bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marshall plan for Haiti: initial project of the global partnership for development
Authors: Nováček Pavel , Mederly Peter , Armand Pierre C. , Skácelová Irena
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to formulate future‐oriented vision of development for Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Design/methodology/approach

SWOT analysis, development indicators and alternative scenarios have been used in the study.

Findings

The paper reveals the construction of the Quality and Sustainability of Life Index for Haiti and normative proposals for future‐oriented development for Haiti.

Practical implications

This study can be used by governmental institutions in Haiti as well as by nongovernmental development organizations.

Originality/value

According to the authors' knowledge such future‐oriented study has not been done yet for Haiti; methodologically new is construction of Quality and Sustainability of Life Index for Haiti.
Quebec confronting its future: some tools for public decision making
Authors: Colson Aurélien
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to analyse the tools and initiatives developed in the public sector in Quebec to anticipate futures challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper surveys and analyses forward‐looking activities within governments, the public sector and institutes in Quebec.

Findings

The paper finds that Quebec is taking care of its future, especially through sustainable development policies. Strategic planning is in widespread use, boosted by administration reforms in the 1990s; strategic intelligence is gaining ground through a network gathering the main public institutions; and a promising foresight is going on.

Originality/value

The study provides an insight into the state of futures research in Quebec and its characteristics.
Universal service in an IP‐enabled NGN environment
Authors: Xavier Patrick , Ypsilanti Dimitri
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify concerns developing in regard to current approaches used to define, deliver and fund universal service obligations (USOs) for telecommunications due to developments in competition, new technology, e.g. wireless, convergence and next generation networks (NGN), including voice over internet protocol (VoIP). To stimulate thinking about the policies required to deliver USOs in an IP‐enabled NGN environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the nature and scope of USOs, including the concept of “functional internet access” to address questions about whether in an NGN environment: present USOs are sustainable; USOs need to change; and whether USOs should include access to broadband? The paper also examines alternative/complementary sources of funding for USOs.

Findings

With falling revenue (due to increasing competition and declining prices) occurring alongside strong demand for funds to deploy NGN, telecommunications operators are less able to provide USOs sustained by cross‐subsidisation. Universal service funds, too, may be under pressure. Also there is likely to be an uneven migration to NGN since it is likely that NGN will be deployed first in more profitable, densely populated areas and then only later (if at all) in relatively less commercially viable rural/remote areas. The paper concludes that present USOs can be maintained in an NGN environment. It concludes that since USOs is an evolving concept, there should be regular systematic reviews of whether USOs should be extended to include broadband. The paper concludes that increased funding from general taxation revenue is warranted and would link decisions concerning the nature and scope of USOs more closely with financial responsibility for such decisions.

Originality/value

The paper stimulates rethinking about whether, and if so how, arrangements relating to USOs need to change? In adopting a longer term perspective of universal services, the paper may be a valuable complement to the reviews of USOs being conducted in various countries (since short term decisions should be consistent with longer term developments).
The emergence of the internet to deliver video programming: economic and regulatory issues
Authors: Meisel John
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the internet as an emerging video distribution platform and to analyze the corresponding emerging economic and legal issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the historical evolution of the business model for the television business and, using a layered model of communications, identifies issues that accompany the growth of the internet as both a complement and a competitor to existing distribution platforms.

Findings

As video is increasingly distributed using the internet, a new business model is developing that possesses characteristics such as, unbundled content, irrelevance of geographic exclusivity, irrelevance of structured time or structured release, and new business combinations, alliances, and ventures.

Practical implications

Public policy makers throughout the world are faced with the need to update, replace, and/or revise existing regulations that govern the relationships between and among traditional video distribution platforms, such as over‐the‐air and cable/satellite providers, as the internet emerges as a viable video distribution platform.

Originality/value

The paper provides a summary of key economic (such as the network‐affiliate relationship) and regulatory issues (such as leveraging economic power in the physical and logical layers into the applications and content layers and the extension of content regulation) that are developing as the internet emerges as a video distribution platform.
A handset‐based platform for measuring mobile service usage
Authors: Verkasalo Hannu , Hämmäinen Heikki
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to demonstrate the viablity of a handset‐based research platform in measuring mobile service and application usage through various descriptive empirical studies.

