bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Workplace safety in the supply chain: a review of the literature and call for research
Authors: Cantor David E.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature and call for additional research into the human, operational, and regulatory issues that contribute to workplace safety in the supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the safety typology of Brown, this paper identifies several potential research opportunities that can increase awareness of the importance of improving a firm's workplace safety practices. To inform the Brown typology, the paper follows the procedures described in Carter et al. and Maloni and Carter to conduct the comprehensive review of the safety literature across six logistics and transportation journals.

Findings

This paper identifies 108 articles which inform the Brown typology. The paper reports how the logistics and transportation safety literature has evolved across the human, operational, and regulatory safety domain across the following journals: International Journal of Logistics Management, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Journal of Business Logistics, Journal of Supply Chain Management, Transportation Research Part E, and Transportation Journal. The paper identifies 14 future research opportunities within the workplace safety in the supply chain domain.

Practical implications

The 14 future research opportunities that have been identified can have a positive effect on practitioners confronted with safety issues.

Originality/value

Given the importance of workplace safety, it is important that firms across all echelons of the supply chain improve their safety practices. This paper contributes to the literature and highlights important managerial and public policy concerns on workplace safety performance in the supply chain.
Administrative support and teacher leadership in schools implementing reform
Authors: Gigante Nancy A. , Firestone William A.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how teacher leaders help teachers improve mathematics and science teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

Research focused on a purposive sample of seven teacher leaders selected to vary in their time allocated to teacher leader work and their content knowledge. Each teacher leader was interviewed, as were two teachers and at least one administrator working with that teacher leader. Each interview was first subjected to a mix of deductive and inductive coding before a case study was written for each teacher leader. Ultimately, a cross‐case analysis was written.

Findings

Teacher leaders conducted two sets of leadership tasks. The paper finds that support tasks helped teachers do their work but did not contribute to teacher learning. Developmental tasks did facilitate learning. All teacher leaders engaged in support tasks, but only four did developmental tasks as well. Teacher leaders who engaged in developmental tasks had access to one material resource and three social resources not available to other teacher leaders: time to work with teachers, administrative support, more positive relations with teachers, and opportunities to work with teachers on professional development

Practical implications

When teacher leadership is intended to facilitate teacher learning, the payoff comes from engaging in developmental tasks. A key to teacher leader success is administrative support. Schools and districts should not invest in teacher leaders unless they intend to support teacher leaders adequately through time, administrative follow through, and training to help teachers develop the positive social relations on which their work depends.

Originality/value

These findings have implications for how to integrate teacher leaders into larger school improvement efforts.
Retail price promotion influences for product varieties in grocery stores: evidence from Spain
Authors: Pilar Martínez Ruiz María , Mollá Descals Alejandro
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on measuring and assessing the sales impact of temporary retail price discounts on all brands within a product subcategory as well as across other subcategories that differ slightly on composition and taste.

Design/methodology/approach

To test these effects, the study uses a regression approach to analyse data of several fast moving consumer good subcategories obtained from a Spanish supermarket.

Findings

The results confirm that temporary retail price reductions increase brand sales of the promoted brands, especially at weekends. Some brands gained sales at the expense of sales of substitute items within the same subcategory and also from sales of competing items in other subcategories.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the current research suggest the presence of brand substitution effects within the analysed subcategories. In particular, while asymmetrical cross‐price effects are detected in only two subcategories, neighbourhood cross‐price effects have been evidenced in most subcategories. When considering the general product categories, certain substitution effects have been also evidenced: neighbourhood cross‐price effects are detected in most subcategories whilst asymmetrical cross‐price effects are not evidenced.

Practical implications

Retailers can learn from the experiences of a cross‐subcategory competition in order to determine which prices and discounts should set at the variety level. Though grocery retailers implement several decisions at the category level, brand level or even brand size level, it is valuable to learn from the experiences of a cross‐subcategory competition in order to determine whether or not it is interesting to set prices at the variety level.

Originality/value

The contribution in this paper consists not only of the measurement and assessment of the sales impact of temporary retail price discounts on all brands within a product subcategory as well as across other subcategories that differ slightly on composition and taste, but also of the application with data from the Spanish market.
Cognitive styles of contractually integrated retail entrepreneurs: a survey study
Authors: Lindblom Arto , Olkkonen Rami , Mitronen Lasse
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the cognitive styles of contractually integrated retail entrepreneurs with respect to marketing decision making. The study addresses two research questions: How can the cognitive styles of these retail entrepreneurs be classified? If there are differences in the cognitive styles of retail entrepreneurs, how are these differences reflected in their business performance?

