bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ERP in the minds of supervisors
Authors: Bendoly Elliot , Bachrach Daniel G. , Wang Hui , Zhang Shouyang
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the existence of direct and moderating effects of task interdependence and culture on supervisory views of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyze these effects, an experiment was conducted in the USA and The People's Republic of China. A total of 304 management supervisors participated. Participants were exposed to an interdependence manipulation and then rated the importance of ERP in the case contexts described by experimental treatments.

Findings

Results support the moderating effects of culture on the extent to which task interdependence impacts managerial views of the communicative capabilities of ERP systems. Task interdependence effects are much less severe among the views of Chinese managers.

Research limitations/implications

Main limitations potentially stem from our specific operationalizations of the factors studied as well as selectivity of the subject pool. As with many empirical comparisons of culture, these limitations may confine the application of the findings to the two national contexts studied.

Practical implications

If managers in China (as compared to their US counterparts) are more enthusiastic of the communication capabilities provided by ERP systems regardless of the extent to which internal processes are interdependent, then the business cases that support ERP adoption and extension should be expected to emphasize the benefits of such capabilities. This may foster a strategic distinction in the use of these architectures in the two settings.

Originality/value

This study specifically examines the interactive effects of task interdependency and culture on managerial perceptions regarding ERP communicative capabilities.
Achieving flexible manufacturing competence
Authors: Zhang Qingyu , Vonderembse Mark A. , Cao Mei
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To respond to increasing environmental uncertainty, manufacturers are enhancing flexible manufacturing competence (FMC) as a source of competitive advantage. This study aims to extend research on FMC to its antecedent variables by investigating the impacts of advanced manufacturing technology and operations improvement practices (OIP) on FMC.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data from 273 manufacturing firms, this research tests additive, mediating, and moderating models that relate these variables.

Findings

Among three alternative models, the moderating model is best supported. The results indicate that advanced manufacturing technology has a stronger positive impact on FMC when OIP are effectively implemented than when they are not.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses attention on the antecedent variables to production competence, rather than on the concept and positive performance effect of production competence.

Practical implications

For managers, the issue is not simply purchasing automation but developing OIP to effectively use advanced manufacturing technologies, thereby achieving the magnifying effects of human capital on FMC.

Originality/value

This paper investigates FMC and its antecedent variables by testing three alternative models, and it offers assistance to managers who are implementing advanced manufacturing technologies and OIP.
Supply chain management: a structured literature review and implications for future research
Authors: Burgess Kevin , Singh Prakash J. , Koroglu Rana
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The field of supply chain management (SCM) has historically been informed by knowledge from narrow functional areas. While some effort towards producing a broader organizational perspective has been made, nonetheless, SCM continues to be largely eclectic with little consensus on its conceptualization and research methodological bases. This paper seeks to clarify aspects of this emerging perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 100 randomly selected refereed journal articles were systematically analyzed.

Findings

A number of key findings emerged: the field is a relatively “new” one; several disciplines claim ownership of the field; consensus is lacking on the definition of the term; contextual focus is mostly on the manufacturing industry; predominantly “process” conceptual framing prevails; research methods employed are mostly analytical conceptual, empirical surveys or case studies; the positivist research paradigmatic stance is prevalent; and theories related to transaction cost economics and competitive advantage dominate.

Originality/value

This review identifies various conceptual and research methodological characteristics of SCM. From a philosophy of knowledge perspective, it is suggested that SCM be framed as a Lakatosian Research Program, for this has the best potential to assist in the development of SCM body of knowledge in a sustainable way into the future.
An empirical taxonomy of purchasing functions
Authors: Cousins Paul D. , Lawson Benn , Squire Brian
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the different patterns of purchasing function configuration, and the relationship between such patterns and organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Despite considerable attention, there is little evidence showing the current situation toward the development of purchasing functions within organisations. Through quantitative data collected from 151 UK purchasing executives, cluster analysis is used to uncover and characterize four purchasing function configurations.

Findings

Four configurations, termed strategic, capable, celebrity, and undeveloped, were identified according to the characteristics they possess. Significant differences in supplier‐ and organisational‐related performance outcomes were found across these four purchasing function configurations. Purchasing skills were also shown to be a precondition for purchasing to exert influence within the organisation.

