bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurship perceptions and career intentions of international students
Authors: Davey Todd , Plewa Carolin , Struwig Miemie
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the differences between African and European students with regard to their entrepreneurial intentions, attitudes towards entrepreneurship, role models and entrepreneurial experience. It also aims to set the scene for future comparative research between developing and developed countries in the area of graduate entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative empirical research design was applied, using self‐administered questionnaires. Questionnaires were distributed to first‐year business students at universities in three African countries that are either developing (Uganda and Kenya) or emerging (South Africa) and four European developed nations (Finland, Germany, Ireland, and Portugal).

Findings

The results indicate that students from developing/emerging economies are more likely to envisage future careers as entrepreneurs and are more positive towards entrepreneurship than their industrialised European counterparts, even though motivators for employment/self‐employment are similar across the samples. The type of role models used and the extent of entrepreneurial experience varied between individual countries.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the use of a convenience sample and its restriction on the use of statistics, a single data collection point and a sample across seven countries on two continents.

Practical implications

The results lead to universal and country‐specific recommendations relating to the improvement of student‐oriented entrepreneurship activities within universities.

Originality/value

The paper extends research on graduate entrepreneurship by providing an international comparison of entrepreneurship intentions, attitudes and experiences between developing/emerging and developed nations, leading to suggestions on how to foster an entrepreneurial spirit and assist new‐venture creations for students.
Highly‐skilled Colombian immigrants in Spain
Authors: Matiz Bulla Francisco Javier , Hormiga Esther
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand why high‐skilled immigrants from a developing country (Colombia) are returning to their home country to create businesses instead of starting up in their host country (Spain).

Design/methodology/approach

A case study methodology was used to present the experiences of three high‐skilled immigrants. All subjects presented had migrated from Colombia to Spain, held degrees from a Colombian university, had a university background in entrepreneurship and intended to run a business in Colombia instead of in Spain.

Findings

This study shows how the expectations of highly‐skilled immigrants can influence their decision to return to their home country to set up in business. Because of their skills and international experience, these individuals have good professional prospects in their home countries and a lower tolerance of the barriers and difficulties encountered in the host country than immigrants with other profiles.

Research limitations/implications

In exploring the high‐skilled immigrants' reasons for returning home, future research should pay more attention to personal motivations and cultural differences.

Practical implications

The findings will enable policy makers in developing and developed countries to improve policies for attracting or retaining highly‐skilled immigrants or emigrants, especially those with entrepreneurial intentions.

Originality/value

In a group of immigrants whose skills and talents could offer considerable added value either to their host country or to their home country, this paper examines some of the key processes that influence their decision of where to locate their entrepreneurial activity.
Knowledge creation and human capital for development: the role of graduate entrepreneurship
Authors: Mitra Jay , Abubakar Y.A. , Sagagi M.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Tackling structural and emergent problems in the labour market, valorising skilled human capital (HC) for opportunity creation, economic development and growth, are some of the key drivers for graduate entrepreneurship. This paper aims to examine developments in Africa, focusing on the significance of improving human capital through graduate entrepreneurship to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a unique Education Partnerships in Africa (EPA) project the paper adopts a conceptual and exploratory approach to understand the institutional, cultural and economic dimensions of change and the specific role of graduate entrepreneurship education and training in enabling productive outcomes, using an illustrative case study of the project to develop the arguments.

Findings

Knowledge creation lies at the heart of entrepreneurship development in developing economies such as Nigeria. Knowledge creation (KC) for entrepreneurship (E) is based on human capital (HC) development. In circumstances of uneven growth in developing economies HC development is the only constant. Harnessing HC for entrepreneurship can be based on three sets of propositions derived from an examination of the relationship between KC, HC and E, which locate graduate entrepreneurship's role within a holistic, institutional framework.

Originality/value

The paper's originality lies in the development of a model for promoting and evaluating a holistic approach to graduate entrepreneurship in developing countries based on the targeting of MDGs. It offers new insights into the role of graduate entrepreneurship in economic and social development.
New venture strategies and performance in a catching‐up economy
Authors: Deligianni Ioanna , Voudouris Irini
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore both the strategy types and strategic growth trajectories of new ventures and examine the relationship between these trajectories and new venture performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses evidence from six case studies of Greek high technology new ventures over a lengthy time frame. The longitudinal research design of the study allowed for the complexities of the growth phenomenon to be captured in an effective and efficient manner.

