bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social enterprise in China: driving forces, development patterns and legal framework
Authors: Yu Xiaomin
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to address emerging practices of social enterprises (SEs) in China by exploring the institutional context, organisational features and legislative framework of this new phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on data drawn from secondary sources (laws and regulations, forum transcripts and news reports) and primary evidence (in‐depth study of six SE cases).

Findings

The various kinds of SEs are highly diversified in terms of social mission, organisational nature, legal form, and operational pattern; the institutional context is underdeveloped, providing growing but still limited financial, intellectual, technical, and human resources; although it allows increasing space for diversified development dynamics of SEs, the legislative system regulating SEs is still flawed in several vital ways.

Research limitations/implications

This paper relies heavily on qualitative research methods to make a preliminary assessment of the development of China's SEs. Neither primary nor secondary data sources collected for this paper can be used to draw any general conclusion of statistical significance.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on the overall landscape of the recent development of SEs in China, providing a descriptive and normative foundation for cross‐country comparative studies and quantitative, explanatory analysis.
Similarities and divergences: comparison of social enterprises in Hong Kong and Taiwan
Authors: Chan Kam‐Tong , Kuan Yu‐Yuan , Wang Shu‐Twu
Published: July 2011

Purpose

On the basis of a survey conducted in 2010,the purpose of this paper is to discuss the latest developments of social enterprises in Hong Kong and Taiwan by analysing the typology and nature of social enterprises in these two regions, their operating context, and their perceived social impacts. The institutional context and governmental policies appear to have had a great influence on the development of social enterprise in both these Chinese communities.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a survey conducted in both Hong Kong and Taiwan in 2010. A total of 116 completed questionnaires (return rate: 27.2 per cent) in Taiwan and 45 completed questionnaires (return rate 53.0 per cent) in Hong Kong were received.

Findings

Social enterprises in Hong Kong and Taiwan are in a “growth stage”, and they are becoming more diversified in both regions. Solving the problem of unemployment and alleviating poverty appear to be two major reasons pursued by NPOs when they set up a social enterprise. In addition, the analysis also revealed that the significance of social enterprises for helping marginal groups is increasingly recognised and that self‐reliance is very much emphasised in both regions. Beside these similarities, there are also great differences between social enterprises in the two regions, be it in terms of respective importance, institutional context, marketing strategies or government policies.

Originality/value

By tracking the growth and development of social enterprises in Hong Kong and Taiwan from 2006 to 2010, this paper attempts to analyse the similarities and diversities of social enterprises in these two Chinese communities. It also attempts to shed light on the impacts of the institutional context and the governmental policies on shaping the future development of social enterprises.
Japanese social enterprises: major contemporary issues and key challenges
Authors: Laratta Rosario , Nakagawa Sachiko , Sakurai Masanari
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the emergence of social enterprise in Japan by looking at the predominant types of social enterprise in the country, their industries and target groups, their challenges and strength.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts an analytical approach, building on previous work; it is grounded on the social construction theory, which has the advantage of apprehending social phenomena from different viewpoints.

Findings

The study identifies three different conceptual approaches to explain the emergence of social enterprise in Japan. It then demonstrates that there exists a link between the approaches identified and the emerging social enterprise types in the country. Furthermore, it discusses the strategies used by those emerging social enterprise types in choosing their particular legal forms (in the absence of a specific legal form for social enterprise in Japan) and shows how this choice is normally determined by the constraints associated with those organisational forms. From this perspective, the paper outlines the major contemporary issues affecting social enterprises in Japan and focuses on two key challenges: the systems of regulation and the financial viability. In discussing the financial challenge it presents the dual attitude of the Japanese government towards the development of the social enterprise sector.

Originality/value

This paper builds up the theoretical foundations for the understanding of the social enterprise sector in Japan and it will stimulate further researches on the future development of the sector.
Social enterprise in South Korea: history and diversity
Authors: Bidet Eric , Eum Hyung‐Sik
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to deal with the history and main features of social enterprises in South Korea, where a specific legal framework was enacted in 2006.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis emphasises an economic sociological approach mixing economic considerations, political features and social aspects. The mobilised information comes from previous works realised by the authors on that topic as well as from updated statistics and data about policies, laws and regulations.

