bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Typologies and taxonomies of operations strategy: a literature review
Authors: Luz Martín‐Peña María , Díaz‐Garrido Eloísa
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to review state‐of‐the‐art literature on typologies and taxonomies of operations strategy in order to propose generic operations strategies in industrial companies from a theoretical viewpoint.

Design/methodology/approach

Typologies and taxonomies are defined and characterised; both concepts delimit the generic configurations model. Then examine the state of the research on configuration analysis relating to operations strategy is examined. For this purpose articles published in 17 important journals in the field of production and operations management from the 1980s to the year 2006 are analysed.

Findings

This review allows one to identify three generic operations strategies commonly accepted in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

This research deserves much more attention, both theoretical and empirical, in order to analyse the existing classifications and develop new classifications of operations strategy.

Practical implications

Knowledge of generic operations strategies may help managers to design and implement a strategy that allows their firm to exploit the full potential of its manufacturing resources, and to achieve better results. The literature review contributes to theory development and provides a means of understanding the strategic position of operations.

Originality/value

Despite considerable interest in research on configurations in the study of organisation and business strategy there has not been much effort to examine the current state or even the future development of generic configurations in the operations strategy field. This paper fills this gap.
Manipulating economic data for political purposes
Authors: Sneed Cynthia , Sneed John
Published: April 2008

Purpose

During the 2004 presidential campaign, the Kerry campaign claimed that the federal income tax cuts passed between 2001 and 2004 shifted the burden of financing the federal government from upper‐class to middle‐class taxpayers. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the claim made by the Kerry campaign is valid.

Design/methodology/approach

The assumptions made by the Kerry campaign in analyzing the data in the report Effective Federal Tax Rates Under Current Law, 2001‐2014 prepared by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) were analyzed. It was determined that their analysis was flawed in the way they established their comparisons. The analysis was adjusted, correcting the identified flaws.

Findings

After adjusting for the flaws in the analysis by the Kerry campaign, it was determined that the tax cuts actually increased the percentage of taxes paid by the wealthiest taxpayers. Also, if the cuts are not extended, the percentage paid by the wealthiest taxpayers will decrease.

Originality/value

The importance of this paper is not in finding that a political party would manipulate economic data in an attempt to win an election, as this is expected in politics. The larger concern is that the CBO, a nonpartisan organization, validated the claims made by the Kerry campaign. If a nonpartisan organization is going to take a position on an issue related to politics, they need to be sure that the analysis is valid.
Compensation policies within firms: evidence from linked employer‐employee data
Authors: Rute Cardoso Ana , Monfardini Chiara
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce this special issue on compensation policies within firms while using evidence from linked employer‐employee data.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at the use of linked employer‐employee data over time and how this has enabled progress in the understanding of the functioning of the labour market as the arena where labour supply and demand interact, under the mediation of labour market institutions and regulations.

Findings

The example of issues that have been covered using linked employer‐employee data, generating new insights, could be extended and it is continuously being updated.

Originality/value

The articles collected in this special issue provide some fine examples of recent work on the field of linked employer‐employee data.
Who pays for performance?
Authors: Barth Erling , Bratsberg Bernt , Hægeland Torbjørn , Raaum Oddbjørn
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve our understanding of why some firms tie compensation to worker performance as well as the variation in type of performance pay system across firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study first presents a theoretical framework that motivates n empirical study of performance‐related pay. The data are based on Norwegian establishment surveys from 1997 and 2003. The empirical analysis addresses determinants of adoption of performance pay systems.

Findings

Performance‐related pay is more prevalent in firms where workers of the main occupation have a high degree of autonomy in how to organise their work. Performance pay is also more widespread in large firms, but is less common in highly unionised firms and in firms where wages are determined through centralised bargaining. Results show that performance pay is on the rise in Norway, even after accounting for changes in industry structure, bargaining regime, and union density. Finally, it is found that the incidence of performance‐related pay relates positively to product‐market competition and foreign ownership.

