bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supply chain management six sigma: a management innovation methodology at the Samsung Group
Authors: Mo Yang Hong , Seok Choi Byung , Jin Park Hyung , Soo Suh Min , Chae Bongsug (Kevin)
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to introduce a six‐sigma based methodology for the SCM domain which was developed and has been used in Samsung.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a detailed description of how and why a six‐sigma‐based methodology for the SCM domain was developed in Samsung and presents a real industry case to illustrate the usage of the methodology.

Findings

In Samsung, the effort and investment in synthesizing SCM and six sigma, and developing a unique six‐sigma‐based methodology to improve its SCM operation, have turned out to be fruitful. The Black Belt program has produced highly qualified and talented SCM specialists, who are currently training the methodology to members in their organizations and leading SCM projects. SCM projects are being prepared and conducted in a more disciplined way and their outcomes are continuously monitored and shared through the company's repository.

Research limitations/implications

To generalize its usefulness, the methodology needs to be applied to the SCM projects of those companies whose organizational and cultural contexts are different from those of Samsung. In addition, the overview of an illustrative SCM project presented in the paper is brief due to space limitations.

Practical implications

Today, SCM is increasingly recognized as a strategic way to innovate a company's business operation. This paper shows that a methodology such as Samsung's SCM six sigma can be the key to conducting SCM projects in a more disciplined way and for fruitful outcomes.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a unique six‐sigma‐based methodology for the SCM domain which has been developed and applied in a leading global manufacturing, financial, and services conglomerate. This methodology could be adapted by other companies for their SCM projects to increase the likelihood of project success.
Business‐to‐business e‐procurement: success factors and challenges to implementation
Authors: Angeles Rebecca , Nath Ravi
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to pursue the understanding of current business‐to‐business e‐procurement practices by describing the success factors and challenges to its implementation in the corporate setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Members of the Institute for Supply Management and the Council of Logistics Management were asked to respond to a survey questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to analyze data from valid responses received from 185 firms.

Findings

Factor analysis resulted in three e‐procurement success factors (SF):supplier and contract management; end‐user behavior and e‐procurement business processes; and information and e‐procurement infrastructure. Three challenge‐to‐implementation factors (CIF) also emerged: lack of system integration and standardization issues; immaturity of e‐procurement‐based market services and end‐user resistance; and maverick buying and difficulty in integrating e‐commerce with other systems.

Research limitations/implications

A representative sampling design should be used in the future to be able to make claims for generalizable results.

Practical implications

E‐procurement is a very important initiative with significant cost savings potential for firms. This study's findings can guide various stages of corporate implementation efforts.

Originality/value

This study fulfills the need for solid empirical findings on this very important topic that has a direct impact on a firm's bottom line. E‐procurement is still in the early stages of marketplace deployment and guidance is still needed on how to do it right.
Process approach to supply chain integration
Authors: Trkman Peter , Indihar Štemberger Mojca , Jaklič Jurij , Groznik Aleš
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Business renovation, the effective utilisation of information technology and the role of business process modelling and simulation, are all vital in supply chain integration projects. This paper aims to show through a combination of these methods how the performance of the supply chain can be improved with the renovation and integration of processes at various tiers in the chain and by the sharing of information between companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Simulation‐based methodology for measuring the benefits of the creation and renovation of business process models combines the methodology of developing process models and its simulation with the simulation of supply and demand. A procurement process in the oil/retail petrol industry is examined in a case study.

Findings

Using the proposed methodology, different business process models can be investigated and simulated. The benefits for each company involved in the presented case are substantial and can be estimated through a simulation. Substantial benefits in costs, quality and lead times were identified, however, their distribution is not symmetric. Inter‐organisational IS and applied technology were enablers for supply chain integration. However, organisational changes and new business models were prerequisites for obtaining those benefits.

Practical implications

The process approach to supply chain integration presents a mechanism that can be applied to any industry. It represents a systematic methodological business renovation approach involving cost cuts, quality improvements and lead‐time improvements. The costs of supply chain integration projects were not studied. The benefits should be measured against the cost of testing the economic feasibility of such projects.

