bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical Clothing: The Stress Relaxation and Shrinkage of Pressure Garments
Authors: Sau‐fun Ng Yip Frency
Published: April 2007

The pressure on body scars resulting from pressure garments gradually decreases with time, probably as a consequence of stress relaxation in the fabric material. In order to understand the basic mechanisms contributing to this phenomenon, an understanding of the stress relaxation behaviour of relevant textile structures is vitally important. Makes comparisons of the stress relaxation and shrinkage properties on six selected fabric samples which are all currently used by the hospitals in the UK and/or in Hong Kong. The design of the stress relaxation tests was based on the consideration of the fabric from a performance‐in‐use standpoint. The results of the tests showed differences between the fabrics collected in the UK and Hong Kong. It was also found that the stress relaxation in the wale direction was considerably lower (resulting in better performance) than in the course direction. It may be noted that the shrinkage of the fabrics was closely related to the degree of elasticity loss during washing.
Strategic value configuration logics and the “new” economy: a service economy revolution?
Authors: Sweet Patrick
Published: April 2007

This paper develops the concept of “strategic value configuration logics”. It posits that there are four fundamental and enduring strategic value configuration logics that have pervaded industrial, service/information, knowledge and Web/network macroeconomic paradigms. The paper reviews prominent microeconomic paradigms associated with each macroeconomic paradigm, and links these via value drivers and value configuration logics prominent in each paradigm. Four strategic value configuration logics, value‐adding, ‐extracting, ‐capturing, and ‐creating are presented. Exemplary companies like Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Skandia Insurance, Morgan Stanley, and Dell computers, rather than offering revolutionary new business models, actually manage fundamental strategic value configuration logics extremely well.
Modeling relationship strength across service types in an Eastern culture
Authors: Patterson Paul G. , Smith Tasman
Published: April 2007

This study examines for the first time, antecedents of relationship commitment in service industries in an Eastern cultural context. The study investigates the reasons for customers engaging in long‐term relational exchanges with service firms, as well as the impact of attractive alternatives and switching costs on such relationships. The sample comprised respondents in Bangkok, Thailand, who each completed a series of five questionnaires over a period of two weeks pertaining to their relational behaviour (technical service performance, social bonds and communication) with five predesignated service types. The results indicate that collectivist cultural norms impact the nature of relationships, and that antecedent variables have significantly different impacts across service types. Furthermore, switching costs were identified, which act as powerful inducements to stay in a service relationship. Management implications for relational strategies and future research implications of the findings are discussed.
The development of e‐commerce: the emerging virtual context within Egypt
Authors: Kamel Sherif , Hussein Maha
Published: April 2007

The information and communication technology evolution is aggressively affecting the business world in the twenty‐first century. The magnitude of change in business development from a global perspective, unconstrained by time or distance barriers, has reached both developed and developing nations. E‐commerce currently represents 2 per cent of the global business transactions but promises to dominate the business environment during the course of the twenty‐first century. The successful presence of e‐commerce through the Internet has helped create low cost and high efficiency for product and service sales through a more dynamic and interactive venue of opportunities where the world becomes the marketplace.
Transborder data flows: adoption and diffusion of protective legislation in the global electronic commerce environment
Authors: Rudraswamy Vanishree , Vance David A.
Published: April 2007

Information privacy is currently regarded as one of the key ethical issues of the information age. Rapid technological developments and the advent of Internet based commerce or electronic commerce (e‐commerce) have forced several nations of the world to enact legislation to protect the information privacy of their citizens and corporations. Transborder data flows (TBDFs) have been known to have a significant impact on multinational and transnational corporations with respect to international data transfers. This paper discusses the issues and implications of TBDFs and provides a comparative account of the privacy laws on individual data protection in different countries. Also proposed is a theoretical model relating to diffusion of social policies of use with respect to the adoption and diffusion of privacy laws by different nations of the world in a global e‐commerce environment.
E‐knowledge networks for inter‐organizational collaborative e‐business
Authors: Warkentin Merrill , Bapna Ravi , Sugumaran Vijayan
Published: April 2007

