bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What do web sites tell us about quality management in Belgian hospitals?
Authors: Desuter G. , Dujeu V. , Michel H.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Following the “Patient Quality and Safety Contract” launch by the Belgian Federal Authorities, Belgian hospital web sites were scrutinized. The aim of this paper is to assess the presence of some sort of quality management strategy within Belgian Acute Care Hospital digital external communications.

Design/methodology/approach

Digital communications were assessed using a pre‐established grid focusing on direct quality improvement testimonies, like a quality manager presence, a quality committee, a specific strategy, etc.

Findings

Two hypotheses explain the poor results: structured quality improvement exists in organizations but senior managers do not feel the need to transparently communicate the subject; and quality improvement does not exist in a sufficiently structured way to allow open communication.

Practical implications

The proposed Federal Contract should improve both quality initiative quality and frequency as well as transparent communication to healthcare workers and patients.

Originality/value

The paper underlines the urgent need for Belgian healthcare executives to be aware of structured quality management strategy's importance and to be eager to openly communicate the strategy.
Does daily nurse staffing match ward workload variability?
Authors: Gabbay Uri , Bukchin Michael
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Nurse shortage and rising healthcare resource burdens mean that appropriate workforce use is imperative. This paper aims to evaluate whether daily nursing staffing meets ward workload needs.

Design/methodology/approach

Nurse attendance and daily nurses' workload capacity in three hospitals were evaluated. Statistical process control was used to evaluate intra‐ward nurse workload capacity and day‐to‐day variations. Statistical process control is a statistics‐based method for process monitoring that uses charts with predefined target measure and control limits. Standardization was performed for inter‐ward analysis by converting ward‐specific crude measures to ward‐specific relative measures by dividing observed/expected. Two charts: acceptable and tolerable daily nurse workload intensity, were defined. Appropriate staffing indicators were defined as those exceeding predefined rates within acceptable and tolerable limits (50 percent and 80 percent respectively).

Findings

A total of 42 percent of the overall days fell within acceptable control limits and 71 percent within tolerable control limits. Appropriate staffing indicators were met in only 33 percent of wards regarding acceptable nurse workload intensity and in only 45 percent of wards regarding tolerable workloads.

Research limitations/implications

The study work did not differentiate crude nurse attendance and it did not take into account patient severity since crude bed occupancy was used. Double statistical process control charts and certain staffing indicators were used, which is open to debate.

Practical implications

Wards that met appropriate staffing indicators prove the method's feasibility. Wards that did not meet appropriate staffing indicators prove the importance and the need for process evaluations and monitoring. Methods presented for monitoring daily staffing appropriateness are simple to implement either for intra‐ward day‐to‐day variation by using nurse workload capacity statistical process control charts or for inter‐ward evaluation using standardized measure of nurse workload intensity. The real challenge will be to develop planning systems and implement corrective interventions such as dynamic and flexible daily staffing, which will face difficulties and barriers.

Originality/value

The paper fulfils the need for workforce utilization evaluation. A simple method using available data for daily staffing appropriateness evaluation, which is easy to implement and operate, is presented. The statistical process control method enables intra‐ward evaluation, while standardization by converting crude into relative measures enables inter‐ward analysis. The staffing indicator definitions enable performance evaluation. This original study uses statistical process control to develop simple standardization methods and applies straightforward statistical tools. This method is not limited to crude measures, rather it uses weighted workload measures such as nursing acuity or weighted nurse level (i.e. grade/band).
Translation and inscription in development projects
Authors: Dobers Peter , Söderholm Anders
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that the interface between projects is of particular interest when organizing development projects. It offers a theoretical discussion of translation and inscription phases, not only because they are important to the understanding of mobilizing action in development projects, but also because they are crucial in a chain of sequential projects that are organized as responses to new situations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses illustrations of development projects in public management in Sweden to discuss a fundamental organizing problem of projects: how project delimitation and formation take place.

Findings

The paper has focused on organizational change and development projects regarding environmental and health care organization renewal projects. It has analyzed how such projects are organized and linked to context. Development problems and their solutions cannot be divided into a functional structure since they overlap and demand attention by a multitude of perspectives during translation.