Originality/value

The effective utilisation of business process modelling and a simulation of the necessary business renovation are shown. The novel combination of business process and demand/supply simulation enables an estimation of changes in lead‐times, process execution costs, quality of the process and inventory costs. Although the methodology is presented through a case study of the oil/retail petrol industry, it can also be used to estimate the benefits and monitor supply chain integration projects in other industries.
Integrated production/distribution planning in the supply chain: the Febal case study
Authors: Nonino Fabio , Panizzolo Roberto
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to investigate empirically the criticalities of a production system constrained by distribution, in order to propose a model capable of integrating production and distribution planning for a simultaneous improvement in terms of efficiency and efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from an overview of previous works about integrated analysis of a production‐distribution system, an exploratory case study in the Italian industry of modular kitchens has been used, with multiple levels of analysis and multiple data collection methods.

Findings

Three solutions for a better integration of production‐distribution systems are proposed; the solutions are characterized by increasing levels of benefits and complexity. The article focuses on the implementation of the less complex scenario, called “overlapping of selling areas”, proposing a series of algorithms used for the implementation of a software prototype.

Research limitations/implications

The case study has been chosen because it is representative of the assemble to delivery logic, where production is pulled and constrained by distribution, but it may not necessarily reflect all the firm's experiences in the furniture market.

Practical implications

The software prototype, developed on the basis of the proposed algorithms, allows a firm with production planning severely constrained by the distribution process to achieve better performance in terms of level of accomplishment in the delivery date promised and reduction of the lead time of delivery.

Originality/value

This paper proposes effective solutions for customer order‐driven‐production constrained by the distribution process, also offering practical help for managing and automatically assigning orders to transport carriers and for informing customers of the product's delivery date.
The darker side of an international academic career
Authors: Richardson Julia , Zikic Jelena
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the “darker side” of what it means to engage in an international academic career. Extending beyond well‐documented themes relating to the difficulties of cross‐cultural adjustment and unfulfilled expectations/opportunities for promotion, this paper seeks to introduce “transience and risk” as two important dimensions of this very specific career choice. The paper draws especially on the contemporary “new” careers literature, including conceptions of career exploration as a framework to understand the research findings.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a qualitative methodology, drawing on semi‐structured interviews conductedin situwith 30 expatriate academics in four different countries.

Findings

Transience and risk were identified as two important dimensions of the “darker side” of pursuing an international academic career. However, these two dimensions also had further positive aspects, thus signalling the complex and often contradictory nature of this specific career form.

Research limitations/implications

Introduces a more cautionary note to the contemporary literature on international careers and career exploration more generally.

Practical implications

Careers that evolve across international boundaries require support that extends beyond cross‐cultural training.

Originality/value

The paper contends that in as much as an international academic career offers a broad range of opportunities for fulfilment it also presents significant challenges that should be acknowledged.
Careers in the right beat: US jazz musicians' typical and non‐typical trajectories
Authors: Kirschbaum Charles
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Recent research has shed light on career trajectories outside enclosed organizations and linked individual careers to career fields. This article seeks to explore how individuals' trajectories are affected by structural changes in career fields.

Design/methodology/approach

By exploring several jazz musicians' biographies, a typical trajectory is built. In contrast with this typical trajectory, alternative successful trajectories are investigated.

Findings

The typical trajectory entails a successful introduction of a musician into a field, followed by increasing recognition among peers at jam sessions, stream of engagements and among critics. Consecration of one's public persona occurs in tandem with the institutionalization of one's personal style. These higher levels of “symbolic capital” grant continuous streams of engagements, which in turn are translated into higher levels of economic capital. As a musician achieves a dominant position in a field, inertial forces typecast him, impeding innovation, which leaves room for upcoming younger artists. This model is contrasted with deviant careers that proved to be successful due to structural changes in the field. As the legitimacy sources were no longer tightly coupled, musicians were able to undertake choices not prescribed by successful predecessors. The way individuals behave when facing field uncertainty reveals the enduring values underlying the employment and conversion of resources.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on qualitative research on jazz musicians' bios. Future research might further explore interpretative schemata applied by musicians facing career choices.

Practical implications

Practitioners might find controversial and conflictive sources of legitimacy opportunities for taking up alternative career paths. Conversely, structural changes might help analysts to assess endurable patterns of individual strategic choices.

