bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organising on the periphery: new sources of power in the South African workplace
Authors: von Holdt Karl , Webster Edward
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Is labour's decline permanent, or is it merely a temporary weakening, as Beverley Silver suggests in her recent book, as the labour movement is unmade and remade in different locations and at different times? The article aims to examine this question in South Africa, one of the newly industrialised countries of the 1960s and 1970s, now largely bypassed by new manufacturing investment destined for countries such as India and China.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper concentrates, through six case studies, on the growing non‐core and peripheral zones of work and examines the impact of the restructuring on labour.

Findings

The evidence presented is ambiguous. While there have been significant innovative union organising experiments, it may be that the structural weakening of labour has been too great and that the new sources of power are too limited, to permit effective reorientation.

Practical implications

It is concluded that significant progress will only be made if there is a concerted effort to commit resources and above all to develop new associational strategies that recognise the potential for symbolic power as an alternative to the erosion of structural power of workers and the unions that represent them. Unless such a shift is made the crisis of labour movements internationally may be better understood as a permanent crisis than the temporary one Silver suggests.

Originality/value

The paper identities the potential for new strategies to develop and sustain associational and symbolic power that might compensate for weakened structural power and facilitate a remaking of the labour movement under new conditions.
Employment relations in Zambia
Authors: Fashoyin Tayo
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the impact of economic transformation on employment relations and the effect on the role and behaviour of unions and employers' organizations in Zambia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a review of existing studies on economic and political developments, backed by published and unpublished primary sources, as well as structured interviews with leaders of the tripartite partners.

Findings

The transformation of policy from centrally planned to market economy has by design or default undermined the role of trade unions and the employers' associations. This has in turn resulted in weakening the employment relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The research has implications for understanding how economic liberalization affects labour market institutions and processes. Many of the findings are of relevance to policy reforms elsewhere in Africa. Therefore, the findings have important implications for work on labour market governance in other African countries.

Practical implications

This paper has implications for the tripartite partners in the employment relationship. It presents the critical need for policy review, and particularly strategic reorientation of the organizing strategies of trade unions and employers' associations, and the need to institute meaningful and effective consultative mechanism on social and economic policy making.

Originality/value

A substantial part of the information provided in this paper is unpublished, and brings to the fore unanticipated consequences of policy reforms on employment relations. In turn the paper identifies action areas in seeking to reverse the effects of unfavourable economic reform measures on employment relations.
Textiles and employee relations in Swaziland
Authors: Simelane Xolani
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This article aims to report on the state of employee relations in the Swazi textile industry, based on case study evidence. It focuses on workplace dynamics, employment relations, and the role of the state in shaping and reinforcing these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on interviews with employees of Texrey identified through a snowball sampling. Further open‐ended questions for supervisors, management, government representatives and trade union leadership were used. The paper also relies on existing literature on the historical character of employment relations.

Findings

The institution of the monarchy has since abandoned the outdated tindvuna system but still retains control in the workplace. It still seeks to perpetrate a thinking that trade unionism is a foreign ideology and that Swazi workers are the king's regiments. There is also an existence of apathy and fatalism from workers arising from their desperate situation and poor prospects.

Research limitations/implications

The textile industry in Swaziland is quite hostile to researchers and therefore access to employees and some crucial information was denied. Second, the study was conducted in one factory, thus it may not be a true reflection of the whole textile industry.

Originality/value

This paper sheds further light on the relationship between political authoritarianism, foreign investment and labour repression in southern Africa.
Copyright and knowledge advancement: a case study on the UAE copyright law
Authors: Abdulla Ali
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to give a snapshot of the copyright and neighboring rights law of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), illustrating the provisions governing the law. It seeks to frame UAE copyright provisions within the context of the principles of copyright and the structure of international copyright protection.

Design/methodology/approach

The article begins with an overview of copyright laws. It highlights the central issues of concern to education, librarianship, and scholarship, depicting the complexity that the digital era has brought on copyright doctrines. It then explains the exclusive rights granted under the law, showing its orientation toward the civil law tradition with its emphasis on moral rights.

