bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional computational modelling of momentum, heat and mass transfer in laser surface alloying with distributed melting of alloying element
Authors: Mohan Raj P. , Sarkar S. , Chakraborty S. , Dutta P.
Published: November 2002

A transient, three‐dimensional mathematical model of a single‐pass laser surface alloying process has been developed to examine the macroscopic heat, momentum and species transport during the process. A numerical study is performed in a co‐ordinate system moving with the laser at a constant scanning speed. A fixed grid enthalpy‐porosity approach is used, which predicts the evolutionary development of the laser‐melted pool. It is observed that the melting of the added alloying element is not instantaneous in case its melting temperature is higher as compared to that of the base metal. As a result, the addition of alloying element at the top surface cannot be accurately modelled as a mass flux boundary condition at that surface. To resolve this situation, the addition of alloying elements is formulated by devising a species generation term for the solute transport equation. By employing a particle‐tracking algorithm and a simultaneous particle‐melting consideration, the species source term is estimated by the amount of fusion of a spherical particle as it passes through a particular control volume. Numerical simulations are performed for Ni as alloying element on Al base metal. It is revealed that the present model makes a distinctly different prediction of composition variation within the resolidified microstructure, as compared to a model that does not incorporate any considerations of distributed melting.
Innovation’s dynamics in mobile phone services in France
Authors: Hamdouch Abdelillah , Samuelides Esther
Published: November 2002

This paper follows recent research about the importance, the variety and the development of innovation in the service industries. We study the innovations which have appeared in the fast growing activity of mobile telecommunication services in France. These innovations have essentially been commercial, affecting tariffs, marketing formulas and the service‐content, including the relationship to customers. Besides, carriers also reconfigured their organization in developing new working tools and innovative partnerships. The emergence and the diffusion of these innovations reveal a systemic and dynamic competitive process. The innovations’ path appears specific to each carrier, although the imitation/innovation logic shapes the competition dynamics which prevail within similar service industries.
Innovation and firm size: an empirical study for Spanish engineering consulting companies
Authors: Arias‐Aranda Daniel , Minguela‐Rata Beatriz , Rodríguez‐Duarte Antonio
Published: November 2002

This paper studies the influence of firm size over degree of innovation in a service sector, specifically in engineering consulting and technology services in Spain. A multiple regression analysis was used to test hypothesis about firm size positive influence over degree of innovation in services. To avoid distortions in this main relationship, three control variables were introduced (degree of standardisation, degree of customisation, and number of firm’s activities). Results seem to indicate that firm size, measured by turnover, is related positively with degree of innovation, independently of moderate influence of control variables.
Commercializing intellectual property: a university‐industry alliance for new product development
Authors: Logar Cyril M. , Ponzurick Thomas G. , Spears John R. , Russo France Karen
Published: November 2002

This article outlines a process, whereby public research efforts can be joined with private sector product needs creating a commercialization culture that can help provide opportunities and address the barriers of new product concepts for the marketplace. The issues discussed here were identified through research efforts that explored the opportunity to align academic research with private sector commercialization efforts. The purpose is to identify academic and private sector linkages that may benefit and enhance new product research efforts with the goal of moving faculty‐driven product research from inception to marketplace commercialization. The end result is a process by which public sector (institutions of higher education) and private sector organizations can interact to develop new products for the commercial marketplace that will meet the burgeoning product needs of current and future customers.
Revitalizing mature packaged goods
Authors: Wansink Brian , Huffman Cynthia
Published: November 2002

Managers of mature or established brands have received little guidance regarding the strategic and tactical decisions they must make to keep their brands healthy. By focusing on how existing consumers perceive, choose, and use brands, this paper suggests how managers can generate and prioritize strategic and tactical opportunities for revitalizing their brands. Specific recommendations are presented as to how these strategies can be successfully implemented by brands with differing levels of market share and resources.
A conceptual study on brand valuation
Authors: Seetharaman A. , Azlan Bin Mohd Nadzir Zainal , Gunalan S.
Published: November 2002

Recognizing brands on the company’s financial statement as an identifiable intangible asset is a relatively recent development in financial reporting, which only became a focus of attention in the late 1980s. Accounting bodies throughout the world have appeared uncertain as to how to treat the issue of placing a brand in the financial statement as there is little guidance and less understanding over accounting treatment of brand valuation. The debate over procedures for valuing brands and including them as a fixed asset to the corporate financial statement has become a great controversy. As a descriptive study, the present conceptual study highlights the problems associated with brand valuation. Many corporate companies support the fact that valuing and hence capitalizing their brand bring a lot of advantages to the organization. The present study examines four main methods of valuing brands, namely the cost‐based method, market‐based method, income‐based method and formulary method. The method used in every valuation is subject to the suitability of the brand condition determined on their existing uses. A few recommendations based on the conceptual study are made in order to meet the needs of organizations and the business community as well.
Competencies for retail leadership: accurate, acceptable, affordable
Authors: Boak George , Coolican Diane
Published: November 2002

