bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial and temporal scales of environmental forcing of Acartia populations (Copepoda: Calanoida) in the Canal de Mira (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal)†
Authors: Leandro Sérgio Miguel , Tiselius Peter , Queiroga Henrique
Published: February 2013

Zooplankton and hydrological data were collected from August 2000 and June 2002 at six stations distributed throughout Canal de Mira (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal). The abundance of Acartia clausi and Acartia tonsa adults and juveniles of Acartia spp. for each station and month were combined in a three-way data matrix, which was decomposed into three two-way matrices corresponding to different modes: biological, time, and space. Cluster analysis applied on the space mode revealed the existence of three different zones as a consequence of zooplankton composition. At each mode, principal component analysis showed strong seasonal variations in zones 1 and 2. A different spatial pattern was found between the periods November 2000–April 2001 and November 2001–April 2002, with the displacement of the highest abundance levels from the middle estuary to near the mouth. The congeneric populations were segregated in space: the A. clausi population was restricted to downstream stations (zone 1), whereas the A. tonsa population dominated the middle estuary. Significant correlations between hydrological parameters and copepod abundance were found to differ from zone to zone. The statistical methodology was a valuable tool to (i) discriminate spatial and seasonal distribution patterns, (ii) define estuarine sections based on the faunistic composition, and (iii) evaluate delayed effects of phytoplankton.
Growth and planning strategies within women‐led SMEs
Authors: Mitchelmore Siwan , Rowley Jennifer
Published: February 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the planning strategies of female entrepreneurs who have indicated a desire to grow their businesses, the time horizons of planning strategies and the relationship between planning horizons and number of employees and annual sales as measures of business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to gather data for this exploratory study, a questionnaire was sent by e‐mail to members of networks of female entrepreneurs across England and Wales. Questionnaires were selected for analysis on the basis of an indication from the respondent that they wished to grow their business. Data were entered into SPSS to generate descriptive statistics, and conduct hypothesis testing.

Findings

The most preferred business growth strategies were: improving existing products or services and expanding advertising and promotion. Planning horizons are very short (often under three months), although the planning horizons associated with new products and entry into new markets were in some instances a little longer. Such short planning horizons could have serious consequences for business performance and growth. The planning horizons for cashflow, and investment in infrastructure showed a correlation with number of employees, whilst the planning horizons for cashflow, new product development, and expenditure showed a correlation with annual sales.

Practical implications

Female entrepreneurs need to be encouraged to extend their planning horizons, especially in terms of financial indicators such as expenditure, cash flow, and investment.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the growing literature on female entrepreneurs and their business, by providing further insight into their growth strategies and planning horizons.
Building and sustaining a culture of assessment: best practices for change leadership
Authors: Gorran Farkas Meredith
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the idea of using Kotter's eight‐step model for change leadership to create a culture of assessment that is embedded in the organizational culture of an academic library.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper that examines the potential application of a business change model to an academic library change context. Each step of Kotter's model is described within the context of building a culture of assessment, supported by examples and suggestions from the literature of libraries, higher education, organizational behavior and change leadership.

Findings

While building a culture of assessment is critical for libraries in the current environment, it is a difficult and complex process that requires grassroots initiative, top‐down support and strong leadership. Kotter's model for change management provides a pragmatic structure for culture change through behavioral change and change leadership regardless of positional authority.

Practical implications

This paper includes best practices for facilitating a culture of assessment, including necessary resources and possible approaches.

Originality/value

While the literature contains articles about building a culture of assessment, no studies have applied models of change leadership from the management literature to this unique cultural process. This is the first paper that suggests concrete steps for libraries towards building a culture of assessment, even in the absence of an ideal organizational culture. The focus is also on enabling change leadership regardless of whether the change agents have positional authority.
Navigating the information‐scape: information visualization and student search
Authors: Conner Matt , Browne Melissa
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate three tools based on principles of information visualization and measure their impact on undergraduates' abilities to generate keywords for database research.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 50 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to a condition (Control, Keyword Matrix, Wonder Wheel, Visual Search) and instructed to find relevant article citations on unfamiliar topics in EBSCO's Academic Search Complete. All students completed a pre‐test to provide baseline data. Control subjects performed one additional search. Students in the experimental conditions were introduced to the relevant information visualization strategy, employed it to identify keywords for two post‐test searches, and provided a written assessment of its impact. Audio and screen captures from search sessions were recorded, transcribed and analyzed.