Evaluates the increase in inter‐ and intra‐organizational knowledge sharing capabilities brought about by the Internet‐driven “new economy” technologies and the resulting managerial implications. Presents a framework for evaluating and deploying such technologies. Firms employing knowledge networks can also use e‐knowledge to improve organizational decision making, react more quickly to changes in the economic landscape, and create dynamic custom content and consumer intimacy. Builds on the extensive literature in knowledge management and inter‐organizational systems by identifying the opportunities of each in creating “e‐knowledge networks” to support organizational collaboration. This framework is applied to four industry case studies – supply chain management networks, adserver networks, content syndication networks, and business‐to‐business exchange networks. Analysis suggests that in the new economy, characterized by ubiquitous and often automated information sharing capabilities, the ability to create knowledge‐based networks of partners will be critical to maintaining competitive advantage.
Competitiveness strategies and AMT investment decisions
Authors: Burcher Peter G. , Lee Gloria L.
Published: April 2007

Examines the relationship between competitiveness strategies and decisions to invest in advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT). Findings are presented from a survey of UK manufacturers, which is part of a global research programme on AMT investments. Experiences of four case companies are also used to illustrate factors driving these investments and their outcomes. Demonstrates how AMT investments arise from a business strategy seeking to improve competitiveness. Although these decisions are market‐driven and companies often use more than one financial appraisal technique when evaluating a proposal, they often cannot demonstrate the tangible benefits anticipated from their investments. This indicates that more time needs to be taken to carry out post‐implementation evaluation in order to be able to identify tangible benefits and learn from these experiences.
Core competency requirements for manufacturing effectiveness
Authors: Gilgeous Vic , Parveen Kaussar
Published: April 2007

A postal survey to manufacturing managers in six different industry sectors was conducted to ascertain their views on core competencies. Questions deemed important by the literature centred on establishing the level of understanding the manufacturing managers had on core competence and ascertaining if they operated in an environment where core competence could be built and enhanced. Their views were contrasted with those expressed in the current literature and it was concluded that manufacturing managers need to increase their knowledge and understanding of core competencies. To be more competitive they need to operate more in an outward/strategy driven way and develop a strategic architecture to enable their organisation to develop the necessary core competencies. Of the six manufacturing industries surveyed the machinery producers emerged as the strongest advocators for core competence development with the food industry having the least orientation towards their development. To assist in core competence management an Enabling core competence lens model was presented together with a framework for core competence maintenance.
Thorntons: the vertically integrated retailer, questioning the strategy
Authors: Jennings David
Published: April 2007

Examines the strategic implications of a retailer engaging in the in‐house sourcing of its products (vertical integration). A contextual model for the make‐or‐buy decision is developed. Through the use of case material concerning a vertically integrated manufacturer/retailer, Thorntons, the article explores how the model might explain the pattern of vertical integration adopted by a specific organization and the strategy’s implications for competitiveness and strategic development. Problems are identified, including those of maintaining a retail focus, resource leverage and possible difficulties in responding to longer term market developments.
Factors influencing adoption of new apple and pear varieties in Europe and the UK
Authors: Reid Mike , Buisson David
Published: April 2007

Highlights the findings of a survey targeting UK and European wholesale and retail fruit buyers to discover factors which influence their adoption of apple and pear varieties. The research, performed from the perspective of the New Zealand pipfruit industry, reflects the growing importance of new variety development for the ongoing competitiveness of the New Zealand pipfruit industry. The research identifies that adoption of new varieties requires a strong performance in traditional areas such as product quality and supply. The need for appropriate launch support provided by the suppliers is highlighted and also that adoption is likely to be facilitated by strong buyer/supplier relationships.
Retail trends in Scotland: a review
Authors: Dawson John
Published: April 2007

Retailing in Scotland has shown dynamism in the last decade.
Assesses the factors which have influenced change and how Scotland
differs from the rest of the UK in terms of market concentration,
corporate decision making and inter‐format competition.
System development conflict during the use of an information systems prototyping method of action research
Authors: Chiasson Mike , Dexter Albert S.
Published: April 2007

In one particular action research (AR) methodology, information systems prototyping (ISP), the goals are to involve the researcher in a facilitative and collaborative role with stakeholders in the development of an information system that satisfies their collective needs. But what happens when political and structural conflict and coercive action erupts? This article features an AR case, where the development of an electronic patient record in a heart clinic, resulted in a period of intense structural conflict, and the dismissal of an organizational member. Further analysis suggests that four factors can explain these unusual outcomes and their relationship with the use of an ISP method. These include: the specification of measures and perceptions of success within the AR method (goals); general problems with the AR methodology and/or its clear delineation (processes); problems in using a particular AR methodology in a specific time and place (contingency); and problems with the researcher’s implementation of the AR processes (implementation). The study also highlights a number of areas for development of ISP.
Network, coalition and institution ‐ The politics of technological innovation in the public sector
Authors: Peled Alon
Published: April 2007

