bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trainee perceptions of training transfer: an empirical analysis
Authors: Nikandrou Irene , Brinia Vassiliki , Bereri Elissavet
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to present an empirical study based on a trainee‐oriented systemic model for training transfer. The paper examines trainee characteristics which affect the motivation to learn and transfer and determine the trainees' entry behavior. Then, during the training process, the complex interactions among the trainer, the trainees and the content and method used are taken into account to assess what are here termed direct and indirect training transfer. Finally, organizational factors affecting both the training transfer and the trainee him/herself are examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used 44 in‐depth interviews with trainees from different organizations who participated in a training program that was based on an innovative experiential training method (project method).

Findings

The results reveal the importance of trainee characteristics in the training transfer process and provide useful insights regarding the design and management of the training program.

Originality/value

The qualitative methodology used is a strong element of this study as it provides rich information regarding the training transfer process. The research design framework, i.e. interviewing trainees one year after the training took place, revealed important factors affecting the training transfer process.
Benchmarking the impact of customer share in key‐supplier relationships
Authors: Eggert Andreas , Ulaga Wolfgang , Hollmann Sabine
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Business marketers increasingly pursue greater shares of their customers' business. While the merits of such a strategy are straightforward from a supplier perspective, this paper aims to explore its consequences from the customer's point‐of‐view.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on resource‐dependence theory, value and dependence are established as fundamental characteristics of buyer‐seller relationships. Data envelopment analysis is used as a benchmarking tool to integrate these characteristics into a common efficiency score indicating the customer‐perceived attractiveness of a sourcing relationship. A post‐DEA‐regression‐analysis explores the link between sourcing attractiveness and relative customer share.

Findings

This research suggests a quadratic relationship between sourcing attractiveness and relative customer share. The perceived level of sourcing attractiveness improves until the local maximum is reached and declines beyond a relative customer share of 61.33 per cent.

Research limitations/implications

Additional fraction of variability (R2) in sourcing attractiveness explained by customer share displays a modest, yet substantial, level. Studies on customer share in comparable contexts found similarly low levels.

Practical implications

Sourcing attractiveness provides an interesting metric for assisting managers in their decision‐making. Instead of comparing supplier relationships across the board, the proposed approach allows to compare relationships against their best‐in‐class benchmark. Findings suggest that the vast majority of supplier relationships still offers avenues for further improving the existing supply bases. Pushing the share of customer beyond its optimum level, however, will have negative consequences for the customer‐perceived attractiveness of the sourcing relationship.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a better understanding of the consequences of customer share marketing from the customer's perspective.
High‐tech, innovative products: identifying and meeting business customers' value needs
Authors: Lindgreen Adam , Antioco Michael , Palmer Roger , van Heesch Tim
Published: April 2009

Purpose

During the industrial purchasing process of high‐tech, innovative products, various decision‐influencers within buying companies evaluate the attractiveness of the manufacturer's market offering; namely the “value” of the offering. This paper aims to identify the various tangible and intangible value elements requested by the business customer, and the stage(s) of the purchasing process in which these value considerations take place.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a framework that will effectively guide manufacturers of high‐tech, innovative products to market, and customize, their offer throughout the different stages of prospective business customers' purchasing process.

Findings

The findings, derived from in‐depth interviews, demonstrate that manufacturers should focus on distinctive product‐, service‐, and supplier‐related value elements, and that the particular elements depend on the different decision‐influencers, as well as the different stages of the purchasing process.

Originality/value

The paper discusses some avenues for future research in the marketing of high‐tech products.
The mediating effect of supplier oriented purchasing on conflict in inter‐firm relationships
Authors: Humphreys Michael A. , Williams Michael R. , Goebel Daniel J.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The paper has two main purposes: to define and examine supplier oriented purchasing (SOP) as an effective relational exchange practice for organizational buyers and to empirically examine the degree to which supplier oriented purchasing can mediate the impact of manifest conflict on buyer‐supplier relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is developed and tested examining the relationship among manifest conflict, relationship satisfaction and SOP. Data collection involved judgment sampling and survey methodology in a field setting using organizational buyers as subjects. Construct measures were based on existing measures and previous research. Measurement reliability and validity were established using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Hypotheses were tested using SEM and accepted methods for testing mediation effects.

