bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does quality drive employee satisfaction in the UK learning sector?
Authors: Robson Andrew , Yarrow David , Owen Jane
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence to assess the nature and extent of the link between employee satisfaction and organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the link between staff satisfaction and organisational performance, presenting findings from 21 colleges of Further Education that have participated in both a survey of staff satisfaction (covering over 2,600 staff from these colleges) and in a diagnostic benchmarking exercise using the “Learning PROBE” methodology.

Findings

The results suggest that whilst each of the measured aspects of work are regarded as being important by a majority of survey respondents, the level of “satisfaction” displayed in each of these attributes is indicated by only a minority of those surveyed. The findings support the existence of a link between staff satisfaction and organisational excellence. Staff satisfaction levels are most strongly associated with the leadership and service processes indices, and even more so with the overall organisational diagnosis. This suggests that colleges that are implementing “good practices” covering a range of managerial aspects, and who are achieving corresponding organisational results, are likely to be closer to satisfying their staff. Practices relating to people, performance management and organizational results also show association with staff's satisfaction gap, although not as significantly as above. The results suggest an holistic approach to implementing business practices appears to be more effective than concentrating only on deploying good practices in only a single area of the managerial process.

Originality/value

The value of the paper is to the UK Further Education Sector in that it identifies those organisational practices, which improved, can in combination address to some extent the work satisfaction levels of their employees.
Taguchi experimental design for manufacturing process optimisation using historical data and a neural network process model
Authors: Sukthomya Wimalin , Tannock James D.T.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper describes the methods of manufacturing process optimization, using Taguchi experimental design methods with historical process data, collected during normal production.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives are achieved with two separate techniques: the Retrospective Taguchi approach selects the designed experiment's data from a historical database, whilst in the Neural Network (NN) – Taguchi approach, this data is used to train a NN to estimate process response for the experimental settings. A case study illustrates both approaches, using real production data from an aerospace application.

Findings

Detailed results are presented. Both techniques identified the important factor settings to ensure the process was improved. The case study shows that these techniques can be used to gain process understanding and identify significant factors.

Research limitations/implications

The most significant limitation of these techniques relates to process data availability and quality. Current databases were not designed for process improvement, resulting in potential difficulties for the Taguchi experimentation; where available data does not explain all the variability in process outcomes.

Practical implications

Manufacturers may use these techniques to optimise processes, without expensive and time‐consuming experimentation.

Originality/value

The paper describes novel approaches to data acquisition associated with Taguchi experimentation.
Analysis of warranty claim data: a literature review
Authors: Karim Rezaul , Suzuki Kazuyuki
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To provide a brief survey of the literature directed towards the analysis of warranty claim data.

Design/methodology/approach

For convenience, this survey of the analysis of warranty claims data is somewhat arbitrarily be classified by topics as follows: age‐based claims analysis, aggregated warranty claims analysis, marginal counts of claims analysis, warranty claims analysis by using covariates, estimation of lifetime distribution using supplementary data, two‐dimensional warranty, warranty costs analysis, sales lag and reporting lag analysis, and forecasts of warranty claims.

Findings

Emphasis is placed on a discussion of different kinds of warranty claims data selected from reviews and on a comparison of the statistical models and methods used to analyze such data.

Research limitations/implications

Since the literature on product warranty data is vast, more work on this problem is needed.

Practical implications

This review points out why warranty claims data is important and gives a survey of the literature pertaining to the analysis of such data. The emphasis is on the analysis of minimal databases of real warranty data, constructed by combining information from different sources, which can be collected economically and efficiently through service networks. The research is applicable for those responsible for product reliability, product design decisions and warranty management in manufacturing industries.

Originality/value

The paper reviews different statistical models and methods used to analyze warranty claims data. The statistical models and methods presented are be valuable and meaningful tools for product reliability and warranty management and analysis.
Warranty cost analysis: quasi‐renewal inter‐repair times
Authors: Chukova Stefanka , Hayakawa Yu
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To provide a brief introduction to warranty analysis and a classification of general repairs. To introduce the notion of accelerated probability distribution and use it to model imperfect warranty repairs.

