bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the tourism distribution channel: evolution and transformation
Authors: Kracht John , Wang Youcheng
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution and transformation of tourism distribution channels, focusing on the role the internet has played in such a process. It attempts to graphically illustrate, in a temporal manner, the evolving complexity of the tourism distribution systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides insights into the change of the structure of tourism distribution that has not been extensively explored. Indeed, the complexity of the tourism distribution structure has been diagrammatically depicted multiple times by previous researchers and each depiction has contributed to a fuller understanding of the body of knowledge by focusing on different aspects of that structure. This paper builds upon those valuable knowledge contributions by focusing on the evolution of the structure over time, systematically and diagrammatically revealing the progressively larger number of intermediation layers, in spite of concurrent disintermediation and reintermediation activity. This paper does not focus on every action of every participant in detail, but rather focuses on categories of intermediaries, looking at pioneering examples of each. Likewise, the comparative rates of technology adoption in different regions of the world are not investigated.

Findings

The complex network proposed in this paper indicates that the advance of information and communication technology has not reduced the number of intermediaries in the distribution channel, but rather resulted in an increasingly complex array of intermediaries. The structure of the tourism industry has taken the form of a complex global network. In the struggle to prosper in this environment, participants at various levels will continue to compete, cooperate, merge, form partnerships, and change relationships on a regular basis.

Originality/value

The extant literature has covered many aspects of intermediation, disintermediation, and reintermediation, albeit with differing terminologies. Most of these studies have adopted a static and cross‐sectional approach in examining the structure and use of tourism distribution channels. This paper examines the historical evolution and progression of tourism distribution channels which is not only important in understanding where we are now as an industry, but also where we came from and where we are heading to.
Destination image and choice intention of university student travellers to Mauritius
Authors: Phau Ian , Shanka Tekle , Dhayan Neema
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influences of information sources, namely organic sources and induced sources, on perceived destination image and destination choice intention of university student travellers to Mauritius.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a convenience sample in a large university in Western Australia. A self‐administered questionnaire was designed using established scales. In total, 388 usable responses were collected and analyzed using a variety of statistical techniques.

Findings

The perceived attractiveness of Mauritius as a vacation destination is based on the fact that tourists picture the island as one which offers good value for money and cheap travel. Both information sources are found to have an influence on perceived destination image and destination choice intention. Perceived destination image is found to predict destination choice intention.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is limited to potential tourists in Western Australia. Larger or national sample can be used for future studies. Qualitative methods could be explored in future.

Practical implications

It is recommended that destination marketers should use multiple sources of information to target tourists. In particular, the internet seems to be the highest incidence of information source.

Originality/value

The paper has redressed some deficits in the literature. Prior studies have not examined Mauritius as a tourist destination. Neither have Australians been studied as potential tourists. It has also tested the conceptual determinants of perceived destination image and destination choice intention and has proved that destination image is a multidimensional concept.
Is there value in personal‐development training for women?
Authors: Khilay Snéha
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Describes the benefits women can gain from attending a personal‐development course.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides examples of two women whose personal and professional lives have been transformed by such training.

Findings

Argues that the programs can give women the space and time to reflect on their goals (and dreams) and establish new strategies in pursuing these. Highlights the supportive atmosphere that can develop in the programs. Argues that, at a practical level, an organization can reap benefits not only through the reduced costs of fewer grievances, but also by a greater number of women applying for promotion or seeking further professional qualifications.

Practical implications

Advances the view that women often feel better able to discuss their difficulties away from the workplace, in all‐female groups.

Social implications

Highlights a way of increasing the number of women confident enough to reach the highest levels of their organizations.

Originality/value

Claims that women who have attended personal‐development programs often feel more confident in confronting sexist comments from colleagues, and in dealing with bullying and harassment.
Making improvements stick
Authors: Eaton Mark
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Explains how to make organizational reforms last.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the actions needed to move an organization from implementation to the point where improvements are fully embedded.

