bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prerequisites for performance measurement supporting purchaser-supplier collaboration
Authors: Jääskeläinen Aki , Thitz Otto
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the prerequisites for performance measurement supporting purchaser-supplier relationships and value co-creation. It also explains the causes for the limited use of collaborative measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

Four case companies representing different contextual settings are studied. The primary source of empirical material is an interview study addressed to 24 interviewees. The empirical data are analyzed according to the constructs created as a result of the literature review.

Findings

The results reveal that prevailing performance measurement practices represent a more transactional than relationship-oriented approach to purchaser-supplier collaboration. The technical prerequisites for collaborative performance measurement are mostly not fulfilled, inhibiting the use of performance measurement in a collaborative manner. It is proposed that the differentiation between project and process production types has implications on the importance of collaborative performance measurement.

Research limitations/implications

The paper illustrates the desirable characteristics of performance measurement supporting collaboration. It also presents an application of collaborative performance measurement in a single case context. The research reveals the need to develop non-financial performance measures further in order to facilitate the more proactive use of performance measurement supporting true value co-creation between purchaser and supplier companies.

Originality/value

The empirical research on the topic of performance measurement in purchasing and supply management (PSM) is often limited to intra-organizational measurement and highlights transactional approach to collaboration between parties, although PSM research has otherwise acknowledged the importance of value creation and relationships between organizations.
Labor productivity in the construction industry
Authors: Chaturvedi Shobhit , Thakkar Jitesh J. , Shankar Ravi
Published: January 2018

Purpose

As the construction industry undertakes complex and innovative projects, improving the labor productivity that helps accomplish the triple bottom line dimensions (time, schedule and performance) assumes greater importance. It is of even greater importance in developing countries like India where most of building construction takes place on a manual basis. In response, the purpose of this paper is to develop an evaluation framework for assessing the labor productivity in the construction industry. The application of the framework is demonstrated for the case of the Indian construction industry and key insights are reported.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature review and expert survey has helped to identify 4 main dimensions and 14 different factors affecting labor productivity in the construction industry. An application of Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory was deployed to investigate into the causality of labor productivity dimensions.

Findings

The research delivers a quantitative labor productivity assessment framework for evaluating causal relationships among the factors influencing labor productivity in the construction industry. The result obtained for a typical case of the Indian construction industry showed that the safety at construction site has a profound effect on labor-related factors.

Originality/value

The paper makes two contributions in the domain of labor productivity assessment in the construction industry. First, it proposes an evaluation framework to investigate into the causal relationships among the labor productivity factors. This proposed framework is robust and can be used to compare the performance of different construction projects using an integrated approach proposed by this research. Such exploratory analysis would assist benchmarking studies. Second, it undertakes an empirical investigation for the Indian construction industry to develop key managerial insights and extend policy-related recommendations.
Unfamiliar relatives in the service sector
Authors: Hrnciar Miroslav , Madzik Peter , Uram Matej
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper presents an approach by which potential benchmarking partners in the service sector can be matched together more efficiently. The purpose of this paper is to decide which organisations are appropriate partners based on their distinctive characteristics and problems with service management.

Design/methodology/approach

In the research presented in this paper, cluster analysis and other statistical analyses were applied to data from a survey of managers in service organisations with the aim of identifying groups of services related to each other in their distinctive characteristics and the problems they face.

Findings

The research found that it is possible to identify hidden “relationships” that allow superficially different services to be grouped together. The identified relationships are based on similarities in the problems which the companies face and their distinctive characteristics. Operating in a different area of activity increases the chance that a service provider will be willing to enter into a partnership and greater potential innovation value from best practice. Cluster analysis was used to identify three groups of services in the research sample which could be benchmarking partners for each other.

Research limitations/implications

The research studied only a selective group of nine services in different areas of activity. A statistical survey of 388 organisations in one country verified the methodology in terms of statistical significance and the potential for successful identification and adoption of best practice within a group of related services created using the proposed procedure has also been confirmed. The real value of the approach can only be determined by its repeated use to establish benchmarking partnerships and the success of such partnerships, which can be defined as the adoption of innovative best practice.

Practical implications

The approach described in this paper could make it easier to develop non-competitive benchmarking in the service sector and increase the probability of success in identifying and transferring best practices between organisations in benchmarking partnerships established using it.