Design/methodology/approach

The notion of accelerated probability distribution is discussed and its similarity with quasi‐renewal and geometric processes is observed. An approach to modeling imperfect warranty repairs based on the accelerated probability distributions is presented, and the corresponding expected warranty cost over the warranty period under non‐renewing free replacement warranty policy is evaluated.

Findings

It is observed that quasi‐renewal and the geometric processes are equivalent. Using data from an existing warranty database it is shown that the inter‐repair times form a quasi‐renewal process. The corresponding expected warranty cost over the warranty period under a non‐renewing free replacement warranty policy is evaluated.

Research limitations/implications

This approach is applicable only if the cost of the warranty repair is an increasing function of the number of repairs.

Practical implications

Provides a useful approach to modeling inter‐repair times incorporating the idea of imperfect repairs in practice.

Originality/value

Provides an approach to model imperfect warranty repairs and to evaluate the corresponding expected warranty cost.
Continuous improvement in product development
Authors: Nilsson‐Witell Lars , Antoni Marc , Dahlgaard Jens J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Continuous improvement has become an important strategy in improving organizational performance. Unfortunately, product development is often excluded in continuous improvement programs due to the special characteristics of product development activities. The overall purpose of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of continuous improvement in the context of product development.

Design/methodology/approach

A central aspect in this context is that many organizations find it difficult to improve and learn if work is carried out in the form of projects. In this paper, a quality perspective on continuous improvement is introduced and its usefulness is tested empirically through three case studies in Swedish organizations. The focus is on the improvement programs used and the quality principles displayed in a product development context.

Findings

The results show that the three investigated organizations have multiple improvement programs, but that some configurations of improvement programs seem to be more successful than others. For instance, co‐ordination of multiple improvement programs, scope creep, and separating between product development processes and project management models are important success factors for continuous improvement. In addition, an introduction of an improvement program without adoption of a critical mass of quality principles is doomed to fail.

Originality/value

The research initiative is one of the first to conduct an empirical investigation of how organizations design and work with improvement programs in the context of product development. It provides knowledge to both academics and practitioners on how organizations can design and implement initiatives on quality management, especially in the context of product development.
Leadership, perceived team climate and process improvement in municipal government
Authors: Howard Larry W. , Foster S. Thomas , Shannon Patrick
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To examine the role of perceived team climate in facilitating leadership and sociotechnical optimization to affect quality related outcomes in a municipal government.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to employees working in a municipal government, measuring leadership, perceived team climate, technical subsystem components, and team performance. Hypotheses were tested with multiple regression, and the fit of a path model implied by all hypotheses was tested with structural equation modeling.

Findings

Institution‐level communications and department‐level leadership had the greatest effects in shaping perceptions of team climate. Perceived team climate predicted process improvement, customer satisfaction, and employee satisfaction. Perceived team climate also substantially mediated relationships between leadership support for teamwork and technical components with these outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected at one point in time from a single source, workers in a US municipal government. Some measures were new. A longitudinal design would strengthen causal inferences regarding the origins and effects of team climates.

Practical implications

Soft controls such as norms influence the effectiveness of teams in process improvement. Mid‐level managers have the greatest impact among leaders in creating a team climate. Open communication makes a difference to virtually every aspect of performance.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates the importance of shaping perceptions of a team climate to facilitate process and quality improvement. It emphasizes the importance of open communications and clarifies changing roles of leadership in modern organizations. Finally, it provides rare documentation of quality management in government.
Conflict between theory and practice: TQM and performance appraisal
Authors: Soltani Ebrahim
Published: January 2007

Purpose

A remarkable amount of theory‐based research is beginning to suggest that, even in organisations that pride themselves on having a quality orientation, the approach driving current policies and practices for human resource (HR) performance appraisal might be in fundamental conflict with essential requirements of total quality management (TQM). Seen in this light, this article aims to explore such (in)consistency between HRM theory and TQM precepts and assumptions.

Design/methodology/approach

Given that there is relatively little evidence regarding the nature of HR performance appraisal in quality‐driven organisations, this research used a combination of quantitative and qualitative investigation of performance appraisal and TQM assumptions.

Findings

The research highlights that while some of the quality management gurus, followed by other TQM scholars, advise organisations to relinquish and eliminate performance appraisal practices, this is not a unanimous view in both the literature and practice.