Design/methodology/approach

A handset‐based research platform was used in measuring mobile usage in an international panel consisting of more than 500 mobile subscribers. The panel took place in 2005‐2006.

Findings

The research paper finds various interesting data points which cannot be derived with any other method. In addition, the paper finds that there are significant differences in certain mobile service and application use cases between different demographic groups.

Research limitations/implications

The main research limitations are the size of the sample and lack of clear business implications. The main idea of the paper was just to demonstrate the type of measurements and studies that can be done with the developed research platform.

Practical implications

3G technology drives packet data usage and 3rd party application usage in smartphones is very promising. Handset‐based research platform can and should be used in the future in various empirical studies on the mobile telecommunication market

Originality/value

A handset‐based research platform has never before been utilized in doing market research, and therefore the process and results discussed in this paper are pioneering ones.
Methodology for determining key internal business processes based on critical success factors
Authors: Quesada Henry , Gazo Rado
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology to help manufacturers determine and rank key internal business processes based on critical success factors (CSF).

Design/methodology/approach

First, company CSF and key performance measures were determined based on vision, mission and strategic objectives statements. Second, most important CSF were prioritized according to rating scores such as cost savings, necessary improvement, and own discretion using a balanced scoreboard procedure and a prioritization matrix. Third, CSF were related to internal business processes based on “strength of relationship” in order to define the most critical internal processes. Fourth, possible differences in the perception of CSF and strategic objectives among different management levels were compared. Fifth, the methodology was validated in three furniture manufacturing companies.

Findings

It was found that when a firm is missing vision or mission statements, it is imperative to define them before CSF can be identified. The CSF found through this case study were related to customer service, manufacturing management, quality and price of the products. The key internal business processes identified for the companies in this study were customer engagement, product operations and supply chain management. Conclusions show that better results were obtained when this methodology was applied to highest‐level of management.

Originality/value

This study has proved to be a useful tool to determine a strategy based on CSF and their relationship to internal business processes. Plant managers in our case studies were able to prioritize the critical internal business processes for their plants based on the most important CSF.
Offshore technology outsourcing: overview of management and legal issues
Authors: Pai Arjun K. , Basu Subhajit
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Offshore outsourcing of non‐core business process has rapidly evolved as a ubiquitous organisational phenomenon. However, failure to follow a clear, systematic and effective outsourcing strategy to evaluate threats, uncertainties and numerous imponderables can cause global enterprise businesses major setbacks. The reasons for such setback could be largely due to lack of core competency, careful legal planning and due diligence to operating models associated with an outsourcing initiative. This paper attempts to collate and exemplify the distinct qualifying processes accommodating contractual and intellectual property rights and provide a worthwhile debate on intricate legal considerations when structuring multi‐jurisdictional outsourcing deals.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a comparative analysis of strategic legal and management framework by weighing the risks and evaluating the threats which would assist the decision making process of firms when selecting an appropriate offshore partner to carry out their IT‐development work.

Findings

Importance of legal intervention and due diligence to service agreements is further elevated as, at every phase of an outsourcing arrangement, compliance issues and contractual obligations can affect the success of an enterprise customer and its relationship with their outsourcing service provider.

Research limitations/implications

The authors suggest that an exhaustive qualitative and quantitative industry specific research analysis be conducted in order to better define the principles and standards governing sub‐contracting arrangements.

Practical implications

A broader exposure to the strategic management and regulatory framework might provide firms with vantage points from which they could assess and identify new opportunities, evaluate threats and adopt effective risk mitigation strategies. Compliance to security standards and safeguard of information acquisition, analysis and usage should emerge as the mainstream strategy for outsourcing.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights and an overview of management and legal issues in the context of offshore technology outsourcing.
Complementing DRM with digital watermarking: mark, search, retrieve
Authors: Wolf Patrick , Steinebach Martin , Diener Konstantin
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how digital watermarking can be applied to assist and improve cryptography‐based digital rights management (DRM) systems by allowing the protection of content beyond the domain protected by the DRM system.

