bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is carbon finance the answer to climate control?
Authors: Yeoh Peter
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the continued viability of the European Union emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) as a tool for climate control in the face of continued criticisms.

Design/methodology/approach

This evaluative study makes use of connected existing studies and other secondary data from economics, management, politics and law.

Findings

The study found that though there were various flaws in the scheme in its initial launching phase, the insights gained are being applied in the second and subsequent phase of the EU ETS. It is also ascertained that despite initial doubts, a market for carbon finance is successfully established in the EU albeit with various limitations. The scheme is also poised to link with other regional schemes to address climate control.

Research limitations/implications

Though the study relied primarily on secondary data, the findings were sufficiently triangulated with perspectives from economics, politics, management and law. The findings would also provide useful and relevant information to those engage in the theory and practice of carbon finance.

Originality/value

This paper updates on the legal and economic significance of the EU ETS as a market mechanism to address climate change.
Democratic transition, judicial accountability and judicialisation of politics in Africa
Authors: Yusuf Hakeem O.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the growing incidence of judicialisation of politics in Nigeria's democratisation experience against the backdrop of questionable judicial accountability.

Design/methodology/approach

The article draws on legal and political theory as well as comparative law perspectives.

Findings

The judiciary faces a daunting task in deepening democracy and (re) instituting the rule of law. The formidable challenges derive in part from structural problems within the judiciary, deficient accountability credentials and the complexities of a troubled transition.

Practical implications

Effective judicial mediation of political transition requires a transformed and accountable judiciary.

Originality/value

The article calls attention to the need for judicial accountability as a cardinal and integral part of political transitions.
Internalization of costs, liability and negligence, performance and reliance
Authors: Kantarelis Demetri
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss incentive mechanisms and procedures for cost internalization by both potential defendants and plaintiffs.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken is to rely on the concepts of liability, negligence, precaution and methodologies for estimation of compensatory damages in conjunction with the Coase theorem.

Findings

The paper finds that the decision to internalize and minimize cost depends upon marginal precautionary costs and marginal expected harms.

Research limitations/implications

Research needs to be conducted from a law and economic perspective on developing procedures for estimating precautionary costs and expected harms.

Practical implications

This paper calls upon business firms and their stakeholders (primarily employees and customers) to use and pro‐actively manage their precautionary responsibilities and further refine the existing formulas. More specifically, it aims to help law and economics students as well as practitioners in law and regulation to better understand the implications of marginal precautionary costs and marginal expected harms in the process of cost internalization.

Originality/value

In exploring the precautionary responsibilities of firms and their stakeholders, this paper contributes to a better understanding of liability and negligence issues and, as a result, to the important intersection of law and microeconomics.
Evading economic reality
Authors: Gordon Brown M.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is too analyze what causes judicial decisions about access impairment in American eminent domain and police power cases to be based on subjective interpretations instead of objective factual evidence about the spatio‐material conditions of access.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a review of commentary on decision making and language in legal contexts, contemporary rhetorical analysis combined with discourse analysis are employed to illuminate inconsistencies of legal terminologies with respect to access.

Findings

The analysis finds that legal terminology of access takings sustains cognitive indeterminacies and prevents the use of standard quantitative approaches to measurement.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of this research are that access conditions need to be considered in the context of transaction costs based on an underlying ontology of access phenomena.

Practical implications

This paper calls for changing legal policy so that objective measures of access can be used to evaluate impairment.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to analyze underlying problems in access takings and sets the stage for a more objective and scientific approach to a long unresolved problem involving property takings.
The ethics of corporate governance
Authors: Rossouw G.J.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The principles, regulations and directives associated with corporate governance constitute a view of the role, responsibilities and obligations of corporations within a given society. Identifying the ethics of a specific corporate governance regime entails making explicit the moral responsibilities and obligations of corporations in society as well as the ethical values associated with these responsibilities and obligations. In order to make meaningful global comparisons between the ethics of corporate governance regimes, a number of vital distinctions need to be made. The purpose of this paper is to introduce and discuss three such distinctions.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual clarifications and distinctions are considered with regard to three pairs of related concepts: the ethics of governance and the governance of ethics; external and internal corporate governance; and shareholder and stakeholder orientations in corporate governance.

