bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Logistics firms performance: efficiency and effectiveness perspectives
Authors: Wong Wai Peng , Soh Keng Lin , Chong Chu Le , Karia Noorliza
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficiency, effectiveness and performance of logistics companies in Singapore and Malaysia which are the growing logistics hubs in Asia by using a triangular data envelopment analysis (DEA). It also identifies various factors that significantly affect the efficiency, effectiveness and performance of the Singaporean and Malaysian logistics companies and proposes ways to improve their competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, this study employs a triangular DEA to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the companies. Second, Tobit regression is used to explore the factors that affect logistics performance. Third, the managerial decision-making matrix is addressed and suggestions made to help logistics managers improve performance.

Findings

– The results reveal that small firms, on average have more potential than the large ones. The results also demonstrate that investment influences firm performance significantly.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first attempt to apply a triangular DEA-based approach by decomposing performance into efficiency and effectiveness for logistics companies in Singapore and Malaysia.
The development of an objective wine knowledge scale: the item response theory approach
Authors: Velikova Natalia , Howell Roy D. , Dodd Tim
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of objective knowledge operationalisation with specific focus on varying levels of scale items’ difficulty. The ultimate goal of the study was to develop a scale to measure objective wine knowledge, which would address the domain of wine knowledge and differentiate varying levels of consumer wine knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

– The process of items’ development was guided by recommendations suggested by DeVellis (2003) in his influential work on theory and application of scale development. Examination of items’ performance was conducted through a series of field tests with consumer samples (N= 756) in a US wine region. Item response theory (IRT) approach was applied for items’ testing. The developed items were analysed using the two-parameter logistic model in Mplus Version 5.

Findings

– The study offers a 44-item test suitable for assessing wine knowledge across a broad spectrum of expertise. For example, if the goal is to assess wine knowledge differences among relatively knowledgeable respondents, a subset of more difficult items could be chosen. Alternatively, a test for novices could be constructed from easier scale’s items.

Research limitations/implications

– For researchers, the study offers conceptualisation of the wine knowledge domain, suggests a parsimonious instrument to measure the construct, offers a valid and reliable measure for use in testing theories of consumer knowledge and provides empirical evidence of the value and usefulness of the developed scale.

Practical implications

– For professionals, the proposed test may be used to test consumer knowledge and to help assess a prospective employee’s general knowledge of wine. The test can also be given at hospitality programs, outreach and continuing education programs.

Originality/value

– The current paper takes an alternative approach to classical test theory and offers an objective wine knowledge scale tested through IRT. This approach avoids shortcomings associated with classical measurement and offers an original scale that can discriminate among respondents with different levels of wine knowledge.
Effect of starting time on hydro-viscous drive speed regulating start
Authors: Meng Qingrui
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to reveal the effect of starting time on hydro-viscous drive speed regulating start.

Design/methodology/approach

– The modified transient Reynolds equation, thermal energy equation and temperature–viscosity equation were solved simultaneously by using finite element method. And then variations of the oil film load capacity, variations of temperature and variations of the torque generated by the oil film during the starting process were obtained.

Findings

– The results show that during the starting process, both the oil film load capacity and the temperature show an upward trend, the torque increases during the beginning period and then decreases during the latter part of the starting process. When the starting time is less than 60 s, variations of the oil film load capacity and temperature show fluctuations, which decrease with the starting time. For any output speed, the corresponding oil film load capacity, temperature and torque decrease with the starting time, and the decreasing amplitude also decreases with the starting time.

Originality/value

– This paper indicates that the starting time can be set to 60-90 s to obtain a perfect starting process. The simulation results are verified by the speed regulating start experiments. Research findings of this work provide theoretical basis for the design and practical application of the hydro-viscous drive equipments.
Study of behaviour of aluminium oxide nanoparticles suspended in SAE20W40 oil under extreme pressure lubrication
Authors: Thakre Avinash A. , Thakur Animesh
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to include investigation on extreme pressure lubrication behaviour of Al2O3 nanoparticles suspended in SAE20W40 lubricating oil. Effects of nanoparticles size (40-80 nm) and its concentration (0-1 per cent) on the coefficient of friction is studied using pin-on-disc tribotester.

Design/methodology/approach

– Taguchi technique is used to optimize the process parameters for lower coefficient of friction. L18 orthogonal array involving six levels for one factor and three levels for remaining three factors is selected for the experimentation. The parameters selected for the study are sliding speed, normal load, nanoparticles size and its concentration in base oil.