Design/methodology/approach

Following a literature review and conceptual analysis, a questionnaire on cognitive styles is developed on the basis of Jung's “typology theory” and the Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator. A quantitative internet survey study is then conducted among 226 retailers contracted to the K‐alliance of Finland. The results are then subjected to statistical analysis.

Findings

The study reveals that the cognitive style of most of the studied K‐retailers is in accordance with the style of salaried managers, rather than that of “entrepreneurs”. The study also finds no clear relationship between the cognitive styles of the respondents and their business performance.

Research limitations/implications

The possible existence of explanatory factors other than cognitive styles was not considered in the study. Further research is required on other variables that might have a direct or indirect effect on the business performance of retailers.

Practical implications

The study has implications for the governance and management systems of contractually integrated retailing organisations; in particular the study suggests that such management systems might inhibit entrepreneurial cognitive styles.

Originality/value

The paper offers new perspectives on entrepreneurship in the context of contractually integrated retailing organisations.
Information sharing, buyer‐supplier relationships, and firm performance
Authors: Hsu Chin‐Chun , Kannan Vijay R. , Tan Keah‐Choon , Keong Leong G.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of information sharing capability on buyer‐supplier relationships and firm performance. It is proposed that information sharing capability, the integration of a firm's information/decision systems and business processes with those of supply chain partners, is an antecedent of collaborative buyer‐supplier relationships, defined in terms of supply chain and relationship architecture. Further, it is proposed that these relationships positively impact a firm's market and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses multiple linear regression to analyze a set of survey data from the USA, Europe and New Zealand.

Findings

Results demonstrate positive relationships between information sharing capability and buyer‐supplier relationships, and between relationships and performance.

Research limitations/implications

Information sharing capability and buyer‐supplier relationships are complex, multi dimensional constructs. While this research highlights their role in driving performance, further study is required to more fully capture their impact and to understand the implications for situational factors such as industry sector and transaction type.

Practical implications

Results from the study provide academics and policymakers with insights into key information sharing constructs related to the development of buyer‐supplier relationships. These provide guidance in developing the infrastructure to support such relationships.

Originality/value

This study adds to the extant literature by examining the dimensions of information sharing related to buyer‐supplier relationships and performance.
Airline service quality
Authors: Tiernan Siobhan , Rhoades Dawna L. , Waguespack Blaise
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumer perceptions of airline quality indicators and compare them to actual data reported by the Department of Transportation, in the USA and the Association of European Airlines (AEA) in the EU. The objective is to determine whether there is a discrepancy between reported performance metrics of service quality and consumer perception.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper compares actual reported data on service quality with results of an exploratory questionnaire on the perceived frequency of service failures in three key areas of airline service quality; on time flight arrivals, baggage reports and flight cancellations. Similarities and differences both within and between the USA and EU markets are discussed.

Findings

Preliminary findings indicate that actual consumer perceptions of airline performance on key areas of airline service quality are in fact far worse than the data reported in the US Air Travel Consumer Report or AEA Consumer Report. Consumer perceptions fail to come close to many of the service standards the industry is actually reaching. The only exception to this can be seen in the EU where the perceived and actual scores are virtually the same for on time arrivals. It's also interesting to note that the EU perception scores are generally higher than those of the US sample, indicating a marginally more positive disposition towards the industry.

Originality/value

This paper represents a exploratory attempt to integrate the two dominant approaches to airline service quality –perceptual survey and reported secondary data – in an effort to understand the challenge facing international airlines. It also examines the perceptual and performance differences across key Western cultures.
An assessment of the empirical characteristics of top journals in services marketing
Authors: Svensson Göran , Tronvoll Bård , Slåtten Terje
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the “empirical characteristics” of the “top” journals in services marketing by assessing selected journals with respect to: the proportion of “empirical” versus “non‐empirical” contributions; the proportion of national versus international research data; the geographical origin of research data; and the geographical affiliations of the authors whose articles are published.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of “top” journals in services marketing is selected on the basis of expert opinion. The selection includes the International Journal of Service Industry Management (IJSIM), the Journal of Services Marketing (JSM), the Journal of Service Research (JSR), Managing Service Quality (MSQ), and the Service Industries Journal (SIJ). The study considers all contributions (a total of 1,189) published in these journals over a six‐year period from 2000 to 2005, with particular emphasis on the “empirical” studies (a subtotal of 870).

