bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of transformational leadership style on innovation as perceived by public employees in Jordan
Authors: Nusair Naim , Ababneh Raed , Kyung Bae Yun
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this empirical study is to provide a deeper understanding of how transformational leadership relates to followers' innovative behavior in the Jordanian public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Perceptual data were collected from 358 employees working in different public sector organizations located in the Northern region of Jordan.

Findings

Results demonstrate that transformational leadership accounted for 47 percent in the variation of followers' innovative behavior in the Jordanian public sector. Additionally, the findings showed that place of work variable had significant impact on the attitudes of the respondents toward the transformational leadership behavior of their managers and their innovative behavior.

Practical implications

Organizations should invest in transformational leadership training and in the selection of supervisors with this leadership style before initiating the implementation of innovations.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first to investigate the relationship between transformational leadership and followers' innovative behavior in developing countries.
Re‐examination of Hofstede's work value orientations on perceived leadership styles in Jordan
Authors: Sabri Hala A.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of work values on leadership styles and to introduce new findings when Hofstede's work value orientations are applied to other different cultural domains (i.e. Jordan).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 235 Jordanian managers was undertaken using two instruments of measurement: the “Cultural Attitude Inventory” and the “T‐P Leadership Questionnaire: An Assessment of Style.”

Findings

Results confirmed the anticipated relation between “task” leadership style and Jordanian managers' values of power distance and uncertainty avoidance, but they did not confirm the anticipated relation between “people” leadership style and collectivist values of Jordanian managers.

Originality/value

The results have important implications for the management of international and transnational organizations who may need to consider whether promoting a consistent world‐wide leadership style would be more or less beneficial than adopting a style that matches the needs of different cultures. Main recommendations of the research were that theories of culture should be re‐evaluated and updated periodically and that increased awareness into the various characteristics of culture and leadership style may assist in understanding human resources behavior, identifying necessary organizational changes and developing a more efficient organization.
Enriching life with creative expression
Authors: Ford Claire
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to identify the benefits for individuals with dementia from participating in highly creative engagement activities. It also aims to analyse the ways of promoting access for this generation in settings such as museums and galleries, identifying the various ways the USA and UK differ when providing new opportunities for this generation. It also seeks to depict how the USA measures and acknowledges creativity, alongside the decrease of cognitive ability.

Design/methodology/approach

The Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship study was carried out in six cities across the USA; these were Milwaukee, Chicago, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC. Data, observations and knowledge were gathered from various access programmes in museums and galleries, creative access organisations and in alternative environments from hospitals, to day centres and residential care.

Findings

This article highlights the benefits of coordinating creative activities within a healthcare setting, looking at ways of changing cultural views and improving the health service.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to the USA and its six biggest cities. The results presented are predominantly qualitative and the results rely on extensive evaluation.

Practical implications

Collaboration between health staff and artists can prove difficult so it is essential to utilize practitioners that share the same values and visions of the end goal. Both leadership and job roles need to be discussed in great detail before beginning any access project.

Social implications

Arts in a healthcare context will bridge the gap between age and ability, altering the views of today's general culture. Instead the “elderly” will be seen as creative, innovative and pro‐active. The arts can transform the stereotypical views that today's culture have of the elderly, from negative to positive. The arts will inspire intergenerational collaboration between the young and old which will enhance self‐esteem, respect and knowledge for both age groups.

Originality/value

This paper will promote the arts as a positive tool to improve the quality of life for individuals with dementia. Providing guidelines, insight and access programmes to health care staff, carers and individuals with dementia. This information and support will boost dementia care, lowering medical costs and allow for a better environment for the third age to be a part of.
Rethinking a framework for dementia 1: a journey
Authors: Minghella Edana , Schneider Kate
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This is the first of two papers that aim to propose a revised model of care for dementia based on the combined findings of a number of projects undertaken by the authors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a conceptual discussion based on the findings from a series of projects in which the key methodologies included listening to people with dementia and carers, non‐participant observation of services, and reviews of good practice, policy and literature.

Findings

This paper reports on key messages received from people living with dementia, a revised values‐base for service development and identifying the dementia journey from the perspective of those living with dementia. The framework moves away from the medical model towards understanding dementia as a long term condition that affects a number of dimensions.