Findings

All hypotheses were supported concerning SOP mediating the negative impact of manifest conflict on relationship satisfaction. Post hoc analyses of the effects of individual dimensions of supplier oriented purchasing revealed that communication had the strongest positive impact on relationship satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

Sampling was regional in scope and included professional purchasing personnel across industry sectors. Data collection was cross‐sectional and future research would benefit from a longitudinal methodology. Additional directions for future research include using SOP in more complex models of relationship marketing to better understand the ability of SOP to mediate conflict.

Practical implications

Supplier oriented purchasing can be viable relational exchange practices for organizational buyers. The supplier oriented purchasing construct provides specific tactics across multiple dimensions of purchasing that buyers can use toward fostering effective relationships with key partners such as suppliers. In line with current research on relationship marketing, supplier oriented purchasing can have a significant role in mitigating and managing inter‐organizational conflict.

Originality/value

The study examines SOP, contributing to an under‐researched area of purchasing strategy and practice and supports that SOP mediates the negative effect of manifest conflict in buyer‐supplier relationships.
The role of inter‐personal relationships in the dissolution of business relationships
Authors: Gedeon Ioanna‐Maria , Fearne Andrew , Poole Nigel
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role that inter‐personal relationships play in promoting or hindering the dissolution of business relationships operating in the UK food industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study methodology was used to explore the dissolution of 11 business relationships and the role of inter‐personal relationships therein.

Findings

The findings demonstrate the critical role of personal relationships in the dissolution processing, acting as a catalyst, a precipitator and an extenuating factor in the dissolution process.

Research limitations/implications

The case studies draw exclusively on the experiences and perceptions of suppliers to uncover the dynamics of dissolved business relationships. However, this is not surprising, given the sensitive nature of the subject. Moreover, the two‐stage methodology used for identifying case study candidates should prove beneficial to other researchers in this area.

Practical implications

The case study findings illustrate that important though they are, personal relationships are a means to an end not an end in themselves. Failure to use close personal relationships to deliver commercial benefits leaves the supplier vulnerable.

Originality/value

This is one of very few papers to provide empirical evidence of the dissolution process in business relationships, using a novel case study methodology that may prove useful for other researchers working in this under‐researched area.
The evolution of buyer‐supplier relationships: an historical industry approach
Authors: Hansen Jared M.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the evolution of buyer‐supplier relationships from adversarial toward relational, or service‐centered, emphasis for large‐scale organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the historical method to review historical changes through synthesized qualitative (i.e. field notes and industry interviews) and quantitative (i.e. company reports, Compustat queries, trade reports, and survey) research.

Findings

Technology and information sharing in B2B relationships engender integrated value chains. Within these value chains, service‐centered view of B2C relationships have been adopted in B2B relationships, resulting in changes in supplier roles and how they are measured.

Research limitations/implications

By focusing on large scale buyer‐supplier relationships within supply chains (e.g. Wal‐Mart, Royal Phillips, ElecSound, China Minmetals, The People's Republic of China), which may affect the generalizability to small‐business applications, this paper provides some guidance on which customer levels (in a value chain) an organization should focus. The evolution of buyer‐supplier relationships towards more cooperative relationships results in changing roles such as co‐managed inventory, where suppliers are authorized to write themselves orders.

Practical implications

This paper is a very useful source of information for practitioners and educators about recent trends in large‐scale buyer‐supplier relationships, including slotting allowances, co‐managed inventory practices, and selling teams. It also provides a buyer‐seller trust matrix that can be used for teaching or developing relational strategy in organizations and classrooms.

Originality/value

This paper provides description of changes in sales force roles and measures, including the roles of responsiveness, empowerment, trust (both supplier and supplier representative), and information sharing not previously found in the literature. Survey research establishes the external validity of the qualitative research.
Competence‐based risk perception in the project business
Authors: Veres Zoltán
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The perceived risk of services is not characterized by being inevitably higher than that of tangible products but rather by the fact that performance risk is bilateral and process‐like. The aim of this paper is to explore the nature of this competence‐based risk perception during different project transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach is a qualitative, exploring one. The elements of the theoretical framework have been explored with the help of parallel supplier and buyer in‐depth interviews. In terms of industry coverage the focus of the study was in the traditional engineering areas including some other players of b2b project markets in the participant group.

