bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maintenance reengineering framework: a case study
Authors: Sharma Somesh Kumar
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to radically redesign the methodology of plant maintenance and develop a three phase framework. A framework for effective and continuous maintenance improvement is presented.

Design/methodology/approach

The first phase determines the key performance area, the second phase makes decision about the appropriate policy selection and third phase aims to generate capability in an organization to compete at world level. A case is presented here, of the implementation of a “maintenance reengineering framework”, developed with the aid of certain maintenance components.

Findings

The maintenance reengineering framework, when implemented, proved successful with a more than 90 per cent rise in production rate.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes some guidelines which can be helpful in making decision about the selection of maintenance policy and for the achievement of world‐class effectiveness.

Practical implications

Maintenance reengineering (MR) framework includes the core concepts of preventive maintenance practices, total maintenance management and system perspectives of maintenance. Its implementation goes through three phases from identification of key performance area, via suitable maintenance policy selection to generating the capability for world‐class effectiveness. The experience of this pilot implementation in a cement company in India suggested the feasibility of this framework in elevating the performance of maintenance management.

Originality/value

This article offers a framework that addresses research on maintenance reengineering. It attempts to establish a relationship among the components of maintenance, which can bring potential benefits to the corporations of similar operations and nature.
Risk based integrity modeling of offshore process components suffering stochastic degradation
Authors: Thodi Premkumar , Khan Faisal , Haddara Mahmoud
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a risk‐based integrity model for the optimal replacement of offshore process components, based on the likelihood and consequence of failure arising from time‐dependent degradation mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

Risk is a combination of the probability of failure and its likely consequences. Offshore process component degradation mechanisms are modeled using Bayesian prior‐posterior analysis. The failure consequences are developed in terms of the cost incurred as a result of failure, inspection and maintenance. By combining the cumulative posterior probability of failure and the equivalent cost of degradations, the operational life‐risk curve is produced. The optimal replacement strategy is obtained as the global minimum of the operational risk curve.

Findings

The offshore process component degradation mechanisms are random processes. The proposed risk‐based integrity model can be used to model these processes effectively to obtain an optimal replacement strategy. Bayesian analysis can be used to model the uncertainty in the degradation data. The Bayesian posterior estimation using an M‐H algorithm converged to satisfactory results using 10,000 simulations. The computed operational risk curve is observed to be a convex function of the service life. Furthermore, it is observed that the application of this model will reduce the risk of operation close to an ALARP level and consequently will promote the safety of operation.

Research limitations/implications

The developed model is applicable to offshore process components which suffer time‐dependent stochastic degradation mechanisms. Furthermore, this model is developed based on an assumption that the component degradation processes are independent. In reality, the degradation processes may not be independent.

Practical implications

The developed methodology and models will assist asset integrity engineers/managers in estimating optimal replacement intervals for offshore process components. This can reduce operating costs and resources required for inspection and maintenance (IM) tasks.

Originality/value

The frequent replacement of offshore process components involves higher cost and risk. Similarly, the late replacement of components may result in failure and costly breakdown maintenance. The developed model estimates an optimal replacement strategy for offshore process components suffering stochastic degradation. Implementation of the developed model improves component integrity, increases safety, reduces potential shutdown and reduces operational cost.
3D roughness profile model in fused deposition modelling
Authors: Boschetto Alberto , Giordano Veronica , Veniali Francesco
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The paper aims to predict the surface roughness of fused deposition modelling prototypes. Since average roughness is not comprehensive, this study aims to extend the characterization to all the roughness parameters obtainable by a profilometric analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model of the 3D profile is supplied as a function of process parameters and part shape. A suitable geometry was designed and prototyped for validation. Data were measured by a profilometer and complemented by microscopic analysis. A methodology based on the proposed model was applied to optimise prototype fabrication in two practical cases.

Findings

The proposed profile is effective in describing the micro‐geometrical surface of fused deposition modelling prototypes. The third dimension enables the calculation of amplitude, spatial and hybrid roughness parameters.

Research limitations/implications

Because of mathematical assumptions and technological aspects, the validity of the model presents limitations related to the deposition angle.

Practical implications

The method is an effective tool in the process planning stage: it enables knowing in advance how to assure part specifications delivering a set of technical choices. Two practical applications point out the usability in the product development and process parameters optimisation.