Design/methodology/approach

Digital watermarking is a passive technology, not allowing the active prevention of copyright violations. But it allows the irreversible linking of information with multimedia data, ensuring that an embedded watermark can be retrieved even after analogue copies. Therefore watermarking can be used where DRM fails: whenever content needs to be moved out of the protected DRM domain, e.g. when playing back content via analogue output channels it can mark the content with information that would help to identify its origin if it is used for copyright violations. The remaining challenge now is to find the marked content within the channels regularly used for copyright violations. The paper therefore introduces a concept for scanning file sharing networks for marked content.

Findings

The vast number of files present in the file sharing networks prohibits every approach based on completely scanning and analysing each file. Therefore concepts for filtered search queries where only potentially watermarked files are downloaded are discussed.

Originality/value

The paper shows how watermarking can be applied as a technology to allow active content protection beyond the limitations of current DRM systems.
A class of non‐linear asymptotic fingerprinting codes with ε‐error
Authors: Fernandez Marcel , Cotrina‐Navau Josep , Soriano Miguel
Published: February 2007

Pupose

The purpose of this paper is to show that a fingerprinting code is a set of code words that are embedded in each copy of a digital object, with the purpose of making each copy unique. If the fingerprinting code is c‐secure, then the decoding of a pirate word created by a coalition of at most c dishonest users, will expose at least one of the guilty parties.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a systematic strategy for collusions attacking a fingerprinting scheme. As a particular case, this strategy shows that linear codes are not good fingerprinting codes. Based on binary linear equidistant codes, the paper constructs a family of fingerprinting codes in which the identification of guilty users can be efficiently done using minimum distance decoding. Moreover, in order to obtain codes with a better rate a 2‐secure fingerprinting code is also constructed by concatenating a code from the previous family with an outer IPP code.

Findings

The particular choice of the codes is such that it allows the use of efficient decoding algorithms that correct errors beyond the error correction bound of the code, namely a simplified version of the Chase algorithms for the inner code and the Koetter‐Vardy soft‐decision list decoding algorithm for the outer code.

Originality/value

The paper presents a fingerprinting code together with an efficient chasing algorithm.
Toward semantics‐aware management of intellectual property rights
Authors: Damiani Ernesto , Fugazza Cristiano
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the advantages of semantics‐aware representation formalisms in the integration of digital rights management (DRM) infrastructures grounded on heterogeneous formats.

Design/methodology/approach

After discussing the notion of semantics‐aware IPR and its relationship with Semantic Web‐style metadata, we exemplify the advantages of adopting it by providing two different use cases. XML‐based DRMLs are mapped with a shared ontology‐based representation in such a way that dependencies between elements can be drawn.

Findings

Individual formalisms may take advantage of a semantics‐aware infrastructure to check consistency of DRM policies according to dependencies not explicit in the specification language. On the other hand, distinct formalisms can be integrated with each other according to fine‐grained translation mechanisms.

Originality/value

Inference procedures can pre‐process this knowledge base and derive implicit knowledge that can be used by programming logic in the actual enforcement of DRM policies.
Analysis of supply models and FM service market trends in Finland – implications on sourcing decision‐making
Authors: Ventovuori Tomi
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to analyse Facilities Management (FM) service market trends and different supply models of FM services in Finland. In addition, the implications of the prevailing market conditions for a client's decision‐making concerning FM services sourcing are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on thematic interviews and a survey that were conducted in Finnish FM service companies.

Findings

In order to compete successfully in the FM service market and fulfil the clients' needs in the near future, service providers need to be able to offer a wider range of FM services. In addition, it is important that the suppliers become stronger in the area of technical service competence. As the service companies are developing their internal technical competences, the clients might become more confident in outsourcing more technically demanding FM services. These market trends might explain why buyers in the FM service market are more ahead in using supply models like the integrated service provider model as opposed to using supply models like the specialized service provider model.

Research limitations/implications

This research offers new insight into FM service market trends in Finland and sheds light on the implications of the market conditions on the client's decision‐making process concerning the sourcing of FM services. In order to make stronger claims and to better understand the FM service industry as a whole, one should also gather data from the buyer side.