Findings

– It has been found that the presence of nanoparticles in proper concentration shows excellent tribological improvement in frictional characteristics compared to the base oil. The optimal combination of the parameters for minimum coefficient of friction is found to be 0.8 per cent concentration of 60 nm sized Al2O3 nanoparticles, 1,200 rpm sliding speed and 160 N of normal load. The mechanism of friction reduction in presence of nanoparticles is investigated using scanning electron microscopy.

Originality/value

– This is the original work.
Innovative technique of measuring follower rotation in real production engine using Gradiometer sensor and the effect of friction modifier
Authors: Mufti Riaz Ahmad , Zahid Rehan , Qureshi Farrukh , Aslam Jawad
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of engine operating conditions and lubricant friction modifier on direct acting tappet rotation. In this research work, novel method of measuring engine tappet rotation speed has been developed. The technique is so novel. It allows the measurement on real production engine with no modification to the engine tappet bore. Also, In this paper, the effect of engine operating conditions and the effectiveness of friction modifier on tappet rotation is reported.

Design/methodology/approach

– For the very first time, for the purpose of measuring follower rotation in a real production engine, a 4 × 6 mm2 electronic chip called Gradiometer is mounted outside the tappet housing, allowing the monitoring of tappet rotation speed without the need to machine a hole in the tappet bore. This novel technique is adopted on Mercedes Benz OM464 engine to study the effect of engine conditions and lubricant chemistry on tappet performance.

Findings

– The main outcome of this research work is the development of novel method of measuring tappet rotation. Also, during the experiments, it was revealed that although friction modifiers help in reducing friction at the cam/tappet interface, they can also adversely affect the tappet rotation speed.

Originality/value

– The novel technique developed in the research work is one of the most cost effective and simple to use. Researches can adopt the technique to study the tribological performance of direct acting tappet on real production engine. Researches acknowledge the effectiveness of friction modifiers in valve train but its effect on rotation which plays a key role in the component durability has not been the focus of most of the researches mainly due to lack of effective techniques.
Wear behavior of Fe-Cr-B alloys under dry sliding condition
Authors: Cui Gongjun , Wei Jin , Wu Gongxiong
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to prepare new Fe-Cr-B alloys which have better wear resistance and investigate the wear mechanisms of these alloys tribotesting against SiC ceramic balls under dry sliding process.

Design/methodology/approach

– Fe-Cr matrix alloys were fabricated using powder metallurgy route. The tribological behaviors of Fe-Cr alloys tribotesting against SiC ceramic balls using a ball-on-disc tribotester were studied at different testing conditions. Meanwhile, microstructure, phases and morphology of worn surfaces were investigated.

Findings

– The element boron improved mechanical properties and tribological behavior of alloys. The friction coefficients of Fe-Cr matrix alloys did not show obvious difference. The specific wear rates of alloys decreased and then increased because of the brittleness of alloys with the increase of boron content. Fe-21 weight per cent Cr-7 weight per cent B alloy showed the best tribological properties in dry sliding. The wear mechanism of Fe-Cr alloy was plastic deformation and abrasive wear. However, the Fe-Cr-B alloys showed fatigue spalling characteristics.

Originality/value

– This paper reported a new, cheap and wear-resistant Fe matrix material to prepare mechanical parts in food and mining industrial fields.
Parametric design of surface textures on journal bearing
Authors: Zhang Hui , Dong Guangneng , Hua Meng , Guo Feifei , Chin Kwai Sang
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The main purpose of this paper is to understand and model the hydrodynamic influence of surface textures on journal bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the model, a rectangular array of circle dimples is used to modify the film thickness expression. In full film and cavitation regions, classical Reynolds equation and Reynolds boundary condition are used as the governing equations, respectively. By setting high load bearing capacity as the main optimal goal, the influence of textures on tribological characteristics is studied to get the optimal distribution and parameters of textures.

Findings

– The results suggest that the load bearing capacity of a journal bearing may be improved through appropriate arrangement of textures partially covering its sleeve. The reduction of the cavitation area may also be achieved by arranging the textures in divergent region. With a high density distribution of textures which have step depths varying linearly along the circumferential direction of the bearing, the load bearing capacity enhancement seems to give good performance. Comparing with smooth bearing, the load bearing capacity enhancement of such textures is about 56.1 per cent, although the influence of texture diameters for the same area density seems insignificant.

