bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PIKIPDL
Authors: Kao Shu‐Chen , Wu ChienHsing
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to conduct an exploratory study that proposes a personalized knowledge integration platform for digital libraries which can provide users with personalized information and knowledge services.

Design/methodology/approach

A prototype system (PIKIPDL) is designed and developed with two types of service, i.e. personalized information/knowledge service and personalized subject category service. Evaluation of the PIKIPDL by domain specialists and software experts is conducted. Comments are implications are addressed.

Findings

The main findings include the following: the proposed system can help suggest materials that readers are interested in for DL; the proposed system can help construct knowledge contents in a hierarchical structure; and a common recommendation concerning knowledge structure from the reviewers is that the proposed system should add a self‐organizing knowledge map function that would allow users to view knowledge subjects in a graphic manner.

Practical implications

The results from the evaluation of reviewers revealed that the proposed PIKIPDL is acceptable to the integration of both personalized information service and personalized knowledge subject service. This implies that librarians and DL software agents should place emphasis on integrated service development to attract the attention of their users. Towards this goal, they could explain that personalized services (e.g. material recommendation, message recommendation, knowledge subject materials) with a mechanism of multi‐resource integration can help provide DL resources according to users' needs and wants, and in consequence to enhance DL service efficacy.

Originality/value

The research describes the importance of information/knowledge integration with respect to its support on the learning and study methods of users, and has developed a personalized knowledge integration platform as a mechanism that provides a personalized information service and a personalized knowledge subject category service. By employing Apriori algorithm and association rules as the data mining mechanism, personalized information recommendations are derived from circulation data, and a knowledge subject category is integrated from online sharing knowledge by participants.
Healthcare quality improvement – policy implications and practicalities
Authors: Elizabeth Esain Ann , Williams Sharon J. , Gakhal Sandeep , Caley Lynne , Cooke Matthew W.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This article aims to explore quality improvement (QI) at individual, group and organisational level. It also aims to identify restraining forces using formative evaluation and discuss implications for current UK policy, particularly quality, innovation, productivity and prevention.

Design/methodology/approach

Learning events combined with work‐based projects, focusing on individual and group responses are evaluated. A total of 11 multi‐disciplinary groups drawn from NHS England healthcare Trusts (self‐governing operational groups) were sampled. These Trusts have different geographic locations and participants were drawn from primary, secondary and commissioning arms. Mixed methods: questionnaires, observations and reflective accounts were used.

Findings

The paper finds that solution versus problem identification causes confusion and influences success. Time for problem solving to achieve QI was absent. Feedback and learning structures are often not in place or inflexible. Limited focus on patient‐centred services may be related to past assumptions regarding organisational design, hence assumptions and models need to be understood and challenged.

Practical implications

The authors revise the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) model by adding an explicit problem identification step and hence avoiding solution‐focused habits; demonstrating the need for more formative evaluations to inform managers and policy makers about healthcare QI processes.

Originality/value

Although UK‐centric, the quality agenda is a USA and European theme, findings may help those embarking on this journey or those struggling with QI.
Social networking as an enabler of change in entrepreneurial Brazilian firms
Authors: Assis‐Dorr Henrique , Palacios‐Marques Daniel , Merigó José M.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to research the effects of market orientation in the use of social networking and its relationship with organisational learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study was carried out in 132 recently created Brazilian biotechnology companies. Structural equation models were used in order to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings suggest that market orientation is positively related to social networking and organizational learning. The study also examines businesses that employ social networks and generate learning procedures within the organisations.

Practical implications

Statistically speaking, the use of social networking platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have significant effects on the internal variables of the organisation, which is why businesses should develop new profiles that better reflect the company's corporate strategy.

Originality/value

Currently, studies carried out on technologically based social networks are a new feature of the field of management. This article brings together classic management constructs, such as organizational learning or market orientation, together with the incorporation of technological social networks.
All we are saying, is give theoretical pluralism a chance
Authors: Lowe Sid , Magala Slawek , Hwang Ki‐Soon
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to focus on methodological development of research into the influence of culture: the use of cross‐cultural, multidisciplinary and multi‐method techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with a review of the interdisciplinary debate in business research, general management, IB and cross‐cultural management. It then explores the identities of paradigmatic combatants and possible “strategic peace initiatives”. It finally outlines some tactical and strategic complexities of such a “peace campaign” and identifies examples where multiple‐lens research offers good potentials for “post‐war” new theory development.