Describes the development of a competency model for middle‐senior managers in a large fashion retailing company, to encourage them to act more strategically. Discusses the relative benefits of researching a custom‐made model against using or adapting a generic model. Describes how the model has been used in the company for training and development. Evaluates the model against a critical view of management competencies.
Employees as “co‐intrapreneurs” – a transformation concept
Authors: Wunderer Rolf
Published: November 2002

The article offers a systemic framework and transformational concept of “co‐intrapreneurship”, which is defined as the efficient support of the enterprise strategy by problem‐solving, socially competent and implementation‐oriented thinking, and the acting of as large a number of employees as possible at all hierarchies and functional areas with a high degree of self‐initiative and sense of responsibility. The classical leadership model of hierarchy and bureaucracy is questioned and internal market control and co‐operative social networks are offered as alternative systems of co‐ordination. A particular emphasis is placed on a specific leadership and typology approach for selection and assessing co‐intrapreneurial potential, key competencies and motivation, which also serve as target‐oriented strategy for developing “co‐intrapreneurship”. In addition to presenting illustrative figures and referring to various empirical studies and surveys, the article concludes with some practical guiding principles for the advancement of effective “co‐intrapreneurship”.
Process improvement through performance measurement: the balanced scorecard methodology
Authors: Amaratunga Dilanthi , Baldry David , Sarshar Marjan
Published: November 2002

One of the hallmarks of leading‐edge organisations – be they public or private – has been the successful application of performance measurement to gain insight into, and make judgements about, the organisation, and the effectiveness and efficiency of its programmes, processes, and people. The balanced scorecard (BSC) is a widely used management framework for the measurement of organisational performance. The BSC concept suggests that the state of processes of an organisation can be best assessed by taking a “balanced” view across a range of performance measures. This article seeks to offer an insight into the BSC, the key features of the concept and issues that must be addressed in its implementation as a process improvement technique. Further, it identifies the BSC methodology as a means of deploying strategic direction, communicating expectations, and measuring progress towards agreed objectives.
Management decisions for a continuous improvement process in industry using the analytical hierarchy process
Authors: Labib Ashraf W. , Shah Jinesh
Published: November 2002

Continuous improvement strategies are of increasing importance but difficult to establish and sustain. This paper uses multiple criteria decision‐making (MCDM), based on the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), as a means of systematising the decision process underlying strategy determination. A generic framework is developed to formulate an ideal strategy for a continuous improvement process (CIP) using AHP. The paper also discusses issues relating to consistency and sensitivity analysis.
Improving the quality of the credit authorization process
Authors: Leung W.K. , Lai K.K.
Published: November 2002

This paper proposes that the quality of a company’s authorization system should be measured by two major considerations. First, the system should enhance the quality of customer service by reducing the waiting time at the point of sale. Second, it should reduce the risk of accepting transactions of bad credit. In this paper, a major credit card company is used to demonstrate how the credit authorization process can be improved using a quantitative approach. Opportunities for quality improvement were first identified through brainstorming sessions with top management, using quality improvement tools. A new sampling inspection scheme was then developed, based on analysis of the risk of requests for transactions in different industries. With the new inspection scheme, the total inspection cost was significantly reduced. A queuing model was then used to redesign the authorization process. Finally, a simulation model was used to test and evaluate the new process design. As a result of these improvements, it was determined that more than US$2.5 million was saved annually and authorization efficiency was improved by more than 40 per cent.
Barriers to clinical guidelines: the need for concerted action
Authors: Foy Robbie , Walker Anne , Penney Gillian
Published: November 2002

Aims to provide a framework for identifying barriers to the implementation of a clinical guideline by examining a clinical effectiveness programme and a review of relevant literature. A total of 41 types of barrier were identified and categorised according to characteristics of the guideline to be introduced, the individuals who need to change behaviour and the organisation or environment in which the change is to occur. Several groups have the potential to overcome such barriers, ranging from individual clinicians to national policy makers. Multi‐level as well as multi‐faceted strategies may be required to overcome barriers to the effective implementation of clinical guidelines.
Enabling clinical governance: a primary care audit of prescribing for heart failure in central Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Buetow Stephen , Coster Gregor
Published: November 2002