Findings

Brainstorming Behavior: Wonder Wheel subjects spent significantly more time brainstorming search terms than those relying on the Keyword Matrix. Search Behavior: Visual Search subjects utilized significantly more search concepts and attempted more searches. Evaluation: Students expressed satisfaction with all three tools tested; however, a subset of Visual Search subjects verbalized frustration as they searched. The Visual Search produced desirable student search behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

The study sample was limited (50 undergraduates from a single institution) and student searches were not motivated by authentic information needs.

Originality/value

This study offers insight into how information visualization tools can be leveraged to improve undergraduate search behavior. The findings have practical implications for teaching librarians and course instructors.
Assessing student satisfaction in transnational higher education
Authors: Wilkins Stephen , Stephens Balakrishnan Melodena
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Given that there exists in the literature relatively little research into student experiences in transnational higher education, the purpose of this paper is to identify the determinants of student satisfaction at international branch campuses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative study involved 247 undergraduate and postgraduate students at branch campuses in the UAE who completed a questionnaire using either hard copies or an online version.

Findings

It was found that levels of student satisfaction at UAE branch campuses were generally high. The factors that were most influential in determining whether or not a student at a UAE branch campus was satisfied overall with their institution were quality of lecturers, quality and availability of resources, and effective use of technology.

Research limitations/implications

Given that cultures, customs, traditions and social contexts vary considerably in different locations, the findings of this study are not generalisable across all international branch campuses globally.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that there remains scope for UAE branch campuses to further increase levels of student satisfaction. Managers might use the findings to review their own institution's performance, so that areas for improvement can be identified.

Originality/value

Given that the logit model developed had an 87.4 per cent success rate in predicting whether or not a student at a UAE branch campus was satisfied overall with their institution, this research has demonstrated the potential usefulness of logistic regression as a predictive and explanatory tool in education management.
On revenue management and last minute booking dynamics
Authors: Chen Chih‐Chien , Schwartz Zvi
Published: February 2013

Purpose

This study aims to explore booking behavior in an online experiment where the time before the date of stay was controlled for and where action and perceptions were recorded.

Design/methodology/approach

An initial pool of 302 students enrolled in various undergraduate and graduate courses in a Midwestern university were asked to participate in the study. Participants were assigned randomly to one of five groups. The treatments differed in the number of days participants had to complete the task of booking a room.

Findings

The findings suggest that a sharp increase in the participants' propensity to book occurs during the last week before the date of stay. In addition, the results of the binomial logistic regression provide strong support for the notion that time and the two assessed perceptions are strongly associated with the booking decisions of last minute deal seekers. Participants were more likely to book the closer it was to the date of stay if they thought the hotel was likely to sell out, and if they expected to be offered a better deal later in the process.

Originality/value

This study explored the role of time in hotel room booking decisions. Research suggests that two relevant trends are to be reckoned with when it comes to last minute bookings. First, a growing segment of the travel market is taking advantage of technological advances that facilitate effective deal‐seeking behavior. Second, these patterns of deal‐seeking behavior, and the manner in which consumers respond and adapt to revenue management policies in their attempt to book optimally, are not well understood yet. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore several aspects of last minute perceptions and behavior.
Service quality perceptions and customer loyalty in casinos
Authors: Prentice Catherine
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Building and maintaining service quality is one means of retaining customers and thus establishing competitive advantage in the casino industry. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between casino service quality, player segments and customer loyalty in an Asian casino.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involves the conduct of focus group interviews with different segments of gamblers.

Findings

The interview findings indicate that players at different segments have distinct perceptions of service quality. Operationalising service quality into five dimensions, this study has shown that various dimensions of service quality have differing effects on customer loyalty, and the level of loyalty varies across different segments.

