bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technical services and user service improvement
Authors: Huang Jie , Wong Katherine
Published: September 2006

Purpose

From the cataloging librarians' point of view, this paper aims to present how technical services, especially the cataloging department, can play important roles in the improvement of user services.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the practices of the University of Oklahoma Libraries.

Findings

The paper identifies several aspects in which technical services can enhance the quality of user services, especially in the cataloging department. A library's online catalog becomes the first point of access to the library's information resources. Its quality can be improved and enriched in many ways to raise users’ satisfaction. Aside from the improvement in technical aspects, efforts should also be made to promote collaboration between technical and public services so as to ensure efficient processing of materials and to meet the needs of library users.

Originality/value

The value of the paper is in showing that the quality of an online catalog and the cooperation between public and technical services are two of the key factors in achieving high quality of user services.
Still a wedge in the door: women training for the construction trades in the USA
Authors: Berik Günseli , Bilginsoy Cihan
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the variations in the entry and exit of women apprentices in the USA, overall and by race/ethnicity, over the 1995‐2003 period. Also aims to examine how women's representation among new apprentices and their attrition and retention rates vary with individual, training program, and occupational characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

An individual‐level dataset from the US Department of Labor is used to estimate econometrically women's representation in apprenticeship programs and women's odds of completing programs.

Findings

Women's representation among new trainees is very low and deteriorating. The results confirm previous findings based on data for the early 1990s that program sponsorship has significant impact on women's representation and retention. Women have better chances of joining the high‐skill construction workforce if they enroll in union‐contractor joint programs. Joint programs feature higher shares of women in the incoming classes and higher odds of graduation in comparison with the unilateral contractor programs. While White women have higher completion rates than Latinas and Black women, the union impact on shares of enrollees is the largest for Black women and the lowest for White women.

Research limitations/implications

The dataset is not nationally representative. It covers 31 states or about 65 percent of all apprentices.

Practical implications

Union sponsorship is necessary but not sufficient to enhance women's integration in the trades. Increasing participation of women in apprenticeship and the trades requires major changes in policies, priorities, and behavior of contactors, unions, and the government to actively recruit women and improve working conditions at the construction site.

Originality/value

This is the first systematic analysis of performance of women apprentices that utilizes the most recent data from the USA.
Vocational training for the unemployed: its impact on uncommonly served groups
Authors: Hebbar Leela
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of vocational training on unemployed workers not typically studied: women enrolled in engineering or computer programming training and high school dropouts.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from New Jersey's Individual Training Grant (ITG) program and a quasi‐experimental design, the study compares the ITG groups' re‐employment and wage recovery rates with a matched comparison group.

Findings

The article finds that women enrolled in the male‐dominated fields of engineering or computer programming experience re‐employment rates that are lower than or similar to those in the comparison group, but they experience higher wage recovery in 8th and 12th quarters after claiming unemployment insurance (UI). Hispanic high school dropouts experience both higher re‐employment and wage recovery rates than their comparison group, but the wage recovery advantage disappears when those enrolled in truck driving training are removed from the sample. Further, white and black high school dropouts experience no re‐employment or wage recovery advantage. For all participants, the study finds participants experience a higher re‐employment rate than the comparison group beginning in the fifth quarter and experience no wage recovery advantage.

Research limitations/implications

To address the concern of selection bias, a difference‐in‐difference wage model controls for time‐variant differences in unobservables and an employment regression model controls for remaining differences in the matching variables.

Practical implications

These results suggest that training improves re‐employment chances and that type of training matters with respect to wage recovery. In this sample, those enrolled in truck driving training, engineering, and computer programming tended to experience higher wage recovery than their comparison group.

Originality/value

This paper examines the impact of vocational training on unemployed workers not typically studied.
The market reaction to layoff announcements: a union‐nonunion comparison
Authors: Abraham Steven E.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the market reaction to layoff announcements of union and nonunion employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Event study methodology was utilized to assess the effects of layoff announcements of union versus nonunion employees. The union status of the laid‐off employees was determined for 135 layoff announcements reported in the Wall Street Journal in 1993 and 1994 and shareholder returns between the two groups was compared.