There is little evidence that treatment advances have improved the prognosis of heart failure in the community. One explanation is the failure of doctors to undertake necessary prescribing. Reports elsewhere how a modified Delphi approach, based on the RAND Health Services utilisation study method, was used to produce audit criteria for necessary prescribing for systolic heart failure in New Zealand (NZ) general practice. Reports experience of applying these criteria in late 1999 to the medical notes of a random sample of 70 patients with heart failure, as defined by a recorded diagnosis in 30 practices in central Auckland, NZ. Use of the audit criteria was feasible and appears valid, although the methods used to apply them need to be simplified to be of use as a practical means of promoting clinical governance. The small patient sample demands caution in interpreting the results. However, uncommon yet plausible findings, such as the high frequency of ACE inhibitor prescribing for heart failure, deserve further investigation.
Regional research and development network supporting professions allied to medicine
Authors: Plant R.D. , Lossing‐Rangecroft C.
Published: November 2002

Six professions allied to medicine (PAMs) participated in a one‐year project designed to provide a novel self‐sustaining framework within which to increase research and development effectiveness in the Northern and Yorkshire region. The project was based on recognition that the multiplicity and diversity of professional structures and lack of representation of clinical PAMs were obstacles to effective governance. All 37 clinical NHS trusts within the Region took part. The professions selected to participate were chiropody and podiatry, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and therapeutic radiography. A planned process of consultation and consensus was used involving Trust representatives, development workers and advisory group. A PAMs R&D network and forum were achieved and operate at three levels: Trust; locality; and region. Access to existing structures is facilitated at each level and the Forum offers a reliable and rapid route for transfer of information, engagement with R&D and consultation with policy initiatives.
The role of the Ombudsman in the risk management process
Authors: Cowan Jane
Published: November 2002

Considers the role of the Ombudsman’s office in the NHS. It also stresses that, whilst improvements have already been made in the format and style of investigation reports, these are still not being used to their full advantage as teaching aids for staff. An overall review of the publications issued by the Ombudsman highlights the poor dissemination of information to NHS staff. Also discusses the types of complaints dealt with by the Ombudsman and points out the small percentage of complaints which are referred to the Ombudsman or even upheld. Support and resources are the essential elements to improving service and the results of the Ombudsman’s investigations are designed to assist in the ongoing development of risk management and clinical governance in the NHS.
The new CONSORT system
Authors: Earl Slater Alan
Published: November 2002

Examines a particular system for reporting clinical trials: the revised CONSORT system. Identifies its evolution and key components, indicating who may go on to use it, posting its key strengths, and concludes by identifying its outstanding limitations.
The state of human resource management: evidence from employees’ views of HRM systems and staff
Authors: Gibb Stephen
Published: November 2002

Recent research exploring a range of arguments about trends in human resource management (HRM) provides contrasting evidence in evaluating the state of HRM. Methods using either fit with “best practice” or fit with contingencies as ways of evaluating the state of HRM have been foremost. Investigating the employees “point of view” has been proposed as an alternative in some recent studies. The research reported here is based on this alternative method. It describes employees views of HRM in their organisations based on a survey of 2,632 employees in 73 companies. The findings are that employees report areas of strength in HRM that include training and development, rewards, and levels of personal motivation. Employees also rate the performance of HR staff highly across a range of services. Noticeable areas of weakness in HRM, in employees’ estimations, exist in the management of staffing levels, aspects of recruitment and retention, communication, and with levels of morale in the organisation as a whole. These findings justify a mixed but overall positive picture of the state of HRM. The problems of analysing employee views of HRM in this type of study, to address arguments with evidence, are considered in conclusion.
Mutuality, learning and change at work: the case of employee led development
Authors: Thursfield Denise , Hamblett John
Published: November 2002

The concepts of mutuality, learning and change are embedded in the ideas surrounding employee led development (ELD) schemes. This paper explores the extent to which these concepts are an accurate reflection of the way such schemes are organised in practice. The article is based on qualitative research carried out in two small to medium sized enterprises in the north of England. We will show that while ELD can be beneficial to employees, attempts to apply the concepts of mutuality, learning and change require caution.
From adversarialism to partnership?
Authors: Gall Gregor
Published: November 2002