Develops a “politics‐first” theoretical framework to explain why, how, and when innovative IT projects are implemented successfully in public organizations. Explains how individuals who share a technological interest find each other in issue‐networks. Describes why and how the interests of technologists, bureaucrats, and politicians converge to a point where a coalition with a concrete project agenda emerges. Argues that, frequently, more than one coalition emerges from a single issue‐network and describes how these coalitions compete against each other to institutionalize new dominant designs. Discusses the reasons why some coalitions win while others lose. Provides examples based on innovative national and municipal IT projects in Australia, China, Israel, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the UK, and the USA.
The socio‐cybernetic paradox of the networked firm
Authors: Wilson Francis
Published: April 2007

Illustrates the socio‐cybernetic basis and the contradictions inherent in the use of total quality management methodologies to support computer‐based information system implementation and usage. A resonant theme within information system theory and practice in the 1990s has been the desire to identify the key features of the “virtual” or the “networked” organization. Many descriptions centre on ideas of how to rebuild the firm, create a new configuration which removes lengthy managerial hierarchies and develop an organization characterized by a narrow, computer‐supported managerial structure and multiple horizontal linkages both within the organization and with its customers. Describes the attempt of a service‐sector organization to implement such a programme of change. This involved both the introduction of new information technology and a programme for organizational restructuring which was designed to establish an organizational vision and culture of customer service and create new market relations within the organization.
Mobile group support technologies for any‐time, any‐place team support
Authors: Nosek John , Mandviwalla Munir
Published: April 2007

Mobile technology research focuses on supporting the individual mobile worker. Computer supported co‐operative work research has primarily focused on supporting distributed, but fixed‐site workers. Bridges both research foci by expanding to include mobile, any‐time, any‐place support. The complementary goal is to investigate better ways to prepare future team members for the new demands in the workplace. The VLab (Virtual laboratory) provides any‐time, any‐place process support for mobile software development teams. Presents a model that focuses on the processes involved in complex systems development and learning, and research propositions to evaluate mobile any‐time, any‐place support. Baseline measurements have been obtained and early results support the value of mobile group support technology.
A tourist market portfolio for Portugal
Authors: A´guas Paulo , Costa Jorge , Rita Paulo
Published: April 2007

The main objective of this study is the application of portfolio analysis, as an instrument of decision‐making support, to the selection of priority market segments for Portugal. The results obtained validate the use of competitiveness and attractiveness as tools for the selection and management of generating markets for a tourist destination. The selection of factors to calculate the values of competitiveness and attractiveness was based on a review of the literature on destination competitiveness, portfolio models in general and studies applied to tourist destinations. The relative importance of the factors was determined after consultation with a panel of experts. Cronbach’s alpha test was used to verify the scale reliability. Tourist arrivals, tourists stays, foreign exchange revenue and bednights in hotel units were used as performance indicators of generating countries. Correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were used to study the relation between attractiveness and competitiveness and performance.
An exploratory study of factors of Japanese tourism demand for the UK
Authors: Gilbert David , Terrata Mikiko
Published: April 2007

People have reasons for what they do and are motivated by driving forces that make them act in a certain way. The tourism industry is not an exception to this rule. However, due to its global nature, the tourism industry may involve a rather wider set of energising forces and tourist motivation will vary from nation to nation. Some authors have studied Japanese tourists’ behaviour; however, very little research has taken place to find out how Japanese culture and travel motivation are related to each other. What is more, differences between younger and older generations have not been considered. This study’s research objective was to reveal various cultural aspects of demand as well as the constraints and the push factors that motivate the Japanese to choose outbound holidays. Over the past 25 years the Japanese representation in the international tourism market has been steadily increasing as a consequence of economic growth and level of expenditure. The recent economic recession does not appear to have had much of a negative effect on outbound tours, as overseas travel has been widely popularised. In understanding this trend this exploratory study has identified UK’s features such as culture, language and novelty to be important pull factors.
FRS 15 – Friend or foe?
Authors: Adams Debra
Published: April 2007

This article considers the recent release of Accounting Standard FRS15 Accounting for Tangible Fixed Assets and reviews the impact of the standard on the hotel industry where previously hotel companies were able to avoid charging depreciation on buildings. The work of the British Association of Hospitality Accountants, in particular the Guidance Notes for the Hotel Industry on Tangible Fixed Assets, is considered in detail and from this the implications for the industry are reviewed.
The challenge of reverse logistics in catalog retailing
Authors: Autry Chad W. , Daugherty Patricia J. , Glenn Richey R.
Published: April 2007