Research limitations/implications

A cross‐sectional survey provides limited longitudinal insight into the evolution of purchasing functions. Future research could examine how firms move between purchasing configurations. This study does, however, improve understanding of the different types of purchasing functions, their performance outcomes, and makes recommendations for potential strategies to be adopted for purchasing function improvement.

Practical implications

The findings are useful for practitioners seeking to improve the performance and standing of the purchasing function through identification of the characteristics and potential limitations faced at each phase.

Originality/value

This paper is one of few studies to provide an empirical test of purchasing function configuration, and the implications for organisational performance.
Jaguar uses castings, extrusions to reduce parts count in new sports car
Authors: Mortimer John
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Describes how Jaguar Cars in the UK is assembling aluminium car bodies for its new XK sports car that will be manufactured with a production time of 12 hours.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the major production line techniques that are used in the assembly of the body‐in‐white structure. These include adhesive bonding, self‐piercing rivets (SPRs) and self‐tapping screws.

Findings

The use of SPRs and self‐tapping screws is proving essential in the joining of aluminium components manufactured as extrusions, castings and pressings.

Research limitations/implications

The introduction of adhesive bonding, SPRs and self‐tapping screws is the result of considerable research work on the part of Jaguar engineers and the company's suppliers. This work is likely to continue in order to reduce cycle times and improve overall product performance, both in terms of manufacture and for the user.

Practical implications

It is likely that arising out of development work into new assembly techniques that the technology will be used throughout the Ford organization, including other companies that form the Premier Automotive Group. Both Aston Martin and Volvo could benefit from the technologies developed at Jaguar Cars.

Originality/value

This is the first time that Jaguar Cars has used self‐tapping screws to join aluminium components although it has been used before within Lotus Group for the Elise sports car.
A testbed architecture for Auto‐ID technologies
Authors: Soylemezoglu A. , Zawodniok M. J. , Cha K. , Hall D. , Birt J. , Saygin C. , Sarangapani J.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper presents an overview on the Auto‐ID (Automatic Identification) technologies testbed that has been established at the University of Missouri‐Rolla (UMR) with the objective of supporting research, development, and implementation of Auto‐ID technologies in network‐centric manufacturing environments.

Design/methodology/approach

UMR's Auto‐ID testbed uses a unique hardware‐in‐the‐loop simulation methodology, which integrates decision‐making model development with the design of networking topology and data routing/scheduling schemes, in order to develop, test, and implement viable Auto‐ID solutions. The methodology is founded on a 3‐level integrated model: controller simulation, distributed controller simulation, and distributed controller simulation with hardware‐in‐the‐loop.

Findings

This paper discusses two case studies that highlight the effective use of RFID technology, its potential advantages, challenges, and deficiencies stemming from particular applications. These applications include dock doors, automated guided vehicles, conveyor and automated storage/retrieval systems, integration of RFID middleware with programmable logic controllers, and inventory management of time‐sensitive materials.

Originality/value

The paper presents an innovative idea: hardware‐in‐the‐loop simulation methodology to design automation systems. The approach has been implemented on a variety of applications, which are presented in the paper as case studies.
A decade of ARL collection development: a look at the data
Authors: Stoller Michael
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To trace patterns of collection development expenditures between 1994 and 2004 among Association of Research Libraries' (ARL) largest and smallest public and private academic libraries, to identify the impact of serial inflation, the emergence of electronic resources and changes in the monographic market upon the buying patterns of the largest and smallest academic libraries, public and private, in the USA and Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of the annual ARL statistics for collection development expenditures between 1994 and 2004, focusing upon the ten largest public, ten largest private, ten smallest public and ten smallest private academic ARL libraries.

Findings

Libraries have largely responded to the revolutionary changes of the last decade very conservatively, retaining their commitment to monographic acquisitions and to their paper collections even as they have built new, electronic libraries.

Research limitations/implications

ARL statistics present a complex picture, and libraries are not consistent in the manner in which they report their activities. The methodology does not seek a statistically precise model but seeks only to lay out a useful snapshot of library collecting patterns over the last ten years.

Practical implications

Academic libraries have not yet fully confronted the issues raised by changes in scholarly communication over the last decade and still have many difficult decisions ahead of the, as patterns of the last ten years may be difficult or inappropriate to sustain.