Findings

The authors contend that there is in part a troublesome and challenging “ethnocentricity” in some of the examined journals.

Research limitations/implications

This is the first assessment of the “empirical characteristics” of “top” journals in services marketing.

Practical implications

The study provides valuable insights into the nature of academic publishing in the area of services marketing.

Originality/value

Scholars will benefit from insights into the “empirical characteristics” of the “top” journals in services marketing. In particular, scholars can note the particular features of individual journals. Further studies of the “empirical characteristics” of individual research journals are required in other sub‐disciplines of marketing.
Numerical simulation of complex transport phenomena arising in practical thermal systems
Authors: Jaluria Yogesh
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to discuss the numerical modeling of the transport processes that frequently arise in practical thermal systems and involve complexities such as property variations with temperature or with the shear rate in the flow, complicated regions, conjugate mechanisms, chemical reactions and combined mass transfer, and intricate boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The basic approaches that may be adopted in order to study such processes are discussed. Considerations for accurate numerical modeling are also discussed. The link between the process and the resulting product is critical in many systems such as those in manufacturing. The computational difficulties that result from the non‐Newtonian behavior of the fluid or from the strong temperature dependence of viscosity are considered in detail. Similarly, complex geometry, free surface flow, moving boundaries, combined mechanisms, and simulation of appropriate boundary conditions are important in several processes and are discussed.

Findings

Some of the important techniques to treat the problems that arise in numerical simulation are presented. Common errors that lead to inaccurate or invalid results are outlined. A few practical processes are considered in greater detail to quantify and illustrate these approaches. Validation of the numerical model is a particularly important aspect and is discussed in terms of existing results, as well as development of experimental arrangements to provide inputs for satisfactory validation.

Originality/value

Practical thermal processes involve a wide variety of complexities. The paper presents some of the important ones and discusses approaches to deal with them. The paper will be of particular value to the numerical simulation of complicated thermal processes in order to design, control or optimize them to achieve desired thermal processing.
Finite element modelling of the squeeze casting process
Authors: Postek Eligiusz W. , Lewis Roland W. , Gethin David T.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper sets out to present developments of a numerical model of squeeze casting process.

Design/methodology/approach

The entire process is modelled using the finite element method. The mould filling, associated thermal and thermomechanical equations are discretized using the Galerkin method. The front in the filling analysis is followed using volume of fluid method and the advection equation is discretized using the Taylor Galerkin method. The coupling between mould filling and the thermal problem is achieved by solving the thermal equation explicitly at the end of each time step of the Navier Stokes and advection equations, which allows one to consider the actual position of the front of the filling material. The thermomechanical problem is defined as elasto‐visco‐plastic described in a Lagrangian frame and is solved in the staggered mode. A parallel version of the thermomechanical program is presented. A microstructural solidification model is applied.

Findings

During mould filling a quasi‐static Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) is applied and the resulting temperatures distribution is used as the initial condition for the cooling phase. During mould filling the applied pressure can be used as a control for steering the distribution of the solidified fractions.

Practical implications

The presented model can be used in engineering practice. The industrial examples are shown.

Originality/value

The quasi‐static ALE approach was found to be applicable to model the industrial SQC processes. It was found that the staggered scheme of the solution of the thermomechanical problem could parallelize using a multifrontal parallel solver.
Temperature in a disk brake, simulation and experimental verification
Authors: Wawrzonek Leszek , Białecki Ryszard A.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to develop a reliable simulation technique and experimental equipment applicable to thermal analysis of disk brakes. The application is focused on safety issues arising in coal mines and other hazardous explosive environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental rig provides data on the friction power generated by the disk‐pad pair for a user‐defined squeezing force program. The developed software predicts the temperature field in the brake and pad. The code is based on the finite volume approach and is formulated in Lagrangian coordinates frame.