Many firms are placing greater emphasis on managing returned product. Reverse logistics programs are being used to recover assets that would otherwise be lost. Research results are presented covering reverse logistics programs in the electronics industry, specifically among firms selling through catalogs. The paper looks at how reverse logistics performance and satisfaction with reverse logistics service are influenced by industry, firm size/sales volume, and internal or external assignment of responsibility for disposition. The results are mixed. Performance is significantly impacted by sales volume, while industry effects significantly impact satisfaction. Neither performance nor satisfaction was significantly influenced by location of responsibility for disposition.
Logistics programs in universities: stovepipe vs cross disciplinary
Authors: Lancioni Richard , Forman Howard , Smith Michael
Published: April 2007

The growth of logistics departments in colleges and universities has been unprecedented in the past ten years. In response to this demand, schools expanded their programs to accommodate more students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. While schools have typically structured their logistics departments differently, they, for the most part, failed to develop their programs to more accurately reflect the multi‐disciplinary nature of supply‐chain management. The article examines the structures of logistics departments against the backdrop of teaching supply‐chain management. Strengths and weaknesses of the structures are identified with a series of recommendations set forth to help schools cope with the increased enrollments and the dynamics of the logistics field.
Order release mechanisms in supply chain management: a simulation approach
Authors: Chan F.T.S. , Humphreys P. , Lu T.H.
Published: April 2007

A simulation approach to measuring supply chain performance is evaluated which incorporates order release theory. Within manufacturing a number of order release mechanisms have been developed. The importance of order release is first examined and its applicability to monitoring the performance of the supply chain is proposed. A simulation model of a typical, single channel logistics network was developed. Using the simulation model, each of the order release mechanisms was assessed and close agreement was obtained with the work of previous researchers. A new order release approach is proposed which is found to be superior to those analysed previously and should lead to improved supply chain performance.
Using simulated annealing to solve the p‐Hub Median Problem
Authors: Abdinnour‐Helm Sue
Published: April 2007

Locating hub facilities is important in different types of transportation and communication networks. The p‐Hub Median Problem (p‐HMP) addresses a class of hub location problems in which all hubs are interconnected and each non‐hub node is assigned to a single hub. The hubs are uncapacitated, and their number p is initially determined. Introduces an Artificial Intelligence (AI) heuristic called simulated annealing to solve the p‐HMP. The results are compared against another AI heuristic, namely Tabu Search, and against two other non‐AI heuristics. A real world data set of airline passenger flow in the USA, and randomly generated data sets are used for computational testing. The results confirm that AI heuristic approaches to the p‐HMP outperform non‐AI heuristic approaches on solution quality.
The role of quality in pharmaceutical care management
Authors: Al‐Shaqha Waleed M.S. , Zairi Mohamed
Published: April 2007

Pharmaceutical care has caused considerable attention in the pharmacy literature, because this concept alters the care and services that pharmacists provide to the public. In the pharmaceutical care concept, pharmacists must ultimately accept their responsibility not only to dispense drugs but also to identify, correct and prevent drug‐related problems. Pharmaceutical care represents a significant transition in the profession of pharmacy, where the primary focus is the patient and outcomes of care rather than the distribution of drug products. This article evaluates the concept of pharmaceutical care as a standard of quality care for many hospital pharmacy practices. As pharmacy directors accept this concept and pharmacists begin to provide pharmaceutical care, it is important to elaborate the concept further.
Upgrading quality in urban mobility systems
Authors: Maca´rio Rosa´rio
Published: April 2007

The essential characteristic of a system is the interaction of its parts. Consequently the individual improvement in the performance of its parts taken separately, although necessary, does not assure the overall improvement of its performance. A determinant factor of this performance is how well the different parts of the system fit together. In an urban mobility system we can distinguish three levels of planning and control with different organisational requirements and functional roles. The strategic level, where the political objectives of the system are defined as an answer to the stakeholders, the tactical level, where the previous objectives are translated into operational specifications, and the operational level, where transport happens and the contact with the customer effectively takes places. The present work presents the structure of a total quality management model that should serve as a basic framework for the planning and control of the urban mobility system.
Activity‐based cost management in financial services industry
Authors: Hussain Mostaque , Gunasekaran A.
Published: April 2007

