bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the relationship between management accounting and structural capital in a knowledge‐intensive sector
Authors: Cleary Peter
Published: January 2009

Purpose

In the context of intellectual capital (IC) research, it has been proposed that management accounting is most appropriately situated as an element of a firm's structural capital. This paper sets out to explore this contention within the confines of the indigenous Irish information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was used to collect the necessary data and responses from 88 firms were generated. A form of structural equation modelling (SEM) called partial least squares (PLS) was used to test the data.

Findings

The findings suggest that management accounting systems within the indigenous Irish ICT sector have a positive influence on the generation of management accounting information. No statistical support was found, however, for the suggestion that management accounting systems positively influence firms' structural capital, whereas the results did indicate a positive relationship between management accounting information and structural capital. The findings strongly support previous research on the relationships between the human, structural and relational dimensions of IC and business performance.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted solely within the confines of the Irish ICT sector. Further research is needed to explore the relevant relationships.

Practical implications

It is argued strongly that firms adapt/develop management accounting systems to furnish themselves with the appropriate information required for the management and measurement of their increasingly valuable stock of IC.

Originality/value

The paper explicitly explores the relationship between management accounting and structural capital.
A causal model of human capital antecedents and consequents in the financial services industry
Authors: Bontis Nick , Serenko Alexander
Published: January 2009

Purpose

Causal models have been used in recent intellectual capital research studies to better understand the various outcomes of antecedent configurations of intangible asset components. These studies have been conducted in various industry sectors including insurance, healthcare, banks, and others. The purpose of this study is to replicate and extend prior research results within a new financial services sub‐sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument based on prior research was administered to 396 employees from ten credit unions across Canada.

Findings

The results show that the pattern and value of causal paths change slightly from one context to another.

Research limitations/implications

Six research implications are offered which summarize the key academic findings of the study related to how the interdependencies of the constructs alter from one context to another.

Practical implications

The empirical results presented here should lead analysts to recognize that measuring and strategically managing intellectual capital may in fact become the most important managerial activity for driving organizational performance.

Originality/value

The study provides a unique opportunity to test the generalizability and contextual implications of administering a similar survey instrument across various contexts.
Intellectual capital practices: a four‐region comparative study
Authors: Tovstiga George , Tulugurova Ekaterina
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to present the findings of an empirical study that examines and compares the competitive impact of intellectual capital on enterprise performance in small innovative enterprises (SIEs) situated in four geographical regions: St Petersburg in the Russian Federation, the Black Forest region of Germany, the “Medicon Valley”, situated between Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmo in Sweden, and Silicon Valley in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The research seeks to investigate potential differences in intellectual capital practices across the four regions while comparing the impact of these relative to the firm's external factors (socio‐political, technological, and economic) for enterprise performance. To that end, the research reported builds on and extends earlier research focused on Russian SIEs.

Findings

The research findings suggest that intellectual capital practices and their impact on enterprise performance are more similar than different across the regions studied, and that the firms' intellectual capital constitutes the more important determinant of enterprise performance relative to external factors. This does not preclude differences in intellectual capital practices between the regions studied. These differences are marginal, however, and reflect socio‐economic and national cultural factors unique to those regions investigated.

Research limitations/implications

The key questions of the research address the relative impact of intellectual capital practices (internal factors) and prevailing socio‐political, economic, and technological factors on the performance of small innovative enterprises. The work presents an extended sample size of Russian companies (also from St Petersburg) and an extension of the earlier study to include the three additional geographic regions. The notion of the knowledge‐based theory of the firm forms the conceptual basis of the framework that is developed to relate intellectual capital (human capital and structural capital) and key external factors (socio‐political, economic and technological) to enterprise performance in SIEs.

Practical implications

The study compares the perceived importance of intellectual capital and external environmental factors for enterprise competitiveness of companies in the four regions – Russia, Germany, Denmark, and the USA. The research provides evidence that intellectual capital is perceived to be the most important factor driving competitive performance in all the regions.