Research limitations/implications

It is theoretically interesting to highlight certain slices of the organizational reality in projects. The paper has chosen a project perspective and focus at the beginning and end of projects. In theoretical terms, it has chosen to call these phases translation and inscription.

Practical implications

Projects are different compared with permanent organizations due to the existence of beginnings and endings. On the one hand, permanent organizations are normally “going concerns” where the start is back in history and the end is clouded in a distant future. On the other hand, in a project, translation and inscription phases are unavoidable as they are triggered by the specific conditions underlying beginnings and endings.

Originality/value

Projects with clear boundary‐overlapping character cannot be judged with concepts stemming from the methods of construction project management. In contrary, the paper argues that there are two other concepts that can better explain the special organizing problems invoked by the cases cited here: translation and inscription.
A meta model of change
Authors: Young Mike
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a model of change which is both academically rigorous and practitioner‐friendly.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical meta‐analysis is conducted by clustering themes from across a broad range of change‐related literature including: learning; personal, social, situational and emergent change; helping, systems thinking, process improvement and leadership.

Findings

Common themes emerge across all the change‐related literature, which suggests the existence of a common underlying “change progression”.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst the literature covered is extensive, it is not comprehensive. The intention is to draw attention to the kinds of variables that need to be conceptualised, observed or enacted when change is studied or implemented.

Practical implications

The meta‐model has already proved a useful guide to implementing change and is presented here to stimulate scholarly debate among those studying it.

Originality/value

The benefit of considering such a broad range of change‐related fields is that each brings a different perspective to the stages of the common underlying journey. As a consequence, the meta‐model offers both a lens, to provide focus on the stages in this common “change progression”, and a prism, to reveal the full spectrum of applicable concepts and activities.
Measuring the effect of substrate and component finishes on the reliability of isotropic electrically conductive adhesive joints
Authors: Wickham Martin , Zou Ling , Hunt Christopher
Published: October 2009

Purpose

As the transition away from lead‐containing solders gathers momentum, isotropic conducting adhesives (ICAs) are being considered as possible replacements for conventional SnPb solder in a range of applications. Consequently, the reliability of ICA joints is under scrutiny. The purpose of this paper is to report the effect of printed circuit board (PCB) and component finishes on the reliability of ICA joints.

Design/methodology/approach

Previous work by the authors identified a suitable test regime to generate relevant reliability data. In the present work, those tests are employed to investigate whether the finishes on the components and/or PCBs have any effect on the reliability of the ICA joints after exposure to damp heat conditions.

Findings

The effect of different finishes is found to be very adhesive material dependent. Two adhesives are studied, and for one material the joint reliability is relatively unaffected by changes in component or PCB surface finish. However, for the second material, and components with a high‐tin content‐plated finish, the joints display a less stable resistance. The surface finish on the PCB is found to have a smaller effect on joint reliability than the component finish, with results dependent on adhesive material type. Performance with one material exhibited little difference in reliability irrespective of the PCB surface finish. For the second material, the joint reliability performance with components having the electroless nickel/immersion gold finish, is not as good as that with components having the immersion tin or silver finishes.

Originality/value

The paper shows that surface finish is an important factor in determining the conductivity of ICA joints during exposure to the 85°C/85%RH environment. Systems containing tin are more prone to lose conductivity and, conversely, noble metal systems are more immune to degradation. This is a major concern as the industry is showing many signs that the component termination of choice will be pure tin.
Local melt process of solder bumping by induction heating reflow
Authors: Xu Hongbo , Li Mingyu , Fu Yonggao , Wang Ling , Kim Jongmyung
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a local melt process of solder bumping employed in electronic packaging applications by an induction heating reflow method, for a combined numerical and experimental study involving a temperature measurement using an infrared thermometer during the reflow process and microstructural observations after reflow, which can be used to control the height and shape of solder interconnects.

Design/methodology/approach

In the induction heating reflow process, the temperature distribution within the solder ball during the heating phase is of prime importance for the success of the process and the geometry control quality of final joints. This paper investigates the local melt process of solder balls reflowed onto Cu/Ni/Au pads, and focuses on the effect of the inductive heat on the thermal distribution during the melting process. A finite‐element model is applied to simulate the thermal field in a solder bump during the induction heating period in a reflow process. The effects of the coil current and the electromagnetic frequency on the thermal performance are investigated by using the validated thermal model. The local melt phenomenon in the solder joint is observed and identified by the microstructures taken using scanning electron microscopy.