Findings

The conceptual distinctions that have been considered are vital for making useful comparisons between the ethics of different corporate governance regimes around the world. Neglecting these conceptual distinctions can lead to misunderstanding and confusion in the global discourse on the ethics of corporate governance.

Practical implications

The paper provides a theoretical framework for comparing four regional perspectives on the ethics of governance, namely from Africa, Asia, Continental Europe and North America. It also provides a framework for any other global comparative study on the ethics of corporate governance.

Originality/value

The paper provides a conceptual framework for making global comparisons with regard to the ethical underpinnings of corporate governance regimes. It thus assists in creating a framework for a global discourse on the ethics of corporate governance.
The ethics of corporate governance
Authors: Reddy Y.R.K.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Arising from an engrossing and incisive panel discussion at the IV Congress of ISBEE, this paper aims to add the Asian perspective to the debate on ethics of corporate governance.

Design/methodology/approach

Personal insights and experience in the course of promoting corporate governance are juxtaposed with the theoretical assumptions behind the accepted international framework and standards. The paper highlights the key developments relating to corporate governance in Asia; identifies key structural factors and cultural influences; and derives conclusions from these.

Findings

The paper notes the discernable tilt towards the stakeholders’ perspective in large segments of the Asian economy, primarily on account of block‐shareholding with control over managements; dominance of State ownership; and the aspiration of the newly internationalising companies to meet the competitive demands of input and output markets relating to stakeholders. The paper argues that the cultural influences such as relation‐based priorities and social expectations of “duties” imply a different approach from the Anglo‐Saxon contractual constructs. The paper concludes that there is dualism of the culturally determined practices co‐existing well with the international standards.

Research limitations/implications

This paper could inspire empirical research on the actual impact of economic structures and culture in determining the balance between shareholders and stakeholders in different regions.

Practical implications

The paper's unique propositions are likely to sensitize corporations in recognising the dualism in practice and debating merits of convergence.

Originality/value

The distinctive value of the paper arises from the arguments and conclusions relating to “synergetic dualism” and “expansive” approach observed in the Asian region.
The ethics of corporate governance
Authors: Young Stephen B.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The paper presents an overview of perspectives on corporate governance grounded in the Common Law legal traditions of the UK and the USA. It further discusses whether that perspective is suitable for global application.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents personal observations on the operational dynamics of rules and practices of corporate governance as necessary functional supports for large scale financial capitalization of enterprise under conditions of modern industrialization.

Findings

The paper concludes that the US perspective on corporate governance is rationally related to objective requirements of financing enterprise and that, as capital markets become larger and more liquid around the world, the corporate governance regimes will, in the main, come to resemble the US model. Though cultural variations on the US pattern are compatible with the purposes of corporate governance to constrain abuse of power in private corporations.

Practical implications

The implication of this paper is for the implementation of corporate governance regimes in emerging market countries, i.e. that flexibility is permissible but a focus on transparency and accountability under all circumstances is required.

Originality/value

The contribution of the paper is to provide a framework for balancing the rules and practices of US corporate governance with the cultural styles and patterns of different national regulatory settings.
US “say‐on‐pay” legislation
Authors: Hemphill Thomas A. , Lillevik Waheeda
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issues surrounding “say‐on‐pay” legislation in the USA; evaluate the corporate governance alternatives to “say‐on‐pay” legislation; recommend a policy encouraging enhanced executive accountability; and suggest research questions pertaining to “say‐on‐pay” proposals and executive compensation for scholars to pursue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes an exploratory approach to discussing and analyzing the issues surrounding “say‐on‐pay” legislation in the USA and offering an alternative corporate governance approach to enhancing executive performance.