Findings

Highlights the importance of having a top‐level champion who supports and advocates change, gaining and maintaining stakeholder engagement, ensuring honest and timely communication, encouraging a long‐term focus on changing the behavior of the organization, supporting individuals with the capability to lead the improvement process, continuing to invest in building the internal capability of the organization and introducing robust financial and non‐financial incentives.

Practical implications

Stresses the need to allow people to comment constructively on reform.

Social implications

Details the impact of such social factors as ignorance, lethargy, committees and inflexibility in holding back improvements.

Originality/value

Emphasizes that improvement is more about people than about process.
Interview with Eugene Sadler‐Smith, author of The Intuitive Mind
Authors: by Juliet Norton Interview
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Eugene Sadler‐Smith, Professor of Management Development and Organizational Behaviour, at the University of Surrey's School of Management and author of The Intuitive Mind.

Design/methodology/approach:

This briefing is prepared by an independent interviewer

Findings

Eugene Sadler‐Smith's research interests are centered upon the role of intuitive judgment in management decision making and management development. His research has been published widely in peer‐reviewed journals such as the Academy of Management Executive, Academy of Management Learning and Education, British Journal of Psychology, Journal of Occupational & Organizational Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Management Learning, and Organisation Studies. He has researched and published widely in the field of learning and development (L&D) and is author of several books, including Inside Intuition (Routledge, 2008) and The Intuitive Mind (John Wiley and Sons, 2010). His intuition research has featured on BBC Radio 4 and in The Times.

Practical implications

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

Originality/value

This interview give some insight into the underlying scientific principles that explain the intuitive mind, offering tools and techniques for developing and deploying informed intuition in leadership and management.
Delivering higher education to meet local needs in a developing context: the quality dilemmas?
Authors: Abukari Abdulai , Corner Trevor
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Higher education is increasingly being scrutinised and discourse centred on its usefulness to stakeholders. In 1992, the University for Development Studies (UDS) was established in Northern Ghana with a mission to engage with local communities to develop the area. This paper aims to understand the quality perspective of the university within the contexts of the needs of its catchment community and quality requirements of other stakeholders guided by issues arising from the questions of who really should define quality, in what context, for whose benefit, and with whose resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes a qualitative approach using semi‐structured interviews, documentary and artefacts to generate data from the UDS.

Findings

Although donors play a crucial role in ensuring quality, the findings suggest that the basis for any effective quality should move beyond the traditional precepts to make it reflect local needs and realities within an international context guided by effective quality monitory and evaluation mechanisms.

Practical implications

The paper provides practical suggestions of appropriate quality assurance models for higher education institutions in the developing world.

Originality/value

The paper identifies some quality dilemmas in higher education in developing contexts.
Evaluating quality in associate degree culinary arts programs
Authors: Hertzman Jean , Ackerman Robert
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine which categories and indicators of quality are best suited to evaluating associate degree culinary arts programs (ADCAP).

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers surveyed a national sample of culinary educators and industry chefs in the USA. The instrument asked the participants to rate the importance levels of 50 potential quality indicators for ADCAP. The data were analyzed to determine the most important indicators as well as categories of indicators.

Findings

Data analysis revealed the five most important indicators of quality, based on mean scores, to be: sanitation of kitchen laboratories; industry experience of faculty; subject experience of faculty; required internship; and job placement rates. From these data, the researchers developed a list of 20 suggested quality indicators. The indicators were originally divided into eight categories. The majority of the suggested indicators came from the faculty, organization and administration, and facilities categories. However, factor analysis revealed that the list of indicators could more appropriately be divided into 13 categories.

Research limitations/implications

The members of the American Culinary Federation surveyed may not be representative of all chefs in the USA.

Practical implications

The results provide a basis for educators, students, employers and other stakeholders of ADCAP to evaluate these programs and suggest future research to further evaluate ADCAP quality.

Originality/value

This paper applies multiple theories of evaluating quality in higher education to a type of program that has been under‐researched in the academic literature.
The role of teams, culture, and capacity in the transfer of organizational practices
Authors: Lucas Leyland M.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Transferring organizational practices requires an understanding not only of what is being transferred but also of what is needed to ensure that the transfer is successful. In line with this thinking, the purpose of this study is to examine three factors that are crucial parts of this mechanism: use of teams, culture, and capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a quantitative approach of a Fortune 500 company involved in energy supply. Data are gathered using survey methodology with items drawn from previous research. Hierarchical ordinary least squares are the methodology employed to analyze the data.