Findings

The author observes that a key effort to making practical sense of copyright in this region entails educating key communities, and emphasizing the importance of copyright limitations and exceptions pertaining to educational institutions and libraries. He advocates for applying copyright to the advantage of academic and research communities, and offers strategies strengthening the right of use in favor of these communities. Understanding the concepts and principles of copyright will make these communities proponents of sound copyright policies that will safeguard the promotion of learning and the right of public access, while still protecting intellectual property rights.

Originality/value

There has not been any discussion in the library literature on copyright in the UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Therefore, this case study of the UAE copyright and neighboring rights law aims to provoke such discussion. It should be useful to the whole library community, and particularly those in the UAE and other GCC countries.
Marketing of information services and products in university libraries of Punjab and Chandigarh (India)
Authors: Kaur Amritpal , Rani Sarita
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the attitude of library professionals towards the concept of marketing and also how it is applied in practice to marketing of university library products and services.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purpose of the study, library search concerning the subject was made to examine the findings of earlier relevant studies. To collect the relevant data, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to the subjects under study. Interviews were also conducted with the librarians/professional staff to fill in any gaps in the questionnaire.

Findings

The librarians/professional staff have positive attitudes towards the marketing of library information services and products and admit that each library should have a mission statement and a full time professional to handle marketing‐related activities; but in practice, no library under study has its own logo, mission statement or a specifically designated personnel for marketing‐related activities.

Originality/value

The study explores the possibility of adopting marketing strategies in university libraries to provide value‐added, need‐based and user‐oriented services/products.
An illustrative application of soft systems methodology (SSM) in a library and information service context
Authors: Delbridge Rachel
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an illustration of the methodological processes and resultant outcomes relating to one theme investigated during an application of soft systems methodology (SSM) in a library and information service (LIS) context, in order to contribute to the explication of the methodology to LIS professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

A selective but detailed description of the use of SSM is provided in relation to case study research undertaken at a UK law firm, which included, within the framework of SSM, the conduct of interviews with 42 legal and information practitioners.

Findings

The described application of SSM is a demonstration of its use for structuring learning in situations: in this instance, of a developed understanding of stakeholders' views of appropriate LIS activity in a law firm.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is a selective representation of the first use of SSM by a researcher and demonstrates the methodology's applicability to any situation about which learning is considered to be desirable.

Practical implications

The paper provides an illustrative application of SSM which may prompt the use of, or may contribute to understanding of, the methodology by LIS practitioners, researchers and educators.

Originality/value

The paper provides an in‐depth illustration of the SSM‐informed processes and outcomes in a novel application area.
Offering choice in benefits: a new Dutch HRM arrangement
Authors: Hillebrink Carlien , Schippers Joop , van Doorne‐Huiskes Anneke , Peters Pascale
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine what kinds of Dutch organisations offer their employees a choice in the composition of their benefits with the aid of a theoretical model that incorporates insights from rational choice theory, the theory of institutional pressures and the bundles of human resource management (HRM) theory.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the theoretical model data were collected from nearly 600 Dutch organisations in the market sector. Multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were used to analyse these data.

Findings

The research showed that flexible benefit plans (FBPs) are widespread and show a considerable degree of consistency in the options they offer. FBPs are most likely to be offered by organisations that have freedom to manoeuvre in their benefits, that witness other organisations around them offering such arrangements, and that offer HRM policies and practices that are strongly focussed on the combination of work and family, and on flexibility in working arrangements.

Research limitations/implications

Attention to HRM policies in addition to a combination of rational choice and institutional theory proved valuable in explaining the uptake of a new arrangement, and this merits further exploration.

Practical implications

FPBs offer Dutch organisations the opportunity to give their employees more choice in the way they are paid, and to adjust this pay to their personal situation. Offering this choice fits in with a family‐friendly HRM structure and increases flexibility for both parties.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on FBPs.
Brain drain from Turkey: the case of professionals abroad
Authors: Demet Güngör Nil , Tansel Aysıt
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The paper aims to present research findings on the return intentions of Turkish professionals residing abroad, where the targeted group comprises individuals working at a full‐time job abroad who possess at least a tertiary level degree.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a descriptive framework to establish the validity of several proposed models of non‐return. The results are based on an internet survey of Turkish professionals conducted by the authors during the first half of 2002. A combination of internet search and referral sampling methods is used to collect the data. Correspondence analysis is used to examine the relationship between return intentions and various factors that may affect this intention.