Originality/value

One of the first steps in collaborative benchmarking is to establish a partnership with a similar non-competing organisation. The procedure for this step is still not adequately defined. This paper contributes to the theoretical foundations and practical applications of research by setting out an original method for identifying suitable partners in non-competing sectors of the service industries. This will improve the prospects for successful partnership and greater innovativeness in best practice.
Examining effects of internal public relations practices on organizational social capital in the Korean context
Authors: Kim Daewook
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how internal public relations practices (e.g. internal communication and relationship management strategies) enhance employees’ organizational social capital in the Korean context by examining the mediation roles of employee-organization relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher then recruited 23 field research assistants to collect data from 23 organizations in South Korea. For the purpose of this study, the researcher trained each of the research assistants, kept the confidentiality of each research participant, and used common methods of data collection. After this training process, the research assistants distributed an online link and encouraged employees in 23 organizations to participate in this survey. From these 23 organizations, 287 participants completed the survey. However, the authors had to delete 11 invalid responses. Consequently, the authors used a total of 276 responses to analyze the data.

Findings

The results of this study showed that two-way and symmetrical internal communication strategies were associated positively with employee-organization relationships and organizational social capital. Additionally, satisfaction and control mutuality had mediating effects on the relations between internal communication strategies and organizational social capital.

Originality/value

These results contribute to expanding the functions of internal public relations practices into organizational social capital.
Organizational resources, organizational engagement climate, and employee engagement
Authors: Albrecht Simon , Breidahl Emil , Marty Andrew
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The majority of job demands-resources (JD-R) research has focused on identifying the job demands, job resources, and personal resources that influence engagement. The purpose of this paper is to assess the significance of proposed associations between organizationally focused resources, organizational engagement climate, and engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested a model proposing that six specific organizational resources would have positive associations with organizational engagement climate, and positive direct and indirect associations with job resources and employee engagement. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted on cross-sectional survey data provided by 1,578 employees working in a range of different organizations.

Findings

The CFA and SEM analyses yielded good fit to the data. As proposed, all six organizational resources were positively associated with organizational engagement climate. Four were positively associated with job resources, and two were positively associated with engagement. Organizational engagement climate was positively associated with job resources and employee engagement. Significant indirect relationships were also observed.

Research limitations/implications

Despite self-reported data and a cross-sectional design, tests of common method variance did not suggest substantive method effects. Overall, the results contribute new insights about what may influence engagement, and highlight the importance of organizational engagement climate as a motivational construct.

Practical implications

The research offers up potentially useful measures of six organizational resources and a measure of organizational engagement climate that can complement and broaden the current focus on job-level diagnostics. As such, targeted management action and survey feedback processes can be used to identify processes to build sustainable organizational engagement capability.

Originality/value

No previous research has identified a comprehensive set of organizational resources, operationalized organizational engagement climate, or examined their relationships within a JD-R context. The results suggest that the JD-R can perhaps usefully be extended to include more organizationally focused constructs.
The intellectual capital and the learning organization
Authors: Durrah Omar Muhammad , Allil Kamaal Kamel , Alkhalaf Taher
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the simultaneous effect of the intellectual capital (IC) dimensions (human capital (HC), structural capital (SC), and relational capital (RC)) in enhancing the learning organization (LO) capability, specifically in the health sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey data were collected from administrative staff working in a well-known hospital in Paris. In all, 182 observations were used to test the hypotheses. The data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The results illustrate that only one dimension of IC, namely HC has a positive and significant effect on the LO capability while the other two dimensions namely SC and RC were found to have no significant effect.

Research limitations/implications

The current study highlights the significance of the HC in building and enhancing the LO.

Practical implications

Hospitals’ decision makers should play a more decisive role in the process of attracting, maintaining, and training HR. It also confirms the importance of sustaining a sound work environment that motivates HR for continuous learning.

Originality/value

Few studies have examined the impact of IC on the LO capability in hospitals.
Leading an intergenerational workforce: an integrative conceptual framework
Authors: Guérin-Marion Camille , Manion Ian , Parsons Heather
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for understanding the particular issues associated with leading an intergenerational workforce. It presents promising strategies in the areas of talent management, decision making and internal communication to maximize the strengths and minimize the potential challenges of such a workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper blends a review of descriptive research on generational differences and commonalities in work needs and preferences together with practice-based implications for management and organizational leadership.