Findings

The study highlights how using teams, employing a collaborative culture, and possessing capacity after accounting for the control variables affected the knowledge transfer process and provides some insights into ways in which the process can be better managed.

Research limitations/implications

Using this framework, it becomes problematic to separate individual and collective learning.

Practical implications

The paper reinforces the idea that building a collaborative environment in which sharing and seeing knowledge as an organizational asset are essential to success.

Originality/value

The study reinforces the notion that individuals are being asked to make a major change in their approach to the management of knowledge: rather than as an individual asset to be exploited, it should be seen as an organizational asset. This requires that employees change the way they do things. Furthermore, knowledge is not an asset that can be easily discarded and replaced. As a consequence, organizations need to recognize that knowledge management can only be successful if a collaborative environment is created and the organization builds on what it already knows.
Simulating the effect of risks on equity return for concession‐based public‐private partnership projects
Authors: Ng S. Thomas , Xie Jingzhu , Kumaraswamy Mohan M.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Unlike other project delivery options, a much larger proportion of risks is borne by the private partner in public‐private partnerships, since a large amount of equity is needed to finance the scheme. As a result, it is of paramount importance for the franchisee to analyse the possible project outcomes with due reference to potential risks affecting cash inflow and outflow. The purpose of this paper is to address the shortcomings of deterministic estimations by developing a proposal for a simulation model that aims to unveil the probability distributions of the equity amount and return on equity.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a simulation model is developed to establish the probability distributions of these two indicators under the influence of risks. A simple case study is also presented to illustrate the concept and application of this model.

Findings

The simulation model can generate the probability distributions related to the net present value of the equity component as well as the rate of return on equity.

Practical implications

The method proposed in this paper should help the private investors analyse the amount of equity to be injected to the project and its corresponding return rate.

Originality/value

By referring to the probability distribution, an equity investor can establish whether they can recover their investment and gain a desired return rate. Based upon the risk attitude of the investor, decision‐makers can then decide whether the scheme should be pursued or not.
The survival strategies of Singapore contractors in prolonged recession
Authors: Teck Heng Lim Benson , Lan Oo Bee , Ling Florence
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Contractors adopt various strategies to achieve their firms' objectives of continued existence and further development, and to guide the relationship between the firms and the business environment within which they operate. An economic recession drives firms to undertake unusual steps to survive within an environmental context. The purpose of this paper is to examine the survival strategies of Singapore contractors in the eight years of unprecedented recession in the industry from 1997 to 2005 are examined.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 34 interviews were conducted with senior executives of large and medium‐sized construction firms in Singapore to identify their survival strategies during the recession period.

Findings

Three categories of strategies are identified: contracting‐related actions, cost‐control related actions, and financial‐related actions. The results show that most contractors opted to bid for more projects that are within their firms' resources and capabilities in contracting for jobs. To control cost, all contractors implemented stricter site management on material wastage, stricter financial management on firms' cash flow, stricter and procurement procedures. The majority of them froze salaries and stopped hiring. In order to remain solvent, most contractors set aside a sum of money from their reserves for unforeseen circumstances.

Practical implications

Contractors should learn how to stay adequately lean in managing their business in order to be flexible and responsive to changes within the business environment. The findings highlight the importance of effective cost, risk, relationship and resource management.

Originality/value

The findings provide valuable lessons to construction firms in preparing for volatile market conditions during a recession.
Dispute causation: identification of pathogenic influences in construction
Authors: Love Peter , Davis Peter , Ellis Joanne , On Cheung Sai
Published: July 2010

Purpose

While a considerable amount of knowledge has been accumulated about dispute causation, disputes continue to prevail and disharmonise the process of construction with considerable cost. This paper seeks to identify the underlying pathogens that clients and contractors perceive to contribute to disputes in construction projects. The identification of pathogens can provide an ameliorated understanding of the origin of disputes and therefore enable their prevention.