Research limitations/implications

It is insufficient to view service quality as the customer's judgement about an entity's overall excellence or superiority as has been defined in the services literature. Differing perceptions and attitudes arise with customers of different segments and are resultant from the variety of service encounters that a customer experiences. To obtain positive customer perceptions towards the organisation's service quality, it is advisable to manage each service encounter closely and to develop service encounters nuanced to the expectations of different segments.

Originality/value

This is the first study to incorporate customer pyramid segmentation approach into the analysis of the relationship between service quality and customer loyalty. It provides insights into the relationship between service quality, customer segments and customer loyalty through interviewing casino customers of different segments based on customers' services preferences and the card segmentation system employed by the survey casino
Capital project performance measurement and benchmarking in Singapore
Authors: Hwang Bon‐Gang , Fang Tan Hui , Sathish Sowmya
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the implementation status of performance measurement and benchmarking in the Singapore construction industry and to provide some suggestions to increase the scale of implementation in these two areas.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review was first carried out, then a questionnaire was developed and 32 contractor firms participated in the survey.

Findings

It was found that contractor firms in Singapore do not practice performance measurement on a regular basis and there is no uniformity in calculation of performance metrics, leading to low usage of benchmarking.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations faced during this study was the low number of companies that responded. Another limitation is that the size of projects analyzed tended to be focused towards a relatively small and medium scale.

Practical implications

Development of a standardized performance measurement and benchmarking system in Singapore is required. Also, common definitions are vital to enable uniform data collection and the meaningful comparison of performance.

Originality/value

This study will help the Singapore construction industry to remain competitive internationally and to continue to attract foreign investors for its capital projects.
Analysis of counterfeit fashion purchase behaviour in UAE
Authors: Fernandes Cedwyn
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purchase of counterfeit fashion products in the UAE is increasing and government agencies have focused mainly on the supply side. To curb demand for counterfeit products would require an understanding as to what motivates a buyer to willingly buy a counterfeit product. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that influence the demand for counterfeit products.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework was based on Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior and relevant variables identified from previous studies. The questionnaire was designed based on established scales and administered to students at a business school in Dubai, UAE. The Cronbach alpha test is used to test the reliability of the constructs and the hypotheses are tested using correlation and regression.

Findings

Lack of ethical judgement, self ambiguity, value consciousness and being susceptible to the opinions of others are some of the key reasons for purchasing counterfeits.

Research limitations/implications

The perceived value of the original product should be enhanced either by reducing the price or preferably educating the potential buyer of the superior physical attributes of the product. Educational campaigns on the ethical issues of buying counterfeit products are required.

Originality/value

The study is the first of its kind in understanding the counterfeit purchase behaviour in the UAE. Policy makers and companies can have a better idea on the areas they need to focus on in order to reduce the demand for counterfeit products.
Exploring career agency during self‐initiated repatriation: a study of Chinese sea turtles
Authors: Guo Chun , Porschitz Emily T. , Alves José
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Drawing on career and self‐initiated expatriation/repatriation literatures, this paper aims to examine the career experiences of Chinese self‐initiated repatriates after their return to China.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an exploratory, qualitative study involving in‐depth interviews with 20 Chinese individuals who returned to China after spending at least three years living, studying and/or working in a range of “host” countries.

Findings

This study shows that the career agency of Chinese returnees reflects both independent and interdependent factors. It provides specific empirical support for Tams and Arthur's argument that career agency is impacted by both individual and contextual factors.

Research limitations/implications

The findings indicate the central role played by individual proactivity and contextual influences during self‐initiated repatriation. The small sample size allows for rich data, but limits the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

Managerial practices that address the unique career values and expectations of self‐initiated repatriates can facilitate the application of skills and knowledge acquired abroad to the local context. Policy makers should provide more institutional support to encourage and facilitate the return of overseas Chinese.

Originality/value

This study is among only a small number to explore the experiences of self‐initiated repatriates in developing countries. Recent research has addressed the importance of recognizing and identifying the boundaries that constrain and enable global careers. This study identifies a number of such boundaries and also adds to the understanding of the challenges and difficulties of repatriation.
Learning on the fly: exploring the informal learning process of aviation instructors
Authors: Grant Wofford Michael , Ellinger Andrea D. , Watkins Karen E.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine the process of informal learning of aviation instructors.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative instrumental case study design was used for this study. In‐depth, multiple semi‐structured interviews and document review were the primary approaches to data collection and the data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. The Marsick, Watkins, Callahan, and Volpe reconceptualized model of informal and incidental learning underpinned this study.