Findings

In this paper, the numerical results match the experimental results quite well to validate the finite element modeling model. The local melt phenomenon predicted by simulation, and verified by experiments, is demonstrated to be capable of controlling the solder joint shape. Several parametric studies are carried out to understand the effects of different frequencies during assembly, and to suggest that a higher frequency is easier to get a greater temperature gradient, thus a more obvious local melt phenomenon, which is good for achieving the geometry control for solder joints.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper will help to understand the detailed solder bumping process during induction heating reflow and the effects of electromagnetic field frequency on solder joint shape controlling.
Identifying and prioritizing critical intellectual capital for e‐learning companies
Authors: Chen Shiou‐Yu
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritize the measures of intellectual capital (IC) of e‐learning service companies that ultimately influence firms' competitive advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

Through focus group interviews, content analysis, and the analytic hierarchy process, this paper identifies five dimensions and 15 indicators to measure the IC of e‐learning service companies in Taiwan.

Findings

The findings and prioritization of ICs can help the e‐learning companies to understand the critical success factors that facilitate gaining their competitive advantages in Taiwan.

Research limitations/implications

The focus of this paper is only on e‐learning companies located in Taiwan, thus the results cannot be generalized to all e‐learning companies. Additionally, only five main dimensions are identified from the study, there is a possibility that this study does not cover all the important dimensions of IC of e‐learning companies.

Practical implications

e‐Learning companies can use the IC measurement tool developed in this study to detect IC weaknesses and strengths. Moreover, e‐learning companies need to re‐consider the portfolio of their IC that make e‐leaning more competitive in industry.

Originality/value

This paper finding contributes to the present body of knowledge and also highlights IC dimensions that can provide a reference for e‐leaning companies to develop favorable strategies for achieving their goal of enhancing competitive advantages.
A new business model for the gift industry in Taiwan
Authors: Jian Chung Yuan Benjamin , Tai Ping Chiu Henrik , Ming Kao Kun , Wei Lin Ching
Published: October 2009

Purpose

In the gift industry, there are many large enterprises with strong brand image, customer loyalty, marketing, or service, and they are also rich in retail channels and resources. In this situation, how can brand‐new or small companies thrive in a competitive market? The purpose of this paper is to present a case study from the experiences in Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses intensive interviews with company managers; considers the opinions of experts; and collects useful historical data for analysis.

Findings

The paper summarizes eight key success factors for Franz: products and places; unique technology and process; unique business model; cost control capability; high growth in the gift market and popularity of orientalism; access to clients; small organizations; and human resources.

Research limitations/implications

An intensive interview is a kind of oral questionnaire. The interviewee responds to the questions in his/her own way to provide significant answers but this may be considered too subjective.

Practical implications

In order to launch a global brand in the shortest time possible through open innovation strategy, some basic prerequisites need to be met. This must be achieved by creating an open company culture fostering the sharing of ideas and promoting innovative and creative skills, along with flexible management strategies leading to a flat organization structure. Only with the existence of such prerequisites an open innovation system can be integrated properly.

Originality/value

Franz is a classic example of Taiwan's brand‐new companies, which accumulate original equipment manufacturer, original design manufacturer, and own branding and manufacturing experience to succeed in their chosen market.
Innovative marketing in SMEs: a theoretical framework
Authors: O'Dwyer Michele , Gilmore Audrey , Carson David
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Previous research has identified and clarified the nature of innovative marketing in small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), providing a list of key constituent elements. While this list of innovative marketing variables goes some way towards explaining the nature of innovative marketing it does not aid the understanding of the relevance and inter‐relationship of these variables. The aim of this paper is to develop a theoretical framework to facilitate further exploration of the core elements of innovative marketing in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is adopted in order to facilitate the emergence of new theoretical relationships based on the understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of innovative marketing in SMEs. Eight case SMEs are recruited, two of the case SMEs from the service industry, three from manufacturing and three of the SMEs combined elements of both service and manufacturing.