Findings

Ambitious calls for the advancement of interdisciplinary research in business research have appeared regularly and often feel like déjà vu. Cultural research appears to have been locked into paradigmatic “cold” warfare between methodologically distinct research “tribes”.

Originality/value

The authors' view is that culture can be likened to a holograph. It is not a real entity but a projection, which looks very different from different positions. The concern is that views of culture have been rather “monocled” and limited in relevance.
Working with the complexities of transformational change in a society in transition
Authors: Seneque Megan , Bond Christopher
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the establishment and development of a leadership centre in a South African University. The paper is concerned with reviewing concepts of identity, ideology and struggle from a systems‐wide perspective and their impact on working with transformational change in a society in transition.

Design/methodology/approach

A conversational framework was used by the authors to create deeper understandings of the complexity of human and social relations in the context of the case. The paper uses methodologies for reflective investigation informed by the work of Boje and Flyvbjerg to review a ten year longitudinal case study.

Findings

The paper supports the view that “idealised” forms of organizational intervention and narratives about it often ignore the real world of competing rationalities, such as issues related to multiple and competing identities, contested ideologies and conflict and therefore “edit out” what is involved in the struggle to lead alternative forms of organization in periods of transition.

Research limitations/implications

As with all research based on a case study approach it is difficult to make claims about a major contribution to generative knowledge. However, an in‐depth review of situated knowledge can offer insights which may be useful in exploring the dynamics of transformational change in other societies in transition.

Originality/value

The paper offers an in‐depth review of factors impacting on change and develops an interpretative framework that could be applied in other contexts. Given the current systemic changes taking place within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the paper could offer insight into working with transformational change in societies in transition.
Tactical planning in supply chain networks with customer oriented single sourcing
Authors: Steinrücke Martin , Jahr Michael
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the medium‐term planning problem in supply chain networks. Based on a literature review, a comprehensive analytical planning model for the three echelon tactical planning problem in supply chain networks is developed which is applicable in a hierarchical planning frame.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach used was mathematical mixed integer programming to model three echelon production‐distribution networks embedded in the supply chain planning matrix frame. Application of the model in a multi‐site planning process based on a case study from the industrial transformer supply chain was also undertaken.

Findings

Integrated multi‐period medium‐term planning with customer oriented single sourcing is an efficient method to implement mathematical optimal solutions in practice as it provides comprehensive tactical plans and network designs. These can be used for scenario analysis in a coordination process with independent supply chain partners.

Research limitations/implications

The implementation of a mathematical optimal plan in a complex business network structure requires a big‐bucket model solution to grant the plan's stability via sufficient time buffers.

Originality/value

The paper displays development of a multi‐period three echelon tactical production‐distribution‐transportation model with different capacities, transportation modes, product types and single sourcing decisions.
Factors affecting successful adoption of ubiquitous computing technology in supply chain contexts
Authors: Kim Chang‐su , Son B.G. , Bourlakis Michael
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The principal purpose of this paper is to determine the distinguishing characteristics of the factors that affect the successful adoption of ubiquitous computing technology (UCT) in supply chain management (SCM) in different settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the relevant literature, this paper analyses the adoption of UCT in SCM operations, and describes the series of shaping processes. These processes are influenced largely by management and technical factors such as strong support from top management and by convenient user interfaces in global ubiquitous computing settings. These two factor types (management and technical) support the formulation of a theoretical framework that can be examined in two national environments (UK and Korea).

Findings

The results highlight the key differences in terms of UCT adoption in supply chain contexts between the two national environments examined, and indicate that these differences are affected by the different national industrial foundations, organizational network infrastructures, and perspectives on system development, as well as by issues related to the costs and practical benefits of using this technology in SCM.

Practical implications

This study raises some major implications for researchers and practitioners alike. Specifically, the paper stresses the role of management and technical issues in terms of UCT adoption in SCM operations, and expands current theoretical understanding of the subject. It also provides a set of management implications, including the need for managers to have strong support from top management and the need for a convenient user interface.