Originality/value

This work fulfils an identified need to predict a complete surface characterization of fused deposition modelling technology.
Regulating complex geometries using layered depth‐normal images for rapid prototyping and manufacturing
Authors: Chen Yong , Wang Charlie C.L.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Most layer‐based rapid prototyping systems use polygonal models as input. In addition, the input polygonal models need to be manifold and water‐tight; otherwise the built objects may have defects or the building process may fail in some cases. This paper aims to present a regulation method of an arbitrarily complex polygonal model for rapid prototyping and manufacturing applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is based on a semi‐implicit representation of a solid model named the layered depth‐normal images (LDNI), which sparsely encodes the shape boundary of a polygonal model in three orthogonal directions. In the method, input polygonal models or parametric equations are first converted into LDNI models. A regulation operator based on the computed LDNI models is presented. A volume tiling technique is developed for very complex geometries and high accuracy requirements. From the processed LDNI model, an adaptive contouring method is presented to construct a cell representation that includes both uniform and octree cells. Finally, two‐manifold and water‐tight polygonal mesh surfaces are constructed from the cell representation.

Findings

The LDNI‐based mesh regulation operation can be robust due to its simplicity. The accuracy of the generated regulated models can be controlled by setting LDNI pixel width. Parallel computing techniques can be employed to accelerate the computation in the LDNI‐based method. Experimental results on various CAD models demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our approach for complex geometries.

Research limitations/implications

The input polygonal model is assumed to be closed in our method. The regulated polygonal model based on our method may have a big file size.

Originality/value

A novel mesh regulation method is presented in this paper. The method is suitable for rapid prototyping and manufacturing applications by achieving a balance between simplicity, robustness, accuracy, speed and scalability. This research contributes to the additive manufacturing development by providing a digital data preparation method and related tools.
Efficient three dimensional modelling of additive manufactured textiles
Authors: Bingham Guy A. , Hague Richard
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate, develop and validate a three‐dimensional modelling strategy for the efficient generation of conformal textile data suitable for additive manufacture.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of additive manufactured (AM) textiles samples were modelled using currently available computer‐aided design software to understand the limitations associated with the generation of conformal data. Results of the initial three‐dimensional modelling processes informed the exploration and development of a new dedicated efficient modelling strategy that was tested to understand its capabilities.

Findings

The research demonstrates the dramatically improved capabilities of the developed three‐dimensional modelling strategy, over existing approaches by accurately mapping complex geometries described as STL data to a mapping mesh without distortion and correctly matching the orientation and surface normal.

Originality/value

To date the generation of data for AM textiles has been seen as a manual and time‐consuming process. The research presents a new dedicated methodology for the efficient generation of complex and conformal AM textile data that will underpin further research in this area.
High temperature material properties of IN738LC processed by selective laser melting (SLM) technology
Authors: Rickenbacher L. , Etter T. , Hövel S. , Wegener K.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Selective laser melting (SLM) is being investigated by Alstom and IWF due to its flexibility, cost‐ and lead‐time reduction potential for reconditioning of hot gas path components used in today's heavy‐duty gas turbines. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Tensile tests as well as relaxation and creep tests were carried out to assess SLM processed IN738LC for use in high temperature applications. To evaluate potential anisotropic material behaviour resulting from the layer‐wise build up process, all specimens were built in two directions: parallel and perpendicular to the build direction, respectively. Furthermore, extensive metallurgical investigations were made to analyse the chemical homogeneity as well as the correlation between microstructure and high temperature properties of SLM processed IN738LC.

Findings

Tensile tests showed that strength properties superior to cast IN738LC can be achieved by processing this material by SLM alternatively. Due to differences in grain size, grain orientation as well as γ′size and morphology the relaxation behaviour of SLM specimens is inferior compared to cast material. However, creep tests have shown that values within the lower scatter band of cast material can still be achieved along the build direction.

Originality/value

Very limited knowledge exists regarding the processing of γ′precipitation‐strengthened nickel‐base superalloys by SLM and the resulting high temperature material properties. Layered manufacturing and any lack‐of‐fusion porosity influences them as well as high temperature gradients, occurring during the process. This article presents the latest insights from material testing of selective laser molten IN738LC at elevated temperatures.
Fatigue analysis of FDM materials
Authors: Lee John , Huang Adam
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of fatigue on fused deposition modeling rapid prototyped acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) materials.