Design/methodology/approach

Case law and focus groups with a client and contracting organisation from Western Australia are used to determine the pathogens of disputes.

Findings

Analysis of the case law findings revealed that the underlying issues that were brought to litigation were to do with points of law, namely “civil procedure”. A significant number of disputes are thus settled using alternative dispute resolution methods such as adjudication, arbitration and mediation. For clients the underlying latent conditions that resulted in a dispute were due to the nature of the task being performed (e.g. failure to detect and correct errors) and those arising from people's deliberate practices (e.g. failure to oblige by contractual requirements). For the contractor focus group the circumstances arising from the situation or environment the project was operating in were identified as the main underlying latent condition for disputes (e.g. unforeseen scope changes).

Research limitations/implications

Focus groups are only undertaken with clients and contracting groups as they were identified as the main parties involved in dispute during the analysis of litigation cases within Western Australia. Input from consultants and subcontractors may provide a more balanced perspective as to the perceived causes and costs of disputes.

Originality/value

The research has been able to provide the initial building blocks for understanding the underlying pathogens contributing to disputes. However, more empirical research is required before conclusive findings can be made, particularly with regard to the influences on subcontractors.
Negotiated capital: conflict, its resolution, and workplace social capital
Authors: Avgar Ariel C.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of conflict and conflict resolution on employee perceptions of unit social capital. The paper aims to test the overarching proposition that social capital is affected by different types of conflict and by organizational methods used to manage them.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper's hypotheses were tested using survey data collected as part of a case study conducted in a large Ohio hospital that had adopted a conflict management system. Survey data from 791 hospital employees were used to test hypotheses regarding the relationship between conflict and its management and social capital.

Findings

Analysis of the data supports the paper's proposition that different forms of conflict affect perceptions of social capital differently. Relationship and task conflict were significantly and negatively related to employee perceptions of social capital. Conflict regarding patient care issues, on the other hand, was significantly and positively related to employee perceptions of social capital. Results support the hypothesized direct and indirect effects of conflict management on social capital. In addition to directly increasing perceptions of social capital, one of the conflict management options examined (supervisor‐assisted) moderated the relationship between relationship and task conflict and social capital.

Research limitations/implications

The research implies that organizational conflict affects social capital. More importantly, different forms of conflict affect social capital in different ways. Furthermore, the findings imply that organizational management of conflict plays an important role in increasing perceptions of social capital. Shortcomings include the use of cross‐sectional data and the generalizability of findings from one hospital to other settings.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that an organization's approach to conflict and conflict management will affect perceived levels of social capital. In addition, organizations must be nuanced in the way they manage and resolve different types of conflict. Finally, findings suggest that supervisors play an important role in increasing unit social capital by assisting employees in resolving conflict.

Originality/value

The paper provides one of the first empirical examinations of the relationship between conflict, conflict resolution and social capital.
Shared metacognition in integrative negotiation
Authors: Choi Dong‐Won
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the unique effect that shared metacognition has on negotiation – over and above the effect of simply having similar views.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment was conducted where it was systematically varied whether the negotiators explicitly knew or did not know that their opponent had a similar view of the negotiation task.

Findings

Results showed that having shared metacognition promoted: cooperative negotiation, accurate insight into the opponent's point values (which was correlated with increased joint gain), and increased satisfaction regarding the negotiation outcome. Moreover, this was the case across different conditions in which negotiators' negotiation task view and motivation were varied.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that negotiators and mediators can benefit by developing a common understanding of the negotiation and explicitly exchanging this understanding with each other (establishing shared metacognition) prior to engaging in the negotiation. Future studies should examine closely the underlying process of shared metacognition in terms of its impact on negotiation.

Originality/value

Prior research suggests that successful, integrative negotiation depends on negotiators' view of the negotiation task and whether they hold similar views of the negotiation task (shared cognition). Implicit in this research is that the negotiating parties not only had similar views of the negotiation task but also may have explicitly known that they did so (shared metacognition).
Five critical knowledge management organizational themes
Authors: Sun Peter
Published: July 2010

Purpose

This study is motivated by the question “how do organizational routines influence the three knowledge management processes of acquisition, creation, utilization and sharing?” and accordingly it seeks to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical framework is first built by linking absorptive capacity (a routine‐based capability) with knowledge management processes. A literature search guided by the theoretical framework, and evidence from two case studies, were used to address the objective of the study.