Findings

A conceptual framework highlights generational issues as both individual- and organizational-level variables to be considered by leaders, and proposes that intergenerational leadership should strive toward achieving a balance between meeting individual and organizational needs. Specific management activities and approaches highlight opportunities for leaders to address generational needs, while paying attention to both commonalities and differences across generations, and create a positive intergenerational work environment.

Originality/value

No clear conceptual framework or model currently exists to help understand and organize the similarities and differences in needs and preferences across generations in a workforce. The paper also offers a series of practical recommendations for organizational leadership based on the proposed framework.
Quality improvement pilot program selection based on dynamic hybrid MCDM approach
Authors: Zhou Fuli , Wang Xu , Samvedi Avinash
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Driven by motivation of quality enhancement and brand reputation promotion, automotive industries try to improve product quality and customer satisfaction by performing quality pilot programs continuously. The purpose of this paper is to develop a dynamic model to select the improvement quality pilot program from competitive candidates based on dynamic customers’ feedback.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended dynamic multi-criteria decision-making method is developed by embedding dynamic triangular fuzzy weighting average operators into fuzzy VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method, and the novel evaluation indicator “ζ” is introduced to reflect prioritization performance.

Findings

The two evaluation indicators (Q and “ζ” ) assist quality managers to identify the best program with respect to multiple conflicting criteria and the best choice based on these two indexes shows high conformity. Besides, ranking sequences obtained by “ζ” can avoid the dilemma that there are several candidates with top priority calculated by comprehensive group utility value Q.

Practical implications

The dynamic MCDM method has been applied into the quality improvement procedure in Chinese domestic auto factories and contributes to highly efficient promotion.

Originality/value

Few dynamic models on pilot program selection for quality improvement based on dynamic customers’ feedback, this study deals with the dynamic promotion by an extended fuzzy VIKOR method and presents a case application.
Road area detection method based on DBNN for robot navigation using single camera in outdoor environments
Authors: Khalilullah K.M. Ibrahim , Ota Shunsuke , Yasuda Toshiyuki , Jindai Mitsuru
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a cost-effective autonomous wheelchair robot navigation method that assists the aging population.

Design/methodology/approach

Navigation in outdoor environments is still a challenging task for an autonomous mobile robot because of the highly unstructured and different characteristics of outdoor environments. This study examines a complete vision guided real-time approach for robot navigation in urban roads based on drivable road area detection by using deep learning. During navigation, the camera takes a snapshot of the road, and the captured image is then converted into an illuminant invariant image. Subsequently, a deep belief neural network considers this image as an input. It extracts additional discriminative abstract features by using general purpose learning procedure for detection. During obstacle avoidance, the robot measures the distance from the obstacle position by using estimated parameters of the calibrated camera, and it performs navigation by avoiding obstacles.

Findings

The developed method is implemented on a wheelchair robot, and it is verified by navigating the wheelchair robot on different types of urban curve roads. Navigation in real environments indicates that the wheelchair robot can move safely from one place to another. The navigation performance of the developed method and a comparison with laser range finder (LRF)-based methods were demonstrated through experiments.

Originality/value

This study develops a cost-effective navigation method by using a single camera. Additionally, it utilizes the advantages of deep learning techniques for robust classification of the drivable road area. It performs better in terms of navigation when compared to LRF-based methods in LRF-denied environments.
Exploring forward-looking information in integrated reporting
Authors: Menicucci Elisa
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of firm characteristics on forward-looking disclosure (forward-looking information (FLI)) within the context of integrated reporting (IR). The study assesses the extent of FLI provided in integrated reports and empirically fills the research gap into the topics of FLI disclosed in the IR.

Design/methodology/approach

A manual content analysis is run to investigate the level and the topics of FLI in 282 integrated reports available in the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) website. A disclosure index composition consisting of 27 information items is developed from the list of content elements comprised in the Integrated Reporting Framework (IIRC, 2013). Three hypotheses are proposed and eight models are tested within a multivariate regression analysis in order to explore the effects of three main variables (firm size, profitability and leverage) on FLI.