Originality/value

Similar to the research reported in an earlier paper by the same authors, the paper represents work in progress. As such, the outcomes and conclusions reported should be viewed as preliminary findings.
Intellectual capital management: pathways to wealth creation
Authors: Isaac Robert G. , Herremans Irene M. , Kline Theresa J.B.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The management of intellectual capital (IC) within organizations depends on appropriate organizational structures and characteristics. This paper seeks to argue that certain structural, cultural, and climate characteristics will lead to more effective IC management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the theoretical and empirical IC literature, as well as the literatures regarding organic environments, trust, participative decision making, and creative renewal processes, to develop a model relating to the antecedent conditions necessary for the management of IC.

Findings

The model developed will assist researchers in the identification and exploration of variables linked to the effective management of IC within organizations.

Practical implications

It is concluded that managers of organizations need to create organic structures, build trust with employees, encourage creative renewal, and develop participative decision‐making processes.

Originality/value

By integrating several fields of the literature that relate to IC management, the paper suggests propositions that deserve future research consideration.
A method for comprehensive intellectual capital management and reporting
Authors: Karagiannis Dimitris , Nemetz Martin , Bayer Franz
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to present the ICRB method, a comprehensive framework for intellectual capital management that has been applied at a knowledge company, BOC IS GmbH (BOC). As nowadays a great variety of diverse conceptions of intellectual capital management and reporting approaches are discussed in both practitioner and academic journals and at conferences, one of the next steps in intellectual capital research could be the comprehensive management of an organisation's intangible assets; opting for a special intellectual capital reporting method will no longer be a first‐choice decision. Together with BOC, this paper seeks to illustrate both a management method and a tool that allows easy and intuitive management and reporting of an organisation's intellectual capital.

Design/methodology/approach

By relying on method engineering as well as on the modelling approach, comparable and expressive means for managing and reporting an organisation's intellectual capital will be presented.

Findings

The paper depicts the outcome of the application of the ICRB method in the knowledge company BOC for managing and reporting intellectual capital.

Research limitations/implications

The range of the presented application of the ICRB method is limited to BOC's pre‐sale activities and processes.

Practical implications

When applying the ICRB method, managers, employees, external stakeholders, experts and academics can proceed on the question of how to achieve comparable and expressive intellectual capital reports.

Originality/value

The paper aims to go one step further in the research of intellectual capital management and offers a way to unify and compare diverse intellectual capital reporting conceptions.
Strategic environment and intellectual capital of Indian banks
Authors: Singh Deol Harjinder
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to propose that the development and use of intellectual capital (IC) elements by firms is contingent on the effect of the strategic environment on them.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a case study of the Indian banking industry, and considers how different banks responded to deregulation and industry reforms in terms of developing and exploiting their IC.

Findings

Government‐, private‐ and foreign‐owned banks used and developed different elements of IC (structural, human and relational capital) in response to the change in their strategic environment due to the reforms. These responses appear to be contingent on firm history and the initial endowments of IC.

Research limitations/implications

A reliance on print archival sources and context specificity limits the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

The paper complements Kamath's cross‐sectional estimation of VAIC™ in the Indian banking industry, and seeks to introduce consideration of the strategic environment of firms.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first systematic studies on the post‐liberalization strategies of banks in India, an important emerging economy.
Leveraging human capital through an employee volunteer program
Authors: Bart Chris , Baetz Mark C. , Pancer S. Mark
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how an employee volunteer program (EVP) as one aspect of responsible corporate citizenship (typically expressed in a mission statement) can influence the relationships among a firm, its employees and its community.

Design/methodology/approach

A pedagogical approach used in the educational sector known as “community service‐learning” or “service‐learning” was used as the basis for analyzing the experiences of 12 first‐time volunteering employees who described in a personal interview the motivations and outcomes associated with their participation in their EVP.

Findings

It was found that all three elements of service‐learning – that is, reciprocity, reflection, and development of responsible citizenship skills – were useful in understanding how an EVP can leverage human capital to benefit the firm, its employees and the community and make a firm's mission of responsible citizenship a reality.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the small sample size of 12 respondents, there were significant data in the comments from these respondents about the possible impact of an EVP experience in terms of various elements involved in service‐learning.