This article critically examines the proposition that industrial relations in banking in the UK are undergoing a move from paternalism to adversarialism and then to partnership. It uses these as ideal‐types totrack and explain the developments in industrial relations and argues that the sectoris sufficiently diverse across space and time and subject to different forces as tobelie sucha straight‐forward and simple characterisation.
The role of employee‐generated externalities in explaining relative earnings for health‐service workers
Authors: White Michael , O’Neill Ciaran
Published: November 2002

Asymmetric information between producer and consumer of health care gives rise to a principal‐agent relationship between these two parties. If the consumer of care can credibly assume that producers are motivated by factors other than selfish gain obvious benefits in terms of process utility will accrue and the delivery of care will be facilitated. Examination of earnings equations using a UK data set, where monetary and non‐monetary employer‐provided benefits have been controlled for reveals that in the UK health‐service workers earn less than employees with comparable skills generally. Employee‐generated externalities associated with pursuance of personal goals, it is contended, explain these differences. When such factors are controlled for, returns to health‐service workers are seen to be comparable with those of workers generally. It is concluded that health‐service workers are “different” from workers generally – though not uniquely – in as much as they make reference to arguments in their objective functions to a greater extent than do workers generally. These arguments could, with justification, be termed philanthropic motives. This, we contend, questions the validity of standard neoclassical theory as it relates to this group of workers and demands more thoughtful policy responses in devising incentives in this sector.
A Veblenian‐inspired critique of the “quasi‐markets” concept
Authors: McMaster Robert
Published: November 2002

“Quasi‐markets” is the term predominantly employed as a means of conceptualising and describing the market‐oriented reforms primarily, but not exclusively, to the welfare state in the UK. This paper argues that the term, as popularly defined, cannot sustain a suitable analytical frame in the examination of an evolutionary process. In so doing, the paper draws heavily on Thorstein Veblen’s distinction between evolutionary and teleological approaches. The quasi‐markets concept, grounded in Oliver Williamson’s transaction cost economics, is predicated on the existence of “conventional markets”, defined as perfect competition. It is claimed that this renders the term devoid of analytical usefulness. Moreover, by presenting a narrow conception of exchange the quasi‐market terminology tacitly conveys an insipid pro‐market stance.
Lean production and disability
Authors: Spithoven A.H.G.M.
Published: November 2002

Since the early 1980s, Dutch productivity rates have been driven by a shift from traditional mass production firms to lean production. It slightly counteracted the generally acknowledged procyclical productivity rates; instead of working less hard during the recession of the 1980s and 1990s, employed labor had to work harder. Because the combination of mass and craft production makes lean production very demanding on employees, it appears to be more stressful than production in a traditional firm. This possibly influenced the rise of disability in the 1980s and 1990s, when almost one‐third of disabilities were due to “mental disorders”.
The social costs of media feeding frenzies
Authors: Sutter Daniel
Published: November 2002

Concern over the cost of excessive media coverage has increased in recent years. This paper offers an explanation of excessive coverage as an application of the tragedy of the commons, resulting from a lack of property rights over a story. News organizations consider only their private costs in covering a story, not the external costs of lower quality of overall coverage and invasion of privacy. However, restricting access to a story can also facilitate censorship. This paper consider means of limiting access which do not compromise journalistic freedom, specifically examining the parallel to tradeable discharge permits in environmental economics.
Towards a theory of the entrepreneurial state
Authors: Fu‐Lai Yu Tony
Published: November 2002

This paper attempts to develop a model of the “entrepreneurial state” based on Schutz’s theory of human action. It aims to improve the understanding of the nature of state action and of entrepreneurial processes in the public sector. From the subjectivist paradigm, this paper argues that the state, like private enterprises, has purposes and public sector agents engage in conscious actions toward chosen goals which can be attended only in the future. In terms of mental constructs, the public entrepreneur’s opportunity identification activities involve four major stages. Using their imagination, they project, select, elaborate on and eventually implement the opportunity ideas. Given structural uncertainty, public sector agents will unavoidably make errors in trying to plan and implement a new project. Over time, with learning and the growth of knowledge, errors are then eliminated. The revision of plans by state agents – the source of policy change – is thus portrayed as a continuous process of learning and experimentation oriented towards the future. Since entrepreneurship implies strategic planning, and the nation needs to formulate development strategies with the aim of building competitive advantage, the last part of the paper discusses entrepreneurial intervention in association with the state’s resource base and capabilities. By referring to the Asian newly industrialised economies, this paper suggests a new approach to understanding state action and government intervention.
Modelling the effect of information feedback on the spread of the Ebola virus
Authors: O’Regan Bernadette , Moles Richard
Published: November 2002

