bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A fuzzy goal programming model for strategic information technology investment assessment
Authors: Zandi Faramak , Tavana Madjid
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The high expenditures in information technology (IT) and the growing usage that penetrates the core of business have resulted in a need to effectively and efficiently evaluate strategic IT investments in organizations. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel two‐dimensional approach that determines the deferrable strategy with the most value by maximizing the real option values while minimizing the risks associated with each alternative strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed approach, first, the deferrable investment strategies are prioritized according to their values using real option analysis (ROA). Then, the risks associated with each investment strategy are quantified using the group fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. Finally, the values associated with the two dimensions are integrated to determine the deferrable IT investment strategy with the most value using a fuzzy preemptive goal programming model.

Findings

Managers face the difficulty that most IT investment projects are inherently risky, especially in a rapidly changing business environment. The paper proposes a framework that can be used to evaluate IT investments based on the real option concept. This simple, intuitive, generic and comprehensive approach incorporates the linkage among economic value, real option value and IT investments that could lead to a better‐structured decision process.

Originality/value

In contrast to the traditional ROA literature, the approach contributes to the literature by incorporating a risk dimension parameter. The paper emphasizes the importance of categorizing risk management in IT investment projects since some risk cannot be eliminated.
BESP – benchmarking of Portuguese secondary schools
Authors: Conceição A. Silva Portela Maria , Santos Camanho Ana , Nóvoa Borges Diogo
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the implementation of a web‐based platform integrating benchmarking and data envelopment analysis (DEA) for the Portuguese secondary schools.

Design/methodology/approach

The benchmarking platform is designed around a set of key performance indicators that are displayed using benchmarking graphs. These indicators are also aggregated through the methodology of DEA to provide a summary measure of performance.

Findings

The benchmarking platform developed enables schools to perform internal and external evaluation through a standard model that is based on indicators of school activities. It encourages schools' efforts of continuous improvement and increases society awareness regarding schools' context and results obtained.

Practical implications

The benchmarking platform can be useful for schools and general public. For the general public, there is a tool that allows the construction of user‐defined rankings online and benchmarking tools that allow the comparison of performance of a specific school with others. In addition to these features, schools have in the BESP platform a repository of historical data, and the possibility to see a set of graphs that show for some indicators their evolution over time.

Originality/value

This paper describes a breakthrough in the Portuguese education context. The BESP platform is the first in this context to combine DEA and benchmarking tools in a web‐based environment, designed to enable real‐time performance assessments.
An integrated model for performance management of manufacturing units
Authors: Parthiban P. , Goh Mark
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to develop an integrated model for performance management (PM) of manufacturing industries.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed integrated model consists of performance measurement by the extended Brown Gibson model by considering the objective and the service quality factors. The quality factor measure has been evaluated by using the analytic hierarchy process. On the non‐compliance of the performance measures with the satisfactory levels, quality function deployment is used to redesign the existing manufacturing process.

Findings

This study provides a way to identify the current performance of an organization and a methodology for further improvement. An important contribution of this model is that it combines both the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of manufacturing performance measurement. Both the objective and manufacturing quality factors have been converted into consistent dimensionless indices to measure system performance.

Practical implications

This study has demonstrated the applicability of the model to support a manufacturing unit. It has shown how performance measures have been identified and how they can be used to calculate the two different manufacturing units using time, cost and service quality dimensions. Improving performance is a never‐ending process and organizations should strive to achieve it to attain the optimal level of cost and profit, as well as increase customer satisfaction and goodwill, and gain potential future business. Hence, the process of measuring and redesigning manufacturing performance measures needs to be monitored and the implementation plans reviewed often, which is successfully done by this integrated model.

Originality/value

We contend that the integrated model for PM, illustrated with a practical case in this paper makes a contribution to the never‐ending process of performance enhancement for both theory and application, and assists in expanding the boundaries of theory and practicality in this area, thus highlighting the novelty of our approach.
Benchmarking the service quality of fast‐food restaurant franchises in the USA
Authors: Min Hokey , Min Hyesung
Published: May 2011

Purpose

To help fast‐food restaurants enhance their competitiveness and then increase their market share, the purpose of this paper is to measure the service performances of fast‐food restaurant franchises in the USA and identify salient factors influencing the service performances of fast‐food restaurants over time.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a set of benchmarks that helps fast‐food restaurants monitor their service‐delivery process, identify relative weaknesses, and take corrective actions for continuous service improvements using analytic hierarchy process and competitive gap analysis.