Findings

The study underlines that the emergence of social enterprises in South Korea was rooted in civil society and citizens' movements before it became a priority on the government's agenda. The result is the co‐existence of several forms of social enterprise with distinctive features: social enterprises certified by the official label, on the one hand, and de facto social enterprises, defined as such because of their practices, goals and values, on the other hand. Such a situation generates a growing tension between the priorities and values emphasised by the political sphere and by the civil society.

Research limitations/implications

Social enterprise is an emerging field of interest and a recent phenomenon, constantly in progress; consequently, systematic data on the field are still lacking, and researchers do not have enough hindsight to learn definitive lessons and draw broad conclusions of statistical significance.

Originality/value

The paper sheds light on a phenomenon that is multi‐dimensional and is rapidly evolving. It provides a better comprehension of South Korean political choices and socio‐economic changes and can help to anticipate future evolutions and to shape related policies to deal with work integration and the promotion of welfare‐mix in the field of social services provision. It also brings information and learning for cross‐country comparative studies.
Bias, history, and the Protestant Work Ethic
Authors: Smith Virgil O. , Smith Yvonne S.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The Protestant Work Ethic (PWE) is an important construct for management theorists. However, there appear to be biases and distortions in the way it is used in research. This paper aims to discuss the issues of assumptions involving the PWE, thus addressing this gap in the management literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The management literature distorts the PWE in three ways. First, though there are multiple work ethics, researchers largely focus on this one. This paper examines work‐ethics research and language in various management fields. Second, the construct has been developed within limited philosophical perspectives. This is tested by comparing work histories. Third, the historic documents are investigated and it is argued that the PWE is not Protestant.

Findings

There is evidence of bias in the management literature concerning the PWE. Though there are many work values, management research is dominated by the PWE. Luther's and Calvin's writings indicate that their essential views on work are the opposite of Webers' formulation of the PWE. However, the views of Marx and Engels on work echo the PWE.

Research limitations/implications

If a basic assumption is distorted, research utilizing this assumption is suspect. The PWE is an important construct in several management disciplines. Bias in construct assumptions can result in inaccurate measurements and results.

Practical implications

Researchers must constantly be aware of possible personal bias, particularly regarding key constructs. Scholars should regularly examine assumptions in their discipline. The history of a discipline can greatly assist this examination.

Originality/value

This is one of the few examinations of the assumptions behind a key construct in the management literature, the PWE. There are strong indications that distortions about the PWE have been reified.
The ideology of executive bonuses: an historical perspective
Authors: Spector Bert , Spital Francis C.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to add historical perspective to the contemporary debate concerning the efficacy of executive bonuses. That debate has become particularly significant in the USA as a result of the recent economic collapse and the federal government's Troubled Asset Relief Program, turning the government – at least temporarily – into a shareholder of numerous companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is primarily an intellectual history of an idea: that executive bonuses are required to achieve top performance. The main primary source is two sets of articles from theHarvard Business Reviewfrom the 1930s and the 1950s. These are supplemented by other primarily and secondary material.

Findings

Arch Patton, a McKinsey Consultant and the most published author in theHarvard Business Reviewduring the 1950s, constructed a defense of executive bonuses based on ideology rather than empirical evidence.

Social implications

Constituents of the current debate on executive bonuses should be aware of the degree to which statements of support for efficacy are often presented as universally and exclusively correct which may result in distortion and concealment of real interests.

Originality/value

Despite the ubiquity of executive bonuses, no study has looked at the historical roots of the debate. Agency theory, which is presented as a rational and legitimate argument in favor of such bonuses, fails to address the historical context in which bonuses actually took root in corporate America.
Optimizing health care employees' newly learned leadership behaviors
Authors: Snell Anita J. , Dickson Graham
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this qualitative research study is to gain an understanding of the workplace experiences of individuals, employed in health care organizations, a few months after taking leadership development programming, as they endeavor to put into practice the concepts, ideas, and skills they acquired as part of their leadership development programs.

Design/methodology/approach

Four providers of leadership development programs in the health care arena canvassed their recent “graduates” to participate in the study. A total of 54 participant telephone interviews were transcribed and inductively analyzed.