Findings

Based on an integrative three‐dimensional framework of new venture strategies, four strategy types are identified. At a static level, evidence suggests that the more strategic dimensions are emphasised in a venture strategy, the more balanced the venture's strategic position and thus, the higher its performance. With respect to the venture's dynamic trajectories, among all possible alternatives, it was found that two are the most successful. The first secures growth through focusing first on a specific innovative product/service in the domestic market and then expanding in the global market. The second secures growth through focusing first on a specific innovative product/service in the global market and then expanding the venture product scope.

Research limitations/implications

The findings imply that the product and geographic dimensions of new venture strategies are the main performance differentiators, while the innovativeness dimension is a sine qua non of new ventures growth and performance. Implications for theory, business practice and policy making are discussed.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to knowledge in the area of new venture growth by developing a strategic typology in a catching‐up economy, where little research can be found.
Board information: meeting the evolving needs of corporate directors
Authors: Roy Marie‐Josée
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Amid ongoing criticism that corporate boards do not receive adequate information to help them fulfill their current and emerging roles, the purpose of this paper is to focus on the type of information directors receive. Specifically, to examine whether greater board independence and greater board expertise were associated with receiving more information, in five specific categories.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses about the relationships between the composition of corporate boards and the various types of information they receive were tested by means of a survey of 161 Canadian companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Findings

The authors findings indicate a strong association between board expertise and each type of information received and suggest a weaker relationship between board independence and information received. Specifically, the results demonstrate that more independent boards do not receive larger amounts of information that is more forward‐looking in nature.

Research limitations/implications

These findings contribute to the literature on governance by providing relevant empirical evidence, based on primary data on board information issues. However, these results must be interpreted within the context of the use of various perceptual measures.

Practical implications

Now that the composition of corporate boards has changed considerably, the findings of this study underline the need to re‐examine the supporting information processes. Hence, this study should help provide guidance to organizations examining the content of their current information strategy.

Originality/value

An important contribution of this study is its detailed characterization of the information provided to corporate boards, including financial and non‐financial information and reflecting the five traditional stages of the strategic management process.
The propensity of e‐commerce usage: the influencing variables
Authors: Bonera Michelle
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address online consumer behavior in purchase decision making. Research – in the form of various psychological and sociological studies – has recently provided many theoretical models to explain how consumers utilize new technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The intention of this study is to utilize these existing theories, not simply adapt them to the phenomenon of e‐commerce, but to question and, therefore, change fundamental variables. The main variables have been tested together using a statistical methodology not previously applied to this type of problem: the classification and regression trees (CART) procedure.

Findings

The survey results confirm that, in addition to utilitarian aspects of online use, the perception of the usefulness of the system, very important seem to be the hedonistic aspects related to the higher or lower emotional commitment. In the first instance, the online purchase intention is influenced by the construct of playfulness, followed by the perceived security and usefulness.

Practical implications

It is already evident that e‐commerce sites, even at the functional and graphic design stage, should consider elements that make it possible to increase the potential for participation, engagement, interaction and fun.

Originality/value

The intention of the paper is to utilize these existing theories, not simply adapt them to the phenomenon of e‐commerce, but to question and, therefore, change fundamental variables. The main variables are derived from models in the literature which have been tested together using a statistical methodology not previously applied to this type of problem: the CART procedure.
The effect of HRM practices on impersonal organizational trust
Authors: Vanhala Mika , Ahteela Riikka
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Organizations face an increasing need to foster trust. However, there are fewer opportunities for developing interpersonal trust and an evident need to establish complementary forms. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of various human resource management (HRM) practices on the impersonal dimensions of organizational trust.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses are tested on a sample of 715 respondents from large corporations in the ICT and forest industries in Finland. Structural equation modelling was used.

