bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surviving post‐socialism: the role of informal economic practices
Authors: Polese Abel , Rodgers Peter
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper represents an editorial for this special issue on “Surviving post‐socialism”, with a particular geographical focus on countries located in the former Soviet Union (FSU) and in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). In total, six articles are included in this special issue, which seeks to contribute to the existing body of literature on surviving post‐socialism in general and in particular, across all the papers included, paying particular attention to the role of informal economic relations and practices, as fundamental parts of wider economic relations across the FSU and CEE regions. Whilst the papers included in this special issue demonstrate the richness of empirical data which can be generated, also they demonstrate how authors, located in different academic traditions – sociology, political economy and anthropology – can clearly contribute to debates regarding the role of informal economic relations in a number of theoretical and conceptual ways.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper attempts to synthesise the main contributions of the six papers within the special issue and in particular seeks to engage with core questions relating to how the empirical findings in these papers contribute to relevant wider theoretical and conceptual debates.

Findings

This paper finds that there is a high degree of linkages between the six papers, in particular relating to the issue of the intermeshing of formal and informal economic spheres.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is that it provides an introduction, overview and clear and concise summary of the remaining six papers in this special issue on “Surviving post‐socialism”, outlining the special issue's core aims and contributions.
Interview with Rhymer Rigby, author of 28 Business Thinkers Who Changed the World
Authors: by Juliet Harrison Interview
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide an interview with Rhymer Rigby, UK based journalist and author of 28 Business Thinkers Who Changed the World.

Design/methodology/approach

The interview is conducted by an independent interviewer.

Findings

Rhymer Rigby is a journalist based in the UK. He writes a weekly slot for the Financial Times and has contributed to publications ranging from the Sunday Telegraph and Management Today to GQ and Condé Nast Traveller. Before going freelance he was featured editor for Business 2.0 and a section editor for Management Today and Human Resources.

Practical implications

In profiling business people who have left a lasting and significant impact Rhymer provides the reader with a fascinating insight into the methods and styles of those who reshaped their business sectors.

Originality/value

Rhymer presents an accessible description of 28 highly successful and pioneering business thinkers, both in terms of their entrepreneurship and their personal lives, offering valuable insight into the accent to success.
CSR and development: a mining company in Africa
Authors: Mària SJ Josep F. , Devuyst Emmanuelle
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This case study seeks to present the CSR activity of a mining company in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the conflict between the company and its local stakeholders. The company promotes an enlightened CSR, focused on the promotion of individuals' rights; but the local population has inherited a paternalistic mindset, which clashes with this enlightened approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The conflict is presented and analyzed at three levels: company‐government, company‐local communities, and company‐local employees. The cultural change necessary to address the conflict involves fundamental questions in SGM's business model: strategy, structure and mainly purpose, processes and culture.

Findings

The company needs to design individual and industry‐wide strategies to tackle the problems with the Central Government; develop dialogues with key leaders of local communities in order to promote with them an enlightened culture of CSR and of development; and change the processes to diffuse and eventually modify the company values affecting local employees.

Originality/value

Research on CSR in the Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically in the Katanga province, is very scarce, even if mining companies are starting to operate in that Province, raising important problems in terms of development and cultural change. In spite of several problems, SGM is a case of good practice that can inspire other mining companies or extractive industries in developing countries.
Hayleys PLC: corporate responsibility as stakeholder relations
Authors: Lee Hunter Mark , Van Wassenhove Luk N.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to answer the following questions: Is corporate responsibility only a cost, or is it also a profitable business strategy? If so, can the strategy work in a B2B context, as well as in the B2C context typically covered by research on corporate responsibility? Finally, how does the geopolitical context of a developing Asian nation affect corporate responsibility, from both a managerial and a stakeholder perspective?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a case study approach, building from observed data to grounded theory.

Findings

In a firm where trust and transparency are both ingrained and enforced among managers, Hayleys PLC used those values as tools to transform relations with key stakeholders from costs to marketing assets. In the process, it created an ethical market network in which membership depends on adherence to the same values. Thus emergent ethical marketplaces are directly related to the spread of CR practices.