Originality/value

The logics of jazz musicians' trajectories are assumed to be analogous to other industry careers. This analogy adds value to the study of careers in two ways: first, it contributes to understanding career patterns outside formal organizations; and second, it permits a multi‐level analysis, where both individual trajectories and the field dynamics are interwoven.
Work, family, and life interfaces: a selective book review
Authors: Rabinowitz Samuel
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review a group of books focusing on work‐family research and applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a summary and critique of recently published books centering on work‐family issues.

Findings

Significantly expanded views of work‐family issues are represented in the multicultural, multidisciplinary perspectives presented in a series of books.

Originality/value

By considering a number of different publications, the researcher, instructor, or practitioner can learn about advances in the work‐family domain.
Corporate real estate and competitive strategy
Authors: Singer Bas P. , Bossink Bart A.G. , Vande Putte Herman J.M.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how organisations use a corporate real estate strategy to support their competitive strategy. It provides a theoretical and empirical overview and analysis of effective combinations of firms' real estate and competitive strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper constructs a model that integrates three real estate strategies and three types of competitive strategies. Case studies in ten multinational firms in The Netherlands apply the model, and describe and analyse the combinations of the firms' real estate – and competitive strategies.

Findings

A standardisation real estate strategy supports all three competitive strategies: lowest costs, differentiation, and focus. A value‐based real estate strategy supports a competitive strategy of differentiation and differentiation‐focus, and does not contribute to a competitive strategy of lowest costs, or lowest costs‐focus. Finally, an incremental real estate strategy is ambiguous, and does not support any of the three competitive strategies.

Originality/value

The paper constructs a literature‐based model that combines real estate strategy and competitive strategy. It applies the model in a study of ten cases. Practitioners can use the model to analyse and reconsider the combination of their organisation's real estate strategy and competitive strategy. Academics can use the qualitative research results to design further research that qualifies and quantifies the relationship between various elements of real estate – and competitive strategy.
Employee quality of life in corporate location decisions
Authors: Rabianski Joseph S.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

To provide a method for the corporate real estate director to gather information about the quality of life (QOL) desires of key employees at a new corporate location.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a discussion of a personal survey technique that can be used to gather information about the QOL concerns and needs of key employees regarding new locations the firm might be considering as possible expansion or relocation sites.

Findings

The publicly disseminated QOL rankings in popular magazines about metropolitan areas provides only marginally important information for the corporate officer in charge of making a relocation decision, because the information is not directly linked to the employees who will be affected by the move.

Practical implications

The discussion of the contents of a personal survey will provide the means to discover the significant benefits perceived by the key employees about the new location and a means to discover any major concerns, issues and problems about moving to a new corporate location.

Originality/value

The paper brings the QOL concept from its position as a newsworthy curiosity about metropolitan areas into the corporate decision process as a way to involve the opinions and desires about QOL of key employees in a corporate relocation decision.
A model for calculating costs of hospital‐acquired infections: an Italian experience
Authors: Gianino M.M. , Vallino A. , Minniti D. , Abbona F. , Mineccia C. , Silvaplana P. , Zotti C.M.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Many approaches on the economic aspect of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) have two major limitations: first, the lack of distinction between resources attributable to the management of HAI and resources absorbed by the main clinical problem for which the patient was hospitalized, and second, the lack of an adequate method for calculating the relative costs. These assume that the resources used by HAI can be determined by measuring the extra days of length of days (LOS) of infected patients versus non‐infected patients and attribute to extra‐LOS a value to the mean total cost. The aim of the article is to test a cost‐modelling method that could overcome these limitations by applying the appropriateness evaluation protocol to the medical charts of patients with hospital‐acquired symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) or sepsis, and by using cost‐centre accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains and tests a model for calculating costs of HAIs.

Findings

The data analysis showed that it is not always true that infections protract LOS: five out of 25 sepsis cases have extra‐LOS and eight out of 25 UTI cases have extra‐LOS, while the cases of sepsis that arose in surgery ward and intensive care units and urinary tract infections in ICU are without prolongation of LOS. The data analysis also showed that, using the mean total cost, the three cases of sepsis in the general surgery and the six in the ICU did not incur costs, nor did the two cases of UTI in ICU, so that they appear to be infections at zero cost. Moreover, the weight of the cost for the bed, or for the diagnostic services, or for the pharmacological treatment, varied widely depending on the site of the HAI and the ward where the patient was hospitalized.