Findings

In the circumferential direction advection due to the rotation of the disk dominates over the conduction. The energy transfer problem could be formulated in a Lagrange coordinates system as 2D. A novel approach to the estimation of the uncertainty of numerical simulations has been proposed. The technique is based on the GUM methodology and uses sensitivity coefficients determined numerically. Very good agreement of simulated and measured values of temperature in the brake has been found.

Research limitations/implications

The results apply for simple disk and pad geometries for which the correlations of the Nusselt number versus Reynolds and Prandtl are known. Moreover, the model should not be used in the last braking period where the assumption of negligible circumferential conduction is not applicable. Though the code models a situation of constant rotation speed, the deceleration profile of the disk can readily be accounted for. The next step of the research should be to couple the heat conduction in the brake with CFD simulation of the surrounding air.

Practical implications

The highest temperature in the system is at the pad‐disk interface. The depth of penetration of the temperature into the disk is relatively low. The heat dissipation from the disk is controlled by convection.

Originality/value

The novelty of the paper is in the simplified and robust simulation model of the brake, the concept of the experimental rig and the methodology of uncertainty assessment. The developed methodology can be useful to researchers and industry involved in safety investigations and determining safety standards, specifically in explosive atmospheres. It may also be of interest to the automotive industry.
Computation of radiative transfer in combustion systems
Authors: Viskanta Raymond
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to review the literature on methods for solving the radiative transfer equation (RTE) and integrating the radiant energy quantities over the spectrum required to predict the flow, the flame and the thermal structures in chemically reacting and radiating combustion systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus is on methods that are fast and compatible with the numerical algorithms for solving the transport equations using the computational fluid dynamics techniques. In the methods discussed, the interaction of turbulence and radiation is ignored.

Findings

The overview is limited to four methods (differential approximation, discrete ordinates, discrete transfer, and finite volume) for predicting radiative transfer in multidimensional geometries that meet the desired requirements. Greater detail in the radiative transfer model is required to predict the local flame structure and transport quantities than the global (total) radiation heat transfer rate at the walls of the combustion chamber.

Research limitations/implications

The RTE solution methods and integration of radiant energy quantities over the spectrum are assessed for combustion systems containing only the infra‐red radiating gases and gas particle mixtures. For strongly radiating (i.e. highly sooting) and turbulent flows the neglect of turbulence/radiation interaction may not be justified.

Practical implications

Methods of choice for solving the RTE and obtaining total radiant energy quantities for practical combustion devices are discussed.

Originality/value

The paper has identified relevant references that describe methods capable of accounting for radiative transfer to simulate processes arising in combustion systems.
Multidimensional modeling of two‐phase flow and heat transfer
Authors: Podowski Michael Z.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to discuss a mechanistic modeling concept for local phenomena governing two‐ and multi‐phase flows and heat transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

An overview is given of selected issues concerning the formulation of multidimensional models of two‐phase flow and heat transfer. A complete computational multiphase fluid dynamics (CMFD) model of two‐phase flow is presented, including local constitutive models applicable to two‐phase flows in heated channels. Results are shown of model testing and validation.

Findings

It has been demonstrated that the overall model is capable of capturing various local flow and heat transfer phenomena in general, and the onset of temperature excursion (CHF) in low quality forced‐convection boiling, in particular.

Research limitations/implications

Whereas the multiphase model formulation is applicable to a large class of problems, geometries and operating conditions, the closure laws and results are focused on forced‐convection boiling in heated channels.

Practical implications

The proposed approach can be used to predict multidimensional velocity field and phase distribution in two‐phase flow devices and components used in thermal power plants, nuclear power plants and chemical processing plants.

Originality/value

A complete mechanistic multidimensional model of forced‐convection boiling in heated channels is given. The potential of a CMFD approach is demonstrated to perform virtual experiments that can be used in system design and optimization, and in safety analysis.
Boundary element method for thermal flows using k‐ε turbulence models
Authors: Ramšak Matjaž , Škerget Leopold
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a multidomain boundary element method (BEM) for modeling 2D complex turbulent thermal flow using low Reynolds two‐equation turbulence models.

Design/methodology/approach

The integral boundary domain equations are discretised using mixed boundary elements and a multidomain method also known as a subdomain technique. The resulting system matrix is an overdetermined, sparse block banded and solved using a fast iterative linear least squares solver.