Originality/value

The paper provides new empirical evidence on the use of performance‐related pay. The results support an interpretation of incentive pay as motivated by agency problems, and provide new evidence on the relationship between payment schemes and institutions such as unions and bargaining framework.
Market power, dismissal threat, and rent sharing
Authors: Carneiro Anabela , Portugal Pedro
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate to what extent the existence of high labor adjustment costs has some influence on the process of wage negotiation. In particular, it aims to analyse if the risk of being laid off has any impact on insiders' bargaining power and, consequently, on their wage claims.

Design/methodology/approach

A collective bargaining model that closely follows those developed by Nickell et al. and Bentolila and Dolado is adopted and a longitudinal panel of large Portuguese firms from all sectors over the 1993‐199 period is used.

Findings

The results reveal that firms where insider workers appear to have more bargaining power tend to pay higher wages. In particular, we found that the threat of dismissal tends to weaken insiders' bargaining power and, consequently, to depress wages.

Research limitations/implications

In future research an attempt should be made to measure directly the labor turnover costs.

Originality/value

This paper presents robust empirical evidence using micro‐data for individual firms that support one of the predictions of the insider‐outsider theory that wages will be higher in sectors (firms) with high labor turnover costs.
Worker churning and firms' wage policies
Authors: Martins Pedro S.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence of a causal nature about the relationship between wages and churning (“excessive” worker turnover).

Design/methodology/approach

Matched employer‐employee panel data from Portugal, covering the period 1986‐2000 are used in the study. Econometric methods are also used, including random effects tobit models, fixed effects and instrumental variables.

Findings

Unlike in previous research (which typically does not consider causal relationships), the paper presents evidence that wages do not necessarily decrease the amount of churning. If employers are forced to increase pay, they may respond by hiring different workers. Detailed evidence about the nature of job and worker flows and churning levels across industries is presented.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should examine the paths of workers whose wages are affected by collective bargaining.

Practical implications

The paper provides additional evidence that effort may not be particularly sensitive to wages in some industries/occupations. The should be a better understanding of role of wages in personnel policies.

Originality/value

This paper is probably the first that seeks to examine the causal relationship between wages and churning. The results will be of interest to labour economists and human resource management experts.
The worsening of wage expectations in Italy: a study based on administrative data
Authors: Giarda Elena
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to build on existing studies on the relationship between individual wages, age and experience, and provide new evidence on the determinants of wages in Italy.

Design/methodology/approach

Wage‐age profiles, which include cohort variables to capture generational differences in wages and are characterised by a changing‐over‐time structure, are estimated by fixed and random effects panel regressions. The analysis exploits a longitudinal dataset of administrative data on wages for the period 1985‐1999.

Findings

This paper shows that wage to age profiles for different cohorts of workers are not stable over time: although younger generations of Italian workers are benefiting from higher starting wages than older generations, they face the prospect of lower growth of future earnings. It also confirms the existence of a significant supply effect: the bigger the cohort relative to the active population, the smaller the cohort's gain in terms of wage levels. Finally, it captures the dependence of individual wages on aggregate labour market conditions: individual wages are shown to be negatively related to the unemployment rate and positively related to the union wage index.

Research limitations/implications

Although the paper does not propose a novel theoretical approach to individual wage analysis, it demonstrates the benefits of a more integrated empirical analysis of individual wages.

Practical implications

The empirical findings suggest that it would be possible and useful to integrate the changing age profiles of individual wages with the estimation and projections of Italian aggregate industry and service sector average wages.

Originality/value

The paper provides new evidence on the determinants of the dynamics of individual wages through the estimation of time‐varying wage to age profiles of workers in the Italian industry and service sectors.
Challenges in relating supply chain management and information and communication technology
Authors: Pieter van Donk Dirk
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The paper's purpose is to provide a motivation for investigating the relationship between supply chain management (SCM) and information and communication technology (ICT), to describe associated theoretical and practical problems and to introduce the papers of the special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is partly based upon a short literature review, including the papers of the special issue.

Findings

An important finding is that the relationship and integration of SCM and ICT in all papers of this special issue are strongly intertwined with managerial and organizational theory related issues.

Research limitations/implications

The paper suggests three possible avenues for building theory in the joint field of SCM and ICT on the one hand and organizational theory on the other hand.