Findings

Over each event period tested, the market reaction was more negative when nonunion employees were downsized than when the announcement concerned unionized employees. Over the two days surrounding the announcement, the market reaction to the layoff announcement of unionized employees was actually positive, while the reaction was negative when nonunion employees were the subject of the announcement.

Research limitations/implications

The sample included layoff announcements from 1993 and 1994 only. The market reaction to announcements in different years might be different.

Originality/value

While many papers have examined the market reaction to layoff announcements, this is the first paper that compares the reaction to union versus nonunion employees.
ICT and older workers: no unwrinkled relationship
Authors: de Koning Jaap , Gelderblom Arie
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to find out to what extent older workers make use of ICT and to what extent this influences their job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Workers of various age groups are surveyed in two sectors: printing industry and wholesale trade. The use of (various types of) ICT is compared for a number of age groups, controlling the influence of other explanatory variables and correcting the fact that older users are a selective group. In the next step, the use of ICT is one of the factors explaining performance.

Findings

The results show that, compared with younger workers, older workers make less use of ICT in their job, use less complicated applications and have more difficulties in using ICT. This is to their disadvantage as the use of ICT and particularly the level of use appear to affect performance positively.

Research limitations/implications

The research is concentrated on two specific sectors which are forerunners in the field of ICT. A generalization of the results is therefore most applicable to industries and jobs in which ICT plays an important role.

Practical implications

The results suggest that company policies can be of help in dealing with the problem. However, the provision of formal training in ICT has no significant effect.

Originality/value

Contrary to what is often done in this type of study, the level on which ICT is used is taken into account. Moreover, direct indicators for performance are used instead of wages. Particularly for older workers wages may not reflect productivity.
Constructing factors related to worker retention
Authors: Huang Ing‐Chung , Lin Hao‐Chieh , Chuang Chih‐Hsun
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of individual‐based, firm‐based, and market factors on job retention, basing its hypotheses on human capital theory and signaling models.

Design/methodology/approach

By collecting secondary data on 180 employees who left their jobs at one firm and interviewing human resource managers and those who left for other jobs, factors determining the decision to stay with a firm for a certain period were investigated. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed to test hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Marriage, gender, honored employee status, relative pay (both inter‐firm and intra‐firm wages), speed of promotion, and economic cycles had a significant impact on how long the employees retained their jobs, but education level and individual performance did not. Firm‐specific human capital, wages, and signaling effects were proved to affect job retention. Firm‐based factors had a significantly more pronounced impact on the ultimate decision than individual‐based factors.

Research limitations/implications

This study examines worker mobility from the perspective of actual length of job retention, complementing existing streams of research based on intention to leave. Because a few unexamined psychological and sociological factors may confound the findings and because only examine one firm is examined, care should be used when generalizing the findings to other firms.

Practical implications

The study provides evidence useful in the creation of human resource management practices aimed at retaining competent employees.

Originality/value

This study's research questions and methods are new to the line of turnover studies, making it a starting point for further lines of exploration.
Precarious migrant knowledge workers: new entrepreneurial identities in Naples, Italy
Authors: DeMaria Harney Nicholas
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine migrants working as inter‐cultural mediators at the interface of the formal and informal economies in southern Italy so as to question the conventional representation of knowledge workers.

Design/methodology/approach

Ethnographic evidence collected between September 2004 and July 2005 is presented of the knowledge work of these precarious non‐European Union migrants in Naples, Italy.

Findings

This paper displays the need to consider alternative forms of knowledge work and knowledge worker that are central to the globalizing economy. Migration and difference and their resulting social realities are seen as central features of contemporary economic change. Depicting the creative, flexible, problem‐solving aspects of intercultural mediators who work with undocumented and documented migrants in the Naples area, this paper shows how these African migrant mediators make use of their full repertoire of formally trained knowledge and more centrally their social, tacit, experiential and embodied knowledge intimately linked with their Africanness and self‐awareness of their precarious migrant status to gain the trust of other Africans. In fact, their flexibility in the face of changing circumstances and their manipulation, reading and negotiation of cultural codes depending on circumstances reveals a flexible, enterprising style suited to the challenges of the knowledge economy.