Findings

The study confirms that firms are reluctant to provide FLI in integrated reports. The results show that profitability and firm size have a statistically significant relationship with the level of specific topics of FLI. Conversely, leverage is found to be insignificant in explaining the extent of FLI.

Research limitations/implications

To improve the reliability of findings presented in this study, several others may be conducted by inspecting more variables that may affect the extent of FLI or by increasing the number of companies included in the sample.

Practical implications

The results provide comprehensive insights into the current forward-looking disclosure practices of early adopters in integrated reports and can be a useful evidence for preparers of it. This paper has also practical implications especially for managers and regulators (e.g. IIRC) since it encourages further efforts to promote FLI if firms want that the disclosure offered in the IR is perceived as “informative” by their significant stakeholders.

Originality/value

The research adds to the prior disclosure literature concerning FLI since acquired results are ambiguous. There are a very restricted number of studies that have explained the variation of FLI in the light of firm characteristics and no study has analyzed this research topic within the context of IR.
IFRS and value relevance
Authors: Kouki Ahmed
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the value relevance of accounting information between International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)-firms and non-IFRS-firms over five years before mandatory IFRS adoption from 2000 to 2004 and six years after IFRS adoption from 2006 to 2011.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample includes 1166 firm-year observations that cover firms from three Europeans countries. Different econometric tests, multivariate and panel regressions have been used to verify the hypotheses.

Findings

In the pre-IFRS period, voluntary IFRS adoption did not improve the value relevance of accounting information. The results indicate that the information contents of non-IFRS-firms in the post-adoption period have higher quality than in the pre-adoption period. The findings show a higher association between accounting information, stock prices and stock returns over both periods, however, the difference in results is not statistically significant.

Research limitations/implications

This study was not generalized to other stock exchanges that have a significant weight in the European Union, such as the FTSE 100 companies or the SP/MIB.

Practical implications

This study has some implications for standards setters, firms and practitioners. The transition to IFRS reduces the diversity of accounting systems and institutional conditions (capital market structure, Taxation systems). In addition, mandatory IFRS adoption engendered changes in firms’ business and organizational models that led accountants to improve their educational and training programs.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the value relevance as well as IFRS literature by using a sample from code-law origin countries that switched from a debt-oriented system to shareholder-oriented system. It offers a comparative approach between IFRS-firms and Non-IFRS-firms in the pre- and post-adoption periods. In contrast, prior studies focused on the comparison during only one period. This empirical evidence should be of interest to investors and policymakers in other markets.
Assessing and ranking the financial risk of municipal governments
Authors: Trussel John M. , Patrick Patricia A.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model to assess and rank the financial risk of a municipal government (“municipality”). Financial risk is the likelihood that a municipality will experience financial distress.

Design/methodology/approach

Logistic regression is used with financial indicators to assess the level of financial risk. Then, the municipalities are ranked according to their financial risk. As predictor variables for the regression model, indicators are used that were developed by a Pennsylvania state agency to monitor the financial condition of municipalities.

Findings

Financial risk is positively associated with debt service, population, tax effort, and public service on roadways, while negatively correlated with intergovernmental revenues, operating position, user charges, capital outlays, fund balances, and tax revenue concentration. The financial risk model is able to correctly classify up to 99 percent of municipalities as either at risk or not at risk of financial distress.

Research limitations/implications

The financial risk model was developed using data from one state in the USA. Further research is needed to test the model’s application to other states and countries.

Practical implications

Financial risk is on the rise since the Great Recession. This study may be used by municipal managers, citizens, creditors, and regulators to assess and rank the financial risk of a municipality.

Originality/value

This study provides a method of classifying municipalities as either at risk or not at risk of financial distress. Previous models of the financial condition of municipalities do not provide a method of assessing and ranking financial risk.
Does graphical reporting improve risk disclosure? Evidence from European banks
Authors: Jones Michael , Melis Andrea , Gaia Silvia , Aresu Simone
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the voluntary disclosure of risk-related issues, with a focus on credit risk, in graphical reporting for listed banks in the major European economies. It aims to understand if banks portray credit risk-related information in graphs accurately and whether these graphs provide incremental, rather than replicative, information. It also investigates whether credit risk-related graphs provide a fair representation of risk performance or a more favourable impression than is warranted.