Findings

Buyers' perceived performance risk can be linked to the presumed weaknesses of the supplier in professional background, personnel, size or technology, and to certain external factors. Risk perception coming from mainly competence asymmetry can be reduced by interactive communication but it must be adjusted to the buyer's comprehension level. Intensive two‐way communication may be to justify the appropriateness of the buyer's decision.

Practical implications

Understanding the risk perception of buyers can improve the management of purchasing activity and the purchasing process as well as the proactive behaviour of the supplier. Exploring the risk behaviour of the supplier can help to harmonize the selling/procuring activities of the supplier/buyer.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper lies in the process‐like, bilateral modelling of risk perception in the service transaction. Based upon this approach a comparative interviewing has been carried out.
Insights into the process of changing sourcing strategies
Authors: Faes Wouter , Matthyssens Paul
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The aim of this article is to identify the motivations driving the process of changing sourcing strategy from single sourcing to multiple sourcing or vice versa.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten cases of sourcing strategy change were investigated. A qualitative research method is used to uncover the richness of these change processes.

Findings

Most of the advantages and disadvantages stated in the literature were confirmed. Identical objectives (cost cutting and quality improvement) were present in all cases, although changes took place in opposite directions. Contextual factors, such as standardisation and supplier base reduction efforts shape purchasing strategy more than previously thought. The dynamic nature of the product lifecycle also seems to be an important determinant.

Research limitations/implications

Although the results of qualitative case study research can only be “generalised” in a limited way, the case details help to identify the dynamics of sourcing strategy switches and to interpret the rationale behind these moves. Confirmatory follow‐up research covering both the demand and supply side of the market is needed.

Practical implications

Switching sourcing modes is of strategic relevance to managers as lifecycle costing strategies are influenced by them. Managers should plan these decisions more effectively, evaluating the factual pros and cons of a proposed sourcing mode switch and taking the dynamics of supply markets into account.

Originality/value

The importance of the different motives for sourcing strategy changes clearly varies with the dynamism of the context (market situations and strategic intentions of buyers). A model linking the buyers' portfolio matrix to the product life cycle on the supply market is proposed.
Offshore outsourcing: a managerial framework
Authors: Tate Wendy L. , Ellram Lisa M.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to present a managerial framework that facilitates successful supplier selection and ongoing management for purchasing services from offshore suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is grounded in transaction cost theory and developed using data from case studies of six Fortune 500 firms that have a minimum of three years experience purchasing services from suppliers located in India.

Findings

Viewing the selection and management of suppliers for the purchase of offshore outsourced services as strategic in nature helps organizations ensure quality and low cost in the service delivery and also reduces complexity and associated risk to the organization.

Research limitations/implications

The overarching limitation is the number and size of the companies being researched.

Practical implications

This research presents a framework to guide managers in reducing risk and improving performance in these complex service purchases. Formalizing the selection and management of offshore outsourced services and investing in supplier improvements/measurement was found to improve operating relationships and enhance the business‐to‐business relationship.

Originality/value

This research provides a supply management perspective on a relatively new phenomenon. There has been little academic research on business process offshoring and few theoretical insights to guide managers in the purchase of services from suppliers located in different geographies with different cultures and operating structures. This paper looks at this phenomenon from a US‐based perspective and provides guidelines for managers.
The relationship between emotional intelligence and buyer's performance
Authors: Schumacher Lillian , Wheeler Jane V. , Carr Amelia S.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between buyer's emotional intelligence and buyer's relationship performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey methodology was used to collect data for this study. The survey was administered using an assessment process which incorporated “buyers'” and “suppliers'” assessment for the independent variable, emotional intelligence, and the dependent variable, relationship performance. The respondents consisted of 34 buyers and 102 suppliers.