Design/methodology/approach

FDM dog bones based on UNI EN ISO 527‐1 (1997) were tested at 100, 80, 60, and 40 per cent nominal values of the ultimate stress for nine different print orientations. The samples were cyclically stressed in a tensile tester at 25.4 mm/min (extension) and relaxed at 12.7 mm/min.

Findings

Although FDM ABS has a tensile strength that is relatively close to that of the bulk material, up to 80 percent, its ability to absorb energy before fracture has a tremendous amount of room for improvement. FDM ABSplus (P430) material properties are noticeably more isotropic than the predecessor, ABS (P400). The ABSplus fractures in the order of thousands of cycles at 40 percent of ultimate stress load, while the ABS exhibits the similar cycle limits at 60 percent of its ultimate stress load.

Practical implications

FDM ABS parts are limited in fatigue characteristics even though they exhibit similar ultimate stress limits as with bulk materials, warranting further research in improving FDM parts expected to experience cyclical loads.

Originality/value

This paper adds knowledge to the limited fatigue data in literature for FDM ABS. It investigated the load cyclic data of fused deposition modeled ABS through analyzing its cycle‐by‐cycle strain energy, providing another means of identifying the fatigue characteristics of materials.
A composite index of citizen satisfaction with local police services
Authors: Rogge Nicky , Verschelde Marijn
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a non‐parametric methodology to construct composite scores of citizen satisfaction with local police services. More precisely, the paper advocates a custom made version of the popular Data Envelopment Analysis approach, also referred to as the “Benefit‐of‐the‐Doubt” model. The key advantage of this approach is that it weights the citizen satisfaction rates with the multiple local police functions and tasks into the composite score in an endogenous manner, thereby allowing for different values and interpretations of “good local policing” among police services. The methodology is illustrated with citizen satisfaction data on a sample of Belgian local police services.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a multidimensional measure of local police effectiveness based on citizen satisfaction measures. It uses a non‐parametric evaluation methodology related to the popular DEA‐model. The paper looks for strengths and weaknesses in the performances of local police services both at the micro level (per local police service) and at the macro level (region).

Findings

With an average overall satisfaction score of 91.94 per cent, it seems safe to say that the majority of the citizens are generally satisfied with local police services. The BoD‐model identifies per local police service the basic functionalities that citizens rated relatively highly and poorly. Results show that urbanization per se does not drive the satisfaction scores of the participating local police services. Of much more importance are the regional disparities. Participating local police zones in Flanders receive higher satisfaction scores than those in the Walloon Region (the two big regions in Belgium). One of the findings is that the BoD‐model offers both conceptual and practical advantages in the evaluations of local police services. BoD grants each police service the benefit‐of‐the‐doubt in the effectiveness evaluations. The BoD‐model also identifies the factors of strength and weakness that explain the citizen satisfaction scores.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that multidimensional scores of citizen satisfaction are used in the effectiveness evaluations of local police services. The paper uses a methodology that accounts for the own particular circumstances of the local police services (by assigning in an endogenous manner weights in the evaluations).
Implementation of a police organizational model for crime reduction
Authors: Santos Rachel B.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to present the evaluation results of a practice‐based research partnership to develop and implement a new police organizational model for crime reduction into one police agency which was implemented based on the best practices of problem‐oriented policing, hot spots policing, and Compstat.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative process evaluation of organizational changes and an impact evaluation examining specific crime types was conducted over seven years to determine increased efficiency, collaboration, and effectiveness of the police department's crime reduction strategies.

Findings

The process evaluation found that the agency improved its crime analysis capabilities as well as its coordination and communication, expanded its problem solving activities, and made a significant cultural shift towards incorporating problem solving and accountability throughout the organization. The impact evaluation found that the crimes addressed in the implementation – theft from vehicle – did decrease overall and when compared to other crime types and to neighboring jurisdictions.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the research are that these results are from one agency and that the impact evaluation is not conclusive.

Originality/value

The work was carried out over seven years in which the collaboration between the researcher and the agency was seminal. The model developed can be used by other police departments, and a key finding was that strong leadership played the most important role in the implementation of the crime reduction strategies and accountability practices.
Improving police training from a cognitive load perspective
Authors: Mugford Rebecca , Corey Shevaun , Bennell Craig
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a theoretical framework, which describes how police training programs can be developed in order to improve learning retention and the transfer of skills to the work environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief review is provided that describes training strategies stemming from Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), a well‐established theory of instructional design. This is followed by concrete examples of how to incorporate these strategies into police training programs.