Findings

Despite the range of leadership development programs attended, participants were consistent in their enthusiasm for the uptake of leadership knowledge, and the organizations for which they worked were largely consistent in their facilitation of the participants' leadership efforts when they returned to work. Organizational factors that support or impede the practice of effective leadership, and strategies to facilitate supportive organizational responses to aspiring leaders, were identified.

Research limitations/implications

This study cites benefits realized by health care organizations when participants of leadership development programs return to their workplaces; such benefits are based on the participants' self‐report only. Future research could gain third‐party corroboration concerning specific organizational impacts related to employees attending leadership development programs.

Practical implications

There are many practices organizations can implement to ensure that full value is realized from employees who have attended leadership development programs. This study provides organizations with qualitative evidence of what supports and hinders employees in practicing newly learned leadership behaviors.

Originality/value

Little qualitative research exists that provides an overview of the workplace leadership experiences of individuals after taking leadership development programs.
The influence of empowering leadership, empowerment and engagement on affective commitment and turnover intentions in community health service workers
Authors: Albrecht Simon L. , Andreetta Manuela
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This study seeks to extend research on the relationship between empowering leadership, empowerment and outcome variables by examining the mediating role of employee engagement. More specifically, the study sets out to test whether employee engagement mediates the effects of empowering leadership and empowerment on affective commitment and turnover intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample on which conclusions are based consisted of 139 employees of a community health service. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equations modelling (SEM) were used to test the measurement and structural models proposed.

Findings

CFA showed acceptable fit indices for the measurement model after respecifying a reduced number of items for the explanatory variables. Structural equations modelling of a respecified model also yielded acceptable fit indices and showed that empowerment mediated the influence of empowering leadership on engagement. Engagement was shown to partially mediate the influence of empowerment on affective commitment, which in turn influenced turnover intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The use of cross‐sectional self‐report data suggests the need to replicate the findings in a longitudinal design with additional samples.

Practical implications

Results are discussed in terms of the importance of training and development initiatives aimed at promoting empowering leadership, empowerment and engagement in health service contexts. The results will be of interest to practitioners and researchers.

Originality/value

The research provides new insights in to the relationships between empowering leadership, empowerment, engagement, affective commitment and turnover intentions in health service contexts.
Has marketing come full circle? Demarketing for sustainability
Authors: Sodhi Kamaljit
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The increasing emphasis on sustainable practices requires innovative strategies and responses from the marketer. The fundamental purpose of marketing is re‐viewed in the light of growing demands for quality of life and the sustainability of resource use, and responsibility to society for the actions and effects of firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The discipline of marketing assumes its importance from establishing an interface with the consumer and the society at large. The idea of growth and increasing demand is implicit in marketing. The growing recognition of a fundamentally resource‐constrained environment requires a much guarded response from the marketer. Faced with the current situation of depleting resources, an ambience of increasing sensitivity to environmental issues and increasing demand of the consumer for a safer planet, how will the marketer justify pushing the product through the pipeline and on to the consumer? In the future it is reasonable to expect marketing processes to create or maintain demand and marketing to ration or reduce demand. The present study is an attempt to understand how demarketing may be used to further the sustainability agenda. It is an in‐depth review of literature has been undertaken to establish linkages between demarketing and sustainability.

Findings

The possibility of using demarketing as a marketer's response to sustainability concerns is clearly established and areas of further research are highlighted.

Originality/value

The paper opens up the debate on a subject that is clearly going to be high on the agenda for years to come.
Do SMEs need to strategize?
Authors: Sharma Govinda
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The study is prompted by the fact that most SMEs may not have the wherewithal or the willingness to devote time and resources to strategy formulation but are focused to reconsider this position by the pressures of globalization.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a literature survey, a model suitable for SMEs is identified. An application of the selected model is presented. Applicability of strategic tools such as ERP in SMEs is examined. A case of a company, which has implemented ERP is analyzed.

Findings

SMEs need strategy but the strategy depends on the complexity of the process. The case study points to the need for top management support and commitment.

Research limitations/implications

It is difficult to get financial data from individual SMEs as most SMEs are proprietorship concerns.