Findings

The findings of the study illustrate the component parts of innovative marketing and the inter‐relationships between those parts in accordance with their role in innovative marketing and practices in SMEs. In order to categorise SME innovative marketing constructs, the conceptual framework transformation, assimilation, prediction and exceptionality (TAPE) is developed from relevant literature. This helps to encapsulate and explore elements of SME innovative marketing. Based on this study, the TAPE framework can more appropriately be changed to transformation, assimilation and prediction (TAP), to reflect the finding that exceptionality is inconclusive in terms of its relevance to innovative marketing in SMEs. The exclusion of exceptionality from the framework is a surprising insight emanating from the research as it contradicts previous studies. Traditionally, these elements will have been considered to be the core of innovative marketing. The conclusion here is that exceptionality be treated with caution in relation to SMEs.

Originality/value

This paper presents a theoretical framework TAPE to re‐conceptualise elements of innovative marketing. In light of the role each element plays in SME marketing activities and practices, this paper confirms the value of TAP but not exceptionality.
Positioning a firm's initial market offering: a strategic application of a consumer‐oriented model
Authors: Darling John R. , Heller Victor L. , Tablada Daniel M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a consumer‐oriented model of the market offering (marketing mix) whereby business practitioners, as well as academic scholars and students, can better understand the parallel‐based logic of how the four elements of a market offering are closely related and interdependent at the initial stage of market entry.

Design/methodology/approach

A consumer research study is conducted to identify the key factors that influence consumer buying decisions of particular products in Europe and North America. The five key factors identified are: importance of the product, time and effort to be spent in buying, technical complexity of the product, need for services in the buying process, and rate of product change. In addition, a thorough analysis of the marketing mixes used for numerous major categories of products is conducted. Based upon this research study and product category analysis, a consumer‐oriented model is developed. This model can then be used in establishing the initial market offering and subsequent competitive differentiation.

Findings

A basic foundation exists regarding the parallel relationship between and among the four elements of a firm's market offering – product, terms of sale, distribution, and communication – and why a change in any one of the elements generates a logical change in the other three.

Practical implications

The paper has used this model both in business consulting practices, and as an academic‐based learning tool.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on this interdependent relationship and the normal “fit” between and among the four elements of a successful initial market offering (marketing mix).
Key variables in the control of color in the textile supply chain
Authors: Cárdenas Lina Maria , Shamey Renzo , Hinks David
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the key variables that determine the level of control of color in a typical textile supply chain, including lighting variability, color perception, and color measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

A fishbone diagram is used to demonstrate the wide range of variables that affect the control and communication of color within the textile supply chain.

Findings

It is important to identify the important parameters and variables that influence the control of color within various stages of the textile supply chain. In regard to visual assessment variability, the results obtained in an ongoing study at North Carolina State University based on the psychophysical testing of 50 observers demonstrate a statistical difference for visual judgments of small color differences between naïve and expert observers. Results of a pairedt‐test between the second and the third trial conducted by naïve observers indicate that the repetition of the visual observations significantly affects the assessment of small color differences.

Research limitations/implications

Assessment of lighting measurements of several stores in the USA demonstrate variability in lighting, with many stores having at least two different light sources. This variability, in combination with uncontrolled lighting from external windows and entrance/exit areas, can lead to significant variability in the color perception of textile garments displayed in such areas, and may lead to consumer experience being significantly different from that intended by the designer.

Practical implications

The optimization of variables that influence the assessment and communication of color is vital to achieving effective communication between all parties involved. This can significantly reduce costs and lead times resulting in improved competitiveness and cost efficiency associated with increased consumer satisfaction and confidence in the industry.

Originality/value

The repetition of visual observations significantly affects the assessment of small color differences.
Dynamic analysis on the thermal and electrical properties of fabrics in the process of moisture absorption and liberation
Authors: Cui Weigang , Wang Xin , Li Wenbin , Xu Weilin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a dynamic analysis on the thermal and electrical properties of fabrics under wet conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A purpose‐built apparatus is applied to test the thermal and electrical properties of textiles in moisture absorption and liberation process. Relation between temperature and resistance of a cotton/polyester double‐layer fabric is also analysed.