Findings

The research reviewed in this paper consistently demonstrates that CLT‐informed training improves learning when compared to conventional training approaches and enhances the transferability of skills.

Originality/value

Rarely have well‐validated theories of instructional design, such as CLT, been applied specifically to police training. Thus, this paper is valuable to instructional designers because it provides an evidence‐based approach to training development in the policing domain.
Web technology in supply chain: an empirical investigation
Authors: Tarofder Arun Kumar , Marthandan Govindan , Mohan Avvari V. , Tarofder Prashantini
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the critical factors for the diffusion of web technologies in supply chain management (SCM) functions, based on the technology‐organizational‐environment model, and to identify the benefits resulting from diffusion.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected, via an internet survey, from 251 respondents, ranging from middle‐level to top‐level managers, from firms which currently utilize web technologies for their supply chain activities. Structural equation modelling was employed for five factors: relative advantage; competitive pressure; complexity; trialability; and top management support, which have been hypothesized to affect the diffusion of web technologies in SCM functions.

Findings

The results suggest that all the factors except trialability are significant predictors of web technologies' diffusion in supply chain functions. The results show also that by diffusing web technologies, organizations can enhance their supply chain activities.

Research limitations/implications

The survey was conducted in a Malaysian context, using a limited set of variables, thus limiting the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

This study provides a greater understanding of managers' perception of web technology diffusion in their organizational SCM functions, and benefits realizing from diffusion of web technology, such as operational efficiency.

Originality/value

Those interested in adopting web technologies in their supply chain activities may find these results helpful in guiding their efforts.
Success factors in process performance management
Authors: Blasini Josef , Leist Susanne
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Although process performance management (PPM), doubtlessly contributes to the increase of business performance, it has been given only little attention to date. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of what constitutes successful PPM and to identify critical success factors in PPM.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two complementary literature reviews – a representative literature review to get an overview of possible success factors, and an extended literature review to identify detailed success factor items. To increase the reliability of the success factors, a multiple case‐study was additionally conducted.

Findings

In the first literature review – the representative one – 11 success factors of PPM were identified, to which several detailed PPM success factor items could be identified in the extended literature review. Obviously, the success factor “information quality” is much more mentioned in literature than factors regarding “process quality” or “system quality”.

Research limitations/implications

Since there are no standardized terms regarding PPM, it is challenging to include all important papers into the literature review. The next steps to develop a PPM success model are to conceptualize a structural equation model and to conduct a worldwide online‐survey.

Practical implications

The findings of this research serve as a basis for a PPM success model, which enables practitioners to focus on what is really important for successful PPM.

Originality/value

The application of a multi‐methodological research approach resulted in success factors whose importance was evaluated by their frequency of occurrence in literature, as well as by experts in real‐life enterprises.
Market efficiency in Indian commodity futures markets
Authors: Kumar Brajesh , Pandey Ajay
Published: May 2013

Purpose

In this paper, the authors aim to investigate the short‐run as well as long‐run market efficiency of Indian commodity futures markets using different asset pricing models. Four agricultural (soybean, corn, castor seed and guar seed) and seven non‐agricultural (gold, silver, aluminium, copper, zinc, crude oil and natural gas) commodities have been tested for market efficiency and unbiasedness.

Design/methodology/approach

The long‐run market efficiency and unbiasedness is tested using Johansen cointegration procedure while allowing for constant risk premium. Short‐run price dynamics is investigated with constant and time varying risk premium. Short‐run price dynamics with constant risk premium is modeled with ECM model and short‐run price dynamics with time varying risk premium is modeled using ECM‐GARCH in‐Mean framework.

Findings

As far as long‐run efficiency is concerned, the authors find that near month futures prices of most of the commodities are cointegrated with the spot prices. The cointegration relationship is not found for the next to near months futures contracts, where futures trading volume is low. The authors find support for the hypothesis that thinly traded contracts fail to forecast future spot prices and are inefficient. The unbiasedness hypothesis is rejected for most of the commodities. It is also found that for all commodities, some inefficiency exists in the short run. The authors do not find support of time varying risk premium in Indian commodity market context.