Research limitations/implications

It displays how current conceptualisations of the knowledge economy and knowledge worker in contemporary advanced economies need considerable revision to include other types of migrant normally excluded from discussions.

Originality/value

This is one of the first attempts to display the relationship between knowledge workers, immigrants and the informal economy.
Enterprising futures or dead‐end jobs? Women, self employment and social exclusion
Authors: Marlow Susan
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Since the late 1980s, much attention has been afforded to the notion of social exclusion and how governments might address this problem. One such solution has been the encouragement of self employment amongst those considered to be socially excluded with the aim of creating opportunity for individuals, generating new jobs and contributing to local economic regeneration. The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the relationship between entrepreneurship and social exclusion by considering the potential for benefit dependent lone mothers to enter self employment in order to escape disadvantage.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical paper which draws upon the concepts of gender, enterprise and social exclusion which are then linked through an analysis of the possibilities which self employment may offer benefit dependent lone mothers to undertake an economically viable activity.

Findings

From the arguments explored here, it would appear that self employment is limited in terms of meeting the economic needs of these women, is unlikely to create new job opportunities or act as impetus to local regeneration and in fact, may encourage undeclared working for both the owners and employees in such enterprises.

Originality/value

Draws upon a range of diverse arguments to offer an original contribution to the social policy and entrepreneurship debate.
Understanding the virtuality of virtual organizations
Authors: Shekhar Sandhya
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The virtual organization is emerging as a much‐researched phenomenon in the context of inter‐organizational relationships as well as intra‐organizational issues. However, the existing literature on the subject provides multifarious views of virtual organizations, making it difficult to compare findings in research and derive actionable inputs for practice. This paper proposes a multi‐dimensional model with nine possible variants that serves to accommodate and understand virtuality in its various forms, giving greater conceptual clarity on how virtuality can be measured and interpreted in an organizational context.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the literature shows that most discussions on virtuality have not made a clear delineation of its facets.

Findings

This paper first identifies the granularity and directionality of virtuality in order to understand virtuality in its different contexts. It then suggests that virtuality should be examined in terms of factors that influence it, the degree of virtuality, and the outcomes of virtuality.

Research limitations/implications

Given the breadth of coverage required to present a model in an area that is as large and complex as virtual organizations, a detailed discussion of the operationalization of the constructs has not been possible.

Originality/value

From a researcher's perspective, this model should aid a better understanding of virtuality whilst providing a framework within which existing and future contributions in this area can be studied. From a managerial perspective, this can be used by organizations to assess whether virtuality is indeed leveraged as a strategic tool or is largely a mere technological phenomenon.
The executive coaching trend: towards more flexible executives
Authors: Jones Renae A. , Rafferty Alannah E. , Griffin Mark A.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper proposes to investigate the influence of executive coaching on managerial flexibility in order to build a stronger theoretical and empirical basis for executive coaching research.

Design/methodology/approach

A repeated measures design was adopted. About 11 leaders participated in a leadership development program and received executive coaching over a three‐month period. Leaders were surveyed prior to coaching, during coaching, and post coaching.

Findings

Repeated measures analysis revealed that self‐reported managerial flexibility increased throughout the duration of executive coaching.

Research limitations/implications

This exploratory study provides initial support for the argument that executive coaching positively impacts on managerial flexibility. Several areas for future research are discussed including examining the influence of executive coaching on the dimensions of managerial flexibility.

Originality/value

This study provides a detailed overview of how to develop an executive coaching program and empirically tested the effects of executive coaching on executives' flexibility. A number of areas for future research were identified.
ABB robots form part of islands of automation to build body shells at Jaguar Cars
Authors: Mortimer John
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Describes how Jaguar Cars in the UK is using robots to manufacture aluminium car bodies for its new XK sports car that is being built in the company's plant in Castle Bromwich, UK.