The rapid advancement of enormously expanding information technologies and vigorous global competition have caused the irrelevance of conventional management accounting systems (MAS) in providing useful information to assist management’s decision making, planning and control in both service and manufacturing organizations. The shortcomings of traditional MAS, in terms of validity, accuracy, completeness, consistency, understanding and relevance, increase the need for modern MAS, like activity‐based costing (ABC). In growing inadequacies of traditional MAS, ABC can be used as a tool for planning, control and decision making in service management. ABC traces costs to activities rather than products, which provides a more accurate and correct picture of the cost consumption. Furthermore, ABC uses a larger number of cost drivers instead of one or two volume‐based cost drivers in a traditional cost management. However, activity based management (ABM) helps management to make decisions and formulate plans to provide new services, improve existing services and measure performances in order to achieve overall competitive strategies advantages of organizations. Thus, this study attempts to demonstrate the shortcomings of traditional MAS, and the usefulness of ABC and ABM in making decisions on product profitability and performance measurement in services with a particular reference to the financial industry.
Computation of flow and heat transfer in two‐dimensional rib‐roughened passages, using low‐Reynolds‐number turbulence models
Authors: Iacovides H. , Raisee M.
Published: April 2007

Low‐Re turbulence models are used in the computation of convective heat transfer in two‐dimensional ribbed passages. The cases computed include ribbed annular channels, pipes and plane channels. The models investigated cover both zonal models, that obtain the near‐wall dissipation rate from the wall distance, and full low‐Re models. Effective viscosity modes and simple (basic) second‐moment closures are used. Zonal models display predictive weaknesses in the rib‐induced separation region, but return reasonable heat transfer levels. For the low‐Re models an alternative length‐scale‐correction term to the one proposed by Yap is developed, which is independent of the wall distance. This wall‐independent correction term is found to improve heat transfer predictions, especially for the low‐Re k‐ε model. The low‐Re models produce a more realistic heat transfer variation in the separation region and reasonable Nusselt number levels. The differential second‐moment closure (DSM) models improve heat transfer predictions after re‐attachment and over the rib surface. The effect of Reynolds number on the Nusselt number is not, however, fully reproduced by the models tested.
Modelling of transport phenomena in laser welding of dissimilar metals
Authors: Phanikumar G. , Chattopadhyay K. , Dutta Pradip
Published: April 2007

The transport phenomena (heat transfer, fluid flow and species distribution) are numerically modelled for the case of laser welding of dissimilar metals. The model involves convection in the weld pool along with melting and mixing. The associated metallurgical phenomenon is an extremely complex one, and the present work is a preliminary attempt to model the process after making suitable assumptions. The numerical study is performed using a pressure based finite volume technique after making appropriate modifications to the algorithm to include the associated phase change processes and dissimilarity in the metal properties. The phase change process is modelled using an enthalpy‐porosity technique, while the dissimilar metal properties are handled using appropriate mixture theories. As a case study, we have used dissimilar couples of copper‐nickel. It is observed that the weld pool shape becomes asymmetric even when the heat source is symmetrically applied on the two metals forming the couple. As the weld pool develops, the side melting earlier is found to experience more convection and better mixing. Corresponding experiments are performed using the same parameters as in the computations, showing a good qualitative agreement between the two results. A scale analysis is performed to predict the time scale of initiation of melting of each metal. The scale‐analysis predictions show a good agreement with the numerical results.
h‐adaptive finite element solution of unsteady thermally driven cavity problem
Authors: Mayne David A. , Usmani Asif S. , Crapper Martin
Published: April 2007

An h‐adaptive finite element code for solving coupled Navier‐Stokes and energy equations is used to solve the thermally driven cavity problem for Rayleigh numbers at which no steady state exists (greater than 1.9 × 108). This problem is characterised by sharp thermal and flow boundary layers and highly advection dominated transport, which normally requires special algorithms, such as streamline upwinding, to achieve stable and smooth solutions. It will be shown that h‐adaptivity provides a suitable solution to both of these problems (sharp gradients and advection dominated transport). Adaptivity is also very effective in resolving the flow physics, characterised by unsteady internal waves, are calculated for three Rayleigh numbers; 2 × 108, 3 × 108 and 4 × 108 using a Prandtl number of 0.71 and results are compared with other published results.
A comparative study on the performance of two time stepping schemes for convection in a fluid saturated porous medium
Authors: Nithiarasu P.
Published: April 2007