Practical implications

There are several corporate implications from the research which are related to various elements of service‐learning. For example, companies are encouraged to include in the creation and rollout of their EVP a reflection process which could also be connected to employee recognition programs, training programs and employee career development.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel approach to assessing the motivations and possible outcomes associated with an EVP. It should be of interest to both academics and practitioners.
Organizational characteristics fostering intellectual capital in Canada and the Middle East
Authors: Nazari Jamal A. , Herremans Irene M. , Isaac Robert G. , Manassian Armond , Kline Theresa J.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This study sets out to examine how organizational characteristics are related to intellectual capital and how these variables are different between Canadian and Middle East contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was developed to measure the four major study constructs, i.e. intellectual capital, culture, climate, and organizational traits. Each of these constructs was represented by a number of subscales that were subjected to ANOVA and correlations to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The analysis showed that all three categories of characteristics (culture, climate, and other traits) are significantly correlated with IC management. The results also indicated significant differences in all organizational characteristics and IC management between Canada and the Middle East.

Research limitations/implications

Culture, climate, and other traits are important enablers for the effective management of IC. Although the research tested three culture variables, four climate variables, and two other traits, future research should investigate these variables and the interactions among them more thoroughly.

Practical implications

The results have implications for organizations operating in different international contexts. Managers can use the results for more effective and efficient management of organizational characteristics that would foster IC management.

Originality/value

The research provides a comprehensive study of enablers of effective IC management, an area of study that has not received much attention in the past. It also provides insight as to why effective IC management may be more successful in certain countries.
Intra‐organizational knowledge exchange
Authors: Schotter Andreas , Bontis Nick
Published: January 2009

Purpose

Recent research on intra‐organizational knowledge‐transfer showed that new capability development within multinational corporations shifts from parent companies to foreign subsidiaries. This paper seeks to identify antecedents and barriers for reverse capability‐transfer in multinational corporations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a multiple case study approach based on active interviews at six subsidiaries of a multinational manufacturing company.

Findings

The results suggest that subsidiary autonomy, environmental heterogeneity, and managerial initiatives are all necessary antecedents of unique capability development at the subsidiary level, but that companies do not utilize foreign subsidiary‐originated capabilities in their home‐country operations. The results also show that person‐to‐person communication is required for intra‐MNC capability‐transfer in any direction, and that other forms of communication seem to be inefficient.

Research limitations/implications

A logical next step is the investigation of the phenomenon at the headquarters level with the goal to identify specific barriers for reverse capability‐transfer.

Practical implications

The findings support the idea that managers of multinational corporations should recognize that new unique capabilities originate not only at the parent company level but also at the foreign subsidiary level, and that it could be beneficial for the company as a whole to transfer these new capabilities back to the home country operation.

Originality/value

The study shows that in‐depth interviews provide the richest form of data for this type of research. Moreover, it provides a counter‐intuitive perspective on intra‐organizational knowledge and capability‐transfer in multinational corporations.
The relationship between culture and corruption: a cross‐national study
Authors: Seleim Ahmed , Bontis Nick
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between the GLOBE (Global Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Effectiveness) project national cultural dimensions of values and practices and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI).

Design/methodology/approach

Most empirical research on culture dimensions and corruption is based on Hofstede's dataset of culture conducted more than 25 years ago. Evidence from a more recent dataset of culture dimensions is needed before current generalizations can be made. The GLOBE project is based on the perceptions of 18,000 individuals.

Findings

The results provide empirical support for the influence of uncertainty avoidance values, human orientation practices, and individual collectivism practices on the level of corruption after controlling for economic and human development, which, in turn, adds to the efforts to build a general theory of the culture perspective of corruption.

Research limitations/implications

The findings offer valuable insights on why cultural values and cultural practices should be distinguished as they relate to corruption.

Practical implications

International policy makers as well as managers at multinational corporations can benefit from the findings of this research study.

Originality/value

The research reported is among the first to investigate the issue of corruption from the perspective of national cultural values and practices.
Framework of manufacturer‐retailer relationship in the manufactured housing construction
Authors: Jeong Jae G. , Hastak Makarand , Syal Matt
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current customer relationship management (CRM) with regard to manufacturers and retailers in the US manufactured housing (MH) industry and to present an MH industry‐specific framework of CRM system.