Originality/value

The method can be applied in any hospital.
The impact of research governance in the United Kingdom on research involving a national survey
Authors: Cook Margaret , Cook Glenda , Hodgson Philip , Reed Jan , Clarke Charlotte , Inglis Pamela
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact that research governance processes in the National Health Service (NHS) are having on the conduct of research that involves a national survey and to point to ways that existing processes may develop to facilitate such research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the experiences of a research team of seeking approval in 357 NHS organisations to carry out a national postal survey to investigate specialist services and specialist staffing for older people in England in the wake of recent policy developments. Through reflection on this experience, the team propose approaches for the development of existing research governance processes. The national survey was the first stage of the study, which was followed by a detailed investigation of the development of specialist service provision for older people in six case study sites across England. The national survey aimed to map specialist service provision for older people by identifying the range of service models, agency and professional involvements, and nature of the case load in statutory services (health and social care), independent and voluntary sector organisations.

Findings

Of the 357 NHS organisations approached for approval to carry out the survey within the organisation, this was achieved only in 247 organisations over 12 months. Many organisations were facilitative of the process; however, protracted and extensive approval processes in others led to long delays and redesigning of the research that was commissioned by the Department of Health.

Originality/value

The paper is of value in that it highlights processes and practices that hinder research and builds on those that work well.
Nineteenth century handmaids or twenty‐first century partners?
Authors: Tosh Karen
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the processes influencing the nature of the relationship between hospital medical and nursing staff.

Design/methodology/approach

Posits the question “how far has this relationship come?” since the influential Briggs Report of the 1970s declared that the nineteenth‐century handmaid model remained a powerful concept. To address whether this still holds true, a series of potentially influencing factors are explored. These include the differing historical development of medicine and nursing. Also how the relative roles, of nursing in particular, are changing and the effects of the external policy and political influences at play. Gender issues are considered, with particular regard to how care is conceptualised, and not least the contribution to relations by doctors and nurses themselves are explored.

Findings

The paper discusses how three doctor‐nurse relationship models have attempted to account for the way these two groups interact. A fourth perspective is put forward as a potentially revealing way of viewing group relations, taking from the social psychology‐based theory of social identification.

Originality/value

The paper maintains that a frank and open discussion of the problems that may be encountered in developing the doctor‐nurse relationship is a vitally important ingredient for modern health care. By employing a polemic style the key aim of this paper is to stimulate debate between the relevant parties in this area and to attempt to highlight some of the less obvious factors that may represent tangible barriers to effective partnership.
Hedge fund regulation: current trends in the industry
Authors: Lukaj Michael S. , Healy Girard M.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an analysis and report on the current regulatory environment for US hedge funds and explore the latest actions from governmental groups and the private sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A compilation of the most recent government communications, legislative proposals, industry newsletters and seminars, and other related sources.

Findings

US regulation surrounding hedge funds is in a state of flux. Substantially more pension money being invested in hedge funds has become a very important factor in the discussions. Hedge funds that are already registered are staying so in the vast majority of cases. The consensus is that more regulation is likely; however, what form that regulation will take is still unsettled at this point.

Originality/value

Based on first‐hand experience working with hedge funds, the authors have endeavored to present and outline the most up‐to‐date information on this hot‐button issue.
SEC votes to amend and clarify operation of redemption fee rule
Authors: Puretz Jeffrey , Robertson Robert , Rosenblat Alan , Frankfurter Jutta , Scott Cortney
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to summarize amendments to Rule 22c‐2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the “redemption fee rule”, adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 26, 2006.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides background to the redemption fee rule, defines financial intermediaries and intermediary chains, and discusses how funds are expected to implement the rule and associated frequent trading policies.

Findings

Under the redemption fee rule, the boards of most mutual funds are required to consider whether to implement a fee of up to 2 percent of the value of any shares redeemed by a customer from a fund within a short time after purchase. Amendments to the rule clarify operation of the rule and reduce mutual funds' costs in complying with it.