Findings

Correlation and regression analysis revealed several significant relationships between the variables. Specifically, buyers' self‐assessed emotional intelligence was not significantly related to buyers' self‐assessed relationship performance. Buyers' emotional intelligence assessed by suppliers was significantly related to buyers' relationship performance assessed by suppliers. Buyers' emotional intelligence (as assessed by buyers and suppliers' assessment differences) was not significantly related to buyers' self‐assessed relationship performance. Last, buyers' emotional intelligence (as assessed by buyers' and suppliers' assessment differences) was significantly related to buyers' relationship performance (as assessed by buyers' and suppliers' assessment differences). Thus, the results suggest that buyers' emotional intelligence is positively related to relationship performance, most significantly from the perspective of their key suppliers.

Originality/value

This study is the first to introduce emotional intelligence within an environment that consisted of individuals working with others outside of their respective organizations (buyers and suppliers). This research offers some insight to buyers on the implications of emotional intelligence and how it can be used to support their interactions with their key suppliers.
The purchasing orientation of small company owners
Authors: Ellegaard Chris
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The literature holds few contributions regarding purchasing practices of small companies, despite the impressive size of this customer segment. Hence, this paper seeks to identify the purchasing orientation of small company owners.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies an interpretive qualitative case based approach. Small company owners describe their purchasing practices in a language void of theoretical concepts and by the continuous use of examples. Some practices are more or less unconscious. Interpretation is needed in order to discover patterns across the cases.

Findings

Small company owners down‐prioritize purchasing and spend few resources on developing their purchasing capabilities. They emphasize operational security from suppliers – covering quality and delivery as well as service and problem‐solving capabilities. Price is a minor issue. They are extremely loyal customers, who rarely meet suppliers, but still manage to maintain trusting relationships with them. Reliability from suppliers is essential.

Research limitations/implications

This research concerned manufacturing firms. Earlier contributions as well as this study indicate that studies of small company purchasing in other sectors (trade for instance) could produce different findings.

Practical implications

Companies selling to small companies should build service capabilities in their sales organization. The investigated small customers emphasize operational security, problem‐solving, informal attitudes, reliability, and they are highly loyal. Selling companies capable of mastering this behavior can expect a higher profit and enjoy close, long lasting customer relationships with these customers.

Originality/value

The paper identifies the small manufacturing company as a distinct customer segment, with characteristics that differ from the large company. The identification of small company owner purchasing orientation helps sales professionals understand this segment and provides a basis for optimizing selling behavior, organization etc.
The role of rapport in professional services: antecedents and outcomes
Authors: Macintosh Gerrard
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This research seeks to test a model examining the antecedents and outcomes of interpersonal rapport in a professional service context. The four antecedents examined are familiarity, mutual self‐disclosure, extras, and common grounding, and the outcomes examined are trust, satisfaction, and word‐of‐mouth communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a survey methodology to obtain the opinions of 121 dental patients regarding their relationships with dental professionals. The hypothesized relationships in the model were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The research findings indicated that all four antecedents were positively related to rapport. Rapport was also found to be related to customer satisfaction and word‐of‐mouth communication, but rapport was not found to be related to trust. Post hoc analysis suggests that rapport appears to be related to trust early in relationships, then becomes less important, but re‐emerges as a driver of trust in very mature relationships.

Practical implications

Since rapport appears to be important to generating word‐of‐mouth, managers should foster and reward rapport‐building behavior.

Originality/value

The study empirically verified four antecedents of interpersonal rapport in services, and supports the role of rapport as an important mediating variable in relationship development. The research also supported prior findings on the unique contribution of rapport to positive word‐of‐mouth communication.
The impact of involvement on key service relationships
Authors: Baker Thomas L. , Cronin J. Joseph , Hopkins Christopher D.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to report a study that focuses on the moderating role of involvement in the relationships between customer contact employees' customer orientation and service quality perceptions and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 869 consumers is drawn from four different service providers, scale measures are validated via confirmatory factor analysis and a conceptual model is tested using non‐monotonic moderated regression analysis.

Findings

Higher levels of involvement lead to greater levels of consumer loyalty and a lower need for scarce marketing resources. Hence, involvement does play a significant moderating role; in most cases the relationships are stronger for consumers with higher involvement.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are generalizable only to the four industries investigated.