Describes the application of the tools and techniques of the system dynamics method to the complex problem of understanding the spread of the Ebola virus. The main deliverable of this research is a computer simulation model in the system dynamics tradition. The essence of system dynamics is to act as a framework for formalising mental models of a problem. In this respect, the system dynamics simulation model presented here is a theory describing the structure of, and interrelationships between, the factors which impact on an outbreak of the Ebola virus and the attempts to contain it. The model, comprising 57 interrelated variables, is structured to represent a group of rural villages served by one local hospital, remote from regional and national medical laboratories. Such a structure typifies the circumstances of recent Ebola outbreaks in central Africa.
A survey of carbon monoxide in student rented flats in London, UK
Authors: Horner Jonathan M. , Hutchings Diana F. , Frank Thomas F.P.
Published: November 2002

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a potentially lethal gas which cannot be detected by the senses. Each year in the UK, at least 50 people die from acute CO poisoning caused by emissions from gas heaters. Many hundreds more suffer symptoms of chronic poisoning, including headaches, sickness and chest pains, which are easily misdiagnosed. CO concentrations were measured in 20 student rented flats with gas heating appliances, in London. In 16 flats, peak concentrations did not exceed 10ppm and 11 of these did not exceed 2ppm during the eight hour monitoring period. Only one flat exceeded WHO guideline concentrations, having a one hour mean concentration of 36ppm and the highest peak concentration of 86ppm. One other flat had one hour and eight hour means approaching WHO guideline concentrations. Further research and monitoring of CO levels in UK homes is recommended to determine the extent of this problem and to evaluate contributions from different sources. Action, including further monitoring, is needed to reduce the levels of CO in homes with elevated CO concentrations and to increase awareness of the dangers and symptoms of CO poisoning.
Socio‐economic benefits of leaded gasoline phase‐out
Authors: Hashisho Z. , El‐Fadel M.
Published: November 2002

Lead emissions from vehicles using leaded gasoline is a serious environmental problem in urban areas. While leaded gasoline has been completely phased out in many developed countries, it is still the predominant fuel grade in most developing countries. This paper presents an estimation of the health and economic benefits and costs of the transition from leaded to unleaded gasoline in Lebanon based on relevant dose‐response functions and available country‐specific data. Comparing the potential costs of the phase‐out and the predicted benefits, it was concluded that such action is economically highly justified.
Effective microbial degradation of organochlorines in fluidised bed reactor
Authors: Meierling Lars , Hegemann Werner
Published: November 2002

The aerobic microbial treatment of a groundwater contaminated with several organic compounds was investigated. This microbial process was combined with posttreatment by activated carbon. Mixed cultures were immobilised on polyurethane foam carrier material in a fluidised bed reactor. The main contaminants benzene and chlorobenzene were almost completely eliminated. Elimination rates remained high even at hydraulic retention times of about two hours. A complete elimination of the haloorganic compounds resistant to microbial degradation was achieved by subsequent adsorption on activated carbon. On the basis of the elimination rates and hydraulic retention times, established by these investigations, a technical scale plant combining microbial degradation and polishing adsorption can be designed. Due to the high degree of microbial mineralisation the presented process offers economic advantages over conventional methods. The quantity of residual waste products for disposal is also minimised.
Urban and peri‐urban water‐related relationships: closing the loops
Authors: Bahri Akissa
Published: November 2002

Urban population growth has increased pressure on natural resources, water in particular. It has resulted in serious water stresses, poor waste management and severe diffuse pollution. To achieve more favourable solutions, there is a need to look for technological alternatives based on the principles of closing cycles. Incorporation of the agricultural system to the sanitary system with nutrient recycling is one of the major ways of closing the loops in urban and peri‐urban areas. However, various partnerships with all actors of the civil society should be established. Development and implementation of successful reuse operations require more research work to define urban models in which material cycles are closed at affordable economic costs. This paper aims at discussing alternative water management approaches to ensure environmentally sound urban and peri‐urban water‐related relationships.
Web‐based tools for environmental management
Authors: Karatzas Kostas , Moussiopoulos Nicolas , Papadopoulos Agis
Published: November 2002

Contemporary urban environmental management calls for dissemination of environmental information among the public. This can be achieved by using a simple, while at the same time efficient, environmental management system platform, that integrates the monitoring and modelling of environmental data. The use of such a platform enables the urban planner and the environment‐related decision maker to have direct access to the relevant monitoring data, while a library of environmental management scenarios is developed and can be enriched. This article discusses the results of the IRENIE Environmental Telematics project in Athens, Greece, including the Web‐based geographical information system and its configuration. This specific project involves the application possibilities mentioned above, while integrating environmental monitoring, modelling and mapping over the Internet. The results discussed here demonstrate a significant increase in the capabilities of relevant authorities to advance their environmental management potential and to better inform the sensitive members of the public on potential health hazards.
Integrating the ecodesign concept in small and medium‐sized enterprises, Experiences in the Flemish region of Belgium
Authors: Vercalsteren An
Published: November 2002

