bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reflections on our work
Authors: Rockman Ilene F.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon the journal, Reference Services Review, since the editorship of Ilene F. Rockman began in 1986.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes how the journal has become one of the most respected in its profession, has encouraged new authors and published several ground‐breaking articles over the past two decades.

Findings

The journal's standard of excellence is high and continues to model a commitment to, and passion for, reference services and collections, utilization of technology to help users and innovation in library instruction and information library programs.

Originality/value

The paper offers a reflection of RSR and its contribution toward equity and social responsibility.
Net cred: evaluating the internet as a research source
Authors: Doyle Tony , Hammond John L.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how web sites can be a valuable research source for students if approached with due caution.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is the product of collaboration between a sociology professor and a librarian. The authors discuss the nature of their collaboration and present their views on web evaluation in the context of an extensive literature review.

Findings

Reputable print sources have numerous mechanisms to help ensure reliability: proven authors and editors, track record, and (sometimes) peer review. Obviously, the vast majority of web sites lack these features. Accordingly, the paper offers a critical look at the standard criteria of web evaluation with illustrations from two sites, one credible, one not.

Originality/value

Healthy skepticism regarding the internet is urged. It is suggested that web evaluation has costs and benefits. The chief benefit of careful web site evaluation is that the process makes it more likely than otherwise that one will wind up with reliable sites. The main cost is that evaluation takes time, and the value of a given piece of information declines according to the effort one spends verifying it. A second potential cost is that undue skepticism can prompt one to dismiss perfectly respectable sites.
Reference services in digital collections and projects
Authors: Choi Youngok
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which digital library projects incorporated reference services to increase the value of the collections and support the use of information.

Design/methodology/approach

After defining digital library service types, the study surveyed 60 digital collections/projects from the Digital Initiatives Database (DID) and analyzed what types of services have been offered and how they varied.

Findings

Findings showed that digital collections scored high marks in offering services in two areas – search and digital reference; however, the findings also revealed that they have been limited in giving valuable information services in other areas.

Originality/value

The study shows that the current practice of digital initiatives needs to integrate various services not only to help users find information, but also to instruct users to better utilize the library and its other services.
Colour and product choice: a study of gender roles
Authors: Funk Debby , Oly Ndubisi Nelson
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Research in to how colour can stimulate interest and subsequently increase the appeal power of products. There has been very little or no research in the colour‐impact domain in Malaysia. Gender has also been presented as an important factor of colour penchant and proclivity. Seeks to understand the influence of colour on consumer choice of automobile as well as the effect of gender differences.

Design/methodology/approach

A field survey of Malaysia consumers was conducted to understand these influences. A total of 196 consumers randomly selected from a mall intercept exercise responded to the questionnaire.

Findings

Shows that attitude towards colour, colour attractiveness, normative colour, and colour preferences are significantly associated with product choice. The results also show that gender moderates the impact of colour significance, attitude towards colour, colour attractiveness, and colour preferences on choice.

Research limitations/implications

Limited by the fact that the study was undertaken in one country.

Practical implications

To help marketers exploit gender differences through use of colour.

Originality/value

There has been little research on colour in marketing in the past. This fills a gap.
Family structure and joint purchase decisions: two products analysis
Authors: Oly Ndubisi Nelson , Koo Jenny
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Addresses the impact of family structure on joint purchase decisions of Malaysian spouses for the following products: furniture, vacation, and aggregate or overall products (a combination of furniture and vacation).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 103 couples responded to the survey conducted in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, to understand the impact of family typing namely, strong vs weak cohesive family and modern vs traditional family on joint purchase decision on furniture, vacation, and aggregate products.

Findings

The outcome shows consistent results across the three products as follows: a strong cohesive family makes more joint decisions on furniture than a weak cohesive family and a modern family makes more joint decisions on furniture than a traditional family; a strong cohesive family makes more joint decisions on vacation than a weak cohesive family and a modern family make more joint decisions on vacations than a traditional family; and a strong cohesive family makes more joint decisions on aggregate products than weak cohesive family and modern family makes more joint decisions on aggregate products than a traditional family.

Practical implications

Supports the preponderance of strong cohesive families over weak in making joint decisions on furniture, vacations and both.