Findings

Employee trust in the whole organization is connected to perceptions of the fairness and functioning of HRM practices. Such practices can therefore be used in order to build the impersonal dimension of organizational trust.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should also include interpersonal dimensions of organizational trust. Another limitation is that datasets from different industries were merged: future studies should analyze data from the ICT and forest industries separately.

Practical implications

HRM practices are used in all organizations, and could offer a practical solution to the problem of building and retaining trust without developing a special system or specific methods.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the growing body of literature on the role of trust in the context of organizational relationships. To the best of the researchers' knowledge this is the first study focusing on the impersonal element of organizational trust and its relationship with HRM practices.
Multinational corporations: the changing landscape
Authors: Martelli Joseph T. , Abels Patricia B.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how internationalization has impacted the composition and performance of global companies. Trends among continents, countries and across industries are shown in order to further understand the effects of internationalization on these prominent organizations in our world economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a descriptive study using a cross‐sectional design. The unit of analysis consists of the companies comprising the world's largest 500 companies as reported by Fortune Magazine in 2009. Secondary data covering more than 30 variables and 500 cases were collected pertaining to these large organizations. The “world's largest 500 companies” is further divided by continents and countries in order to provide detailed cross tab analysis.

Findings

Utilizing the Global Industry Standard Classification (GICS), the authors categorized the diversity of firms based upon the type of products or services rendered by the world's largest 500 companies. It was found that these influential global organizations fall under ten broad classifications for industry sectors, with the financial sector being the dominant classification among 101 multinational firms. The results indicated that the USA dominated in all GICS sectors, except for energy. Europe is producing the largest amount of total global revenue at $10 trillion and employs the greatest number of workers, employing some 18,907,256 global employees.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis was not designed to make a generalization for the population of all global organizations.

Originality/value

The authors' research not only identifies and describes these characteristics, but is intended to increase awareness of how internationalization has changed the composition and performance of the world's largest 500 companies over the five‐year period spanning 2005 through 2009.
Global performance management: a research agenda
Authors: Hellqvist Nina
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Whilst performance management (PM) is one human resource practice that is of importance for the company, research in international setting is still in its infancy. This paper focuses on global PM (GPM) in multinational enterprises. The aim is to present advances in the PM research framework, give managerial suggestions and find out future needs and trends for research.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to analyze the literature in the research field. Will the transfer of PM be localized or standardized? Diffusion deals with how social institutions are spread from one society to another through certain channels over time and among members of a social system. In this paper, the framework is drawn on institutional theory, the institutional impact of the degree of success or barriers to GPM.

Findings

In the findings of GPM research, the following perspectives were found: tool and process perspective, expatriates (a specific target group perspective), cultural perspective, standardization perspective and comparative perspective.

Practical implications

GPM enables the evaluation and development of the individual as well as organizational effectiveness for multinational companies. Balance between local responsiveness and global integration in subsidiaries is needed.

Originality/value

There is a need to study GPM further. The PM process is similar for domestic and international market, but the difference is in the implementation because it is far more complex in global companies with more issues to consider.
Introducing governance and employment relations in Eastern and Central Europe
Authors: Bedo Zsolt , Demirbag Mehmet , Wood Geoffrey
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This article seeks to explore some of the principal issues and debates on the relationship between institutions, firm level governance and employment relations outcomes in Eastern and Central Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper particularly focuses on the countries that are encompassed by the papers covering the special issue.

Findings

Introducing new and meaningful forms of labour regulation becomes very much more difficult in times of economic crisis. This means that the regulation of employment relations is likely to be diminished, or, as is probably more likely in the case of the bulk of countries in the region, a situation of “muddling on” is likely to persist. Firm level employment relations practices are likely to be persistently diverse, both within and between countries. Key areas of division are in terms of country clusters, which range from proto‐social democratic through to “wild capitalist”, distinguished by variations in terms of firm size, and between the formal and informal economies.

Practical implications

This study highlights the extent to which institutional variations and change may mould the choices made at firm level.