Practical implications

Through understanding the dementia journey from the perspective of people living with dementia, it is possible to design and implement a range of services that help people plan for and manage their own journeys, provide interventions proactively and help prevent crises. Person‐centred outcomes can be identified, linked to, or cutting across, each of the phases the journey. Experiences are likely to improve, and resources can be targeted more efficiently and effectively.

Originality/value

The authors identify a six‐phase dementia journey from the perspective of people living with dementia, based on a set of values informed by people who have dementia and their carers.
Understanding the older entrepreneur
Authors: Small Malcolm
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the prevalence of entrepreneurial activity amongst older people, and whether such activity may be an option for them to extend their working lives.

Design/methodology/approach

Research was conducted amongst the Policy Voice database of respondents at the Institute of Directors, members who have volunteered their time to answer research questions on a variety of public policy issues. Undertaken electronically, a series of questions were asked of respondents relating to their age and business activities. Amplification by verbatim comments was requested, which gave qualitative context to the quantitative answers received. Over 1,200 responses to the survey were received.

Findings

Starting, running or continuing in individual business or entrepreneurial activity would appear to be surprisingly commonplace amongst the research sample, suggesting that there might be more older entrepreneurs amongst the population as a whole than might have previously been supposed. For those with the requisite skills and personal attributes, entrepreneurship in later life would appear to be a valid option for extending working lives.

Research limitations/implications

Research responses were from a membership base biased towards A, B, and C1 socio‐economic groups.

Originality/value

There have been very limited studies of entrepreneurial and business activity amongst older people.
Promises from SOA
Authors: Van den Bergh Joachim , Viaene Stijn
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to support the application of a combined BPM (business process management)/SOA (service‐oriented architecture) approach and contribute to the body of knowledge on the business value of SOA.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study highlights the promising results of a process reengineering project at Belgacom Mobile, Belgium's largest mobile telecommunications operator. The reengineering effort centered around a key automation pillar involving in particular the optimization of the SIM card ordering process. SOA principles were applied to ensure both the flexibility of the redesigned process and its capability of dealing with newly emerging SIM card types. This case demonstrates the potential benefits of combining BPM and SOA concepts to establish IT‐enabled process innovation.

Findings

In terms of performance improvement, the studied project resulted in: increased process flexibility and consistency, considerably shorter lead times, and enhanced process control.

Research limitations/implications

The findings from this case study present useful insights for other companies trying to reap the benefits of combined BPM and SOA. However, the single case study approach presents some limitations to the generalizability of the proposed learning points and concepts. Some case specific features such as the sector or company size might influence the generalizability. Nevertheless, the paper rather intends to trigger conceptual thinking about IT‐enabled process innovation and an architectural approach.

Originality/value

The added value of this project, which contributes to the general understanding of SOA potential for BPM, lies in its innovative approach, whereby product and process are separated by means of production process ID creation. The redesign approach thus provides a sustainable answer to the ever shortening life cycle of products and technologies. In particular process practitioners will find value in reading the learning points from this paper.
Smart business networks: interaction‐coordination aspects and risks
Authors: Pau L.‐F.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarize key interaction‐coordination attributes and the uniqueness of smart business networks.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology analyzed is smart business networks, encompassing all three traditional business process life‐cycle stages between dynamically interacting enterprises. Emphasis is put on the business aspects and the related risks.

Findings

Smart business networks open the possibility to configure business processes and stakeholders on the fly. This implies some key paradigm changes, both of a technical and of a business nature, which are offered here for discussion via a set of propositions.

Research limitations/implications

By economic and risk analysis, such as that summarized in this paper, one can progress towards the analysis of interacting heterogeneous enterprises.

Practical implications

The implementation involves, amongst others, the embedding of business logic specific to a network of business partners, inside the communications control networks. It also involves the definition of business protocols between these partners and the joint management of some common functions relying on open networking standards. Examples are given from the wireless communications industry.