Practical implications

For countries, which are labor surplus, study on SMEs which are not capital intensive but create employment, has practical and social implication.

Originality/value

This paper attempts at filling research gaps on competitive strategies for SMEs.
Take‐off of online marketing: casting the next generation strategies
Authors: Sharma Amalesh
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to study the emerging nature of on‐line marketing and define the next generation strategies for online marketers.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a qualitative research to explain a few factors. Surveys were conducted to determine the view points of consumers. Existing literature and current trends are considered

Findings

On the basis of the study, author has tried to forecast certain major factors and strategic approaches, which will dominate the on‐line marketing world in the near future.

Research limitations/implications

It is difficult to predict trends. Extreme technological revolution, huge changes in market dynamics, economy of the nations and few other factors may affect the trends suddenly. So the intensity of the result may vary with time.

Practical implications:

It will add value to the strategic thinking of the organizations. Especially for the start‐ups firms and for the firms, which are following the traditional on‐line marketing strategies, it will give a new outlook.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to showing the critical factors, which are neglected while building the online marketing strategies. Also, author tries to show the original market trends and the necessity of innovative strategies
Logistics outsourcing and company performance of SMEs
Authors: Solakivi Tomi , Töyli Juuso , Engblom Janne , Ojala Lauri
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the current state of and future expectations concerning the usage of the outsourcing of logistics operations in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), and to analyse and quantify the relationships between logistics outsourcing, costs and performance, financial performance, and the company context.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were 223 manufacturing and trading SMEs from the Finnish logistics survey combined with detailed financial report‐based data, both referring to the year 2008. Statistical analyses including ANOVA and factor analysis were applied.

Findings

Transport activities are excessively outsourced. Most companies report no outsourcing of order processing and invoicing, and half of them have not outsourced logistics IT systems. Outsourcing is expected to grow in all areas with strongest expectations in materials management, value‐added services, and in IT. The logistics costs for companies engaging in the medium level of outsourcing could be higher than those of other companies. Further research is needed to confirm this finding. No loss or gain in logistics performance due to outsourcing was observed. The more the companies are engaged in outsourcing, the more they monitor as well as collaborate internally and externally, or vice versa. In general, the results imply that management should not expect automatic gains from logistics outsourcing, and should rather analyse the company‐specific characteristics that support or in some cases suffer from the outsourcing decision.

Originality/value

The article explores logistics outsourcing in SMEs combining financial report data with self‐reported measures. It analyses and quantifies the relationship of logistics outsourcing to logistics costs, financial performance, logistics performance, and company context.
Place branding's role in sustainable development
Authors: Maheshwari Vishwas , Vandewalle Ian , Bamber David
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The aim of this research is to examine the place brand construct and to establish its role in the sustainable development of a place. This research reviews the evolution, development and effectiveness of the place branding concept from the perspectives of regeneration, growth and sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The main research focus is on establishing key facets responsible for driving the brand of a place and examining the relationship between them in terms of achieving sustainability. A place‐specific branding campaign (using the Liverpool '08, European Capital of Culture status) was considered and data collected from the key stakeholders in Liverpool.

Findings

The findings suggest that place branding plays an important role in the sustainable development of a place, provided that the momentum of progress is maintained. In turn, these sustainable developments help promote the place and thereby create stronger place brands.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst some of the facets identified in this study are place‐specific (Liverpool is a port, for example), there is much of a generic nature here and the facets identified in this research could provide useful practical constructs for place branding practices and may therefore become the basis of a formal place brand framework which has a more generic application in terms of sustainable development.

Originality/value

This research paper provides better understanding of place branding and further explores its role into sustainable development through relationship framework.
Utilising the characteristics of small enterprises to assist in managing hazardous substances in the workplace
Authors: Laird Ian , Olsen Kirsten , Harris Leigh‐Ann , Legg Stephen , Perry Melissa J.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present the literature which identifies the characteristics of small enterprises and outlines the opportunities to utilise them in working with small businesses to prevent and reduce exposures to hazardous substances.

Design/methodology/approach

A search of a variety of data sources, including Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, was conducted which combined the keyword search terms “small business”, “small enterprise”, “management”, “health and safety management”, “hazardous substances”, “hazardous chemicals”, “management of hazardous substances”. High quality studies were selected and combined with studies known to the authors.