Design/methodology/approach

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

Findings

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

Research limitations/implications

The introduction of SPRs and self‐tapping screws, adhesive bonding and MIG welding of cosmetic aluminium skin panels is the result of considerable research work on the part of Jaguar engineers and the company's suppliers, as well as Warwick University. Three of these techniques require the services of robots with their integrated controls. This work is likely to continue in order to reduce cycle times and improve overall product performance, both to the benefit of manufacturer and end‐user – the customer. This paper provides a unique insight into the development of a facility with islands of automation to produce aluminium body shells.

Practical implications

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

Originality/value

This is the first time Jaguar Cars has used ABB robots in significant numbers to apply SPRs and self‐tapping screws to join aluminium components. ABB robots are also used for body shell inspection and MIG welding aluminum skin panels.
Fault‐tolerant teleoperation systems design
Authors: Dede Mehmet , Tosunoglu Sabri
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The objective of this study is to enhance the usage of teleoperation fields, such as in nuclear site decommissioning or nuclear waste disposal, by designing a stable, dependable and fault‐tolerant teleoperation system in the face of “extraordinary” conditions. These “extraordinary” conditions can be classified as variable time delays in communications lines, usage of different robotic systems, component failures and changes in the system parameters during task execution.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper first gives a review of teleoperation systems developed earlier. Later, fault tolerance is proposed for use in teleoperation systems at the processor, actuator, sub‐system, and system levels. Position/force control algorithms are recommended to address stability issues when there is a loss in communications. Various other controls are also introduced to overcome the instability experienced when there is a time delay in the communications line.

Findings

Finally, this work summarizes the teleoperation system architecture and controller design options in terms of a flowchart to help in the conceptual design of such systems.

Originality/value

The impact of these new designs and algorithms will be to expand the limits and boundaries of teleoperation and a widening of its utilization area. Enhanced operation of these systems will improve system reliability and even encourage their use in more critical and diverse applications.
Modernity and tradition in a global era
Authors: Pick David , Dayaram Kandy
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the re‐interpretation and justification of caste in India in the face of modernising influences and the efforts of legislators to disassemble its structures and traditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The concepts of de‐traditionalisation and governmentality are deployed to illuminate the reconstruction of caste within the framework and imperatives of global industrial capitalism.

Findings

Caste now has a different source of justification in that it serves the functions and needs of the “winners” of globalisation at the expense of the “losers”. In traditional caste‐based society each caste moved in separate social spheres. This is simply not possible in a modern capitalist state based on a web of social, economic, and political inter‐dependencies. This has the potential to cause social dislocation, threatening India's economic and social well‐being and development. This paper demonstrates that whilst caste is still prevalent in Indian society it can no longer appeal to tradition for legitimacy.

Practical implications

Resource distribution and the creation of an inclusive environment is a critical policy issue. The challenge for social policy in India is tackling the entrenched inequality of the caste system in its emerging, contemporary form. Equal opportunities will remain imaginary, unless India takes adequate steps towards capacity building in disadvantaged social groups.

Originality/value

De‐traditionalisation and governmentality have so far only been applied to developed or Western nations. This paper uses these concepts to provide a critical account of an important social issue in developing nations.
Shades of grey in the informal economy
Authors: Jones Trevor , Ram Monder , Edwards Paul
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the influence of the national minimum wage (NMW) in the UK to small business owners operating in the informal economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the clothing and restaurant sectors as a context, the responses of ethnic minority employers operating in the informal economy are examined in the light of market and regulatory change (notably, the NMW). Case studies are undertaken with 17 business owners and their workers. Given the sensitivity of the information required (reasons for non‐compliance; avoidance strategies; labour use), industry “insiders” were deployed to gain access.

Findings

The findings highlight considerable diversity in employer responses, despite the focus on two comparative narrow market sectors. This has implications for both neo‐liberal approaches to the informal economy, and the so‐called “marginalisation” thesis.

Research limitations/implications

Provides an insight into a neglected segment of the informal economy. Future studies should look at wider range of sectors and compare the experiences of different ethnic minority groups.

Practical implications

This paper demonstrates why extant policy initiatives designed to formalise informal work face major structural barriers. Further, the informal economy is much more widespread than policy discourse suggests, thus accentuating the challenge for policy‐makers.