Practical implications

As information on a certain market is important for the buyers, it is suggested that the buyers of FM services should make a systematic research of the FM markets as part of sourcing strategy development or at least prior to releasing an invitation to tender to selected potential suppliers.

Originality/value

This research offers important market information that could be used to help the clients to make well‐grounded FM service sourcing decisions. In addition, this research describes those factors of competitiveness that come into play when service providers are in the process of reaching their competitive position in a certain market.
Heritage site area type classification for facility management purposes
Authors: Bozány András
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Although heritage sites are numerous, facility management (FM) is maybe the most important process in heritage site management systems. The similarities and differences of the sites should be considered before implementing common FM information systems that support more heritage sites with various area types. The presented classifications are collected and made primarily to support this process. Specialties of heritage sites were also observed from FM point of view. The paper attempts to identify a few groups that can be used well for FM system installations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper observes the sites from several points of view. The sites are classified by heritage types, by facility planning point of view, by fragmentation and the rate of built‐in area, by human influence, by application. It offers three methods for area classification, later the computerized supporting systems are observed.

Findings

On most heritage sites FM is probably the most important management process. These cultural and natural sites are handled usually by governmental authorities and/or such organizations that can serve more sites permanently.

Research limitations/implications

Since, the heritage sites are various, there might be several exceptional cases that are not collected in this paper.

Practical implications

The paper offers guidelines and ideas to enhance the FM system implementation on different types of heritage sites. Using these groupings, several problems can be identified early in the planning phase of such information systems.

Originality/value

This paper attempts to present the diversity of the objects on the heritage sites, trying to categorize them for FM purposes from more viewpoints. Most of these sites are currently not applied with efficient FM support.
Improving delivery of laser pan retinal photocoagulation in treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Chavan Randhir , Mitra Arijit , Headon Maurice
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the benefits of introducing a laser room poster in improving delivery of laser pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP) in treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Design/methodology/approach

An audit was carried out to describe the practice prior to introducing laser room poster. A reaudit was conducted after its introduction to evaluate if the practice had improved.

Findings

There was a 20 per cent increase (92 per cent in reaudit versus 72 per cent in audit) in total number of laser burns between 1,000‐2,500 burns during first session. In a completed PRP, an increase of 23 per cent was recorded (45 per cent versus 22 per cent) in total number of laser burns between 3,000‐6,000 burns. Retinal area ablated less than recommended by ETDRS fell by 21 per cent (18 versus 39). Not surprisingly the percentage of patients requiring re‐treatment after completed PRP fell from 30 per cent to 21 per cent, indicating an overall improvement in PRP treatment results.

Originality/value

Future strategies for improving clinical effectiveness can be based on experience gained from this project. Laser room poster can be an important tool in ophthalmology departments in the management of PDR.
How safe is information about medicines? A risk assessment framework
Authors: Wills Simon , Stephens Martin
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify factors predisposing to risk in publications written by healthcare professionals, especially those concerned with medicines.

Design/methodology/approach

Observation, discussion, and analysis of production methods, standards, and written outputs produced by the UK Medicines Information network as an exemplar of a healthcare organisation producing an array of publications with an accompanying tier of pre‐publication quality assurance procedures.

Findings

The factors which affect the likelihood and impact of risk in publications can be identified: author competence, quality of information sources, transformation process, audience, provenance, intended use and subject matter. These factors can be used to score a given publication and establish its risk potential relative to other publications.

Practical implications

It is recommended that healthcare organisations engaged in producing written material consider carefully the risks inherent in publishing, and the factors which influence risk.

Originality/value

The factors identified here can be used to score relative risk and to identify the highest risk publications. Higher risk documents should attract the most stringent pre‐publication quality assurance procedures.
Crossing the generational divide: engaging “young” employees in your organization
Authors: Schulman Sarah
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine how new employees and employers can both contribute to “committed action” within employment.

Design/methodology/approach

Outlines ways in which to create the right conditions for equal engagement.