Research limitations/implications

The effects of transparency beyond financial disclosure or sustainability reporting on stakeholder relations would be a particularly valuable object of further research. The structure of ethical markets, and the costs and benefits of participating in them, require and justify further study.

Practical implications

An ethical markets strategy can lead to stable long‐term relationships with major buyers. However, in the present circumstances, it also entails dependence on a limited number of major customers. Another issue is that, if “the factory becomes a sales tool”, it may also kill a sale if and when standards slip or a stakeholder creates conflict.

Social implications

A corporate responsibility strategy may transform not only managerial practices, but also the social environment, by enabling or disabling stakeholder partners or adversaries. The means to this objective include providing services and empowerment to stakeholders (in this case, workers) who cannot obtain them from their traditional interlocutors.

Originality/value

This paper adds insight into the implications of corporate responsibility for firms involved in B2B markets, as well as for Asian multinationals. It also contributes to answering the question of how corporate responsibility adds value, by demonstrating how corporate responsibility may strengthen key productive and commercial relationships with stakeholders essential to the sustainability of the firm.
CSR in Asian logistics: operationalisation within DHL (Thailand)
Authors: Ferguson David
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an insight around operationalising CSR and sustainability activities within an Asian‐Pacific subsidiary of a leading CSR global third‐party logistics company; Deutsche Post DHL.

Design/methodology/approach

An in‐depth single case‐study approach was adopted for this study. Using semi‐structured interviews with managers, the research maps various strategic CSR activities from the European corporate centre across to activities within this Asian subsidiary's different business units.

Findings

The research provides evidence of activities and issues around this subsidiary's internalisation of CSR by selectively highlighting local initiatives and solutions that help address and contribute towards the global CSR strategic objectives. It describes some issues and opportunities around global policies and local activities that affect the subsidiary's present scope for decision making and management accountability. Along with the issues and challenges from this loose fit tactic of bottom‐up with top‐down engagement, it highlights influential aspects of social, cultural and business management models and the interpretations, context and limitations of the subsidiary's CSR contributions to date.

Originality/value

Little has been written around the empirical operationalisation of CSR and sustainability from third‐party logistic companies; even less so from the Asia Pacific region. The activities, themes and challenges serve as useful references for practitioners. With new, original data sets, for academic scholars, the findings also serve to provide deeper and more explanatory contributions as complementary theory development resources.
Embedding corporate responsibility and sustainability: Marks & Spencer
Authors: Grayson David
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The British retailer Marks & Spencer aspires to be the world's most sustainable major global retailer by 2015. This paper seeks to examine how the company is embedding sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is written as part of an ongoing investigation into how businesses do this. It is based on direct dialogue with corporate sustainability specialists inside and outside the company; participation in company stakeholders' briefings held regularly since the launch of Marks & Spencer's Plan A for sustainability in January 2007; and analysis by the company's own corporate sustainability specialists about how they are embedding.

Findings

This case demonstrates that, in order to speed their journey, Marks & Spencer have aligned sustainability with core strategy. Top leadership is driving the strategy, which is overseen by the board. M&S have made a very public commitment: Plan A with measurable targets, timescales and accountabilities. The strategy is being integrated into every business function and strategic business unit; and involves suppliers, employees and increasingly customers. To enable implementation, the company is developing its knowledge‐management and training; engaging with wider stakeholders including investors; building partnerships and collaborations; and has evolved its specialist sustainability team into an internal change‐management consultancy and coach/catalyst for continuous improvement.

Originality/value

The value of the case study is that it provides an analysis of how one company, which has been active in progressing corporate sustainability, has evolved its approach in recent years.
Sabaf: moving to a learning environment
Authors: Roome Nigel , Louche Céline
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Sabaf, a world‐leading manufacturer of components for domestic gas cooking appliances, went through a transformation process between 1993 and 2005 to develop a strategic approach to corporate responsibility that embedded social, environmental and governance issues into its organisation, its approach to business and its overall performance. This case describes the learning and change process within the company that set the ground for today's success.

Design/methodology/approach

This teaching case builds on data gathered through sites visits, interviews and company materials. The case research protocol explored the notion that the company was learning how to interact, and respond to its changing context, while its responses were creating the ground for internal organisational change that in turn would impact the relationship between the company and its context.