Originality/value

Provides a picture of collection development patterns of the largest and smallest ARL academic libaries that complements ARL's own analysis, which is based on median values.
From acquisitions to collection management: mere semantics or an expanded framework for libraries?
Authors: Ameen Kanwal
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The literature on collection development largely discusses all kinds of managerial and practical issues. However, there appear to be gaps in LIS literature regarding tracing the semantic developments of the subject. The paper attempts to explore the relationship between the use of varying collection‐related terminologies and ever‐emerging forms of scholarly publishing in libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive review of the available literature was made to illustrate the impact of the developments in both production and formats of information sources on libraries' collection related patterns and expressions since the last quarter of the twentieth century.

Findings

It was found that the related emerging terminology has been expanding rapidly because of the direct impact of the never‐ending developments, though with different pace in different countries. The varying use pattern reflects the expansion in the aims and ways of functioning of a modern library.

Originality/value

The paper falls in the category of “literature review” and provides an overview of the connection between developments in theory and practice of collection managing aspects.
An interview with Barbara Cassani
Authors: by Alistair Craven Interview
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To determine the views of the founder of the low cost airline Go.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is an interview with Barbara Cassani.

Findings

Barbara Cassani, best known for founding the low‐cost airline Go in the UK, also worked on driving London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. The interview covers her opinions on a range of issues including her latest challenges.

Originality/value

Provides insights into the thinking of a prominent individual.
VAT in the boardroom: a strategic analysis
Authors: Newark Simon
Published: July 2006

Commercial strategy, new markets, the right personnel, perhaps even cutting one's losses and getting out of a market that does not prove as successful as hoped. Certainly in today's increasingly competitive marketplace, directors need every means at their disposal to give their business an edge over the opposition. That edge could be, depending on how you look at it, planning to either mitigate your VAT position or simply to avoid paying more than necessary.
Mobile LIDAR system detects air pollution hot spots
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To describe the light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technique and to discuss recent surveys by Environment Canada which have employed a novel scanning LIDAR system, the “RASCAL”, to study air pollution in British Columbia.

Design/methodology/approach

The RASCAL LIDAR system is based on a Nd:YAG laser which emits 0.5 J pulses of IR light at 1,064 nm and green light at 532 nm into the atmosphere at a rate of 20 Hz. The beam is steered by two 24‐inch mirrors and the backscattered signal is detected by a system based on high sensitivity avalanche photodiodes and photomultiplier tubes. The unit is mobile and housed in a small van.

Findings

Surveys with the mobile LIDAR identified and located sources of airborne particulate pollution at various locations in British Columbia. A series of high‐resolution elevation scans revealed the complex vertical structure of aerosol layers above the town of Golden. An outcome of this survey was the introduction of local laws banning wood‐burning stoves in new homes in the region. Further, Saharan sand was identified in the atmosphere in the region for the first time.

Originality/value

The surveys showed that mobile LIDAR can detect and characterise airborne particulate pollution and contribute to an understanding of its dispersion and motion in the atmosphere. It will also aid in assessing the associated risks to human health.
Design of combined voltage reference and temperature sensor for RFID applications
Authors: Huang Han‐Pang , Liu Chih‐Peng
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The development of the combined voltage reference and temperature sensor is focused on the RFID applications. The passive RFID systems derive power in the tag solely from rectifying the incident RF power. The dc power supply may be coupled with the RF signal, voltage drop, and noise. The voltage reference here is to provide a stable voltage for well‐biasing the internal analog circuitry. For the temperature sensing RFID applications, the combined device also gives a highly linear temperature sensor for wide‐temperature range measurements. Seeks to discuss this subject.

Design/methodology/approach

For voltage reference design, a self‐PTAT current is generated for compensating the diode‐connected NMOS transistor to achieve temperature‐stable voltage reference. Moreover, a temperature sensor with high linearity is developed by amplifying the linear portion and restricting the nonlinear part of temperature information.

Findings

Owing to better‐compensation, the voltage reference provides a stable voltage of 718.7±2.9 mV, and the temperature sensor has linearity over 99.8 percent for a wide‐temperature operation from −50 to 150°C.

Originality/value

Owing to the small size, 0.38 × 0.24 mm2, of the combined device, it can be embedded into a RFID tag without increasing the RFID size. The voltage reference can serve as a stable voltage for stabilizing the behavior of analog circuits of the tag, and the temperature sensor probes the environment temperature. Then the information will be delivered to the RFID reader by the tag.
Error measurement and analysis for a 3D face surface matching system
Authors: Stockman George , Payne Jayson , Sadler Jermil , Colbry Dirk
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To report on the evaluation of error of a face matching system consisting of a 3D sensor for obtaining the surface of the face, and a two‐stage matching algorithm that matches the sensed surface to a model surface.