Originality/value

In context of Indian commodity futures markets, probably this is the first study which explores the short‐run market efficiency of futures markets in time varying risk premium framework. This paper also links trading activity of Indian commodity futures markets with market efficiency.
The growing global footprint of Indian multinationals
Authors: Thite Mohan
Published: May 2013

Purpose

In this interview with Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group (ABG), he talks about the international journey of ABG, governance issues, experience with acquisitions, Indian management styles, challenges for multinationals from emerging economies and his vision of the future. This paper seeks to report the issues discussed in this interview.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an interview.

Findings

The ABG is a Fortune 500 conglomerate and a world leader in most of the business segments it operates in. The interview sheds light on the international process and strategy, management philosophy, corporate values framework, approach to and experience with international acquisitions, the need for global mindset, control and coordination issues and an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian economy and firms, in the words of a well‐known and high‐profile Indian business leader.

Practical implications

With the changing global economic landscape, there is a growing interest in the way multinationals from emerging economies leverage their country‐ and firm‐specific advantages to compete against mature Western multinational firms in both the developed and developing markets. The perspectives of the Chairman of a highly successful Indian multinational provide a fertile ground for the cross‐national transfer of best practices in a multi‐polar world.

Originality/value

Having transformed his company to become a global market leader, Mr KM Birla provides unique insights into the psyche and strategic mindset of his corporation. This interview takes the reader through a journey that traces the evolution of a 150‐year old, large, family‐owned enterprise into a world class, professionally managed global corporation.
Biotech firm valuation in an emerging market – evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Hsiang‐Ling Chen Angela , Wang Xiaoli , Zu‐Hsu Lee Jason , Fu Chun‐Yuan
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the relationship of various financial and non‐financial factors to corporate value and how these factors can be used for the purpose of firm valuation. The focus is placed on a developing high‐tech industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect and compare data from companies within the time window of 1997 through 2010. The techniques of stepwise regression and back‐propagation neural network (BPNN) are applied to analyze this data, where the variables of operating profit margin, ROE, ROA, net income ratio, Tobin's Q and stock price are chosen to indicate firm value.

Findings

Each firm value variable appears to have a different set of estimator variables consisting of financial and non‐financial factors. The estimator variable in the set that has a high influence relative to the others tends to be financial factor. However, certain non‐financial factors appear to be considered as an estimator variable for different firm value variables more often than financial factors such as employee productivity, wealth created per employee, revenue growth rate, management expense per employee, R&D expense to management expense ratio, and R&D expenditure to total assets ratio. Further, the incorporation of BPNN shows an improvement of the result of the regression method in terms of overall estimation error, especially for operating profit margin.

Originality/value

The authors' investigation highlights the importance of the use of non‐financial factors for firm valuation in developing biotech industries. The result can be helpful for investors who seek to examine information variables and indicators for the opportunity presented by the above industries. In addition, the significant estimation improvement by incorporating the BNPP method into the commonly used regression method suggests the beneficial use of BPNN in refining the traditional methods in the field.
A conceptual framework for cost measures of harm of HRM practices
Authors: Mariappanadar Sugumar
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a costs framework for harm of human resource management (HRM) practices to develop the cost measures for the psychological, social and work‐related health aspects of harm of HRM practices on stakeholders (employees, their family and communities) so as to understand the implications of harm on the stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, the cost components of health care are used to theoretically develop a costs framework for harm of HRM practices to measure cost for each of the psychological and the social aspects of harm of HRM practices. Subsequently, employee relative deprivation, spill over and crossover effects of work on family are the theories used to develop the cost measure for the psychological and the social harm of HRM practices. Finally, the direct costs associated with the psychological and the social harm of HRM practices on stakeholders are valuated using published research.

Findings

The proposed costs framework of harm of HRM practices is a useful theoretical framework to identify, measure and valuate the cost of psychological and social harm of HRM practices on the stakeholders.

Practical implications

The costs component framework of harm of HRM practices can facilitate the capture of the associated costs of the harm of HRM practices so as to understand organisations' ethics of care for stakeholders.

