over the past decade, SERVQUAL has emerged as perhaps the most popular standardized questionnaire to measure service quality. In this study, a conceptual model, INTSERVQUAL, was designed based on the original “Gap Model”, to explore the extent to which the construct service quality plays in an internal marketing setting. The research was conducted in a major international airline. The expectations and perceptions scales have emerged as measures with excellent internal consistency reliabilities. The two scales exhibited adequate validity as separate measures of front‐line staff (customer‐contact personnel) expectations of support services; and their perceptions of the support staff’s performance. The results indicated that the scales can be successfully used to assess the magnitude of the gap between front‐line staff perceptions and expectations.
The effects of Investors in People and ISO 9002 in local authority leisure facilities
Authors: Lentell Robert , Morris Barbara
Published: April 2007

Previous research into the efficacy of the quality assurance standards in the ISO 9000 series has rarely focused upon their deployment in services. The UK standard Investors in People (IiP) has received relatively little research attention as a quality management method. The paper reports an investigation of the impact of the two standards on quality management in UK local authority leisure facilities. Three case studies registered to ISO 9002, three registered to IiP and one using no quality management method were studied through management team interviews and a survey of customer perceptions of quality. ISO 9002 was held to be useful by the managers, because it enabled them to provide a more consistent service and helped them to meet their performance objectives. IiP received a more mixed response from managers. However, customers of leisure facilities registered to IiP rated their services more highly than customers of ISO 9002‐registered facilities rated theirs. This was true of all of the elements of service investigated. It is suggested that, if ISO 9002 improves organisational processes, this is not apparent to customers. The results also suggest that IiP may be effective in assisting organisations to improve service quality as perceived by their customers.
Achieving quality construction projects based on harmonious working relationships ‐ Clients’ and architects’ perceptions of contractor performance
Authors: Soetanto Robby , Proverbs David G. , Holt Gary D.
Published: April 2007

The results of an investigative study aimed at assessing the performance of construction contractors, as perceived by clients and architects in the UK, are presented. The assessment uses predetermined generic performance criteria and involves two measurements, namely perceived importance (I) and perceived performance (P). Importance‐performance analyses are then carried out using three measures, namely average satisfaction (D), percentage response (R) and priority rank (PR). Results indicate a need for contractors to improve in most aspects of performance. Generally, architects are found to be less satisfied than clients in regard to overall contractor performance. Furthermore, the perceptions of clients and architects regarding D and PR are broadly similar. It is implied that a well‐planned and designed performance improvement strategy on behalf of contractors will address the needs of both clients and architects. Findings will be of interest to contractors embarking on projects with clients and architects.
The evolution of strategic quality management
Authors: María R. Calingo Luís
Published: April 2007

Strategic quality management represents a state wherein the organization’s total quality management (TQM) system is tightly interwoven with the strategy formulation process, thereby contributing to a sustainable competitive advantage. Numerous models have been proposed to describe how organizations can fully integrate strategy and TQM. Proposes that organizations undergo evolutionary stages on the way to full integration of strategy and TQM. The conceptual bases of the proposed model consist of organizational life cycles, stages of quality maturity and models describing the evolution of strategic management. Gives examples of corporations in the USA and the Asia‐Pacific region which provide preliminary support for the model’s validity.
Discovering inter‐cultural perceptual differences in MNEs
Authors: Kidd John B.
Published: April 2007

Firms across the globe are often directly or indirectly reliant on foreign direct investment, often through the development of a “joint venture”. Moreover, such cash flows sustain much of a nation’s economic activity. To support the operation of these firms it is becoming accepted that learning about the host culture has a role to play in their betterment. However, there is a lack of understanding of how enjoining cultures might collide in the daily execution of conjoint management practices; and further, how such conflicts may be resolved. Generally, the authors suggest enterprises should become “cultural literate” to improve their understanding of exchanging or brokering knowledge between peers within the firm, or through linking with individuals in other firms. The bulk of the paper concentrates on West‐East differences, questioning how these may affect managers in the multinational enterprises given their espoused concern for an effective exchange of knowledge.
The steward: destroying the myth
Authors: Thacker James W. , Fields Mitchell W.
Published: April 2007

This paper examines the accuracy of a widely‐held belief (or myth) that union stewards have particularly negative attitudes toward their employing organization. A large sample of rank and file employees and elected union officials served as participants in the present investigation. Data were collected via questionnaires that measured several relevant company‐related attitudes (job satisfaction, organizational commitment) and union‐related attitudes (loyalty to the union, and responsibility to the union). Results indicated that union officials scored significantly higher than the general membership with respect to the union‐related variables. There were, however, no differences with respect to the company‐related variables. Union officials and the general membership were equally committed to their employing organization and equally satisfied with their jobs. This study provides evidence that the myth about union officials is just that, a myth, and is not empirically grounded.
Challenges for female international managers: evidence from Europe
Authors: Linehan Margaret , Scullion Hugh
Published: April 2007

Previous research has estimated that only 3 percent of international managers are women. From the limited extant research in international human resource management in Europe it is evident that female managers are not progressing to senior management positions at comparable rates to their male counterparts. This paper highlights the additional challenges (or barriers) that female managers are faced with in their career progression to international managerial positions. Based on extensive empirical research, the paper illustrates the barriers which the interviewees believe limit women’s international career opportunities. The paper also outlines the implications these barriers have for international human resource management in practice and makes some recommendations for future international human resource management policies.
Women’s entry into management: comparing women managers and non‐managers
Authors: Marongiu Ivarsson Sophia , Ekehammar Bo
Published: April 2007