Findings

The results emphasize the importance of student non‐return versus traditional brain and appear to complement the various theories of student non‐return. Many Turkish professionals working abroad are non‐returning post‐graduate students rather than holders of higher degrees obtained in Turkey who subsequently moved. The respondents appear to come from relatively well‐to‐do families with highly educated parents. Many have earned their degrees from universities that have foreign language instruction. The recent economic crises in Turkey have negatively affected return intentions. It is verified that return intentions are indeed linked closely with initial return plans, and that this relationship weakens with stay duration. Specialized study and work experience in the host country also all appear to contribute to explaining the incidence of non‐return. Return intentions are weaker for those working in an academic environment.

Originality/value

The study is the first of its kind for Turkey and other developing countries in terms of the number of responses received and the kind of information collected. Implications are valuable for Turkish and other developing country planners.
Relationship between leader‐subordinate personality congruence and performance and satisfaction in the UK
Authors: Zaman Bin Ahmad Kamarul
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between leader‐subordinate congruence and performance and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 267 leader‐subordinate dyads in a light manufacturing electrical assembly plant in Wales and 82 leader‐subordinate dyads in another, in England, UK. Data on personality of the respondents and their supervisors were gathered using the 16 personality factor test. The absolute difference between the personality score of the respondent and the supervisor for each of the five secondary personality factors were calculated. The absolute differences were then totalled to obtain a total difference score.

Findings

As expected, there was a significant correlation between the difference scores and satisfaction with the supervisor and overall job satisfaction. The results suggest that, if management wishes to improve satisfaction of their subordinates, the personalities of supervisor and subordinate should be similar. The direction of the relationship between difference scores and performance scores in the two companies were in opposite directions to each other. Possible causes and implications for managers are discussed.

Originality/value

This paper establishes that the relationship between congruence and performance is contingent on the nature of work interaction between the leader and the subordinate.
Personal and professional leadership in a government agency
Authors: Eddy Erik R. , Lorenzet Steven J. , Mastrangelo Angelo
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to replicate previous research findings, exploring the mediating effect of personal leadership on professional leadership and willing cooperation, and to extend the leadership model to include job satisfaction and organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Employees from a government agency located in Western New York State completed a survey designed to gather their perceptions of study variables.

Findings

Professional and personal leadership are positively related to all three outcomes and personal leadership mediates the effect of professional leadership on all three outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include predictor and outcome data both collected from the same respondents and all measures collected via survey. Both of these issues raise concerns with regards to common method bias. Actual performance data were not measured. Future research should examine the impact of leadership behaviors on organization outcomes.

Practical implications

Managers should focus on developing both professional leadership (i.e. providing direction, process, and coordination to members) and personal leadership (i.e. demonstrating expertise, trust, caring, sharing and morals) behaviors to enhance employee satisfaction and commitment.

Originality/value

The paper provides confirmatory evidence for the value of the leadership model put forth in the earlier research and extends the model to include other important outcomes. An examination of leader behaviors in a government agency uncovers ways managers can enhance their leadership behaviors.
Impact of behavioral performance management in a Korean application
Authors: Luthans Fred , Rhee Shanggeun , Luthans Brett C. , Avey James B.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the use of money, social recognition, and feedback have a similar impact on employee performance in the context of a modern Korean broadband internet service firm.

Design/methodology/approach

The study design was a quasi‐field experiment (with control group). First, the leaders of this Korean firm were trained in behavioral performance management. Following the steps of organisational behaviour modification (O.B. Mod.) they identified, measured, and analyzed critical performance behaviors and then intervened with the following reward incentives: money (n=38), social recognition and caring attention (n=41), and objective feedback only (n=31). The main dependent variable was overall performance, and this was also broken down into quantity and quality dimensions.