Practical implications

Implicitly the paper argues for a better use of organizational and managerial insights to increase the usage and implementation of ICT in the context of SCM.

Originality/value

The paper offers a research agenda for incorporating organizational theory to develop the integration of SCM and ICT.
Putting e‐commerce adoption in a supply chain context
Authors: Bakker Elmer , Zheng Jurong , Knight Louise , Harland Christine
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the impact of context on the adoption of e‐commerce in supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review, 45 semi‐structured interviews in four different supply chains in the UK healthcare sector, involving 16 different organisations, and additional documentation is used in this study.

Findings

The adoption of e‐commerce in supply chains is simultaneously affected by two contextual meta‐variables: external pressure, which is influenced by supply chain structure, demand and industry characteristics; and internal readiness, which is influenced by IT, organisational and buying need characteristics. Different combinations of these two main variables lead to four different trade‐off situations affecting adoption or non‐adoption.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical research has been undertaken in the specific context of the UK healthcare supply chains. It would be useful to test our findings in other sectors and countries.

Practical implications

The paper helps to understand the contextual factors that affect e‐commerce adoption and concludes with a framework that differentiates four situations that can improve managers' and researchers' understanding of e‐commerce adoption in the future.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is the recognition that the adoption of e‐commerce is affected by factors in both an organisational and a supply chain context, which simultaneously lead to trade‐off decisions. Also, unlike most other studies which refer to supply chains and are limited to an organisational perspective or at most a dyadic perspective, this paper builds up a supply chain picture of context by including perspectives from multiple actors in a chain.
Integration between manufacturers and third party logistics providers?
Authors: Mortensen Ole , Lemoine Olga W.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the extent of the integration between manufacturers and third party logistics (TPL) providers at present and how the integration is expected to develop in the near future. The focus is on studying what tasks are part of the cooperation, what information and communications technology (ICT) tools are used for support, and what types of services are supplied and are expected to be supplied by TPL providers in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study of seven manufacturers and TPL providers is conducted. As the basis for the study a literature review is presented focusing on supply chain management and TPL provider integration as well as operationalisation of the integration concept. A framework is chosen for developing a detailed interview guide.

Findings

Cooperation is primarily found in sub‐processes of three out of the eight business processes studied. Further integration in the same processes is expected, based on ICT tools and with a focus on cost. ICT competences are primarily seen as a qualifier not a differentiator. Because the future TPL industry is expected to be characterised by more standardised services, more segmented markets for the various services and more intense competition, the manufacturers do not expect increased dependence on the TPL providers.

Research limitations/implications

Managerial and behavioural components are not part of this study and their effect on integration will require further investigation.

Originality/value

From a supply chain management perspective, the study sheds light on a rarely explored area concerning the integration between manufacturers and TPL providers and its future development.
Set your project on the road to success
Authors: Buckley Hugh
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Many projects get bogged down in the minutiae of the technology, resulting in investing more time in developing a platform at the expense of ensuring that the solution remains relevant to the needs of the business and its stakeholders. Technology solutions almost invariably have to be flexible, so they can evolve with the business. It is important to know therefore how the technology will support the business and its staff going forward, not just what it will do on day one.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
Developments in localisation sensor systems
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the development trends and emerging applications of non‐GPS localisation sensors.

Design/methodology/approach

The principles of gyroscopes and micro‐electro‐mechanical systems‐based inertial sensors are introduced, followed by a review of products from various companies, and their applications.

Findings

Highly integrated systems in robust solid‐state materials are being packed into smaller housings, opening up new applications for inertial navigation sensors. The Kalman filter algorithm is widely used to remove noise from multi‐sensor data and provide reliable attitude and heading measurements. Applications range from stabilising cameras and detecting the motion of towed sonar arrays, to autonomous robot navigation, motion analysis in sports science, and navigating first‐response rescue workers in disaster zones.

Originality/value

Concentrates on non‐GPS localisation technology, and shows that new developments are revolutionising position‐finding and position‐controlling applications.
Simultaneous sensing of location and mapping for autonomous robots
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To describe an innovative new technology, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), for creating maps and localization for autonomous robot operations.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of stereo cameras gather images of a 3D area. A software package then analyzes the images to create a 3D map of the area and to monitor the real‐time location of the robot in the area.