Originality/value

Outlines the requirements of the amendments to Rule 22c‐2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
DOJ's Antitrust Division places opening bid on private equity firm investigation
Authors: Alexis Geraldine , Sauro Troy
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to summarize and discuss the motivation behind an investigation recently begun by the Department of Justice Antitrust Division concerning the practices of private equity firms when they are bidding for control of target companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the reasons for the Antitrust Division's interest in private equity firms' auction practices; hypothetical auction scenarios that could raise the Division's interest; additional steps the Division could take such as further letters and Civil Investigative Demands; and possible private equity firm defenses and responses to Division theories.

Findings

The Division appears most interested in the nature of the “clubs” formed by competing private equity firms to place bids. So, the Division's investigation will likely focus on whether it can bring claims against private equity firms for violations of Section One of the Sherman Act (15 U.S.C. § 15), which prohibits “contracts, combinations and conspiracies in restraint of trade”. Private equity firms can respond to the Division's theories by showing that “club” collaborations are beneficial to competition and actually help streamline the process, resulting in better auction bids.

Originality/value

A useful explanation and update of an investigation in process.
Agency theory and corporate governance
Authors: Bonazzi Livia , Islam Sardar M.N.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The effect of corporate governance on firm performance has long been of great interest to financiers, economists, behavioural scientists, legal practitioners and business operators. Yet there is no consensus over what constitutes an effective corporate governance mechanism that induces agents or managers to consistently act in the interest of share value optimisation. The purpose of this study is to develop a model to resolve an on‐going issue in financial economics: how can CEOs be effectively monitored by the board of directors?

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of the literature on corporate governance and the relationship between board composition and financial performance leads to the development of the proposed model, which is based on a framework which takes into account the probability of success representing a CEO's ability, and the active monitoring function (which is represented by the numbers of control visits) carried‐out by the directors.

Findings

The design of the model is aimed at identifying an optimal level of monitoring, which will maximise share value, to guide internal and independent directors.

Research limitations/implications

The model has limitations: it does not address the input of other directors and it focuses solely on the monitoring function, even though boards also play important roles in providing information and advice to management.

Originality/value

The finding of this study contributes to the Agency Theory debate, in essence that the board monitoring of CEO will improve the performance of the CEO and avoid possible conflict of interests.
A process causality approach given a strategic frame
Authors: Dror Shuki
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology for building a causality process to dynamically investigate system performance linkages, as implied by a strategic frame such as a quality management frame or the balance scorecard frame.

Design/methodology/approach

The causality process develops aggregated process control tools in a data mining structure. The method identifies significant performance improvements by means of Cumulative Sum control charts, uses binary variables to mark them and time bounded search cycles as dictated by the causality constraints.

Findings

The methodology was implemented in a manufacturing enterprise and thus enables to better understand causality at the operational (tactical) level as well as at the strategic level.

Research limitations/implications

Additional research issues for further investigation are expressed by questions such as follows: what other data mining tools may be appropriate? How to methodically construct learning performance indicators?

Practical implications

The causality process and its assisting process control techniques are suitable to a variety of managerial situations where techniques for monitoring and testing given frames of hypothesized performance linkages are needed.

Originality/value

The methodology enables an individual organization to dynamically investigate its performance in order to improve the implementation of its strategy.
Should national brand manufacturers produce private labels?
Authors: Tarziján Jorge
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the question, “should national brand manufacturers produce private labels?”. Anecdotal evidence shows that though this is a common question for managers in different industries and countries, managers and companies react differently to it. As such, there are national brand manufacturers that produce private labels and others whose policy is to produce only branded products.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines this question through the construction of a model, focusing especially on the effects of producing private labels on manufacturers' profits when their provision may affect both the consumers' perception of the quality of the private label and the national brand manufacturer's costs.

Findings

The analysis allows for different degrees of competition in the retail market, and for linear and non‐linear pricing.

Practical implications

An important novel practical implication of these results is that national brand manufacturer' gains from producing private labels are increasing with the concentration of the retail market. Another implication derived from our model is that national brand manufacturers should be more enthusiastic about producing private labels when independent manufacturers may produce a good whose perceived quality is closer to that of the national brand.