Originality/value

There is a tendency to conflate the region into a loose transitional category. This paper highlights the divergent paths followed by the countries in the region, and the extent to which this has been associated by diversity in employment relations both within and between countries.
Wild capitalism, privatisation and employment relations in Serbia
Authors: Upchurch Martin , Marinković Darko
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the phenomenom of wild capitalism under post Communist transformation. Many commentators on post Communist transformation focus their attention on dysfunctional corporate governance and the deleterious consequences of liberalisation on business ethics. Poor business ethics and bad corporate governance may be a consequence of labour exploitation for comparative advantage, and the abandonment of party authority. This allowed rapacious rent‐seeking by a minority well placed to benefit from the newly de‐regulated regime. A by‐product is a burgeoning informal economy encouraged by insider dealing of privatised state assets. State regulation, where it exists, is often ignored. Employment relations are fragmented, with state‐owned enterprises retaining some form of collective regulation, while newly privatised enterprises seek to marginalise union activity.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses why Serbia has diverged from the Slovenian case in the former Yugoslavia and determines norms of behaviour as a product of both structural and agency dynamics. Evaluates the Privatisation Agency's programme and reviews documentary evidence on business transparency. Records evidence of labour disputes from trade unions, press reports, semi‐structured interviews with trade union leaders and activists. The researchers also held a Round Table of trade unionists, journalists and employers in Belgrade in September 2008, funded by the British Academy.

Findings

The paper concludes that wild capitalism is an integral, rather than deviant mode of behaviour in Serbia.

Originality/value

The findings have relevance for other post Communist states, which may be subject to a greater or lesser degree to political clientelism and fragmentation of employment relations.
Varieties of capitalism, governance, and high‐tech export performance
Authors: Allen Matthew M.C. , Aldred Maria L.
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the extent to which convergence in institutional regimes is likely to occur, by examining all ten new EU member states in Central and Eastern Europe in terms of their development of comparative advantages in high‐tech export markets either by drawing on foreign investors in the form of multinational companies or by making use of domestic institutional resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The article uses fuzzy sets and qualitative comparative analysis to examine both necessary and sufficient causes of success in high‐tech export markets. By doing so, it can address the important issue of institutional complementarity.

Findings

While it finds that countries that have stronger records in such markets share common features, there are also important differences between them – not least in the areas of employee relations. This, together with other evidence presented in the paper, suggests that convergence around a specific institutional model is unlikely to happen.

Originality/value

Analysing, unlike many previous studies, all ten new EU member states in Central and Eastern Europe enables conclusions to be drawn that apply to the whole region. The novel method used in this article means that the extent of any complementarity between different institutions can be addressed, and ensures that issues relating to convergence/divergence are explored. The article, therefore, contributes to a number of important debates on the convergence among types of capitalism, the dependency of the new EU member states on foreign investors, and the institutional foundations for success in high‐tech export markets.
Beyond a “varieties of capitalism” approach in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Nadin Sara , Rodgers Peter
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Since the turn of the millennium, a small corpus of post‐structuralist thought has emerged that challenges the dominant belief that capitalism is now hegemonic and that all economic formations are contrasting varieties of capitalism. This paper seeks to contribute to the development of this emergent perspective. The aim is to challenge the notion that the Ukrainian economy can be represented as some variety of capitalism by highlighting the shallow permeation of capitalist practices into daily life and the continuing prevalence of multifarious non‐capitalist economic practices.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this, evidence is here reported from a 2005‐6 survey that analysed the extent to which 600 households in Ukraine used capitalist and non‐capitalist economic practices in their coping tactics.

Findings

This reveals not only the limited use of capitalist practices in the everyday coping tactics of households in Ukraine but also how an array of non‐capitalist economic practices remain heavily relied on by a majority of households to secure their livelihood. The outcome is a call to tentatively reject the “varieties of capitalism” system of meaning because of what it excludes, prohibits and denies, and to open up the future of post‐Soviet Ukraine to other possible trajectories than simply some variety of capitalism.

Research limitations/implications

This snapshot survey of the everyday coping practices of households displays only that capitalist practices are not hegemonic and that multifarious economic relations persist and are widespread. It does not show whether or not there is movement towards greater reliance on capitalist practices.