Originality/value

Extant literature on informal economy tends to be “race‐blind” and rarely linked to the sphere of employment relations. This paper helps to fill both of these gaps.
A safety net or ties that bind? Women, welfare and self‐employment
Authors: Marlow Susan
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper sets out to examine the challenges facing benefit‐dependent lone mothers who seek to engage with self‐employment.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach offers a detailed analysis of the experiences of three women considering the transition from benefit dependency to self‐employment.

Findings

The current welfare regime discourages lone mothers from entering formal self‐employment.

Research limitations/implications

The number of cases is limited by the nature of the study involved. Future work would seek to expand upon this.

Practical implications

Questions are raised regarding the efficacy of current welfare to work policies as, in this case, they would appear to impede enterprising behaviour and positively encourage informal working.

Originality/value

The paper engages in a novel fashion with the concepts of gender, welfare dependency and enterprise whilst developing a critique of current policy.
Harnessing the potential of the social economy? Time banks and UK public policy
Authors: Seyfang Gill
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The paper aims to improve understanding of the UK policy context for the social economy and thereby increase policy effectiveness in promoting the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

First the term “social economy” is discussed and defined. Then the range of policy responses to the social economy is reviewed. The interface between the social economy and policy is examined in detail using a case study initiative: time banks, a type of community currency which uses time as money.

Findings

UK government policy responds very positively to the social economy, viewing it as a potential provider of social cohesion, public service delivery, and sustainable development. However, the time bank case study reveals that existing social policy on work and employment is a barrier to realising the potential of the sector.

Practical implications

Proposals to overcome these policy barriers are suggested: they share the approach of redefining “work” and valuing and rewarding unpaid community efforts in the social economy.

Originality/value

The social economy is attracting increasing policy attention, but there is little empirical research in this area. This paper presents a review of existing policy and examines the impacts of policy in the social economy.
Reconstructing inventory management theory
Authors: Buxey Geoff
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper sets out to discuss practical inventory control systems. Orthodox theory revolves around the purchaser and balances ordering costs against charges for carrying goods in stock. However, for any company holding thousands of different items the directives for constructing the best system(s) are confusing and the logic seems inconsistent. The research objective is to clarify this hitherto unsatisfactory situation and to provide robust guidelines for managing such inventories.

Design/methodology/approach

A small number of published examples are described in sufficient detail to reveal what these firms actually do. Each case is dissected to uncover management's motives, since the original reports were not embellished with useful analytical comments. The aim is to reconstruct the overall design process.

Findings

The myopic standpoint of established models neglects the impact of various ordering policies at the supplier's end, where the promotion of cost‐effective and responsive warehouse and transport operations is paramount. As a rule, both areas benefit from stable resources planning, based on cyclic orders and delivery schedules along fixed vehicle routes.

Practical implications

An alternative “top down” approach is proposed. The main thrust is the efficient deployment of a designated transport fleet. Also, some salient points are made concerning the relative merits of P‐ and Q‐type stock replenishment modes.

Originality/value

The paper provides a new perspective on stock control that brings theory into line with modern supply chain management concepts.
The effects of lean production on worker job stress
Authors: Conti Robert , Angelis Jannis , Cooper Cary , Faragher Brian , Gill Colin
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This empirical paper seeks to address the neglected work condition aspect of lean production (LP) implementation, specifically the relationship between LP and worker job stress.

Design/methodology/approach

The Karasek job stress model was used to link shopfloor practices to expected worker stress. The model incorporates the effects of job demands (physical and psychological), job control and social support. The study employs management and worker questionnaires, management interviews and structured plant tours. The response variable is total worker job stress – the sum of the physical and mental stress levels. The independent variable for the first question is the degree of lean implementation at the sites.

Findings

The results are based on 1,391 worker responses at 21 sites in the four UK industry sectors. About 11 tested practices are significantly related to stress and an unexpected non‐linear response of stress to lean implementation is identified. Results indicate that LP is not inherently stressful, with stress levels significantly related to management decisions in designing and operating LP systems.