Findings

The study elicited the organizational routines that influence the three knowledge management processes. These routines were then clustered into five key organizational themes: systemic knowledge; strategic engagement; social networking (external and internal); cultural context; process and structural context.

Research limitations/implications

Several implications for research are suggested. More specifically, the study offers five propositions that can be further tested. The key limitation of this study is the use of only two case studies for empirical data, and therefore further testing is needed.

Practical implications

The study shows that, although leadership behavior is critical for knowledge management, its impact depends on the platform of routines and processes built for it. The identified routines and their influence on knowledge management are invaluable for knowledge management practitioners.

Originality/value

The paper furthers understanding of how organizational routines influence the three knowledge management processes of knowledge acquisition, creation, utilization and sharing. This aspect has been little studied and is of value to both academics and practitioners.
Knowledge management in international organisations
Authors: Ringel‐Bickelmaier Claudia , Ringel Marc
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the approaches of international organizations to fostering knowledge management.

Design/methodology/approach

Two different approaches are used: First, presenting case studies on the United Nations Development Programme, the UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the World Bank, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the OECD and the European Commission. Second, evaluation of the progress of the respective approaches by using common test criteria for knowledge management implementation established in the literature.

Findings

It was found that all the institutions covered in this contribution have passed the stage of information management and have put active knowledge management systems in place. However, a structured and systematic management of implicit and external knowledge can be found to a lesser extent. Only a few international organizations like UNDP or the World Bank have pushed their knowledge management systems to integrate both internal and external, explicit and implicit knowledge. The results show clearly that most international organizations still show much room for improvement regarding their information and knowledge management system.

Research limitations/implications

The study was the first of its kind to look into information and knowledge management in international organizations. The contribution can be used as a starting‐point for further in‐depth work and as a blueprint for designing knowledge management systems in other international bodies.

Practical implications

The findings from the study may be used by various practitioners including knowledge managers in international organizations, knowledge management professionals and university researchers.

Originality/value

The paper represents the first documented attempt to review information and knowledge management in international organizations.
Macro process of knowledge management for continuous innovation
Authors: Xu Jing , Houssin Rémy , Caillaud Emmanuel , Gardoni Mickaël
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore the mechanisms of knowledge management (KM) for innovation and provide an approach for enterprises to leverage KM activities into continuous innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

By reviewing the literature from multidisciplinary fields, the concepts of knowledge, KM and innovation are investigated. The physical, human and technological perspectives of KM are distinguished with the identification of two core activities for innovation: knowledge creation and knowledge usage. Then an essential requirement for continuous innovation – an internalization phase – is defined. The systems thinking and human‐centered perspectives are adopted for providing a comprehensive understanding about the mechanisms of KM for innovation.

Findings

A networking process of continuous innovation based on KM is proposed by incorporating the phase of internalization. Three sources of organizational knowledge assets in innovation are identified. Then, based on the two core activities of innovation, a meta‐model and a macro process of KM are proposed to model the mechanisms of KM for continuous innovation. Then, in order to operationalize the KM mechanisms, a hierarchical model with four layers is constructed by integrating three sources of knowledge assets, the meta‐model and the macro process into the process of continuous innovation.

Practical implications

According to the lessons learned about KM practices in previous research, the three perspectives of KM should collaborate with one another for successful implementation of KM projects for innovation; the networking process of innovation provides a new way to integrate KM process in innovation; the hierarchical model provides a suitable architecture to implement systems of KM for innovation.