Originality/value

It begins through the presentation of evidence on Ukraine to tentatively challenge the application of a “varieties of capitalism” perspective towards Central and Eastern European economies.
Comparative international human resource management (CIHRM) in the light of the Cranet Regional Research Survey in Transitional Economies
Authors: Poor Jozsef , Karoliny Zsuzsa , Alas Ruth , Kirilova Vatchkova Elizabeta
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The primary aim of the paper is to draw attention to the similarities in the historical background and in the transitional period of the post‐socialist CEE (Central and East European) countries, which make this region a distinctive cluster in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors attempt to supplement existing research by outlining the modernisation of a range of HR functions in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and would like to explain how this special issue arose, to provide a historical perspective for the work undertaken by the Cranet research team from Bulgaria, Estonia and Hungary and to outline the context and significance of each of the attempts at modernisation in the HRM field.

Findings

This analysis of developments, based on the Cranet surveys, aims to describe and explain the similarities and differences found among the three specific countries (Bulgaria, Estonia and Hungary), the somewhat broader sample comprising the CEE region and the full sample of those participating in the survey. All of these signs increase the need for a contextual Comparative HRM model – which supports not only the snapshot analysis, but also a longitudinal one, incorporating both the path‐dependent and the path‐creation considerations of the changes taking place.

Originality/value

The need to understand HRM from a European – as opposed to a merely Western – perspective has become a dominant theme as the HR peculiarities of the new capitalism emerge. However, during the transition period, everyone needed – somehow – to meet the great challenge of turning the omelette back into eggs!
Monograph circulation over a 15‐year period in a liberal arts university
Authors: Cheung Sheila , Chung Terry , Nesta Frederick
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine what proportion of books were checked out in an academic library over a 15‐year period and what pattern of use occurs over the years and among various subject groups and between purchased and donated books.

Design/methodology/approach

Check‐out counts were obtained for each year over a 15‐year period and the results analysed by year, language, and Library of Congress classification.

Findings

Book check‐outs rise each year during the first five to seven years of a book's arrival in an academic library and stabilise after that period. Books that are checked out in their first year tend to continue to be checked out, while books that are not checked out in the first or second year will still not be checked out after 15 years. While overall check‐outs are generally about 70 per cent, some subject areas show almost 100 per cent use. As expected, books acquired as direct purchases had more use than books acquired as gifts. Although a third of the collection has not circulated over a 15‐year period, it is believed that the lack of use does not necessarily imply a lack of value.

Originality/value

This research covers a longer period than earlier studies and has been conducted in a non‐Western library using both Chinese and English texts. It supports the conclusion of earlier studies that approximately one‐third of book acquisitions will not be checked out and that circulation within the first few years of a book's acquisition is a good predictor of future circulation. For libraries considering remote storage, books not circulated within five to seven years could be removed to storage with little inconvenience to users.
Surface defect detection of 3D objects using robot vision
Authors: Tsai Ya‐Hui , Tsai Du‐Ming , Li Wei‐Chen , Chiu Wei‐Yao , Lin Ming‐Chin
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a robot vision system for surface defect detection of 3D objects. It aims at the ill‐defined qualitative items such as stains and scratches.

Design/methodology/approach

A robot vision system for surface defect detection may counter: high surface reflection at some viewing angles; and no reference markers in any sensed images for matching. A filtering process is used to separate the illumination and reflection components of an image. An automatic marker‐selection process and a template‐matching method are then proposed for image registration and anomaly detection in reflection‐free images.

Findings

Tests were performed on a variety of hand‐held electronic devices such as cellular phones. Experimental results show that the proposed system can reliably avoid reflection surfaces and effectively identify small local defects on the surfaces in different viewing angles.

Practical implications

The results have practical implications for industrial objects with arbitrary surfaces.

Originality/value

Traditional visual inspection systems mainly work for two‐dimensional planar surfaces such as printed circuit boards and wafers. The proposed system can find the viewing angles with minimum surface reflection and detect small local defects under image misalignment for three‐dimensional objects.
Multi‐dimensional switched reluctance motors for industrial applications
Authors: Pan J.F. , Cheung Norbert
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to discuss a new direction of design outline of four‐axis machine with multi‐dimensional motors. It proposes an integrated, direct‐drive machine based on switched reluctance (SR) principles. This includes how the machine is constructed and the structure of each axis of motion. The simulation and control results are also provided for performance prediction. The study aims to provide a solution and find applications for high‐performance, low‐cost manufacturing facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on simulation and experimental results for performance prediction of the multi‐dimensional motors. With the approach of grounded theory on SR machines, design and construction of each axis of motion is verified with finite element analysis. Then, corresponding control strategy is provided for the control of each axis of motion. Some corresponding experimental results are carried out to verify motor performance.