Originality/value

– The paper shows how surface textures can be designed on journal bearing to improve its tribological performances.
Studies on the effect of minor addition of phosphorous on microstructure, mechanical and wear behavior of LM-28 alloy
Authors: Ganiger Basavaraj Mallappa , Tumbigeri Mata Chandrashekharaiah , Manohara H R , Prasad T B
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The main purpose of the research paper is to study the effect of refinement of primary silicon on sliding wear behavior of commercially available LM-28 alloy and correlate these with the micro-structural and mechanical properties. It is well known that the refinement of primary silicon increases the toughness, ultimate tensile stress (UTS) and wear resistance of the Al-Si alloys at ambient temperature. But exact addition level is not clearly mentioned in the paper; hence, the present paper throws light on the addition level for refinement of primary silicon present in LM-28 alloy.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the present paper, commercially available LM-28 alloy was prepared in the laboratory before and after the addition of Cu-P master alloy. Further wear studies will be carried out at room temperature. Wear properties are correlated with microstructure and mechanical properties.

Findings

– Improvements in mechanical properties were observed after refinement of the primary silicon present in LM-28 alloy.

Research limitations/implications

– Further studies are required regarding in-depth investigation of refinement of primary silicon and its effects on the life of the components prepared by this alloy.

Practical implications

– The data obtained from the research paper help the manufacturers of automotive, aerospace and marine components, such as pistons, cylinder heads and blocks, etc.

Social implications

– The present research work will be an essential information required for the students of undergraduate, postgraduate and research scholars to carry out research at an R&D centre.

Originality/value

– Experiments are conducted at an R&D centre and analyses were carried out for structural changes, mechanical properties and wear properties. Further, the results are compared with other researcher’s data.
Research on wireless nondestructive monitoring method for film pressure of water-lubricated bearing
Authors: Wang Nan , Meng Qingfeng
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a nondestructive monitoring method based on wireless sensor technology to measure the continuous circumferential film pressure on radial cross-section of water-lubricated bearing, in addition, to study the influence factors to wireless communication.

Design/methodology/approach

– The unique shaft and wireless equipments are designed, the pressure sensors are installed in right shoulder of shaft, the wireless transmitter is installed at the end of shaft and the sensors are connected with wireless transmitter by data cable. By this way, the film pressure can be obtained via wireless communication. The film pressure of eight grooved water-lubricated rubber bearings with concave staves is measured, the performance evaluation of wireless equipments is conducted and the influence factors to wireless communication is analyzed by Doppler frequency shift theory.

Findings

– The rupturing and nonuniform water film is observed, the grooves decrease the film pressure of rubber bearing which is in mixed lubricating state. The main influence factor to wireless communication is shaft speed which has greater effect on packet loss rate than that on bit error rate.

Practical implications

– By studying the actual continuous water film pressure, the bearing properties can be studied in-depth, and this has significant meaning to the design and application of bearing. Moreover, the study on influence factors to wireless communication can be used for references to other wireless monitoring on rotating machinery.

Originality/value

– The continuous water film pressure can be monitored by this method, the lubricating state of bearing working surface cannot be damaged and the signal attenuation can be avoided. Therefore, the measuring accuracy is promoted and the measuring process also becomes convenient and high efficiency.
Taguchi optimization of tribological properties of Al/Gr/B4C composite
Authors: Sharma Amit , Garg Manish , Singh Satnam
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop hybrid aluminum metal matrix composite by stir casting process, reinforced with graphite and hard boron carbide particles to enhance the wear resistance. An attempt is made to optimize the wear (weight loss) and coefficient of friction (COF) by considering three factors, i.e. normal load, track diameter and sliding speed which were varied at three different levels.

Design/methodology/approach

– The effect of graphite and boron carbide on microhardness was studied by adding them in varying percentages. After determining the best combination of hybrid reinforcements, optimization of wear (weight loss) and COF was carried out at various levels of considered factors. Taguchi design of experiments was used using the software “Minitab 16.1”. ANOVA was used to analyze the effect of various parameters on wear and COF. To validate the results, mathematical modeling was carried out in terms of regression equations and results obtained by regression equations.