Findings

A strong body of evidence exists which shows that the management of OSH in small enterprises has been extensively reviewed and the most recurring theme is the identification of problems and challenges. A growing body of literature also confirms that models for chemical risk management and social responsibility issues can play a key role in managing hazardous chemical exposures in small enterprises. Furthermore, studies have shown that there are certain characteristics of small business that potentially provide positive opportunities for the implementation of preventive interventions.

Originality/value

The paper identifies these characteristics and features and suggests these can be effectively utilised in the design and development of interventions to prevent and reduce exposures to hazardous substances in small enterprises. Few interventions, however, have been developed utilising these positive characteristics.
Breaking out of the straitjacket of project research: in search of contribution
Authors: Jacobsson Mattias , Söderholm Anders
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how a different and partly new strategy is needed in order to make research on projects relevant and interesting to a wider scientific community, including organisation and management theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim is accomplished through a mystery‐focused process that identifies what is not explained and continuously confronts empirical data with theoretical explanations in an interactive manner.

Findings

Based on a phenomenology‐stimulated meta‐analysis of the field of project research, the paper outlines an alternative view of the field of project research and four streams of research, each of which is represented by its own scope, focus, audience and “taken‐for‐granted” assumptions. The streams are: in search of best practice, in search of legitimacy, in search of inspiration and in search of contribution.

Research limitations/implications

The paper suggests that, in order to make an true impact on management and social science theories in general, projects must be redefined as objects of study rather than theraison d'être. The inherent paradox, and the conclusion of the paper is that, in order to become more relevant for a broader research community, projects must be reduced to an empirical illustration, a case among others.

Originality/value

The paper provides a meta‐analysis of the project management research field and offers new insights into challenges that need to be addressed in order to make project management research relevant for a wider management research community.
Providing structural openness to connect with context
Authors: Small Jocelyn , Walker Derek
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to emphasise projects as being part of a social process. It aims to move away from the traditional views that lay emphases on linear and predictable models of project practice to one that better highlights the complex nature of human interrelations.

Design/methodology/approach

The work reported upon involved a case study where one of the authors was embedded as a reflective practitioner undertaking action learning and elicitation of knowledge from colleagues using soft systems methodology as a primary research method.

Findings

Findings from the doctoral research implemented in the Middle East, indicate that socio‐cultural factors in project contexts affect knowledge creation processes critical to organisational change.

Research limitations/implications

Research results benefited from viewing the project organization as a “complex adaptive system” with a structurally open project entity facilitating the contextual interconnections necessary for detecting and creating environmental change.

Practical implications

Pragmatic knowledge was seen as emergent through movement of human interactions and contributed to the portrayal of the project organisation as a “becoming” cognitive system whose resilience is dependent upon producing meaning as opposed to processing information. When change management is viewed in a multicultural context such as this, within this paradigm, then greater emphasis will likely be placed upon complexity and uncertainty issues arising out of the interplay of culture and the political aspects of managing change in a more empathic way.

Originality/value

Complexity in project management and theory has traditionally focussed on technical and structural aspects of project practice; but given the heterogeneous nature of human capital residing in today's organisations, aligning social systems with nature where disorder and uncertainty prevail, provides a more relevant ecological model of social analysis. The paper shows that the challenge today for those working in culturally pluralistic project environments is to make sense of such multiple realities and disparities in language to effectively manage the inherent power relationships that influence project outcomes.
Contracted ERP projects
Authors: Andersson Annika , Wilson Timothy L.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the sequential nature that enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects tend to take and to describe how the buyer typically behaves concerning the need for control and learning in and in‐between ERP projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Results come from an in‐depth case study of sequential ERP projects. The respondents were a major Swedish retailer and a supplier who undertook upgrading of an ERP system with six separate and sequential projects. The research was framed by independent pre‐ and post‐interviews in three buyer companies' from different areas of business.

Findings

Results suggest that success is associated with mutual learning between supplier and buyer organizations that lead to reasonably amicable working relationships. Control considerations run through these projects and conflicts appear minimal in the sequential treatment. Insightful interpretation comes not only from empirical reflection on interactions in an in‐depth case study, but also from concepts available in decision making and project marketing as well.