Findings

The paper provides a general design procedure for direct‐drive, integrated, multi‐dimensional SR motors. It suggests a mechanically robust, low‐cost and simple machine structure for potential applications of industrial multi‐axis machines.

Research limitations/implications

Considering the performance from the prototype, it is expected to find applications in low‐level force and torque output such as automated small‐scale printed circuit board drillings.

Practical implications

Owing to the limitations of the present study, the machine needs further control tests for robust or adaptive applications. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to implement further advanced control strategies on the machine.

Originality/value

The authors attempt to provide a comprehensive solution of multi‐axis machine design based on direct‐drive, low‐cost multi‐dimensional SR motors.
Gift exchange: benefits sought by the recipient
Authors: Parsons Andrew G. , Ballantine Paul W. , Kennedy Ann‐Marie
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the recipient side of gift exchange by establishing the combination/level of gift benefits preferred by the recipient. It investigates the association between these benefits and the nature of the relationship between the gift giver and recipient.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 250 people were surveyed about a recent gift receipt experience. Levels of symbolic, experiential, and functional benefits sought from the gift were established. Canonical correlation was used to analyse the interrelationships of relational variables (relationship type, strength, and length) and the preferred gift benefits.

Findings

People prefer gifts with a greater symbolic meaning (see with lower levels of functional and experiential benefits) from people close to them. People who have not known each other for long, but have a strong emotional connection, prefer gifts that are primarily functional. It shows that benefit associations are significant to gift recipients, the type of relationship the recipient is in has a significant effect on the desired combined level of benefit associations, and the symbolism of meaning for gifts can be expressed through benefit associations.

Originality/value

Studies of gift exchange focus on the gift giver and the benefits gained from the act of giving. The results show that the exchange process used by sociologists and consumer behaviorists to describe and explain gift‐giving activity cannot assume the same levels of benefits associated with the gift occurring on each side of the exchange. It is also shown for the first time that the type of giver, and the relationship the recipient has with the giver, will modify recipient preferences.
Personal care consumption in Finland: trends in the early 2000s
Authors: Sarpila Outi , Räsänen Pekka
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to examine changes concerning spending on personal care products and services, and socio‐demographic variations between households.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were derived from the Finnish Household Budget Survey from 1998 (n=4,359), 2001 (n=5,495) and 2006 (n=4,007) provided by Statistics Finland. The main analysis of personal care consumption was conducted by examining the purchasing costs of personal care products and appliances, and the amount of spending on personal care services. The differences in expenditure patterns are analysed according to the respondents' gender and age, level of education and income, and type of household.

Findings

The results indicate that household spending on personal care products and services has generally increased. However, the share of total consumption has not changed dramatically. The gender of the highest earner of the household along with household income is the key predictor of this type of consumption expenditure across all household types. The effects of these two variables have become stronger.

Research limitations/implications

The data do not make it possible to differentiate between individual level and household level spending decisions across all household types.

Social implications

Contrary to common belief, gender differences concerning personal care consumption have not diminished.

Originality/value

This study examines actual changes in personal care consumption according to socio‐demographic variables.
The Taliban: a study of book collections on the Taliban in academic, public and West Point libraries
Authors: Scanlon Seamus
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to document and compare the extent of book collections on the topic of the Taliban in selected academic libraries in New York and New Jersey, the New York Public Library and the military academy at West Point.

Design/methodology/approach

Books on the Taliban were chosen as an index of the Afghanistan war since the Taliban are its major defining element. WorldCat was searched (www.worldcat.org) using the following criteria: “kw: taliban” > “English” > “Non‐Fiction” > “Non‐Juvenile”. In total 1,668 titles were found. Duplicates were eliminated, as were theses, government publications, ephemera and other items. Closely related titles were amalgamated. Only works that had “Taliban” in the title or subtitle were chosen from the cumulative groups above, resulting in a total of 83 titles.