Originality/value

As quick‐connect/quick‐disconnect business networks and processes become more prevailing based on unique resources or competences, the paper introduces the missing risk analysis this requires at an architectural and business level.
The binding power of the contract
Authors: Zoll Fryderyk
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to investigate the role that the principle of pacta sunt servanda plays in consumer contracts under the Common European Sales Law (CESL).

Design/methodology/approach

The new proposal for the CESL resembles quite closely other global and European instruments and collections of rules on contracts, such as the CISG, PECL, and DCFR. At a closer look, the concept of contract, and in particular the consumer contract, differences between the CESL and its predecessors becomes readily apparent. This article will point out these differences and thereby analyse the role of the pacta sunt servanda principle in consumer contracts.

Findings

The question must be answered whether the consumer protection provisions that weaken the bindingness of contracts will discourage traders from opting into CESL? The Article also shows the inconsistencies in the CESL in business‐to‐business (B2B) contracts in the areas relating to mistake and lack of conformity.

Originality/value

The article poses a question which is of such relevance that it should be more comprehensively discussed by European legislators before the CESL is adopted as an EU regulation.
Interpretation and gap‐filling in the CISG and in the CESL
Authors: Magnus Ulrich
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to compare the methods of interpretation and gap filling in the United Nations Sales Convention (CISG) and in the Draft Common European Sales Law (CESL). In particular, it aims to examine whether the established interpretation and gap filling method of the CISG can and should be used for the CESL.

Design/methodology/approach

The article looks at the method by which international case law and doctrine interpret the CISG and fill its gaps. The article compares this method with the method that is provided for in the CESL instrument but has to be implemented.

Findings

It is suggested that despite its nature as European community law, CESL should be interpreted in a broad international way since it does not only cover internal EU sales, but also transactions involving parties from outside the EU. For this reason its interpretation and gap filling should follow the method of the CISG so as to interpret similar provisions in a similar way in order to harmonize law within and outside the EU.

Research limitations/implications

Both the CISG and CESL intend to unify legal traditions or different legal systems; the CISG tries to harmonize globally what CESL tries to harmonize regionally. It is important that these two instruments complement one another by the avoidance of divergent interpretations of similar provisions. It would helpful for further research to assess whether and how two decades of experience with the CISG can be used in the interpretation and application of CESL.

Practical implications

CESL's interpretation provision, if it is enacted, is unlikely to change from the current version. The way CESL is interpreted and how its gaps filled will determine its practical significance as a viable opt‐in national law. It is therefore necessary to develop in advance the right interpretive methodology if CESL is to become a meaningful alternative instrument.

Originality/value

The article suggests that the CESL should not be interpreted in the traditional way European community law is interpreted, but, instead, be interpreted under a broad international perspective. It also advances the idea of interconventional interpretation by which the CISG would guide the interpretation of similar provisions found in CESL.
Capacity and availability management by quantitative project management in the IT service industry
Authors: Bairi Jayachandra , Murali Manohar B. , Kundu Goutam Kumar
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and implement an efficient capacity and availability management tracker for information technology (IT) service delivery management that can be applied by analyzing base‐lined data, using quantitative project management and knowledge discovery techniques, for taking decisions on a monthly basis in resource allocation, optimum resource utilization and efficient service level management.

Design/methodology/approach

A ticket forecasting model has been developed. Also data were collected from fixed price running IT service delivery programs with about 200 or more full‐time employees working in each program, limited to four large service lines. Using Monte Carlo simulation, the data were base lined and applied to a capacity and availability management tracker. The results were then analyzed and conclusions drawn.

Findings

The findings suggest that the service provider was able to share the resources across the organization as needed based on demand, and overall the bench strength of the organization was drastically reduced. Also they were able to achieve better service level management. This has contributed to profit margin improvement in the organization.

Research limitations/implications

The relatively small sample size (three programs and four service lines in one IT service organization) has impact on research implications.

Practical implications

The results have implications for practice in promoting IT tools and technique for capacity and availability management in an IT service provider. It is suggested that senior management may need to concentrate on adapting a positive approach promoting the usage of new IT tools and techniques in order to achieve IT service improvement, better performance and margin improvement.