Findings

As hypothesized, money and social recognition had a significant impact on performance outcomes, but feedback did not result in as strong a result. When compared to the control group (n=23), all three reward incentives showed significantly more improvement of overall performance. These findings also indicated, as hypothesized, that the impact of this behavioral management approach on Korean employees did not appear as robust as previous meta‐analytic research based on samples of US employees. Finally, although in the predicted direction, the hypothesis that social recognition would have a relatively stronger impact than money and feedback in this context was not statistically supported.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation concerns generalizability of the findings. However, the experimental design provides support for internal validity.

Practical implications

The study results have practical implications for the value of behavioral performance management, but also that cultural contingencies should also be considered for successful application.

Originality/value

This study contributes preliminary evidence for O.B. Mod to have applicability across cultures.
Psychological and environmental empowerment: antecedents and consequences
Authors: Meyerson Shauna L. , Kline Theresa J.B.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The aims of this paper are to clarify empowerment as a construct, assess whether environmental and psychological empowerment differentially predicts job outcomes, and investigate the effects of transformation and transactional leadership on empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

University students (n=197) rated leadership and empowerment in their workplaces and a number of job outcomes using an on‐line questionnaire.

Findings

Results supported the proposition that empowerment should be separated into its behavioral and psychological components. The dimensions of empowerment also differentially predicted job outcomes. In particular, environmental empowerment was better at predicting outcomes than was psychological empowerment. It was also found that transformational and transactional leadership predicted environmental empowerment more strongly than psychological empowerment.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include that the study was cross‐sectional, used a student sample, and a single common method for collecting the data. The primary implication for research is that empowerment should be separated into two constructs, environmental and psychological.

Practical implications

Practical implications include that environmental empowerment has more predictive power than does psychological empowerment on workplace outcomes and that leadership has a stronger impact on environmental than psychological empowerment.

Originality/value

This study is the first to call into question the way empowerment has been measured in prior studies and provides useful directions with which to pursue future research in this area.
What is social inequality?
Authors: Blackburn Robert M.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the difference between social inequality and identity.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a conceptual view.

Findings

The paper notes that the concepts are often confused, as in arguments that equality is impossible because everyone is different. It is pointed out that equality and inequality are not opposites; that equality is simply the zero point on the infinite range of inequality. The existence of inequality depends on socially recognised difference. The difference may often be simply a basis for socially imposed inequalities, as with ethnicity and gender, or it may be a real cause of inequality as with health differences. Nine important inter‐related bases of inequality are considered. Equality does not require zero inequality on all aspects but merely a balance of inequalities. However, the complexity means it is difficult to define or recognise total equality. The nearest would be that all individuals are regarded and treated as equally important. The zero point of inequality may be unattainable, but the real issue is the actual extent of inequality, which could be very substantially reduced.

Originality/value

This original paper is of value in correcting some misconceptions and improving understanding of an important subject.
Social inequalities, gender and lifelong learning
Authors: David Miriam E.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between social and gender inequalities and how they have been studied over the last 30 years. What have we learned, as academic sociologists in higher education, about how the socio‐cultural context, policies and global social transformations in the UK, and North America influence social stratification? The key focus is on how gender differences influence forms of social stratification through complex relations between “work”, family and education.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reflects on changing research methodologies from their origins in sociology and second wave feminism by addressing three international studies about the troubled question of mothers’ work. All three studies reflexively address the question of changing knowledge and methodologies about social inequality or stratification.

Findings

The paper finds that while all three studies are from a feminist perspective and consider methodologies in the light of the so‐called “neo‐liberal project” and the knowledge economy, they come to rather divergent conclusions. The three studies illustrate the complexities of knowledge and methodologies about social stratification and gender inequalities.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates how alternative methods contribute to our knowledge and the rich diversity of sociological work as an academic practice.
Social politics: a theory
Authors: Williams Laura M.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to articulate a theory which connects social stratification processes to the international problem of human trafficking for sex and labor purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a social politics theory to connect concepts from social stratification to the study of human trafficking. It draws on data provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services' Rescue and Restore program for trafficked victims to illustrate how traffickers move victims trans‐nationally. It cites sources from Australia and Sweden to show how national laws and policies regarding prostitution can contribute to or discourage human trafficking for sex and labor purposes.