Originality/value

The results presented in this paper may help managers to identify key variables that may affect the profitability of producing private labels.
Parental attitudes towards advertising to children and restrictive mediation of children's television viewing in Belgium
Authors: Dens Nathalie , De Pelsmacker Patrick , Eagle Lynne
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate parents' attitudes toward advertising to children, and advertised foods in particular, as well as parental concern regarding children's nutrition habits and the degree to which these perceptions influence television monitoring by parents.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire assessing attitudes was distributed among parents of Belgian primary and secondary school children. Parental mediation of television viewing was measured by self‐reports. A structural equation model was built using data from a sample of 485 parents.

Findings

The study finds that parental nutrition attitudes and the degree to which advertising causes family conflicts and pestering are among the most important drivers of restrictive mediation of television. Attitudes towards food advertising, the degree to which children can understand the commercial intent of advertising and the perceived influence of advertisements on children do not directly affect restrictive mediation.

Research limitations/implications

The model was based on a single‐country study, and did not distinguish between parents of different socio‐economic backgrounds or between parents with children in different age categories. All the constructs used in this model were self‐reports. The model could also be extended to encompass different types of mediation.

Practical implications

Parents serve as gatekeepers for children's television viewing. Advertisers targeting children need to obtain the green light of the gatekeepers before they can reach the children. It is therefore important that advertisers have an understanding of how parents perceive advertising and which factors specifically incite them to restrict their children's viewing.

Originality/value

Attitudes of parents are considered as a multidimensional construct, consisting of “commercial intent”, “conflict” and a separate component relating to advertised foods. The differential impact of each of these components, as well as parents' nutritional concerns and perceived advertisement influence, on restrictive mediation is assessed.
Children as co‐decision makers in the family? The case of family holidays
Authors: Gram Malene
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The aim of the article is to examine children's role in family purchase decision making with a particular focus on how much impact children are perceived to have and in what ways children impact family decision making concerning holidays.

Design/methodology/approach

Information was gathered from 26 in‐depth interviews with parents and children, telephone interviews with 800 Danish and 1,200 Germans, and questionnaires from 200 Danish and 200 German children.

Findings

Results show that parents perceive children to have moderate impact on decision making. Children, on the contrary, think they have quite a high level of impact. Parents perceive themselves to have the decisive vote, but in this “decisive vote” parents take children's manifestations and prior experiences with the children into account. Children do have significant impact in various ways through a broad array of techniques, directly and indirectly, consciously and unconsciously. Children vocalise their wishes, and parents are often attentive and co‐operative.

Research limitations/implcations

Other cultural settings than northern European would have been interesting to add to the analysis.

Practical implications

The significant influence of children not just in the buying situation, but also as a strong indirect factor is of interest when considering marketing actions.

Originality/value

The contribution of the article is insight into the discussions going on in families with viewpoints from both parents and children by the use of both qualitative and quantitative data. No previous works have integrated data of parents and children combining both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Solutions on Stress (SOS): programmes, packages and products for helping teenagers
Authors: Bunn Amanda , Bifulco Antonia , Lorenc Ava , Robinson Nicky
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Recent research and media attention has highlighted soaring levels of stress among young people. As part of a programme of research based across a number of universities in London and the South‐West of the UK (called WestFocus) a team of psychologists, social scientists and complementary practitioners have started to investigate this issue with the aim of introducing stress management interventions into the school environment. This paper aims to examine their findings.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper summarises the set up, progress, results and implications of a six‐week stress management intervention piloted and evaluated with teenagers at school. The intervention aimed to provide a holistic approach to stress management teaching students both psychological techniques (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) and complementary therapy approaches (such as Indian head massage and aromatherapy).

Findings

Structured assessments and qualitative feedback taken at the beginning and end of the programme revealed that emotional well‐being and self‐esteem improved and perceived stress decreased for students. Initial stress levels were found to be high and to have a negative impact on school performance and social activity.

Practical implications

The nature and high levels of stress symptoms experienced by this group of young people have significant implications for the general well‐being of young people and the design of products or services to help.