Findings

While on the surface the change process which Sabaf experienced can be regarded as a move from an implicit to a more explicit approach to corporate responsibility, it is also possible to take the view that the company was engaged in developing a more “humanistic” approach to management that permeated the whole organization. What became explicit at Sabaf was not corporate responsibility but rather the term “corporate responsibility” used to describe much older concepts of business that valued people and the natural environment alongside economics. The case also shows the process of organizational leadership for learning, management innovation and change that supported the processes through which this approach was developed and integrated into the company.

Originality/value

This case provides unique insights into the approach Sabaf adopted in its pioneering transformation to become a leading corporate responsibility company and a world leader in its sector. This case can be used as a benchmark for other companies that might embark on the process of integrating corporate responsibility and business performance as a strategic process that has effects that cut across the business as a whole.
Marketing theory and critical phenomenology
Authors: Ardley Barry
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper uses phenomenology as a critical theoretical lens through which to view marketing management theory. The aim is to demonstrate that it can uncover the extent to which established theory neglects the human side of marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

To facilitate a phenomenological discussion, the critical framework of Mingers is utilised. This identifies a critique of rhetoric, of tradition, of authority and of objectivity. Secondary sources are then used to highlight the central role played by individual meaning in marketing practice, as opposed to the systemic based framework of the dominant theory.

Findings

Findings suggest that traditional theory is based on questionable assumptions regarding the nature of the individual and their managerial practice. Marketing theory is not a transferable objective technology, but is constituted by the vagaries of the human agent. It is also posited that the subject boundaries of marketing are set by established authorities that are prone to discourage alternative perspectives.

Research limitations/implications

This is a position paper and additional empirical research could be undertaken in order to help further discuss the claims made.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that marketing management has the potential to be understood in ways that go beyond the representation of it in established theory. Alternative conceptions of marketing hold the potential of informing future theory and practice developments.

Originality/value

Insights into marketing practice, acquired through the use of an innovative and critically informed phenomenological framework, have led to the questioning of a dominant theory that routinely ignores the human side of marketing activity.
An expanded model of marketing performance
Authors: Pimenta da Gama António
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model identifying key metric categories on which companies should focus attention, so that they can better understand their current situation whilst offering guidance for improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is structured in three parts. It begins with a general overview of performance measurement, followed by a description of marketing performance and metrics in particular. Then, it develops the proposed model in terms of its rationale and content. Finally, concluding remarks are presented.

Findings

The benefits from extending knowledge about marketing performance are substantial. The author believes that if companies develop an integrated set of relevant measures and systematically collect, analyze and disseminate information about them, then marketing may be viewed as a more credible discipline.

Research limitations/implications

It is hoped that this contribution may stimulate research, particularly in terms of testing the model's content and sequence, as well as the effect of influencing factors.

Practical implications

Marketing metrics have historically privileged outputs. This paper draws attention not only to the processes leading to such results, but also to the requirements necessary to proper accomplishment of these activities. The model positions itself as a tool that allows measurement of both the conditions determining good marketing practice and its contribution to value creation.

Originality/value

Most of the literature on this theme focuses on individual metrics, not on integrated performance. The model presented expands the existing ones as it encompasses new evaluative dimensions (marketing culture, marketing processes) and factors influencing process effectiveness.
Segmenting technology markets: applying the nested approach
Authors: Weinstein Art
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Sound target marketing leads to winning business strategies. While market segmentation is an intriguing academic concept, most B2B practitioners struggle with the design and implementation of such initiatives. This paper aims to illustrate an effective strategic segmentation process in a high‐technology market context.

Design/methodology/approach

Bonoma and Shapiro's nested model – consisting of geodemographics, operating variables, purchasing approaches, situational factors and characteristics of the buyer – is used as a conceptual framework for market segmentation analysis. The model is applied to Citrix Systems as a way of finding new business opportunities in the desktop application streaming market.

Findings

In this study, 17 potential segmenting variables within the five major levels are examined with an initial emphasis on firmographics and technology. Census data identified market priorities based on establishment size, key sectors and geographic sales territories.