Design/methodology/approach

An overall CRM system was investigated through a questionnaire survey and interviews with industry experts. Based on the analysis of current CRM and the specific data collected, a framework of manufacturer‐retailer relationship optimization model (MRROM) for the MH industry was developed and validated trough the MH industry practitioners.

Findings

MRROM describes the overall framework of an industry‐specific CRM solution for the MH industry and suggests a new paradigm for the MH customization process as a focus area.

Research limitations/implications

This research only focused on the framework of optimal CRM system at the macro levels and an optimization model in the critically constrained manufacturer‐retailer relationship areas.

Practical implications

The proposed framework of MRROM can be used for developing the CRM vision and CRM strategies for the MH industry. It can then be the basis of an assessment of the current and required CRM capabilities of the enterprise.

Originality/value

Supply chain management for the MH industry is a new area of research. The proposed MRROM will contribute to improving the effectiveness and long‐term success of the supply chain in the MH industry. In addition, the proposed MRROM can be applied to other industries in the similar circumstances as well and is expected to facilitate the overall sales process.
Maintenance performance evaluation of offsite and in situ bathrooms
Authors: Pan Wei , Gibb Alistair G.F.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

Offsite is one of the main innovative techniques employed in the contemporary UK construction sector. Building maintenance accounts for over 5 percent of the UK's gross domestic product of which bathrooms are regarded as a critical area, with potential high risks and defects. However, the importance of its maintenance has been largely underestimated and research into this area appears to be limited. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap by investigating the maintenance performance of offsite and in situ bathrooms for student accommodation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines 732 maintenance records over three years of 216 precast concrete modules, 84 Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) modules and 96 traditionally‐built in situ bathrooms.

Findings

The research found that offsite modules outperformed in situ bathrooms in terms of maintenance. GRP modules created the least maintenance problems, compared to precast modules and in situ bathrooms. The maintenance of in situ bathrooms was more complex than offsite modules, and involved more diverse problematic areas. The main causes of the problems included inappropriate design; poor build workmanship, lack of quality of component materials and improper usage by occupants. This supports a parallel study that found that the costs associated with maintenance were significantly higher for in situ bathrooms than for the equivalent offsite solutions.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to understanding the problems of offsite bathroom modules requiring maintenance in comparison with in situ bathrooms and their possible causes. Key aspects of offsite bathrooms including drainage, toilets, vents and sinks should be improved. Quality of component materials used for in situ bathrooms should be ensured. These improvements can only be achieved through better design for maintenance with clients' aspiration embodied. The findings should assist in design decision making of selecting bathrooms for residential buildings. However, a balanced approach, taking into account other factors for such selection, is open for future investigation.

Originality/value

The framework of strategies developed should improve the innovative design of bathrooms manufactured offsite and help maintain them for better lifecycle performance.
The challenge of organizational design for manufactured construction
Authors: Davidson Colin H.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address an aspect of the innovation process leading to manufactured construction, which is often ignored, namely the organizational changes that necessarily accompany major innovations such as manufactured construction, calling for systemic organizational design.

Design/methodology/approach

The information for the case histories was obtained over a number of years by embedded research, where the researcher played an essential role in the projects described, thus allowing access to unpublished information. This observation‐based information was compared to other cases reported in the literature or about which knowledge was obtained though other means, enabling analytical generalizations to be drawn.

Findings

Results confirm the initial expectations. In a context of minimum state intervention, e.g. through mechanisms of market aggregation (in UK and the USA for example), namely where the internal forces of the building sector act upon each participant (including manufactured construction innovators), the design of an appropriate organization with its accompanying novel relationships is essential.

Originality/value

This paper makes it possible to show that contemporary manufactured construction innovators should recognize the importance of up front organizational design as a co‐requisite for technical design. This phase is often overlooked, exposing the innovator to unnecessary risks.
Impact of manufactured housing component assembly redesign on facility layout and production process
Authors: Sabharwal A. , Syal M. , Hastak M.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the impact of the component assemblies redesign on the material handling costs associated with the facility layout and also, on the productivity of the assembly process. Component assemblies are the sub‐assemblies that are incorporated into the manufactured house as it progresses on the assembly line.