Findings

The surface temperature of textiles shows three different stages in the process. The electrical resistance is linearly related to the reciprocal of the moisture regain of fabrics. In the moisture absorption and liberation process, surface temperature of cotton layer is higher than that of polyester layer. And the electrical resistance of cotton layer decreases more quickly than that of polyester layer. The electrical resistance changes earlier than surface temperature in the moisture‐liberation process.

Practical implications

The paper is helpful in not only the designing of sportswear, but also the devising of moisture‐testing apparatus.

Originality/value

A dynamic testing method is applied to characterize the thermal and electrical properties of textiles.
Illumination invariant seam line detection in real garments
Authors: Mariolis Ioannis G. , Dermatas Evangelos S.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a robust method for automatic detection of seam lines based only on digital images of the garments.

Design/methodology/approach

A local standard deviation pre‐processing filter is applied to enhance the contrast between the seam line and the texture and the Prewitt operator extracts the edges of the enhanced image. The seam line is detected by a maximum at the Radon transform. The proposed method is invariant to the illumination intensity and it has been also tested with moving average and fast Fourier transform low‐pass filters used in the pre‐processing module. Extensive experiments are carried out in the presence of additive Gaussian and uniform noise.

Findings

The proposed method detects 109 out of 118 seams when the local standard deviation is used at the pre‐processing stage, giving a mean distance error between the real and the estimated line of 2 mm when the image is digitised at 97 dpi. However, in case the images are distorted by additive Gaussian noise at 20 dB signal‐to‐noise ratio, the moving average low‐pass filtering method gives the best results, detecting 104 noisy images.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed method detects seam lines that can be approximated by a continuation of straight lines. The current work can be extended in the detection of the curved parts of seam lines.

Practical implications

Since the method addresses garments instead of seam specimens, the proposed approach can be imported in automatic systems for online quality control of seams.

Originality/value

Local standard deviation belongs to first‐order statistics, which makes it suitable for texture analysis and that is why it is mostly used in web defect detection. The novelty in the approach, however, is that by considering the seam as an abnormality of the texture, the authors applied that method at the pre‐processing stage to enhance the seam before the detection. Moreover, the presented method is illumination invariant, a property that has not been addressed in similar methods.
Internal branding to influence employees' brand promise delivery: a case study in Thailand
Authors: Punjaisri Khanyapuss , Wilson Alan , Evanschitzky Heiner
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the internal branding process from the perspective of service providers in Thailand. It will reveal the key internal branding mechanisms and empirically assess the relationship between internal branding and employees' brand attitudes and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study representing the Thai hotel industry is adopted with mixed methodologies. In‐depth interviews are first carried out with 30 customer‐interface employees in six major hotels in Thailand. On a census basis, a quantitative survey with 699 respondents from five major hotels in Thailand follows.

Findings

Internal branding coordinating marketing with human resource management has a statistically significant impact on attitudinal and behavioural aspects of employees in their delivery of the brand promise. As employees' brand commitment do not have a statistically significant relationship with employees' brand performance, it is not regarded as a mediator in the link between internal branding and employees' brand performance.

Practical implications

A number of significant managerial implications are drawn from this study, for example using both internal communication and training to influence employees' brand‐supporting attitudes and behaviours. Still, it should be noted that the effect of internal branding on employee behaviours could be dependent on the extent to which it influences their brand attitudes.

Originality/value

The paper provides valuable insights, from the key internal audience's perspectives, into an internal branding process. It has empirically shown the relationship between internal branding and the behavioural outcome as well as the partial meditating effects of employees' brand identification, commitment and loyalty.
Extending the career of the English primary school headteacher: a second headship
Authors: Fidler Brian , Jones Jeff , Makori Andrew
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to report findings from a national study of primary headteachers in their second headship in England. This investigated their reasons for moving schools, their choice of second school and a comparison of their experiences as heads of the two schools.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design involved a national representative survey of primary school headteachers who were in a headship beyond their first. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 86 primary headteachers: a 74 per cent response rate. Follow‐up telephone interviews with 20 of them obtained more detailed responses on the research questions.