Findings

The simulation of a turbulent flow over a backward step is in excellent agreement with the finite volume method using the same turbulent model. A grid consisting of over 100,000 elements could be solved in the order of a few minutes using a 3.0 Ghz P4 and 1 GB memory indicating good efficiency.

Originality/value

The paper shows, for the first time, that the BEM is applicable to thermal flows using k‐ε.
National and firm competitiveness: a general research model
Authors: Chikán Attila
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for connecting macro‐ and micro‐level research on competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on some major international survey research reports (by the WEF, IMD, OECD, and the EU) and research experience, a gap is described between national and firm level competitiveness studies. A reasoning why filling this gap is discussed and a general research model connecting the two levels by using Porter's diamond model is developed.

Findings

By using appropriate definitions of national and firm competitiveness and the diamond model a meaningful connection of the two levels can be created, which is useful both for connecting recent research results and as a foundation for further research.

Research limitations/implications

Though the model is based on actual research experiences, its real value will become apparent after having it applied in concrete projects. This process is ongoing.

Practical implications

The model is a very useful tool in analysing real world situations, from economic policy issues to strategic management.

Originality/value

The paper is a result of extended research on competitiveness and provides a new model for further analyses in a very important field.
Consequences of the new information and communication technologies for growth, productivity and employment
Authors: Hagemann Harald
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the high rates of economic growth of the US economy and the remarkable acceleration of productivity growth since the mid‐1990s which is widely attributed to the modern information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Design/methodology/approach

After identifying three key factors for Solow's productivity puzzle and examining ICTs as a general purpose technology, three main channels of ICTs' impact in the economy are discussed: the first transmission channel is direct and consists of the effects generated by rapid technical progress within the ICT‐capital goods producing sector. The second one is due to the increasing accumulation and application of ICT goods and services in the user sectors. ICTs' positive spillover effects comprise the third transmission channel, i.e. they lead to “disembodied” increases in efficiency in the sense of “learning by doing” in the end‐user sector.

Findings

The diffusion of ICTs requires investment in all industries, i.e. the improvement of competitiveness on the macro level is strongly linked to investment activities and skill qualifications on the micro level.

Research limitations/implications

The paper concludes with some comparisons between the US and the German economy where the acute need for infrastructure investment in East Germany in the 1990s limited the possibilities for investment in ICTs exactly at a time of high‐technological dynamism at the start of an upswing of a new Kondratieff cycle. Although some comparisons with the EU are made the impact of ICTs in other countries except the USA and Germany is not discussed more intensively.

Practical implications

A very useful source of information for graduate students and policy makers alike on the theoretical and empirical impact of new technologies on economic development.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an information need for comparing growth in international perspective.
Benchmarking the knowledge competitiveness of the globe's high‐performing regions
Authors: Huggins Robert , Izushi Hiro
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the way in which the knowledge competitiveness of regions is measured and further introduces the World Knowledge Competitiveness Index (WKCI) benchmarking tool.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consists of an econometric analysis of key indicators relating to the concept of knowledge competitiveness for 125 regions from across the globe consisting of 55 representatives from North America, 45 from Europe and 25 from Asia and Oceania.

Findings

The key to winning the super competitive race in the knowledge‐based economy is investment in the future: research and development, and education and training. It is found that the majority of the high‐performing regional economies in the USA have a knowledge competitive edge over their counterparts in Europe and Asia.

Research limitations/implications

To an extent, the research is limited by the availability of comparable indicators and metrics at the regional level that extend across the globe. Whilst comparative data are often accessible at the national level, regional data sources remain underdeveloped.

Practical implications

The WKCI has become internationally recognized as an important instrument for economic development policymakers and regional investment promotion agents as they create and refine their strategies and targets. In particular, it has provided a benchmark that allows regions to compare their knowledge competitiveness with other regions for around the world and not only their own nation or continent.

Originality/value

The WKCI is the first composite and relative measure of the knowledge competitiveness of the globe's best performing regions.
Relative competitiveness of 31 mainland China provinces and states of India and ten economies of Association of South East Asian Nations
Authors: Giap Tan Khee , Yam Tan Kong , Chen Kang
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The paper is a pioneering attempt to study the relative competitiveness of Association of South East Asian Nations – ASEAN‐10, 31 provinces of mainland China and 35 states of India by disaggregate approach vis‐à‐vis ranking and simulation studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed methodology is based on the standard ranking adopted by the World Competitive Yearbook but redefines a relevant set of data matrix consisting of 101 indicators to better reflect local conditions and characteristics of local economies. Under the proposed methodological approach, the basis of ranking is the standardized value (STD), and first the 31 economies' average for each indicator were computed following which the standard deviation was calculated. STD was computed by subtracting the 31 economies' average from an economy's original value and then dividing the result by the standard deviation.