Examines the hypotheses that high instrumentality, adaptive coping, and low work/family pressure are predictive components of women’s managerial advancement. A profile analysis demonstrated that the managerial profile was characterized by high instrumentality and low relationality accompanied by high adaptive work coping. On the other hand, the non‐managerial profile was characterized by low instrumentality and high relationality accompanied by low adaptive work coping and high maladaptive work coping. A LISREL path analysis was tentatively used to test the causal influence of internal (instrumental and relational) traits, work/family pressure, and coping on women’s managerial advancement. The results showed that the strongest predictor of managerial emergence was the instrumental factor, while work/family pressure and coping style had no impact.
Managerial perceptions of competition in knitwear producers
Authors: Paton Douglas , Wilson Fiona
Published: April 2007

Economist’s conceptualisations of managers as rational utility‐maximising beings stands in contrast to cognitive models which see managers as possessing limited and incomplete knowledge which they use to “generate” subjective interpretations and assumptions about competitive strategy and rivalry. Using data from interviews with knitwear producers in the Shetland Isles, Scotland, discusses how perceptions of competition are enacted through social interaction between knitwear producers. In addition to supporting the existence of industry groups, these data suggest that this process occurs at a deeper level of analysis, limiting perceptions of competition at both industry and individual levels. Discusses how membership of a trade association can facilitate marketing and cooperation but may, in the process, inadvertantly constrain managers’ ability to conceptualise and respond to changing market conditions. The implications of these issues for strategic planning are considered.
Contrasting styles in international management research
Authors: Collett Peter
Published: April 2007

This paper is concerned with methodology in cross‐cultural studies of management. It raises issues about sampling, and then moves on to deal with two problems that threaten to undermine the value of cross‐cultural research. One is the popularity of models which reduce culture to a handful of dimensions, and the other is the persistent use of single methods, rather than multi‐method approaches. These two points are illustrated with recent findings on power distance and time management. The research on power distance shows how a decomposition of the measure provides a more informative picture of power relations than the simple index, while the research on time management shows that different measures of time often tell quite different stories. The paper concludes by suggesting that what is needed in international research is not a simple picture of culture, but one that does justice to the inherent complexity of culture.
The Social Audit and Ethics
Authors: Natale Samuel M. , Ford Joseph W.
Published: April 2007

Written in response to many enquiries about how the social audit is
linked to quality control issues, reviews the developmental history of
the social audit and its links to government regulations. Discusses and
analyses ethical dilemmas.
Viewpoint: internal auditing in Slovenia
Authors: Turk Metka
Published: April 2007

Provides data on the Slovenian economy from 1993‐1996. Briefly describes the national state of internal and external auditing, and the limited training. Discusses the work of the Slovenian Institute of Auditors in promoting and developing the profession, before describing one of the main bank’s internal auditing departments.
How they put the “con” in consulting
Authors: Bloch Brian
Published: April 2007

Takes a cynical but realistic look at some of the harsher realities of management consulting. Management consultants are experts at making a good impression and at selling their own services. However, this expertise is not always matched by the same level of technical skill. All too often, management consultants make suggestion for the sake of being seen to do something. Their real contribution to improving managerial processes is frequently minimal. They tend, therefore, to cover such shortcomings by excessive use of flamboyant “buzzwords” and high‐tech light shows.
Doctors and change
Authors: Mathie Antonina Z.
Published: April 2007

The introduction of clinical care pathways into one acute hospital trust provided the opportunity to investigate reasons why doctors behave the way they do, and to identify receptive and non‐receptive factors for change. A multi‐method research strategy was used to obtain primary data, both quantitative and qualitative material, namely responses to a questionnaire and interviews. The questionnaire was distributed to 70 consultants from a variety of medical and surgical specialties, and 42 questionnaires were returned (60 per cent response rate). Reports some of the findings and shows that consultant behaviour and the factors that influence that behaviour are affected by their own characteristics, specifically age and specialty, although all specialties agreed that non‐financial incentives would influence their behaviour. Characteristics of opinion leaders were also found to be specialty‐specific in their degree of influence. Concludes that the multi‐method research approach was effective in identifying factors which influence consultant behaviour, and further studies should be carried out in this area.
A cost‐effectiveness study of changing medical practice in early pregnancy
Authors: Wren Jane , Craven Barrie
Published: April 2007

Explores the extent to, and ways in which, doctors are prepared for their future role in management through the undergraduate medical curriculum. Surveys the colleges across the UK offering undergraduate medical education using both prospectuses and questionnaires to establish both inclusion of healthcare management/policy in curricula and the subject content offered. Establishes that the majority of colleges offer some teaching of health care management/policy although the areas of study included vary considerably. The emphasis in most institutions appears to be on introducing the structure and organization of the NHS together with decision making in respect of resource allocation often located within a public health programme. This leads to the tentative conclusion that the management education needs of future public health physicians are reasonably well served while those of hospital doctors and general practitioners need further investigation.
The genius is in the implementation
Authors: Freedman Mike
Published: April 2007

Pinpoints strategy implementations as a most important part of company practice. Lists out a number of implementation pitfalls that are deeper in effect than others: strategic inertia; lack of stakeholder commitment; strategic drift; strategic dilution; strategic isolation; failure to understand progress; initiative fatigue; impatience; and not celebrating success. States that strategy must drive planning. Unfortunately, in too many companies it does not. Closes by stating the task of creating and implementing strategy is not for the faint‐hearted.
Dollars and sense: the path to board independence
Authors: Daily Catherine M. , Dalton Dan R.
Published: April 2007

States that there are several recent developments in the area of corporate governance (CG) reform that highlight issues of board independence and CG “best practices”. Notes that CG reforms often focus on achieving board independence. Concludes, that ultimately, the performance of any board is a function of the individual characters comprising it.