Design/methodology/approach

A graphical accuracy index was constructed. Incremental information was measured. A multi-level linear model investigated whether credit risk affects the quantity and quality of graphical credit risk disclosure.

Findings

Banks used credit risk graphs to provide incremental information. They were also selective, with riskier banks less likely to use risk graphs. Banks were accurate in their graphical reporting, particularly those with high levels of credit risk. These findings can be explained within an impression management perspective taking human cognitive biases into account. Preparers of risk graphs seem to prefer selective omission over obfuscation via inaccuracy. This probably reflects the fact that individuals, and by implication annual report’s users, generally judge the provision of inaccurate information more harshly than the omission of unfavourable information.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides theoretical insights by pointing out the limitations of a purely economics-based agency theory approach to impression management.

Practical implications

The study suggests annual reports’ readers need to be careful about subtle forms of impression management, such as those exploiting their cognitive bias. Regulatory and professional bodies should develop guidelines to ensure neutral and comparable graphical disclosure.

Originality/value

This study provides a substantive alternative to the predominant economic perspective on impression management in corporate reporting, by incorporating a psychological perspective taking human cognitive biases into account.
Explaining implementation difficulties associated with activity-based costing through system uses
Authors: Allain Elodie , Laurin Claude
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how and why the uses (enabling or controlling) of an activity-based costing system could cause difficulties in implementing such a cost system.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a case study in a French insurance company. Three successive research periods were undertaken: from March to August 2005, between October 2008 and June 2009, and in 2012. In total, 51 interviews were conducted during these periods. Other useful information was also collected through conversations, observation, and through the consultation of internal documents.

Findings

The results show that designing a cost system aimed at being simultaneously used in controlling and enabling ways can generate important difficulties. Furthermore, the results show that attempting to get around these difficulties could result in investing significant amounts of resources with no guarantee of success.

Research limitations/implications

Beyond the difficulties of extending the scope of application of case studies, the study was conducted in an organization involved in the insurance industry which could further limit its general applicability.

Practical implications

Based on the experience at Rassura, the authors argue that managers should be aware that designing and implementing a cost system that can simultaneously be used in both controlling and enabling ways is a very difficult, if not an insurmountable challenge.

Originality/value

The results highlight that one important characteristic of a cost system, how it is used, could explain, at least partially, implementation difficulties related to technical challenges, resistance to change and lack of resources.
Comparative value relevance of accounting information among Asian countries
Authors: Kwon Gee-Jung
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the value relevance of various accounting information disclosed in financial statements of manufacturing companies listed on the stock markets of Korea, Japan, and China over ten years from 2006 to 2015.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses Ohlson (1995) valuation model for empirical investigation and the financial data extracted from the OSIRIS DB to analyze the enterprise value relevance of accounting information for Korean, Chinese, and Japanese companies and to investigate the differences among them.

Findings

The results of the empirical analysis are as follows. First, the coefficient of accounting earnings is the highest in the samples of all firms in Korea, Japan, and China, followed by the coefficients for operating income, net cash flow, book value, and net operating cash flows. Next, Japan has the largest book value, followed by Korea, but China has a negative value. Japan has the largest coefficient of accounting earnings and net operating cash flow, followed by Korea and China. Japan has the largest coefficient of net cash flow and operating income, followed by China and Korea. The results show that the value relevance of accounting earnings is the largest among independent variables related to firm value, but the net operating cash flow is the smallest. In addition, the authors observe that the coefficient of Japan is the largest of all independent variables when compared by country.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study is that it shows the comparative value relevance of accounting information in most economically developed Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and China. In addition, it is worth showing the characteristics of the national value decision variable by showing different incremental value relevance levels among the three countries.
Politics in banking: does political party control impact bank risk and return?
Authors: Fayman Alex , He Ling T. , Casey K. Michael
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential impact of political party control on bank profitability and risk. This study extends previous work by looking at overall political power with respect to party control of the House, Senate, and the Presidency.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs regression analysis using several different dependent measures of risk and return. The independent variables include dummies to represent political power and control.

Findings

The results indicate that political control does impact both bank returns and risk. More specifically, concentration of power in either party results in higher profits. However, risk and returns typically increase during periods of democratic control.