Practical implications

A four‐stage segmentation plan consisting of corporate commitment, research/refinement, implementation and evaluation/enhancement is proposed and discussed. Strategic planning lessons and research extensions are offered.

Originality/value

While the work on business segmentation has proliferated over the past 25 years, there has been a paucity of practical applications on how to conduct segmentation analysis successfully in technology markets. This paper provides an important roadmap for marketers to enhance segmentation initiatives via a comprehensive application and analysis of a leading global company.
The application of marketing principles to a social marketing campaign
Authors: Henley Nadine , Raffin Sandrine , Caemmerer Barbara
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to explain how the principles of marketing can be applied to the planning and implementation of a social marketing campaign.

Design/methodology/approach

A wealth of secondary sources are reviewed and discussed, including academic literature, market research and campaign data.

Findings

The planning and implementation of social marketing campaigns is complex and requires a wide range of tasks. For one, the case study illustrates that identifying the right themes is crucial in order to reach the desired target audiences to create attitudinal and behavioural change. Further, a coherent implementation of the marketing mix is necessary in order to ensure campaign effectiveness over time. As social marketing campaigns often need to reach a wide range of audiences, the task of managing marketing initiatives in these contexts is more complex and requires constant evaluation in order to identify levels of effectiveness and areas for improvement over long periods of time.

Originality/value

Applies marketing theory to an interesting real‐life social marketing campaign and highlights the complexity of the tasks involved.
Towards an integrative framework of brand country of origin recognition determinants
Authors: Martín Martín Oscar , Cerviño Julio
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework integrating the types and levels of the determinants of brand country of origin (CO) recognition and to provide evidence on internet users’ brand CO recognition rates, using a sample of multi‐regional and global brands from a variety of product categories and countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors integrate “level‐1” consumer and brand characteristics and “level‐2” product category and country effects in a single framework. Data obtained through an original on‐line survey hosted by Yahoo provide the basis for the empirical analysis. Seven hypotheses are tested using a two‐level cross‐classified random‐effect model (HCM2).

Findings

It is found that: education is positively related with brand CO recognition; experience with brands is positively related with brand CO recognition; integration between the consumer and the country of a foreign brand is positively related with brand CO recognition; internet users’ classification performance is significantly better for domestic than for foreign brands; brand‐name congruence with true brand origin is positively related with brand CO recognition; brand equity explains brand CO recognition; and product categories with higher consumer involvement enhance brand CO recognition. Brand CO recognition performance by internet users is in line with classification performance rates reported in other studies dealing with well‐known and global brands.

Practical implications

Managers would benefit from considering product category and country aspects of their most valuable brands. Policy makers should encourage firms to promote a clear association between brands and countries (when these countries have a positive image) and discriminate between high and low involvement product categories.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the brand CO awareness literature by integrating consumer and brand characteristics in a theoretical model, and identifying level‐2 product category features and CO effects previously disregarded in brand CO recognition frameworks. In addition, the study positively contrasts with previous research by providing empirical evidence on brand CO recognition from the largest set of global brands (109), countries of origin (19) and product categories (15) ever investigated.
Simultaneous determination of optimal cultural distance and market potential in international market entry
Authors: Malhotra Shavin , Sivakumar K.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a theoretical model of managerial decisions involving international market entry.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a mathematical model that seeks the optimal level of cultural distance between the host and the home country and the market potential of the host country that maximizes a firm's investment in an international market. The authors illustrate the intuition and the managerial application of the model using a large data set of cross‐border acquisitions, then the results of this data set are used to validate the model in a specific data context.

Findings

The authors find that cultural distance and market potential have curvilinear and interaction effects on the level of equity participation. The empirical results are further used to conduct sensitivity analysis of decisions for changes in parameters.

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ general approach can be used to analyze any two variables that have interaction effect on a variable of interest related to market entry strategies.

Practical implications

The authors illustrate the intuition and the managerial application of the model using a large data set of cross‐border acquisitions. Managers can use this approach in choosing CBA targets.