Findings

– The results revealed that the lower weight percentage of graphite (3 per cent) and boron carbide (1 per cent) significantly improved microhardness of developed composites. Results of ANOVA revealed that normal load was the main contributing factor for wear and COF. The results obtained by regression equations and confirmatory tests were within the results obtained by ANOVA.

Originality/value

– To the best of the author’s knowledge, very less work has been reported on optimization of wear and COF using hybrid reinforcement particles of graphite and boron carbide.
Image based portable wear debris analysis tool
Authors: Khan Muhammad Ali , Cheema Ahmed Farooq , Khan Sohaib Zia , Qureshi Shafiq-ur-Rehman
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to show the development of an image processing-based portable equipment for an automatic wear debris analysis. It can analyze both the qualitative and quantitative features of machine wear debris: size, quantity, size distribution, shape, surface texture and material composition via color.

Design/methodology/approach

– It comprises hardware and software components which can take debris in near real-time from a machine oil sump and process it for features diagnosis. This processing provides the information of the basic features on the user screen which can further be used for machine component health diagnosis.

Findings

– The developed system has the capacity to replace the existing off-line methods due to its cost effectiveness and simplicity in operation. The system is able to analyze debris basic quantitative and qualitative features greater than 50 micron and less than 300 micron.

Originality/value

– Wear debris basic features analysis tool is developed and discussed. The portable and near real-time analysis offered by the discussed work can be more technically effective as compared to the existing off-line and online techniques.
Automatic annotation method on learners’ opinions in case method discussion
Authors: Samejima Masaki , Hisakane Daichi , Komoda Norihisa
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to annotate an attribute of a problem, a solution or no annotation on learners’ opinions automatically for supporting the learners’ discussion without a facilitator. The case method aims at discussing problems and solutions in a target case. However, the learners miss discussing some of problems and solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Because opinions about problems and solutions on the same case are similar to each other, the proposed method uses opinions that are correctly annotated in past discussions for annotating an appropriate attribute on each opinion in discussions of the same case. The annotation on each opinion is identified by Support Vector Machine learned with opinions and annotations in the past discussion.

Findings

– Compared to a simple method that uses decision tree classification, this proposed method improves the recall rate and the precision rate of annotating the attribute by over 10 per cent. The proposed method is effective for automatic annotation.

Originality/value

– Because the recall rate and the precision rate of annotating an attribute of a problem are over 80 per cent, it is possible to make learners aware of problems that they should discuss. On the other hand, the recall rate and the precision rate of annotating an attribute of a solution are still low. The authors discuss the research issue to improve the rates for automatic annotation.
Simulating apprenticeship using multimedia in higher education
Authors: Bider Ilia , Henkel Martin , Kowalski Stewart , Perjons Erik
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to report on a project aimed at using simulation for improving the quality of teaching and learning modeling skills. More specifically, the project goal was to facilitate the students to acquire skills of building models of organizational structure and behavior through analysis of internal and external documents, and interviews with employees and management. An important skill that practitioners in the information systems field need to possess is the skill of modeling information systems. The main problem with acquiring modeling skills is to learn how to extract knowledge from the unstructured reality of business life.

Design/methodology/approach

– To achieve the goal, a solution was introduced in the form of a computerized environment utilizing multimedia to simulate a case of an apprenticeship situation. The paper gives an overview of the problem that the solution addresses, presents the solution and reports on the trial completed in a first-year undergraduate course at Stockholm University.

Findings

– The results of the trial indicate that using rich multimedia along with a case-based learning approach did improve the overall performance of the students. It was also shown that both students’ and the teachers’ attitudes toward the solution were positive.

Originality/value

– The solution presented in this paper, using computer simulation in teaching/learning by focusing on an apprenticeship situation, can be reused by other university teachers, especially in the Information Systems discipline. This solution can thus be used in teaching, system design, requirements engineering, business analysis and other courses typical for information systems.
Cyberbullying aggressors among Spanish secondary education students: an exploratory study
Authors: Buelga Sofía , Cava Maria J. , Musitu Gonzalo , Torralba Eva
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the prevalence rate of adolescents engaging in aggressive behaviours towards their peers using the Internet and mobile phones, while examining the duration and intensity of this cyberbullying, and to analyse differences in cyberbullying behaviours based on gender and age (academic grades). Research on cyberbullying indicates that it is a global problem that is increasing dramatically among adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample was composed of 1,415 Spanish adolescents of both sexes (760 boys and 655 girls) between 12 and 17 years old (M = 13.9 years old; SD = 1.4).