Research limitations/implications

The research has the potential to aid researchers in comprehending the broad and complex mix of performance appraisal practices with those criteria underlying TQM. Therefore, the fundamental need is for more empirical research and analysis in order to test various theoretical assumptions about the impact of HR‐related practices on organisational performance in quality‐driven organisations.

Practical implications

The results of the research should enable practicing managers to determine which HR performance characteristics are more consistent with TQM initiatives. In particular, the research findings should also facilitate more valid diagnosis of TQM failures.

Originality/value

The paper highlights that the effectiveness of TQM can be enhanced by designing a performance management system that fits the culture and strategy of the organisation and also strongly supports a quality‐driven management strategy.
Inter‐project improvement in product development
Authors: Antoni Marc , Nilsson‐Witell Lars , Dahlgaard Jens J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Product development projects can be utilized to create not only new products or services but also competitively important capabilities on how to work with product development. The resulting capabilities can be, and often are, as important as the product itself. Although there is potential for an organization to improve product development performance, most organizations can learn even more from their development experiences. A reliance on post‐project reviews to share knowledge across projects is doomed to fail, since it usually is of low priority and does not capture the complexity of development projects. The aim of this research is to investigate what organizations can do to reduce the effect of losing valuable experience gained in product development projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study approach, using both qualitative and quantitative data, is used to perform a study of two high‐tech product development organizations with respect to their inter‐project improvement activities. A framework concerning inter‐project improvement is presented, containing concepts such as levels of learning, improvement content, and axes of improvement.

Findings

To avoid losing valuable experience, an organization should use multiple strategies to share knowledge across projects. Examples of successful strategies are to use a well‐established product development process, professional full‐time project managers as well as modularization of the product.

Originality/value

Although research on organizational learning in product development has increased significantly during the last few years, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of inter‐project improvement by combining perspectives from quality management, organizational learning, and knowledge management.
Organisational performance improvement through quality award process participation
Authors: Eriksson Henrik , Garvare Rickard
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to describe the activities initiated based on participation in a quality award process and with the intention to improve performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a case study of three organisations that have participated in the Swedish Quality Award process. The cases were selected in order to clarify how this award process could be used to improve organisational performance.

Findings

Several examples of activities on how to improve organisational performance are provided. Specifically, the areas of customer orientation, process orientation, continuous improvement, committed leadership and participation by everyone have been improved due to the initiated activities. Furthermore, the studied organisations have been successful in their development and communication of visions, and in their empowerment of employees.

Research limitations/implications

An interesting area of further research would be to compare different methodologies for performance improvement with one another.

Practical implications

Findings from the case studies, and of importance for organisations applying for quality awards, indicate that, if the goal is to get lasting results, it is not sufficient to participate in a quality award process only once. Instead one should participate in the process several times, with enough time in between the applications in order to complete as many as possible of the improvement projects resulting from the evaluations.

Originality/value

It is the authors' intention that the guidelines presented in the paper might be helpful for organisations considering a participation in a quality award process.
Managing knowledge contributed by ISO 9001:2000
Authors: Lin Chinho , Wu Chuni
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to explore the interrelationships between knowledge management and ISO 9001:2000, and details knowledge management and ISO 9001:2000 practices for organizations, according to the prevailing ISO 9001:2000 guidelines and processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes an intact process model that integrates ISO 9001:2000 processes in order to exploit critical knowledge within an organization. A Delphi approach is designed and used to identify activities within this process model, which will facilitate knowledge flow practices. In addition, a knowledge management conceptual framework which integrated ISO 9000 processes, quality information system and infrastructure is proposed. Empirical research, involving a case study with thematic analysis, is presented to discuss the proposed framework.

Findings

This paper identifies the most important activities within ISO 9001:2000 processes which can facilitate knowledge flow. Meanwhile, a comprehensive ISO 9000 process‐based knowledge management system architecture which is derived from the in‐depth interview and the qualitative analyses will be proposed.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited in its research methodology. This case study is considered as only one empirical illustration of many other possible implementation processes. It is not assumed that this company is a paradigm or that its specific situation is applicable to all other business enterprises.