Originality/value

This study has addressed the consequences of initiating an organization‐wide knowledge‐based process performance model for a popular strategic IT initiative. The study has answered the questions on better resource utilization and efficient service level management.
Designing quality for the higher educational system
Authors: Sahney Sangeeta
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The growing popularity of quality management has left no sector untouched, and educational services are no exception. In the face of the innumerable demands that the stakeholders place, educational institutions like other organizations are realizing the significance of customer‐centered philosophies. The enhancement of quality and the attempt to define, conceptualize, implement and measure it are areas of focus, and are being addressed by policy makers, educational planners and administrators. This paper is an attempt towards identification of the elements that would help design quality for the higher educational system.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a theoretical foundation, this paper is an empirical study conducted on select higher educational institutions to identify the various design characteristic constructs which would form the quality element/components for an educational system, and which, if implemented, would help design quality in education. The literature review helped conceptualize the variables that would constitute quality components for education. These were empirically tested and a comparative assessment made between internal and external customers of the educational system, the internal customers being the faculty and the administrative staff, and the external customers being students and the industry. Such an emphasis on customers of the educational system would assure a customer‐centric design of the educational system, something which is prima facie to “quality management”.

Findings

The study helped identify the quality components, which would help design quality for institutes of higher education.

Practical implications

The paper could be useful to policy makers, educational planners and administrators in developing a system that could lead to customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

While studies have been conducted on customer requirement and the constructs, research on what would comprise the quality components is lacking. A study on this could help design an educational system that would lead to quality management in education and thereby lead to customer satisfaction.
Cabling renovation concept in large‐scale renovation of rural area networks
Authors: Haakana Juha , Lassila Jukka , Kaipia Tero , Partanen Jarmo , Lohjala Juha , Niemelä Hanna
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Underground cabling has become a true alternative in construction of electricity distribution networks, even in rural areas. The increasing amount of underground installations requires strategic work that helps to define the most profitable cabling targets. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a methodology to consider the underground cabling process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a cabling concept that covers the issues on how cabling should be carried out. The analysis is based on techno‐economic and reliability analyses. The methodology consists of several steps that together constitute the concept.

Findings

The underground cabling concept comprises several steps that can be simplified into questions: where, what, when and how the network cabling process is carried out. The analysis of these questions and the related features of the network show that different approaches to the renovation can cause significant differences in profitability between the renovation strategies.

Research limitations/implications

The underground cabling concept provides a method to analyse the cabling process, and it contains several alternatives for applying the concept. Thus, the applicability of a certain method depends on the network and the objectives of the distribution system operator.

Practical implications

Renovation planning of the network has become common in distribution companies. Traditionally, ageing of the network has been the driver for the renovation. However, in the future, the scope of renovation planning should also include other renovation drivers, such as reliability.

Originality/value

The methodology proposed in the paper can be applied in the renovation and development process of distribution networks. The results are universal in the electricity distribution.
Natural gas demand and supply modeling with geo‐spatial technologies
Authors: Naqi Syed Ali , Jamil Hassan Kazmi Syed , Seong Jeong C.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Natural gas makes up about 50 per cent of Pakistan's energy consumption, which is decreasing at an alarming pace, making Karachi – the largest city of Pakistan – one of the major victims of natural gas shortfall. The purpose of this paper is to model natural gas demand and supply using geographic information systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Sui Southern Gas Company datasets were used to derive annual per capita gas usages and to analyze the capacity of gas supplies. Union Council is taken as a smallest and basic analytical administrative spatial unit for appraisal of badly affected, with insufficient, low and better gas supply regions.

Findings

Results show that the per capita demand for natural gas is higher in high class residential areas while supply is lowest for upper middle and lower middle class residential area populations. Only 19 per cent of the total residential areas are expected to be free from gas shortfalls. About 53 per cent of residential areas are facing the problem of low gas availability; and 3 per cent and 11 per cent areas are under stress of badly affected and insufficient gas supply, respectively.