Findings

The SLAM approach will open up the range of possible autonomous mobile robot applications, especially service and non‐industrial applications.

Practical implications

The scalable SLAM system and algorithms will enable improved performance in current as well as new mobile autonomous robot applications.

Originality/value

Users now have a totally new means for creating “maps” for autonomous mobile robotic activities.
Warehouse management technologies
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Aims to discover the different technologies used in warehouse stock control.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with a review of optical and radio‐frequency product‐labelling technologies, and then examines various devices and systems for reading these labels and integrating stock control into back‐office databases. It then looks at techniques for finding the goods within the warehouse, from simple address labels to radar positioning and inertial navigation, considering both operator‐based and guided vehicle handling systems.

Findings

Labelling technologies facilitate automatic product identification. Rugged handheld computers with wireless communications give real‐time capability and integrate stock control into wider software systems for efficient resource management. Speech synthesis provides one man‐machine interface enabling workers to order‐pick under database control. Automated readers record products entering and leaving the warehouse, theoretically removing the need for stock taking. Automatic guided vehicles are now available to stack and retrieve goods in the warehouse.

Originality/value

Provides engineers with an overview of the diversity of solutions employed in warehouse stock handling.
GRAIL: a general purpose localization system
Authors: Chen Yingying , Chandrasekaran Gayathri , Elnahrawy Eiman , Francisco John‐Austen , Kleisouris Konstantinos , Li Xiaoyan , Martin Richard P. , Moore Robert S. , Turgut Begumhan
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a general purpose localization system, GRAIL. GRAIL provides real‐time, adaptable, indoor localization for wireless devices.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to localize as diverse a set of devices as possible, GRAIL utilizes a centralized, anchor‐based approach. GRAIL defines an abstract data model for various system components to support different physical modalities. The scalable architecture of GRAIL provides maximum flexibility to integrate various localization algorithms.

Findings

The authors show through real deployments that GRAIL functions over a variety of physical modalities, networks, and algorithms. Further, the authors found that a centralized solution has critical advantages over distributed implementations for handling privacy concerns.

Originality/value

A key contribution of this system is its universal approach: it can integrate different hardware and software capabilities within a single localization framework. The deployment of such a system in academic and research environments allows researchers to explore issues beyond algorithms and investigate effects in real deployments.
A localisation system for an indoor rotary‐wing MAV using blade mounted LEDs
Authors: Chi Mak Lin , Whitty Mark , Furukawa Tomonari
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a localisation system for an indoor rotary‐wing micro aerial vehicle (MAV) that uses three onboard LEDs and base station mounted active vision unit.

Design/methodology/approach

A pair of blade mounted cyan LEDs and a tail mounted red LED are used as on‐board landmarks. A base station tracks the landmarks and estimates the pose of the MAV in real time by analysing images taken using an active vision unit. In each image, the ellipse formed by the cyan LEDs is used for 5 degree of freedom (DoF) pose estimation with yaw estimation from the red LED providing the 6th DoF.

Findings

About 1‐3.5 per cent localisation error of the MAV at various ranges, rolls and angular speeds less than 45°/s relative to the base station at known location indicates that the MAV can be accurately localised at 9‐12 Hz in an indoor environment.

Research limitations/implications

Line‐of‐sight between the base station and MAV is necessary while limited accuracy is evident in yaw estimation at long distances. Additional yaw sensors and dynamic zoom are among future work.

Practical implications

Provided an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) as the base station equipped with its own localisation sensor, the developed system encourages the use of autonomous indoor rotary‐wing MAVs in various robotics applications, such as urban search and rescue.

Originality/value

The most significant contribution of this paper is the innovative LED configuration allowing full 6 DoF pose estimation using three LEDs, one camera and no fixed infrastructure. The active vision unit enables a wide range of observable flight as the ellipse generated by the cyan LEDs is recognisable from almost any direction.
Magnetic vehicle guidance
Authors: Santos Pedro , Holé Stéphane , Filloy Céline , Fournier Danièle
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a system that provides the driver or the driving assistance system with the lateral position information of the vehicle on the lane in order to detect as early as possible run‐off‐road and then prevent a foreseeable crash.