Originality/value

There is a scarcity of papers in SCM that examine issues related to ubiquitous computing. This is addressed via the current paper that reports the results of a comparative study of UCT implementation in SCM operations for firms operating in two national environments (UK and Korea). The paper will be beneficial to the strategic thinking of supply chain managers and will support further empirical research work in this academic field of study.
Development of a comprehensive model for construction project success evaluation by contractors
Authors: Heravi Gholamreza , Ilbeigi Mohammad
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a quantitative comprehensive model for construction project success evaluation, from the viewpoint of a contractor company.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors used a comprehensive definition of project success consisting of two components: Product success, which deals with the effect of the project's final product; and Project Management success, which focuses upon the project process. The research methodology includes five steps: identification of the critical performance indices for the two above mentioned components; quantification of the performance indices; normalization of the indices; integration of the various performance indices to develop an overall project performance function; and applying the model on a real project in Iran and analyzing the results.

Findings

This paper introduces a novel model to evaluate and measure the construction project success from the viewpoint of a contractor company. The results show that this model can be used as a reliable tool to measure the project performance of contractors and their points of strength and weakness can be determined precisely.

Practical implications

Analyzing the results of the case study shows that the evaluation model is absolutely applicable. All necessary elements to quantify the critical performance indices and overall project success can be recorded precisely and easily. Thus, this model can be used in every contractor company concerned about its projects’ performance.

Originality/value

The evaluation model proposed in this paper is a unique and comprehensive quantified model which considers difference between project success and project management success and all critical indices which can affect them.
Analysis of a knowledge‐management‐based process of transferring project management skills
Authors: Ioi Toshihiro , Ono Masakazu , Ishii Kota , Kato Kazuhiko
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for the transfer of knowledge and skills in project management (PM) based on techniques in knowledge management (KM).

Design/methodology/approach

The literature contains studies on methods to extract experiential knowledge in PM, but few studies exist that focus on methods to convert extracted knowledge into practical knowledge and transfer it to learners. This research proposes a model of PM skills transfer management, which consists of a PM knowledge extraction phase, PM knowledge recognition phase, practical knowledge transfer phase, and practical knowledge evaluation phase, and examines the model's effectiveness.

Findings

Through multi‐agent simulation (MAS), expert communities for knowledge extraction can be vitalized. A PM skills transfer management maturity model (PMST3M) was proposed that is capable of evaluating PM skills transfer management.

Research limitations/implications

The present work could have considered KSM in‐depth with a view to adding value to the virtualization of community of PM experts.

Originality/value

The paper presents a detailed critique of a knowledge‐management‐based process of transferring PM skills.
Notes about COOL: analysis and highlights of complex view in education
Authors: de Oliveira C.A.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present principles from the complex approach in education and describe some practical pedagogic experiences enhancing how “real world” perspectives have influenced and contributed to curriculum development.

Design/methodology/approach

Necessity of integration in terms of knowledge modeling is an historical trend in Engineering and Computer Sciences curricula. Integration of particular technical aspects with wide global aspects is a response to globalization demands. Globalization demands require new approaches, at both educational and teaching levels. Also, educational level embeds a wide range of pedagogical proposals or teaching proposals. Since the 1990s, Engineering and Computer Sciences curricula have emphasized, increasingly, the project‐oriented approach in the Engineering field of knowledge and software engineering contents has migrated to beginners or fresh‐man level in Computer Sciences courses. This approach is called the Complex Approach in education. COOL – “Comprehensive Object‐Oriented Learning” – is an educational project mentored by Emeritus Professor Kristen Nygaard, from the Department of Informatics at Oslo University, which deals with the complex approach in education. Professor Nygaard passed away in 2002. This project was published in 2006 under the title of “Comprehensive Object‐Oriented Learning: the Learner’s Perspective”. This paper analyses theoretical aspects in Nygaard's project and also compares aspects with the author's work teaching Object Oriented Modeling in Computer Sciences and Engineering, at Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC, Florianopolis, Brazil. The author's pedagogic proposal, developed on those contexts, since 1997, is supported by Nygaard theory and also by Edgar Morin “Complex Thought” theory adopted by UNESCO, titled Complex Thought cathedra.

Findings

Innovation, in terms of Engineering and Computer Sciences curriculum development, is deeply related to the complex approach educational paradigm. Consequently, innovation in terms of pedagogic practices is also deeply related to the complex approach perspective. Complex approach overpasses fragmented view of knowledge towards integrative view concerning curriculum development in technological areas.