Design/methodology/approach

Rigid mannikin face that was, otherwise, fairly realistic was obtained, and several sensing and matching experiments were performed. Pose position, lighting and face color were controlled.

Findings

The combined sensor‐matching system typically reported correct face surface matches with trimmed RMS error of 0.5 mm or less for a generous volume of parameters, including roll, pitch, yaw, position, lighting, and facecolor. Error accelerated beyond this “approximately frontal” set of parameters. Mannikin results are compared to results with thousands of cases of real faces. The sensor accuracy is not a limiting component of the system, but supports the application well.

Practical implications

The sensor supports the application well (except for the current cost). Equal error rates achieved appear to be practical for face verification.

Originality/value

No similar report is known for sensing faces.
Radio frequency identification technology: applications, technical challenges and strategies
Authors: Li Suhong , Visich John K. , Khumawala Basheer M. , Zhang Chen
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the technology behind RFID systems, identify the applications of RFID in various industries, and discuss the technical challenges of RFID implementation and the corresponding strategies to overcome those challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

Comprehensive literature review and integration of the findings from literature.

Findings

Technical challenges of RFID implementation include tag cost, standards, tag and reader selection, data management, systems integration and security. The corresponding solution is suggested for each challenge.

Research limitations/implications

A survey type research is needed to validate the results.

Practical implications

This research offers useful technical guidance for companies which plan to implement RFID and we expect it to provide the motivation for much future research in this area.

Originality/value

As the infancy of RFID applications, few researches have existed to address the technical issues of RFID implementation. Our research filled this gap.
Micromachined high sensitivity thermal inclinometer
Authors: Johann Courteaud , Philippe Combette , Alain Giani
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This document presents the study of a one‐dimensional thermal inclinometer based on free convection.

Design/methodology/approach

A micromachined one is used. The sensitivity of the sensor is optimized in a close chamber containing CO2 gas under pressure.

Findings

By using this type of sensor in a close chamber containing CO2 gas under pressure, the sensitivity increase and the response time decrease when the pressure increase. High resolution will be achieved.

Research limitations/implications

High shock reliability.

Practical implications

Measuring μg acceleration.

Originality/value

Low cost production.
Investigation into the packaging and operation of an electronic tongue sensor for industrial applications
Authors: Twomey Karen , Murphy Killan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the packaging and operation of an electronic tongue sensor. The sensor will be used in an industrial setting and the packaging needs to withstand the harsh clean‐in‐place (CIP) routines that are commonly employed. A suitable epoxy, Loctite FP4450 HYSOL, was identified from a number of packaging materials. The sensor was validated by carrying out cyclic voltammetry in a number of reference solutions including sulphuric acid solution and ferrocyanide in potassium chloride solution, which gave well‐defined reduction and oxidation peaks that could be compared with the literature. The operation of the sensor in mixtures of salt and citric acid solutions was also investigated and it was seen that by applying a carefully selected voltage window and scan rate to each electrode, the sensor could distinguish between the different mixtures. Further experimentation and the application of principle component analysis have shown the sensor to have good repeatability.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper concentrates on the ability of the sensor packaging to withstand a typical industrial CIP procedure. A number of packaging materials are investigated. In addition, the operation of the sensor has been investigated by using cyclic voltammetry.

Findings

One successful packaging material is Loctite 9461A&B HYSOL. Poly ether ether ketone also performs well after repeated CIP exposure. For ease of manufacture, Loctite FP4450 HYSOL is the epoxy of choice. An extensive matrix of test solutions was prepared from salt and citric acid powders. The aim was to investigate the sensor's ability to distinguish between increasing concentration levels of salt and citric acid and also to investigate how the sensor operates in mixtures of the solutions. By carefully choosing the applied voltage window and scan rate, the electrodes can distinguish between the mixtures

Originality/value

This research work has highlighted a robust packaging material to withstand industrial CIP procedures.
Taguchi or classical design of experiments: a perspective from a practitioner
Authors: Antony Jiju
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present some fundamental and critical differences between the two methods of experimental design (i.e. Taguchi and classical design of experiments (DOE)). It also aims to present an application of Taguchi method of experimental design for the development of an optical fiber sensor in a cost effective and timely manner.