Originality/value

This research shows an example of constructing a Geographic Information System (GIS)‐based gas demand and supply model that can be used for building strategic guidelines for top‐level planners, engineers and decision makers at the micro‐level. This is not a “deep” paper, but it works in identifying a problem and presenting a quantitative way forward. This paper will have significant impact both on society and academia, as this innovative technology and its implementation on gas utility has happened for the first time in Pakistan. Furthermore, in the international literature this has also been in infancy and will open new avenues of research, especially in developing countries. The work would certainly be applicable for other consumer‐based utilities such as electricity, telecommunication, sewerage and municipal water and they would all benefit from it substantially.
Gender differences and audit committee diligence
Authors: Thiruvadi Sheela
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between the presence of females on the audit committee and the number of audit committee meetings.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a multivariate regression model to examine the association between gender on the audit committee and the number of audit committee meetings used as a proxy for audit committee diligence. The paper uses a sample of 254 firms from the S&P SmallCap600, with a December 31, 2003 fiscal year‐end.

Findings

The author finds consistent evidence to show that audit committees with at least one female director were likely to meet more often than all‐male audit committees.

Research limitations/implications

Future research suggests that it may be fruitful to examine the effects of gender on other aspects of audit committee and board activities and the interaction between audit committees, management, and the external auditor. Furthermore, the results of the paper have strong implications for regulators and policy makers, since the presence of a female director on the audit committee may bring many positive outcomes, thereby leading to better corporate governance practices. Hence, the appointment of more females on the audit committee should be strongly emphasized.

Originality/value

This research paper contributes to the contemporary literature regarding the increased awareness of good outcomes associated with having women on the audit committee in various ways. First, this research encourages the appointment of more females on the audit committee. Second, increased diligence of the audit committee leads to enhanced corporate governance practices. Third, the presence of females on the audit committee could lead to good corporate decision making. Fourth, the presence of a female on the audit committee could lead to increased confidence of the public. Fifth, this research also serves as an influencing power to encourage equal opportunities for both men and women.
Envisioning female entrepreneur: leaders anew from a gender perspective
Authors: Patterson Nicola , Mavin Sharon , Turner Jane
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the convergence of female entrepreneurship, women in management and leadership fields from a gender perspective to bring a gender consciousness to the development and construction of the emerging entrepreneurial leadership theory base.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual paper that argues for the convergence of the entrepreneurship and leadership fields to enable an interchange of ideas, and learn from the developments within each field from a gender perspective. Whilst scholars have recently begun to explore the concept of entrepreneurial leadership, these early developments have remained gender blind, gender defensive and gender neutral.

Findings

A central argument is that female entrepreneur leader's experience social role incongruity. In order to be perceived by their followers as credible and legitimate entrepreneurial leaders, women are expected to manage their dual presence across the symbolic spaces of femininity and masculinity, doing gender well and doing gender differently to meet social role expectations of being a woman, whilst also meeting dominant masculine constructions of leadership and entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

This paper extends understandings of entrepreneurial leadership, highlighting the importance of foregrounding gender, to make visible and integrate the historical developments of gender within the entrepreneurship and leadership fields. Both scholars and practitioners must “unlearn” and “rethink” our learnt state of being in relation to gender, leadership and entrepreneurship in order to move beyond the “given” and disrupt masculinities' hierarchical superiority.

Originality/value

The paper argues that blends of agentic and communal behaviours must be recognized as accessible to both women and men for effective entrepreneurial leadership. This will provide female entrepreneurial leaders the fluidity to do both and be something else as a person. Offering understandings of gender to extant gender blind, gender neutral and gender defensive constructions of entrepreneurial leadership will progress understandings of the framework emerging from this conceptualization.
Examining the marketing‐corporate social responsibility nexus
Authors: Ebo Hinson Robert , Kodua Prince
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how corporate social responsibility is incorporated into marketing strategy for a leading telecommunications firm (MTN) in Ghana. The paper examines the corporate social responsibility practices of this firm by focussing on various dimensions of stakeholder interests, norms and values.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework was adopted from the extant literature and used as the basis for the single case study analysis. The authors interviewed senior management of the company and also analysed corporate social responsibility (CSR) information posted on the company's website.