Research limitations/implications

The comprehensive object‐oriented learning presented here is applied to Computer Science and Engineering. However its development and application could impact other disciplines and education, especially in relation to technology integration in education.

Originality/value

The paper presents and discusses COOL as a concept and approach for enhanced learning, in a novel manner, taking account of theoretical underpinnings developed aligned to modern thinking.
Qualitative findings on marketing management practices from Greek ski centers
Authors: Priporas Constantinos‐Vasilios , Vassiliadis Chris A. , Stylos Nikolaos D.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to discover the extent to which the marketing practices of Greek ski centers take into consideration visitors' preferences and the interests of other stakeholders in order to improve their tourism product. The existing ski centers and destinations are crucial for the ongoing development of winter tourism in Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is exploratory in nature and data were collected by carrying out semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with key managers in 14 ski centers in Greece.

Findings

The results revealed that the majority of ski centers do not have a marketing department and only a few receive consultation from consultants. Additionally many ski centers do not use specific planning or strategic tools, and about 20 percent of their directors are not in a position to identify and measure customer segments. Individuals who pursue recreation, skiers, and various associations are ski centers' most frequent customers. Finally, respondents have defined customer satisfaction to be of a high level in those ski centers that conduct customer research.

Research limitations/implications

This is a limited exploratory study restricted to one country. Suggestions are presented for future studies and especially for generalization of the findings.

Practical implications

Today's business environment requires the application of a robust, enterprise‐wide plan at Greek ski centers and particular management practices should be explored as possible causes of the inadequate advancement of the tourism product at Greek ski centers.

Originality/value

This study offers empirical findings from ski centers in Greece, where studies are limited. It also broadly creates the need for future research about this particular area and in areas with similar tourism characteristics in the Mediterranean.
Transcending innovativeness towards strategic reflexivity
Authors: Vrontis Demetris , Thrassou Alkis , Chebbi Hela , Yahiaoui Dorra
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the research is to utilize and expand on existing knowledge on organizational value‐based innovativeness, towards the development of the “strategic reflexivity” concept, for businesses competing in the contemporary ever‐modulating business environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based partly on primary qualitative research and partly on theoretical research. The former consists of a six month long in‐house observation and data gathering of a large company (OPERACOM Group) innovation process and on 45 semi‐directive interviews of practitioners and experts.

Findings

The findings descriptively portray the varying competitive conditions as intolerant of conventional strategic marketing planning; and unable to sustain any lasting competitive advantage. Prescriptively, the research proposes a change of strategic philosophy and practice, through a shift from orthodox planning to the design of value‐based reflexive mechanisms that automatically adapt to change. The paper finally presents a preliminary model for the proposed strategic reflexivity process.

Research limitations/implications

The paper, though scientific, it is in parallel a conceptual one. The “strategic reflexivity” concept and its consequent model therefore, are presented, not as a definitive answer to the concerns of contemporary businesses; but rather as a scientifically‐based proposition towards further practical and scholarly development.

Originality/value

The research value rests on a tripod of original contributions: it adds to the voices calling executives to give up on conventional tactical strategic means, counter‐proposing strategic redevelopment that is explicitly value‐based; it identifies the value‐based innovational elements deemed critical in the strategic redevelopment of businesses in hypercompetitive environments; and it develops the “strategic reflexivity” concept and process within the above context towards theoretical development and practical implementation.
Individualising maintenance management: a proposed framework and case study
Authors: Daragh Naughton Michael , Tiernan Peter
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the advancements made in the area of contemporary maintenance management individualisation, to identify the difficulties in strategy design and to document the implementation of such a strategy in a maintenance intense organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

A contemporary nine‐step framework for designing and implementing an individualised maintenance strategy is proposed. Individualising your maintenance strategy offers tangible benefits compared to the commercially available generic models, although the research highlights complexities in its conception and integration.

Findings

The proposed nine‐step framework was successfully integrated in a maintenance intense organisation and it had an immediate effect on all agreed performance indicators, from failure rates to overall maintenance costs.

Research limitations/implications

The work to date in this field falls short of a complete solution and while the current research illustrates the viability of such an approach, much more work is required in the area of optimisation within each of the iterative nine steps.