Findings

This study reveals that a service attribute considered most important to the fast‐food restaurant customers' impressions of service quality is taste of food. This preference has not been changed over time. Also, we found a pattern of the correlation between the overall level of customer satisfaction with the fast‐food restaurant and its word‐of‐mouth reputation. Furthermore, we discovered that the customers tended to be more favorable to easily accessible and national fast‐food restaurant franchises than less accessible, relatively new, and regional counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

The current study is limited to the evaluation of comparative service quality in the USA. Thus, this study may not capture the national differences in the restaurant customers' perceived service quality.

Practical implications

For the last four decades, Americans' obsession with fast serving, cheap meals has made the fast‐food restaurant a mainstay in their daily life. As the appetite for fast food grows, every corner of the American Society has been infiltrated by fast‐food restaurants. With the increasing number of fast‐food restaurants competing in the market, their survival often rests on their ability to sustain high‐quality services and meet changing needs/preferences of customers. This paper provides practical guidelines for enhancing the competitiveness of the fast‐food restaurant franchise.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to compare the service quality of fast‐food franchises in the USA and develop dynamic service quality standards for fast‐food restaurant franchises using a longitudinal study.
Spatial effects of the property sector investment on Greek economic growth
Authors: Benos Nikos , Karagiannis Stelios , Vlamis Prodromos
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to identify the importance of property sector investment in regional economic growth in Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses regional accounts data, including investment and employment for all Greek industries. The standard Cobb‐Douglas specification is used. The authors apply random effects and GMM estimators for dynamic panel data and employ two model specifications (aggregate and disaggregate).

Findings

The results indicate a positive relationship between investment in real estate services and hotels and restaurants and regional growth. Also, investment in the energy sector, which is closely linked to construction and consequently to housing activity, appears to have a positive and significant growth effect.

Practical implications

The authors believe that these results are useful, make a contribution to the existing knowledge, and provide firm justification that the property sector has a considerable effect on regional economic growth in Greece.

Originality/value

One of the distinctive features of the paper is that it discusses critically the extent to which the Greek property sector, as part of a broader nexus of domestic and global dynamics, affects regional economic growth – either directly or indirectly. To the best of the authors' knowledge, none of the existing studies in this area provides a systematic treatment of the property sector as a contributory factor in explaining the growth performance of Greek regions. The authors believe that this is an important empirical issue, especially given the spatial disparities that characterise Greek economic growth.
Seasonal and spatial hedonic price indices
Authors: Karaganis Anastassios N.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to deal with the construction of seasonal price indices for the housing market, based on Rosen's hedonic equations and using spatial econometric autoregression (SAR) techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

More precisely, the hedonic equations are estimated using disaggregated data, and the extracted indices are averaged over zip code areas. Then the seasonality, which is considered deterministic, is extracted after eliminating the spatial effects. The data set used consists of 8,685 valuations of dwellings, detached dwellings and detached houses that took place in Attica on behalf of a commercial bank during the period 2000‐2009.

Findings

The paper concludes that evidence exists to support the hypothesis that property prices are affected by seasonal and spatial effects beyond structural effects and the effects of the general economic situation. Property valuations are strongly connected with deterministic exogenous variables, such as the size, age and location of the property, the general economic situation, and to a lesser effect the spatial system and the season during which the valuation took place. The estimated spatial effect is positive and quite large in value, indicating a landscape consisting of large homogeneous sub‐areas, while the results demonstrate a seasonal upturn during the first semester and downturn towards the end of the year.