Design/methodology/approach

Floor assembly is used as an example to demonstrate the impact of the component assembly redesign process. A step‐by‐step process of assembling a floor in the case study factory is described and changes to the process are proposed. The existing and redesigned floor assemblies are analyzed using the factory layout analysis models and the production simulation models.

Findings

The proposed redesign resulted in a small savings of less than 1 per cent in the material handling costs and a substantial savings of around 20 per cent in the production time.

Research limitations/implications

The work described in this paper is based on the existing floor assembly process in a case study factory. Due to the practical limitations, material handling routes and production activities associated with the redesigned assemblies were estimated. The results from this research show that redesign of component assemblies can provide potential avenues of savings for the manufactured housing industry. Such analysis can be performed for any component assembly individually or in combination with other assemblies in order to realize potential savings with relatively minor changes.

Originality/value

Production‐related research in manufactured housing has traditionally focused on either improving the facility layout or the assembly line process but not the combined impact of these two aspects. This paper presents a possible approach to investigating the combined impact by analyzing the impact of redesigned floor assembly.
Drivers, constraints and the future of offsite manufacture in Australia
Authors: Blismas Nick , Wakefield Ron
Published: January 2009

Purpose

Much has been written on offsite manufacture (OSM) in construction, particularly regarding the perceived benefits and barriers to implementation. However, very little understanding of the state of OSM in the Australian construction industry exists. A “scoping study” was recently conducted to determine the “state‐of‐the‐art” of OSM in Australia. The purpose of this paper is to report on the overall findings of the study.

Design/methodology/approach

The study took a broad qualitative survey‐based approach. This involved three industry workshops, several interviews and seven case studies across four major states of Australia. The study surveyed a range of suppliers across the construction supply‐chain, incorporating the civil, commercial and housing segments of the market.

Findings

The study revealed that skills shortages and lack of adequate OSM knowledge are generally the greatest issues facing OSM in Australia. OSM uptake into the future is dependent on many factors, not least of which is a better understanding of the construction process and its associated costs. Unlike the USA and UK, the Australian construction industry faces unique challenges in how it transforms construction into a modern and efficient industry.

Originality/value

This is the first work undertaken to determine the benefits and barriers to OSM in the Australian construction industry.
The impact of product choice on lean homebuilding
Authors: Nahmens Isabelina , Mullens Michael
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to better define the relationships between product variety and lean production in enabling mass customization in industrialized homebuilding.

Design/methodology/approach

This study includes a case study analysis of two housing plants that instituted lean production systems. For each company, the case study documented the company's background, the product choice offered, the lean implementation approach used, the results obtained, and the effect of product choice on the lean implementation. Using these case study findings, common trends were identified and used to develop guidelines for an effective mass customization strategy for industrialized homebuilders. This paper summarizes the extensive findings for one of the two plants and provides the recommended guidelines developed from common trends identified at both plants.

Findings

Case study findings indicated that product choice does not necessarily make the implementation of lean concepts more difficult. In fact, good lean concepts (e.g. continuous flow, pull system, workload leveling, defect‐free processes, standard tasks, good visual control, and reliable technology) were also good concepts for (or easily accommodated) handling a range of product choice.

Research limitations/implications

Research findings are limited by the small number of plants involved in the study.

Originality/value

The paper makes an important contribution to the understanding of both lean production and mass customization, identifying the lean principles that facilitate mass customization for industrialized homebuilders. Findings also provide useful guidelines for builders interested in better addressing specific customer needs, while managing the operational complexities resulting from product variety.
Simulation‐based efficiency assessment approach for rebar supply chains in Turkey
Authors: Polat Gul
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impacts of implementing different combinations of various organizational changes on the economics of rebar supply chains in the special conditions of a project environment, where on‐site fabrication of rebar is considered to be more economical than off‐site fabrication practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of recently published works (2005‐2006) seem to confirm that on‐site fabrication of rebar results in less cost to the contractor compared with off‐site fabrication in a special project environment. However, those analyses did not take into account two main cost components (i.e. storage cost and waiting cost) owing to the lack of such information, and they were based on a number of assumptions regarding current managerial capabilities, which may likely be enhanced through implementing various organizational changes. This study overcame these shortcomings of the recent studies through restoring the formerly developed simulation model to mimic the materials management system actually used by a contractor, and running this system by plugging in realistic input values associated with both those cost components and organizational changes.