Originality/value

Modern families make more joint purchase decisions than traditional families.
Evaluation of transitional mentoring for new library and information professionals
Authors: Hallam Gillian , Newton‐Smith Carol
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To present the findings of the comparative evaluation of two transitional mentoring programs developed for new library and information professionals in Australia, one as a group program and the other with pairs of mentors/mentees.

Design/methodology/approach

The research project involved an initial review of the literature. A comparative study was undertaken, with a survey approach to collect data from the participants in the transitional mentoring programs. The study obtained data about three key areas: career‐related, learning‐related, and professional development.

Findings

It was found that participants had a high level of satisfaction with both the programs and both mentor and mentee reported positive career, learning and personal development outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to one year of transitional mentoring activity for one professional field in Australia. It would be beneficial to continue the study over a longer period of time to collect further data from other participants.

Practical implications

The research project highlights evaluation of mentoring programs. The project has helped develop an initial understanding of benefits to be gained through mentoring relationships to support new professionals. The study is likely to have wider application across other professional disciplines and may encourage professionals to consider mentoring as a valuable part of career development.

Originality/value

The paper provides information about two different models of transitional mentoring programs, together with one possible approach for the evaluation of mentoring programs. The paper offers support and encouragement to any professional group planning to establish and manage a mentoring program.
Negotiator style and influence in multi‐party negotiations: exploring the role of gender
Authors: Karakowsky Leonard , Miller Diane L.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The extant literature suggests that men and women do not necessarily possess identical negotiating styles. However, unfortunately the literature has yet to clearly identify the role that gender plays in the negotiation context and in the behaviours of male and female negotiators. This paper aims to contribute to understanding of this topic.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual/theory paper (with relevant literature reviews).

Findings

Perceived power in a multi‐party negotiation can be affected by numerical status, as well as social status with the result that a minority female in a group dominated by males will act differently from a male in a female‐dominated group.

Research limitations/implications

This paper draws on theories of proportional representation, social roles and perceived status, in order to identify a number of factors that can affect the degree of influence exerted and the behavioural style adopted among male and female negotiators in mixed‐gender, multi‐party business negotiations.

Practical implications

This paper explores a very practical question – do men and women behave differently at the “bargaining table”? And how does gender play a role in multi‐party negotiations?

Originality/value

This study is highly original, given the lack of theory in this area.
Environmental leadership development
Authors: Vardiman Phillip D. , Houghton Jeffery D. , Jinkerson Darryl L.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide a basis for comparing the interactions between the level of environmental support for leadership development and individual leadership characteristics in determining leadership selection and effectiveness within organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

A contextual model of leader selection and effectiveness examining the interactions between the level of environmental support and individual leadership characteristics to predict specific research propositions based on organizational needs is presented. The paper first provides an overview of leadership selection and effectiveness research and then illustrates a contextual model of leadership selection and effectiveness. The model design is based on a four‐quadrant structure with two propositions being suggested for each quadrant.Findings– Describes the context and proposed outcome of each respective quadrant for identifying and selecting potential leadership talent within an organization. The model also highlights the tendencies of organizational leadership to promote or select potential leadership talent from predictable employee groups based on how they match preconceived expectations.Research limitations/implications– The model has not yet been tested empirically.Practical implications– A very useful approach for organizations looking to improve their internal leadership development capabilities and leadership selection processes. This model lays the foundation for leadership identification and selection from all areas of an organization while emphasizing the necessity for leadership development at all levels.Originality/value– All organizations face the challenge of leadership identification, growth, development and effectiveness. This paper offers insights into understanding how leaders are identified for growth and development within an organization and how individuals within those organizations perceive themselves participating in leadership opportunities.
Intrapreneurship, local initiatives in organizational change processes
Authors: Brunåker Svante , Kurvinen Jaana
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper has its focus on local initiatives in developing the work organization. Local initiatives describe how shop floor workers and middle managers initiate organizational change by developing ideas emerging in the daily operations. The purpose of this article is to elaborate on how and why such local initiatives emerge and develop.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines theories about entrepreneurship and organizational change as a framework to understand local initiatives. Local initiatives contribute to the understanding of organizational change processes by emphasizing not only the voice of the managerial discourse but also the voice of local actors. The empirical findings are based on interviews in a paper pulp plant.