Findings

There is no foolproof formula for achieving inter‐generational engagement in the workplace: roughly it is one part recognition, one part intentionality, and one part commitment to challenging the status quo. By first recognizing what matters to people (whether young or old), then integrating their answers into the organization's overall strategy and human resource design, and finally by being unsatisfied with stagnation, the feeling of engagement can take root and new, improved ways of thinking and doing can blossom.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on encouraging individuals to be wholly committed to action.
Wilderness thinking: a novel approach to leadership development
Authors: Watson Sally , Vasilieva Elena
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Describes the development of a leadership approach in which the outdoors became an environment for personal reflection.

Design/methodology/approach

Reports on the pilot findings from research conducted with 50 managers from Airbus UK and TOTAL and contribute to knowledge about reflective approaches to leadership development

Findings

A process of retreat became a catalyst for reflective learning about leadership among 50 managers from Airbus UK and TOTAL. The findings challenge OMD and SMD and their specific use of the outdoors as a medium for individual learning.

Originality/value

Evidence was found that wilderness thinking represents an innovation in reflective learning which challenges the main trends in the use of the outdoors to develop leaders
Keeping it real – supporting learning through workshops in small and medium‐sized exporters
Authors: Taylor Robert
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine the use of workshops in delivering learning, particularly with regard to the “Passport to export” programme and its plan to help SMEs succeed in the export markets.

Design/methodology/approach

Looks at how decisions regarding presentation and schedule of the workshops were made.

Findings

The workshop is outstandingly successful with around 96 per cent of the delegates rating it as good or excellent, declaring it a worthwhile investment of their time and being prepared to recommend it to others

Originality/value

Encourages decision makers to undertake learning thereby influencing the growth and development in these businesses and consequently in the economy as a whole.
Conservation of tanks/lakes in the Bangalore metropolitan area
Authors: Gowda Krishne , Sridhara M.V.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build up perspectives for the conservation and restoration of the various spoilt water bodies within the Bangalore metropolitan area.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes how Bangalore city is typical of the features of peninsular India in that it is made up of ridges, valleys and undulating terrain. Monsoon rainfall is substantial and the tanks and lakes can receive and contain substantial amounts of water from rains. Only thing is to de‐clog the natural water flow routes and to restore the bunds of tanks and repair the spillways and put in place legal and administrative measures to preserve the interiors of tanks; free them from construction activities and launch suitable afforestation programs to contain soil erosion, improve the quality of subsoil water and raise if possible medicinal and ornamental trees so that Bangalore gains in its aesthetic appeal.

Findings

The study reveals that the existence of water bodies is an important asset to the environment of Bangalore. It has a beneficial impact on the microclimate of the city and serves as outdoor recreational areas, which are very much needed as a source of change and relief for the city dwellers. It is good for developing open spaces with greenery along the valleys. There is much scope for water‐front developments to enhance urban aesthetics in the surrounding areas. It is possible to improve the ground water table, so that there will be scope for tapping ground water through bore wells all through the year, particularly during summers.

Practical implications

This work will draw the attention of government authorities as well as local residents, NGOs and experts to keep the tanks/lakes conserved in and around the BMA and to prevent silting of tanks by offshore development and large‐scale tree planting and also removal of encroachments within the study area.

Originality/value

This study will stimulate interest in recreation, conservation, open space beautification, pollution abatement and a myriad other ways to improve the quality of urban environment.
Sharing responsibility: what they didn't teach you in kindergarten
Authors: Powers Michael R.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the problem of allocating responsibility for risk through a simple classroom vignette that illustrates some of the difficulties encountered in more complex real‐world scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach

After considering a number of ad hoc allocation methods, this study focuses on the Shapley and Aumann‐Shapley values from cooperative game theory.

Findings

Shows that the Aumann‐Shapley value provides a useful tool for allocating risk in a real‐world insurance context, and therefore may be used to distribute capital (surplus) and premium loadings.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into both the challenges of the risk‐allocation problem and its proposed solutions.
Data‐efficient model building for financial applications
Authors: Sandow Sven , Zhou Xuelong
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Investors often rely on probabilistic models that were learned from small historical labeled datasets. The purpose of this article is to propose a new method for data‐efficient model learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method, which is an extension of the standard minimum relative entropy (MRE) approach and has a clear financial interpretation, belongs to the class of semi‐supervised algorithms, which can learn from data that are only partially labeled with values of the variable of interest.