Originality/value

This architecture offers an initial model for an organization that wants to facilitate knowledge flows according to the prevailing ISO 9001:2000 guidelines and processes, and further proceed with its knowledge management system implementation to encourage the management of corporate knowledge and effectively enhance the firm's competitiveness.
Systematic failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) using fuzzy linguistic modelling
Authors: Sharma Rajiv Kumar , Kumar Dinesh , Kumar Pradeep
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To permit the system safety and reliability analysts to evaluate the criticality or risk associated with item failure modes.

Design/methodology/approach

The factors considered in traditional failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) for risk assessment are frequency of occurrence (Sf), severity (S) and detectability (Sd) of an item failure mode. Because of the subjective and qualitative nature of the information and to make the analysis more consistent and logical, an approach using fuzzy logic is proposed. In the proposed approach, these parameters are represented as members of a fuzzy set fuzzified by using appropriate membership functions and are evaluated in fuzzy inference engine, which makes use of well‐defined rule base and fuzzy logic operations to determine the criticality/riskiness level of the failure. The fuzzy conclusion is then defuzzified to get risk priority number. The higher the value of RPN, the greater will be the risk and lower the value of RPN, and the lesser will be the risk. The fuzzy linguistic assessment model was developed using toolbox platform of MATLAB 6.5 R.13.

Findings

The applicability of the proposed approach is investigated with the help of an illustrative case study from the paper industry. Fuzzy risk assessment is carried out for prioritizing failure causes of the hydraulic system, a primary element of the feeding system. The results provide an alternate ranking to that obtained by the traditional method. It is concluded from the study that the fuzzy logic‐based approach not only resolves the limitations associated with traditional methodology for RPN evaluation but also permits the experts to combine probability of occurrence (Sf), severity (S) and detectability (Sd) of failure modes in a more flexible and realistic manner by using their judgement, experience and expertise.

Originality/value

The paper integrates the use of fuzzy logic and expert database with FMEA and may prove helpful to system safety and reliability analysts while conducting failure mode and effect analysis to prioritize failures for taking corrective or remedial actions.
Business values of ISO 9000:2000 to Korean shipbuilding machinery manufacturing enterprises
Authors: Park Dong‐Joon , Kim Ho‐Gyun , Kang Byung‐Hwan , Jung Hyun‐Seok
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to furnish empirical evidence on the degree of performance of the 23 major requirements of the ISO 9001:2000 standard implemented at Korean shipbuilding machinery manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Deep interviews and surveys were made to measure how well the companies comply with the requirements of the new standard. Correlation analysis, standard t‐tests, and one‐way ANOVA were employed to identify significant differences for each major requirement depending on company size, top management type, implementation motive, and operating period.

Findings

Large‐sized companies achieved compliance with monitoring and measurement better than small‐sized ones; professional manager‐CEOs accomplished compliance with nine major requirements better than owner‐CEOs; companies that certified because of internal development reasons performed compliance with seven major requirements better than those that certified because of customer request; companies with different operating periods showed significant difference in performance for infrastructure, purchasing, and monitoring and measurement.

Originality/value

Adds to the body of knowledge concerning the ISO 9000(2000) version focused on Korean shipbuilding machinery manufacturing companies.
Quality management and health: a double connection
Authors: Lagrosen Yvonne , Bäckström Ingela , Lagrosen Stefan
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine and discuss the effects of quality management in the health care sector and the general effects of quality management on the health of the employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical basis consists of three case studies in one industrial manufacturing company and two hospitals. The empirical data have been gathered with both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Findings

The twofold value of quality management, of preventing disease by supporting more rewarding working conditions as well as improving the treatment of disease by increasing the effectiveness of health care organisations is indicated. Leadership commitment was found to be the most crucial common prerequisite for successful quality management implementation and for creating a healthy work environment. In addition, continuous improvements and participation of everybody were found to have importance for well functioning quality management as well as for health.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides additional understanding of the influence of quality management on health and a model is presented. A limitation is that the factors studied are fairly broad and for further research it will be useful to go deeper into the mechanics of them.

Practical implications

The three factors, leadership commitment, participation of everybody, and continuous improvements, have been shown to be vital contributors for health and managers should make every effort to implement them.