Findings

The reasons that heads gave for taking a second headship fell into three groups – personal, school and external. The over‐riding reasons were to provide a fresh challenge and prevent feelings of stagnation. Movement between schools was complex and the clearest overall trend was a move to larger schools. Heads generally considered themselves more effective in their second school than their first and there were many accounts of the re‐energising effect of taking on a new post.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that second headship should be considered as a valuable means of contributing to the continuing development of headteachers. Headteachers should consider a second headship as a possible extension to their headship career. They may need to plan their career before and during their first headship in order to obtain their desired second headship.

Originality/value

This is the first large‐scale study of headteachers in a second headship. The numbers of headteachers choosing to move to a second headship and their positive experiences suggest that further stages should be added to the current conceptualisations of the career of the headteacher.
Organizational citizenship behaviors in American and Portuguese public schools
Authors: DiPaola Michael F. , Mendes da Costa Neves Paula Maria
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) have been studied in both private and public sector organizations in countries around the globe. The purpose of this study is to compare the perceptions of the OCB construct between American and Portuguese public secondary school teachers and test an operational measure of the construct for schools across the two cultures.

Design/methodology/approach

Teachers' perceptions of the OCB in their schools were measured using the Organizational Citizenship Behavior Scale. This operational measure, developed in the USA, was translated for use with Portuguese teachers. Data from samples of US and Portuguese secondary schools were compared. Principal axis factor analyses, reliability coefficients, and other descriptive data were used to verify the factor structures, number of factors, and reliability of the measure across these two cultures.

Findings

Both versions of the OCB Scale (American and Portuguese) were reliable and stable; they worked well for both high schools and middle schools in Portugal and in the USA. One factor of organizational citizenship emerged. The operational measure used to measure OCB in public schools in this study is reliable and stable, despite cultural differences.

Practical implications

OCB are important because they influence organizational effectiveness. Despite cultural variations, and dramatic historical differences in their public education systems, this operational measure of OCB was effective. It provides researchers and practitioners a reliable and valid measure to assess the OCB of school organizations.

Originality/value

This was the first attempt to determine the integrity of an operational measure of OCB across cultures. The construct has been studied in schools in different countries using different operational measures, which blurred the definition of the construct and made it difficult to study and compare to other variables of effectiveness.
Catholic school administrators and the inclusion of non‐Catholic students
Authors: Kent Donlevy J.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the understandings and administrative actions of six Catholic high school principals in relation to their administrative expectations of the admission of non‐Catholic students.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper involves interviews with six Catholic school principals from one Catholic school division in a Western Canadian province. The methodology chosen for this paper is grounded theory. Specific analytical processes are employed: open‐, axial‐, and selective‐codings.

Findings

The findings present four major themes with respect to the inclusion of non‐Catholic students in their schools: the school administrators' expectations; the significance of the preliminary interview; the ongoing relationship of the non‐Catholic student to the Catholic school; and points of confrontation with the Catholic school administration.

Practical implications

The paper provides some guidance with respect to the application and entrance procedures which non‐Catholic students should undergo before admission. It also points to the importance of providing information about the school's spiritual mission to non‐Catholic parents before their child is admitted to the school community.

Originality/value

The paper's originality lies in the findings offered in an area of education, which is not yet well researched.
Cyberbullying: causes, effects, and remedies
Authors: Hoff Dianne L. , Mitchell Sidney N.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present research exploring the pervasiveness and causes of cyberbullying, the psychological impact on students, and the responses to cyberbullying from students and administrators. The goal is to give school leaders a greater understanding of this phenomenon and suggest steps to deal with this challenging issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are collected from 351 students using a survey, which contains limited choice, scaled response, and open‐ended questions. This qualitative/quantitative design enables collection of data from a large population along with rich qualitative data that expand and explain students' experiences.

Findings

The paper reveals that cyberbullying emerges most commonly from relationship problems (break‐ups, envy, intolerance, and ganging up); victims experience powerfully negative effects (especially on their social well‐being); and the reactive behavior from schools and students is generally inappropriate, absent, or ineffective.

Research limitations/implications

This is self‐reported data collected from a group of students in one institution, who are asked to recall instances from their pre‐college experience. Additional research on from a variety of age groups and cross‐culturally would add another layer of understanding about cyberbullying among teens.

Practical implications

Technological advances have created new challenges for schools in keeping students safe. This paper has implications for educational policy and practice, including steps school leaders can take to curtail cyberbullying.