Design/methodology/approach

The first part of the paper shows the differences between classical DOE and Taguchi methods from a practitioner's perspective. The second part of the paper illustrates a simple framework which provides guidance in the selection of a suitable DOE strategy. The last part is focused on a simple case study demonstrating the power of Taguchi methods of experimental design.

Findings

One of the key questions from many quality and production related personnel in organisations are “when to use Taguchi and Classical DOE?”. The purpose of this paper is to make an attempt to address the above question from a practitioner's perspective.

Research limitations/implications

The case study is based on Taguchi method of experimental design. It would be great to see the results of the study if classical DOE is performed to this study.

Practical implications

The paper will be an excellent resource for both research and industrial fraternities who are involved in DOE projects.

Originality/value

Case study and frame work.
Interview: Cynthia Cockburn on women, equality and social science research
Authors: Kirton Gill
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Cynthia Cockburn's research spans some three decades and has covered several major and distinct themes – technology and technical change, organizational equality policies and practices, and more recently conflict studies – but she has consistently studied gender from a feminist perspective and it is this interest that binds her work together. She has published more than ten books, numerous book chapters, articles, pamphlets and reports. Aims to find out more about this person.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is based on an interview with Cynthia Cockburn conducted in March 2006.

Findings

Her book In the Way of Women, published in 1991, stands out as having had enormous influence – it is still widely cited today, making it one of the classic texts and essential reading for those researching the dynamics of inequalities in organizational contexts. This article deals largely with the themes and methodological issues posed by Cynthia's early‐mid 1990s research focusing on organizational equality.

Originality/value

This is an update on this influential researcher's work and ideas on women, equality and social science research.
Are our residential buildings healthy and safe? A survey in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong S.K. , Cheung A.K.C. , Yau Y. , Ho D.C.W. , Chau K.W.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The most fundamental requirement of a habitable building is that its occupants can live in it healthily and safely. However, given the proliferation of building‐related accidents recently in Hong Kong, the extent to which our buildings have fulfilled this basic requirement is doubtful. For the benefit of the entire society, more public information on building quality is needed. Aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper extends the Ho et al. assessment model to evaluate the combined health and safety performance of residential buildings in Hong Kong. The model consists of a set of performance‐based objectives and can be translated into a hierarchy of parameters concerning the quality of building design, building management, and the surrounding environment. A total of 99 residential buildings in two urban areas, namely Mongkok and Tsimshatsui, were assessed with the help of a simple and user‐friendly performance indicator called the Building Quality Index (BQI).

Findings

The comparative analysis showed that the overall health and safety performance varied significantly with building age and development scale. Building location did not matter in overall performance, but became relevant in disaggregate performances regarding the external environment and building management approaches.

Research limitations/implications

In theory, building management and building location are not related. Further research is needed to disentangle the management effect from the location effect.

Practical implications

The assessment method is a simple and cost‐effective screening tool for mass building assessment at the city level. It can also be used for classifying buildings into different grades in respect of health and safety, providing incentives to building owners, developers, and government bodies to improve the living environment.

Originality/value

The study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between building performance and its physical characteristics, including location, age, and development scale, in a densely populated high‐rise urban area.
Triggernomic Repair Process Analysis (TRAP)
Authors: Kangwa Joseph , Olubodun Femi
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to espouse Triggernomic Repair Process Analysis (TRAP), a nonlinear theoretical methodology employed to stress the importance of an informed approach to the diagnosis and prognosis of structural building defects at the owner‐occupier level.

Design/methodology/approach

TRAP analysis focuses on the diagnosis limitations relating to house repair and maintenance among owner‐occupiers in the UK, based on a stratified random survey of owner‐occupiers' maintenance decisions.

Findings

It is concluded that lack of technical skills‐knowledge awareness is one of the main deterrents to efficient defect diagnosis. The failing on defect diagnosis is broadly defined as resulting from Chronic Deficiency of Defects Diagnosis (CD3). CD3 is furthermore conceptualised as a theoretical dichotomy construct which persists due to Chronic Diagnosis Failure (CDF) and Chronic Misapplication of Maintenance Remedies (CMMR).