Findings

This study tests the method on an artificial dataset and uses it to learn a model for recovery of defaulted debt. In both cases, the resulting models perform better than the standard MRE model, when the number of labeled data is small.

Originality/value

The method can be applied to financial problems where labeled data are sparse but unlabeled data are readily available.
An analysis of risk for defaultable bond portfolios
Authors: Guo Hongtao , Wu Guojun , Xiao Zhijie
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to estimate value at risk (VaR) using quantile regression and provide a risk analysis for defaultable bond portfolios.

Design/methodology/approach

The method proposed is based on quantile regression pioneered by Koenker and Bassett. The quantile regression approach allows for a general treatment on the error distribution and is robust to distributions with heavy tails.

Findings

This article provides a risk analysis for defaultable bond portfolios using quantile regression method. In the proposed model we use information variables such as short‐term interest rates and term spreads as covariates to improve the estimation accuracy. The study also finds that confidence intervals constructed around the estimated VaRs can be very wide under volatile market conditions, making the estimated VaRs less reliable when their accurate measurement is most needed.

Originality/value

Provides a risk analysis for defaultable bond using quantile regression approach.
Real‐time routing selection for automated guided vehicles in a flexible manufacturing system
Authors: Buyurgan Nebil , Meyyappan Lakshmanan , Saygin Can , Dagli Cihan H.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the development of an architecture for real‐time routing of automated guided vehicles (AGV) in a random flexible manufacturing system (FMS).

Design/methodology/approach

AGV routing problem is modeled using an evolutionary algorithm‐based intelligent path planning model, which handles vehicle assignments to material handling requests and makes routing decisions with the objective of maximizing the system throughput. The architecture is implemented on a 3‐layer software environment in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model.

Findings

The proposed architecture, along with the evolutionary algorithm‐based routing model, is implemented in a simulated FMS environment using hypothetical production data. In order to benchmark the performance of the path planning algorithm, the same FMS model is run by traditional dispatching rules. The analysis shows that the proposed routing model outperforms the traditional dispatching rules for real‐time routing of AGVs in many cases.

Research limitations/implications

Future work includes expanding the scope of the current work by developing and implementing other routing models and benchmarking them against the proposed model on different performance measures.

Originality/value

The implementation of evolutionary algorithms in real‐time routing of AGVs is unique. In addition, due to its modularity, the proposed 3‐layer architecture can allow effective and efficient integration of different real‐time routing algorithms; therefore it can be used as a benchmarking platform.
Implementing a platform strategy for a systems business via standardization
Authors: Karandikar Harshavardhan , Nidamarthi Srinivas
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The benefits of a platform strategy in volume product businesses are well established. Such a strategy can also pay dividends in a low‐volume systems or projects business. The benefits include increased engineering efficiency, higher solution reliability and reduced direct costs. The purpose of this paper is to describe the mechanism for the implementation of such a platform strategy via a design standardization initiative and discuss the technical challenges involved. The paper describes the case of the automotive powertrain assembly line business.

Design/methodology/approach

For the past three years, the authors were an integral part of the engineering teams at four systems businesses, automotive suppliers with a global footprint, driving the process of standardization and engineering platform development. The concepts presented in the paper were developed and validated during the course of this effort.

Findings

Implementation of an engineering platform can succeed via a design and work process standardization initiative embedded in a strong business context. The problems involved – technical, organizational, and cultural – must be dealt with simultaneously and comprehensively.

Practical implications

The practical steps that need to be taken and the comprehensive approach required to implement platform concepts in a systems/projects business are highlighted.

Originality/value

There is considerable literature on the planning and design of product platforms. However, there is less discussion of how to implement these platforms in practice considering the organizational constraints and legacy products. Further, there is even less published literature on platform development for complex systems treated as products.
Knowledge management practices in Turkish SMEs
Authors: Tunc Bozbura F.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Aims at finding out the senior managers' perceptions about the extent to which the components of KM contribute to the success of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the current knowledge management practices in Turkish SMEs are searched through a survey. The survey is prepared depending on a basic model of knowledge management built by the author.