Originality/value

This research is of interest to maintenance managers and front‐line maintenance practitioners. This framework is predicated upon practical experiences gathered by the authors within varying maintenance intense organisations and fully referenced published work by other authors.
A risk‐based approach to manage non‐repairable spare parts inventory
Authors: Hassan Jakiul , Khan Faisal , Hasan Mainul
Published: August 2012

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a risk‐based approach for spare parts demand forecast and spare parts inventory management for effective allocation of limited resources. Design/methodology/approach – To meet the availability target and to reduce downtime, process facilities usually maintain inventory of spare parts. The maintaining of non‐optimized spare parts inventory claims more idle investment. Even if it is optimized, lack of attention towards the critical equipment spares could threaten the availability of the plant. This paper deals with the various facets of spare parts inventory management, mainly risk‐based spare parts criticality ranking, forecasting, and effective risk reduction through strategic procurement policy to ensure spare parts availability. A risk‐based approach is presented that helps managing spare parts requirement effectively considering the criticality of the components. It also helps ensuring the adequacy of spare parts inventory on the basis of equipment criticality and dormant failure without compromising the overall availability of the plant. Findings – The paper proposes a risk‐based approach that used conjugate distribution technique with the capability to incorporate historical failure rate as well as expert judgment to estimate the future spare demand through posterior demand distribution. The approach continuously updates the prior distribution with most recent observation to give posterior demand distribution. Hence the approach is unique in its kind. Practical implications – Appropriate spare parts unavailability could have great impact on process operation and result in costly downtime of the plant. Following proposed approach the availability target can be achieved in process industry having limited maintenance resources, by forecasting spare parts demand precisely and maintaining inventory in good condition. Originality/value – Adopting the approach proposed in the paper, risk level can be minimized and plant availability can be maximized within the financial constraint. The resources are allocated to the most critical components and thereby increased availability, and reduce risk.
Beyond duty‐free access: export readiness assessment for Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) apparel companies
Authors: Awni Ali , Shafei Karim
Published: August 2012

Purpose

A project was launched in December 2005 to assess the export readiness of Egyptian apparel companies registered for the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) protocol, a market access agreement between Egypt, the USA and Israel. The main objective of the project is to gain a better understanding of those companies, their nature, their capabilities and their potential to export.

Design/methodology/approach

An export readiness score is introduced to determine the export maturity of the QIZ apparel companies. A structure questionnaire was designed to measure the company's ability to address the various requirements of exporting. Furthermore, a brief tour of the facilities was used to assess health and safety measures, and to validate the data.

Findings

The export maturity is classified into four stages, and it was found that on average companies in the same export readiness maturity stage exhibit similar strengths and weaknesses.

Practical implications

This finding enables the development of upgrading policies to improve the export capabilities of companies according to their stage of maturity.

Originality/value

The paper presents an export readiness score that enables top management of each company and upgrading organizations to target the areas that will result in improving the score, and thus the export capability of the companies.
Developing and using a performance management framework: a case study
Authors: Atkinson Maurice
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define corporate performance management, provide an overview of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority's performance management framework (PMF) and explain how the PMF might be used to enhance organisational effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a case study.

Findings

This paper describes the performance management framework developed by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority in Northern Ireland, and identifies how such a framework may be proactively used to enhance organisational effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to the analysis of the development and use of a performance management framework within a single organisation.

Originality/value

This paper has contributed to the debate on performance management by outlining a mechanism by which a performance management framework can be utilised in practice to fundamentally challenge the organisation and provide a platform for action and improvement.
Benchmarking open and cluster innovation: case of Korea
Authors: Won Park Young , Amano Tomofumi , Moon Gyewan
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine a development model of the Korean IT industry based on the concept of open and cluster innovation and reveal the synergistic effects between the textile and electronic industries.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical data on the Gumi Cluster are panel data mostly from the 1970s‐2000s. The specific case studies are based on the field research and in‐depth executive interviews for four firms.

Findings

Through analysis of the innovation structure of the Gumi Cluster, the paper found that the Korean electronics industry has successfully caught up with first movers like the Japanese and US electronics industries. In this catch‐up process, industrial clusters of the Korean electronic industry took on an open cluster and sought open and cluster innovation through collaborating with foreign firms and the other industries like the textile industry for making a rapid catch‐up.