Findings

The social politics theory is a theoretical idea based on observations of how social, political, legal, and economic changes within “Weak” and “Failing” states create an environment conducive to human trafficking for sex and labor purposes as well as other forms of injustices.

Originality/value

The social politics theory was created to acknowledge the influence of extraneous combined socio‐political and socio‐economic forces existing in modern societies.
Innovation‐oriented operations strategy typology and stage‐based model
Authors: Nair Anand , Boulton William R.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how firms, operating in mature and growing industries, can improve the alignment of their operations strategy to fit situations characterized by varying rates of industry growth and technological changes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors enhance the operations strategy typology presented by Lei and Slocum by incorporating an enhanced set of competitive priorities and supporting structure/infrastructure requirements into their four cell matrix. They then introduce a stage‐based model of environmental dynamism and complexity that can foster major transitions in operations strategy.

Findings

Industry growth and technological change interact to create alternative environments with varying levels of dynamism and complexity requiring realignment of operations strategy. With increasing rates of technological change, the authors emphasize an urgent need to include innovation as a competitive priority (along with cost, quality, delivery and flexibility) to proactively adapt operations strategy to fit changing environments. It is also necessary for managers to ensure a fit between their competitive priorities and the development of supporting structures/infrastructures to ensure effective implementation of competitive operations strategy.

Originality/value

Operations strategy literature has not focused attention on the basic goals and capabilities needed to implement or adapt to today's dynamic environments. This study adds innovation as a competitive priority and improves our understanding of adaptation of operations strategy to alternative environments created by the interaction of industry growth and technological change. Specifically, by focusing on competitive priorities and supporting capabilities in dynamic environments, the authors provide directions for implementing changes to operations strategy.
Understanding drivers of performance in the 3PL industry in Hong Kong
Authors: Huo Baofeng , Selen Willem , Hoi Yan Yeung Jeff , Zhao Xiande
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to develop an overarching framework to better understand drivers of performance in third‐party logistics (3PL) linked to the operations strategy literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A path model is specified and estimated based on constructs and relationships grounded in the literature, as well as self‐developed constructs, using empirical data from 159 3PL providers in Hong Kong.

Findings

Some dimensions of internal and external environments have positive influences on differing operations emphases. Furthermore, operational performance is positively affected by corresponding operations emphases and functional involvement. Finally, good operational performance can bring about better financial performance. However, strict adherence to the low cost operations emphasis will lead to worse financial performance.

Originality/value

This research provides a novel overarching framework to link competition in the market place, challenges in the operations and functional involvement through operations emphases to operational and financial performance.
A case study of national culture and offshoring services
Authors: Metters Richard
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Prior surveys have shown that national culture is a leading cause of problems in offshoring services. The research question posed in this paper centers on how and through what specific decisions national culture affects operational implementation in offshore facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

A particular US service process offshored to Barbados and the Dominican Republic is studied. Ethnographic worker observations are combined with archival sources and executive interviews.

Findings

A culture clash caused a number of operational dilemmas for a major US airline offshoring the same processes to two Caribbean nations. The offshoring was a success at one site, a failure at another. But, even at the successful site, un‐intuitive operational adaptations had to be made to accommodate cultural differences. Specifically, detailed here are decisions or results seen on country selection, location selection within a country, quality program implementation, and shift work that had strong cultural inputs.

Research limitations/implications

Any case study may be limited to the specific case. However, broader implications are that operations management decisions may be more highly dependent on national culture than previously thought.

Practical implications

Management – especially US management – continue to make service offshoring decisions ignoring or minimizing the inevitable cultural conflict. This work provides tangible examples of decisions affected by culture.