Originality/value

This paper builds on a small body of research on cyberbullying and focuses on underlying causes, categories of psychological effects, and specific remedies.
Sustained successful school leadership in Denmark
Authors: Moos Lejf , Kasper Kofod Klaus
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit three successful schools to see how the principals and the schools had sustained success over a period of five years.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study research design was used building on the 2005 design. This time the principals were interviewed.

Findings

The study is a case study over five years. In the first round of visits to schools four‐to‐five years ago in the ISSPP context, it was found that the modernization of Danish society was beginning to show new forms in the every day life and discourses of schools. It could be seen that the links between the state, local authorities and schools were changing. Some were being loosened and some were beginning to be tightened. Returning to three schools in 2008, it was found that the tightening of links had accelerated, so the new governance of schools through accountability, contracts and networks was at this stage implemented with a number of effects in schools and in school leadership. While rather big differences were seen between the schools at the first visit with respect to relations and leading, the differences seem to have diminished over the past four‐to‐fast years. Principals then considered it a major responsibility to act proactively in “setting and negotiating” the direction of the school. Now they are more inclined to name those activities as “translations” of external expectations to staff in a more reactive way because the expectations have been made more explicit and detailed. The political trend towards narrowing the focus of schooling seems to be successful in terms of test results. All three schools perform better now than previously in the national tests.

Practical implications

The challenge to the principals and teachers is to sustain this development and at the same time take care of the comprehensive vision of “Democratic Bildung”. And the challenge to principals is to find ways of communicating with teachers and influencing teachers that are legitimate and effective.

Originality/value

The paper adds knowledge to the literature on sustaining school success and to the literature on relations between external policies and internal practices.
Building and sustaining successful principalship in England: the importance of trust
Authors: Day Christopher
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give an account of the ways in which one experienced secondary principal of an English secondary school developed and sustained a successful school over a 13‐year period in changing policy contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws from data collected during two three‐day‐visits separated by a six‐year period and is part of a multi‐site international research project. The researcher used a multi‐perspective qualitative design in which a range of staff, parents, students and board members were interviewed, according to a common protocol. The school was selected originally because it was judged by an independent external inspection team whose judgements were based on a number of key indicators, including national test scores. The qualitative data were cross‐referenced with a range of available documentation.

Findings

The data show that this principal exercised trust in such a way that it was broadened, deepened and embedded over time. The data suggest that educational ideals, commitment and trust were important features of his continuing success as leader and the sustained development of the school.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates that it is every principal's responsibility to create and sustain the conditions in which trust may be established and strengthened.
Testing a MIMIC model of e‐shopping site usage
Authors: Lim Kee‐Sook , Heinrichs John H. , Lim Jeen‐Su
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a multiple‐indicator‐multiple‐cause (MIMIC) model that assesses the relative influence of various e‐shopping web site design attributes on e‐shopping web site usage intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a survey of 261 students are used to test the research model. Factor analysis is performed to ascertain distinct constructs. LISREL analysis of the survey data is then used to test the proposed MIMIC model.

Findings

The results showed the effect of the dimensions of content quality (CQ), transaction quality (TQ), playfulness, and security on e‐shopping web site usage. Security is identified as the most important factor in e‐shopping web site success.

Research limitations/implications

The theoretical contribution is the systematic evaluation of the relative influence of the four web site design factors on web site usage intention. The degree of influence of specific factors that can motivate continuous use is identified.

Practical implications

This paper provides a guide for designers to make their web site relevant for organizations who desire a quality presence on the web. Additionally, the relative influence of the factors can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of web sites providing guidance for modifications and improvements.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that e‐shopping web sites should not include extensive entertaining components at the expense of responsiveness and useful contents. The information provided has to be informative, accurate, current, and relevant. The functionality must facilitate the completion of e‐purchases and ensure security.
How to solve product‐harm crises in retailing?
Authors: Standop Dirk , Grunwald Guido
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the current empirical research examining communication, compensation and logistics as elements of product crises management in retailing.

Design/methodology/approach

The advantages and disadvantages of these three elements of crises response strategies are juxtaposed drawing on relevant empirical research. For each element of crises response the major findings of research are summarized and shown how it relates to crisis management. Needs for further research that would be necessary to solidify recommendations to retail managers are derived.