Research limitations/implications

The contribution of this study is to highlight the essential characteristics of cluster innovation and the practical growth patterns in the context of Korea which has achieved rapid technological catch‐up. Future studies may involve the innovation patterns of other industries.

Originality/value

Prior cluster research does not necessarily integrate the two streams of research: development of national industries; open innovation processes within the clusters. This paper represents a unique approach to integrate two streams through analyzing the electronic industry.
Benchmarking business unit governance in turbulent times: the case of Japanese firms
Authors: Aoki Hidetaka , Miyajima Hideaki
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how corporate headquarters control business units, the governing of which has emerged as a vital issue as business portfolios have grown increasingly complex due to diversification, globalization, and corporate group expansion via spinoffs and mergers and acquisitions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized questionnaire survey data from 251 firms listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The authors approached the issue of business unit governance by measuring the degree of decentralization and the intensity of monitoring, and compared the governance of internal business units with that of subsidiaries, and analyzed the impact of corporate governance characteristics on business unit governance.

Findings

Comparing in‐house business units and subsidiaries, the authors found a significant difference in their governance. The degree of decentralization toward subsidiaries was higher for strategic and personnel decision‐making. However, the complementarity of decentralization and monitoring was not observed for subsidiaries, whereas it was for in‐house business units. Subsidiary monitoring corresponding to decentralization was inadequate. Examining the relationship between corporate governance and business unit governance, the paper found that firms with reformed boards of directors and under a greater degree of pressure from capital markets monitored their business units more strictly.

Originality/value

The paper shows how the business portfolios and governance arrangements of Japanese firms have changed since the 1990s, and analyzes business unit governance based on valuable data obtained from a questionnaire survey.
The impact of ERP implementation on organizational capabilities and firm performance
Authors: HassabElnaby Hassan R. , Hwang Woosang , Vonderembse Mark A.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the implementation of ERP impacts both business strategy and organizational capabilities which in turn enhance firm performance. Specifically, the paper investigates the mediating effect of business strategy and organizational capabilities on the relationship between ERP implementation and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using secondary data collected from more than 400 firms, this study tests the relationships among these variables.

Findings

ERP implementation has a positive impact when a firm employs a prospector business strategy. A prospector business strategy enhances the firm's ability to achieve organizational capabilities and enables the firm to achieve higher levels of financial performance.

Practical implications

ERP implementation encourages and supports a prospector strategy. ERP not only supports cost control, but also supports new product development and introductions. The prospector firm seeks better information to support decision making, develop new and innovative products that drive revenue growth, and build efficient and effective operations that enhance return on assets.

Originality/value

This paper reports the mediating effect of business strategy and organizational capabilities on the relationship between ERP implementation and firm performance. This study uses cybernetic control, resource‐based view of firm, and dynamic capabilities theories to develop and integrate this research.
Revisiting corporate reputation and firm performance link
Authors: Lee Jooh , Jungbae Roh James
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Corporate reputation is regarded as an intangible asset which differentiates a firm from others and attracts customers to repurchase and willingly pay a premium price for products. However, despite the perceptive association between reputation and financial performance, empirical studies report inconclusive results. The purpose of this study is to investigate this link more comprehensively using four different reputation attributes and firm characteristics in the context of high‐ vs low‐tech companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study operationalizes the corporate reputation as the four measures of Fortune's “America's Most Admired Companies” of 2008 and matched the companies with financial performance and firm characteristics measures from COMPUSTAT Research Insight for the period between 2001 and 2005. A total of 230 firms (108 in high‐tech vs 122 in low‐tech) over the same period were selected and stepwise multiple regression analysis probed the relationship between the corporate reputation and performance.

Findings

The key finding of this study is that such variables as corporate reputation are significantly and positively related with most indices of corporate performance measures while debt leverage affects profitability negatively. It was surprising to find that innovativeness turned out to have no impact on financial performance in both high‐ and low‐tech firms. The positive association between social responsibility and firm performance appeared to be partially supported because it showed significant impact on market‐based performance, but not on accounting‐based performance.