Originality/value

The double effect of quality management on health has not been studied before and knowledge of the factors contributing to it is valuable.
A meta‐analysis of quality measures in manufacturing system
Authors: Jitpaiboon Thawatchai , Subba Rao S.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The manufacturing community has embraced the concept of total quality management (TQM) but little research has been published on how each aspect of quality is measured. This paper provides a deeper understanding of current quality measures and recommendations for appropriate TQM practices. This article adopts meta‐analysis approach to study issues concerning reliability of TQM measures and find consensus on the relationship between TQM practices and organizational performance across studies. The research findings and managerial implications are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

A meta‐analysis approach was used to study 421 items relating to TQM practices in 50 refereed articles.

Findings

Items were categorized according to Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) categories. A total of 77 items were not matched and eliminated. Findings reveal that the mean value of reliability coefficients (α) is 0.84 in TQM research compared to 0.77 in marketing and 0.81 in MIS. The mean values of α are significantly different across studies based on years and nations. The mean values of α from the nations of North America, South America, Africa, and Asia are significantly higher than those of Europe and Australia. Top management support shows the highest mean effect size of the relationship between TQM practices and organizational performance compared to other relationships.

Originality/value

Meta‐analysis is used to enhance the understanding, applicability, and generalizability of a comparable research with diverse results. It does not require the original data. Using data from already published TQM research, meta‐analysis can be used to improve the understanding of current TQM issues manufacturing firms are facing.
Linkage between the AMSAA models at higher levels of indenture in reliability analysis
Authors: Venkataraman Ray , Unkle Richard
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to determine if there is a linkage between the army material systems analysis activity (AMSAA) reliability growth models at the system and subsystem levels and at the subsystem and functional levels of indenture. If such a linkage exists, how this information can be used when tracking reliability of fielded systems to provide early warning signals to detect unwanted reliability problems at lower levels, where improvements are typically made.

Design/methodology/approach

Actual performance data from large equipments were analyzed for several groupings of such equipment, where equipment age and generation of design determined the groupings. For each dataset, the system‐level trend was measured using the AMSAA model for three different cases. For each of the three cases, all subsystem trends were measured, in addition to the system‐level trend. This was done to see if any relationship exists, as hypothesized, between system and subsystem trends. Data were analyzed using three different combinations of time periods to facilitate a later investigation of the predictive capabilities of the AMSAA model.

Findings

Results indicate that, for large complex systems or equipment, there appears to be a linkage at the subsystem and functional levels. However, no such hazard rate trending relationship exists between the system and subsystem levels. Based on these results, it can be cautiously concluded that, in terms of reliability, in subsystems that exhibit an increasing trend in unwanted issues, there is a higher likelihood of a function that is driving such a trend.

Practical implications

A useful approach in reliability studies to see if the hazard rate trending relationships between levels of hardware indenture exists as one progresses toward the system‐level. For large complex systems or equipments, such as the one represented here, the initial results indicate that the answer is no, at least between the system and subsystem levels of indenture. However, there is strong evidence that such relationships are valid between subsystems and their functions.

Originality/value

This paper advances existing knowledge in the area of reliability analysis by exploring the use of army material systems analysis activity (AMSAA) reliability growth models to determine linkages between the system and subsystem levels and at the subsystem and functional levels of indenture. If such a linkage exists, it is possible to determine how this information can be used to provide early warning signals when tracking reliability of fielded systems.
Multi‐source perspectives of self‐esteem, performance ratings, and source agreement
Authors: Strauss Judy P.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To examine the relationship between self‐esteem and job performance using others' perceptions of self‐esteem and to examine agreement in ratings of self‐esteem across sources.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 143 sales representatives, 113 supervisors, 420 peers, 435 customers, and 510 family and friends completed Rosenberg's measure of self‐esteem and a measure of acquaintanceship. Peers and supervisors rated the subjects' job performance. Correlations and hierarchical regression were used to explore the relationships.

Findings

Customer, peer, and supervisor perceptions of subjects' self‐esteem related significantly to peer and supervisor performance ratings, whereas self and family/friends perceptions did not. There was limited support for the acquaintanceship effect (greater agreement across sources when familiarity is greater), while context affected agreement (same context sources had greater agreement).

Practical implications

The study highlights the importance of looking at an employee from a variety of perspectives. Also, training employees to develop self‐enhancing behaviors may enhance their outcomes. Finally, training raters that their perceptions of co‐workers' self‐esteem may influence evaluations of performance could reduce unconscious errors.