Findings

The paper reveals that while fabricating rebar off site is more economical than fabricating it on site when the storage and waiting costs were taken into account in the current state of the construction industry, and the lowest total cost of rebar can be achieved by implementing organizational changes in the on‐site fabrication practice.

Originality/value

This paper is a very useful source of information for practitioners and researchers because it indicates that off‐site fabrication practice is only beneficial to builders if they have the ability to exploit it, and if the cultural and business environment enables that exploitation.
A field study on cost‐effectiveness of five erosion control measures
Authors: Jin Guang , Englande A.J.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate five erosion control measures at a residential development area in Louisiana, USA in order to provide Best Management Practices (BMPs) that have been tested in the field with demonstrated cost‐effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of six testing sites at a nine‐degree slope were used in parallel to study five erosion control measures with one being the control site (no protection). Soil erosion rate was quantified using the erosion bridge method. Soil underlying the study area was analyzed for surface runoff potential. Precipitation was monitored using a Sigma rain gauge. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student Newman‐Keuls Post‐Hoc ANOVA analysis were conducted to evaluate statistical significance of erosion control effectiveness. Ratio of soil erosion rate reduction to cost of each control measure is also analyzed.

Findings

All erosion control measures studied were very effective in reducing soil erosion for soils with high runoff potential, ranging from 75 percent to about 100 percent reduction in soil erosion rate. The most effective soil erosion protection was observed by Geojute fabric and Curlex blanket with greater than 90 percent reduction in soil erosion rate. However, after factoring‐in cost, straw bedding was observed to be five times as cost‐effective as Geojute fabric and Curlex blanket. The most cost‐effective measure is temporary seeding using perennial rye grass. For each dollar spent, about 12 tons of soil per acre per year will be prevented from eroding.

Originality/value

The study evaluated erosion control measures in the field with quantitative cost‐effectiveness analyzed. Besides enforcement, providing practical and cost‐effectiveness control measures that have been tested in the field is critical for actual implementation of erosion control measures.
The biodiversity quality of forest macrofungi and forest management
Authors: Feest Alan
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to: review the current methods and results of measuring the macrofungal biodiversity of both saprophytes and mycorrhiza; to show root tip analysis to be less accurate for mycorrhiza than expected when the latest research reports are considered; and to provide a simple methodology for measuring macrofungal biodiversity of forests.

Design/methodology/approach

Current macrofungal biodiversity methods are reviewed. A diagram representing the relationship between the mycorrhizal fungus and the root with three axes of variation is presented. A new methodology based on fruit body recording and analysis to provide a set of biodiversity quality indices is also presented.

Findings

The results of the use of the new methodology on two adjacent sites are presented as examples. The comparison of a set of sites for the full range of indices is also presented. Suggestions of how forest management may be influenced to include macrofungal biodiversity are made.

Originality/value

This new approach is considered to be an improvement on current practice since it relates both mycorrhizal biodiversity and saprophytic biodiversity to the ecosystem function.
GIS‐based disaster management
Authors: Abbas S.H. , Srivastava R.K. , Tiwari R.P. , Bala Ramudu P.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate a Geographic Information System (GIS)‐based study on development of District Disaster Management System for floods for Allahabad Sadar Sub‐District (India).

Design/methodology/approach

An approach has been designed to explore the scope for the combination of Disaster Management and GIS. The flood‐prone areas have been identified and their positions are marked using ArcView 9.1. GIS has been exploited to obtain the spatial information for the effective disaster management for flood‐affected areas.

Findings

ArcView 9.1 has been used as a tool for storing all types of relevant data for analysis and decision making. The various thematic maps include road network map, drinking water sources map, land use map, population density map, ward boundaries and location of slums.