Design/methodology/approach

A magnetized tape deposited on the road in the middle of the lane generates a magnetic field which is detected by on‐board sensors. Depending on the distance between the tape and the sensors, accurate positioning information can be estimated.

Findings

The use of at least five sensors makes it possible to obtain a 2 mm‐lateral‐positioning accuracy.

Originality/value

Magnetized tapes are relatively cheap to install and provide an accurate vehicle lateral positioning with low ‐cost magneto‐resistance on‐board sensors. In addition , a magnetization variation along the tape would allow information to be coded which could be then transmitted to the driver.
A review of optical fibre radiation dosimeters
Authors: O'Keeffe S. , Fitzpatrick C. , Lewis E. , Al‐Shamma'a A.I.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed review of radiation dosimetry techniques based on optical fibre dosimeters. It presents a comprehensive bibliography of the current research activities in the area.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of published work on optical fibre radiation dosimeters are presented, with the merits and limitations discussed. Each radiation dosimetry technique is discussed in turn, providing examples of dosimeters using such techniques reviewed. The main focus is on gamma radiation although other radiation dosimeters are considered.

Findings

This paper provides information on the wide range of research activity into radiation dosimeters. The dose ranges of these dosimeters are presented, along with the advantages and disadvantages of different dosimetry techniques.

Originality/value

A comprehensive review of published research in the area of solid radiation dosimetry is presented in this paper. It provides an individual with a review of the various techniques used and most recent research in that field.
Small firms and the challenge of equality, diversity and difference
Authors: Barrett Rowena , Burgess John
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the papers contributing to this special issue and to locate them within the broader questions about the role of small firms in enabling or alleviating issues of equality, diversity, and difference for various groups in society.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature dealing with the issues of equality, diversity, and difference pertaining to the operation of and/or working in smaller firms was reviewed prior to drawing out the key points from the submitted papers and considering the contribution they make to this literature.

Findings

Overall, one's these five papers contribute to one's understanding of the issues facing those in business or self‐employment, working in small business or wanting to pursue enterprise.

Originality/value

Rarely are questions asked about the assumed role small firms play in mitigating social exclusion for a range of groups in society. By addressing questions which explore the challenge of equality, diversity, and difference for small business in their establishment, management, and effective operation using interdisciplinary frameworks and different methodologies, a better understanding of the role of small business in society can be developed.
The Asian business sector and the dynamics of change
Authors: Dhaliwal Spinder , Gray David
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The Asian business community has been noted for its contribution to the UK economy. This vibrant sector of the small to medium‐sized enterprises population serves to illustrate diversity in terms of spanning sectors including manufacturing and services, entertainment and fashion, hotels and property, food and pharmaceuticals. This paper seeks to draw out trends within this increasingly important sector of the economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reports on a research project which comprises the latest phase in a seven‐year, longitudinal study of the richest 200 Asian business people in the UK.

Findings

The analysis suggests that the Asian business community has delivered significant and sustained growth which is higher than average growth in the UK.

Originality/value

For policy makers and the business support community, this paper offers a greater understanding of the dynamics behind the success stories and thus offers opportunities to tailor any engagement with this community appropriately. For academics it adds to the growing literature of minority ethnic businesses in the UK.
Gender, personal values, strategies and small business performance
Authors: Boohene Rosemond , Sheridan Alison , Kotey Bernice
Published: April 2008

Purpose

While most studies concerning gender differences in small business performance have emerged from developed countries, how applicable the results are to transitional economies, where there still exist significant differences in the socialisation of men and women, is not clear. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of gender on the performance of small businesses in Ghana by exploring the impact of personal values on business owners' choice of strategies, specifically asking, do women and men pursue different business strategies, how do personal values influence their strategies and how do their strategies affect performance?