Originality/value

This paper provides a framework for incorporating spatial and seasonal effects in property price index construction.
Property risk premia and deferment rates
Authors: Wyatt James
Published: May 2011

Purpose

All property valuation is based on comparative analysis to determine the relevant discount rates. However, this implicit approach fails to recognise the difference in risk between the early term income and the riskier reversion. It uses the same rate throughout. As such, it ignores the risk of a highly illiquid reversionary property interest and uses a deferment rate that is much too low. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology approach

The paper analyses the required risk premia for liquidity in relation to the risk free rate. Historic evidence is used to determine an appropriate deferment rate.

Findings

It would seem sensible that the long‐term deferment rate is set at a level that is similar to the long‐term return on equities with dividends reinvested.

Practical implications

The continued use of low deferment rates over‐values the reversionary interest of the property asset.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to stimulate debate on the current use of low deferment rates.
Mobile termination benchmarking: the case of Namibia
Authors: Stork Christoph
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to contribute to the debate about the regulation of termination rates in the context of Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on analysis of secondary data and a case study of a regulatory intervention in Namibia and its impact.

Findings

Mobile call termination is a monopoly and not one side of a two‐sided market. Cost‐based termination rates increase competition between operators and lead to lower prices, more subscribers and more investment.

Research limitations/implications

The case of Namibia is presented as an example of termination rate benchmarking as an alternative regulatory strategy to overcome regulatory and institutional bottlenecks in Africa.

Practical implications

African regulators are presented with a tool for removing market distortions.

Social implications

Cost based termination rates will lead to lower retail prices and allow more people to use mobile phones.

Originality/value

The paper presents theoretical and empirical evidence against the waterbed effect and the two‐sided market argument.
Are mobile phones replacing the use of public phones in Africa?
Authors: Stork Christoph
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether mobiles are replacing the use of public access telephones (mobile or fixed) in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses data from nationally representative household surveys from 17 African countries to explain public phone usage.

Findings

Mobile use is often in conjunction with public phone use for some sections of the population. At lower levels of income, increases in income are associated with a higher likelihood of payphone use due to income related barriers such as the inability to afford a mobile handset and the minimum recharge amounts for mobile minutes. At higher levels of income use of public phones tends to decline, while high‐income users do not use public phones at all. The latter is in keeping with the expectation of a gradual switch to mobile use with rising incomes.

Practical implications

The main policy recommendation that follows from the study is the need to ensure that public pay phones continue to exist as a communication safety net.

Originality/value

The empirical research explains public phone usage in terms of individual characteristics like income, age, gender representation for 17 African countries.
Development outcomes of internet and mobile phones use in Kenya: the households' perspectives
Authors: Nyambura Ndung'u Margaret , Waema Timothy M.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Usage of internet and mobile phones has promoted and sometimes hindered various aspects of development bringing radical changes to Kenyan households in the last couple of years. The rapid spread of mobile phones, mobile broadband and internet usage at the household level has increased the potential of these technologies leading to development outcomes. This paper aims to focus on these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on primary data collected through two surveys and is part of ongoing PhD work. A rigorous methodology was designed and used to conduct the research. Starting with the research problem that outlined the key areas for the study, research objectives were developed following a background review of the study. The paper establishes the development outcomes associated with the rapid spread and usage of the internet and mobile phones and explores if the wide usage expands or shrinks the capabilities of the households.

Findings

The analysis indicates that a high value is attached to the new technologies and in particular mobile phones. It also reveals that the new technologies enabled some capabilities and hindered others leading to diverse development outcomes. Use of internet and mobile phones led to positive and negative development outcomes in low income households in Kenya. Households' choices were based on their perceptions of the role that the new technologies played in enhancing their quality of life. Internet access and usage was limited and restricted to urban areas while mobile phone usage was distributed across the country. However, increased use of mobile internet is expected to change the situation. The paper notes that the social, economic and knowledge status of individuals, coupled with the choices they make, determines the development outcomes derived from use of these technologies.

Research limitations/implications

The paper makes recommendations for further research on the effects of new technologies on quality of life.