Findings

Local initiatives are a way for shop floor workers and middle managers to translate work procedures into something that makes sense in their own context of daily operations. The intrapreneur acts not as a change agent for someone else's intentions but as a self appointed actor who initiates and drives the process of creating unequivocal interpretations of equivocal events.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a single case study.

Practical implications

The paper stresses the importance for managers to find ways to deal with local initiatives. Generating and collecting ideas is the easy part, the challenge is to do something with the ideas received.

Originality/value

A model is suggested that describes four different approaches to organizational change.
Rethinking leadership: a way forward for teaching leadership?
Authors: Hay Amanda , Hodgkinson Myra
Published: July 2006

Purpose

There have again been increasing calls for management educators to strengthen the development of leadership in their programmes. However, it is unclear as to how such calls can be best answered. One way forward may be to rethink our conceptualisation of leadership. This paper seeks to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Dominant theories of leadership may offer limited help to management educators. The dominant conceptualisation of leadership is questioned using empirical evidence from recent studies and interviews undertaken by the authors which examined managers' understandings of leadership.

Findings

This article suggests that mainstream leadership theories are framed by systems‐control thinking and highlights a number of issues in respect of teaching leadership. Proposes that a process‐relational framing of leadership may be a more useful way to think about leadership.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst the interview data drawn upon is exploratory and therefore cannot be taken as conclusive, we hope to stimulate a wider rethinking of leadership than is currently present.

Practical implications

Tentative suggestions are presented for responding to calls to improve the teaching of leadership.

Originality/value

The paper emphasises a process‐relational understanding of leadership and may be seen to offer practical help to management educators concerned with the teaching of leadership.
A packaging robot for complex cartons
Authors: Dubey Venketesh N. , Dai Jian S.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To demonstrate the feasibility of designing a versatile packaging machine for folding cartons of complex geometry and shapes.

Design/methodology/approach

The research conducts study of cartons of different geometry and shapes classifying them in suitable types and operations that a machine can understand, conceptualizing a machine that can handle such cartons, modeling and simulation of the machine, and finally design and development of the packaging machine.

Findings

It has been shown that such a versatile machine is a possibility; it just needs miniaturization and investment on its development when such machines could be a reality.

Research limitations/implications

This research was aimed at proving the principle, but for practical implementation considerations need to be given for a compact, portable system incorporating sensors.

Originality/value

The design is unique in existence and has been shown to fold cartons of different complexity.
An industrial solution to automatic robot calibration and workpiece pose estimation for semiconductor and gene‐chip microarray fabrication
Authors: Zhang Mingjun , Tao Weimin , Fisher William , Tarn Tzyh‐Jong
Published: July 2006

Purpose

For semiconductor and gene‐chip microarray fabrication, robots are widely used to handle workpieces. It is critical that robots can calibrate themselves regularly and estimate workpiece pose automatically. This paper proposes an industrial method for automatic robot calibration and workpiece pose estimation.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods have been implemented using an air‐pressure sensor and a laser sensor.

Findings

Experimental results conducted in an industrial manufacturing environment show efficiency of the methods.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper consists of an industrial solution to automatic robot calibration and workpiece pose estimation for automatic semiconductor and gene‐chip microarray fabrication.
Interplas Show brings cheer to UK plastics
Authors: Rooks Brian
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To review manufacturing automation products and technology on show at Interplas 2005, the UK's premier exhibition of equipment for the plastics and rubber industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Some of the automation products on display at the show are highlighted, particularly the take‐out or beam‐type robots favoured by several of the injection moulding machine (IMM) manufacturers who produce their own version of these robots, including Arburg and Negri Bossi. Descriptions are also given of products from some independent automation equipment manufacturers including ATM, Geiger Handling and Wittmann. Beam‐type and articulated arm robots are described as well as end‐of‐arm tooling including CaviGrip exhibited by ATM, which through cooling within the tool can achieve dramatic savings by reducing the cycle time of IMMs. The contrasting benefits of beam‐type and articulated arm robots tending IMMs are debated. Also revealed is new articulated arm robot hardware and software technology developed by ABB specifically for plastics manufacturing automation. Finally, a brief case study is presented of a robot cell at Characteristix, a UK manufacturer of injection mouldings for the entertainment industry, which has helped it compete against the Far East.