Findings

– The results indicated that the cyberbullying prevalence among adolescents in the past year was 32 per cent. Likewise, the data suggest that boys and students in their fourth year of secondary education (15-17 years old) perpetrated cyberbullying on their peers more than girls and students in lower grades.

Research limitations/implications

– The results presented in this research should be interpreted with caution due to its cross-sectional nature; a longitudinal study with measurements at different times would help to confirm the results observed here. On the other hand, in this study, the adolescents’ responses were obtained through self-reports and, although they could be subject to social desirability effects and biases, as indicated by Flisheret al.(2004), the reliability and validity of adolescent self-reports in the measurement of risk behaviours were quite acceptable.

Practical implications

– It is of crucial importance to develop educational strategies designed to favour the responsible use of the new technologies. In many cases, children and adolescents are not aware of psychological and legal consequences that their cyber-aggressions can have on themselves, on the victims and on their families and social environment.

Social implications

– The authors feel that this research may contribute to clarifying some crucial issues related to the growing problem of cyberbullying that affects adolescents in many countries of the world. As the present research deals with aspects of interactive technology and smart education, the authors believe that the findings reported in the manuscript would be of interest to potential readers of thisJournal.

Originality/value

– This paper is an original perspective on cyberbullying aggressors among secondary education students in a Spanish context.
A course on serious game design and development using an online problem-based learning approach
Authors: Kapralos Bill , Fisher Stephanie , Clarkson Jessica , van Oostveen Roland
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe a novel undergraduate course on serious game design and development that integrates both game and instructional design, thus providing an effective approach to teaching serious game design and development. Very little effort has been dedicated to the teaching of proper serious game design and development leading to many examples of serious games that provide little, if any, educational value.

Design/methodology/approach

– Organized around a collection of video clips (that provided a brief contextualized overview of the topic and questions for further exploration), readings, interdisciplinary research projects and games, the course introduced the principles of game and instructional design, educational theories used to support game-based learning and methods for evaluating serious games. Discussions and activities supported the problems that students worked on throughout the course to develop a critical stance and approach toward implementing game-based learning. Students designed serious games and examined potential issues and complexities involved in developing serious games and incorporating them within a teaching curriculum.

Findings

– Results of student course evaluations reveal that the course was fun and engaging. Students found the course fun and engaging, and through the successful completion of the final course project, all students met all of the course objectives. A discussion regarding the techniques and approaches used in the course that were successful (or unsuccessful) is provided.

Research limitations/implications

– It should be noted that a more detailed analysis has not been presented to fully demonstrate the effectiveness of the course. A more detailed analysis may have included a comparison with, for example, past versions of the course that was not based on an online problem-based learning (PBL) approach, to better quantify the effectiveness of the course. However, such a comparison could not be carried out here, given there was no measure of prior knowledge of students taken before they took course (e.g. no “pre-test data”).

Originality/value

– Unlike the few existing courses dedicated to serious game design, the course was designed specifically to facilitate a fully online PBL approach and provided students the opportunity to take control of their own learning through active research, exploration and problem-solving alone, in groups and through facilitated class discussions.
Shared cognition facilitated by teacher use of interactive whiteboard technologies
Authors: Redman Christine , Vincent John  Terence
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine questioning opportunities afforded by interactive whiteboards (IWBs) by highlighting pedagogical decisions enacted by teachers to ensure that they work with the wider affordances of the device.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three primary/elementary teachers participated in a study designed to identify the types of questions that teachers could enable, sustain and afford with an IWB. The teachers selected lessons to be videotaped. Pre- and post-lessons interviews were held with each teacher. Pre-lesson interviews sought the intent of the lesson and intended use of the IWB. Post-lesson interviews included teachers reviewing videotapes of the lessons and teachers reflecting on, reviewing and explaining significant and key events. They provided their reasons and justification behind their informed choices.

Findings

– Teachers enacted a framework that demonstrated their commitment to developing communities of learners. They sought strategic ways to utilise the IWB in dialogically focussed classrooms. Teachers used IWBs to sustain conversations that raise and resolve their learners’ questions, to present challenges to the group.

Research limitations/implications

– This study has a small number of participants, but is fine-grained in analysis. The recorded lessons have only occurred in mathematics classes. Lesson sequences are short, and a longer sequence, over eight weeks, would have also been illuminating.