Originality/value

The paper proposes evelopment of a GIS‐based early response system, and an emergency preparedness plan for the Allahabad Sadar sub‐district and also analysis of the impact of flood disasters in the region and its relationship to infrastructure development with a view to identifying how local governing bodies could be helped in addressing these issues. The proposed GIS‐based flood mitigation and management program would improve the current practices of disaster management process. If implemented properly, it would result in proper and quick decisions for the rescue and safety of the general public, which in turn would help in minimizing loss of life and property.
Improving the assessment and monitoring of forest biodiversity
Authors: Spanos K.A. , Feest A. , Petrakis P.V.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to present a general analysis and overview of forest biodiversity, emphasising the three main components (structure, composition, function) related to biodiversity. Following this theoretical consideration of forest biodiversity the current proposal of the European Environment Agency for biodiversity indicators is presented as a table with the application to forests identified and the direct/indirect nature of the indicator also indicated.

Design/methodology/approach

The biodiversity of forests is determined by a number of overall large‐scale factors that intimately affect the individual components of biodiversity. A more specific and direct measurement of forest biodiversity is presented with data assessed by the Fungib programme to provide a set of biodiversity indices that can be used to: create biodiversity baselines; compare sites; and follow biodiversity changes through time, all with the possibility of determining significance of change statistically. An example of data derived from a macrofungal survey is presented as an example of how this methodology can be adapted to many groups of organisms. Finally, a further example of using biodiversity quality data to understand changes in biodiversity is presented comparing butterfly biodiversity quality with nitrogen deposition.

Findings

This paper shows how an example of function (nitrogen deposition) has affected an element of composition (butterfly biodiversity). This has been made possible by the use of a rational sampling methodology (TRIM) used over a number of years. This metadata analysis of butterfly survey data shows clearly that changes in the butterfly biodiversity quality would have been missed if the normal approach of equating biodiversity with species richness had been adopted. In this example nitrogen‐sensitive species loss was compensated by nitrophilic species gain.

Originality/value

Such a methodology, therefore, has much to recommend it and it has been shown to be applicable to a wide range of organisms from bryophytes to beetles. For forest biodiversity monitoring the adoption of this kind of rationale will hopefully yield far greater information to the scientific community and policy makers for little extra effort.
Species diversity patterns along the forest savanna boundary in Nigeria
Authors: Christiana Ndidi Emuh , Adeniyi Suleiman Gbadegesin
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate the influence of human activities on the patterns of species diversities along the forest‐savanna boundary in Oyo state of Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A transect was placed along the study area from the rainforest belt, through the forest savanna ecotone to the southern fringe of the Guinea savanna vegetation belt. Each study site was identified as forest or savanna or ecotone using the species found within them. Samples from trees with diameter at breast height ≥ 6 cm were collected and the numbers from the different species counted. Species diversity patterns were analysed using the Shannon and Simpson's Index.

Findings

Analysis of patterns of species diversity with the Shannon and Simpson's Index showed a decrease in the species diversity from sites with mature vegetation to the areas of vegetation succession irrespective of whether they contained forest or savanna vegetation. Also, species diversities was greater in the forest vegetation than in the savanna vegetation. The decrease in species diversity and loss in some species is attributable to the effect of landuse and other human interference along the forest savanna ecotone.

Originality/value

The study suggested measures to reduce biodiversity loss in the forest savanna zones of Nigeria.
An appraisal of measures to cope with climate change in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Barbir Jelena , Leal Filho Walter , Spiric Jovanka
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to describe some trends on climate change in the Baltic Sea region, along with current and future expected actions to cope with climate change in the region.

Design/methodology/approach

The elements that influence climate change in the Baltic Region countries are analysed and co‐operation efforts among the Baltic countries as well as their individual policy and political decisions considering this issue are described.

Findings

Climate change is one the biggest problems faced today and a major threat to society. There is a need for political measures as well as a change in socio‐economic trends in order to meet the challenges of climate change in the Baltic Sea Region.

Originality/value

Climate change is a matter of common concern in the 11 Northern European countries, which either are on the Baltic Sea coast or are influenced by the Baltic Sea by being in the catchment area. The importance of international co‐operation is outlined and some recommendations and possible solutions are provided.
Insurance regulation in America – playing out of its league
Authors: Powers Michael R.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is to consider the effectiveness of the state‐based insurance regulatory system operating in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The editorial begins by identifying two major challenges recently faced by America's state‐based regulatory system, and argues that state regulators handled these problems inadequately. It then discusses the fundamental weaknesses of the system.