Findings

There are manufacturing automation products available to the plastics industry that can help lift it out of recession. Articulated arm robots can add significant value to injection moulded products.

Originality/value

Presents a review of the manufacturing automation technology now available to the plastics manufacturing industry.
Trimming a fiberglass challenge to save money, production time and improve quality
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To relate how even a smaller manufacturing operation can benefit from the application of robotic methods to manual operations.

Design/methodology/approach

A maker of fibreglass automobile body kits called in a robotic systems integrator with 20 years of experience to automate his manual panel trimming operation. In about three months, the system integrator delivered a complete system to meet all application requirements.

Findings

The auto body kit maker achieved a 95 percent reduction in trimming time and improved his quality as well.

Research limitations/implications

While this manufacturer achieved dramatic benefits, not all trimming operations might achieve such results.

Practical implications

Key to a successful robot application can depend heavily on the skills and prior experience of the system integrator selected to address the application.

Originality/value

May provide incentive to other smaller fiberglass panel manufacturers to examine potential applications where robotic trimming systems could provide excellent pay back on the investment.
The harmonious robot
Authors: Rooks Brian
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To describe the design methodology and human‐centre functionality of the whole arm manipulator (WAM) developed originally at MIT and brought to commercial fruition by Barrett Technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The WAM arm is driven by cable‐and‐cylinder transmissions, which uniquely exhibits zero backlash with low friction and low inertia, endowing the WAM with good open‐loop “backdrivability”. Two key benefits of the high backdrivability are: motion control through joint torque control, which enables the intrinsic sensing of forces over the whole arm and makes it inherently safe to humans; operation directly in the Cartesian domain without the need for inverse kinematics calculations, providing very rapid responsiveness as demonstrated in the “baseball robot” of Tokyo University. Another benefit of the WAM is its kinematic redundancy through the 4‐dof (degrees‐of‐freedom) main axes (7‐dof with the wrist). Recent major advances in the WAM include the “puck”, the world's smallest fully‐featured servo‐controller that eliminates the need for an external controller cabinet, and a safety circuit that limits, by a set amount, the power flow from the WAM to a person or object while not inhibiting the reverse from human to arm. The WAM's intrinsic force control has allowed the development of software‐defined haptic walls, which are being exploited by partners such as the CMU (Carnegie Mellon University) Robotics Institute, in patient rehabilitation, and Mako Surgical, for use in joint surgery.

Findings

The Barrett WAM's good open‐loop backdrivability has initiated the development of novel human‐centred robot applications that will expand the use of robots outside the factory and into human‐inhabited areas.

Originality/value

Presents the design methodology, features and applications of the Barrett WAM human‐centred robot.
Reverse e‐auctions and supplier‐buyer relationships: an exploratory study
Authors: Tassabehji R. , Taylor W.A. , Beach R. , Wood A.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Reverse e‐auctions are increasingly being used in business‐to‐business procurement and have been reported to yield significant price reductions for buyer firms. However, the adoption of online auction formats has raised many concerns among suppliers, often being criticized for damaging supplier‐buyer relationships and for being antithetical to what is currently regarded as good supply chain management. Against this background this paper aims to examine the reverse auction phenomenon in the UK packaging sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from the direct experiences of one large food‐packaging supplier, using case studies of reverse e‐auctions, and from exploratory interviews with other suppliers in the sector.

Findings

While buyers are reaping significant short‐term price reductions, the benefits to suppliers are less obvious. In fact, little reference was detected to the often‐quoted reductions in overall transaction costs for either buyers or suppliers. However, most respondents were not able to specify their transaction costs and associated risks and did not appear to have adequate costing systems to enable such quantification.

Practical implications

Reports the concerns of suppliers, outlines how buyers could embed trust‐building mechanisms into the reverse e‐auction process and proposes a model for testing the findings in future research.

Originality/value

Expands on the existing experience of the impact of reverse e‐auctions on supply chain relationships despite the limited, albeit growing, body of empirical evidence of this.
The relationship between interorganizational information systems and operations performance
Authors: da Silveira Giovani J.C. , Cagliano Raffaella
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between interorganizational information system (IOIS) adoption in supplier coordination and operations performance improvements.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on the association between dyadic and multilateral IOISs and improvements in performance priorities associated with stable and dynamic supply networks, using data on 201 manufacturers in 13 countries from the international manufacturing strategy survey (IMSS) database. Regression models were used to test relationships between IOIS adoption and operations performance improvements.