In Belgium, small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are not very aware of the possibility of integrating the life cycle concept in the development of products. “Ecodesign” is more a topic of interest for larger companies. In this context, the Flemish Government, more specifically the Public Waste Agency of the Flemish Region (OVAM), launched a demonstration project, which aimed to check whether SMEs are capable of taking account of the environmental aspects of their products over the entire life cycle and creating more environment‐friendly products. The results of this project in the participating companies were fairly positive. However, the project also showed that there are several factors that influence the failure or success of ecodesign in a company. To screen the ecodesign potential of a company, the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (Vito) developed a tool, called the “Quick Scan”. Another conclusion of the demonstration project was that a very important success factor for an ecodesign project is the tool the company applies to analyse the environmental impacts of the product over the entire life cycle. Anticipating this problem, Vito developed a selection scheme that allows a company to select the most appropriate tool for the environmental analysis of their products, based on a number of criteria.
Building intellectual capital in the supply chain – the role of e‐commerce
Authors: O’Keeffe Michael
Published: November 2002

Business‐to‐business e‐commerce enhances the competitiveness of the firm by building relationship intangible assets that form the foundation for collaboration‐based strategies.
Collaborative buyer‐supplier relationships in Hong Kong manufacturing firms
Authors: Humphreys P.K. , Shiu W.K. , Chan F.T.S.
Published: November 2002

The relationships between buyers and suppliers have received considerable attention in recent years. Traditionally, buyer‐supplier relationships were considered as adversarial, arm’s‐length transactions. However, this relationship is moving towards a more collaborative approach. This change is subjected to the belief that suppliers are essential sources to gain competitive advantage in world markets in terms of their expertise, knowledge and their ability to share risks. The paper presents the initial findings from the responses of large companies in Hong Kong about their supplier criteria requirement. The results are also compared with a similar study conducted in the United Kingdom to obtain a clearer picture concerning Eastern and Western approaches to strategic purchasing. Some of the key reasons for the differences between purchasing practices in European and Asian companies are outlined. Such information is potentially useful since it can be used as a reference guideline for suppliers when initiating collaborative relationships with customers, who may come from different cultural backgrounds.
Empirical analysis of supplier selection and involvement, customer satisfaction, and firm performance
Authors: Tracey Michael , Leng Tan Chong
Published: November 2002

Supply chain management as a system of operation continues to evolve. This study employs confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis to examine empirically the relationships among supplier selection criteria (quality, delivery reliability, product performance and unit price), supplier involvement on design teams and in continuous improvement programs, four dimensions of customer satisfaction (competitive pricing, product quality, product variety, and delivery service), and overall firm performance.
A design for the environment methodology to support an environmental management system
Authors: Santos‐Reyes D.E. , Lawlor‐Wright T.
Published: November 2002

The demand for more stringent environmental regulation on product end‐of‐life and production processes is enhanced by customer concerns for environmental protection. This has increased the need for industry to address environmental issues in the product design process. The emergence of international standards for environmental management, such as the ISO 14000 series, has also created a strong incentive for manufacturers to promote environmentally conscious products and processes. Considerable progress has been made in design for the environment (DFE). However, there is still a need for a structured approach to DFE that addresses environmental concerns in a coherent way. This approach should also support an environmental management system (EMS). This paper describes an organised process to address the problem of integrating environmental concerns into an early product design process that is consistent with such international standards as ISO 14001 EMS. This approach may help to improve the environmental performance of a product and to support an organisation’s EMS.
An analytical hierarchy process assessment of the ISO 14001 environmental management system
Authors: Pun K.F. , Hui I.K.
Published: November 2002

Nowadays, designing and manufacturing of environmental friendly products has become an integral part of business strategy. Increasing consciousness of environmental protection has fostered the development of environmental management systems (EMS). In this paper, the critical decision criteria, sub‐criteria and benefits of ISO 14001 EMS were studied using an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approach. An empirical study was performed to investigate the relative weights and priorities of these criteria and benefits. An AHP decision model of EMS adoption was established, and a set of decision criteria, sub‐criteria and benefits of ISO 14001 EMS was examined. By consolidating the acquired judgements of executives and consultants from a number of ISO 14001 registered organizations, this paper demonstrates that the AHP decision model can be developed to help organizations study the ISO 14001 EMS adoption problem. The decision criteria and benefits of the adoption can be assessed in an analytical way.
An enhanced MPS solution for FMS using GAs
Authors: Keung K.W. , Ip W.H. , Chan C.Y.
Published: November 2002