Originality/value

The study provides a mathematical framework and an empirical illustration of optimizing the cultural distance and market potential for maximizing equity participation in foreign market acquisitions. This is a new unique contribution to the literature.
Consumer ethnocentrism and willingness to buy
Authors: Josiassen Alexander , Assaf A. George , Karpen Ingo O.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify how demographic consumer characteristics influence and interact with consumer ethnocentrism on willingness to buy. The authors analyze the direct effects of selected characteristics on the tendency for consumer ethnocentrism. Further, the moderating effects of these consumer characteristics are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 361 consumers in Australia. Data analysis was conducted using regression analysis with interactions and post hoc slope analysis.

Findings

The empirical findings show that consumer tendencies for ethnocentrism are directly influenced by characteristics of the customer. The authors also find that the strength of the relationship between consumer ethnocentrism and willingness to buy is influenced by customer characteristics. Specifically, age and gender are found to be important moderators of the consumer ethnocentrism‐willingness to buy relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the study should be interpreted in view of certain limitations. For theory‐testing purposes, the study tests hypotheses in a particular context: Australian consumers. Consequently, caution is necessary in extrapolating the results to other national contexts.

Practical implications

On the one hand, the results provide managers with a detailed understanding of which customer groups are the most consumer ethnocentric. On the other hand, the results provide an understanding of which customer groups have the strongest consumer ethnocentrism‐willingness to buy link. These findings can be used to allocate resources to marketing.

Originality/value

Marketing researchers show that consumers rely on different cues and make different decisions depending on their tendency for consumer ethnocentrism. Academic research has also discovered important differences in the cognitive processes and behavior depending on demographic characteristics. However, there are competing views in the literature as to how these fundamental consumer characteristics influence and interact with consumer ethnocentrism. This study further clarifies the role of demographic consumer characteristics.
Quality function deployment and its profitability engagement: a systems thinking perspective
Authors: Zare Mehrjerdi Yahia
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The paper seeks to give some reviews of quality function deployment and by using a systems thinking perspective to show how QFD can be a useful and profit‐making tool for business decision making in general.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to show that QFD is a tool that brings profit to the organization the paper has designed various loops using systems thinking perspectives and fundamentals theorems for discussion purposes and facts verification.

Findings

The task of successful product development must encompass the management commitment in giving value to the voice of the customer by using quality function deployment. This is because this quality function tool can make a significant contribution to business success through profit generation and competiveness enhancement.

Practical implications

This research helps the pros and cons of quality function deployment in getting a better understanding and usefulness of the QFD.

Original/value

This paper helps management in getting a better understanding of the quality function deployment, its power of profit‐making and productivity enhancement and the role that systems thinking can have in better describing the problem to the middle and top management.
The economic impact of quality management systems in Portuguese certified companies
Authors: Sampaio Paulo , Saraiva Pedro , Guimarães Rodrigues António
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Despite all the studies carried out in order to analyze the impact of quality management systems implementation and certification over companies' financial performance, conclusions reached so far have been of a contradictory nature. Some authors conclude that there is a positive relationship between ISO 9001 certification and companies' financial improvement, while others do not find evidence to support such a relationship. Overall, no consistent evidence could therefore be found in the literature concerning the ISO 9001 impact over companies' business financial performance. This work aims to provide a contribution in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a public database of Portuguese companies' financial information, this paper describes the results obtained from studying the economic impact of quality management systems, based on a statistical analysis.

Findings

The results suggest that companies with higher financial performance do present a greater propensity to implement and certify their quality management systems. The ISO 9000 implementation motivation is a critical success factor in the impact of the quality management system over the company economic performance and, for some financial indicators, non‐certified companies do present, on average, higher performance than those that are certified.

Originality/value

This paper aims to provide an important contribution to the worldwide research related to the quality management systems impact over companies' financial performance.
On adopting quality orientation as an operations philosophy to improve business performance in banking services
Authors: Mehra Satish , Joyal Aaron D. , Rhee Munsung
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to study the impact of adopting quality orientation as a business operations philosophy to enhance a firm's performance. Specifically, it aims to identify various indicators that make up a quality orientation philosophy, and to research their role in improving business performance in the banking sector of the service industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper surveyed retail banking firms for this study, and used path analysis and structure equation modeling (SEM) to develop the study model. This model was tested to develop the process by which quality orientation philosophy, if adopted, can impact a business's performance.