Findings

Findings support prior research on the catalysts, strategies, and lessons learned that are associated with informal learning. However, a key finding of this study was capturing the complexity of the informal learning process for aviation instructors as they faced the daily challenges associated with facilitating their students' learning which served as the catalyst for their learning.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study are not intended to be generalizable to populations beyond this specific study due to limitations associated with the site selection, purposeful sample selection criteria, and sample size. Additionally, the unique nature of the aviation field and temporal considerations prevent the generalizability of the results of this study.

Originality/value

Despite the growing base of research on informal learning, calls for research that continues to examine how certain characteristics of workers and their work environment influence informal learning, and research that provides more holistic understandings of this type of learning have been requested. This research responds to these calls by exploring the process of informal learning among aviation instructors. The catalysts for informal learning, the strategies used, and lessons learned are identified. More importantly, unlike previous research, the complexity of the process of informal learning is captured and illustrated as a cyclical, non‐linear, non‐sequential process that is highly intertwined with teaching in this aviation context. The careful documentation of the actual learning process provides thick, rich data to deepen our understanding of what this kind of learning actually looks like.
Strategic analysis of knowledge firms: the links between knowledge management and leadership
Authors: Merat Anooshiravan , Bo Damien
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and explain the links between knowledge management (KM) and leadership in knowledge‐intensive firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs an instrumental case‐based study on four knowledge‐based firms to explore KM and leadership approaches, and the links between them. Data were primarily collected through qualitative interviews with firm managers and direct observations, as well as quantitative data by questionnaire from the firm employees.

Findings

The study identified two combinations of KM and leadership systems. These combinations are personalization‐distribution and codification‐centralization; which are explained within the theoretical framework of this paper. Other theoretically possible combinations were discussed and argued to be non‐viable or non‐economical.

Research limitations/implications

As with most qualitative case‐based research papers, this research was focused on study of a small number of cases; a limitation that does not allow the authors to claim a statistical generalization but nevertheless allows analytical generalization to be made. Limitations of this paper include the fact that all cases were located in one country and all were more or less involved with the field of information technology.

Practical implications

Practical implications of this paper for managers and company strategists involve alignment of their KM strategy with a relevant leadership system.

Originality/value

There has been little research aimed at finding links between KM and leadership in firms, and how this link may lead to increased knowledge exploitation capability for the firm. The present study addresses this issue and presents an evidenced and theoretically supported explanation for this link.
The intellectual core and impact of the knowledge management academic discipline
Authors: Serenko Alexander , Bontis Nick
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is two‐fold: to explore the intellectual core of the knowledge management (KM) academic discipline in order to test whether it exhibits signs of a reference discipline; and to analyze the theoretical and practical impact of the discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

The most influential articles published in the Journal of Knowledge Management were selected and their cited and citing works were scientometrically analysed.

Findings

The KM discipline: builds its knowledge primarily upon research reports published in the English language; successfully disseminates its knowledge in both English and non‐English publications; does not exhibit a problematic self‐citation behavior; uses books and practitioner journals in the development of KM theory; converts experiential knowledge into academic knowledge; is not yet a reference discipline, but is progressing well towards becoming one; exerts a somewhat limited direct impact on practice; and is not a scientific fad.

Practical implications

KM researchers need to become aware of and use knowledge published in non‐English outlets. Given the status of KM as an applied discipline, it is critical that researchers continue utilizing non‐peer reviewed sources in their scholarly work. KM researchers should promote the dissemination of KM knowledge beyond the disciplinary boundaries. The issue whether KM should strive towards becoming a reference discipline should be debated further.

Originality/value

This study analyzes the KM field from the reference discipline perspective.
The development of SME managerial practice for effective performance management
Authors: Ates Aylin , Garengo Patrizia , Cocca Paola , Bititci Umit
Published: February 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the gap between theory and practice in performance management in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and analyse it in the light of specific SME characteristics and needs, to identify how SMEs can develop their managerial practice for effective performance management.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of the study is based on literature review and multiple case studies. Combining both approaches and investigating a spectrum of 37 European SMEs through 232 semi‐structured and face‐to‐face interviews with managers helped the authors to provide theoretical and empirical evidence to offer a more effective performance management process for SMEs.