Originality/value

This study confirms the resource‐based view that a valuable, inimitable, and non‐substitutable asset such as corporate reputation leads firms to enhance financial and market performance. However, the effect is contingent on firm characteristics such as firm size, R&D intensity, debt leverage ratio, and capital intensity. Corporate reputation appears to emerge as a critical dimension of benchmarking of a firm performance.
SCRIS
Authors: Kayis Berman , Dana Karningsih Putu
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Risk identification is the first and crucial step in supply chain risk management process. Due to the nature and complexity of supply chain networks of manufacturing organizations, risk identification nowadays has become more challenging. The purpose of this paper to present the development of a tool, called Supply Chain Risk Identification System (SCRIS), for assisting decision makers in identifying existing risks, and the interrelationship of risks in supply chain (SC) network, by considering different process strategies, namely make to stock (MTS), make to order (MTO) and engineering to order (ETO).

Design/methodology/approach

SCRIS is developed using a knowledge‐based system (KBS) approach. The knowledge is represented in ruled based form and written using CLIPS expert system language program. To ensure its feasibility, SCRIS is validated using real case studies in several manufacturing industries.

Findings

Feedback gathered from organizations involved in validations processes imply the benefit of using SCRIS as a decision support tool in identifying SC risks. SCRIS also has additional positive role in supply chain risk management (SCRM) by promoting communication and collaboration between SC partners.

Originality/value

SCRIS provides an extensive tool using KBS approach which covers hundreds of SC risk sub‐factors, risk factors, and risk events, as well as mapping the interactions and considering different process strategies which have not been developed to date. A novel SC risks taxonomy is also proposed which encompasses broader issues in the SC network.
An integrated vendor‐buyer inventory model with partial backordering
Authors: Moshrefi Fateh , Reza Akbari Jokar Mohammad
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of supply chain coordination on inventory management while the retailer inventory cycle consists of a shortage period and the backorder rate linearly decreases as a function of shortage duration. It is intended to consider how on‐hand inventory and shortage durations are altered when the decisions are centralized.

Design/methodology/approach

Mathematical modelling of inventory costs for the retailer and the vendor is used to formulate objective functions. The vendor sets his inventory period as an integer multiple (n) of the retailer inventory cycle in which the integer multiple is a decision variable. Solution spaces of models are analyzed to determine two other decision variables including, on‐hand inventory duration and shortage length.

Findings

The integrated model consists of a unique pseudo convex area when (n) is fixed and as a result, there is a unique minimum point. Based on numerical examples and sensitivity analysis, in most situations coordinated inventory management reduces total costs of the supply chain and cost reduction rate increase at larger production rates.

Originality/value

This paper is a combination between production‐inventory models in two‐stage supply chains and partial backordering, which has appeared in single inventory models. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no mathematical model has yet been proposed. Moreover, the benefits of synchronization are analyzed through numerical examples.
Situation, activity and goal awareness in ubiquitous computing
Authors: Chen Liming , Rashidi Parisa
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a view on situation, activity and goal awareness (SAGAware) in ubiquitous computing. It discusses these concepts, articulates their roles in scalability and prevalence of pervasive applications, and speculates the future development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a visionary essay that introduces the background, elaborates the basic concepts and presents the authors' views and insights into SAGAware research in pervasive computing based on the latest state of the art of the development of pervasive computing and its applications.

Findings

SAGAware is closely related to the levels of automation and large‐scale uptake of pervasive applications. It is an interdisciplinary research area requiring collaboration and cooperation of multiple research communities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper highlights the importance of the SAGAware research and further points out research trends and future research directions.

Practical implications

The paper helps stimulate research interests and draw attention of relevant researchers to this promising research area.

Originality/value

The paper pioneers the investigation of an increasingly important research theme, and presents an in‐depth view to its potentials and research trends.
Culture and behavioural intent to adopt mobile commerce among the Y Generation: comparative analyses between Kazakhstan, Morocco and Singapore
Authors: Chung Kim‐Choy , Holdsworth David K.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This study aims to investigate perceived risk and trustworthiness in relationship to the diffusion of innovation theory to understand the determinants of behavioural intent to adopt mobile commerce among the Y Generation. It also seeks to investigate the impact of culture on mobile commerce adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

Five hundred and thirty randomly distributed questionnaires in six tertiary education institutions in Kazakhstan, Morocco and Singapore were used. Multivariate analysis of variance was conducted using SPSS and structural equation modelling using AMOS 7.0 to test for construct validity and for hypothesis testing.