Originality/value

– The study is unique in showing the shift in power and ownership between interactions among the teacher, students and the IWB.
Do Indian management practices drive global research agenda?
Authors: Padalkar Milind , Gopinath Saji
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to analyze how Indian management practices have influenced the international management research agenda. International interest in India as a business destination has been growing since the Indian policy-makers began opening up the economy in 1991. India’s continuing economic development and integration with global economy has led to a reassessment of its political, social and commercial relevance by the international community.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors choose four management disciplines and examine 40 peer-reviewed international journals for research related to India over the period 1991-2014. From the sample of 217 papers, the authors identify the trends, themes and motivations, and discuss the potential for future research.

Findings

– The authors find that research on India remains flat for the 1991-2000 decade, and starts growing from 2005 onwards. Organizational behavior remains non-participative in the overall growth of research. The authors find very low levels of qualitative research, and none on endogenous phenomena that have been tested for applicability in non-Indian contexts. Marketing research remains mainly peripheral to Indian contexts. Review of highly cited papers reveals that management research on India is at an early stage, and offers fairly significant opportunities for future researchers.

Research limitations/implications

– Normal limitations of sample-based literature review apply. Further, the literature search is limited to a select set of highly ranked journals.

Originality/value

– Studies analyzing themes related to Indian contexts in international publications are sparse. To the best of authors’ knowledge, no study of this nature exists in literature. This study makes a primary contribution for future management researchers across the four areas by informing on the research trends, journal outlets, and the characteristics of the research agenda.
Global banking after the GFC: lessons for India
Authors: Mullineux Andy
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper is based on a keynote presentation at the 2nd Pan IIM World Management Conference hosted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Kozhikode (IIMK) in November 2014.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws lessons from the “Global” Financial Crisis for the governance, regulation and structural reform of banking, as well as monetary policy in a globalising financial system. Lessons are also drawn from the Eurozone Crisis, the Asian Financial Crisis and China.

Findings

– This paper concludes that the appropriate extent of state ownership of banks and the process for reducing it, while also recapitalising banks, along with the development of capital markets, should be an integral part of India’s wider structural reform programme.

Originality/value

– The paper provides lessons for India with regard to banking and economic growth, financial sector development and addressing market failures in small- and medium-sized enterprises and infrastructural finance.
Process conflict management among Indian software employees
Authors: Alok Swati , Raveendran Jayasree , Jha Anil Kumar
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test the possible influence of the Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in predicting conflict-handling intentions during process conflict episodes. Conflict situations are often to be managed with limited time in software projects. With this cue, the study is conducted in the context of software companies in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– Five variables of the TPB comprising attitude, injunctive subjective norms, descriptive subjective norm, conflict efficacy (CE) and structural assurance (SA) have been studied in relation to the two standard conflict-handling intentions: integrating and dominating approach. By developing vignettes on process conflict, salient beliefs towards process conflicts were elicited among software employees in India. A questionnaire using Ajzen’s guidelines was administered. Structural equation modelling for 150 responses is used for testing path suitability and significance.

Findings

– Employees with positive attitude towards conflict, high CE and high SA intend to integrate during process conflict. Employees with low efficacy and who are influenced by the action of their role model intend to dominate during process conflict.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is contextualized to Indian software employees. Findings should not be generalized until replicated in samples from other settings.

Practical implications

– This study will help practitioners in understanding the various elements that play role in a process conflict and also help in developing appropriate interventions in managing conflicts. This can be done by identifying and resolving issues related to unfavourable attitude and behavioural norms towards process conflicts.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to examine the efficacy of the TPB model in predicting multiple conflict-handling intentions among Indian software companies.
Causal linkages between supply chain management practices and performance
Authors: Okongwu Uche , BRULHART Franck , Moncef Btissam
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Today, supply chain design and management constitute a major source of competitive advantage for firms. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate, from a balanced scorecard strategy map (BSSM) perspective, the types of linkages through which supply chain management practices (SCMPs) impact on financial and non-financial performance, and consequently lead to the achievement of the firm’s strategic objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is carried out in two stages. First, based on the survey data collected from 450 French industrial firms (with a return rate of 20.2 per cent), structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to test eight hypotheses that are formulated through the discussion of previous theoretical and empirical findings in extant literature. Then, based on the framework of the BSSM, the SEM results are used to discuss the linkages between SCMPs and firm performance.