Originality/value

The theoretical costs framework for harm of HRM practices provides a new technique to measure the cost of psychological and social harm of certain HRM practices imposed on the stakeholders so as to minimise the harm in the future.
Six Sigma's critical success factors and toolbox
Authors: Ismyrlis Vasileios , Moschidis Odysseas
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to put forward and classify the critical success factors (CSF) of Six Sigma implementation, as well as the tools‐techniques that it utilizes in all the phases of the Define‐Measure‐Analyze‐Improve‐Control (DMAIC) structured methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review of Six Sigma's CSF has been realized and also an attempt to connect them with the enablers of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). A literature review of the tools and techniques utilized follows and a categorization of them according to the phase of the DMAIC.

Findings

The paper has collected a list of 32 CSF which were classified according to the five EFQM enablers, and the soft‐hard differentiation. A list of 39 tools/techniques used in the different phases of DMAIC and the ISO 13053‐1 suggestions has also been referred.

Originality/value

The final classifications of CSF and techniques of Six Sigma methodology could be a valuable tool for Six Sigma academics and professionals to understand and implement the methodology in the appropriate way.
Lean Six Sigma and digitize procurement
Authors: Nicoletti Bernardo
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the lean Six Sigma method can be applied to procurement, processes where there is an extensive use of information technology and communication (ICT) systems. The paper defines a method to streamline, digitize and reduce waste in procurement processes by using the “lean Six Sigma and digitize” methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework was developed and applied to the procurement processes, based on the analysis of best practices and on several implementations.

Findings

It was found that the digitization of a procurement process which is not streamlined can generate problems. A process must be mapped to highlight waste and low quality. Only when the new process is improved, taking into account also that it will be possible to use ICT supports, can it be digitized. The new process will digitize only value‐added activities recognized by the users and by the organization.

Practical implications

The paper should be of interest to the academic world, as well as to management working in all types of organizations.

Originality/value

Within the field of lean Six Sigma and information and telecommunication technology, there has been a continuous debate as to whether both approaches are complementary or contradictory. This paper fulfils an identified need to study the interactions between a modern example of information technology and its role within procurement, making a valid contribution within this field of research.
Evaluating the economic sustainability of sanitation logistics in Senegal
Authors: Green Jennifer L. , de Weck Olivier L. , Suarez Pablo
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This research was performed with the aim of determining if the emptying of latrines in a flood‐prone urban slum area would be a sustainable and profitable business for private‐sector service providers.

Design/methodology/approach

Monte‐Carlo analysis was used to evaluate the economic sustainability of a proposed public‐private waste transportation service. A GIS‐assisted route analysis was also performed, with participation by private and public sector stakeholders.

Findings

The analysis also showed that if a low‐cost subscription service is implemented in the area, the commercial service providers will operate at a loss in all cases, unless changes are made in the truck fuel efficiency, the operating hours of discharge sites, and the transportation network.

Research limitations/implications

The research was based on service provider operations costs extrapolated from previous studies and updated through informal interviews. A thorough and transparent review of cost accounting procedures is necessary to validate the results.

Practical implications

This study identified challenges and potential solutions which must be addressed by practitioners in order to ensure success of a subscription‐based service.

Originality/value

This study adds to the existing literature by demonstrating the applicability of an analytic modeling technique based on Monte‐Carlo simulation and provides an example of how academic research can be tightly coupled with practitioner needs in order to have a direct impact on operational humanitarian projects.
Services operations management and humanitarian logistics
Authors: Heaslip Graham
Published: May 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the nature of service operations management and its application to the field of humanitarian logistics. The purpose of this paper is to assess developments in the humanitarian logistics (HUMLOG) literature over the last six years and to lay out some opportunities for the HUMLOG academic community in the area of services operations management.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic, quantitative review, consistent with suggestions that the methodological rigor of reviews of the management literature should be strengthened, was undertaken.

Findings

The paper suggests that there is an opportunity for HUMLOG academics to engage in the service operations management arena and apply their knowledge and skills to answer fundamental questions in the areas of servitisation, service developments, service standardisation, and the role of humanitarian aid (HA) organisations as logistics service providers and to apply their expertise in business services.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis was limited to 15 peer‐reviewed journals with the word “humanitarian” and/or any of the phrases “disaster”, “humanitarian aid”, “humanitarian logistics”, “humanitarian operations” or “humanitarian supply chains”, in either their titles, abstracts or full texts. The results of this review and analysis, however, provide sufficient evidence to support the main arguments advanced in the paper.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the knowledge and applications of services operations management in HUMLOG research.
An epidemiological study of common drugs in the health supply chain
Authors: Mohanty Amarendranath , Chakravarty Nayan
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The study aims to provide insights into the availability of common drugs with respect to disease load, regarding three common childhood diseases, acute respiratory infection (ARI), diarrhoea and malaria. The study flags an important issue regarding the level of expertise of the present system to address humanitarian logistics in case of emergency.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed‐method approach using both qualitative and quantitative study techniques was used to collect data. Hospital level data were collected from randomly selected primary health centers and community health centers. a cohort of three community health centers and nine primary health centers were selected for the study. The data collected were both on disease load and availability of drugs during the study period (2009‐2012), using a retrospective cohort. Expert interviews were conducted of practising medical practitioners on classification of drugs into Vital, Essential and Desirable categories.