Originality/value

The constructs identified help to explain why owner‐occupier housing disrepair remains high and a source of concern among practitioners in the UK. A pro‐maintenance housing regeneration agenda is imminent in order to promote technical skill‐knowledge awareness and the effectiveness of the maintenance decision making among owner‐occupiers.
FM as a social enterprise
Authors: Kasim Rozilah , Hudson John
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To consider the extent to which the concept of social enterprise fits within facilities management (FM) thinking in helping to create community benefit in the process of delivering housing market renewal (HMR) in the UK. HMR via its HMR pathfinder organisations is part of many strategies in the ODPM (2003), introduced by the UK government to tackle low demand and housing abandonment across the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper considers two key themes. First, it focuses on social enterprise practice within the context of supporting and sustaining the existing economy of the local communities in the most deprived areas in the UK. Second, it discusses the present understanding of FM practices and how far these fit within social enterprise practices in delivering social objectives.

Findings

Social enterprises tackle a wide range of social, environmental and economic issues to achieve public benefit. It is a promising vehicle for the development of community‐based FM.

Originality/value

The paper builds on established literature and generates debate on the role of FM within the context of relevant organisations that offers new ways of operating for public benefit rather than purely maximising profits for shareholders.
A learning model of intelligent home
Authors: Yiu C.Y. , Yau Y.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to review the extant intelligent home specifications and put forward a new dimension for the specifications of intelligent home (IHS).

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a learning (bottom‐up) algorithm which emphasizes the importance of learning and adaptability to the dynamic environmental changes in the IHS.

Findings

The study finds that the intelligent home has been characterized by automation, integration of facilities and communication. However, it is contended here that an intelligent home specification in such a hard‐wired (top‐down) approach cannot be sustained in the light of the continuous changes of user requirements. Hence, adaptation to users' needs must be encompassed in a system of home intelligence.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a framework for all stakeholders to work for a common goal and a platform for benchmarking the performance of intelligent home in the long run.

Originality/value

This is the first to adopt the learning (bottom‐up) algorithm in defining home intelligence.
The marketing curriculum and educational aims: towards a professional education?
Authors: Clarke Peter , Gray David , Mearman Andrew
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this conceptual paper is to address the current debate about the role of business and marketing education. Should marketing courses be pragmatic and professional, geared towards practical knowledge of necessary tools and techniques; or should they be academic and intellectual, aimed at creating scholars who happen to be marketers. Should marketers be trained or educated?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper addresses these questions through the well‐established distinction between intrinsic and instrumental aims of education.

Findings

It is argued that ethics are good for business; and that an intrinsic education is necessary to produce the marketers who can work in this ethical dimension.

Originality/value

The paper should be of interest to those involved in marketing education and business curricula design.
Transition to a market orientation in China: preliminary evidence
Authors: Bathgate Ian , Omar Maktoba , Nwankwo Sonny , Zhang Yinan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The research objective was to assess the challenges of transition that firms face in adopting a market orientation in China, as the basis for providing a context‐specific explanation of market orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample from the He Bei Light Industry Directory was selected by the systematic‐selection‐from‐lists procedure. The survey instrument was adapted from the widely used MARKOR scale.

Findings

Although some of the early results are consistent with those obtained in the West, an underlying lacuna needs to be addressed in order for a useful culture‐sensitive interpretation of market orientation to be offeredvis‐à‐vislocale‐specific knowledge.

Research implications/limitations

While there can be little doubt that market orientation delivers superior performance in developed western economies, implementations in many transition‐economy contexts reveal a range of paradoxes, which point to some gaps in both the theory and practice of marketing.

Originality/value

A useful explanation of market orientation in transition economies should necessarily embed an approach that accommodates the institutional peculiarities of the environment under study, focusing the temporal, spatial and wider socio‐cultural and historical characteristics of marketing itself.
Operations strategy and flexibility: modeling with Bayesian classifiers
Authors: Abad‐Grau María M. , Arias‐Aranda Daniel
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Information analysis tools enhance the possibilities of firm competition in terms of knowledge management. However, the generalization of decision support systems (DSS) is still far away from everyday use by managers and academicians. This paper aims to present a framework of analysis based on Bayesian networks (BN) whose accuracy is measured in order to assess scientific evidence.

Design/methodology/approach

Different learning algorithms based on BN are applied to extract relevant information about the relationship between operations strategy and flexibility in a sample of engineering consulting firms. Feature selection algorithms automatically are able to improve the accuracy of these classifiers.

Findings

Results show that the behaviors of the firms can be reduced to different rules that help in the decision‐making process about investments in technology and production resources.