Originality/value

Concrete, specific examples are provided for the difficulties national culture created in a specific case. Methods used to circumvent these difficulties are shown. By this specific example, the general case is posited that culture must be considered in operations decisions that may seem devoid of cultural content.
Operations management research: evolution and alternative future paths
Authors: Craighead Christopher W. , Meredith Jack
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the evolution of operations management (OM) research along two major dimensions from 1977 to 2003 and discusses possible paths for research progression in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify OM research papers, a careful definition of OM research was constructed based initially on earlier work and then more precisely extended through empirical analysis. The research on OM builds on a previous study that took snapshots of OM research in 1977 and 1987. It then extends and updates it through a content analysis of 593 articles published in 1995 and 2003 in five journals recognized for publishing OM research.

Findings

The overall results illustrate that OM has evolved from heavily rationalistic, axiomatic analyses based on artificial reconstructions of reality toward more interpretive analyses based on natural observations of reality.

Research limitations/implications

As the OM field continues to evolve, it is important to monitor and reassess published research to discern its changing dimensions. While this effort is not an exhaustive review of all OM research and does not consider all relevant journals and years, it does offer the “big picture” perspective needed for analyzing changing research approaches in the field.

Practical implications

The research provides an analysis of the evolution of knowledge creation within the field and possible paths for its future development. The practical implications are that as research becomes more interpretive and observation‐based, the findings will have more relevance for managers and the problems they face.

Originality/value

While several authors have analyzed the OM field relative to select research methods and journals, this paper provides a broader and more encompassing view of OM research along two important research dimensions: the researcher's framework and the source of the data.
Manufacturing managers' perceptions of functional power in manufacturing organizations
Authors: Papke Shields Karen , Malhotra Manoj K.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine differences in manufacturing managers' perceptions of functional area power in manufacturing organizations to address the perception in the literature that manufacturing has little if any power in the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data gathered from 129 manufacturing executives in the USA are used to examine their perceptions of differences in functional power in manufacturing firms. Relative rankings of functional areas for four types of power – position, expertise, resource, and political – are used to examine perceived differences, and the relationship between power and the role of the manufacturing executive in strategic decision making.

Findings

Contrary to prior assertions in the manufacturing strategy literature, it was found that the manufacturing and marketing areas are perceived by manufacturing managers to be the most powerful functions, switching in their dominant roles depending upon the type of power. In addition, a relationship exists between position, expertise, and political power and the role of the manufacturing executive.

Research limitations/implications

Although, this research includes a second respondent from a sub‐sample of firms, future research should examine not only the manufacturing managers' perceptions of intra‐organizational power, but also should dovetail the paper's findings with perceptions of managers in other functional areas as well.

Practical implications

Manufacturing managers can take actions to enhance their role in business‐level strategic decisions and be proactive in increasing the power of their functional area.

Originality/value

This paper addresses intra‐organizational power, which has not been examined in the manufacturing strategy literature from the perspective of the manufacturing manager's perception.
The climate for co‐operation: buyer‐supplier beliefs and behavior
Authors: Johnston David A. , Murat Kristal Mehmet
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the climate for co‐operation, from both the supplier and buyer perspectives, for its impact on co‐operative activities. Climate encompasses the constructs of cross functional barriers, participation by the respondent in strategic customer/supply decisions and expectation of the continuity of the relationship, competitive pressure and institutionalized beliefs about co‐operation in the firm's industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of the study is based on a cross‐sectional mail‐based survey of 89 buyer and supplier dyads, involving 178 manufacturing companies. First, the psychometric properties of the proposed constructs were assessed. Then the relationships among the proposed constructs were tested by structural equation modeling for the supplier and then the buyer samples.

Findings

Both parties' co‐operative behaviors were strongly influenced by the expected continuity of the relationship. Suppliers differed from buyers in that they were influenced by institutional beliefs about co‐operation. Involvement in decision making positively affected shared planning activities for the suppliers whereas it affected relationship flexibility for the buyers. Lastly, buyers in contrast to suppliers were influenced by competitive pressure.

Research limitations/implications

As a cross‐sectional study about complex inter‐firm relationships, the research does not directly capture relationship effects over time. The paper also does not address how climate affects the formulation and implementation of dysfunctional buyer‐supplier relationships.