Findings

MTN has a strong commitment to social responsibility programmes. A separate independent unit, dubbed, “MTN Foundation”, has been established with its own Board of Directors and management team to manage CSR‐related programmes. However, there seems to be lack of coordination of activities of other departments such as marketing and human resources which are of equal interest to major stakeholders. Again, in an effort to identify stakeholders' interests, there appears to be a lack of a proactive approach in examining the actual needs of prospective beneficiaries of CSR programmes of the company.

Originality/value

The paper serves as a guide to managers in the planning and implementation of social responsibility programmes within the context of developing countries and also adds to the relatively parsimonious literature on CSR practices of firms operating in Africa.
An exploration of ISO 14001 uptake by New Zealand firms
Authors: Cassells Sue , Lewis Kate V. , Findlater Alec
Published: August 2012

Purpose

New Zealand firms display reluctance in embracing the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard. The low adoption rate suggests that the benefits of doing so are not adequately understood by New Zealand firms. The purpose of the paper is to report success factors for the implementation of ISO 14001, as well as the barriers to, and benefits of, adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on data from a survey of all ISO 14001 certified firms in New Zealand.

Findings

The key factors reported as being critical to the successful implementation of an ISO 14001 driven EMS for the respondent firms are planning and strategy, and capability building, with process management of lesser importance. Factors recognised as potential barriers to successful ISO 14001 adoption are primarily implementation processes and costs, with external engagement, information and infrastructure, and contractor commitments deemed lesser barriers. Perceived benefits of ISO 14001 adoption are reported as environmental operating performance, compliance related performance, environmental outcomes and perceptions and, lastly, competitive orientation.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited to data from externally certified firms (i.e. it excludes any data from firms who “self‐declare”). The data are also post‐implementation (i.e. there is no measurement of whether the reported benefits, barriers and success factors were what the firm had expected pre‐implementation).

Originality/value

The paper is one of few that explore the phenomenon of ISO 14001 adoption by firms in the New Zealand context.
Corporate responsibility in the banking sector: a proposed typology for the German case
Authors: Relano Francesc , Paulet Elisabeth
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The aftermath of the subprime mortgage crisis has accelerated a pre‐existing process of ethical approach in the banking industry. Today, all banks claim to be socially, environmentally and economically committed with the philosophy of sustainable finance. The purpose of this paper is to show that, beyond the outward similarities, there are three different types of banking approach, each reflecting a distinct business model: banks whose ethical/social approach is mainly based on what they say, represented by universal banks; banks whose ethical/social approach is based on what they are, essentially the co‐operative banks; banks whose ethical/social approach is based on what they do, the so‐called ethical banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper bases its argument on the German banking industry, which is a big European country with a fairly diversified banking sector. The paper examines three types of sources for each of the above‐mentioned categories of banks: the social and environmental reporting, the conformity or not with the principles of the social and solidarity‐based economy and the different types of financial activities as reflected in their balance sheet.

Findings

The paper concludes that more ethical behaviour leads to both economic performance and social gains which increase wealth for all partners.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed methodology could be extended to other European banking systems to discuss their implications as regards corporate social responsibility.

Practical implications

This contribution will help the reader to evaluate banking communication as regards corporate social responsibility in their daily activity.

Originality/value

This research will give an insight based on the documents published by banking institutions to measure their implication on corporate social responsibility.
Impact and economic assessment of assistive technology in care homes in Norfolk, UK
Authors: Al‐Oraibi Saleh , Fordham Ric , Lambert Rod
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether new installed assistive technology (AT) systems in care homes for elderly residents, reduced the number of falls and demands for formal health services.

Design/methodology/approach

The project collected retrospective data about incidence of falls before and after AT systems were installed from two care homes in the county of Norfolk, UK. Two care homes were selected purposefully because a recent assessment determined the need for upgrading their call system, but with different resident profiles regarding prevalence of dementia. The data were collected from standard incident report forms from ten months before the upgrades to ten months after in Care Home 1 and from six months before the upgrade to six months afterwards in Care Home 2.

Findings

In both care homes there were 314 falls reported during the course of the study. The number of falls overall reduced from 202 falls before the introduction of AT, to 112 after the introduction of AT. The mean health care costs associated with falls in Care Home 1 significantly reduced by more than 50 per cent (p=0.015). In Care Home 2 there was no statistically significant difference in the mean cost.