Findings

The empirical findings revealed the specific shifts in relative competitiveness between China and India over decades and over four different environments, namely economics, government‐institutions, business social categories. It was found that competitive provinces for China are concentrated along the eastern coastal region, whereas more competitive states of India are well distributed across the Indian continent. This implies that the Chinese government needs to play a more pro‐active role in drawing foreign direct investment to less developed western, central and north eastern China by way of infrastructure development, tax incentives and investment in education in those regions. Studies further revealed that Vietnam is a rapid rising economy drawing closer towards Thailand while Indonesia and Philippines are deteriorating within the ten Associate of Southeast Asian Nations. Based on these empirical findings, comparative strategies and cooperation for growth and development amongst China, India and ASEAN were drawn.

Originality/value

The fundamental raison d'être of this study stems from the desire to address an area of research gap previously overlooked. Most international studies on competitiveness rankings to date either ranked economies across the globe and/or by population sizes. One of the critical issues in emerging economies of Asia is the uneven regional development, especially the urban‐rural growth disparity amongst local economies of China and India. Through competitiveness ranking of vast and diverse economies such as China, India and ASEAN‐10.
Export competitiveness and the catch‐up process of Hungary (1996‐2001)
Authors: Török Ádám
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the development of export competitiveness of Hungary and other new member countries of the EU (NMEs) prior to their accession. It also makes a contribution to the methodology of competitiveness measurement. It links competitiveness analysis to so‐called eclectic trade theories trying to synthesise different approaches to comparative advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

Introductory theoretical remarks are followed by a survey of various techniques to measure competitiveness. It defines “fields of competitiveness” in order to gauge Hungary's relative positions vis‐à‐vis her main export competitors. The analysis of export competitiveness of these countries in their main markets within the EU‐15 is based on market shares between 1996 and 2001.

Findings

The most advanced economies of the sample including Spain, Hungary, Slovenia and the Czech Republic showed a “neo‐technological” type of competitiveness development. The “Heckscher‐Ohlin” path based on cheap labour and mass technologies was followed by Portugal, Poland or Turkey for example. The “Ricardian” path with a great degree of reliance on natural resources could be observed in the case of Ukraine and Bulgaria.

Originality/value

The paper makes a contribution to three fields of economics: the economics of transition, competitiveness analysis and trade theory. It proves that the catch‐up process of the NMEs brought about significant changes in their patterns of specialisation and competitiveness which is a feature of transition hitherto neglected by literature. Furthermore, it provides a proof to the so‐called eclectic model of trade theory introduced by Hirsch in the 1970s.
Five ways to transform a business
Authors: Bjelland Osvald M. , Chapman Wood Robert
Published: May 2008

Purpose

For half a century, experts have offered leaders a standard model of how to transform organizations. It involves unfreezing them, developing a clear picture of the future, managing to make the picture a reality, and then changing systems to support the new ways. However, studies have shown that transformation does not always follow this script. This paper aims to look at four alternatives.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews more than 50 well documented transformations and compares them to both the standard model and non‐mainstream ideas about transformation

Findings

The paper offers a guide to five distinct, reproducible ways of radically altering organizations: the standard model process (“holism”), transformation through the ambidextrous form, transformation through acquisition/restructuring, the Collins “Good‐to‐great” process, an improvisational transformation process. Hybrid approaches are discussed.

Research limitations/implications

Providing a comprehensive guide to corporate transformation is a problematic undertaking. The authors could not review every case study of transformation, so they cannot say with certainty that their list of documented transformation methods is all‐inclusive. However, their survey gave them good reason to believe these are the five best‐documented transformation processes.

Practical implications

The paper explains the important advantages of each approach to transformation that make it appropriate for particular purposes.