Practical implications

Buyers and suppliers should be aware that there are significant similarities and differences in how their partners respond to the context in which they operate. This knowledge is important in understanding what drives the other party's behavior in the formal and informal negotiations and problem solving that characterize an ongoing relationship.

Originality/value

The research uses dyadic data to understand both sides of the buyer supplier relationship. It introduces constructs such as institutional belief and cross‐functional barriers and functional involvement in strategic planning as components of a new concept called co‐operative climate. This concept is found to be relevant to both buyer and supplier perspectives.
Supplier dependence: impact on supplier's participation and performance
Authors: Carr Amelia S. , Kaynak Hale , Hartley Janet L. , Ross Anthony
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend our understanding of the importance of supplier dependence on the buyer's firm and its relationship to supplier training and supplier involvement in product development with respect to the supplier's performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample of 231 firms provided the data that were analyzed for this study. Using structural equation modeling, a sub‐set of the sample consisting of 166 manufacturing firms was used to test the five hypothesized relationships in the model.

Findings

The main findings indicate that supplier dependence is a significant contributor to increasing supplier participation in buyer supported training and increasing supplier involvement in product development. Also, supplier training and supplier involvement are significant contributors to the supplier's operational performance.

Research limitations/implications

The model tested in this study used a random sample of US manufacturing firms. Thus, future studies should include a random sample of non‐manufacturing firms and firms outside of the USA. The study explored the buyer's perspective only; a study of suppliers may provide further insights to extend this study. Although the use of supplier training was relatively low, significant relationships were identified.

Practical implications

Based on this research, key suppliers can better understand the relationships among supplier dependence, supplier training, supplier involvement in product development and their effects on supplier's operational performance.

Originality/value

Although supplier development has emerged in previously published studies as a critical factor in improving performance, the role of supplier dependence on the buyer has not been empirically examined. Further, an integrated research model that investigates the relationships among supplier dependence, supplier training, supplier involvement in product development and supplier's operational performance has not been offered.
Agricultural commodity supply response in Ghana
Authors: Kofi Ocran Matthew , Biekpe Nicholas
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The paper seeks to estimate agricultural commodity supply response at three levels of aggregation namely, all commodities, food commodities and exports commodities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used cointegration and error correction modelling techniques with the aid of annual data. The aggregate price and quantity indices were constructed using the Tornqvist formula, which has been found more superior to the traditional Laspeyres approach of index construction.

Findings

The producers were responsive to price incentives in the long‐run for all three commodity aggregates but in the short‐run only producers of export commodities were responsive to price incentives.

Practical implications

Producers respond to price signals as predicted but structural features of the agricultural commodity sector that results in high transaction cost may account for the absence of price response in the short‐run. Interventions in lowering transaction cost in agricultural commodity production has the potential of stimulating a faster and considerable response to price incentives.

Originality/value

Despite the policy relevance of agricultural commodity supply response, the extent of the response in Ghana is largely unknown, and it is this gap that the present paper helps to bridge.
Outreach and profitability of microfinance institutions: the role of governance
Authors: Kyereboah‐Coleman Anthony , Osei Kofi A.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how selected governance indicators impact on performance measures of outreach and profitability in microfinance institutions (MFIs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a quantitative approach based on both primary and secondary data from conveniently sampled 52 microfinance institutions. A panel data technique is employed as the key analytical framework.

Findings

It is shown that governance plays a critical role in the performance of MFIs and that the independence of the board and a clear separation of the positions of a CEO and board chairperson have a positive correlation with both performance measures.

Research limitations/implications

It would have been appropriate to have a larger number of MFIs for the study. This limitation however does not compromise on the validity of the conclusions based on the findings of the study.

Practical implications

In the context of multi‐dimensional and sometimes conflicting objectives facing MFIs, a clear balancing act of social objectives and institutional sustainability to ensure effective performance of MFIs is recommended.