Presents the master production scheduling (MPS) problem of a flexible manufacturing system (FMS). Earliness/tardiness production scheduling and planning (ETPSP) is one of the solutions used to integrate MRP and JIT effectively. Previous researches on ETPSP have only applied to problems of single/parallel machines with earliness and tardiness penalties on a common due date and capacity. Proposes a revised ETPSP for the purpose of developing an MPS that can fit into the FMS environment where a multiple machine capacity on multi‐processes and batch sizes is included. Outlines the application of an enhanced ETPSP method using a genetic algorithm (GA) solution to solve a multi‐product FMS production problem. Shows that the use of the improved ETPSP model can represent a real life FMS environment and that a solution can be effectively and efficiently obtained using the GA approach.
Quality improvement in manufacturing through human performance enhancement
Authors: Govindaraju Majorkumar , Pennathur Arunkumar , Mital Anil
Published: November 2002

In the increasingly competitive global economy, survival of an industry depends on catering to customer needs by quickly producing quality products and providing quality service at an affordable price. In production, or in service, ergonomic considerations have manifested themselves in two distinct, yet related, domains. Focuses on the humans who contribute to product manufacture/service. It is frequently advocated that since humans are unreliable and less consistent, compared to machines, they are primarily responsible for lowering product and service quality. Ergonomic considerations, which, ironically, can improve human performance, are paid lip service during manufacturing system design. Compounding the problem is the current inability of most ergonomists to make ergonomic recommendations that do not run counter to the productivity and quality goals of system designers. Addresses these two issues by illustrating, through four case studies, the relationship between quality and variables that affect human performance.
Service quality performance measurement in public/private sectors
Authors: Black Stewart , Briggs Senga , Keogh William
Published: November 2002

Provides an overview of UK public and private sector organisations’ use of performance information relating to service quality. While they have made some headway in improving the range of performance information they have available, and in their use of such information, significant problems remain. These problems include those of: conceptual mis‐development; limitations in recognising the needs of different stakeholders for such information; data shortage difficulties; and both technical and analytical under‐development of practice. Assesses the outlook for development of greater understanding of service quality measurement and makes a number of suggestions for dealing with these problems.
Chief executives – hear thyselves: leadership requirements for 5‐S/TQM implementation in healthcare
Authors: Nwabueze Uche
Published: November 2002

The provision of leadership by senior management of an organisation is universally acclaimed by most writers as one of the most important factors for the successful implementation of total quality management. However, there has been little attempt to delineate the essential leadership requirements for TQM, particularly in a healthcare setting. Based on a survey of 50 chief executives within the UK National Health Service, the first empirically based leadership requirements model which uniquely integrates the Japanese 5‐S (Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, Shitsuke) for the health industry is offered.
Managerial auditing the WorldCup
Authors: Ho Samuel K.M.
Published: November 2002

In the semi‐final World Cup 1990, England lost to West Germany in the penalty knock‐out. The Italian team had similar experience when they lost to Brazil in the world cup final 1994. History repeats itself – in WC’98, England lost to Argentina and Italy lost to France by the same mistakes. In an attempt to audit the defeats, the author developed the S‐H method of managerial auditing and used the world cup match examples to illustrate the significance of the S‐H method in auditing managerial processes.
Logistics in the Internet age: towards a holistic information and processes picture
Authors: Alshawi Sarmad
Published: November 2002

It is unquestioned that the growth of the Internet is a significant phenomenon. Not only is there an exponential growth in the exchange of goods and services over the Internet, but the Internet has changed the way information can be accessed and used. This short paper posits that the Internet has made a fundamental change in the nature of the supply chain information within an organisation. It also describes how Internet technologies have changed the visibility of the processes in the organisation’s supply chain. Visibility concerns both information about processes and the capability for interacting with these processes. We conclude by asserting why a horizontal wide‐view picture of all partners in a supply chain has to be taken in order to reap the commercial advantages offered by the new technology.
The competition aspect of construction alliances
Authors: Ngowi A.B.
Published: November 2002