Originality/value

When organizations need radical change, leaders need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of all five well‐documented alternative paths to transformation.
What lies beneath? Financial reporting and corporate governance in Australian banks
Authors: Abraham Anne , Deo Hemant , Irvine Helen
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on a number of unexpected disclosures by major Australian banks, to highlight the subjectivity of financial reports and their failure to present an accurate portrayal of the underlying realities, and to propose that corporate governance disclosures are required to provide reassurance that financial reports are trustworthy.

Design/methodology/approach

Mouck's institutional framework of financial regulation portrays financial reporting as a “game” played within a set of rules. It provides insights about the subjectivity of financial reports which are illustrated with archival evidence from banks' reports and activities.

Findings

The banks' financial reports were shown, in the light of later revelations, to portray an unrealistic view of their operations. Disclosures about corporate governance practices play a strong legitimising role, enhancing perceptions that financial reports correspond with organisational realities.

Research limitations/implications

This study considers a narrow population of companies within one industry. By extending the focus, greater evidence could be provided that accounting standards and financial reporting requirements have lost their connection with business practices.

Practical implications

In spite of financial reporting reforms, financial reports are becoming less reflective of companies' activities and performance. This questions the usefulness of accounting standards, and the effectiveness of regulatory systems. Future reforms to accounting standards need to address these issues.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates the contention that the financial reports of several Australian banks fail to match the realities that lie beneath is really a broader challenge to the usefulness and credibility of Australia's system of financial reporting and regulation.
Implementation of activity based costing in Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Majid Jamaliah , Sulaiman Maliah
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The study aims to document and highlight the problems and benefits of implementing activity‐based costing (ABC) in two companies in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study methodology was used to describe the process of ABC implementation in a Malaysian based multinational company as well as a Malaysian multinational company.

Findings

Although ABC is not widely adopted by companies in Malaysia, it is recognized as a valuable tool to improve the performance of these two companies. Additionally, many of the problems that hinder the implementation of ABC are related to managerial factors rather than the technical aspects of the tool itself. Several factors are pertinent to ensure the success of ABC: top management support, simplifying the ABC implementation process, sourcing suitable ABC software, and finally, ensuring that all affected employees understand and actively support the implementation process.

Originality/value

The findings have significant implications for companies that want to embark on ABC. The problems highlighted may help companies planning to adopt ABC in the near future to better address these issues.
Corporate governance determinants on Australian resource companies' financial instrument disclosure practices
Authors: Taylor Grantley , Tower Greg , Van Der Zahn Mitchell , Neilson John
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the corporate governance determinants of financial instrument disclosure (FID) practices of Australian listed resource firms in their annual reports for the 2005 financial year. This is an important time period to explain FID patterns for Australian resource companies leading up to formal adoption of the Australian equivalents to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Design/methodology/approach

The extent of FID was measured using a Financial Instrument Disclosure Index (FIDI) comprised of 120 items of both mandatory and discretionary financial instrument information. Hypothesis testing used empirical data from a representative sample of Australian listed resource firms.

Research limitations/implications

The results of regression analysis demonstrate that corporate governance characteristics of firms are significant determinants of FID patterns. Univariate and multivariate results showed that FIDs were significantly and positively associated with strength of corporate governance structure and the control variables – leverage, firm size and industry.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to an emerging paradigm that emphasises the link between firms' governance structures and their disclosure responses to financial instruments and in particular, financial derivatives.
Freeform fabrication and characterization of Zn‐air batteries
Authors: Malone Evan , Berry Megan , Lipson Hod
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The paper's aim is to show the development of materials and methods which allow freeform fabrication of macroscopic Zn‐air electrochemical batteries. Freedom of geometric design may allow for new possibilities in performance optimization.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have formulated battery materials which are compatible with solid freeform fabrication (SFF) while retaining electrochemical functionality. Using SFF processes, they have fabricated six Zn‐air cylindrical batteries and quantitatively characterized them and comparable commercial batteries. They analyze their performance in light of models from the literature and they also present SFF of a flexible two‐cell battery of unusual geometry.

Findings

Under continuous discharge to 0.25 V/cell with a 100 Ω load, the cylindrical cells have a specific energy and power density in the range of 40‐70 J/g and 0.4‐1 mW/cm2, respectively, with a mass range of 8‐18 g. The commercial Zn‐air button cells tested produce 30‐750 J/g and 7‐9 mW/cm2 under the same conditions, and have a mass range of 0.2‐2 g. The two‐cell, flexible Zn‐air battery produces a nominal 2.8 V, open‐circuit.