Originality/value

Relatively little is know about how stress levels affect the well‐being and behaviour of young people including avenues for stress relief, methods of coping and the implications this may have for services, interventions or marketing. This paper aims to explore these issues.
Upwardly mobile: a study into mobile TV use amongst children
Authors: Ali Shazia
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to understand the way in which children use mobile phones and the potential for mobile TV within the UK youth market.

Design/methodology/approach

the study adopts a combined qualitative and quantitative approach consisting of in‐home friendship pair interviews followed by online surveys both amongst 10‐12 year olds split geographically and by gender.

Findings

The paper finds that children have a strong emotional attachment to their phones and mobile TV could well be the next technological step for children with regard to mobile phone technology. They are more likely to add mobiles to their existing repertoire of gadgets for other activities such as gaming and listening to music rather than use handsets as a direct replacement.

Research limitations/implications

With mobile phone technology and the media sector changing so rapidly, this study acts as a snapshot of attitudes and behaviour at the time it was undertaken. It remains to be seen how future convergence – both amongst technologies and media companies – will affect the potential for mobile TV amongst children.

Originality/value

The study helps to bridge gaps between other studies that have either focused on children's use of mobile phones in general (rather than specifically mobile TV) or has addressed mobile TV use amongst adults.
Intergenerational influences on the dimensions of young customer‐based brand equity
Authors: Bravo Rafael , Fraj Elena , Martínez Eva
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the different nature and effects of family influences on the dimensions of young customer‐based brand equity.

Design/methodology/approach

Information was gathered from in‐depth interviews. The sample was composed of 30 young adults.

Findings

Results show different facets of how the family may affect brand awareness, associations, perceived quality and brand loyalty. Some of them have already been considered in the previous literature, and some new elements have also emerged. Information is sorted according to its impact on each dimension of customer‐based brand equity.

Research limitations

Differences regarding age, marital status and other social variables in the respondents are not considered in the analysis.

Practical implications

The nature, process and effects of intergenerational influences on each dimension of brand equity lead us to propose different marketing actions. These actions may ease the transfer of customer‐based brand equity from parents to children.

Originality/value

This paper takes a holistic perspective in the study of intergenerational influences. No previous works have analysed the nature and effects on each dimension of customer‐based brand equity.
Costs of e‐participation: the management challenges
Authors: Viborg Andersen Kim , Zinner Henriksen Helle , Secher Christine , Medaglia Rony
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the cost of e‐participation from the managerial perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The use of digital media to consult and engage citizens and companies in the decision‐making process is a way of improving the design and legitimatization of decisions, as well as potentially increasing the likelihood of successful implementation of policies. This paper discusses if the potential economic benefits from increased or qualitatively improved involvement inherently are long term and have to compete with other activities undertaken by government.

Findings

There are great uncertainties regarding the magnitude of the positive effects on governance since there are not only positive, but also negative externalities of e‐participation; thus, there are major challenges in measuring and capitalizing on the e‐participation. Part of the reason for the uncertainty is the lack of explicit awareness of the choice of technology, communication style and institutional approach to implementing e‐participation. Further, there is the need to be aware of the administrative costs in transferring e‐participation practices and techniques.

Originality/value

The perspective on cost of e‐participation is not well explored. The discussion raised emphasizes the urgency of the issue.
Central research questions in e‐government, or which trajectory should the study domain take?
Authors: Scholl Hans J.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

To develop the notion of centrality in e‐government (EG) research, and to base the identification of central research areas on that principle. To pave the path towards a more integrated understanding of EG and its phenomena.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes which disciplines contribute to EG. It scrutinizes the scope and orientation of disciplines involved and invested EG. Key high‐level variables in EG are derived from the literature. It is analyzed to what extent major EG phenomena are impacted by those variables and their interaction, which leads to the development of the principle of centrality. Central research areas of EG are identified based on the centrality principle. The integrative interdisciplinary research approach in EG is linked to trends in global science.

Findings

The paper finds the areas of transformation, integration, participation, and (information) preservation to be central to EG. It also identifies strong drivers in central EG research towards an integrative interdisciplinary approach.

Research limitations/implications

A systematic review of the extant EG literature is still missing but could be guided by the centrality principle.