Originality/value

The paper examines the extent to which usage of the internet and mobile phones enhances or hinders households' capability to achieve development in social, economic and knowledge dimensions.
Using BPM governance to align systems and practice
Authors: Doebeli Gaby , Fisher Ron , Gapp Rod , Sanzogni Louis
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a business process management (BPM) governance model that sets BPM decision making, along with roles and responsibilities. The setting context of the study is a government‐owned corporation operating in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study examined and analysed organisational documents using a content analysis approach. Results of document analysis are used to inform a series of in‐depth interviews of key stakeholders in the organisation. Interviews are analysed using a constant comparison method to derive themes and build categories of description.

Findings

A BPM governance model is proposed. Results of thematic analysis are interpreted against the framework of the BPM governance model, leading to findings that include implications for theory and practice.

Practical implications

In practical terms, the research shows how BPM practice can be aligned and integrated with the corporate governance and management systems in the selected case study organisation.

Originality/value

Despite research identifying the importance of governance, along with associated capabilities, there has been little progress on how the abovementioned capabilities can be effectively deployed across an organisation. This paper addresses a gap in the literature relating to how to deploy BPM governance in an organisation.
Process orientation: conceptualization and measurement
Authors: Kohlbacher Markus , Gruenwald Stefan
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Attention to processes has increased, as thousands of firms have adopted the process view of their organization. Process orientation (PO) means focusing on business processes rather than emphasizing functional structure or hierarchy. Despite the huge growth in the business process management literature, a methodological gap still remains about a certain ambiguity in the definition of the construct specifying its theoretical domain and dimensionalization. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the literature on PO through the creation and validation of a model to measure the key dimensions of the PO construct.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors derive from literature several dimensions which shape the concept of PO. In a second step, the study includes factor analysis on a sample of 152 Austrian manufacturing companies to verify that the model is empirical valid.

Findings

The paper provides insight in the concept of PO. It concludes that PO is a multidimensional construct, consisting of the following dimensions: design and documentation of business processes; management commitment towards PO; the process owner role; process performance measurement; a corporate culture in line with the process approach; application of continuous process improvement methodologies; and process‐oriented organizational structure.

Research limitations/implications

The sample used in this work only included Austrian firms operating in manufacturing industry. Generalizability of the findings to other industries or other countries is open to scrutiny.

Originality/value

Several studies into process management use proxy variables as an indicator for PO (e.g. ISO 9000 certification). Other studies treat the construct as a unidimensional measure. However, unidimensional measures meet with increasing criticism, as they turn out to be insufficient to capture the richness of such a complex construct. This paper attempts to rectify the content deficiencies in the literature on the construct by specifying its theoretical domain and dimensionalization.
Doing research on education for sustainable development
Authors: Reunamo Jyrki , Pipere Anita
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the research preferences and differences of education for sustainable development (ESD) researchers. A model with the continuums assimilation‐accommodation and adaptation‐agency was applied resulting in quantitative, qualitative, theoretic and participative research orientations.

Design/methodology/approach

Reunamo's general model of agentive perception was used to design the 32‐item questionnaire, Research for ESD so as to reveal the degree to which the researchers are accommodating their thoughts and actions to real phenomenon, and considering their research as having theoretical or practical agency. The questionnaire was administered to 83 ESD researchers, mainly from European countries.

Findings

The most valuable discovery was the desire of ESD researchers to contribute to societal development. The results describe the first continuum of research activity with the need for opening up to the requisites and possibilities of environmental change while applying the existing prerequisites of scientific rigour and validity. The second continuum highlights the research as a knowledge resource for just political or individual choices on the one hand, and the direct application of the models and actions for needed change on the other hand.

Research limitations/implications

It would be difficult to create a reliable register of ESD researchers worldwide. Thus, the opportunity sample of ESD researchers available to the authors was used in the study.

Practical implications

The model, after adjustments, appears to be a promising tool in the study of research orientations. To study complex and controversial subjects such as sustainable development, the researchers need to be aware of their preferences and orientations.

Originality/value

The paper shows the possibilities of the agentive perception model in the case of ESD researchers.
Education for sustainable development and global citizenship
Authors: Glover Alison , Peters Carl , Haslett Simon K.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the validity of the curriculum auditing tool Sustainability Tool for Auditing University Curricula in Higher Education (STAUNCH©), which was designed to audit the education for sustainability and global citizenship content of higher education curricula. The Welsh Assembly Government aspires to incorporate sustainability across all sectors and required an audit of all higher education curricula within Wales. The paper also discusses responses to the auditing process, findings at an institutional and national level and proposes recommendations for improvements.