Findings

The investigation finds that both communicative and compensatory response elements as well as the retailer's logistics can positively influence evaluations of customers directly and indirectly affected by product problems thus enhancing brand equity. This in turn will serve to increase consumers' trust in the retailer that could win him new customers and generally benefit his reputation.

Research limitations/implications

Most of the discussed research rests on the assumption of a given (extraneous) crisis response strategy of the manufacturer. Potential problems concerning the co‐ordination or implementation of manufacturer and retailer strategies remain open to question. Additionally, further research should examine which strategies are appropriate to which crisis situation.

Practical implications

Materially, over‐compensating customers often has a detrimental effect on solving the crisis. The impact of different compensation types on crisis resolution mostly depends on their respective signalling capabilities, the product problem constituting the crisis and consumer attributions. The use and the effects of a communicative crisis response largely depend on moderating factors such as the retailer's reputation or the existence of strong retail brands and consumer expectations. Elements of logistics seem to support the effects of communication and compensation on crisis resolution but are hardly capable of solving a product‐harm crisis.

Originality/value

The role of retailers in product‐harm crisis management has been widely neglected in research although such crises are predominant. This paper outlines the current empirical work on how different crises response elements may contribute to solving a product‐harm crisis for retailers. It derives relevant avenues for further research as well as useful insights to practitioners considering to using such response elements in their own crisis management strategy.
Global sourcing: recent trends and issues
Authors: Oshri Ilan , Kotlarsky Julia , Rottman Joseph W. , Willcocks Leslie L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review recent trends and issues in global IT sourcing and to introduce papers in the special issue: “Social, managerial and knowledge aspects in global IT sourcing”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines trends by regions including Brazil, Russia, India and China and also trends in Captive Centres and their strategies.

Findings

There will be a continuing rise in outsourcing revenues for global outsourcing, with BPO overtaking ITO within five years. Multi‐sourcing will continue to be the dominant trend. India will continue to dominate but its role will change. China heralds promise but will still struggle to achieve scale in Western European and North American markets. Emerging country competition will intensify. Software as a service will be a “slow burner” but will gain momentum in the second half of the next decade. Near‐shoring will be a strong trend. Outsourcing, by offering a potential alternative, will help discipline in‐house capabilities and service. Knowledge process outsourcing will increase as the BRIC and emerging countries move up the value chain. Captive activity – both buying and selling – will increase (see below). Outsourcing successes and disappointments will continue as both clients and suppliers struggle to deal with a highly dynamic set of possibilities

Originality/value

The paper is of value to both academics and practitioners working in the field of IT sourcing. The study of captive centres is in its early stages and the paper introduces further work in this area.
The role of cultural intelligence for the emergence of negotiated culture in IT offshore outsourcing projects
Authors: Gregory Robert , Prifling Michael , Beck Roman
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how individual project members in IT offshore outsourcing projects cope with culture‐specific behavior, and how the project members' cultural intelligence enables the emergence of negotiated culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The employed research approach is an interpretive, in‐depth single‐case study based on 31 qualitative interviews. The cultural intelligence framework serves as a “sensitizing device” to develop a model of cross‐cultural interaction in IT offshore outsourcing projects.

Findings

The paper presents a model explaining cross‐cultural interaction at the individual level in IT offshore outsourcing. The analysis shows that effective cross‐cultural interaction manifests itself in active cross‐cultural adaptation behavior, which is driven by motivational and cognitive factors. Cultural intelligence, including cognitive, motivational, and behavioral elements, is found to be an important driver for the development of a negotiated culture, characterized by trust‐based interpersonal relationships, shared understanding, and the effective resolution of conflicts in IT offshore outsourcing projects.

Practical implications

This study helps to understand how the emergence of a negotiated culture depends upon the cultural intelligence of individual project members. Practitioners need to focus on the accumulation of cultural intelligence in their project teams.

Originality/value

This study makes a theoretical contribution to the IT offshore outsourcing domain by presenting a model of individual‐level cross‐cultural interaction in this context. Furthermore, it represents one of the first qualitative case studies on cultural intelligence in IS.