Findings

Results indicate that specific indicators of quality orientation, when operationalized as a business philosophy, can enhance a banking firm's performance. This study also provides an insight for managers as to the process of adopting quality orientation philosophy in their businesses.

Research limitations/implications

Research was conducted on a specific sector of service industry: the banking sector. The relatively small size of the study sample may impact the outcome of research applicability in some large businesses. However, the research does provide valuable insights as to how other businesses can adopt quality orientation in their operations.

Originality/value

This paper examines the process by which operational activities should be designed to effect a service firm's performance by placing emphasis on the quality aspect of each indicator that comprises quality orientation. This differs from other studies in the sense that it first operationalizes quality orientation as a set of indicators, and then shows how individual indicators influence business performance.
Assessment of engineering colleges through application of the Six Sigma metrics in a State of India
Authors: Chaudhuri Debaprayag , Ranjan Mukhopadhyay Arup , Ghosh Sadhan Kumar
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to measure the current or baseline institutional performance level of the Government and private engineering colleges in the state of West Bengal.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has been conducted on the basis of a survey. The feedback for this survey questionnaire has been considered independently for service providers such as administrators, faculties, other supporting staff as well as students who receive these services and are direct customers. A total of 2,168 persons have been surveyed from the 30 randomly selected colleges out of 70 colleges. The baseline or current performance level of the engineering colleges has been assessed based on the sigma level through quantification of the survey questionnaire consisting of eight enablers. Each enabler contains several questions or drivers. A total of 75 drivers have been arrived at for eight enablers. A seven‐point scale has been designed for each driver ranging from “Unsatisfactory” to “Outstanding”. To identify the weak areas for a college, the vital few drivers that correspond to “Unsatisfactory” performance have been made to take necessary remedial measures for attaining the new benchmark sigma level under the present techno‐economic set‐up.

Findings

The overall ratings (sigma levels) of engineering colleges in West Bengal range from 0.11 to 2.7, which is far away from the sigma level (4σ) of an average organization in the USA.

Originality/value

The paper is a purely original work. Instead of going by the popular perception of the Selection, Engineering and Technology, West Bengal, it is much better to categorize the colleges based on the class intervals of baseline sigma levels as demonstrated.
Applying selected quality management techniques to diagnose delivery time variability
Authors: Chapman Paul , Bernon Michael , Haggett Paul
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This research seeks to identify and apply techniques that can be used in a supply chain context to diagnose the causes of variability in delivery lead time.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted and a number of quality management (QM), techniques were selected as candidates for diagnosing delivery time variability. A case study of the application of these techniques is provided on the UK‐based defence supply chain that supported UK operations in the Iraq war of 2003.

Findings

Candidate QM techniques for diagnosing delivery time variability were identified, namely: Process Chart; Histogram; Failure Mode and Effect Analysis; and Cause and Effect Analysis. These techniques were successful in enabling the diagnosis of the causes of delivery time variability in the context of the case study investigated.

Practical implications

The work illustrates how QM techniques can be employed to address issues with supply chains, not least with regard to the important problem of variability in delivery leadtime. In practice, this highlights benefits that result to practitioners in order to improve the performance of operations in a dynamic setting, such as the defence supply chain studied here.

Originality/value

This work has value in presenting the findings of an in‐depth case study on the application of QM techniques in a multi‐echelon supply chain setting. It is also original in employing the FMEA technique together with an end‐customer perspective to assess the effect of failure modes in operations across a supply chain. FMEA also provided the means to examine supply chain risk, thus providing a research instrument for deploying risk as a lens. The application of QM techniques in this novel setting provides support for their application beyond the conventional setting of internal operations.
Attaining the Millennium Development Goals: the role of macroeconomic policies
Authors: Chowdhury Anis , Islam Iyanatul
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed some light on the role of macroeconomic policy‐mix in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially the goal of poverty reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs descriptive approach and provides an analytical narrative of historical experience.

Findings

It is argued that macroeconomic policy‐mixes pursued by many developing countries as part of conditions to receive support from international financial institutions and the donor community have been largely restrictive. They have failed, in most cases, to generate high enough growth to have significant impacts on poverty reduction. The poverty reducing impact of growth has also been weakened by the rise in inequality due to associated policy reforms promoting market liberalization and deregulation.