Design/methodology/approach

The University of Wales, Newport, provides the case study to test the validity of the STAUNCH© software.

Findings

The quality and effectiveness of the curriculum content was not identified by the audit. The audit identified what the curriculum offered but did not necessarily reflect that studied by students. Modules offered on more than one course were awarded credit within the “cross‐cutting” criteria of the audit and this distorted the final results. The audit enabled curriculum managers to identify programmes of study which exhibited strengths and limitations in this area. Utilising a common auditing tool across the Welsh higher education sector allows for future developments to be collective and collaborative.

Practical implications

A general consensus of opinion from a network of Welsh higher education institutions regarding any future use of this auditing tool is currently one of uncertainty as far as any validity the tool may bring to driving the sustainability agenda forward. Alterations to the STAUNCH© software and auditing process are proposed if possible future audits are to be more effective. Nevertheless, within a relatively short time span education for sustainable development and global citizenship within Welsh higher education is gaining momentum. Amendments have been made to university documentation, staff‐training initiatives developed and the potential impact of curriculum development in this area is beginning to be realised.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the application of a new sustainability curriculum‐auditing tool and the validity of the tool in progressing sustainability within the higher education sector.
College and university dining services administrators' intention to adopt sustainable practices
Authors: Chen Chao‐Jung (Rita) , Gregoire Mary B. , Arendt Susan , Shelley Mack C.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine college and university dining services administrators' (CUDSAs) intention to adopt sustainable practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The theory of planned behavior (TPB) including constructs of subjective norm (SN), attitude, perceived behavior control, and personal norm (PN), formed the theoretical framework. A web‐based questionnaire was developed, pretested, and distributed to 535 CUDSAs in the USA.

Findings

Results indicated that SN (pressure from others) had the most influence on CUDSAs' intention to adopt sustainable practices, followed by attitude and PN. Including the PN construct in the TPB model reduced unexplained variance by 33.48 percent.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this research are generalizability of results due to use of a sample of US members of a professional organization (National Association of College and University Food Services) and low response rate.

Practical implications

Results suggest that pressure from college administrators and students has the greatest impact on CUDSAs' decisions to adopt sustainable practices.

Originality/value

The question of why some university dining operations are models for sustainability and others have few sustainable practices has not been explored. The dining services' director plays a key role in determining sustainability efforts for that operation. This research explored factors influencing a director's intention to adopt sustainable practices.
Intangible assets and performance
Authors: St‐Pierre Josée , Audet Josée
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the nature of intellectual capital in small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and how it is linked to strategy and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using structural equations, a multivariate model is presented where multiple relations are tested between different components of intellectual capital and performance. The model is tested first on a unique sample of 267 SMEs and second on two subsamples where SMEs are grouped according to their strategic profile.

Findings

Findings confirm that SMEs that adopt different strategies organize their intellectual capital in a particular and adapted way. When an attempt is made to link intellectual capital components to performance, it is noticed that the latter is strategy specific, just as the variables that influence performance. Prospectors dominate defenders on most intellectual capital components.

Research limitations/implications

Use of secondary data may provide less precise results that could make an incentive to conduct other studies with specific determinants of intellectual capital and try to make clear definition and measurement of this concept and its components.

Practical implications

Even if the results have an exploratory nature, they confirm that SMEs organize and develop their intellectual capital in conjunction with their needs and strategic profile, revealing their heterogeneity. This has implications on the ability to generalize specific behaviors to all SMEs, and could prevent government from developing public policies that are supposed to fit all SMEs.