Originality/value

To date, no research addresses the impact of political control and party affiliation on bank risk and return. Given the importance of banks to the overall economy and financial system, this research should provide policymakers and regulators with a different perspective on bank risk and return.
Strategic talent management
Authors: Sheehan Maura , Grant Kirsteen , Garavan Thomas
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an academic viewpoint on contemporary factors associated with talent management (TM) in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical discussion of macro- and micro-level factors is provided, while highlighting opportunities and challenges for TM policies and practices. The influence of senior managers in developing TM, with emphasis on small and medium enterprises, is examined and examples of ‘best practice’ in TM are outlined.

Findings

Given the scale and importance of the sector to economic growth, it is imperative that governments assume a greater leadership role in shaping the training and education agenda. TM practices need to reflect the uniqueness and complexity of the sector and effective implementation of TM requires CEO/Owner–Manager commitment and cascading down of a talent mind-set/culture within organizations. Examples of best practice in TM provide a significant opportunity for the sector to improve both its employer branding and competitiveness. Examples include: aligning TM with strategic business goals; provisions of robust data generated across HR functions; and demonstrating the impact of TM on employees’ enhanced emotional labour through higher levels of engagement and motivation and on organizational outcomes.

Practical implications

The paper argues that organizations need to take each dimension of TM more seriously than many organizations have done so in the past. Coherent TM practices, in particular, competitive reward and training and development opportunities, will improve employer branding and will directly have an impact upon the quality of applications received by organizations.

Originality/value

The paper provides important insight and practical recommendations on how the sector can improve its productivity and future sustained competitiveness in the challenging times ahead.
HR transformation within the hotel industry: building capacity for change
Authors: Francis Helen , Baum Tom
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study aims to identify recent trends in the strategic repositioning of the human resources (HR) function within the hotel industry, and to explore challenges facing HR professionals as they engage in strategies to develop talent and organisational capability, while adjusting to the shifting boundaries of the HR function.

Design/methodology/approach

The study provides a case study investigation based on a qualitative research design. It draws on a series of informal discussions with key informants, in-depth round table discussions with members of the HR function and a rich source of secondary (company specific) data about a recent strategic change initiative.

Findings

The study presents a rich picture of the contradictory nature of the strategic repositioning of the HR function, and the role of electronic HR systems in shaping this. It points to the significance of “higher-order” HR capabilities associated with the functions’ capacity to engage in strategies to develop talent and organisational capability.

Practical implications

This study points to contradictions and tensions in shifting the focus of the HR function from “operational” to “strategic” management of talent. It offers four practice implications in the areas of continuous professional development, and building HR and line manager skills in dialogue, project management and the use of new technology, talent data and analytics.

Originality/value

This study illustrates the deployment of talent management practices within a broader organisational development remit to restructure the business and HR function in pursuit of more efficient and effective people management.
Talent management practices in small- and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality sector
Authors: Chung Kai Li , D’Annunzio-Green Norma
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine talent management (TM) practices in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the hospitality industry. Specifically, the views of SME owner-managers in the hotel and restaurant sector are examined. There appears to be challenges unique to SMEs within this sector (e.g. resource constraints and poor reputation) that can potentially result in a loss of competitive advantage. Therefore, research aligned within this context is an issue of importance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws primarily upon semi-structured interviews with five entrepreneurial owner-managers of SMEs in the hotel and restaurant sector. An inductive thematic analysis identified main themes that emerged from the interview data.

Findings

Findings revealed that there is a clear commitment towards training and development for employees; however, this initiative is primarily driven by employees identifying their own training needs. The ad hoc TM practices are largely influenced by day-to-day business pressures because of the nature of the hospitality industry. The absence of formalised TM practices, however, does not imply the lack of strategies in place for people management and development.

Practical implications

This paper aims to develop a better understanding of practitioners’ perceptions of TM, strategic TM practices that they may or may not adopt and current TM challenges that they encounter. Key issues relating to defining, attracting, retaining and developing talent are discussed, followed by several practical recommendations.