Findings

– After confirming some of the relationships already observed in extant literature, the results show that there are many strategic paths (of different nature) that link SCMPs and other intangible assets to financial performance.

Practical implications

– The results of the study constitute a practical contribution that would guide managers in the strategic alignment of their firm’s supply chain initiatives with corporate strategy. The authors argue that when implementing supply chain management initiatives, managers should pay particular attention to how intangible assets act as mediating factors in the achievement of the firm’s financial objectives. The BSC framework that the authors propose can also be used by researchers to investigate causal linkages between intangible and tangible assets.

Originality/value

– There are few studies that adopt an extensive multidimensional approach by looking simultaneously at both upstream and downstream linkages of the supply chain whilst taking into account many performance measures. Using the BSSM framework, this paper proposes eight types of linkages that could lead to the achievement of the firm’s strategic goals.
Understanding product-service system innovation capabilities development for manufacturing companies
Authors: Wallin Johanna , Parida Vinit , Isaksson Ola
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Manufacturing companies are increasingly making efforts to combine products and services into integrated offerings. However, the companies’ success in such transformation is linked with the presence of structured routines and processes, which the authors conceptualize as product-service systems (PSS) innovation capabilities. The purpose of this paper is to address the important question of how manufacturing companies can systematically build PSS innovation capabilities and does its presence or absence significantly influence PSS innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is based on longitudinal data from an aerospace company, which acts both as an OEM providing through-life services for aircraft engines, as well as a developer of innovative subsystem technologies. Data has been collected over three years (2009-2012) and constitutes 40 in-depth explorative and semi-structured interviews with diverse respondents. For analysis of the data, the authors have used constant comparison technique leading to identification of three high-order categories. In addition, the authors gain from observations and secondary data which enable to achieve data triangulation and data validity.

Findings

– The results objectively depict an overview of how the case company developed PSS innovation capabilities, though progression of routines over three early PSS development stages. More specifically, the authors find evidence for development of formalized routines related to customer interaction and innovative organizational climate during need phase, cross-functionality, and network partnering during solution-seeking phase, and competence and business case development during solution development phase. As these routines become more structured within the case company, they forge a path for PSS innovation capabilities development.

Originality/value

– This study provides two distinctive contributions to emerging PSS literature. First, the authors propose and explain how PSS innovation capabilities are developed. Although prior studies acknowledge the importance of possessing specialized PSS innovation capabilities, limited studies have reported empirically how they are developed. Second, through adopting a longitudinal perspective, the authors reveal key routines and actions that drive PSS innovation during different development stages. To the knowledge, no prior study has combined insights from PSS literature and resource-based view to objectively explain capabilities development process.
Lean product engineering in the South African automotive industry
Authors: Mund Klaudia , Pieterse Koot , Cameron Sheila
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The puropse of this paper is to explore the extent to which principles of lean product development are applied to product design and engineering at automotive companies in South Africa (SA). Survey, interview and observational data form the basis for an adaptation of Toyota’s lean product development system (LPDS) (Morgan and Liker, 2006) to the South African automotive product engineering context.

Design/methodology/approach

– All seven automotive manufacturers then operating in SA (including Toyota) were investigated, together with sample of those suppliers carrying out product engineering and/or design locally. A questionnaire based on the LPDS, and follow-up interviews were used to ascertain the extent to which lean principles informed product engineering, and identify areas where there was scope for improvement.

Findings

– The survey established that while SA automotive companies have a strong manufacturing focus there is very limited local product design and development (PD&D), as this tends to be carried out centrally for multinationals. However, global product designs require modifications to suit local conditions and many decisions about manufacturability are taken locally. This broad area of design-related activity will be termed product engineering. The study found considerable scope for increasing the extent to which aspects of product engineering were influenced by lean thinking. An adapted version of the LPDS is proposed to aid lean thinking in product engineering in this context.

Originality/value

– This study provides information on the application of lean thinking in product engineering, an area that has attracted far less attention than manufacturing and PD&D. Furthermore it addresses a significant sector of an important emerging economy, and contributes a practitioner perspective to what is predominantly a theoretical literature.
The enemy has passed through the gate
Authors: Fischbacher-Smith Denis
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to highlight the potential role that the so-called “toxic triangle” (Padilla et al., 2007) can play in undermining the processes around effectiveness. It is the interaction between leaders, organisational members, and the environmental context in which those interactions occur that has the potential to generate dysfunctional behaviours and processes. The paper seeks to set out a set of issues that would seem to be worthy of further consideration within the Journal and which deal with the relationships between organisational effectiveness and the threats from insiders.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper adopts a systems approach to the threats from insiders and the manner in which it impacts on organisation effectiveness. The ultimate goal of the paper is to stimulate further debate and discussion around the issues.