Originality/value

Contrasting with methods from the classic statistics, Bayesian classifiers are able to model a variety of relationships between the variables affecting the dependent variable. Contrasting with other methods from the artificial intelligence field, such as neural networks or support vector machines, Bayesian classifiers are white‐box models that can directly be interpreted. Together with feature selection techniques from the machine learning field, they are able to automatically learn a model that accurately fits the data.
Justifying investment in advanced manufacturing technology: a portfolio analysis
Authors: Small Michael H.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper seeks to present the results of an investigation on the justification of investments in advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) at manufacturing plants in the USA. Unlike previous research that explored the adoption and use of a specific AMT or groups of similar AMT, this study focuses on a plant's combination of technologies or its technology portfolio.

Design/methodology/approach

Mail survey responses from a sample of 82 plants are used to examine the relationships between the type of technology portfolio being used and the justification approaches and evaluation techniques that were utilized to justify these investments. The study also investigates the level of functional integration and the level of effort applied to several activities during the justification stage of the AMT projects.

Findings

The majority of plants that had adopted the more complex technology portfolios were using hybrid (economic and strategic) justification approaches supported by ratio and discounted cash flow justification techniques. Plants that were using the less complex portfolio also used hybrid approaches, but tended to concentrate on the use of ratio techniques. Findings on the level of functional integration at various stages of the AMT project are also reported.

Research limitations/implications

This research concentrated on discrete‐parts durable goods producers in the USA. Further studies are needed to determine whether the findings can be generalized across other industries or in other countries.

Originality/value

This research uses an innovative portfolio analysis approach to investigate the important topic of justification of AMT. Managerial implications arising from the results of this study and a number of new research avenues are advanced.
The process‐wide information organism approach for the business process analysis
Authors: Tsaih Ray , Lin Wan‐Ying
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To manage linkages amongst value activities, this study seeks to explore to a greater extent the underlying information‐processing infrastructure of the value chain, and then to derive a corresponding business process analysis framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is an in‐depth investigation of the information‐processing infrastructure underlying the value chain activities.

Findings

This study leads to the process‐wide information organism approach and further delivers a business process analysis framework for describing and measuring mechanisms of managing the information flow underlying the strategic business process.

Originality/value

The information‐processing infrastructure underlying the value chain and thus the business process has been identified, and an analytical framework for describing and measuring mechanisms of managing the information flow underlying the strategic business process has been proposed.
Contextual problem detection and management during software execution in complex environments
Authors: Sun Kim Jae , Park Sooyong , Sugumaran Vijayan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

From the point of view of computing environments, the paper aims to present a goal‐based contextual problem detection and management (GCPDM) method whose core benefit in its extendability of detection capability to deal with unpredicted problems.

Design/methodology/approach

Approaches the subject by designing a goal graph, designing actions, designing achievable relations between actions and goals, defining contextual factors of each action, defining CCGs and implementing the GCPD engine.

Findings

That self‐managed, as opposed to traditional, software is designed to avoid runtime failures by adapting to unpredictable situations.

Originality/value

This paper presents a GCPDM method.
Diffusion of selected concepts in information systems and management: 1973‐2004
Authors: Harman Keith , Koohang Alex
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to explore the extent to which the diffusion of concepts related to information systems and management approximates the rate and the cumulative frequency distribution patterns assumed to reflect the diffusion of innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

The diffusion of those concepts was measured via citation analysis of 4,014 publications (journal articles, books, and dissertations) for the period 1973‐2004.

Findings

Two key findings emerged from the study. First, the cumulative frequency distribution approximates the S‐curve of adoption. Second, the rate of adoption is exponential and corroborates an epidemiological model of the rate of adoption recently reported in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed to identify and examine topics or concepts that have run their course and subsequently offer an excellent opportunity to performex‐post‐factostudies on the life cycle of innovative concepts or topics. From these studies will be baseline data and easily identifiable “actors” in the diffusion process (authors, editors, reviewers, and dissertation committees) that will provide the impetus for continued, progressively complex research models.

Practical implications

The practical implications of a deeper understanding of the diffusion of innovations are immense. It will enhance understanding of how to better promote research and development and technology transfer. It will enhance understanding of how better to market the fruits of those endeavors.