Originality/value

This paper examines a relatively under-researched yet significant sector of the hospitality industry and provides deeper insights into the dynamics of TM in SMEs.
A dialogic reframing of talent management as a lever for hospitableness
Authors: Ramdhony Allan , D’Annunzio-Green Norma
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider how the talent of hospitableness can be transposed to commercial settings without a wholesale erosion of its altruistic and moral core and how it can be effectively leveraged within the talent management (TM) process.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors unpack the concept of hospitableness which entails an unconditional disposition and moral obligation in the host to care for their guest. This paper also exposes its moral dilemmas and the risks it presents to both host and guest – leading to the endorsement of reciprocal altruistic hospitableness which warrants altruistic sentiments and moral obligations in both parties as the necessary condition for a more protective, mutually beneficial and enduring host–guest relationship. Against the backdrop of the tourism and hospitality industry, this paper examines the challenges of transposing hospitableness to commercial settings without a wholesale erosion of its altruistic and moral core. It posits that what is needed is a reframing of TM as a dialogic process through which hospitableness can be effectively leveraged as a unique talent.

Findings

In carrying out this exercise, this paper develops a conceptual framework that brings the TM process under the overarching principle of free dialogue – which the authors see as a precondition for preserving the altruistic and moral core of hospitableness even when transposed to commercial settings.

Practical implications

The framework contains concrete guidelines on how to reframe TM as dialogic practice and can be used as a canvas for experimentation in managing the talent of hospitableness and for training purposes.

Originality/value

The paper expands the conceptual dimensions of hospitableness and deepens understanding of its application via the TM process to commercial settings.
The role of talent development in environmentally sustainable hospitality
Authors: Bratton Andrew
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of strategic talent development in supporting environmental management in the hospitality sector, as well as exploring its practical implications.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines a single public sector case study in the hospitality industry, a National Health Service conference centre. This case is part of a larger study in which qualitative and quantitative data were collected in six public and private sector workplaces in Scotland.

Findings

The findings emphasise the key role of leaders as change agents, and in promoting sustainability and encouraging workplace low-carbon behaviours. The findings demonstrate that an inclusive approach to talent development can play a key role in creating a pro-environmental culture and can significantly contribute to the long-term environmental sustainability of organisations.

Research limitations/implications

The scale of the research is limited to one public sector case study and restricted to the Scottish hospitality industry. Extending the research to multiple case studies in both the public and private sector in Scotland would be useful.

Practical implications

This paper makes recommendations about the role of line managers, blended learning strategies, organisational culture and employee participation in supporting workplace learning for sustainability.

Originality/value

This paper examines the role of strategic talent development in supporting environmental sustainability in the hospitality industry and provides unique insight for both academics and practitioners into a single public sector case study.
Simulation of mushy state solidification in stir casting
Authors: M.T. Sijo , K.R. Jayadevan , Janardhanan Sheeja
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Stir casting is a promising technique used for the manufacture of Al-SiC metal matrix composites. The clustering of reinforcement particles is a serious concern in this production method. In this work, mushy-state solidification characteristics in stir casting are numerically simulated using computational fluid dynamics techniques to study the clustering of reinforcement particles.

Design/methodology/approach

Effects of process parameters on the distribution of particles are examined by varying stirrer speed, volume fraction of reinforcement, number of blades on stirrer and diameter ratio (ratio of crucible diameter to stirrer diameter). Further, investigation of characteristics of cooling curves during solidification process is carried out. Volume of fluid method in conjunction with a solidification model is used to simulate the multi-phase fluid flow during the mushy-state solidification. Solidification patterns thus obtained clearly indicate a strong influence of process parameters on the distribution of reinforcement particles and solidification time.

Findings

From the simulation study, it is observed that increase in stirrer speed from 50 to 150 rad/s promotes faster solidification rate. But, beyond 100 rad/s, stirrer speed limit, clustering of reinforcement particles is observed. The clustering of reinforcement particles is seen when volume fraction of reinforcement is increased beyond 10 per cent. When number of blades on stirrer are increased from three to five, an increase in solidification rate is observed, and an uneven distribution of reinforcement particles are observed for five-blade geometry. It is also seen from the simulation study that a four-blade stirrer gives a better distribution of reinforcement in the molten metal. Decrease in diameter ratio from 2.5 to 1.5 promotes faster solidification rate.