Findings

The paper found that SMEs engage with a four‐stage performance management process, although there are some gaps between their practice and the complete process as recommended in literature. SMEs seem to be more focussed on internal and short‐term planning, whereas they pay less attention to long‐term planning. The main challenge for making performance management practice more effective lies in an appropriate, balanced use of strategic and operational practices and relevant measures. Therefore, managerial activities such as vision, mission and values development, internal and external communication, change management and horizon scanning represent recommended areas for improvement.

Originality/value

The paper suggests a number of ways to improve the SME managerial practice to achieve a more balanced view of the whole performance process, which includes the mechanisms for the development and implementation of good practice in performance management.
Indoor air quality in the rural India
Authors: Gautam Sumit Kumar , Suresh R. , Sharma Ved Prakash , Sehgal Meena
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the exposure of cooks in rural India (55 households) to the indoor air pollution levels emitted from burning of different fuels, i.e. cow dung, wood, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and propane natural gas(PNG) kerosene for cooking purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

Indoor air quality was monitored during cooking hours in 55 rural households to estimate the emissions of PM10, PM2.5, CO, NO2, VOCs and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). While, PM10 and PM2.5 were monitored using personal dust samplers on quartz filter paper, CO and VOCs were monitored using on line monitors. The PM10 and PM2.5 mass collected on filter papers was processed to analyse the presence of PAHs using GC.

Findings

Results revealed that cow dung is the most polluting fuel with maximum emissions of PM10, PM 2.5, VOCs, CO, NO2 and Benzene followed by wood and kerosene. Interestingly kerosene combustion emits the highest amount of PAHs. Emissions for all the fuels show the presence of carcinogenic PAHs which could be a serious health concern. The composition of LPG/PNG leads to reductions of pollutants because of better combustion process. LPG which is largely propane and butane, and PNG which is 90 per cent methane prove to be healthier fuels. Based on the results, the authors suggest that technological intervention is required to replace the traditional stoves with improved fuel efficient stoves.

Practical implications

The prevailing weather condition and design of the kitchen in these rural houses severely affect the concentration of pollutants in the kitchen as winter season combined with inadequate ventilation leads to reduced dispersion and accumulation of air pollutants in small kitchens.

Originality/value

The present study provides a detailed analysis of impact of widely‐used cooking practices in India. Even today, countries such as India rely on biomass for cooking practices exposing the cooks to high level of carcinogenic pollutants. Further, women and girls are the most threatened group as they are the primary cooks in these rural Indian settings. Based on the results, the authors suggest that technological as well as policy intervention is required to replace the traditional stoves with improved fuel efficient stoves.
Does realized volatility provide additional information?
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng , Hu Wenxiu
Published: February 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether realized volatility can provide additional information on the volatility process to the GARCH and EGARCH model, based on the data of Chinese stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

– The realized volatility is defined as the squared overnight return plus the close to open squared return of the period between the morning and afternoon session, to plus the sum of the squared f-minute returns between the trading hours during the relevant trading day. The methodology is a GARCH (EGARCH) model with added explanation variables in the variance equation. The estimation methodology is exact maximum likelihood estimation, using the BHHH algorithms for optimization.

Findings

– There are some stocks for which realized volatility measures add information in the volatility process, but there are still quite a number of stocks for which they do not contain any additional information. The 30 minutes realized volatility measures outperform measures constructed on other time intervals. The firm size, turnover rate, and amplitude also partially explain the difference in realized volatility
'
s explanatory power across firms.

Research limitations/implications

– When analyzing the factors determining the role of realized volatility, as the difficulty of getting the data, ownership structure and ultimately ownerships are not taken into account, except for the turnover ratio, amplitude and size.