Findings

Analysis indicates that dyadic IOISs appear to be more associated with the performance priorities of stable supply chains (cost, delivery, and quality), while multilateral IOISs appear to be more associated with the performance priorities of dynamic supply chains (flexibility and quality).

Research limitations/implications

Survey data were collected in the years 2000 and 2001. Some of the conclusions might be reassessed in light of recent developments in information technology. Data were limited to medium/large manufacturers of fabricated metal products, machinery, and equipment.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that the choice of IOISs must follow the company's product portfolio and supply chain configuration. Dynamic networks with innovative products may benefit from multilateral IOISs; stable networks with functional products may benefit from dyadic IOISs.

Originality/value

This appears to be the first study to provide empirical evidence to performance effects of IOISs in light of existing supply chain frameworks.
The linkage between supply chain integration and manufacturing improvement programmes
Authors: Cagliano Raffaella , Caniato Federico , Spina Gianluca
Published: July 2006

Purpose

While the attention of most OM scholars has shifted to supply chain management, there is still a need to understand how supply chain strategies are linked with internal manufacturing strategies. The literature shows some studies in this field, but a deep investigation of the linkages between these two areas is still missing. The purpose of this study is to investigate on an empirical basis the relationship between two supply chain integration dimensions – the integration of information flows and the integration of physical flows – and two manufacturing improvement programmes – lean production and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Evidence is drawn from a sample of 297 European companies from the third edition of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey. Data are analysed using exploratory factor analysis and hierarchical regression.

Findings

Results show that the adoption of the lean production model has a strong influence on the integration of both information and physical flows along the supply chain, while no significant influence emerged from the adoption of ERP.

Research limitations/implications

Findings open up new research questions about the missing link between ERP and information integration along the supply chain. Further developments concern the investigation of the impact of consistent adoption of internal and external practices on performance.

Practical implications

The paper provides managers with clear evidence of the need for consistency between internal and external integration.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to research by providing empirical evidence of the link between manufacturing and supply chain integration practices.
Mechanisms and rationales for the coordination of a modular assembly system
Authors: Fredriksson Peter
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate one crucial aspect and inherent difficulty of modular assembly systems, which is how the dispersed activities, resources and organizational units are coordinated with one another and the corresponding effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a subset of the data collected during a four‐year case study of Volvo Car Corporation's modular assembly system. For this particular paper, 15 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with representatives from different functions related to both pre‐ and final assembly activities.

Findings

The paper concludes that the efficiency of a modular assembly system is dependent on the use of several coordination mechanisms, such as the use of plans, standardization and mutual adjustment. The efficiency‐related rationales of activity synchronization, resource sharing, and activity and resource development can then be achieved. These mechanisms should cross the boundaries of the organizational units performing pre‐ and final assembly activities. The efficiency of a modular assembly system thus relies on an integral coordination pattern.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are mainly relevant for companies which design and produce complex products involving several technologies, and which use company‐specific module interfaces.

Practical implications

The importance of using a variety of mechanisms for coordinating activities in modular assembly systems is highlighted. The paper also shows what effects can be obtained by using several coordination mechanisms. For practitioners, the detailed case description may also provide valuable reference material.

Originality/value

The paper highlights how efficiency of a modular assembly system can be achieved through the planning and use of several mechanisms when designing and operating it.
Performers and performance
Authors: Wijngaard Jacob , de Vries Jan , Nauta Aukje
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the question of how to investigate the contribution of the operational network (comprising sales service, logistics, planning, production, etc.) to operational performance. In doing so, the paper aims to link concepts from organisational and social psychology to production planning and control.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces the concept “operational network”, e.g. the network of people involved in customer and production order processing. Members of the operational network need some autonomy, but this autonomy may also lead to dysfunctional behaviour, due to conflicts of interest, ambiguities and individual preferences. The contribution of the operational network seems difficult to investigate. This is illustrated by an empirical study of the role of operational people in a semi‐process industry. This study shows that concepts of organisational psychology are very applicable here. However, most results relate perceived behaviour to perceived performance; it appeared to be difficult to relate actual organisation characteristics to actual performance. This paper discusses the research approach that is necessary to be able to fill the gap between “perceived” and “actual”.