Research limitations/implications

Case studies present in‐depth understanding but have generalization limitations. Also the case study was accomplished in Sweden and thus knowledge about behaviour in other countries and cultures is needed.

Practical implications

Managers investing in relationships and learning in an initial project probably suffer in terms of satisfaction and profitability at that stage but could accomplish more effective, satisfying and profitable situations over time. In particular, appreciation of the nature of the sequential project development, mutual control, delivery and learning in these projects could be useful in understanding the buyer behaviour in ERP projects.

Originality/value

Learning is important in projects but how do the buyers behave? A description of the sequential nature of ERP projects and the learning process both within the buyer's company and within the supplier's company is established. Tables are created that describe how the gap in the mutual learning process decreases in‐between projects in business‐to‐business projects.
Gender empowerment measure in political achievement in selected developed and developing countries
Authors: Ismail Maimunah , Mohd Rasdi Roziah , Nadirah Abd. Jamal Akhmal
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Gender empowerment measure (GEM) is an assessment about inequalities between men's and women's opportunities in a country. The concept of empowerment can be explored through three interrelated dimensions: agency, resources and achievements. Agency refers to processes by which choices and abilities are made, resources are the medium through which agency is exercised and achievements are the outcomes of agency. Specifically, this paper seeks to examine an indicator of GEM specifically in the achievements in politics based on data from selected developed and developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A GEM indicator based on percentage of female parliamentarian taken from secondary sources such as United Nations Development Programme was used in the analysis of empowerment. The developed countries were represented by Norway, Australia and Japan; while the developing countries are Malaysia, the Philippines and China.

Findings

There are variations in the achievement indicator in terms of percentage of female parliamentarians in the two groups of countries. Reasons for variations are explained.

Research limitations/implications

Although the analysis was limited to the secondary data of the selected countries only, the results may have valuable implications to women's studies and human resource development practitioners particularly at institutional and policy‐making levels of the respective countries.

Originality/value

GEM is a concept which is lacking in terms of definition. Thus, the study could contribute to a fuller understanding of one of the GEM indicators, inevitably towards constructive solutions to improve the participation of women in public function.
Review, rewriting and impact of Indian takeover code
Authors: Srinivasa Reddy K. , Nangia V.K. , Agarawal Rajat
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the literature and statistical data on the Indian takeover code cum open offers market and break up the historical changes in takeover code into various phases for better understanding and decision making by mergers and acquisitions advisory, legal advisory, merchant bankers, investment bankers, business houses and academia.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study describes literature summary on takeover code and evaluates the growth phase of open offers through trend analysis with respect to amendments in Indian takeover code.

Findings

Since 14 years of takeover code presence in India, it evidences that there is an empirical support on growth phase in the open offers market.

Research limitations/implications

The study is developed on the basis of Indian takeover regulations and Securities and Exchange Board of India takeover code to wake up the public shareholding and regulatory bodies, by better conveyance of historical review at one place.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind, dividing the complete history of Indian takeover code into various phases for review and identifying the gaps for future research. Further, the paper investigates and finds various untouched facts and variables in both literature and statistical data on open offers.
Improving the quality of information security management systems with ISO27000
Authors: Gillies Alan
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The ISO27001 standard provides a model for “establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining and improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS)”. This paper seeks to consider the global adoption of the ISO27000 series of standards, and to compare them with the adoption rates for ISO9000 and ISO14000. The paper aims to compare the barriers to adoption for the different standards.

Design/methodology/approach

Previous studies suggest that ISO27001 adoption is slower than for the other standards. The uptake of ISO27001 has been slower than the related management system standards ISO9001 and ISO14001, with approximately half the certifications compared with ISO14001. In response to the issues raised in this analysis, the paper considers how an approach based on a maturity model can be used to help overcome these barriers, especially in smaller companies.