Originality/value

Most research on intellectual in capital SMEs is conducted on specific sectors linked to activities requiring high levels of knowledge or technology. But these results concern a small proportion of SMEs. This study expands those analyses to a much broader variety of sectors, revealing some links between specific components and performance taking into account strategic orientation. This is the first study on manufacturing SMEs that considers various non‐technological sectors and strategic profiles.
Organizational culture, climate and IC: an interaction analysis
Authors: Nazari Jamal A. , Herremans Irene M. , Isaac Robert G. , Manassian Armond , Kline Theresa J.B.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This study aims to empirically investigate the role of organizational culture and climate in supporting intellectual capital (IC) management systems. Specifically, it seeks to investigate the relationship between organizational characteristics (culture and climate) and IC management systems in the Middle East (Iran and Lebanon) and Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered via a survey instrument and statistical analysis was used to test for significance between dependent and independent variables. Then a two‐stage hierarchical multiple regression was used to test for the nature and effects of country of origin as a moderating variable.

Findings

The findings suggest that both culture and climate play significant roles in developing management systems for IC. In addition, for country, when organizational climate improves, Middle Eastern respondents perceived an even greater improvement in IC management systems compared to their Canadian counterparts.

Originality/value

There is limited research that has been undertaken to compare developed and developing countries with regard to the influence of organizational characteristics on IC management systems. This research is timely given the recent publication of the Arab Human Development Report and the Arab Knowledge Report. This study provides insight into the ability of organizations in the Middle East to develop a knowledge base and reduce the knowledge gap between the Arab world and countries currently classified as knowledge intensive.
Charting intellectual capital performance of the gateway to China
Authors: Kai Wah Chu Samuel , Hang Chan Kin , Wu Wendy W.Y.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether intellectual capital (IC) has an impact on the financial aspects of organizational performance as well as attempting to identify the IC components that are associated with corporate financial performance indicators that signal organizational growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This study drew on financial data from publicly available annual reports of all the constituent companies of the Hang Seng Index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for the years 2001‐2009. Following the value added intellectual coefficient™ (VAIC) methodology, regression models were constructed to examine the relationships between IC and the corporate financial performance indicators.

Findings

Evidence was found to suggest that IC, as measured by VAIC, was positively associated with profitability of businesses. In particular, structural capital, as a key component of IC, played a notable part in enhancing corporate profitability, and showed a growing trend in its significance. Empirical findings, based on correlation and linear multiple regression analysis, indicated that the components of VAIC were strong predictors of corporate financial performance such as return on equity and profitability. In particular, capital employed efficiency (CEE) was a significant predictor of all four corporate financial performance indicators.

Practical implications

The results may extend the understanding of the role of IC in business operations in Hong Kong, and may help to identify the specific IC drivers that may have a direct impact on the financial performance of these companies. In particular, although CEE was a significant predictor of all four corporate finance performance indicators, the increasing contribution of structural capital efficiency (SCE) in predicting ROA and ROE was observed. The role that structural capital plays in strengthening business performance warrants further investigation.

Originality/value

There has only been one previous empirical study on the intellectual capital of constituent companies on the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index. This study adds to the literature as the second study in the field. It is the first comparative study across two time periods of the above‐mentioned data.
Voluntary disclosures of intellectual capital
Authors: Singh Sukhdev , Kansal Monika
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate inter firm intellectual capital (IC) disclosures and its variations in top 20 listed pharmaceutical companies in India, study the category wise and element wise IC disclosures (ICD), find out the impact of ICD on the creation of IC in monetary terms, find out correlation between IC valuation and its disclosure, and test significance of correlation.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory and empirical study of ICD by sample companies in 2009 using content analysis. IC is valued as market value minus book value. Five‐point scale (0‐4), mean disclosure score, range, Chi‐ squares, Karl Pearson's correlation and Student's t‐test are used for analysis and interpretation.

Findings

Although top 20 companies of knowledge‐led industry, ICD are low, narrative and varying significantly among companies. ICD score varies in range of 4 to 36 against expected score of 96. External capital with mean score of 18.78 is the most disclosed category. Brands and business collaborations is most disclosed element of IC, followed by employee competence and internal organizational capital respectively. ICD leads to creation of IC in some companies. Markets reflected true valuations of ICD in seven companies, and high degree of inconsistency in 13 companies. Overall correlation between IC valuation and disclosure is negative, weak and insignificant.