The primary purpose of forming an alliance in the construction industry is to pool together the resources of the participating partners in order to form a team that has a competitive advantage. Each partner in an alliance has its own competence and market share that do not necessarily fall under the alliance as common resources. Therefore, although the competitive advantage aimed at when forming an alliance is for common profits, each partner has a possibility of using it (the competitive advantage) for private profits (i.e. activities that do not fall under the alliance). Using a case study from Botswana, this paper argues that a construction alliance strives as long as the profits created by common activities are substantially higher than the ones that can be created by private activities. Once one of the partners in the alliance can create the competitive advantage in question on its own, it will opt out of the alliance through such mechanisms as withdrawing some of its key contributions to the alliance.
International collaboration and bidding through the high technology defence industry: a technical note
Authors: Graham G. , Hardaker G. , Sharp J.
Published: November 2002

The central aim of this paper is to link the competitive performance of small defence firms to their ability to adapt to changes in the Ministry of Defence procurement process favouring more European collaboration. The paper draws upon an extensive research study focused on small, high technology defence firms in the UK. The empirical analysis on the ability to create and sustain competitive advantages focuses on strategic determinants, and those inter‐organisational variables that influence the performance of small firms in tendering for defence sub‐contracts on major European offset programmes. The theoretical underpinnings of the study are based on a strategic positioning approach to bidding, which is underpinned by the positioning school of strategy that grew out of Porter’s conceptual work on competition, a major theme of which is the proposed relationship between industry structure, strategy and performance. The authors’ methodology was to use percentage success rate as a measure of success for the period 1998 through to mid‐1999.
Beyond electronic disintermediation through multi‐agent systems
Authors: Nissen Mark E.
Published: November 2002

Supply chain management represents a critical competency in today’s global business environment and has been the focus of considerable, but mixed, information systems research. The research described in this paper builds on work in multi‐agent systems to argue that intelligent agents offer excellent potential and capability for supply chain management, and contributes to discussion and theory pertaining to electronic markets and supply chain disintermediation. Argues that the knowledge associated with intermediation work represents a key mediating variable between disintermediating technology and supply chain efficacy and discusses how intelligent agent technology can be employed to both intermediate and disintermediate the supply chain, attaining the cost and cycle‐time benefits of disintermediation without the attendant loss of human knowledge and expertise. The paper outlines a number of implications for theory and practice in information systems, and it formalizes some important research questions through a contingency framework to help stimulate and guide future work along these lines.
Implementing virtual teamworking: Part 3 – a methodology for introducing virtual teamworking
Authors: Bal Jay , Teo P.K.
Published: November 2002

There is a gap in the existing literature relating to the implementation of virtual teamworking for engineering collaboration, and concurrent engineering in particular. This paper discusses the development of a methodology focused on guiding companies implementing virtual teamworking for engineering collaboration. The key principle of the methodology is to consider the implementation of virtual teaming as a business project rather than as an IT project. The methodology is derived from an analysis of the key issues identified in the literature, and the empirical findings from an ESRC Innovation funded project on virtual teaming in the automotive supply chain. The methodology identifies 20 important activities around the three key areas of processes, people and technology. The methodology is currently being evaluated with first tier suppliers and SMEs in the automotive sector.
Learning style preferences of engineers in automotive design
Authors: James‐Gordon Yvette , Bal Jay
Published: November 2002

An investigation was conducted in the design department of a medium‐sized automotive company to establish engineers’ preferred learning styles. This was achieved by using two proven questionnaires followed by statistical analysis methods. The evidence showed that the engineers investigated have a significant visual learning style preference. This means that their learning is more effective by using diagrams, sketches, photographs, schematics, flow charts, pictures, videos, computer graphics, and demonstrations in training programmes and in their everyday working environment. The present computer‐aided design (CAD) training in the company does incorporate some of these visual techniques and so does satisfy the engineers’ visual learning style preference. Evidence also suggested that there is not a need to have different training and learning methods for design engineers and for managerial engineers such as project engineers and team leaders.
The supervisor as a facilitator of informal learning in work teams
Authors: Macneil Christina
Published: November 2002

This paper explores the importance of enhancing the facilitation skills of line managers at a supervisory level, and suggests that they can then promote a positive learning environment for informal learning within their work teams. Supervisors are important to their firms, because they are at the interface between the organisation and its work teams. The paper proposes that supervisors who are effective facilitators will utilise their own learning and interpersonal skills to encourage informal learning opportunities through knowledge‐sharing in their work teams, thus improving the team’s performance. The ideas outlined in the paper are intended to make a contribution to a discussion which advances a conceptual argument, and will form the basis of future empirical research.