Originality/value

The meta‐model and macro process of KM explain how the next generation of KM can help the value creation and support the continuous innovation from the systems thinking perspective. The hierarchical model illustrates the complicated knowledge dynamics in the process of continuous innovation.
Knowledge management in UK police forces
Authors: Seba Ibrahim , Rowley Jennifer
Published: July 2010

Purpose

This study seeks to contribute to understanding of knowledge management and, specifically, knowledge sharing in the public sector through a case study‐based investigation of knowledge management policies and strategies, and knowledge‐sharing processes in four UK police forces.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with ten police officers in three police forces, and in the National Policing Improvement Agency. Questions focused on knowledge management strategy, strategies for encouraging staff to share and exchange knowledge, and any challenges in these areas. Interviews were recorded and transcripts created. A three‐stage thematic analysis of the interview transcripts was undertaken.

Findings

None of the case study organizations has an overarching knowledge management strategy or policy, although there is widespread recognition of the importance of intelligence and knowledge sharing to successful policing. The three police forces, supported by the National Policing Improvement Agency, do try to embody knowledge management in their strategies, processes and training methods, although it is sometimes difficult to identify relevant initiatives and practices. Forces are facing major issues in encouraging knowledge sharing as a result of the culture, the size of the force, and variable recognition of the value of knowledge management.

Originality/value

The study concurs with earlier work on research into knowledge management and knowledge sharing in the public sector that suggests that these processes are implicit and embedded in the culture of such organizations. This makes it challenging to “manage” knowledge in such contexts. The paper offers some insights into how knowledge is managed in the UK police force.
Institutional repositories: assessing their value to the academic community
Authors: Cullen Rowena , Chawner Brenda
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the development of institutional repositories in New Zealand, exploring factors affecting the adoption and success of institutional repositories from the perspective of the library managers who established them, and from the perspective of the academic community.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a series of interviews with library managers are compared with the findings from a randomised national survey of academics.

Findings

The responses of the library managers suggest that they are positive about the value of their institutional repository, and the progress made towards recruiting content for it. Data from the survey of academics indicate that academics have been slow to embrace the concept of institutional repositories, and show little interest in using repositories for increasing the accessibility of their own work, or to access the work of others. The number of deposits remains low, mirroring patterns throughout the world, and subject or disciplinary repositories appear to have greater value to the academic community.

Practical implications

The future long‐term sustainability of institutional repositories depends on gaining a stronger commitment from the academic community, or developing different goals, against which their success might be measured.

Originality/value

The study is the first random survey of academic staff across all disciplines, and an entire country, and the findings have a very high level of generalisability.
The Bulgarian university libraries in internet
Authors: Kirilova Savina
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the content and design of academic library web sites.

Design/methodology/approach

The evaluation of the quality of the web sites is carried out on the basis of their function, design, originality, professionalism and efficiency. The quantitative analysis includes areas such as basic information about the library (address, contact information, opening hours, history); access to the electronic resources (OPAC, other electronic information); guides to internet resources (free access or subscribe databases); synchronous and asynchronous online reference services (e‐mail, web forms, chat sessions, audio and video conferencing). Based on these indices, an expert evaluation was carried out, as well as a survey of 42 university libraries, accessible from the web portal of the Ministry of Education and Science, Bulgaria.

Findings

The survey shows that Bulgarian academic library web sites do have a common core of content and many follow the design guidelines, but they still have not come up to expectations as high quality virtual expressions of academic libraries.

Originality/value

This paper presents a comparison of all university libraries in Bulgaria and lays down the prospects to them under the conditions of the so‐called “information age”.
Personas and a user‐centered visioning process
Authors: Koltay Zsuzsa , Tancheva Kornelia
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline a fast track process Cornell used to develop a user‐focused vision and recommendations on how Cornell University Library should present itself and the information landscape to its users.

Design/methodology/approach

A consultant was hired to conduct local interviews probing audience work habits and needs and to synthesize them into composite personas segmented on the basis of “like” behavior. These “imaginary friends” helped validate and supplement user studies done elsewhere and existing quantitative data from Cornell, thus influencing all the decisions and recommendations that the team produced.

Findings

The personas can also serve as a way to effectively communicate about and develop empathy for user needs throughout planning and implementation.

Practical implications

Understanding and assessing the information seeking and managing needs, habits, and expectations of a library's audience are crucial for creating a digital library environment that is relevant to users. While anthropological studies are most meaningful, can you be sure that results produced at other institutions are complete and relevant for your own environment and purpose? The use of personas provides an effective tool that validates such comparisons.