Findings

The 2008 survey of ISO27001‐certificated companies found that 50 per cent of the certificated organisations which responded had fewer than 200 employees, and were therefore in the SME category. Perhaps more surprisingly, around half of these had fewer than 50 employees The framework has used the ISO27002 code of practice to define the elements, which should be considered within the ISMS. Each element is then developed through a maturity model lifecycle to develop processes to the point where an ISO27001‐compliant ISMS can be implemented.

Originality/value

The principal contribution of the paper is a step‐by‐step framework designed to simplify the process for organisations working towards ISO27001 and offer significant benefits at milestones before systems are mature enough to achieve certification.
TALEVAS model: an integrated quality methodology
Authors: Kheradia Amit
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to combine systems thinking, lean management, value methodology and Six Sigma concepts into an integrated quality methodology using the TALEVAS model.

Design/methodology/approach

TALEVAS is an acronym for Tandem‐Lean‐Value‐Sigma, as each element correlates to a best practice or concept mentioned by intent. The model is based on two theories: “The rising pendulum system” and “The seven rules of quality driving” proposed in this paper.

Findings

Four key performance drivers are identified using the model. These are: communication, investigative correction, innovation, and synchronization.

Practical implications

The integrated methodology can be deployed by any type (product‐or‐service based) or level (small, medium or corporate) of an organization in order to gain a competitive advantage in the market. Further, there is a possibility that recent cases of product recalls could be reduced or avoided by companies through implementing a TALEVAS Quality approach.

Originality/value

The paper displays the interdependence between the quality concepts by model analysis. This reflects a more holistic approach to quality required by organizations to raise the bottom line, reduce costs, promote value, and provide consistent products to customers.
Statistical, technical and sociological dimensions of design of experiments
Authors: Firka Daniel
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight potential issues that often arise during the planning, execution or interpretation of design of experiments (DOE) experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Issues are enumerated and analyzed and sources are presented with practical arguments using DOE texts and papers published in peer‐reviewed journals.

Findings

The findings are discussed in relation not only with statistical aspects, but also with how it is critical for paying attention to its methodological and managerial aspects impacting the potential advantages as a continuous improvement tool.

Originality/value

The paper is of interest to DOE practitioners trying to understand potential pitfalls with tips on how to avoid the risk of failures.
Measuring economic effects of quality management systems
Authors: Sedevich Fons Leonardo A.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to discuss methods to quantify, in monetary terms, the effects of having a quality management system that can help to make decision making easier by company managers easier.

Design/methodology/approach

There are many different management tools and theories which have been developed in both academic and entrepreneurial environments like the quality management theory, traditional accounting, quality cost measurement and balanced scorecard. The method proposed in this paper takes the form of taking these tools into consideration and analyzing them in detail in order to combine them to form a unique system which can maximize their individual benefits from a holistic point of view of total quality.

Findings

The paper proposes a measurement method that can be put into practice to ascertain the actual economic effects of quality management systems and to help decision makers.

Research limitations/implications

The method developed must be validated bearing in mind its limitations for implementation in each company in order to prove its benefits.

Originality/value

The method is developed by combining many management tools, which are normally used individually.
Productivity, scale effect and technological catch‐up in Chinese regions
Authors: Özyurt Selin , Guironnet Jean‐Pascal
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the driving forces of China's recent rapid economic growth and its sustainability in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

A stochastic production frontier approach is employed in order to investigate regional productivity performances of Chinese provinces over the period 1994‐2006.

Findings

Despite the general concern of widening regional inequalities in China, the findings show a striking trend of convergence among Chinese provinces over the last decade. The empirical results also reveal a significant contribution of foreign direct investment and foreign trade to economic growth. From a macroeconomic point of view, the strong trend of economic convergence among regions could give evidence on the sustainability of rapid economic growth in China in the near future. In addition, the empirical findings show that Chinese provinces tend to compensate negative scale effects by rising productive efficiency through technological progress.

Research limitations/implications

Further investigation of the non‐neutrality of technological component can yield a better understanding of the underlying convergence mechanism.

Practical implications

That is to say, policy makers should pursue their initiative to promote backward regions in western and inland regions and to encourage their economic integration through the free movement of production factors across regional borders. Further investment in physical and human capital construction in backward provinces are also needed to stimulate the catch‐up process.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this methodology is the ability to introduce various returns to scale production technology and to decompose regional productivity scores over time into two major components, namely scale and pure technical efficiencies.
An analysis of the growth and rise of smaller Islamic banks in last decade
Authors: Masood Omar , Shabbir Khan Niazi Ghulam , Ahmad Noryati
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the factors responsible for the rise and growth of smaller Islamic banks in the last decade.