A comparative study has been carried out to investigate the performance of two different time stepping schemes for convective heat transfer and flow in a fluid saturated porous medium. Both the schemes are based on the velocity correction procedure. The first scheme is a semi‐implicit one in which the linear and non‐linear porous medium terms of the momentum equation are treated implicitly but solution of the simultaneous equation system is avoided by lumping the mass. The second procedure (quasi‐implicit) treats the porous medium and viscous terms implicitly and a simultaneous equation system is constructed to solve the equations of momentum conservation. Two numerical examples have been considered and both the schemes are tested for various parameters governing the flow and heat transfer in these problems. Results show that, at smaller Rayleigh numbers and on fine meshes, the quasi‐implicit scheme gives faster convergence to steady state in both Darcy and non‐Darcy regimes than that of the semi‐implicit scheme. At higher Rayleigh numbers, the semi‐implicit scheme is faster in the Darcy regime. Also, the semi‐implicit scheme is faster than that of the quasi‐implicit scheme on a coarse mesh used in this study. In general both the schemes predict transient cyclic developments well.
The Twenty‐first Century Enterprise, Agile Manufacturing and
Something Called CALS
Authors: Ross Eric M.
Published: April 2007

Success in the twenty‐first century will require many manufacturing
enterprises to have the innovative flexibility to respond rapidly to
market desires, to produce top quality products, to deliver almost
instantaneously, and to provide superb service. Built on lean
manufacturing, the agile manufacturing paradigm is an evolutionary step,
partially based on a combination of flexible manufacturing, integrated
product development and stratgic partnering. An agile manufactuing
enterprice is a dynamically reconfigurable organization of independent
companies which forms individual companies optimized for the specifics
of each market opportunity. Key to the success of such a paradigm is the
ability (for often geographically dispersed functions) to share fully
the technical information required and used for product design,
development, validation, production and service. Argues that CALS, a
standardized approach to integrated product data management, has the
strategies, approaches, technologies and neutral data formats as well as
the growing international commitment to enable this data sharing.
Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing
Authors: Richards Deanna J.
Published: April 2007

National governments, international conferences, some industry
associations, and a number of individual companies are increasingly
emphasizing the need for a company to take responsibility both for the
environmental consequences of its production and for the ultimate
disposal or the products it produces. As a result companies are
increasingly challenged – by competitors, government regulation,
public pressure, or good conscience – to improve and manage their
processes and products from both an environmental and an economic
standpoint. To be effective, these efforts, to the extent possible, need
to address the energy uses and materials flows related to the entire
cycle of production, consumption and ultimate disposition. Rules of
thumb for environmentally‐conscious manufacturing include improving
efficiency and productivity through efficient energy and materials use,
substituting more abundant and environmentally preferable materials for
those that are rare or environmentally problematic; as well ass
recycling and reusing products at the ends of their lives. Expounds on
some of the challenges in integrating environmental considerations in
design.
Rapid tooling
Authors: Jacobs Paul
Published: April 2007

Reviews the contribution to “rapid tooling” of
QuickCast 1.0 and QuickCast 1.1. Explains the genesis and development of
QuickCast 1.0, illustrating both its technical ability, and its capacity
for saving time and money, and also outlining its industrial
shortcomings. Gives a thorough elucidation to the more recently
introduced QuickCast 1.1 at both theoretical and practical levels
– its range of potential applications being documented through
case studies – and presents it in terms of its capacity to solve
those problems that its predecessor could not. Discusses in detail the
characteristics of solutions to these problem areas and provides test
results obtained at various foundries.
Researching discrimination in selection for international management assignments: the role of repertory grid technique
Authors: Harris Hilary
Published: April 2007

Extensive literature exists into discrimination in selection in the fields of psychology, social psychology and sociology. This research focuses mainly on domestic appointments and does not consider the nature of selection for international appointments. Discusses the findings of a study into potential gender bias in international manager selection systems. In particular, it discusses the use of repertory grid technique to elicit the personal constructs of selectors for international appointments and to assess how these might influence the numbers of women entering international management positions.
The unchanging perception of women as managers
Authors: Liu Jonathan , Wilson Doirean
Published: April 2007

Aims to disseminate the findings of an investigation into the perception of women as managers and the obstacles that they face in the workplace. Identifies the issues and problems faced by women from “multinational corporations” and the impact of operating across national boundaries. The three key issues are age, gender, and family responsibility. Reports on evidence found from conducting “personal interviews” and “focus group” discussions, showing that the ensuing implications have had a significant impact on women in the workplace. Argues that little has changed in terms of employers’ perception of working women so far. The study was supported from funds provided via the European Union under the European Social Fund Scheme.
Remote sensing’s use in disaster research: a review
Authors: Showalter Pamela S.
Published: April 2007