Practical implications

When addressing the central areas, EG might manage to develop into an integrative science. In that case, its research results would likely be highly relevant to government practice and academia alike.

Originality/value

The paper develops and defines the principle of centrality in EG research. It identifies central research areas in EG and distinguishes those from non‐central research areas in EG. In so doing, the paper provides guidance and focus, particularly, for integrative EG research.
Enterprise integration in e‐government
Authors: Cheng‐Yi Wu Raymond
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to research the e‐government architecture issue as a means of addressing the interoperability gap. It will incorporate the new knowledge acquired in the e‐government integration methodology of the interconnectivity of cross‐layers. These layers include the vertical direction of strategy, business, process, service and information.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used in this research as it progressed was component‐base driven and involved the exploration of vertical e‐government integration and common service interoperability between business and IT. The realization of this methodology first required a technical foundation setup followed by a business semantics study and a new concept of enterprise integration. The lack of interconnectivity between these layers is the main concerns with the implication that e‐government architecture needs a robust micro‐mechanism of semantic messaging and metadata to coordinate across layers.

Findings

E‐government architecture became pervasive in the twenty‐first century due to its significant growth in terms of huge volume transactions, the citizens' new service concept, and sophisticated businesses. Enterprise architecture mainly mediates between business and IT to minimize the gap by improving governance, agility and business integrity. All of these disciplines and principles should be applied to attain e‐government transformation and vertical interoperability and common services provisioning are the major findings in the research.

Originality/value

This paper contribute new concept of enterprise vertical integration in e‐government. The integrated solution of coherence of approaches forms the basis of this new concept; it serves as the backbone in vertical integration and addresses the e‐government enterprise gap. It is expected to provide further insights into micro process integration across e‐government enterprise layers.
Alternatives to Public Provision: The Role of Legal Expenses Insurance in Broadening Access to Justice: The German Experience
Authors: Kilian Matthias
Published: March 2007

The literature suggests that the main barriers to justice range from a general lack of knowledge about legal rights, and the related prevalent use of technical language within justice systems (which has led to commentators describing law as a ‘leviathan’), to a vague ‘fear of the unknown’. In Germany the principal barrier is thought to be the problem of funding legal services. Empirical research indicates that the question of whether or not to consult a lawyer is primarily one of cost, although over one–third of potential clients have little idea about lawyers’ fees. To find ways to surmount this barrier is therefore of paramount importance for a modern society. In broad terms, there are three potential attitudes to legal costs: reliance on one's own resources; hope for third party assistance (such as legal aid or pro bono); and insurance. This article concentrates on the last of these three options, comparing, in particular, the systems in Germany and England and Wales.
Large‐scale Map or the A‐Z? The Place of Self‐help Services in Legal Aid
Authors: Giddings Jeff , Robertson Michael
Published: March 2007

Australian legal aid agencies are increasing their reliance on self‐help legal services as part of their service delivery mix. Self‐help legal services seek to harness the productive capacity of consumers,enabling wider distribution of legal aid services. The move to self‐help services as an alternative to traditional legal service delivery appears to have gained momentum in advance of any sound understandings of what legal consumers, and legal aid consumers in particular, are capable of. In addition to the cost benefits of providing self‐help services rather than traditional legal services, these services have been promoted on the basis of their capacity to empower users to address their own legal matters. Examples of the misuse by government agencies of notions of empowerment emphasize the importance of ensuring the usefulness of self‐help legal services.
Changing Patterns of Legal Representation in Divorce: From Lawyers to Pro Se
Authors: Mather Lynn
Published: March 2007

Governmental assistance for legal representation in civil cases is far greater in the United Kingdom than in the United States of America. This article explores the extent of legal support for low–income Americans, particularly in the area of family law. Examination of the data on self–representation across the United States and over time shows decreased reliance on lawyers. Drawing on institutional and individual perspectives, the article then explores why individuals choose to represent themselves in divorce. What do lawyers add to a divorce besides cost? The article suggests patterns of lawyering depending upon the lawyer and the resources of the client. While some pro se individuals may thrive in the divorce process without the need of a lawyer, others are disadvantaged by the lack of services available to them. The matching process between case needs and legal representation does not work.