Findings

The results of the survey show that Turkish SMEs do not like to share knowledge even within the company. The managers are afraid of losing the control of knowledge. However, since they close the information channels, they also prevent the incoming knowledge.

Originality/value

This paper provides a basis for the research about knowledge management practices in SMEs in developing countries.
An empirical investigation of manufacturing performance measures utilization
Authors: Gomes Carlos F. , Yasin Mahmoud M. , Lisboa João V.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The objective of this study is to shed some light on the information flow between executives and financial analysts in the context of manufacturing performance measurement and evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

The predictive value, information availability and frequency of performance measures used by the sampled manufacturing organizations and financial analysts are compared using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The findings of this study clearly underscore the increasing significance of non‐financial and non‐traditional performance measures. The importance of customer‐based and quality‐related measures is noted.

Research limitations/implications

The sample used in this study is specific in nature. It consisted of Portuguese manufacturing organizations and Portuguese financial analysts. Thus, the results should be interpreted accordingly.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have clear implications for organizational information systems. Re‐engineering of organizational information systems is called for toward closing the information gaps which exist in the context of organizational performance measurement.

Originality/value

This study has both practical and theoretical value, as it empirically explores the practical implications of some important issues related to organizational performance.
European railway freight transportation and adaptation to demand decline
Authors: Hilmola Olli‐Pekka
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Railway freight transportation in Europe is in a state of change. The system has been freed from protection from the beginning of 2007 and market forces will start to act. Demand for, and the market share of, this form of transportation has been declining for decades. Therefore, there is a need to know more about the efficiency and productivity of this sector, in order to understand the nature and magnitude of potential restructuring changes. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to analyze different European countries throughout the longitudinal observation period of 1980 to 2003. Also partial productivity analysis is used to support DEA evaluation.

Findings

Based on DEA results, it is found that those countries that were showing the highest efficiency levels in the 1980s, without exception, experienced an efficiency collapse in the 1990s. These include both former Eastern Bloc and West European countries. Based on partial productivity analysis, it is proposed that productivity of locomotives and railway tracks should be the primary target of productivity improvement in these formerly highly efficient countries. The efficiency analysis shows also that currently the most efficient railway freight transportation is located in the Baltic States, namely Estonia and Latvia. If one does not include data from Estonia and Latvia in the overall analysis, in a European context the only truly improving performance indicators are partial productivities of freight wagons, and staff.

Research limitations/implications

In contrast to previous efficiency studies in this sector, railway freight transportation shows high differences between European countries; it is necessary to address further research in the efficiency and productivity area in this respect to identify ongoing structural change.

Practical implications

Restructuring in European railways is just taking its first steps, and a combination of downsizing and greater freight volumes is needed if this mode of transportation is going to prosper in the future, and take market share back from others. Restructuring within this sector will most probably result in increased internationalization, mergers and acquisitions, and intermodal transportation solutions. These all represent new avenues for research.

Originality/value

This article helps to advise clear remedies for European railways and suggests interesting avenues for further research.
Structural violence and productivity
Authors: Dubee Fred
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide information about the concept of “structural violence”; to explain this as a barrier to the development of productivity; and to inform about the Global Compact, a United Nations initiative designed to reduce structural violence.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of structural violence is explained and then the history and development of the Global Compact are outlined. From this lessons are drawn for policy‐makers and industry leaders.

Findings

Structural violence is often unintended; a consequence of political structures and cultural norms, part of the “dominant logic”. It must be addressed specifically and is best addressed on a partnership basis by all key stakeholders. The Global Compact is an enabling framework, which allows discussion, promotes research, and encourages action towards ending structural violence.

Practical implications

At the policy level, the challenge is to probe the relationship between structural violence, dominant logic and business behaviour/impact and to create an enabling environment to go beyond isolated measures and “end of pipe” solutions to poverty, exclusion and pollution that, while providing relief and tackling symptoms, have yet to prove effective enough in generating inclusive, timely and sustainable prosperity.