Findings

Only two libraries crossed 50 percent of the “core” collection of 83 titles. A total of 27 percent of the 83 titles (n=22) were not held by any library, and only seven books were in all libraries. New York Public Library topped the modest rankings and scored above the academic libraries and West Point. West Point ranked last by a big margin (29 points). New York Public Library scored better than all the academic libraries with 49 percent of the 83 titles, followed closely by Columbia University with 46 percent. There was an eight‐point drop to 38 percent for New York University, which modestly outpointed the 35 percent for Princeton.

Research limitations/implications

A possible research limitation is that the degree of library holdings may not reflect the low level of engagement by the public, academia and military in the ongoing wars.

Social implications

The research may indicate a low priority by collection development librarians in public libraries and in the libraries of academic and military colleges to develop a comprehensive collection of material on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The paper argues that more extensive collections should be built despite the media and the general population's antipathy to the war. A comprehensive collection for students, scholars, the public and the next generation of officers about a contemporary war which has profound financial, political and military sequelae should be a priority for collection‐building librarians.

Originality/value

The low holdings of books on the Taliban, and hence the war in Afghanistan, in public and academic libraries and the library of West Point may reflect the low level of interest of the US population in the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq (and Libya).
Developments in electromagnetic radiation sensing. Part one: short wavelengths
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of recent developments in electromagnetic radiation (EMR) sensing.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction, this paper discusses a selection of recent research and development activities concerning the sensing of gamma radiation, X‐rays and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Findings

This shows that novel sensors are being developed for all of these classes of EMR. Improved gamma sensors are attracting strong interest in the USA, reflecting concerns regarding nuclear security. Novel X‐ray and UV sensors are often being developed in response to new and emerging uses of these types of radiation.

Originality/value

This paper provides a technical review of recent research into sensors for detecting gamma radiation, X‐rays and UV radiation.
Sensor innovations at the Assembly and Automation Technology Show
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the sensor technology innovations presented at the combined manufacturing‐related shows which included Design & Manufacturing, Assembly, Electronics, Medical and Green Manufacturing and known as the Assembly and Automation Technology Show or AAT Expo.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on in‐depth interviews with exhibitors of sensor products.

Findings

The paper notes that sensor technology is advancing rapidly to keep up with manufacturing trends such as nanotechnology, automated testing, greater interest in 100 percent testing and the need for better product quality.

Originality/value

The paper shows how sensor users must continue to track sensor innovations as device suppliers make rapid advances in technology to address new requirements such as nanotechnology and automated quality control while working to reduce the user's cost of employing.
Automatic detection of crystallization evaluation region by using image processing
Authors: Kawabata Kuniaki
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an imaging process method for automatically extracting assessment target regions in images of crystallization wells.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method detects the target by image processing based on saturation variance in images of crystallization wells.

Findings

The proposed method shows high accurate detection performance in a short time.

Practical implications

The method is applicable to automatic crystallization machine. Especially, it is expected to implement to TERA system of RIKEN.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates target area detection from microscope images based on saturation variance in images of crystallization wells.
Whose responsibility is meaningful work?
Authors: Michaelson Christopher
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the conditions for meaningful work as a moral responsibility. Meaningful work is important in an increasingly globalized world in which greater wealth does not necessarily contribute to greater happiness and workers' well‐being is often not within their own control. Often, meaningful work is considered to be desirable but not morally obligatory despite the continuing need for work that improves social and environmental welfare.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilizes literary examples to explore objective (Melville's Bartleby) and subjective (Proust's Marcel and Joyce's Stephen) conceptions of meaningful work.

Findings

How we define what meaningful work is – who has control over it and whose interests are at stake – makes a difference as to whose responsibility it is. An objective conception of meaningful work, focusing on the tendency for industrial production to exploit the worker, entails a weak (though nonetheless important) claim about moral responsibility, that there is a negative duty on the part of the employer not to deprive the worker of the possibility to choose work that is meaningful. A subjective conception of meaningful work, focusing on the worker's choice, raises a more contentious question about whether it is a moral responsibility at all to pursue meaningful work, when the only stakeholder is oneself.