Findings

The shortcomings of the state‐based regulatory regime are responsible for its failure to prevent the mortgage‐industry crisis from threatening the solvency of at least one major insurance group.

Originality/value

The editorial argues in favor of federal oversight of insurance in the USA.
Are bank stocks sensitive to risk management?
Authors: Sensarma Rudra , Jayadev M.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper attempts to summarize the information contained in bank financial statements on the risk management capabilities of banks and then ascertains the sensitivity of bank stocks to risk management.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework is derived from a bank's accounting identities. The paper interprets the selected accounting ratios as risk management variables and attempts to gauge the overall risk management capability of banks by summarizing these accounting ratios as scores through the application of multivariate statistical techniques. Finally, the paper analyzes the impact of these risk management scores on stock returns through regression analysis.

Findings

The results based on data for Indian banks reveal that banks' risk management capabilities have been improving over time except for in the last two years. Returns on the banks' stocks appear to be sensitive to risk management capability of banks.

Practical implications

The results suggest that banks that want to enhance shareholder wealth have to focus on successfully managing various underlying risks. The findings have implications for investors who may benefit by going long on shares of banks that are better risk managers. The findings are useful for the regulator in developing quantitative indicators of soundness of the banking system.

Originality/value

First, this study suggests a novel way of looking at bank financial statements, i.e. from the risk management perspective. Second, the study develops summary scores of risk management capabilities of banks. Third, risk management is shown to be an important determinant of stock returns of banks.
Risk management practices of Islamic banks of Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Hassan Abul
Published: January 2009

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to assess the degree to which Islamic banks in Brunei Darussalam use risk management practices (RMPs) and techniques in dealing with different types of risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher developed a questionnaire which covers six aspects in the first part: understanding risk and risk management, risk assessment and analysis (RAA), risk identification (RI), risk monitoring, credit risk analysis and RMPs. The second part consists of two questions based on an ordinal scale dealing with two topics: methods of RI and risk facing the sample banks.

Findings

This study found that that the three most important types of risk that the Islamic banks in Brunei Darussalam facing are foreign‐exchange risk, followed by credit risk and then operating risk. It also found that the Islamic banks are somewhat reasonably efficient in managing risk where RI and RAA are the most influencing variables in RMPs.

Research limitations/implications

The paper's findings are limited to the RMPs of Islamic banks in Brunei Darussalam.

Originality/value

The paper explores the RMPs of the Islamic banks in Brunei Darussalam. The results can be used as a valuable feed back for improvement of RMPs in the Islamic banks in Brunei and will be of value to those people who are interested in the Islamic banking system.
An evaluation of alternative scoring models in private banking
Authors: Abdou Hussein A.
Published: January 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the efficiency and effectiveness of alternative credit‐scoring models for consumer loans in the banking sector. In particular, the focus is upon the financial risks associated with both the efficiency of alternative models in terms of correct classification rates, and their effectiveness in terms of misclassification costs (MCs).

Design/methodology/approach

A data set of 630 loan applicants was provided by an Egyptian private bank. A two‐thirds training sample was selected for building the proposed models, leaving a one‐third testing sample to evaluate the predictive ability of the models. In this paper, an investigation is conducted into both neural nets (NNs), such as probabilistic and multi‐layer feed‐forward neural nets, and conventional techniques, such as the weight of evidence measure, discriminant analysis and logistic regression.

Findings

The results revealed that a best net search, which selected a multi‐layer feed‐forward net with five nodes, generated both the most efficient classification rate and the most effective MC. In general, NNs gave better average correct classification rates and lower MCs than traditional techniques.

Practical implications

By reducing the financial risks associated with loan defaults, banks can achieve a more effective management of such a crucial component of their operations, namely, the provision of consumer loans.

Originality/value

The use of NNs and conventional techniques in evaluating consumer loans within the Egyptian private banking sector utilizes rigorous techniques in an environment which merits investigation.