Practical implications

Relative to customers with low levels of involvement, managers must be sure to motivate their employees to work with customers to help solve their problems and thus enhance the level of involvement. Conversely, for highly involved customers, contact employees must be aware that they may not play as significant a role in the overall purchase experience as the consumer feels they (the consumer) are an “expert” relative to the products offered. In such cases, customer‐oriented employees' role is to be willing to play a supporting and less important role in a customer's purchase decision.

Originality/value

While many studies have investigated service quality and satisfaction, the research represents the first effort to determine whether the relationship between these two variables differs based on a consumer characteristic; in this case, involvement.
Understanding city‐regional cooperation: what works where
Authors: Newman Peter
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Advocates of the role of city‐regions in economic development seek lessons from other countries to boost the case. But processes of lesson learning raise many challenges and the purpose of this paper, therefore, is to argue that it is necessary to shift from descriptive comparison to a better understanding and explanation of what works where.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken in the paper is to review recent debates about the design of comparative studies and suggests a range of comparative questions.

Findings

The paper draws on insights from the ESRC Research Seminar and other papers in this issue and helps clarify some of the issues that may be involved in developing a better comparative understanding of the emergence and impacts of new “experimental”, time‐limited regional institutions.

Research limitations/implications

The paper argues for more rigorous comparative research.

Practical implications

Questions are raised about current lesson learning concerning the governance of city regions.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to new debates about the potential of comparative study.
The Northern Way: a pan‐regional associational network
Authors: Liddle Joyce
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to examine a pan‐regional initiative, The Northern Way. The argument is framed within the on‐going city‐region debate to demonstrate some of the challenges and difficulties of working in collaboration and partnership across associational networks. It seeks to highlight the importance of institutional and local legacies and politics for understanding the nature of this particular form of pan‐regional arrangement.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on existing literature and other secondary source material from policy and guidance documents, participant observation in regional and sub‐regional meetings, and supplemented with primary interview data.

Findings

The Northern Way, promoted by central government to manage decline in the Greater North of England, demonstrated a continued legacy of regional disparities and an attempt to move city actors from inter and intra regional rivalry towards collaboration and partnership. As an associational network, the fluidity of scales and wide ranging social forces impacted on coordination and integration of processes, institutions, plans and strategies. This emergent governance form exemplified institutional turbulence, as powers were re‐configured continuously across scales and, across policy sectors and policy actors. The Northern Way was a very complicated arrangement of networks across regional and sub‐regional territories, and its lack of autonomy from central government hampered its overall effectiveness and strategic approach.

Originality/value

The paper provides a valuable insight for academics, practitioners and policy makers into some of the challenges and difficulties of managing across a pan‐regional associational network. It is original because most of the earlier literature focuses solely on city‐regions rather than a specific pan‐regional initiative such as the one under enquiry here.
A governance blueprint for the “federalist” Manchester City Region
Authors: Mouawad Daniel Charles
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to present a case study of the Manchester metropolitan area's efforts at implementing a regional approach to economic policy making and metropolitan governance. Vis‐à‐vis an emerging proposal for a concerted and effective approach towards the development of a governance model for the Manchester City Region, the paper aims to discuss the competing proposals for a mayoral and more “federalist” model of coordinating local policies in the area..

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the roles of different agencies – business representations and local authorities – in working towards a form of coherent governance for the city region against the backdrop of the many current precedents of such arrangements across Europe.

Findings

The paper finds that local authorities in the Greater Manchester area tend to favour a federalist City Region approach with greater autonomy for each participating local government. Yet, the alternative mayoral model retains the advantage of a distinct identity and direct accountability. In any case, a strong and coherent private sector input on key issues affecting the economy and its development in the Manchester City Region are required, but, as yet, not always sufficiently articulated.

Originality/value

Finding an “appropriate” model of city‐regional governance is a very topical issue. The contribution of this paper is thus timely and offers a good insight into the practical side of coordinating public and private sector interests and ways of making policies as part of city‐regional governance.
The path to regional competitiveness
Authors: Hanson Karen J.
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to present a case study of the Philadelphia region's efforts to implement a regional approach to economic development by relying on business‐civic leadership to transcend governmental boundaries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the role of leadership in organizations representing business interests, and the competing and conflicting perspectives on the “right” scale to do so – local and/or regional, drawing on participatory insights into the relevant processes.