Research limitations/implications

The freeform‐fabricated batteries have ∼10 percent of the normalized performance of the commercial batteries. High‐internal contact resistance, loss of electrolyte through evaporation, and inferior catalyst reagent quality are possible causes of inferior performance. Complicated material preparation and battery fabrication processes have limited the number of batteries fabricated and characterized, limiting the statistical significance of the results.

Practical implications

Performance enhancement will be necessary before the packaging efficiency and design freedom provided by freeform‐fabricated batteries will be of practical value.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates a multi‐material SFF system, material formulations, and fabrication methods which together allow the fabrication of complete functional Zn‐air batteries. It provides the first quantitative characterization of completely freeform‐fabricated Zn‐air batteries and comparison to objective standards, and shows that highly unusual, functional battery designs incorporating flexibility, multiple cells, and unusual geometry may be freeform fabricated.
A new method for printer calibration and contour accuracy manufacturing with 3D‐print technology
Authors: Stopp Sebastian , Wolff Thomas , Irlinger Franz , Lueth Tim
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to verify a new method for accurate part manufacturing using a 3D printer. In particular, the direction and position dependence of the printed results are to be verified within the building area. The results of the accomplished experiments are to be used for the computation of new printer adjustments.

Design/methodology/approach

Test cubes with a defined edge length were printed and measured afterwards. The test cubes were distributed thereby either over the entire building area or only for a small part of the building area. Next, the test cubes were measured and the differences between measured and desired values were used for adjustment of the printer parameter settings. Therefore, the “bleed compensation” settings were used.

Findings

The deviations depended strongly on the position in the building area of the printer. In dependence of the position and orientation, different deviations in the three dimensions of the printer coordinate system resulted. By a calibration of the printer parameters for a reduced part of the processed area, the print accuracy could be strongly increased. Afterward, the calibration the deviations could be reduced from 0.4 mm ±0.2 mm to under 0.04 mm ±0.03 mm.

Originality/value

The work shows the position and direction dependency of the 3D‐printer manufacturing accuracy. Furthermore, a calibration procedure for bleed compensation calibration is presented.
Developing a financial services planning profession in the UK
Authors: Gaskell John , Ashton John
Published: May 2008

Purpose

Against the backdrop of the Financial Services Authority's Retail Distribution Review, this study aims to present an assessment of the potential development of a UK personal financial advising profession. The development of a profession dedicated to providing financial advice is critically discussed by assessing a range of regulatory and industry views.

Design/methodology/approach

The study indicates both a critical literature review and survey of retail financial services planning advisors. The critical literature review considers the market failures which surround the provision of financial planning advice in the UK. A survey of professionally qualified personal financial planning advisers ascertains perceptions of developments to the current regulatory framework to accommodate a more professionally based system of financial advice.

Findings

It is reported that a conflict between the current regulatory system and the traditional liberal model of the professions exist. This conflict inhibits the development of a financial services advising profession. Survey evidence collected from professionally qualified financial planning advisors bears out this perspective.

Research limitations/implications

Two key research implications emerge from this study. First, the development of a professional model of financial planning advising appears to be inhibited by the current regulatory system. Secondly, current regulation of financial services sales through a market mechanism appears to limit access to financial planning advice.

Practical implications

The study raises two key practical implications. First, the current system of regulating financial sales, appears to exclude a substantial segment of the population from access to professional financial planning services. Secondly, the development of a profession and increasing professional behaviour in retail financial services sales conflicts with the current model of regulation.

Originality/value

This research paper both reviews the wider arguments surrounding the regulation of retail financial services sales and forwards new evidence as to the attitudes of professionally qualified financial advisors towards regulatory change. This has importance in clarifying a number of the key policy concerns in the regulation of financial services sales.
Financial services and markets tribunal rules on application of financial promotion regime
Authors: Gray Joanna
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal ruling on the application of the financial promotion regime, involving Fox Hayes v. Financial Services Authority.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines the facts surrounding the case and comments on the ruling.

Findings

The Tribunal disagreed with the FSA that the applicant had acted negligently or recklessly.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the lack of clarity and guidance on the part of the FSA as to exactly which firms on its list of unauthorised firms it considered as “boiler rooms” and which it did not.