Originality/value

If this had been a traditional study measuring self‐esteem's impact on performance ratings, no significant relationships could have been reported since individuals' perceptions of their own self‐esteem were not valid predictors of performance ratings. It may be the individual's public self‐esteem (e.g. impression management skills) that influences performance ratings. In particular, workplace sources perceived high self‐esteem as being important to job performance. The validity of self‐esteem may be understated through reliance on the self‐report method alone.
Leadership, mood, atmosphere, and cooperative support in project groups
Authors: Bierhoff Hans‐Werner , Müller Günter F.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To analyze the particular influence of leadership styles on voluntary collaboration between members of project groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses a field‐study approach to gather data of 24 project groups in an academic learning context. Takes measures of different leadership styles, affective variables (mood, group atmosphere), and pro‐social work behavior.

Findings

Supports theoretical assumptions about mediating influences of mood and group atmosphere. Shows that leaders of project groups may enhance cooperative support by considering the emotional impact of their behavior.

Research limitations/implications

The field context (academic learning setting, students as project group members) may set limitations to the generalizability of obtained findings.

Practical implications

Helps personnel managers to look at project group leadership from a different point of view.

Originality/value

Provides evidence about an emotionality link between leadership and cooperation.
Entrepreneurs as cultural heroes
Authors: Malach‐Pines Ayala , Levy Haim , Utasi Agnes , Hill T.L.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This exploratory, interdisciplinary, cross‐cultural study attempt to examine the hypothesis that in a country, where entrepreneurs have high status, individuals will describe themselves as more entrepreneurial, will exhibit greater risk‐taking tendency and more will be involved in entrepreneurial activity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study included MBA students in Israel, the USA and Hungary who were asked to compare the social status of entrepreneurs with that of other professionals, rate themselves on traits that were identified as characterizing successful entrepreneurs, and rate the risk they were willing to take to join a start‐up.

Findings

Results showed that Israelis perceived entrepreneurs as having higher social status than Americans and Hungarians. Israelis also demonstrated greater risk taking expressed in the readiness to leave a secure job to join a start‐up. Israelis and Americans rated themselves higher than Hungarians on initiative, love of challenge and independence, the three traits rated highest by actual entrepreneurs. Cautious attempt was made to relate these findings to the total entrepreneurial activity in the three countries and the percentage of adults in the population who start new businesses.

Originality/value

The study contributes to theory and resarch on entrepreneurship by demonstrating the potential inherent in a cross‐cultural, interdisciplinary perspective in general, and the connection between the social status of entrepreneurs and actual entrepreneurial activity in particular.
Barriers to the absorption of management knowledge in Belarus
Authors: Kuznetsov Andrei , Yakavenka Hanna
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To identify factors that impede the absorption of management knowledge imported into transition countries, using Belarus as a case, in order to increase efficiency of knowledge transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings are based on three sources: the extensive analysis of the academic literature; the results of a detailed survey and interviews; and personal observations and impressions gained by the authors during almost ten years of participation in technical assistance programmes for Belarus universities financed by the British Council.

Findings

The study reveals a combination of factors rooted in linguistics, culture, training and ambience that prevent knowledge transfer from fully achieving its objectives as a modernization tool insofar as knowledge gets distorted or missing during the transfer process.

Practical implications

The proposed solution is to intensify the knowledge transfer even further through increasing its interactive component by providing channels for direct interaction between educators in the newly independent states and the West.

Originality/value

This paper introduces new original data, provides an analysis of an important practical issue and offers a feasible solution to this issue.
Essential competencies for cross‐cultural knowledge absorption
Authors: Kayes D. Christopher , Kayes Anna B. , Yamazaki Yoshitaka
Published: January 2007

Purpose – To describe the competencies necessary for managers to effectively engage in cross‐cultural knowledge absorption. Design/methodology/approach – A comprehensive literature review of knowledge management and cross‐cultural competency research which identifies seven thematic competencies for knowledge absorption. Findings – The study identifies and provides examples of seven cross‐cultural knowledge absorption abilities: valuing different cultures, building relationships, listening and observing, coping with ambiguity, managing others, translating complex ideas, and taking action. Research limitations/implications – The research relies on a single theory of learning and integrates research into a single set of assumptions. The research has not been tested empirically. Practical implications – The paper provides a model to guide managers and others in organizations through successful knowledge transfer and absorption efforts including training, development, selection and project planning. Originality/value – The paper integrates diverse and extensive literature on knowledge absorption into a single framework based on how managers learn from experience and suggests competencies for managing absorption efforts.
Forms of host‐country national learning for enhanced MNC absorptive capacity
Authors: Vance Charles M. , Paik Yongsun
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to examine within the theoretical construct of absorptive capacity several forms of host country national (HCN) learning, leading to improved productivity in the foreign operation, and ultimately yielding more effective knowledge generation and flow throughout the multinational corporation (MNC).