Practical implications

The hypotheses tests shed light on the relationships between LP practices and job stress, and reveal a significant managerial influence on stress levels. The regression model shows the scale and significant lean practices of this influence, with the work practices explaining 30 percent of job stress variations. The stress reduction and stress control opportunities identified in the study show the potential for designing and operating effective lean systems while also controlling stress levels.

Originality/value

This is the first known multi‐industry empirical study of the relationship of job stress to a range of lean practices and to the degree of lean implementation.
The strategic pursuit of mix flexibility through operators' involvement in decision making
Authors: Karuppan Corinne M. , Kepes Sven
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Fast‐paced, hyper‐competitive environments require organizations to use flexible resources and delegate decision making. This paper aims to examine the synergistic effects of operators' involvement in decision making (IIDM) and equipment reliability across operations on mix flexibility when speed is emphasized. A theoretical framework integrating strategic decision making and operations management theories is proposed to uncover the dynamics of such relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Both objective and subjective data were collected at the individual level from different sources in a single organization. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the framework.

Findings

Results show that: an emphasis on speed and experience interact to predict IIDM; and IIDM and machine reliability have compensatory effects in predicting mix flexibility, i.e. greater operator IIDM results in a more varied output mix, but this effect wanes as machine reliability increases.

Research limitations/implications

The use of a single research facility permitted extensive data collection and strengthened internal validity, but it also limited the generalizability of the results. Assuaging this concern is the fact that the results support well‐established theories.

Originality/value

Labor flexibility should be construed in terms of job enlargement and enrichment. For organizations, the study highlights the importance of a well‐trained workforce to support and exploit technological capabilities. It also sets parameters over which decision making is most effective.
The refinement of design for manufacture: inclusion of process design
Authors: Lu Qiang , Wood Lincoln
Published: September 2006

Purpose

There are three distinct functions in the product realisation chain (product design, process design, and process execution) and thus there are two interfaces (product design – process design; process design – process execution) rather than one (product – manufacturing). This fact supports a need to shift from dyadic relationships to triadic relationships and from the traditionally single interface concept of design for manufacture (DFM) to multiple “design for” elements. This study seeks to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an in – depth case study in an electronics plant and qualitative data analysis, we reveal the existence and functions of these “design for” elements are revealed, and also the link between the implementation of these elements to the levels of process engineering capability.

Findings

Proactive and capable process engineering allows improvement of technical coordination among functions. This enables the “design for” mechanisms for both upstream elements (product design) and downstream elements (process execution); this has a positive impact on the performance of product realisation (especially time to market) and thus operational competitiveness.

Research limitations/implications

Since this is a single case study, future empirical research with larger sample sizes should provide further validation of these findings and demonstrate better generalisability of developed concepts.

Practical implications

This paper highlights several initiatives, conceptually linked to the appropriate “design for” elements, which may be applied in manufacturing settings to support product realisation objectives. Process design, as a significant and proactive intermediate component, should be given sufficient attention and investment.

Originality/value

The study expands the existing DFM concept to several new “design for” concepts and discusses some implementation‐related issues.
A reexamination of welfare states from an institutional perspective
Authors: Sasaki Norio
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To explain a fiscal rule that functions in a different way from a constitutional ideal of a welfare state, as Japan's case, and to give a literary examination of that kind of thoughts in modern economics and theory of public finance.

Design/methodology/approach

Compares neo‐institutional economics and fiscal sociology about the role of a government, using recent fiscal data of developed countries.

Findings

For neo‐institutional economics it is difficult to explain “welfare state” that substitutes the role of a family because the approach can only explain a complementary relationship of organizations in higher levels with lower organizations.

Practical implications

Points out that neo‐institutional economics should be examined by a historical formation of each rule and a real legal system in each country.

Originality/value

Discusses institutional economics and fiscal sociology from an aspect of possibility of applying to the field of public finance and social welfare.
Bismarck and the social question
Authors: van Meerhaeghe Marcel
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the work of Bismarck in relation to social legislation.

Design/methodology/approach

Bismarck's points of views are sketched mainly through quotations from his speeches in Parliament. His position regarding social protection is discussed and a brief evaluation of his policy is presented.