Originality/value

Personas have been mostly used in industry, but in our process they proved a useful and relevant benchmark for the academic library environment.
Library assessment plans: four case studies
Authors: Tatarka Agnes , Chapa Kay , Li Xin , Rutner Jennifer
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The libraries at the University of Chicago, Columbia University, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and Cornell University have created or re‐defined their assessment plans and programs within the last two years. This paper aims to show the similarities and differences between the approaches of these four institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is taken.

Findings

These case studies underscore how vital assessment has become and illustrate how these assessment programs have evolved to reflect local needs and priorities, their libraries' organizational structure, their institutions' planning cycle, and, the reality of limited resources.

Originality/value

Recognizing that understanding local needs is the key to successful assessment at any institution, it is hoped that these case studies will be useful to libraries that are at various stages of building an assessment program.
Exploring intra‐industry competitive heterogeneity
Authors: DeSarbo Wayne S. , Wang Qiong , Blanchard Simon J.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the nature of competition within an industry by proposing and examining three separate sources of competitive heterogeneity: the strategies that industry members use, the performance that they obtain, and how effectively the strategies are utilized to obtain such performance results.

Design/methodology/approach

To do so, a restricted latent structure finite mixture model is devised that can quantify the contribution of these three potential sources of heterogeneity in the formulation of latent competitive groups within an industry. The paper illustrate this modeling framework with respect to COMPUSTAT strategy and performance data collected for public banks in the USA.

Findings

The paper shows how traditional conceptualizations via strategic or performance groups are inadequate to fully represent intra‐industry heterogeneity.

Originality/value

This research paper proposes a new class of restricted finite mixture‐based models, which fit a variety of alternative forms/models of heterogeneity. Information heuristics are developed to indicate “best model.”
Modeling the enablers of Six Sigma using interpreting structural modeling
Authors: Soti Ashish , Shankar Ravi , Kaushal O.P.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to study the enablers of Six Sigma and to establish relationship among them using interpretive structural modeling (ISM).

Design/methodology/approach

The research paper presents a blend of theoretical framework and practical applications. In the paper, 11 enablers of Six Sigma are identified from literature survey and experts' opinion and then these are validated by questionnaire survey in India. Finally, ISM is used to obtain structural relationship among these enablers of Six Sigma.

Findings

The ISM‐based model indicates that “effective top management leadership role”, “availability of funds” and “availability of expert training” are strategic requirements; “organizational culture”, “organizational infrastructure”, “quality maturity level of organization”, and “employees' adaptability and flexibility towards learning” are tactical requirements. “Statistical thinking”, “committed work force”, “reliable data gathering and retrieval system”, and “technical competence” are operational requirements for Six Sigma applications.

Originality/value

Enablers are the building blocks for deployment of Six Sigma. To know the key enablers and relationship among them can help many organizations to develop Six Sigma competences. It is one of the foremost attempts to model enablers of Six Sigma. The paper provides useful insights to the Six Sigma implementers, consultants, and researchers.
A methodology for realignment of quality cost elements
Authors: Dror Shuki
Published: July 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to present an innovative research methodology that enables a company to realign its quality cost elements in order to improve implementation of its quality system.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology combines the following methods: the house of quality costs (HOQC) method, which translates the desired improvement in failure costs (internal and external) into controllable efforts (prevention and appraisal costs) and ranks them by relative importance, the analysis of variance method, which supports selection of vital quality costs, and the enhanced control chart method, used to validate the strong causal linkages in HOQC.

Findings

Two case studies are presented to illustrate the application of the developed methodology. In the furniture firm, there are basically two vital sources of defects that could affect the overall cost of quality – raw materials and production process. In the food firm, traditional quality control is not enough to eliminate quality problems from the production processes. Hence, the hazard analysis critical control point is implemented.

Practical implications

The methodology applied in this paper proved itself capable of effectively handling realignment of quality cost elements. The methodology emphasizes adopting a systemic approach for selecting the vital controllable efforts in response to vital failure costs, as well as for detecting changes in the quality cost structure.