Design/methodology/approach

Used open‐ended exploratory field interviews with 51 host country human resource and middle managers in 49 different MNC foreign subsidiaries with headquarters in six different countries. Learning needs in three major employee levels of operative, supervisory/middle management, and upper management were examined. Notes from the interviews were recorded by hand and combined and analyzed for evidence of potentially beneficial forms of HCN learning using procedures of domain and theme analysis in taxonomy development.

Findings

A total of 12 categories of potentially beneficial forms of HCN learning were identified and discussed relative to their contributions to increased absorptive capacity. These forms of learning included such areas as new employee orientation and entry job skills, MNC predominant language, MNC home country cross‐cultural awareness, supervision and technical operations management skills, expatriate coaching and liaison skills, and MNC strategy and culture.

Research limitations/implications

Provides helpful insights on absorptive capacity to promote further theory development, as well as practical guidance for future HCN training to enhance the effective transfer of management knowledge and practice.

Originality/value

Past research in international management has had a predominant focus on expatriates, failing to identify important contributions that can be made by host country nationals to promote the effective transfer of knowledge throughout the multinational organization.
Knowledge transfer in Vietnam: starts, stops, and loops
Authors: Napier N.K.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To offer a framework of structural and contextual influences on knowledge transfer of foreign management ideas to Vietnamese academic and managerial colleagues. It addresses four factors: stage of relationship between Vietnamese and foreign counterparts; participative competence (i.e. knowledge, experience, and motivations of those sending and receiving knowledge); atmosphere within each side's organization; and conduit conditions, or factors that facilitate transmittal or translation of knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on an ethnographic study from 1994‐2003 of the creation of Vietnam's first international standard business school, within the National Economics University (NEU), in Hanoi, which included participant observation, semi‐structured and informal interviews with over 60 Vietnamese faculty members, managers, university administrators, and foreign visiting professors and administrators, field notes, documentation, and archival records.

Findings

The paper concludes that long‐lasting knowledge transfer is not straightforward in its flow; must be bi‐directional for the primary transfer (i.e. of Western business knowledge) to succeed, and moves from primarily explicit to both explicit and more tacit knowledge transfer.

Research limitations/implications

The paper calls for additional research on perceptive competence, organizational atmosphere, conduit conditions, and turning points in relationships.

Practical implications

A toolkit for managers on key aspects to consider in knowledge transfer and exchange within developing countries and within multinational firms.

Originality/value

The paper expands existing models and adds new components regarding the relationship between parties, and the notion of bi‐directional interactions.
Dysfunctional culture, dysfunctional organization
Authors: Balthazard Pierre A. , Cooke Robert A. , Potter Richard E.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to describe how organizational culture is manifested in behavioral norms and expectations, focusing on 12 sets of behavioral norms associated with constructive, passive/defensive, and aggressive/defensive cultural styles.

Design/methodology/approach

The organizational culture inventory, a normed and validated instrument designed to measure organizational culture in terms of behavioral norms and expectations, was used to test hypotheses regarding the impact of culture. Data are summarized from 60,900 respondents affiliated with various organizations that have used the instrument to assess their cultures. Also presented is a brief overview of a practitioner‐led assessment of four state government departments.

Findings

The results of correlational analyses illustrate the positive impact of constructive cultural styles, and the negative impact of dysfunctional defensive styles, on both the individual‐ and organizational‐level performance drivers. The results clearly link the dysfunctional cultural styles to deficits in operating efficiency and effectiveness.