This paper examines articles published between 1972‐1998 that utilize remote sensing in hazard and disaster research. Delineating trends in the production and content of the articles may encourage those who are performing or contemplating such research to alter and/or expand their analyses in new or alternate directions. The review of articles indicates that the technique is primarily used to detect, identify, map, survey and monitor existing hazards and/or their effects. Secondary goals are to provide damage assessments, improve planning, or provide data for mitigation, preparation, relief, response, and warning efforts. Articles addressing hazard/disaster process modeling have rarely been published. It is suggested that if remote sensing is to be used more effectively to reduce unnecessary suffering from damaging environmental events, hazard and/or disaster process models be incorporated into future research.
Communication and cultural distortion during crises
Authors: Smallman Clive , Weir David
Published: April 2007

The paper starts with a description of a risk management model more suited to the current business environment. Key to the introduction of the model is the success of organizational communication and culture. Aspects of culture are explained using cultural theory. This is followed by a discussion of the critical role of communication, and the theory of the social amplification of risk is presented and analysed. From here the paper moves to the development of a framework explaining communications behaviour during crisis. The notions of structural distortion and communications degradation during crises are used to explain behavioural (cultural changes) distortion. Total risk management is presented as a notional solution to these problems.
Challenges in the development of Health Promoting Schools: a review of Hong Kong innovations and initiatives
Authors: Lee Albert , Tsang Kwong‐ka , Lee Shiu‐hung , To Cho‐yee , Kwan Ting‐fai
Published: April 2007

The development of a Health Promoting School concept in Hong Kong has faced many challenges, as in other countries. However, there is strong evidence from research findings that there is a need for this development to promote the health of young people effectively. Strategies are currently being developed in Hong Kong to address the key issues and challenges inherent in developing Health Promoting Schools. They include work on teacher training, funding and resources, policy making, the re‐orientation of the education system, participation by the community and parents, and the formation of healthy alliances. All these issues need to be addressed before a school‐based health promotion programme can be developed further. This paper describes current strategies being used by the authors of this paper to tackle these issues to develop a more comprehensive Health Promoting School programme in Hong Kong.
Structural liquidity: the worry beneath the surface
Authors: Falconer Bob
Published: April 2007

The author provides an analysis of the underlying structural liability in the banking business by analysing balance sheets across the banking industry. He shows that the structural liability of different banks varies enormously. He argues that asset and liability management professionals need to have a deep understanding of the financial markets and of the many lines that their banks will be running. Even then he suggests that liquidity crises are very difficult to predict or control.
Re‐assessing 21st century risk: the reaction to risky financial reporting – the rise and rise of cash
Authors: Purr Jon
Published: April 2007

The author argues that the lasting impact of accounting scandals in American companies is that increasingly CFOs, treasurers and senior members of companies worldwide will turn to cash as the key to assessing the worth of corporates and assessing the risk of investment decisions.
Formalizing information security requirements
Authors: Gerber Mariana , von Solms Rossouw , Overbeek Paul
Published: April 2007

Risk analysis, concentrating on assets, threats and vulnerabilities, used to play a major role in helping to identify the most effective set of security controls to protect information technology resources. To successfully protect information, the security controls must not only protect the infrastructure, but also instill and enforce certain security properties in the information resources. To accomplish this, a more modern top‐down approach is called for today, where security requirements driven by business needs dictate the level of protection required.
Voluntary Bodies as Learning Organizations
Authors: Robinson Brian
Published: April 2007

Tests the hypothesis that voluntary groups, generally, are learning
organizations. Reviews the literature on non‐profit organizations and
concludes that many of the well‐known charities, for example, have now
become established hierarchies following an inital period of mission
formulation and organizational evolution when they could be considered
as learning organizations. Discovers that, once the primary objective
has been attained and funds start to flow, the voluntary organization
tends to become staffed full‐time with people and the volunteer tends to
become an irrelevance. Gives examples from the steam railway
preservation movement to suggest that only those voluntary groups with a
primary mission incapable of being achieved in the short term and which
demand a high level of volunteer input remain as learning organizations.
Extending the capabilities of the EAD Cookbook
Authors: Prom Christopher J.
Published: April 2007