Originality/value

The paper uses literary texts to explore in a concrete way how meaningful work can be considered to be a moral responsibility of individuals and institutions or employers, to make progress towards a holistic view of management.
Implications of a sustainability policy for facilities management organisations
Authors: Price Samantha , Pitt Michael , Tucker Matthew
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The paper aims to look at the prevalence of facilities management (FM) companies having in place a sustainability policy, and to understand the link between a sustainability policy, company characteristics, and the application of sustainable business practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method was a data analysis of 65 facilities management companies. Frequency analyses, multiple correspondence analyses and Pearson's χ2 tests were used to test the link between the company size, the presence of a sustainability policy and the implementation of sustainable business practice.

Findings

There is a link between company size and the likelihood of a sustainability policy being created in the FM industry. The research shows there is a link between the presence of a sustainability policy and the implementation of sustainable business practice.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the method of data capture, there are no perception research areas, so the reasons behind companies' actions are not known. This can be developed in further research.

Practical implications

The research shows the importance of a sustainability policy in forming commitment to sustainable business practice, as well as highlighting areas where the FM industry is lacking in commitment to sustainable business practice.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study the implications of a sustainability policy in the development of sustainable practice in the FM industry. It also develops the link between the characteristics of FM companies and the level of sustainable business practice implemented.
Relationship between logistic service and maintenance costs of warehouses
Authors: De Marco Alberto , Mangano Giulio
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prove that maintenance cost of warehouses is correlated to the performance of the logistic business, together with other relevant operational factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationships between indicators of logistic service level performance are examined using a linear regression analysis of a dataset collected from a number of distribution facilities operated by a leading global freight provider throughout Italy.

Findings

Expenditures in building maintenance contribute to improve the punctuality of deliveries with resulting improved quality of customer service.

Research limitations/implications

Further research may gainfully generalise the model by examining other geographical areas and longer observation periods.

Practical implications

It is suggested that logistic buildings have to be maintained not only to preserve the functional and economic value of the asset, but also to strengthen the competitive advantage of the logistic business.

Originality/value

The business performance is very likely to be influenced not only by variables related to the business process, but also by non‐operational factors, such as warehouse building performance.
Barriers faced by MSEs: evidence from Mozambique
Authors: Dinhucha Gonçalves Fumo Nirza , Jose Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel
Published: July 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to shed light on the main barriers faced by Mozambican micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and their implications in respect to the support policies available for these enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was made on those barriers faced by the MSEs and on the policies and governmental instruments of assistance available for MSEs. Then, a two‐step research was conducted. The first phase consisted of collecting data from 21 MSEs in Mozambique, mainly by means of interviews where the main barriers faced by those interviewed were identified and hence, this led to the second phase, which was interviewing governmental/support entities in order to know what they had done to minimize those barriers which had been identified by the entrepreneurs.

Findings

The results show that financial and competitive barriers are the main barriers faced by the analyzed MSEs. These barriers vary according to the field of activity of the enterprises.

Originality/value

This study serves to enrich the state of the art on the subject of smaller enterprises in Africa and will specially help to fill the lack of academic research available about Mozambique.
A measurement tool for customer relationship management processes
Authors: Öztayşi Başar , Sezgin Selime , Fahri Özok Ahmet
Published: July 2011

Purpose

Customer relationship management (CRM) projects have a low success rate, which can be solved by better measurement of CRM process. The purpose of this paper is to define the CRM processes within a company and propose a tool for CRM measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study is conducted in industrial organizations in Turkey. The research is designed according to scale development literature. The responses from various industries (manufacturing, information technologies, tourism, service, retail, finance, logistics) were collected. Using exploratory factor analysis, 167 valid responses are analyzed.

Findings

The paper provides a general understanding of CRM processes in customer‐oriented perspective and proposes a measurement tool that addresses seven main processes which are: targeting management, customer information management, production/service customization, expansion management, referrals management, termination management and win back.

Practical implications

The results of the analysis provides useful information for managers to define, measure and improve CRM process.

Originality/value

The paper provides an enhanced review about CRM measurement literature. Based on this review, the paper defines seven CRM processes and maintains a tool for evaluation of these processes within a company.