Practical implications

The paper argues in favor of using full and productive employment, which is one of the core MDGs, as the goal of macroeconomic policies.

Originality/value

The paper argues that there should be refocusing of macroeconomic policies to align with MDGs.
GNP and beyond: searching for new development indicators – a view in retrospect
Authors: Simonis Udo E.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

World wide, the gross national product (GNP) has been and still is the basic accounting concept and the dominant societal goal and performance indicator. As the concept is full of flaws and deficiencies, national and international committees are searching for alternatives. A view in retrospect may help in this search. The purpose of this paper is to present such a view in retrospect, by looking at the early attempts made to get out of the impasse and to break the deadlock of outmoded concepts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper deliberately looks at the early attempts made to get out of the impasse of the flawed GNP concept, and to improve and extend traditional accounting. Several of these early attempts are presented in some detail.

Findings

Both the “Growth and Distribution Index” and the “Net National Welfare Index” were useful conceptual innovations. Over time, however, they got lost or were forgotten. The time has come to reactivate such initiatives or to start and implement similar ones.

Practical implications

The traditional GNP concept neglects significant distributive and environmental effects of economic growth. The time has come to either supplement or replace the concept – to go beyond GNP.

Originality/value

The conceptual deficiencies of the traditional GNP concept are on the agenda again. A view in retrospect – as presented in this paper – could help, so that in due course a breakthrough becomes possible in the search for new development indicators.
Does merger structure matter?
Authors: Qing Hao Grace , Howe John S.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

A friendly merger can be structured as a one‐step transaction or a two‐step transaction. For a variety of reasons, such as the fast speed with which two‐step mergers are completed, there are concerns about whether target shareholders are disadvantaged by this structure in comparison with one‐step mergers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the two types of merger structures from the shareholder point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to compare the shareholder wealth effects of merger structure, the authors control for deal and firm characteristics and the endogenous nature of the choice of transaction form. Specifically, the authors follow the literature to use a switching regression framework with endogenous switching to address endogeneity.

Findings

No evidence was found of detrimental effects of two‐step mergers on target shareholders. The findings suggest that at least some one‐step mergers could benefit from using the two‐step structure. The authors provide several explanations for the continued use of one‐step mergers.

Originality/value

Although there is some literature on freeze outs of minority shareholders, no one has examined two‐step mergers in comparison with one‐step mergers. The paper's results will be valuable to corporate managers, M&A advisors, regulators, and policy makers.
Systemic risk and competition in OTC derivatives dealing: evidence from client failures
Authors: Emm Ekaterina E. , Ince Ufuk
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of systemic risk and competition in over‐the‐counter (OTC) derivatives dealing. Using derivatives‐related failures during the 1990s, the authors draw conclusions that are pertinent to the recent financial market turmoil involving OTC derivatives.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the event‐study methodology with crude dependence adjustment to examine the wealth effect for the involved derivatives dealers. The authors re‐estimate the parameters using the market‐adjusted model to check for robustness. In addition, a multivariable regression framework was used to estimate the determinants of the abnormal returns.

Findings

OTC derivatives dealers experience negative returns when their clients announce derivatives losses. In contrast, rival dealers uninvolved in the loss event exhibit positive returns. The extent of the positive returns for the rival dealers grows as new events unfold, and the dealers continue to steer clear of derivatives trouble. A broader industry portfolio of securities brokers, dealers, and advisors is affected negatively, indicating possible industry contagion. The cross‐sectional analysis of the abnormal returns indicates the presence of information (and not pure) contagion implying that in a financial crisis involving derivatives systemic failure is not likely.

Originality/value

The authors extend the literature by examining an exhaustive set of derivatives loss events. The sample includes a more diverse set of derivatives dealers and it spans a longer time period than prior studies did. This is also the first study confirming the distorting impact of the “too big to fail” and “federal safety net” phenomena in the context of OTC derivatives dealing.
An introduction to Google Plus
Authors: Elson Anderson Katie , Still Julie M.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to Google's new service, Google+.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides general descriptions of the elements of Google+.