Findings

To fill the gap between “perceived” and “actual” behaviour, it is necessary to formalize the behaviour of the members of the operational network by adopting an adequate planning and control framework. In most situations such a planning and control framework is not available. Therefore, a study of the role of the operational network needs to be accompanied by a participative design of the planning and control framework.

Originality/value

This paper conducts a convincing investigation into the contribution of the operational network to operational performance, a subject which hitherto has been only marginally addressed.
Integrating design and retail in the clothing value chain
Authors: Abecassis‐Moedas Céline
Published: July 2006

Purpose

New product design is an established field in the literature. It is either analysed inside the firm; or when using a value chain perspective it is limited to the interactions between manufacturers and suppliers (in producer‐driven commodity chains). The current research adopts a downstream perspective, analysing the relationships between manufacturers and retailers in relation to the new product design process. Seeks to conduct research in the clothing industry; that has the specificity of being a buyer‐driven commodity chain where fashion makes design a key dimension for the success of a product.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was empirical in nature, involving 50 semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews in France, the USA and the UK at all points along the clothing value chain.

Findings

In the clothing industry, the strategy of integrating design and retail has resulted in a more flexible design process and therefore, in an increased product performance. This strategy has been developed by both retailers and designers. The strategy of integrating design and retail has resulted in a change of boundaries in the clothing value chain.

Research limitations/implications

Results are currently limited to the clothing sectors, and they are yet to be generalised to other buyer‐driven commodity chains.

Practical implications

Managers in clothing retail firms or in clothing design firms, wanting to increase product performance, should implement the strategy of integrating design and retail.

Originality/value

The paper opens a new field of research, namely: the focus on new product design with a value chain perspective that concentrates on downstream in the chain.
Strategic alignment and middle‐level managers' motivation in a balanced scorecard setting
Authors: Decoene Valerie , Bruggeman Werner
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper sets out to develop and illustrate a model of the relationship between strategic alignment, motivation and organizational performance in a balanced scorecard (BSC) context – a comprehensive system of strategically aligned performance measures.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops theoretical arguments to show how the strategic alignment process of a BSC can help companies improve their organizational performance. The study develops a theory of the motivational mechanisms that intervene in the relationship between strategic alignment and organizational performance. The literature on operations management and management control are used to underpin the theoretical propositions. A theory illustration case study is described to provide evidence for the theoretical model.

Findings

Effective strategic alignment calls for the active involvement of manufacturing executives in the BSC design and implementation process. Effective strategic alignment empowers and motivates manufacturing executives. A combination of effective strategic alignment and a BSC‐based compensation plan has a positive effect on the extrinsic motivation of manufacturing executives.

Research limitations/implications

The case study offers an interesting setting to illustrate the theoretical predictions. However, it is not possible to generalize the results to the population of manufacturing companies. Future research could formally test the relationship between strategic alignment, motivation and organizational performance by using a survey questionnaire in companies that use BSCs.

Originality/value

This paper studies the cascading process, a systematic approach to the creation of strategic alignment using the BSC.
Highlights of the 2005 Assembly Technology Show
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To review highlights of the 2005 Assembly Technology Show, Chicago.

Design/methodology/approach

Reports corporate news but mainly lists companies and their exhibits.

Findings

Confirms enterprising thrust of exhibiting companies.

Originality/value

Keeps readers informed of latest innovations in assembly technology.
Virtual distributed control systems: a components‐based design method for mechatronic systems
Authors: Mahalik N. , Xie C. , Pu J. , Moore P.R.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper presents work on design and development of a software platform in terms of virtual distributed control system (DCS) for the design of machine control systems. A component‐based framework has been adopted within the design avenue, due to the fact that machines or mechatronic systems are built from components: objects as in software engineering. Since machine control systems are distributed conformant, the main focus is given on DCS‐based approach. DCS inherits local intelligence to be incorporated at the field level (sensor and actuator level), unlike its centralised counterpart. The developed platform has been validated through a case study. The virtual platform can be useful for many kinds of event driven target platforms such as assembly lines, conveyor‐based material handling systems, production cells, and so on.