Findings

Perceived risk, trustworthiness and Rogers' five perceived characteristics of innovation (namely, observability, trialability, compatibility, complexity, relative advantage) determined behavioural intent to adopt mobile commerce among the Y Generation. Culture had a moderating effect on these determinants in Kazakhstan and Morocco.

Research limitations/implications

This study has not yet explored cost, goods offerings and payment systems that may influence users' intention to adopt mobile commerce. Differential experience of respondents with different mobile portals would have differential effect on the perceived ease of use of mobile commerce, affecting the result of this study.

Practical implications

This study suggested that the Y Generation are concerned about privacy violation and risk associated with mobile commerce. Mobile service providers should consider trials and permission‐based mobile marketing to imbue trust in mobile commerce.

Originality/value

This study integrates trustworthiness and perceived risk with Rogers' DOI innovation characteristics, resulting in greater understanding of the behavioral intent to adopt mobile commerce among the Y Generation. Further, few studies delved into the comparative impact of culture on the behaviour intent to adopt mobile commerce among the Y Generation in Asian and African countries.
Investigating the effects of cosmeceutical product advertising in beauty‐care decision making
Authors: Meng Juan , Pan Po‐Lin
Published: August 2012

Purpose

In response to the rapid growth of the cosmeceutical industry, this study aims to investigate young female consumers' confidence in cosmeceuticals and the perceived competency of cosmeceutical product advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey of 224 young female participants was recruited from an online national young consumer panel from Zoomerang. This group of participants mirrored the characteristics of the largest segment in the cosmeceutical market in the USA.

Findings

The results suggest that the perceived information utility of cosmeceutical product advertising is the most significant factor in engaging young female consumers' interests and desire to try cosmeceuticals. Moreover, young female consumers' self‐evaluation on body esteem, their perceived effectiveness of product claims, their interests in reading such advertising, and their attitudes toward advertising jointly affect their likelihood to take cosmeceutical products. Not surprisingly, self‐evaluation on body esteem predicted a negative influence on product purchase intention. As their self‐evaluation on body esteem increases, the likelihood to purchase cosmeceuticals decreases.

Originality/value

The study adds insights on a fast‐growing, but understudied, product category, cosmeceutical products, to the research stream and expands the knowledge on the information utility of cosmeceutical product advertising on young female consumers.
Customer accounting information usage and organizational performance
Authors: Al‐Mawali Hamzah , Zainuddin Yuserrie , Nasir Kader Ali Noor
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to shed light on the consequences of customer accounting (CA) information usage for strategic purposes on organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an empirical study with data from 106 Jordanian services organizations. Quantitative data were obtained to investigate the relationship between CA information items and organizational performance in the context of Jordan.

Findings

The results show that the level of CA information usage (customer profitability, lifetime customer profitability analysis and valuation of customers as assets) impacts on organizational performance. CA information usage leads to better organizational performance. Also, the findings demonstrate a different effect of CA information items on diverse dimensions of organizational performance.

Originality/value

The findings will help academics and managers to achieve higher organizational performance.
Leveraging Malaysian diaspora for cluster development initiatives
Authors: Abu Talib Noraini , Sofian Saudah , Azmi Mohamad Noor , Amat Senin Aslan , Abd Kadir Hamdan , Mohd Yusof Halimah , Hassan Ibn‐e‐
Published: August 2012

Purpose

A large number of East Asian economies have benefited from the diaspora employed in the large North American and European clusters. The diaspora acquired valuable skills, developed contacts and financial wealth. Much has been written about the professional and personal obstacles of brain circulation but scant work has been done to highlight the structural factors influencing brain circulation as well as diaspora strategies in the Malaysian context. This article aims to review the brain circulation theory and pertinent literature on Malaysian clusters and to highlight the structural factors inhibiting diaspora and flow of talent to Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a discussion paper on the issues surrounding diaspora strategies.

Findings

On the basis of the review of successful diaspora of China, India, Korea and Taiwan, cluster organizations should take independent initiatives to contact the diaspora networks abroad in order to leverage their skills, contacts and finances through alumni and virtual networks.

Practical implication

Successful diaspora programs in China, Taiwan and India do not guarantee that imitation of those programs will result in success elsewhere.

Originality/value

The article reviews the pertinent literature and highlights the structural factors inhibiting diaspora and flow of talent to Malaysia.