Design/methodology/approach

Z‐score analysis is used to test the stability of both smaller and larger Islamic banks. The pooled ordinary least square (OLS) regression technique is also employed to examine the factors.

Findings

The results of this paper show higherz‐scores for smaller Islamic banks indicating that the latter have tended to be more stable than larger Islamic banks over the last decade.Z‐scores tend to increase with bank size for large Islamic banks, but decrease with size for the small Islamic banks. The OLS regression results confirm that larger banks have greater income diversity than do the smaller banks.

Originality/value

Islamic banking represents a radical departure from conventional banking, and from the viewpoint of corporate governance; it embodies a number of interesting features since equity participation, risk and profit‐and‐loss sharing arrangements form the basis of Islamic financing. Using econometric techniques, this paper provides valuable insights as to the stability of Islamic banks and the factors responsible for the growth of smaller such institutions that has been witnessed in the last decade.
IT‐enabled innovation to prevent infant blindness in rural India: the KIDROP experience
Authors: Vinekar Anand
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share the IT‐based experience of the first tele‐ophthalmology initiative in infant blindness prevention set up to serve rural India.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the two‐plus years of experience of the “Karnataka Internet Assisted Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (KIDROP) initiative” pioneered by one of the leading private tertiary eye care providers in India, Narayana Nethralaya Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Bangalore. KIDROP was the first tele‐ophthalmology initiative in the world to use trained non‐physicians (“trained technicians”) to capture images of the retinas of infants a few weeks old for a potentially blinding condition called retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and validated them to store, process and analyze those images at the rural centre itself. In addition, these images were uploaded to a specially customized software‐hardware platform that allowed remotely situated experts to view these images and report real time either on a PC or on their smart phones. The success of this private initiative paved the way for the first public‐private partnership in infant blindness prevention in India which is poised for a statewide and subsequent nationwide expansion.

Findings

In a country like India, where experts are few and far between and found mostly in the big cities, the human ability of “image processing” allows non‐physicians to quickly gain the expertise to screen seemingly difficult cases by using the medium of digital images and a logical algorithm of triage. With an increasing caseload of these conditions, the standard of care can be delivered to the most underserved of areas with this little IT‐based innovation served with dollops of passion.

Practical implications

The experience of KIDROP is being used as a cornerstone for similar tele‐ophthalmology programs in India and other developing countries with similar demographics. A case for propagating the innovation as an example of “reverse innovation” for more developed economies to emulate has also been made.

Originality/value

The project described in the paper was the first that used non‐physicians to report images of infants for ROP screening, the first ROP network to cater to rural India and is currently the world's largest single hospital‐managed tele‐ROP network.
An exploratory investigation into the hierarchical linkages between salespersons' sales call activities and customers' psychosocial benefits and terminal values
Authors: Singh Ramendra
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This study aims to extend the current understanding in consumer behavior about plausible theoretical linkages between salespersons' activities, and the psychosocial benefits derived, and terminal values achieved by customers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study carries out in‐depth interviews with 49 customers, and apply means‐end chain (MEC) theory to unravel hierarchical linkages between sales call activities and customers' attainment of functional and psychosocial benefits, and terminal values.

Findings

The results suggest that a few significant sales call activities are hierarchically associated with customers' perceived benefits and terminal values.

Research limitations/implications

The study has a limitation in terms of generalizability of the results, since only a few sales call activities have been studied. Moreover, the methodology followed is exploratory, rather than confirmatory.

Practical implications

The managerial implications include designing salespersons' sales call activities (or the sales call plan) more effectively to achieve customers' desired psychosocial benefits, and terminal values.

Originality/value

Although salespersons play an important role in understanding and meeting customers' needs, knowledge of any hierarchical theoretical linkages between sales call activities and customers' perceived benefits and terminal values is largely absent from the current literature. This study uses the MEC theory for the first time to address this research gap.