Originality/value

Shows the direct link between structural violence and productivity restriction. Suggests approaches that should help individuals, teams and organisations think about their own part in this phenomenon. Cites examples of changes in “dominant logic” that can help support such approaches.
The disavowal of the military
Authors: Bishop Ryan , Phillips John
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This conceptual paper is offered in place of a systematic analysis of militarization in organizations and the wider world. It proceeds on the understanding that militarization implies deep historical tendencies that are not easy to simply avoid, especially where one wishes to observe or to analyse phenomena systematically.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper seeks out alternative means of engagement with references to the psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud, the critical theory of Theodor Adorno and the poetry of W.H. Auden. The departure, however, is taken in response to a brief and questionable statement by Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) about world history and the position of reason since the end of the Second World War.

Findings

Historical analysis, it is argued, is essential for any understanding of processes of militarization but not adequate on its own.

Originality/value

Militarization means, at least in the first instance, the adoption of military modes of organization and engagement in supposedly non‐military environments. But at a deeper level, which is nonetheless manifest in both a developing technology and an increasingly technological attitude, it implies the repetition of basic attitudes to others and to life. Furthermore the very meaning of militarization is likely to undergo metamorphoses as a result of these trends.
Shifting foundations: redrawing strategic management's military heritage
Authors: Cummings Stephen
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the limitations of what the field of strategic management sees as its military foundations.

Design/methodology/approach

Categorizes and synthesizes the critical historical approach of Michel Foucault and uses this to interrogate assumptions made about military approaches to strategy in the strategic management literature.

Findings

Suggests that there is a much broader range of military approaches to strategy than that which has been seen as a foundation stone of strategic management, and that drawing on this broader range of perspectives can encourage new thinking about strategic management.

Research implications/limitations

While the historical survey upon which this hypothesis is developed is by no means exhaustive, it should encourage further investigation of different approaches to military strategy and how these might be applied to think differently in business settings.

Practical implications

This paper should encourage practitioners to question their often overly simplistic views of military strategy and to see this arena as a potentially rich seam of ideas that could be applied in business.

Originality/value

This is the first journal article to develop a clear method that draws on the many strands of Foucault's historical approach and apply this to fruitfully deconstruct a particular aspect of the field of management's assumed heritage.
The glass beads of global war: dealing, death and the policy analysis market
Authors: Lightfoot Geoff , Lilley Simon
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to subject the short lived “Policy Analysis Market” (PAM) – “a Pentagon betting market on terror attacks” – and media and academic reactions to it, to some critical analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper engages sustained invocation of the relationship between simulation and representation, for the story of the Policy Analysis Market (PAM) and its demise is replete with the tension between the two. It interrogates a range of accounts of the (un)timely demise of PAM, from the fearful senators and the moralistic media who subsumed and buttressed their position to the market evangelists for whom the failure of this particular market was merely proof of the veracity of markets elsewhere.

Findings

It is found that, inter alia, PAM was not really market‐like enough and, indeed, that it duplicated in impoverished form already existing markets that pertain to its objects of interest; that it was too much a market, given that its “goods” are seemingly inappropriate for market trade; and that it exposed too much of the truth of the actual operation of existing markets via the difficulties it confronted with regard to the possibility of insider dealing.

Originality/value

By contextualising PAM within the so‐called war on terror of which it was part, we see in the tension between representation and simulation, tension between a singular and a manifold reality; a set of tensions which make clear the extent of the gap that must exist between cause and effect, truth and prediction. The paper concludes by joining the celebration of PAM's demise whilst yearning for a similar fate to befall the other monologues that brought it to silence.
“Now it's up to you!” Children consuming commercial television
Authors: Tingstad Vebjørg
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to report from a qualitative study of the global television conceptPop Idolwith the aim of evaluating children's and teenagers' involvement as consumers, both in their roles in purchasing goods and services, and being targets for well‐designed promotional activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on content analysis and interviews with children, the paper analyses the dynamics between marketing strategies, program content and child audiences.

Findings

The paper discusses how young consumers distinguish between two “regimes of truth” in the television concept: first the creation of a superstar, and second the broader phenomenon thatPop Idolrepresents, which is mainly about creating consumers through participation.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to acknowledging children's perspectives and childhood as not only valuable but necessary to inform consumer research, since children are deeply and unavoidably enmeshed in consumption in fundamental ways.