Findings

Germany, through the work of Bismarck, was the first country where the state organised a modern social‐security system. Compulsory sickness, accident and old‐age insurances were passed in 1883, 1884 and 1889, respectively. However, the Chancellor's social policy was not the result of a comprehensive, global, “definitive” programme. It was an opportunist policy influenced more by political than by social motives.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into Bismarck's social policy in the context of the social question.
Outsourcing – how to do it right
Authors: Sinton Charles
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Organizations are often reluctant to relinquish control of core services but the trend in appointing outside contractors to handle non‐core activities should and can work well if arrangements are handled carefully.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
Effective leadership and successful career advancement: perspectives from women in health care
Authors: Hopkins Margaret M. , O’Neil Deborah A. , Bilimoria Diana
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This exploratory study describes the images of effective leadership and successful organizational advancement held by women in numerous positions in the health care fields.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys of 140 women in the health care field were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed.

Findings

Differences were found between the characteristics of effective leadership and the characteristics contributing to successful advancement. Women in health care predominantly portray effective leadership in other‐oriented (team or organizationally focused) and stereotypically feminine or gender‐neutral terms. In contrast, successful advancement in organizations was predominantly and almost exclusively described in self‐focused and stereotypically masculine terms. Similarities and differences in the perspectives on leadership effectiveness, career advancement, satisfaction, and development strategies were examined among physicians, nurses, administrators, faculty, and others (scientists and researchers).

Research limitations/implications

Implications of the disparate perspectives held by women in health care are discussed and future directions for research are proposed.

Originality/value

Since women overwhelmingly dominate employment in the health care field, to explicate their unique perspectives of leadership and career advancement.
Time out of work: career costs for men and women US managers
Authors: Schneer Joy , Reitman Frieda
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This study examines the impact of employment gaps on career success for men and women managers. Women have had concerns about their ability to achieve career success in managerial careers that had required uninterrupted commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes mail survey data collected in early post‐MBA career from men and women MBAs. Two cohorts of alumni were sent surveys containing questions on career and demographic factors. Career success was assessed using an objective measure (yearly income) and a subjective measure (career satisfaction).

Findings

MBAs with employment gaps earned less than those continuously employed for both the early and recent cohorts. This income penalty appears to be worse for men. Career satisfaction is not impacted by an employment gap for the recent cohort.

Research limitations/implications

Since the sample is geographically limited, the findings may not apply to other regions of the US or other countries.

Practical implications

There is still a bias against managers with discontinuous work histories. While the managers themselves have accepted alternate career patterns, employers have not. The nature of career paths is changing and organizations need to accept this.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the career literature by providing analyses of two data sets from different decades with the same controlled educational background. It seems that women and men can achieve a satisfying managerial career even with time out of work although there are still some income penalties.
Modelling a culturally sensitive approach to fuel poverty
Authors: Todd Stephen , Steele Andrew
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper seeks to discuss the need for the development of a more flexible measure of energy efficiency based on an ever increasing multi‐cultural society.

Design/methodology/approach

Outlines the reasons for the prevalence of fuel poverty among the BME community, using the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities as case studies. Then considers how culture and tradition among these communities directly impact on their use of their home and how this has implications for Energy Assessment Procedures. Individual cultural issues have traditionally not been modelled in the assessment of Fuel Poverty. These issues include the different use of the dwelling; whereas white householders would generally only use one room as their main living room, it is traditional for those of the BME householder to use two rooms. This is significant in energy usage terms as these rooms are heated to a higher temperature than the rest of the house and therefore affect the amount required to be spent on energy. It is also true that the BME community are likely to spend more on cooking and appliance usage and this should be taken into account to provide an accurate assessment.

Findings

This methodology provides a more scientific base for the determination of how hard an individual dwelling is to heat and therefore whether or not an individual household is in fuel poverty.

Originality/value

Evidence has been collected from a number of studies to identify how a BME household utilises space and heating within their dwelling. In order to ascertain fuel poverty these issues have not generally been taken into account, which can lead to inaccurate determinations. However, by the use of BREDEM tools and household knowledge these issues can be assessed accurately.
Criteria for the indoor environment for energy performance of buildings
Authors: Olesen Bjarne W. , Seppanen Olli , Boerstra Atze
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To provide input data to design and energy performance calculations of buildings and ventilation, heating, cooling and lighting systems.