Design/methodology/approach

Components‐based approach virtual design and validation method computer assisted design.

Findings

Specification requirements for virtual design of mechatronic systems.

Originality/value

Prototype tool/approach with a case study example.
Shocking the legacy mindset™: management development and the internet
Authors: Scherpereel Christopher M. , Lefebvre Jeffrey R.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Although this article's objectives include providing a primer on internet business strategy and a design guide for future management development efforts, the motivating objective is to expose traditional business leaders to the need to shock the legacy mindset of their organizations so that they will remain competitive in the twenty‐first century.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses Lewin's three‐step change model – unfreeze, change, and refreeze, involving the IMPACT internet business simulation.

Findings

Just as information technology progress has been slowed by the need to integrate with legacy systems, the new business opportunities available on the internet have been slowed by the legacy mindsets of traditionally trained managers. These legacy mindsets have become systemic in the conversations and cultures of most traditional organizations. Thus, an established company's successful venture into the internet space will likely depend on a significant change in organizational culture.

Research limitations/implications

Although this article was not developed to empirically explore the link between changed mindsets and organization success, some anecdotal evidence is offered that may motivate significant future research.

Practical implications

Through the use of business simulations new conversations can be introduced and the organization change process can be started. By detailing some of the design considerations in the development of the IMPACT internet business simulation, this article exposes management development professionals to the benefits of business simulations and the educational challenges presented by the internet.

Originality/value

The article challenges business leaders and management development professionals to look at the internet as a threat to their organizational culture. If managers want to prepare their organizations for the future, they are going to need tools such as business simulations to shock their organization's legacy mindsets.
Outsourcing of public services and implications for managerial knowledge and careers
Authors: Lee Cooke Fang
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of managers in managing the inter‐organisational relationship. It investigates how the nature of work and career prospects may have changed for managers in both the public and the private sector under the public/private outsourcing relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Two case studies were carried out on the outsourcing of public services: PFI of a hospital and the outsourcing of housing benefits administration.

Findings

The most important task performed by managers with this boundary‐spanning role appears to be to enforce and achieve performance targets set out for the service provider firms which are then cascaded down to individual workers. However, these managers are subject to corporate surveillance themselves in the form of tightening targets and constant performance assessments, often through the intervention of the client organisations, and may experience even less job security.

Research limitations/implications

In view of the significantly increased level of interdependence between the organisations in the outsourcing relationships and the managers who are managing the relationships, the multiple facets of this principle‐agency relationship need to be further explored beyond the traditional organisational boundary as the framework for analysis.

Practical implications

Management knowledge is often context‐specific and cannot be readily codified. As such the knowledge of the managerial workers remains part of the competitive advantages of the organisation. How to acquire, retain and develop this body of knowledge is an essential part of the organisation and management development strategy of the organisation.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights into the (changing) role of the managerial workers in managing the public‐private outsourcing relationships.
The malpractice of marketing management
Authors: Thomas Michael J.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To draw lessons from Peter Ducker's change of heart during the half‐century between The Practice of Management in 1954 and his death in 2005.

Design/methodology/approach

Commissioned for the viewpoint series, with permission to think aloud.

Findings

Concludes that marketing managers and marketing academics should consider their social and cultural role as “citizen professionals”, and the responsibilities that implies. Instead of talking vaguely about paradigm shifts, they should re‐think the future in the context of all‐too‐evident “discontinuity” (Drucker) and “disruption” (Fukuyama), and beware of “epistemopathology” (Thomas). The alternative is malpractice and mismanagement.

Practical implications

Marketing practitioners may need to be educated into a radically different conceptual framework for the new century.

Originality/value

Draws attention to an unquestioned guru's latter‐day questioning of the very role of “management” in society, and proposes practical lessons for marketing management in the future.
An exploration of factors that contribute to the reluctance of SME owner‐managers to employ first destination marketing graduates
Authors: Martin Peter , Chapman David
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To examine the attitudes of small‐to‐medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, in order to identify obstacles to employment of marketing‐qualified graduates and devise strategies for improving the rate of graduate recruitment in the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Focus groups, semi‐structured interviews and a postal questionnaire survey, yielding responses from 260 SMEs and 130 graduates, was built upon focus group discussions and semi‐structured interviews, and selectively followed up by in‐depth interviews.