Originality/value

The American Society for Quality provides good coverage of quality cost types, but offers no mechanism for building and maintaining the relevance of these costs.
Modeling the barriers of supply chain collaboration
Authors: Ramesh A. , Banwet D.K. , Shankar R.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Supply chain collaboration (SCC) amongst independent firms often provides larger benefits from effectively satisfying end customer's needs than working alone. However, lack of awareness about the existence of barriers of collaboration hinders the realizing of the benefits of collaboration. The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers of SCC in the Indian apparel retail industry and how these barriers are interacting with one an other so that the decision makers can focus on overcoming these barriers and realizing the benefits of SCC.

Design/methodology/approach

Using interpretive structural modeling the research presents a hierarchy‐based model and the mutual relationships among the barriers of SCC.

Findings

This research shows that there exists a group of barriers having a high‐driving power and low dependence requiring maximum attention and of strategic importance while another group consists of those variables which have high dependence and are the resultant actions.

Practical implications

This classification provides a useful tool for supply chain managers to differentiate between independent and dependent variables and their mutual relationships which would help them to focus on those key variables that are most important for SCC.

Originality/value

Presentation of barriers in a hierarchy and the classification into driver and dependent categories is a unique effort in the area of SCC.
The impact of a tree virus on production value
Authors: Stengel Donald N. , Chaffe‐Stengel Priscilla , Moffitt Kathleen E.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the impact of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) on the commercial value of fruit produced by navel orange trees.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are counts of fruit of various sizes and quality harvested from a tree in a year. The counted fruit are converted to a dollar value using a standardized pricing matrix and then normalized as a ratio of the tree value compared to trees in the same orchard and year that were free of virus. Statistical tests determine if trees at various stages of infection have different production values than virus‐free trees.

Findings

On average, trees infected with CTV have higher fruit production values than trees that did not contract the virus, after compensating for climate and location differences, even though the presence or absence of CTV explains only about 1 percent of the variation in production value.

Research limitations/implications

Data are from commercially maintained orchards rather than a carefully controlled experiment in an isolated greenhouse environment.

Practical implications

Orange growers in the region should be reluctant to remove trees that have mild strains of CTV. The effects of a tree virus on production value should be a consideration in how to respond to the virus.

Originality/value

Development of a standardized pricing matrix to control for pricing fluctuations from year to year is a relatively novel concept. The applied concepts of tree status cohorts and relative crop values are original and provide valuable tools for combining data from different orchards and climate conditions.
Emerging multinationals: home and host country determinants and outcomes
Authors: Gammeltoft Peter , Pradhan Jaya Prakash , Goldstein Andrea
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for analyzing home and host country determinants and outcomes of emerging multinationals (EMNCs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies a conceptual approach combined with analyses of statistics and secondary material.

Findings

The paper identifies changing trends and features of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) from emerging economies and identifies in particular differences between outflows from Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC).

Originality/value

The paper puts forward a framework for analyzing determinants and outcomes of structures and strategies of multinational companies from emerging economies and surveys contemporary trends and features of outward FDI from these economies.
Emerging economies' multinationals
Authors: Goldstein Andrea , Pusterla Fazia
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The expansion of South‐North and South‐South foreign direct investment (FDI) reflects the rise of cross‐border capital flows, a distinguishing feature of the contemporary global economy, together with the increasing size and complexity of emerging market multinational corporations. Against this background, in emerging economies, governments have become increasingly aware of the role outward FDI (OFDI) can play as an instrument to deepen the integration into the world economy. The purpose of this paper is to analyze recent trends in OFDI from Brazil and China.

Design/methodology/approach

Using annual data for the period 1980‐2006 for both countries, the authors test the investment development path hypothesis, according to which the net outward investment position of a country depends on its level of development.

Findings

Results show that both China and Brazil are moving towards the third stage of the path, where domestic firms have acquired ownership and other advantages to go abroad and become leading outward investors.

Originality/value

The role of governments, institutions and the characteristics of domestic firms in both countries are considered to be crucial factors in determining the movement along the path.