Originality/value

Studies on governance and its relationship with firm behaviour is limited especially in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Its application in the microfinance sector with its peculiar characteristics is the added value of this paper.
Brand proliferation and inter‐brand competition
Authors: Fong‐Sheng Wang Leonard , Wang Ya‐Chin
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper first attempts to analyze the issue of brand proliferation by a monopolist allowing transfer pricing as a channel to bridge headquarters and brand divisions, and then to view how the headquarters uses transfer pricing as a strategic device to encounter intra‐brand competition, inter‐brand competition and cross‐border profit‐shifting under an oligopolistic market.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper models cross‐country interactions in a Cournot‐Nash framework, and characterizes equilibrium that involves both transfer pricing and output decision. MNE's behavior is based on a two‐stage process in which the centralized headquarters' prior action on setting transfer pricing is to backup the decentralized subsidiaries in their output decision‐making.

Findings

It is demonstrated that MNEs have the incentive to manipulate their transfer prices in order to shift profit cross‐border. Higher transfer pricing enables brand divisions to collude easier in the intra‐brand competition model, and the level of transfer price hinges upon the strength of intra‐brand competition and inter‐brand competition. In addition, transfer pricing is affected by tax differences between two countries.

Originality/value

This paper provides the theoretical underpinning to see how headquarters may use transfer pricing as a strategic device to face intra‐ and inter‐brand competition that is visibly evident in many diverse industries.
New inventions and innovative assembly system integrators are the highlights of the 2007 assembly technology expo
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the 2007 ATExpo Show and related Electronics Assembly Show, Quality, PlasTec and National Manufacturing Week Shows held jointly in Chicago.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews were conducted with exhibitors who provide assembly systems, controls, grippers and other assembly systems components.

Findings

Though automated assembly has been around many decades, suppliers have continued to innovate new technologies, controllers and software that enhance the automated assembly process.

Originality/value

The paper is of value in confirming that suppliers are continuing to develop assembly cells, modular elements, software and other related components that help make the design and commissioning of systems faster and cheaper. Automated assembly is a truly competitive approach to reducing cost of assembly, quality of products produced and efficiently managing resources.
Self‐assembly: a review of recent developments
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of recent progress in self‐assembly technology, principally in the microelectronics context.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper discusses the application of nanoscale self‐assembly techniques to microelectronic and related components and then considers research involving larger devices.

Findings

The paper shows that a range of self‐assembly techniques is being used to fabricate both production and experimental microelectronic devices, often with the aim of developing alternatives to copper wire interconnects. Other, experimental self‐assembly techniques are being developed for the packaging and mounting of microelectronic components on substrates.

Originality/value

Provides a useful, detailed review of the use of self‐assembly techniques at the nanoscale, microscale and macroscale.
Precise manipulation approach to facilitate interactive modular fixture assembly design in a virtual environment
Authors: Gaoliang Peng , Xu He , Haiquan Yu , Xin Hou , Alipour Khalil
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The virtual design environment offers users an opportunity to interact with a virtual prototyping rather than physical models and to build a fixture configuration in a realistic way. But the virtual reality (VR) environment tends to be inaccurate because humans have difficulty in performing precise positioning tasks. Therefore, it is necessary to implement precise object manipulation methods for assembly and disassembly activities, so that users can perform modular fixture configuration design efficiently in VE. The purpose of this paper is to develop a VR‐based modular fixture assembly design system, which supports the design and assembly of modular fixture configuration in a virtual environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Geometric constraint‐based method is utilized to represent and treat the assembly relationship between modular fixture elements. The paper presents a hybrid method of rule‐based reasoning and fuzzy comprehensive judgment to capture the user's operation intent and recognize geometric constraint. Through degrees of freedom based analysis, a mathematical matrix is presented for representing and reducing allowable motion of fixture elements, and a constraint‐based motion navigation approach is proposed to ensure that the manipulation of a fixture component not violate that the existing constraints.

Findings

The paper finds that the proposed techniques are applicable to the convenient manipulation and accurate positioning of fixture elements in a virtual environment.

Practical implications

Component manipulation plays a key role in interactive virtual assembly design. The proposed approach in this paper enables interactive assembly design of modular fixture in virtual environment.

Originality/value

This paper presents a geometric constraint‐based approach that realizes automatic assembly relationship recognition, constraint solving and motion navigation for interactive modular fixture assembly design in a virtual environment.