Originality/value

– This study extends firstly this line of inquiry of realized volatility into the emerging Chinese stock market. Due to the unique institutional setting in China, the results of this study have played an important role on pricing warrant for domestic investors in the Chinese market.
MBNQA criteria used in the GCC countries
Authors: Jaeger Martin , Adair Desmond , Al‐Qudah Sondus
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Quality criteria of The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) have been used as a standard for organisational self‐assessment and benchmarking. The threefold purpose of this paper is: to analyse the individual weights of the MBNQA criteria for organisations of the construction and the manufacturing industry within the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries in order to create a basis for self‐assessment and benchmarking; to identify differences of criteria importance between the construction and the manufacturing industry (external alignment) in order to identify challenging areas on TQM when two organisations from the respective industries collaborate; and to compare the perspectives of project managers with those of quality management representatives (internal alignment) in order to identify challenging areas on an organisation's TQM caused by not aligned or contradicting perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire based in‐depth interviews of GCC project managers and quality management representatives were analysed using a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to calculate the weights and subsequent ranking of seven quality criteria.

Findings

When compared to the original weights of the MBNQA criteria, the “results” criterion was found to be ranked the same. However, clear differences were identified regarding the criteria “leadership” and “measurement/analysis”. The differences between the two analysed industries were not significant, whereas project managers and quality management representatives have clearly differing views on all seven criteria.

Originality/value

First, the analysed ranking of MBNQA quality criteria in the GCC countries gives organisations of the construction and the manufacturing industry a benchmark for comparison with their ranking of the MBNQA criteria. Second, clients may assume a common and hence strong basis for TQM when organisations belonging to the construction industry collaborate with organisations belonging to the manufacturing industry. Third, the organisations’ internal communication between project managers and quality management representatives needs to be improved in order to pursue common TQM goals effectively.
Incongruent quality management perceptions between Malaysian hotel managers and employees
Authors: Sumarjan Norzuwana , Arendt Susan W. , Shelley Mack
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) criteria, the purpose of this study is to compare perceptions of Malaysian hotel quality managers (HQMs) and employees on leadership and workforce practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach was used. Questionnaires were distributed to 35 HQMs and 576 employees of three‐, four‐, and five‐star hotels. Interviews were conducted with HQMs. Descriptive statistics, t‐test, and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. All interviews were transcribed, hand coded, and analyzed for themes.

Findings

Compared to hotel employees, HQMs had higher scores for all leadership and workforce items. Comparing managers’ perceptions revealed a statistically significant difference between three‐ and four‐star with five‐star hotels on developing explicit quality policies and measurable objectives. For employees, there were statistically significant differences for most of the questionnaire items between three‐ and four‐star with five‐star hotels. HQMs identified inefficient communication systems and failure to develop explicit quality policies and objectives as main reasons for perception incongruences between employees and managers.

Research limitations/implications

Two of the seven MBNQA criteria were used in this study; future research utilizing the other five criteria may be beneficial.

Practical implications

This study provides hoteliers with quality practice perception differences between HQMs and employees in different star‐rated hotels. Knowing these differences should compel hoteliers to review their leadership and workforce practices, identify reasons for discrepancies, and attempt to minimize the gap.

Originality/value

No known studies in Malaysia, investigating this issue, have been conducted using a mixed methods approach. Additionally, this study provides empirical findings on quality practices from manager and employee perspectives.
Scanning for profitable (international) growth
Authors: Sleuwaegen Leo
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new method that allows corporate strategists to scan for profitable growth opportunities by extending the firm's product offering to new (foreign) markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consists of developing and applying a new conceptual framework – MATCH – which assesses the potential value creation in relation to the business model adaptations that need to be made to enter a new market.

Findings

The paper shows that traditional methods of calculating the attractiveness of new markets may be misleading if not all elements of the business model are aligned with the contextual conditions (institutional, economic, social.) prevailing in the new market.

Research limitations/implications

The method is illustrated for entering new foreign markets but lends itself to wider applications in the area of product diversification.

Practical implications

Without asking for extensive data collection, the method yields practical insights about the attractiveness of entering new markets and business model adaptations that need to be made.