Originality/value

There is 90 per cent closeness in results for simulation study and the published experimental results.
Vibration analysis of rectangular plates resting on four rigid supports
Authors: Gharaibeh Mohammad
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to thoroughly investigate the free vibration characteristics of rectangular plates resting on symmetrically distributed four rigid supports by using a finite element (FE) method.

Design/methodology/approach

ANSYS parametric design language was used to generate the FE models and to run the analysis. The FE models were initially validated and were then used to solve for the plate first natural frequency and mode shape. The effect of the plate aspect ratio and support location on the free vibration properties of the plate was thoroughly studied by conducting several FE runs. Finally, simple empirical formulas were developed to conveniently calculate the plate first natural frequency based on the geometric parameters and support type, as well as support locations. Those well-formulated equations were in a great match with the FE data.

Findings

The results showed that the plate first natural frequency and mode shape are highly affected by the plate size and support locations. Specifically, the natural frequency deceases as the plates becomes larger. Also, the bending behavior of the first mode is highly affected by the support location, which results in a significant change in the natural frequency of the plate structure. In addition, the presently formulated empirical formulas are faithfully able to predict the natural frequency of the plate based on the geometric parameters and support location.

Originality/value

This paper provides numerous new data on the vibration properties of the rectangular plate resting on rigid supports. Also, it provides a simple way to easily calculate the natural frequency of this plate problem, unlike the very limited and complicated analytical solutions available in literature.
CD4+ T cell imbalance is associated with recurrent endometrial polyps
Authors: Zhu Yali , Du Miaomiao , Yi Lisha , Liu Zhihong , Gong Guifang , Tang Xiang
Published: January 2018

Endometrial polyps (EPs) are localized benign overgrowths at the endometrium, with currently unknown aetiology and pathogenesis. Although symptoms of EP can be alleviated or resolved by hysteroscopic polypectomy, a significant fraction of individuals develop recurrent EPs after initial EP removal. In rare cases, EPs may also undergo malignant transformation. In‐depth understanding of the mechanisms that are involved in EP development is urgently needed. Recent works indicate that dysregulations in the immune system participate in the development of a variety of symptoms, such as aging, obesity and hypertension, many of which are EP risk factors. Based on these discoveries, we investigated the cellular immune system in premenopausal women with and without EP. Compared to EP‐free controls, the women with EP presented significantly higher RORC expression but unchanged TBX21 and FOXP3 expression in the circulating CD4+ T cells. When stimulated with PMA/ionomycin, CD4+ T cells from women with EP presented significantly higher interferon (IFN)‐γ and interleukin (IL)‐17 secretion, and lower transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β secretion. Hysteroscopic polypectomy did not significantly alter the composition of CD4+ T cells, as the women with EP presented a similar upregulation of Th17 inflammation and a downregulation of regulatory T cell (Treg) response postoperatively. Notably, in women that developed recurrent EP, the CD4+ T cells presented higher preoperative and postoperative RORC, IFN‐γ, and IL‐17 expression, as well as lower postoperative FOXP3 and TGF‐β expression, than hysteroscopic polypectomy‐treated women without EP recurrence. These data demonstrated an association between CD4+ T cell imbalance and recurrent EP development.
Roles of bacteria in the bark beetle holobiont – how do they shape this forest pest?
Authors: García‐Fraile P.
Published: December 2017

Bark beetles are well‐known forest pests, some species inducing massive attacks on trees, resulting in the devastation of entire woodlands. Bark beetles are associated with microorganisms, forming an entity known as ‘holobiont’. Beetles and fungi are the best‐studied members of this multipartite symbiosis. However, recent studies have shown that bacteria may play important roles in the bark beetle holobiont, such as providing certain nutrients, promoting the growth of beneficial fungi, detoxifying the environment by lowering the levels of phenolic compounds synthesised by the host tree or by inhibiting the growth of antagonistic fungi whereas some bacterial symbionts have the potential to kill beetles under certain conditions. Therefore, bacteria probably greatly affect the life cycle of bark beetles; hence, more research is needed to clarify the extent to which a bacterial associate is implicated in a bacterial bark beetle symbiosis and how much it determines host's performance. This review summarises all of the known activities of bacteria present in the bark beetle holobiont, indicates some important gaps in the knowledge of this symbiosis and provides some guidance for overcoming the difficulties in investigating this relationship in future studies.