Originality/value

The concept of organizational culture is derived from research in the field of organizational behavior characterized by use of qualitative methods. Yet, one of the most powerful strategies for organizational development is knowledge‐based change, an approach that generally relies on the use of quantitative measures. Although both methods share the potential for producing cumulative bodies of information for assessment and theory testing, quantitative approaches may be more practical for purposes of knowledge‐based approaches for organizational development generally, and assessing cultural prerequisites for organizational learning and knowledge management specifically.
High toxicity leadership
Authors: Goldman Alan
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to assess highly toxic personality disorders in leaders, implications for organizations, and methods for assessment and intervention.

Design/methodology/approach

Action research was used, including a thick description case study narrative and application of the DSM IV‐TR.

Findings

Personality disorders are a source of a highly toxic and dysfunctional organizational behavior; borderline personality disorder in a leader may serve as a systemic contaminant for an organization.

Research limitations/implications

A qualitative, case study approach may not lend itself to replication or quantification; usage of the DSM IV‐TR requires clinical training in counseling psychology; the growing incidence of personality disorders in leadership warrants cognizance, ability to assess, the creation of early detection systems and methods of intervention.

Practical implications

Through the narrative of a case study researchers and practitioners can obtain a glimpse into the day‐to‐day operations and nuances of a highly toxic leader and how it impacts an organization; interventions and solutions are provided.

Originality/value

This paper calls attention to highly toxic leadership and organizational dysfunction by investigating borderline personality disorder as a prototype.
Internal terrorists: the terrorists inside organizations
Authors: Van Fleet David D. , Van Fleet Ella W.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to expand and extend previous work on the role of employees who act in non‐violent ways to achieve their personal ends through inducing fear in others in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature surrounding internal terrorists is reviewed and preliminary survey results are presented to support the conclusions derived from that literature.

Findings

A model is developed that more carefully identifies how the role of internal terrorists comes about and why they are more likely to engage in non‐violent as opposed to violent behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Research is needed to identify those aspects of organizations that seem to foster or “bring out” violent and non‐violent internal terrorists. Given the differences between internal terrorists and other terrorists, more careful study of those two groups is clearly needed. Since most terrorists express feelings of injustice, stronger links should be attempted between the research on organizational justice and internal terrorism. Just as employee theft has been linked to perceived injustice, so, too, internal terrorism may be linked to higher levels of such perceived injustice.

Practical implications

Research is needed to indicate how terrorism evolves over time as well as what measures seem to be most effective in countering such developments within organizations. Of particular interest to practitioners would be determining the extent to which profit‐seeking versus non‐profit organizations accommodate internal terrorists and the extent to which gender matches between the internal terrorist and the target person are common.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap in the literature about the role of internal terrorists by delineating more fully the dysfunctional role those individuals play in organizations.
Exploring the predictors and consequences of job insecurity's components
Authors: Ito Jack K. , Brotheridge Céleste M.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This exploratory study aims to examine the usefulness of distinguishing between the cognitive and emotional components of job insecurity.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross‐sectional survey study was undertaken in a sample of 600 civil servants. A series of regressions are employed to test proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Results support the treatment of the components of job insecurity as separate variables. The cognitive and emotional components differed in their associations with predictors and consequences. Locus of control and employment dependence moderated several relationships. For example, employment dependence moderated the relationship between job insecurity and job loss strain.

Research limitations/implications

The study design was cross‐sectional and, thus, cause‐effect relationships cannot be discerned. Also, since it was undertaken in the public sector, it needs to be cross‐validated in the private sector so that the generalizability of its results can be established. The study points to the utility of separately measuring the components of job insecurity in future research. Also, the role of employment dependence deserves further study given its role as a predictor of job loss strain and as a significant moderator variable.

Practical implications

In supporting the treatment of job security and job loss strain as separate variables, this study suggests that one should consider how to reduce the negative effects of a lack of job security on job loss strain. This is especially important since job loss strain is associated with negative psychological and physiological symptoms. In today's rapidly changing environment, people who feel they have limited extra‐organizational opportunities appear to be particularly vulnerable. Human resource management practices that enhance employee mobility may help to manage their sense of dependence.

Originality/value

This paper addresses two major gaps in the job security literature: it develops a comprehensive model using a two‐component approach to job insecurity; and investigates the potential role of employment dependence as both a cause of insecurity's components and a moderator in the causes → insecurity → consequences model.