Originality/value

The MATCH framework is an original and practical approach that builds upon and extends essential insights originating from the related diversification literature.
Towards the consolidation of climate change strategies in organizations
Authors: María González‐González José , Zamora‐Ramírez Constancio
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to increase the knowledge about the strategies and actions that organisations are implementing to control and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to identify and know the influence of the factors that can contribute to the consolidation of an organisational behaviour that is effective in the fight against climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case study conducted in Heineken Spain, which is primarily engaged in manufacturing and distributing beer, and some of its facilities are covered by the European Union – Emissions Trading System regulation. The results of this case study are analysed and interpreted according to institutional theory.

Findings

The paper illustrates the strategies developed by Heineken Spain in order to control and reduce their emissions and identifies these factors that are influencing on the consolidation of an effective practice in the fight against climate change: top management support, communication, training, formalization, technical/rational, internal supervision and consistency.

Originality/value

The paper reveals in‐depth the strategies and actions that have been implemented by an organization to fight against climate change. Also, this study allows managers to know the influence of the different factors affecting the stages of the consolidation process within the organization of an effective policy for the control and reduction of emissions, which is very useful for planning and evaluating during the process.
Design of educational systems for work based learning (WBL): the learner experience
Authors: Liyanage Lalith , Strachan Rebecca , Penlington Roger , Casselden Biddy
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Information and communication technologies have transformed higher education providing e‐mechanisms to support the delivery of content, communication and interaction. One example is the widespread adoption of virtual learning environments (VLEs) by higher education institutions to provide a key interface among learners, the content and tutors. The aim of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of the design of educational systems for work based learning (WBL) from the learner's perspective. The study includes consideration of the use of technology to support the work based learning process for the learner.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies from four postgraduate programmes and one undergraduate programme within the School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences (CEIS) at Northumbria University are presented. Key results from a survey of students on these programmes are discussed.

Findings

The results demonstrate that there are different motivations for this type of provision when compared with more conventional higher education programmes. In this digital age, technology should be a key enabling factor and students expect its adoption to support the learning process. However, academic institutions and staff are still not fully exploiting the possibilities of new media technologies through adapting their approaches to learning.

Originality/value

Traditionally the WBL concept has focused on two of the stakeholder contexts, namely the learner and the academic environment. Consideration of the other two important stakeholder contexts: the workplace and the external environment could significantly enrich the student experience and overall effectiveness of WBL delivery. The current study aims to address this deficit by considering all four stakeholders contexts in one model in order to evaluate the effectiveness of design of educational systems for WBL. This paper presents the first of these stakeholder contexts, the learner experience.
Co‐delivered work based learning: contested ownership and responsibility
Authors: Meakin Denise , Wall Tony
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore, from a practitioner perspective, the tensions in facilitating the “challenging and complex” terrain of co‐delivered work based learning (WBL) – a growing area of practice in the UK, but under‐researched and under‐discussed – and a possible cutting edge resolution which is currently being developed.

Design/methodology/approach

The article draws from on‐going practitioner research using a first person action research methodology which uses critical reflection and peer discussion over two years.

Findings

Although higher education institutions are required (by regulation) to be responsible for the quality of teaching, learning and assessment of the qualifications granted in their name, this becomes problematic in co‐delivery. Three tensions emerged which contest such ownership and responsibility: a perception (or preference) of co‐delivery trainers to be “trainers delivering training” rather than owning/taking responsibility for teaching, learning and assessment; a perceived “legitimacy dilemma” in relation to the relative importance of the training against the assessment elements; and a “displacement” of the academic by her colleagues from an academic position to being part of the training organisation.

Research limitations/implications

Within a tradition of qualitative practitioner research, this article encourages practitioners to consider these possible tensions in their own practice, and possible resolutions.

Practical implications

This paper raises on‐going issues in a reportedly “challenging and complex” area of practice, and a possible resolution which is currently being developed.

Originality/value

This paper foregrounds the importance of the practitioner perspective in organisational development and change in the co‐delivery of WBL.
Developing practical social inclusion outcome measures to evidence mental health recovery
Authors: Ryan Tony , Clark Michael , Dixon Nick
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to describe the development of a suite of social inclusion outcome measures and how they are being applied in practice within Stockport.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper gives a description of the development approach; the development of the measures and how the data collection systems have been established.