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 600 owner‐managers of small retail shops in the Greater Accra Region were surveyed. Results were analysed using the partial least squares approach to structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results suggest that there are gender differences in personal values, which lead to different strategies adopted by women and men, which in turn influence performance; specifically Ghanaian women owner‐managers are more risk‐averse than Ghanaian men, and this affects their pursuit of specific functional strategies and ultimately their performance in varied ways.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies will need to replicate these findings with other types of businesses, in other locations.

Practical implications

The results suggest that closer attention should be given to developing the entrepreneurial values of women if the goal of greater economic development is to be achieved in transitional economies.

Originality/value

Limited research has been conducted on women and men small business owners in transitional economies such as Ghana. This empirical research provides important insights into this field.
Women and work‐life balance: is home‐based business ownership the solution?
Authors: Walker Elizabeth , Wang Calvin , Redmond Janice
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore self‐employment through home‐based business ownership as a potential solution to the inter‐role conflict experienced by women attempting to balance dual work and family roles.

Design/methodology/approach

Home‐based businesses (n = 626) were surveyed in Western Australia as part of a larger national study. Data were collected on operator and business characteristics, and specific home‐based business issues (e.g. reasons for preferring a home‐base, management and planning, growth facilitators and barriers). Four‐way comparisons investigating the dynamics of home‐based business ownership between male and female operators and operators with and without dependants were made.

Findings

The attraction of home‐based business ownership is driven predominantly by the flexibility afforded to lifestyle and the ability to balance work and family. While these advantages were more salient for women than for men, gender per se was not a determining factor in why operators started a home‐based business. The more significant determining factor was the issue of dependants.

Practical implications

Self‐employment, particularly through home‐based business ownership, may well solve some women's necessity to balance work and family. However, it may not be a viable solution for all women, particularly those seeking high financial and career rewards.

Originality/value

This paper contributes empirical findings regarding home‐based businesses which, as a distinct form of small business and self‐employment alternative, still remain very much under‐researched. The paper also addresses the issue of home‐based businesses being emancipatory vehicles for women juggling to manage work and family, and provides findings which question this increasingly populist notion.
Small firms, the paid maternity leave debate in Australia and the business case
Authors: Barrett Rowena , Mayson Susan
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the management of maternity leave in small firms and particularly to explore the perceived costs and benefits of paid maternity leave (PML). PML is a universal right in some countries (i.e. the UK), but not in Australia where most private sector female employees only have access to 12 months unpaid maternity leave. It also aims to explore how the business case for (or against) PML is constructed in small firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was limited to smaller firms operating in the business services sector in the same regional area. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight employers and female employees in six of these firms. Analysis by theme was undertaken within and across interview transcripts.

Findings

Not one of these small firm employers offered PML and the cost of doing so was not considered to outweigh the benefits already realised through the (legislated) unpaid maternity leave scheme. In these firms maternity leave was managed in an informal way with notions of flexibility – give and take – characterising what happens.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the lack of research on access to family‐related leave policies in small firms. Employer and employee views of the issue are drawn upon, the latter not often being heard. The paper contributes to understanding the construction of the business case for a specific issue in smaller firms and human resource management from a resource‐based view more generally in smaller firms.
Working from the margins to inform the centre
Authors: Angove Marilia , Cresswell Caryl , Akhtar Rubina , Rolfe Justine , Brooksbank David , Thomas Brychan
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Cyfenter Development Partnership action research programme primarily aimed at under‐represented entrepreneurs in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government and the EQUAL initiative of the European Social Fund support the programme with the objective of informing and developing inclusive policies, strategies and practices within mainstream enterprise support.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used to identify the needs of under‐represented groups when establishing a business and barriers to the start‐up process has been action research, which combines both information gathering and facilitation of change.

Findings

The research data indicate that all under‐represented groups face similar challenges and issues and many experiences are not exclusive to any one particular group. Financial risk, lack of collateral and self‐finance were significant issues for the under‐represented groups.

Research limitations/implications

Although the overall response rate of 12 per cent for the telephone and postal surveys was low, it was felt that the responses were sufficient for the study to proceed as further qualitative data gathering was undertaken.

Practical implications

Through the empowerment of excluded entrepreneurs, to express and suggest potential solutions, it is expected that policies and practices can be leveraged where enterprise support can become more relevant and appropriate for all. It is also expected that this will lead a greater number of under‐represented entrepreneurs to access mainstream enterprise support.