Findings

While ad‐hoc partnerships and governance are often recognized as important elements of economic competitiveness for metropolitan areas by key civic and business leaders, established localist and institutional‐organizational interests and strategies may counteract that. Overcoming long‐established fragmentation requires a high level of attention to symbolism and the details of inclusiveness in organizational and spatial terms.

Originality/value

The recognition and study of city‐regional governance is very topical. The contribution of this paper is timely and offers a rare insight into the practical side of city‐regional governance, thus illuminating theoretical arguments.
America's emerging megaregions and implications for a national growth strategy
Authors: Todorovich Petra
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the implications of emerging “megaregions” in the USA and the challenges they present to planning for large‐scale systems of transportation infrastructure, environmental resources, and economic growth, and their implications for developing a national growth strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the existing research on megaregions and their applications in addressing specific challenges in large geographical areas. It also discusses the efforts of a privately led initiative to create a national growth strategy and how megaregions may provide an interim scale toward national planning.

Findings

The paper finds that while ad hoc megaregional partnerships and governance will help lay the groundwork for large‐scale investments and policies needed to address the expanding spatial dynamics of the twenty‐first century economy, ultimately the USA requires a national plan to prepare for future growth.

Originality/value

The recognition and study of US megaregions is relatively new. The contribution of this paper is that it discusses how megaregions might shape a national strategy for growth in the USA in the next half century.
New regions and regionalisation through clusters
Authors: Danson Mike
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the role of territory in (city‐) regionalisation and to revisit the problems of distance from the core in cluster strategies. The paper further aims to discuss the implications of how agglomeration and networking economies, strongly promoted and based on city regions, are being realised across national boundaries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper argues that there are negative spatial impacts for those areas which do not and cannot establish “core cluster” status. The focus on such “cores” threatens to exacerbate the peripherality of the non‐core regions of the European Union, and especially those in the external (northern) border regions of Europe.

Findings

Against an evolving pattern of reducing effective distances across the mainland continent through EU funding, Celtic and Nordic Europe is facing a relative increase in peripherality. Ownership and control of industry and the economy are becoming ever more concentrated and centralised at the core, and monetary and fiscal policies are driven by the needs of the market and so of the demands of the metropolitan heart of the continent. While the new territorial clusters are promising growth and development for some regions allowing them to converge on the core, this should not be allowed to obscure the threats to others which are becoming ever more disadvantaged.

Originality/value

The paper highlights a major, albeit not much acknowledged, threat emanating from the current focus on city regions as “economic champions” in debates and policy making. Not only does this threaten to overlook, but, indeed, may create areas of “exclusion” and peripherality.
Regionalisation, “virtual” spaces and “real” territories
Authors: Herrschel Tassilo
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine evidence of new forms of regionalisation in both theory and practice, and the relationship between the two. In so doing, it aims to demonstrate the essential complementarity, rather than widely argued alternativeness, of both conventional and new forms of inter‐local collaboration at the regional level. The paper also seeks to demonstrate the importance of institutional and local legacies for the nature of regionalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on interviews by the author with economic policy makers in several city regions in Europe and North America over the last three years, and the results of a series of workshops involving many of these very policy makers.

Findings

There is growing evidence of new forms of inter‐local region building being adopted by policy makers in response to a perceived need to maintain/improve economic competitiveness. Concerns about “giving away” powers and resources when engaging in usual conventional, formalised, fixed forms of regionalisation have created reluctance among many local actors to do so. The need to be more responsive to rapidly changing economic conditions, coupled to a realisation of the need for concerted action, have encouraged economic policy makers to adopt new, more experimental forms of region‐wide collaboration.