Smaller institutions considering implementation of Encoded Archival Description (EAD) face many challenges in designing an efficient workflow and choosing standards that will allow for future interoperability. In the past, many institutions have chosen not to implement EAD due to its perceived complexity. The EAD Cookbook, developed by Michael Fox at the Minnesota Historical Society, now greatly simplifies the creation of a best‐practices‐compliant system. However, to achieve the full benefits of the Cookbook, institutions must extend its capabilities. This article explores three areas for extension: markup macros, digitization, and workflow design. Examples and sample code are given for use with WordPerfect’s XML editor and with NoteTab Light, a freeware text editor that allows for significant workflow simplification via its built‐in scripting language. Even those with little prior programming knowledge can use these tools to extend the Cookbook.
e‐Nough! “e‐Learning” is a misnomer – it’s mostly just “e‐Teaching.” For any teaching to reliably and consistently produce the results we want, we still have a lot to learn about learning
Authors: Prensky Marc
Published: April 2007

The author suggests we know a lot less about learning than we normally admit – in fact there is no generally accepted definition of what it is. He suggests that this is a big problem with designing so‐called e‐Learning, most of which is really just "e‐Teaching." There is a need, the author argues, for much more differentiation of learning, especially by type of material to be learned. Much of the available research on learning is not about how people learn, but about how they learn in groups – i.e. classes, or, as the author calls them, herds. "Herding" introduces all sort of learning problems, and, to be successful, any e‐Learning must take one‐on‐one tutoring, which is two standard deviations more effective than classroom teaching – as its base.
The strategy map: guide to aligning intangible assets
Authors: Kaplan Robert S. , Norton David P.
Published: April 2007

Advice to senior management on how to use the balanced scorecard measurement system and the strategy map, a visual representation of the components of an organization’s strategy to leverage a corporation’s intangible assets. These include human capital; databases and information systems; responsive, high‐quality processes; customer relationships and brands; innovation capabilities; and culture. The author’s hypothesis: because an organization’s intangible assets may easily represent more than 75 percent of its value, then its strategy formulation and execution need to explicitly address their mobilization and alignment. The balanced scorecard tool and strategy map offer a framework to measure intangible assets and to describe strategies as a series of cause‐and‐effect linkages among objectives. They provide a language that executive teams can use to discuss the direction and priorities of their enterprises. This article also presents a case study of Crown Castle International, Inc.
On‐line qualitative market research: interviewing the world at a fingertip
Authors: Scholl Norbert , Mulders Sabine , Drent Rob
Published: April 2007

This paper describes an experimental study into the validity and reliability of international qualitative market research through the Internet. Is it possible to generate valuable and valid qualitative market information from several countries, on the basis of on‐line research organised from one country? The results of face‐to‐face research and on‐line research in Singapore, the United Kingdom and Sweden are compared. The study clarifies the opportunities and limitations in using this type of market research in an international context.
The self‐directed team
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Abdallah Chahrazad , Shapiro Barbara T.
Published: April 2007

To stay competitive on both local and global scales, companies have to respond rapidly to their customers and to the increasing role of information technology. One way of answering the demands that face today’s management, is to increase employees’ implication in the organization by empowering them. The shift from top to bottom authority to a team‐oriented organization is part of this process. Self‐directed teams (SDT) are a key element in making this shift work. In this paper, after a brief definition and description of this kind of team, we will focus on conflict management as an important factor for their success. Conflict and its mechanisms will first be developed, its consequences on group decision making will be studied at the SDTs level, and a set of conflict management alternatives will finally be presented.
The effects of internal communication, leadership and team performance on successful service quality implementation
Authors: Fletcher Mélani
Published: April 2007

In the quest to establish communication as a critical management function, both literature and research have stressed the importance of effective communication as a prerequisite to the success of various programmes including service quality. Effective internal communication, leadership and employee issues (such as team building and incentivisation) seem to be three generic aspects of critical importance in the potential success of any organisation. This article will attempt to provide academic insight into the link between service quality initiatives and these three aspects and will attempt to underline the importance thereof with current research results.
Pre‐auditing through a knowledge base system for successful implementation of a QS 9000 based maintenance quality system
Authors: Muthu S. , Devadasan S.R. , Stephen Mendonca Prakash , Sundararaj G.
Published: April 2007

Claims that the concepts of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) fundamentally aim at applying Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy in maintenance engineering. Emphasises the need of incorporating quality system and its monitoring to enhance maintenance quality. Points out that QS 9000 standard is expected to be a future quality system model in enterprises. Describes the design features of maintenance quality system model that has been developed based on QS 9000 standards. Cites the need of using continuous and economical knowledge which is possible only through the careful exploitation of information technology. Briefs the design of a knowledge base system and the development and performance of its pre‐auditing module. Presents a few sample screen outputs of this module. Concludes by suggesting the ways of productively exploiting the pre‐auditing module of the knowledge base system.