Findings

A suite of practical measures of social inclusion has been developed that are being used to inform local service delivery, commissioning and service redesign with the purpose of evidencing the effectiveness of provision in delivering social inclusion for people who have used mental health services in Stockport.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not contain data. It is anticipated that the data will inform a business case for commissioning in new ways and which may be the subject of a further paper.

Practical implications

The paper describes the practical approaches that have led to the development of the measures.

Social implications

The measures will be able to demonstrate the social impact of services for people who use them.

Originality/value

Mental health services are striving to develop meaningful measures that are embedded in day‐to‐day practice and are meaningful to people who use services. These measures and the way they are being used in services will provide evidence to service commissioners of effectiveness and have been signed off as such by commissioners. The outcomes framework will have implications locally for the implementation of payment by results in mental health.
Fault tolerant autonomous rendezvous and docking architecture for spacecraft in presence of control actuator failures
Authors: Jayaram Sanjay
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present novel robust fault tolerant control design architecture to detect and isolate spacecraft attitude control actuators and reconfigure to redundant backups to improve the practicality of actuator fault detection.

Design/methodology/approach

The Robust Fault Tolerant Control is designed for spacecraft Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D) using Lyapunov direct approach applied to non‐linear model. An extended Kalman observer is used to accurately estimate the state of the attitude control actuators. Actuators on all three axes (roll/pitch/yaw) sequentially fail one after another and the robust fault tolerant controller acts to reconfigure to redundant backups to stabilize the spacecrafts and complete the required maneuver.

Findings

In the simulations, the roll, pitch and yaw dynamics of the spacecraft are considered and the attitude control actuators failures are detected and isolated. Furthermore, by switching to redundant backups, the guarantee of overall stability performance is demonstrated.

Research limitations/implications

A real time actuator failure detection and reconfiguration process using robust fault tolerant control is applied for spacecraft AR&D maneuvers. Finding an appropriate Lyapunov function for the non‐linear dynamics is not easy and always challenging. Failure of actuators on all three axes at the same time is not considered. It is a very useful approach to solve self‐assembly problems in space, spacecraft proximity maneuvers as well as co‐operative control of planetary vehicles in presence of actuator failures.

Originality/value

An approach has been proposed to detect, isolate and reconfigure spacecraft actuator failures occurred in the spacecraft attitude control system. A Robust Fault Tolerant Control scheme has been developed for the nonlinear AR&D maneuver for two spacecrafts. Failures that affect the control performance characteristics are considered and overall performance is guaranteed even in presence of control actuator failures. The architecture is demonstrated through model‐based simulation.
A robust semi‐decentralized fault detection strategy for multi‐agent systems
Authors: Davoodi M.R. , Khorasani K. , Talebi H.A. , Momeni H.R.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to address the problem of fault detection (FD) of linear continuous‐time multi‐agent systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed H∞/H− formulation of the FD problem using semi‐decentralized filters is presented.

Findings

It is shown that through a decomposition approach the drawbacks of the existing distributed FD design methods in multi‐agent systems can be effectively tackled. An extended linear matrix inequality (LMI) characterization is used to reduce the conservativeness of the design solution by introducing additional matrices in order to eliminate the couplings of the Lyapunov matrices with the agent's matrices.

Research limitations/implications

It is shown that by applying the proposed decomposition approach the FD problem of multi‐agent systems can be solved by analyzing the problem of a set of decoupled systems whose order and complexity are equal to that of a single agent. This procedure will be useful for both simplifying the computational cost of the solution as well as for developing a fault detection filter having a semi‐decentralized architecture.

Practical implications

Application of this methodology to a network of micro‐air vehicles (MAVs) illustrates the effectiveness and capabilities of the proposed design methodology.

Social implications

The feasibility of the use of reliable and self‐healing network of unmanned systems, cooperative networks, and multi‐agent systems will be significantly enhanced and improved by the development of advanced fault detection and isolation (FDI) technologies.

Originality/value

A semi‐decentralized fault detection (FD) methodology is developed for linear multi‐agent networked systems to reduce the order and complexity of the observers at each agent. A mixed H∞/H− formulation of the FD problem by using semi‐decentralized filters is presented. Using this approach each agent can not only detect its own faults but also is able to detect its nearest neighbor agents’ faults.