Findings

– The paper adds to the discussions around effectiveness by highlighting how senior managers can create the conditions in which failure can occur through the erosion of controls, poor decision making, and the creation of a culture that has the potential to generate failure. Within this setting, insiders can serve to trigger a series of failures by their actions and for which the controls in place are either ineffective or have been by-passed as a result of insider knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

– The issues raised in this paper need to be tested empirically as a means of providing a clear evidence base in support of their relationships with the generation of organisational ineffectiveness.

Practical implications

– The paper aims to raise awareness and stimulate thinking by practising managers around the role that the “toxic triangle” of issues can play in creating the conditions by which organisations can incubate the potential for crisis.

Originality/value

– The paper seeks to bring together a disparate body of published work within the context of “organisational effectiveness” and sets out a series of dark characteristics that organisations need to consider if they are to avoid failure. The paper argues the case that effectiveness can be a fragile construct and that the mechanisms that generate failure also need to be actively considered when discussing what effectiveness means in practice.
Performance-related-pay in the UK public sector
Authors: Bajorek Zofia M , Bevan Stephen M
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an up-to-date, comprehensive, independent and credible assessment of relevant academic and other literature since 2007, on the effectiveness and value for money of performance-related-pay (PRP) in the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– PRP was studied using both economics-based literature and literature from the organisational and management field (including human resources, management sociology and psychology). An initial search of databases identified 7,401 documents regarding PRP in the public sector, which was reduced to 57 final papers included in the study (27 in the health sector, 16 in the education sector and 16 in the civil service) after abstract and full paper screening.

Findings

– The review found some evidence that PRP schemes can be effective across the three domains of the public sector for which there was evidence available (health, education and the civil service), but findings within and between the sectors are mixed, with scheme effectiveness often dependent on scheme design and organisational context.

Research limitations/implications

– The research highlights the importance of considering both economics-based and organisational literature when discussing PRP in the public sector, and the implications for motivation and PRP design.

Practical implications

– The results indicated that the design of PRP schemes could influence their effectiveness and outcomes, and the research suggests how the challenges of designing and implementing PRP schemes can be overcome in the public sector.

Social implications

– The review highlights that when implementing PRP schemes there may be gender differences in their overall effectiveness (especially in education) and there must be consideration for how fairly the PRP scheme is perceived.

Originality/value

– The paper uses literature from economics and behavioural sciences when looking at the motivational implications for PRP in the public sector.
Does network building improve sales performance? The stabilizing role of job embeddedness
Authors: Cheng Chia-Yi , Chang Jung-Nung
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to combine the concepts of network building (NB) and job embeddedness (JE; both on-the-job and off-the-job embeddedness (ON and OFF)) and examines how to improve sales performance (SP) by effectively stabilizing the sales force.

Design/methodology/approach

– Sales practices were examined to establish the measures of overall sales performance. A factor analysis was conducted to extract two performance dimensions: customer relationship performance (CRP) and product selling performance (PSP). Structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypothesized model by analyzing survey data collected from 445 salespeople who work for the top five insurance firms in Taiwan.

Findings

– The results show that the NB of salespeople has a direct positive effect on ON and OFF; JE plays a critical role in mediating the relationship between NB and SP; and NB contributes directly only to CRP. However, it does not have a positive effect on PSP until JE is introduced as a mediator to generate CRP.

Practical implications

– In developing the NB of salespeople, managers should be provided with clear indicators about on-the-job and off-the-job-embeddedness for manpower stability. Moreover, in addition to seeking product sales, managers should direct salespeople to embed in sales work by providing performance measures involving customer relationship.

Originality/value

– This study highlights the need for a viable and integrated model of sales performance. The results indicate that the career achievement of field service employees relies primarily on whether they could effectively build social relationships. Theoretically, this investigation introduces NB into the JE theory, clarifies the relationship among NB, JE, and SP, and proposes a superior mechanism (CRP) for improving sales performance in the financial and insurance industries. Moreover, this study provides additional support for the relationship between ON and OFF.