Practical implications

Sector‐specific intangible asset monitors should be formulated to capture ICD.

Originality/value

The paper measures ICD using five‐point scaling technique, it uses Chi‐ square test (non‐parametric test) to calculate inter‐firm variations. The paper also correlates ICD and valuation of respective companies with Spearman's correlation for the first time in pharmaceutical companies in India. It proposes inclusion of fourth category i.e. sector‐specific items in existing models of ICD.
The relation of intellectual capital disclosure strategies and market value in two political settings
Authors: Abeysekera Indra
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the political setting (civil war versus temporary truce) in a country has an influence on firms' current narrative, visual, and numerical intellectual capital disclosure being included in the current market value of equity.

Design/methodology/approach

Using content analysis for data generation, this study identifies narrative, visual, and numerical intellectual capital disclosure in firms' annual reports. Financial data were obtained from firms' annual reports and the stock exchange. Fixed effect panel regression was conducted separately for the civil war period and temporary truce period.

Findings

The paper finds that during the period entirely beset by civil war, the current market value of equity includes net book value and current earnings only, and does not include narrative, visual, or numerical intellectual capital disclosure. During the period of temporary truce, the current market value of equity includes net book value, current earnings, and narrative disclosure, but not visual or numerical intellectual capital disclosure.

Practical implications

The findings provide insights into the effectiveness of disclosure strategies in politically unstable environments.

Originality/value

This study analyses the disclosure strategies in a civil war and temporary truce context.
Building future sustainable cities: the need for a new mindset
Authors: Mezher Toufic
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to emphasise the need for changing the mindset of all the players of the construction industry in order to meet the sustainability challenges, energy and resources, in building future cities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces the need for collaboration and coordination between all the players in the construction industry in order to develop construction innovation and technology to build sustainable cities.

Findings

The construction industry needs to shift to a new mindset in the development of existing or new cities. Global warming and depletion of natural resources cannot be ignored any more. Project planning should take into consideration the “From Cradle to Grave” concepts and Life Cycle Assessments.

Originality/value

This paper provides the reader with an overview of the challenges that are facing humanity and shows how to built future cities in order to improve the quality of life and preserve natural resources.
House construction CO2 footprint quantification: a BIM approach
Authors: Mah Don , Manrique Juan D. , Yu Haitao , Al‐Hussein Mohamed , Nasseri Reza
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to establish a baseline for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions quantification in the current residential construction process. Opportunities to reduce the environmental footprint of the homebuilding process are also identified.

Design/methodology/approach

CO2 emissions of various house construction stages are quantified and utilised in a 3D building information model. This allows rapid emission computations for various house sizes, designs and materials. An intelligent database calculates emissions for different house styles with different construction processes.

Findings

Two construction stages (basement walls foundation and framing) were identified as high CO2 emissions contributors. In addition, equipment operation on site, transportation to and from the site and heating for curing concrete were identified as the main sources of emissions during construction.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the limited attention given to CO2 emissions during the actual construction process. The introduction of building information modeling for quantifying emissions in the construction process is of significant value. This research is pertinent to the international homebuilding industry and homebuyers who all have a role in mitigating CO2 emissions.
Maintenance contractors acting as service innovators
Authors: Straub A. (Ad)
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how performance‐based contracting functions as an enabler of service innovation by maintenance contractors.

Design/methodology/approach

A postal survey of medium‐sized maintenance employers was carried out. The questionnaire and findings were mapped and analysed combining existing models of service innovation and service quality.

Findings

As a consequence of the survey, performance‐based contracting maintenance companies implement innovations in their service concept, client interface and service delivery system to guarantee the quality of their services. The maintenance contractors have launched new, improved or better competing services for their own organisation. Existing services are implemented in a new environment incorporating small incremental innovations.

Research limitations/implications

Maintenance companies do not solely address all business innovations as consequences of performance‐based contracting. Performance‐based contracting of, for example, building services may by the different nature of the maintenance strategies and activities lead to somewhat other outcomes.