Findings

Results show that the month of September represents the highest morbidity (case loads of all three diseases taken together). Acute respiratory infection is most prevalent among the three diseases, with total case loads of 1,539 cases during the month of September (during 2009‐2012). However the Vital and Essential drugs availability for acute respiratory infection was found to be 7 per cent, 57 per cent for malaria and 98 per cent for diarrhoea. Drug supply was not only inadequate but also uneven and erratic, having weak correlation with the pattern of disease morbidity.

Research limitations/implications

Cases who attended the government‐owned health centres were only considered for the study and it did not consider those who were attended by private practitioners. The study did highlight the capability of the system to manage ongoing health supplies and the extent of vulnerability it can pose in case of any humanitarian crisis but the latter remains outside the scope of the present study.

Originality/value

The study adds to the existing body of literature by demonstrating the gap that exists in availability of drugs against requirement, for common childhood illness. The study provides health policy makers with a useful guide to establish drugs requirement based on disease load, which holds policy implications across other low and middle income countries as well.
An activity theory perspective on peer coaching
Authors: Lofthouse Rachel , Leat David
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Coaching in educational settings is an alluring concept, as it carries associations with life coaching and well being, sports coaching and achievement and improving educational attainment. Although there are examples of successful deployment in schools, there is also evidence that coaching often struggles to meet expectations. This article aims to use socio‐cultural theory to explore why coaching does NOT transplant readily to schools, particularly in England, where the object of coaching activity may be in contradiction to the object of dominant activity in schools – meeting examination targets.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is a conceptual exploration of peer coaching through the lens of cultural historical activity theory, using an empirical base for exemplification.

Findings

It is argued that the results agenda, or performativity culture, in many schools is so strong that coaching is either introduced as part of the dominant discourse which meets resistance from staff, or where it develops in a more organic, “bottom up” approach, it may well clash with managerial cultures which demand accountability and surveillance, which does not sit well with trust‐based coaching partnerships.

Research limitations/implications

The contradictions described in the article suggest that more research is needed to explore how skilled coaches manage some mediation between the meta‐discourse of managerialism and the meso‐ and micro‐discourses underpinning meaningful professional learning.

Practical implications

The article provides encouragement for peer coaches who manage the boundary between trust‐based coaching and performativity agendas.

Originality/value

The application of cultural historical activity theory offers a powerful analytical tool for understanding the interaction of peer coaching with organisational cultures, particularly through their emphasis on different motives or objects for professional learning.
Literacy coach effectiveness: the need for measurement
Authors: Taylor Rosemarye T. , Zugelder Bryan S. , Bowman Patricia
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Literacy coaches can play a valuable role in the improvement of student learning outcomes. The authors’ purpose is to describe their time use, student learning, and principals’ understanding leading to advocacy for development of literacy coach effectiveness measures.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing four related studies, the authors use quantitative and qualitative methods to develop five themes and the need for measures of effectiveness. Areas of role and use of time, principals’ understanding, and need for empirical, rather than perceptual research are explored.

Findings

Findings on the relationship of use of time and student reading outcomes, and perceptions of impediments and enhancements to impact on effectiveness are discussed and lead to the identification of the need for effectiveness measures.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the singular US region where the four studies were conducted and the small samples. The four studies did not use precisely the same methods so this is an additional limitation. Further research in various regions and with larger samples are needed to draw definitive conclusions.

Practical implications

Greater understanding of the context of literacy coaches, including understanding by principals, may lead to measurement. This measurement will inform principals and school directors on literacy coaches’ roles which may increase fidelity of the implementation of the position with the original intent. There has not been an accountability system for literacy coaches related to improved student learning, making this concept important to professionalization of literacy coach position.