Originality/value

Results showed that installed AT system in residential care homes reduced the number of falls and health care cost in homes with a lower proportion of residents with advanced dementia than those with a higher proportion of residents with advanced dementia. However, larger and more representative studies are required to demonstrate the economic and social impact of AT systems.
An inclusive approach to develop web TV applications
Authors: Biswas Pradipta
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to present a brief overview of the European “Gentle User Interfaces for Elderly People” (GUIDE) project, which is creating a software framework and design tools that allow developers to efficiently integrate accessibility and personalisation features into their applications, minimizing intervention with existing development process and tools. The GUIDE project aims to fill the accessibility, expertise, time, budget and framework gap between mainstream applications and accessibility systems through its user modelling and multimodal adaptation systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at the GUIDE project which involves users in early design process, understands their requirements, formulates them into user models and implements the model into a software framework to personalize interfaces with change of range of abilities and context of use. It proposes a research solution to industry and works closely with it so that the research can make a market impact.

Findings

Early evaluation of the system shows it can accommodate a wide range of users and enhance their quality of participation with digital media. The project also contributes to develop standards for hybrid TV and the interoperable user model.

Originality/value

The GUIDE project is a first of its kind to take an end‐to‐end approach to accessible computing through presentations on user‐centred design, accessibility solutions, a software framework for industrial developers and standardization issues for legislators and regulators.
Carbon calculators as a tool for carbon impact appraisal of holiday travel: a critical review
Authors: Filimonau Viachaslau
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This study aims to conduct a critical analysis of online carbon calculators, assesing their accuracy and ability to provide holistic carbon impact appraisals of different elements of holiday travel. It seeks to identify the major data sources for estimates and establish the interrelatedness between them. The determinant factors for the variance in the magnitude of the carbon footprint appraisals between calculators are critically reviewed.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the key online carbon calculators to better understand how estimates of carbon footprint are made, what background information is available to tool users and which factors affect the accuracy and comprehensiveness of appraisals.

Findings

The study concludes that the applicability of existing carbon calculators to carbon impact assessment in tourism is limited. Moreover, poor accesibility of the background data, inconsistencies in the multiplying factors used and inhomogeneity in the appraisal methods employed question the accuracy, credibility and transparency of carbon calculators. Suggestions are made on how to improve the overall quality and reliability of carbon calculators in order to enhance their consistency, transparency and applicability in the tourism domain.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a better understanding of assessment approaches available in the tourism domain to produce reliable estimates of the carbon impacts from holiday travel.
Teleological approaches from complexity sciences in services
Authors: Svensson Göran , Padin Carmen
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and apply teleological approaches from complexity sciences in services.

Design/methodology/approach

The performance of service encounters and the outcome of service quality are dependent upon complex and dynamic interactions between service providers and service receivers. A set of teleological approaches from complexity sciences is incorporated and applied in the context of service settings.

Findings

A teleological application from complexity sciences in relation to the interactive nature of the performance of service encounters and the outcome of service quality offers opportunities to apply innovative research designs and alternative methodological approaches to future research problems in services.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could focus on where and how the insights from other research disciplines can be used that have encapsulated teleological approaches from complexity sciences more sophisticated, and how this knowledge could be incorporated and applied in services.

Practical implications

The inclusion and consideration of teleological approaches from complexity sciences in the performance of service encounters and the outcome of service quality generates a series of managerial and research implications regarding the dynamics and complexity of the interactive nature in services.

Originality/value

The research opportunities into service quality and service encounters by applying teleological approaches from complexity sciences are extensive. They might also stimulate innovative analytical techniques that may generate important empirical findings, in extension, with relevant and valuable implications for practice in services. A maintained focus on multi‐disciplinary aspects of research may enhance contemporary research and practice of services.
Application to plate components of a kinematic global‐local approach for non‐matching finite element meshes
Authors: Sellitto A. , Borrelli R. , Caputo F. , Riccio A. , Scaramuzzino F.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and to assess the capabilities of the most common finite element (FE)‐based tools to deal with global‐local analysis. Two kinds of coupling were investigated: shell to shell and shell to solid.