Originality/value

A key objective of the programme is to create and facilitate a platform for direct communication between under‐represented groups, policy makers and enterprise support provision, within a solutions‐oriented context.
Mixed tenure estates
Authors: Kempton Jim
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define mixed tenure estates as comprising any mix of social housing tenants with: private renting tenants (who therefore have private landlords); shared owners (i.e. those who buy a part share in their home, the remaining share being typically retained by a social landlord); owner occupiers (bought outright, or those paying a mortgage on the whole value of the property).

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review and interviews with Registered Social Landlord (RSL) personnel are used to inform the discussion contained in this paper. The term “Asset Management” is used to describe the management of estates, including maintenance, repair and other physical investment. Does mixed tenure really have different asset management needs from mono tenure estates? The research methodology is based on a case study of a social housing provider, supported by semi‐structured interviews.

Findings

The main conclusion of this paper is that, along with a number of other issues, inter‐working at the case study RSL needs to be improved if mixed tenure estates are to succeed.

Originality/value

Little work has been undertaken in this specific area, and the research should be of interest to a wide audience including social housing developers, urban researchers and central and local government.
Evolution of codes for structural design in Mexico
Authors: Alcocer Sergio M. , Castaño Víctor M.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of structural design code development in Mexico, as an example of how code evolution has taken place in many countries, and to discuss the challenges faced in improving code compliance and reducing vulnerability.

Design/methodology/approach

All building codes for Mexico City (1920‐2004) and current codes in Mexico were analyzed and compared in terms of their scope and contents. Emphasis is placed on understanding how design requirements, professional liabilities and overall performance requirements have evolved.

Findings

Structural codes have become more refined and complex, including at each revision the current state‐of‐the‐art knowledge. However, code compliance and code misinterpretation are prevalent, mainly because users are not familiar with the concepts and technologies involved. Also, it is stated that government authorities lack the technical capacity to identify code misinterpretations. Finally, it is stated that, for non‐engineered construction guidelines, other educational sources are needed in lieu of merely enforcing codes.

Research limitations/implications

Systematic research aimed at assessing the level of code compliance is needed.

Practical implications

A valuable source of changes and challenges in code implementation and compliance for students and practitioners is provided.

Originality/value

This paper summarizes information on the evolution of Mexican structural codes and offers a critique of the challenges and need for improving code implementation and reducing building vulnerability.
Computational design concept analysis: a Nordic comparison of four apartment buildings
Authors: Saari Arto
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic procedure to analyse the cost‐effectiveness of design concepts in residential construction, at the same time profiling differences in design concepts between four Nordic countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology is computational. The study involved a comparison of design concepts and computational construction costs in a Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and a Finnish apartment house built by Nordic subsidiaries of a larger international construction corporation. A reference value (type‐of‐space cost calculation) and a cost estimate relating to the design concept (conceptual cost estimate) were calculated for each project using the Finnish method of calculation. The results of the calculated construction costs were compared.

Findings

The construction costs of the Swedish and Danish design concepts were high in comparison with the Finnish reference values. In both cases, the high construction costs were the result of low space efficiency and large window surface‐areas. The design concepts of the Norwegian and Finnish projects were cost‐efficient.

Originality/value

The paper offers a systematic way to analyse design concepts in residential construction and profiles the differences in design concepts between four Nordic countries from the point‐of‐view of cost‐effectiveness.
Fire safety in the design and operation of student housing facilities
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the design and operation factors that affect the provision of fire‐safe student housing facilities, and to present the development of a proposed operational framework for fire safety evaluation of student housing facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies the causes of fire accidents in student housing facilities and classifies the factors that make it a high fire‐risk type of facility. It identifies several common design deficiencies contributing to student housing fires and reviews measures to prevent fires in student housing facilities. The paper also presents a series of guidelines for use by facility managers for the provision of safe facilities.

Findings

The proposed operational framework for fire safety evaluation in student housing facilities consists of five sequential processes, namely: archival and document evaluation; development of an audit worksheet; commencement of the walk‐through inspection; reporting of inspection findings; and development of a plan for remedial actions.