Practical implications

The findings not only challenge established practices and a conventional focus on planning and technocratic views of “regions”, but also raise questions about the prevalent regulation theory‐inspired arguments in academic debate. Instead, “virtual regionalisation” seems to open new opportunities for defining meaning and operation of “regions” and “regionalism”, with the different backgrounds in Europe and North America allowing a somewhat more “open mind” in the latter than the former.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates that in many regions in Europe and North America there is now a multitude of actors and organisations seeking to promote regional competitiveness and growth.
Are accreditation surveys reliable?
Authors: Greenfield David , Pawsey Marjorie , Naylor Justine , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to test whether healthcare accreditation survey processes are reliable.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses multiple methods to document stakeholder experiences and views on accreditation survey reliability. There were 29 research activities, comprising 25 focus groups, three interviews and a survey questionnaire. In total, 193 stakeholders participated; 134 in face‐to‐face activities and 56 via questionnaire. All were voluntary participants. Using open‐ended questioning, stakeholders were asked to reflect upon accreditation survey reliability.

Findings

Stakeholders perceived healthcare accreditation surveys to be a reliable activity. They identified six interrelated factors that simultaneously promoted and challenged reliability: the accreditation program, including organisational documentation and surveyor accreditation reports; members' relationship to the accrediting agency and survey team; accreditation agency personnel; surveyor workforce renewal; surveyor workforce management; and survey team conduct including coordinator role. The six factors realised shared expectations and conduct by accreditation stakeholders; that is, they enabled accreditation stakeholder self‐governance.

Practical implications

Knowledge gained can be used to improve accreditation program reliability, credibility and ongoing self‐governance.

Originality/value

The paper is a unique examination of healthcare accreditation surveys the reliability. The findings have potential application to reliability in other healthcare areas.
Young physicians and the Finnish welfare state
Authors: Saarinen Arttu
Published: April 2009

Purpose

This article aims to focus on how young physicians in general and different subpopulations, in particular, see the role of the welfare state. The author seeks to compare young physicians' opinions with those of older physicians, a similar age group in the general population and all physicians.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample was picked from the Finnish Medical Association register (n=1,092). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Findings

Results show that young physicians – when compared with an overall population of the same age, with physicians overall, or with older physicians – are more critical of the degree of social security currently offered. Young physicians also want to give more responsibility to the private sector than do older physicians. On the other hand, young physicians are not very critical of healthcare system functionality. All in all, young physicians' opinions about the welfare state are not particularly radical. Results indicate that physicians' opinions about the welfare state will not change dramatically in the near future. Views on social security, healthcare system functionality and the role of the private sector correlate best with political orientation.

Originality/value

There are some studies about physicians' attitudes towards the welfare state, but the opinions of young physicians have not been studied in countries with large social security systems. The paper addresses this gap because it is important to study young physicians' opinions because future services will be structured on them.
Personality characteristics of health care satisfaction survey non‐respondents
Authors: McLeod Thomas G. , Costello Brian A. , Colligan Robert C. , Dierkhising Ross A. , Beebe Timothy J. , Offord Kenneth P. , Locke G. Richard
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Patient satisfaction surveys are increasingly used to assess the quality of health care delivery. Unfortunately, survey non‐response may compromise generalizability (and inferential value). Although prior studies demonstrate an association between patient socio‐demographic variables and response rate, relatively little information is available linking personality factors to non‐response. This paper's purpose is to define outpatient satisfaction survey non‐responder personality characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profiles of patients who completed an outpatient satisfaction survey were compared with non‐responder profiles. Multivariate analysis was used to adjust for demographic and personality covariates. The study sample included 1,862 medical outpatients who were sent a satisfaction survey and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory results on record at this institution. Of these, 1,255 were survey responders and 607 were non‐responders.

Findings

Scores on three Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scales were significantly correlated with non‐response: higher scores on scales 4 – Psychopathic deviate (Pd) and 8 – Schizophrenia (Sc) predicted an increased likelihood of non‐response (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; p≤0.05 for both), and higher scores on 7 – Psychasthenia (Pt) were associated with a decreased likelihood of non‐response (OR, 0.98; p≤0.01).

Originality/value

Prior investigations demonstrate an association between patient socio‐demographic factors and survey non‐response. This paper uniquely highlights patient personality characteristics' contribution to non‐response. This information is an important consideration for patient satisfaction survey design, administration and interpretation.
Patient safety as perceived by Swedish leaders
Authors: Pukk Härenstam Karin , Elg Mattias , Svensson Carina , Brommels Mats , Øvretveit John
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to survey Swedish healthcare leaders' patient safety awareness, the priority they give to safety issues and their views on suitable safety management strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

A total 623 leaders of a sample of 1,129 responded to a mail questionnaire (55 percent response rate). Descriptive statistics of the responses are presented as frequency distributions across respondent subgroups. Means were tested for similarity by a repetitive one‐way ANOVA procedure. Homogeneous response groups were sought by hierarchical cluster analysis.