Originality/value

This paper's findings bring to the scholarly community in the digital era the importance of understanding how new concepts and theories are brought to light and evaluated.
Developing an agent‐based workflow management system for collaborative product design
Authors: Huang Ching‐Jen , Trappey Amy J.C. , Yao Yin‐Ho
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to develop a prototype of agent‐based intelligent workflow system for product design collaboration in a distributed network environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This research separates the collaborative workflow enactment mechanisms from the collaborative workflow building tools for flexible workflow management. Applying the XML/RDF (resource description framework) ontology schema, workflow logic is described in a standard representation. Lastly, a case study in collaborative system‐on‐chip (SoC) design is depicted to demonstrate the agent‐based workflow system for the design collaboration on the web.

Findings

Agent technology can overcome the difficulty of interoperability in cross‐platform, distributed environment with standard RDF data schema. Control and update of workflow functions become flexible and versatile by simply modifying agent reasoning and behaviors.

Research limitations/implications

When business partners want to collaborate, how to integrate agents in different workflows becomes a critical issues.

Practical implications

Agent technology can facilitate design cooperation and teamwork communication in a collaborative, transparent product development environment.

Originality/value

This research establishes generalized flow logic RDF models and an agent‐based intelligent workflow management system, called AWfMS, based on the RDF schema of workflow definition. AWfMS minimizes barriers in the distributed design process and hence increases design cooperations among partners.
A genetic approach for freight transportation planning
Authors: Caputo A.C. , Fratocchi L. , Pelagagge P.M.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for optimally planning long‐haul road transport activities through proper aggregation of customer orders in separate full‐truckload or less‐than‐truckload shipments in order to minimize total transportation costs.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is applied to a specific Italian multi‐plant firm operating in the plastic film for packaging sector. The method, given the order quantities to be shipped and the location of customers, aggregates shipments in subgroups of compatible orders resorting to a heuristic procedure and successively consolidates them in optimized full truck load and less than truck load shipments resorting to a Genetic Algorithm in order to minimize total shipping costs respecting delivery due dates and proper geographical and truck capacity constraints.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that evolutionary computation techniques may be effective in tactical planning of transportation activities. The model shows that substantial savings on overall transportation cost may be achieved adopting the proposed methodology in a real life scenario.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this optimisation methodology is that an heuristic procedure is utilized instead of an enumerative approach in order to at first aggregate shipments in compatible sets before the optimisation algorithm carries out the assignments of customer orders to separate truckloads. Even if this implies that the solution could be sub‐optimal, it has demonstrated a very satisfactory performance and enables the problem to become manageable in real life settings.

Practical implications

The proposed methodology enables to rapidly choose if a customer order should be shipped via a FTL or a LTL transport and performs the aggregation of different orders in separate shipments in order to minimize total transportation costs. As a consequence, the task of logistics managers is greatly simplified and consistently better performances respect manual planning can be obtained.

Originality/value

The described methodology is original in both the kind of approach adopted to solve the problem of optimising orders shipping in long‐haul direct shipping distribution logistics, and in the solution technique adopted which integrates heuristic algorithm and an original formulation of a GA optimisation problem. Moreover, the methodology solves both the truckload assignment problem and the choice of LTL vs FTL shipment thus representing an useful tool for logistics managers.
ERP use: exclusive or complemented?
Authors: Elbertsen Liane , Benders Jos , Nijssen Ed
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the antecedents of ERP use and use of alternative software packages simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory model was composed based on literature on adoption and diffusion of innovations in general and ERP in specific. The model was tested using a sample of 486 Dutch midsized enterprises of the electrical, engineering and metal industries. Using two regression analyses we identify the effect of ERP related factors on ERP adoption and the simultaneous use of alternative software solutions.

Findings

ERP adoption is significantly related to ERP complexity (positive), ERP compatibility (negative), IT competence (negative), and ERP sellers' marketing efforts (positive). For the ERP adopters that also use other software packages the following relationships were significant: ERP's additional flexibility, ERP compatibility (positive), IT competence (positive), ERP sellers' marketing efforts (negative), and company size.

Research limitations/implications

As any sample, ours is limited and the findings may be validated among other populations. In‐depth qualitative research may help gaining deeper insights into actual decision processes.

Practical implications

Companies considering investing in ERP are aware of the influence sellers might have; companies should consider alternatives to ERP systems to overcome flexibility problems emanating from ERP use. This will most likely help to maintain their competitive advantage in the marketplace. It will require some internal IT competence to help make the right decisions, i.e. balance need for integration of software and product/service differentiation towards customers.

Originality/value

This is the first paper on the issue of the exclusive use of ERP systems versus the simultaneous use of alternative packages.