Originality/value

This paper serves to increase the awareness about fires and their devastating effects in residential university facilities. The paper provides practical value to the design professional of student housing projects, student housing administrators, and facility managers responsible for the daily operation of student housing facilities.
Marketing and sustainability
Authors: Jones Peter , Clarke‐Hill Colin , Comfort Daphne , Hillier David
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to raise for debate among marketers the issue of the relationship between marketing and sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

An opinion piece, that presents the views of four authors on the current state of the debate in this field.

Findings

There is little consensus on these matters. There are those who believe that marketing and sustainability simply cannot be reconciled, while there are others who argue that marketing can contribute to the development of sustainable consumption.

Originality/value

The paper opens up the debate on a subject that is clearly going to be high on the agenda for years to come.
Taking action: new forms of student and manager involvement in business education
Authors: Houman Andersen Poul , Rask Morten
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usefulness of situated learning in business education.

Design/methodology/approach

Illustrative case study.

Findings

The increasingly popular situated learning approach holds some possible solutions to the emerging crisis of business schools' educational models. The key challenge in our view is to develop an area where action‐oriented learning can take place – and take place in a form that resembles the key idea of situated learning – that learners must become involved in a knowledge‐production process.

Research limitations/implications

Situated approaches to learning, such as communities of practice (CoP), are not directly transferable to business schools' curricular teaching without considering the power relations and structural characteristics of the actors potentially constituting the CoP in which learning is to unfold.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the issue of power relations and structural characteristics and shows through an illustrative case study, how situated learning principles may be practiced in order to become part of the pedagogical models in business schools. In doing so, the links between lecturers, students, and managers can be strengthened.
Profiling organ donors in Egypt using intelligent modeling techniques
Authors: Mostafa M.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

This study uses intelligent modeling techniques with the purpose of examining the effect of various demographic, cognitive and psychographic factors on organ donation in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

Two artificial neural network models (multi‐layer perceptron neural network and probabilistic neural network) are compared to two standard statistical methods (linear discriminant analysis and logistic regression). The variable sets considered are sex, age, educational level, religion, altruistic values, perceived benefits/risks of organ donation, organ donation knowledge, attitudes toward organ donation, and intention to donate organs.

Findings

The results show that artificial neural networks outperform traditional statistical techniques in profiling potential organ donors due to their robustness and flexibility of modeling algorithms.

Originality/value

The paper shows how it is possible to identify various dimensions of organ donation behavior by uncovering patterns in the dataset, and also shows the classification abilities of two neural network techniques.
Servicescape matters – or does it? The special case of betting shops
Authors: Cockrill Antje , Goode Mark , Emberson Daniel
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The concept of servicescape and its effect on consumer behaviour has been studied extensively in numerous areas of retailing. However, the role of servicescape in non‐traditional service settings has received comparatively little attention. The aim of this paper is to fill in some of this research gap by testing the effects of servicescape (ambience, layout and functionality) on consumer behaviour within UK betting shops, as part of the wider UK gambling industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve this objective an exploratory research methodology was chosen. Firstly, three betting shops in the same metropolitan area were chosen as the base for interviews with managers and structured observations. This was complemented by fifty semi‐structured customer interviews from the same three betting shops. The use of these different methods allowed triangulation and validation of the results.

Findings

The key finding of this paper are that customers in betting shops appear to be unaffected by some of the elements of the servicescape. However, this research has found that signs, symbols and artefacts were regarded as critically important by consumers.

Research limitations/implications

Further, larger scale research is needed on the effects of servicescape in environments where consumption behaviour could be considered compulsive. This could includes, e.g. betting shops, arcades, casinos, bingo halls and National Lottery “shops.” Furthermore, this paper could also be used as the basis for further research on the e‐servicescape of the online gambling industry.

Practical implications

Some servicescape elements do not appear to affect betting shop customers greatly, but staff knowledge is important. Therefore, resources should be spent on improving staff knowledge rather than on other elements of the servicescape.

Originality/value

No prior empirical research has been found in this area.