Findings

There is a significant supply‐demand imbalance and a mismatch between the skills demanded by SME owner‐managers versus those taught in typical marketing syllabuses. Graduates' frame of reference is the world of big FMCG business; they do not understand the modus operandi of SMEs. Proposals are made for dealing with the resulting problems.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is limited geographically and the response rate among SMEs characteristically low. A broader‐based extension of the study is indicated.

Practical implications

The findings provide a recipe for the redesign of syllabuses and curricula to narrow the skills identified, to educate SME owner‐managers in the benefits of employing graduates, and to stimulate graduates to take more responsibility for their own development.

Originality/value

Empirical research of interest to policy makers, marketing educators and small‐business leaders.
A comparison study of customer satisfaction between the UPS and FedEx
Authors: Li Bingguang , Riley Michael W. , Lin Binshan , Qi Ershi
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to provide a comparison of customer satisfaction of two largest US parcel delivery companies, the UPS and FedEx.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is contrast the overall customer satisfaction and five critical factors (availability, responsiveness, reliability, completeness, and professionalism of service) that directly affect customer satisfaction for these two parcel delivery companies. Written questionnaire responses from university departments/units in the USA were collected and used for the comparison analysis. An independent samples t‐test was used to compare the ratings of customer satisfaction of these two parcel companies.

Findings

The paper find's no significant differences in the ratings of service quality of that these two parcel delivery companies provide with respect to both incoming and outgoing mail. The results of this research suggest that the similarity in ratings of service quality of these two companies explain their equally dominant positions in the parcel service industry.

Research limitations/implications

The survey subjects only include units/departments within universities, with most of the participants located in Nebraska. By expanding the total number of surveys to include more industries and locations, this research could provide additional insight into the parcel service industry and customer satisfaction. Additionally, price of parcel delivery service was not included as a factor impacting customer satisfaction. Price of service may play an important role in customers' selection of parcel carrier.

Originality/value

Findings of this research provide customers insights into the service quality of parcel delivery companies in order for them to make a choice of which carriers to use.
Impact of just‐in‐time inventory systems on OEM suppliers
Authors: Kros John F. , Falasca Mauro , Nadler S. Scott
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To analyze the impact of the adoption of just‐in‐time (JIT) production systems by different equipment manufacturers (OEMs) on the inventory profiles of their suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is designed to examine five financial measures of inventory management performance over the years 1994‐2004. Three specific industry sectors where OEMs have adopted and implemented JIT principles are studied. These sectors include the automotive, electronics, and aircraft industries. A one factor analysis of variance is employed to the five hypotheses and Tukey's post‐hoc test is used to interpret statistical pairwise differences between level means.

Findings

Overall, the research finds that OEM suppliers in the automotive, electronics, and aircraft sectors have shown mixed results in the impact JIT implementation has had on inventory performance measures.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses on three industrial sectors over approximately a ten year time frame that may limit its generalizability.

Practical implications

The processes that influence the reduction in inventory levels may be in fact more complex and strategic in nature than an OEM adopting a JIT inventory policy. In general, strategic changes within the supplier organization would have to drive process improvements that lead to inventory reductions.

Originality/value

The paper provides focused research in an area that has received little attention in the current literature and is very topical to all academics and business professionals interested or involved in the area of JIT systems.
Manufacturing excellence through TPM implementation: a practical analysis
Authors: Sharma Rajiv Kumar , Kumar Dinesh , Kumar Pradeep
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To examine the need to develop, practice and implement such maintenance practices, which not only reduce sudden sporadic failures in semi‐automated cells but also reduce both operation and maintenance (O&M) costs.

Design/methodology/approach

A case‐based approach in conjunction with standard tools, techniques and practices is used to discuss various issues related with TPM implementation in a semi‐automated cell.

Findings

The findings indicate that TPM not only leads to increase in efficiency and effectiveness of manufacturing systems, measured in terms of OEE index, by reducing the wastages but also prepares the plant to meet the challenges put forward by globally competing economies to achieve world class manufacturing (WCM) status.

Originality/value

The paper presents an interesting investigation of TPM implementation issues which may help the managers/practitioners to prepare their plants/units to meet the challenges of competitive manufacturing in twenty‐first century by adopting and implementing TPM.