Originality/value

There is very little literature on maintenance contractors as service providers and service innovators. This paper provides insights in innovations by maintenance contractors as well as the needed additional knowledge and competences of the contractors acting as maintenance‐engineering consultants.
A strategic standpoint on maintenance taxonomy
Authors: Khazraei Khashayar , Deuse Jochen
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Maintenance, an essential element of facilities management and a fundamental requisite for increasing availability and sustaining stable processes, has been the focus of technical research for decades. However, there has not been a concrete and well‐structured classification of different maintenance types that is accepted globally. The need for such a widely acceptable classification is the main incentive to delve into and create a new maintenance taxonomy. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper gathers and reviews several examples of maintenance classifications and viewpoints from different geographical regions in the world. Afterwards, it integrates various maintenance‐related terms and terminologies with the authors' systematic‐thinking approach, systems thinking, based on which strategic thinking is formed. Consequently, this combination results in a globally acceptable systematic classification of maintenance.

Findings

The outcome of this scientific endeavour is a newly developed maintenance taxonomy, which is established according to the correct and clear‐cut use of the terminologies of strategy, policy and tactic, which correspondingly connote the art and science of what, the plan and guideline of how, and the style and methodology of how.

Practical implications

This paper provides maintenance and facility stakeholders with a new maintenance taxonomy based on the available terminologies and practices taking into account the conception of strategy science. Such a classification cannot only ease the technical communication in this sector but also be accepted as a global standard due its lucid and logical structure.

Originality/value

Aside from the literature review and comparison of different maintenance terminologies and classifications, the paper offers a new methodical classification of maintenance, which has a strong scientific foundation and can be commonly accepted as a standard in the field of maintenance and facilities management.
The influence of facility layout on operations explored
Authors: Zijlstra Emma , Mobach Mark P.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of an office canteen layout on operations, specifically on customer behaviour before checkout, waiting times, and congestion.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study was made in the context of discovery and exemplification. The sample was not randomly obtained: the method of recruitment was purposive and convenient. Two Dutch office canteens were selected based on their motivation to participate in the study. A small exploratory study aiming to report on current practices and to inform on possibilities for future research and intervention. With direct observations the behaviour, waiting times, and congestion of 47 customers were analyzed. Customer behaviour was reported qualitatively, waiting times and congestion were reported quantitatively.

Findings

Canteens where customers can move freely before checkout queue, allow them to move away from congestion towards food products and to have more favourable waiting times than customers in canteens with layouts requiring a strict order and line‐up for self‐service and checkout.

Practical implications

The results contribute to the managerial repertoire of facilities managers by illuminating latent positive influences of facility layout on operations, which can stimulate the design of better facilities.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the understanding of how facilities are interwoven with operations. It also informs on possibilities for future research in this area, for instance, combining approaches that originate from facilities management and operations management. This may lead to future research to recommend specific designs or behaviour‐inducing layouts for increased operational enhancements.
Enhancing facilities management through generational awareness
Authors: Hebert Paulette , Chaney Sylvia
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Facilities management centers on the triad of people, process, and place, but the element of people is incomplete without recognition and consideration of the different generations that make up today's workforce and the differences between these groups. The purpose of this article is to suggest that facilities managers should take advantage of available current information on generational differences, in order to maximize their ability to manage people and knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

This article presents pertinent findings from a recent pilot study that surveyed 55 facilities management professionals from the mid‐Western USA, presents a brief overview of current knowledge relating to generational differences, and highlights the relevance of such knowledge to effective facilities management.

Findings

Almost one quarter of the respondents to the pilot study did not agree that knowledge of generational differences was important, while about half of the respondents only somewhat agreed that it was important. However, a survey of relevant literature suggests that successful management of generational differences in the workplace has the potential to improve the efficiency and viability of an enterprise, including facilitating knowledge management.

Research limitations/implications

The current study is limited by its small sample size. Additional research is needed to further examine the value facilities managers place on generational knowledge and the relationship between facilities management and knowledge management.

Originality/value

The current paucity of information regarding the relationship between generational differences, facilities management, and knowledge management makes studies like this one relevant and valuable to facilities managers operating in a workplace with unprecedented generational diversity and an increasingly knowledge‐driven economy.