Findings

Swedish healthcare leaders show relatively high safety awareness and how their organizations prioritize safety management. There is a marked polarization between leaders; half feel that the system works reasonably well, and that adequate funds are available to improve or maintain services. The other half thinks the system needs major change and calls for additional funding. A majority sees system errors as the main cause for adverse events; a substantial minority find human errors to be more important. Two‐thirds were willing to make safety performance information on organizations and specialties public, one third was restrictive.

Research limitations/implications

Survey instruments used to explore leaders' patient safety views have not yet been rigorously tested against psychometric criteria. One hospital type was slightly over‐represented and three regions somewhat under‐represented in the respondent groups.

Originality/value

This is the first systematic attempt to explore the views of Swedish healthcare leaders on patient safety. It provides input to a national strategy to improve patient safety.
HIPAA's effects on US healthcare
Authors: Kumar Sameer , Henseler Anne , Haukaas David
Published: April 2009

Purpose

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act implementation in the USA caused waves in the medical world about documentation storage, flow and access. Protecting patients from information falling into the wrong hands is admirable, but the Act has influenced more than just documentation; it has slowed the research process and complicated basic US medical care. This article aims to discuss Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's effects on documentation and patient care and future US healthcare options.

Design/methodology/approach

A chronological approach is used to lay out the Act's effects. Using process flow maps, the pre‐ and post‐Act environment is analyzed to discover differences in the two processes. Then a critique of the new environment leads to future movement recommendations by the US government and the healthcare industry.

Findings

True to the US government's track record, by the time the Act was passed, it was already outdated in terms of IT management capabilities. In addition to trying to comply with these outdated practices, the Act's wording is so vague that hospital staff are not sure with what they are even complying. The Act could be improved with some simple changes to wording and updating.

Research limitations/implications

This article attempts to take a massive problem with far reaching implications, drill down to the key issues and make managerial recommendations based on findings. This provides a more detailed problem view that can only be understood at a high level owing to its complexity. Importantly, the key issues developed in the article support US government reform for legislation, which is not an easy task. There were studies available on the Act's cost to patients, hospitals, clinics and general costs in the USA. However, all the research was site specific and easily contradicted by other sources. Additionally, source reliability was questionable at best, as publications came from specific hospitals and clinics.

Practical implications

Throughout the study two themes were clear – the Act's outdated nature and vague wording. The more research that was done, the more confusing the information began to get, it seems even experts have a hard time understating and complying with the Act. One thing is clear. The Act is confusing and outdated. Because the problem is so large and fragmented, people are not sure where to start fixing the predicament. Arming US hospitals, clinics and doctors with basic knowledge can give them a common springboard to start changing the current environment.

Originality/value

It is clear that the problem is large and confusing. Consolidating research results seems a valuable tool to help understand what is wrong with US healthcare. This article makes a case that updating and improving the directive's ambiguous nature helps create a less frustrating US healthcare system.
Corporate Robespierres, ideologies of management and change
Authors: Essers Juup , Böhm Steffen , Contu Alessia
Published: April 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introductory overview of this special issue highlighting some of the distinctive features of Žižek's Lacan‐inspired thought relevant to the role of ideologies in organizational change management.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach used aims to show how ideological and ethical ramifications of Žižek's recent analysis of a “Jacobin” change paradigm can affect thought on everyday change practices in business and management.

Findings

Some parallels are drawn between current change practices and narrative tactics employed by Robespierre during the Jacobin reign of terror to “extort” the commitment of participants in the change process.

Practical implications

This paper/special issue invites reconsideration of our late capitalist intellectual/practical “reflexes” in change management, i.e. to reassess their ideological mechanism.

Originality/value

Žižekian/Lacanian approaches to organizations and change are especially suitable for this purpose but have only recently begun to emerge.