Originality/value

Given that available research on the value of literacy coach positions is perceptual, rather than based on student outcome data, the need for development of effectiveness measures may result in greater fidelity of implementation of the position. Resulting role clarification and the extent to which implementation of literacy coaches can be expected to improve student achievement is a contribution.
Development of the Reflexive Antiracism Scale – Indigenous
Authors: Paradies Yin , Franklin Hayley , Kowal Emma
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Reflexive Antiracism is an approach to antiracism that seeks to avoid the limitations of essentialism and negative emotional reactions through a focus on racialisation (a concept that encompasses both racism and antiracism) as well as the formation and maintenance of racialised identities. This paper aims to outline the construction and validation of a scale to measure this novel theoretical construct: the Reflexive Antiracism Scale‐Indigenous (RAS‐I).

Design/methodology/approach

In the context of a cultural training course focused on Indigenous peoples in Australia, 20 items to assess attitudes were developed along with four hypothetical scenarios designed to assess behavioural intentions in specific situations. The survey formed by these items and scenarios was piloted to assess test‐retest, concurrent and construct validity as well as item endorsement and internal reliability.

Findings

Findings suggest that an 11‐item scale based on this survey forms a valid and reliable measure of Reflexive Antiracism. Further research and applications are discussed.

Originality/value

This paper will prompt further exploration of Reflexive Antiracism as a concept that can be applied in a range of settings where a more nuanced understanding and approach to antiracism may be of benefit. Being aware of their position within a society that is racialised will allow antiracists to be reflexive (and realistic) about their ability as individuals to achieve antiracist ideals while continuing to strive towards them.
Slights, snubs, and slurs: leader equity and microaggressions
Authors: Offermann Lynn R. , Basford Tessa E. , Graebner Raluca , Basu DeGraaf Sumona , Jaffer Salman
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The present study aims to apply the construct of microaggressions to organizational contexts by examining perceptions of discrimination in ambiguous interactions between White supervisors and Black subordinates and their impact on work outcomes under varying conditions of leader fairness.

Design/methodology/approach

US participants (N=387) responded to scenarios describing supervisor‐subordinate interactions involving subtle to blatant discrimination, after being told either that the supervisor had a history of fair, equitable treatment of subordinates or that the supervisor had a history of unfairness and inequity.

Findings

Leader equity impacted discrimination perceptions, affording leaders greater benefit of the doubt in ambiguous interracial interactions. For all levels of microaggression severity, microaggressions were perceived less when the supervisor had a reputation for equity and fairness; expected work outcomes were also better when the supervisor had a reputation for equity and fairness at all levels of microaggression severity.

Research limitations/implications

As blatant discrimination grows more and more unacceptable, examining the subtle and sometimes unintended aspects of workplace discrimination is increasingly important. The authors’ results suggest that a leader's reputation for equity and fairness may mitigate the effects of racial slights.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the impact of leader equity on microaggressions and the first to empirically explore the impact of microaggressions on work outcomes. Their results suggest the importance of establishing leader reputations of fairness and training staff to recognize even subtle forms of discrimination and exclusion.
Contextual emotional labor: an exploratory of Muslim female employees in Pakistan
Authors: Syed Jawad , Ali Faiza
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine contextual emotional labor, which is a long‐term emotional experience in response to conflicting demands of societal and organizational contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on qualitative interviews with Muslim female employees in two textile firms in Lahore, Pakistan, the paper explores the nature and extent of contextual emotional labor associated with these women's decision to step into “the male domain”.

Findings

The study identifies contextual emotional labor as an integral part of Muslim female employees' work in the formal employment sector resulting from an ongoing tension between the display rules of the workplace and Islamic female modesty.

Research limitations/implications

Scholars may wish to investigate the nature and form of contextual emotional labor in diverse geographic, cultural and religious contexts in order to refine the findings and theoretical implications of this study.

Practical implications

Organizations may consider placing Muslim women in those roles in which there is lesser likelihood of conflict between their organizational and societal display rules, while not compromising their career. On a societal level, policy makers and religious scholars may consider findings ways to promote an enlightened interpretation of religious principles and their gender egalitarian practices to alleviate the contextual emotional labor experiences by female employees and other relevant groups.

Originality/value

The paper offers original empirical research on an under‐explored topic and geographical area.