Design/methodology/approach

The issue of connecting non‐matching FE global and local models, characterized by different mesh refinements and/or different element types, was addressed by introducing appropriate kinematic constraints on the nodes at the interfaces. The coupling techniques available in the three FE‐based codes (ABAQUS®, NASTRAN® and ANSYS®), were assessed by applying them on a common numerical test case (non‐linear buckling analysis of a square plate). Results of the global‐local simulations were compared to the results obtained for relevant reference solutions.

Findings

The continuity of displacements and stresses across the interface between global and local models and the influence of the presence of the local model on the global model solution were used as parameters to test the quality of the results. It was observed that the tools implemented in the different codes provide different results. The results characterized by a higher quality were found by using the Multi Point Constraint available in ABAQUS®.

Originality/value

When dealing with complex structures, multi‐scale (global‐local) approaches are commonly adopted to optimize the computational cost by increasing mesh refinements and/or introducing elements with different formulations in specific region of the structures identified as “local model”. In this paper an overview of the coupling tools available in the main commercial FE code is given.
Recovery of oil‐pollutant from shipwrecks: DIFIS project
Authors: Mazarakos D.E. , Andritsos F. , Kostopoulos V.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a method for the prompt intervention and remediation of tanker wrecks, for recovering the fuel trapped in their tanks.

Design/methodology/approach

The environmental conditions, the functional specifications, the conceptual and preliminary design, the computational methods (fluid/structure interaction, computational fluid dynamics analysis and finite element analysis), the hydrodynamic scale model tests and the dynamic response analysis are included in this research paper.

Findings

The paper provides analytical and numerical tools for the response of subsea structures. These tools were calibrated by hydrodynamic scale model tests and extrapolated for different depths (shallow, deep water and ultra deep water).

Research limitations/implications

The method is applicable as long as the trapped pollutant does not dissolve and is of lower density than the sea water.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new structure for the oil recovery from shipwrecks, which is simple and quickly deployed.
Support and services for individuals with intellectual disabilities whose behaviour is described as challenging, and the impact of recent inquiries
Authors: Cooper Vivien
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to give an overview of the exposure of abusive practices in services for people with intellectual disabilities, and the resulting inquiries and reports. It also aims to consider the common findings and recommendations and what difference they have made to support and services for people with intellectual disabilities whose behaviour is described as challenging.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper briefly reviews the main inquiries, subsequent reports and the recommendations made. The common themes are discussed and considered in the light of the most recent Department of Health Review following the Panorama Undercover Care documentary – (unpublished at the time of writing).

Findings

The paper highlights the recurrent themes which persist through a series of inquiries and reports.

Originality/value

The paper suggests what needs to happen to ensure that recommendations translate into action on the ground, to deliver better outcomes for individuals.
Effects on sustainability of various skylight systems in buildings with an atrium
Authors: Yildirim Kemal , Lutfi Hidayetoglu M. , Sen Ahmet
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the natural lighting performance of roof skylight systems in buildings with atriums and to compare the sustainability and energy efficiency of several roof skylight systems for educational buildings with atriums.

Design/methodology/approach

Five roof skylight systems previously assessed in another study were adapted for simulation. In order to determine the effects of each skylight system on natural lighting, all the physical data of the building to be studied were recorded and entered into a computer.

Findings

The results of the study showed that roof skylight systems should be designed both to limit light during periods of maximum daylight to avoid such problems as glare, flare, and so on; and to direct light indoors as fully as possible during periods of limited daylight. In this regard, the “Moving Sunshade Double Layer” roof system showed better performance than the other four roof skylight systems.

Research limitations/implications

In subsequent studies, roof systems appropriate for natural lighting should be studied for other plan types, hospitals, public buildings and so on. Moreover, real structures in which direct environment measurements can be taken could be used for obtaining data, instead of simulations.

Practical implications

Use of the roof system suggested by the research will minimize lighting and air conditioning costs, and enhance building sustainability.

Originality/value

This study explores methods of taking advantage of natural lighting indoors through the use of roof skylight systems, and identifies the most appropriate, sustainable and energy efficient roof skylight system for education buildings having an atrium.