Findings

The paper explores the potential for the use of Google+ by librarians.

Originality/value

Google+ is a new service that is already being looked at and used by librarians. This paper provides brief descriptions of the elements of Google+, as well as helpful tips on how to find other librarians, to gain the most potential out of this service.
Technical skills for new digital librarians
Authors: Tzoc Elías , Millard John
Published: October 2011

Purpose

As libraries, museums, and research institutions continue to work on historical digital collections for their digital repositories, there is always a need to either hire or train digital librarians and they are expected to bring or learn a set of technical skills that can help these institutions keep up with the current trends of web technology. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current technical skills being sought for digital librarian positions, as well as provide a basic exploration of the list of technical courses offered by major library school programs in 2010.

Design/methodology/approach

A twofold data collection methodology was developed that compared the required and desired technical skills as expressed in 43 positions announcements from January to December 2010 and the technical courses offered in 2010 at selected library programs listed on the top schools, as identified by the 2009 US News and World Report ranking. A common set of categories was developed to account for variations in wording and specific implementations of a technology.

Findings

This study reveals that current students and practicing librarians need to seek out additional non‐curricular opportunities to build competency in the technical areas represented in the study. Fortunately, the areas where the greatest disparity exists are also areas where significant opportunities for independent learning are available.

Originality/value

This paper can be useful for library students or practicing librarians who are interested in acquiring new technical skills. The results can also help library administrators when hiring new librarians for digital and technical departments.
Free electronic books and weeding
Authors: Steele Kirstin
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose is to explore using databases of freely available electronic books as part of a library's collection.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considered whether expensive discovery services, an OCLC product, or an open source product would be practical alternatives to the current labor‐intensive system used.

Findings

An open source product introduced in 2010 called GIST Gift and Deselection Manager (GDM) appears to fit the author's needs nearly exactly.

Research limitations/implications

Since earlier Getting It System Toolkit (GIST) workflow products have a proven track record, the author would expect library students and practitioners to also experiment with the Gift and Deselection Manager.

Practical implications

All can start using GDM anytime when they are ready, without spending any money.

Social implications

The paper highlights an open source workflow option.

Originality/value

The paper notes that the Gift and Deselection Manager was released on August 16, 2010, an event of which some library professionals might not be aware.
Digital books and the salvation of academic publishing
Authors: Cross Roger L.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The paper seeks to propose that librarians act to ensure the continued existence of small, specialized, and non‐profit publishers as avenues of intellectual and academic discourse in an era of growing publishing monopolies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the profitability of commercial publishers and their plans for expansion in the digital book market, and contrasts this with the continued financial hardships of public‐welfare academic publishers.

Findings

The problems for non‐profit academic publishers will not be solved by simply “going digital”.

Practical implications

Librarians need to exclude small academic publishers from further burdening through collective collection development.

Originality/value

The paper reviews developments in digital book publication from the perspective of a 1997 conference on the “crisis” in academic publishing with current business practices and expansions by large publishing houses.
Making the case for in‐house training
Authors: Crumpton Michael A.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide the structure needed to create an in‐house training program for libraries as a means for improving staff competencies during periods of economic problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper pulls information from the business environment and gives a human resources perspective on training programs used in companies that also have limited financial means.

Findings

The information and structure provided for development of a training program has had proven results.

Practical implications

This information will require action on the part of libraries interested in gaining this advantage.

Originality/value

These proven methods and steps can increase a library's case when seeking to justify allocation of resources and will add value to the organization as it serves its primary clientele.
Moving on: salaries and managing turnover
Authors: Cottrell Terry
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal particular unique aspects of librarian pay, retention and hiring issues as a means of advocacy for managers searching for new ways to tackle this function of their work.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper gives specific salary negotiation suggestions, and also provides strategic team building concerns on which future planning may be made.

Findings

It is found that salary information is shared much more often between librarians at other institutions and this sharing leads to many negative and positive effects for future pay structures within organizations.

Originality/value

The paper is original in the sense that it is written for librarians and non‐librarians alike. It presents the issue with candor as a means of sparking fruitful conversation aimed at stabilizing and increasing librarian pay through joint understanding of the issue.