Design/methodology/approach

European directive for energy performance of buildings was approved in the beginning of 2003. The transition period is 3‐6 years depending on the article. European Standardisation Organisation (CEN) has drafted several standards to help the member countries implementing the directive. One of these is the “Criteria for the indoor environment including thermal, indoor air quality (ventilation) light and noise.” The standard has been developed based on existing international standards and guidelines for the indoor environment taken into account the latest results from published research.

Findings

The standard specifies design values of indoor environment, values to be used in energy calculations, and methods how to verify the specified indoor environment in the buildings. The paper describes some of the principles used in standards, and gives examples presented in the standard. The standard covers all building types but the paper is focuses on the non‐residential buildings, numeric examples are given only for offices.

Research limitations/implications

The draft standard is under international review process during writing this paper, and subject to changes. The standard give default criteria for the indoor environmental parameters, which can be used if no national requirements are available.

Originality/value

This paper describes the indoor environmental parameters, which are important for people's health, comfort and energy consumption of buildings. This will help users to select more uniform input data for energy calculations.
Causes and prevention of symptom complaints in office buildings
Authors: Mendell Mark J. , Brennan Terry , Hathon Lee , Odom J. David , Offerman Francis J. , Turk Bradley H. , Wallingford Kenneth M. , Diamond Richard C. , Fisk William J.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The goal of this project was to develop practical strategies for preventing building‐related symptoms in office buildings, based on the experience of those who investigate buildings with health complaints, and suitable for use by those who own, lease, or manage office space.

Design/methodology/approach

Ideas from six experienced building investigators on primary causes and key prevention strategies were gathered and prioritized through consensus and voting in a structured, multi‐day workshop.

Findings

IEQ investigators from diverse climatic regions agreed on the most important problems causing symptom complaints in office buildings, and the key strategies for prevention. The top ranked problems identified were, in priority order: excessive building moisture, inadequate outdoor air, excessive dust, pollutant gases and odors, inadequate thermal control, and inadequate attention by management to indoor environments. The highest priority recommended prevention strategies for building‐related symptoms were: managing moisture at building exteriors, operating ventilation systems per design intent, providing at least the minimum recommended ventilation rates, and maintaining indoor temperatures at 72°F±2° (22°C±1°). Available scientific findings were generally consistent with these recommendations.

Research limitations/implications

Validity of these findings, from a subjective synthesis of empirical knowledge, not from scientific research, has not yet been scientifically confirmed.

Practical implications

These recommendations, including managing moisture at building exteriors, providing adequate ventilation, and controlling indoor thermal conditions, provide practical, empirically based guidelines for those who own, manage, or maintain office buildings.

Originality/value

The empirical knowledge of practitioners, concentrated and synthesized here, offers more direct guidance for health‐protective strategies in office buildings than current science.
A critical review of the impact of embedded smart sensors on productivity in the workplace
Authors: Shabha Ghasson
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the embedded smart sensors (ESS) technologies and productivity; it seeks to provide an overview regarding the use and impacts of ESS in particular on users' performance. An attempt will be made to explore some of the current ESS tools and technologies, which might affect user performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review and critical analysis of recently published papers (1999‐2005) related to intelligent buildings and smart sensors which aims to assess their impacts on productivity and performance in office buildings.

Findings

In today's immense challenges of uncertainty, workforce mobility and ever increasing insecurity and unpredictability characterizing many business organizations ESS and will have a wide‐ranging ramifications to office productivity which is partially dependent on the utility of the space and internal environment within which business operates.

Practical implications

Intelligent networks based on open, interoperable and interchangeable ESS will be of a paramount importance in optimizing the operational efficiency of office buildings as much as it will provide a long‐term multi‐ strategic approach for facility and property management. This will be beneficial to varying property stakeholders including clients, owners, facilities managers and end‐users of office building; this in turn determines the responsiveness of space.

Originality/value

It is anticipated that that the findings will be vital for all those professionals involved into the design process, management and operation of workplace.