Findings

The paper finds that whether an annual non‐binding “say‐on‐pay” policy is instituted or not within a company is not the crux of the executive compensation issue. What is important is whether concerned shareholders have the ability to have proxy access and successfully pass such a resolution, thereby exercising shareholder pressure on the board of directors to implement a corporate policy of equating appropriate executive compensation with managerial performance. Moreover, this improvement in board‐shareowner engagement, along with expanded disclosure of executive compensation packages, will assist in obviating the need for the exercise of a draconian shareholder resolution to remove directors.

Originality/value

This paper offers an in‐depth review of the “say‐on‐pay” legislative and corporate governance controversy; places the issue in the context of effective corporate governance; recommends a reasoned approach to executive compensation accountability; and offers a list of research questions for corporate governance and human resource management scholars to pursue.
Inefficient American corporate governance under the financial crisis and China's reflections
Authors: Dujuan Yuan
Published: January 2010

Purpose

China has hitherto followed the US model of corporate governance, but recent crises suggest that that might not be the model to follow. This paper aims to consider that proposition.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a comparative study of US and Chinese systems of corporate governance.

Findings

Corporate governance is an alien concept for China. The establishment of the China company law system came later than western nations' corporate law system. Since 1992, China has made substantial progress in several areas of corporate governance. It is well known that for nearly a hundred years the American‐style corporate governance mechanism has been the model of the countries in the world. And China also follows the example of American corporate governance. Against the background of the global financial crisis, it is time to reflect upon the model of corporate governance in China.

Originality/value

The paper invites reflection on existing paths towards good corporate governance in China.
Governance of Shanghai state‐owned enterprises
Authors: Lu Xuefeng
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to comment upon the governance systems of state‐owned enterprises in Shanghai and to consider the adequacy or otherwise of those governance structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a study of existing governance arrangements and structures and considers areas for possible reform.

Findings

A sound corporate governance system is of great significance not only to the healthy development of enterprises but also for the enterprises to survive when they face the economic crisis. With the continuous spread of the world economic crisis, how to improve the corporate governance of state‐owned enterprises in Shanghai so that they can pass the financial crisis period safely has become one urgent and critical issue.

Originality/value

The study presents detail and reform areas for further reflection.
Foreign‐invested companies: more risky facing up to China's anti‐monopoly law?
Authors: Junfeng Li
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The anti‐monopoly law (AML) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which had undergone ten years of debate among the whole spectrum of China's society, was finally issued on August 30, 2007 and took effect on August 1, 2008. This paper seeks to assess the impact of these new laws.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an examination of the latest anti‐monopoly cases since the AML came into force, this paper seeks to study the goals and regulations of the AML, and attempts to foresee features of those foreign‐invested enterprises (FIEs) who are most risky under the new Law.

Findings

The new AML, called by some scholars a “landmark of China's economic reform” and “a great achievement of international cooperation” has given birth to mass legal subjects and far‐reaching influence to business circle both explicitly and potentially(Wang, 2008). The new Law attracts concerns from many foreign companies, especially those MNCs and tycoons having business interests in China. Many foreign commentators take the Law as a positive sign for their future investment in China, whereas complaints about the uncertainties of some outstanding issues doubtless persist.

Originality/value

The study provides an insight into antitrust changes in China and signals areas of concern for potential competitors
Probing on the institutional arrangements of supervisory functions in the governance of listed companies in China
Authors: Lixin Li
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the extent of adequacy and confidence that can be enjoyed by minority shareholders in the supervisory controls on Boards in listed companies in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws upon the legislative controls and case‐studies in China.

Findings

Being the cornerstone of the development of capital markets, listed companies are in complementary relationship with the latter, which in turn serves as the financing tool for the former. Recently, the financial markets all over the world have been thrown into deep crisis and the financing functions of the domestic capital markets have almost been paralyzed. In this context, it is high time for us to exert more efforts to improve the institutional arrangements of the supervisory functions in the governance of listed companies in China, to strengthen corporate governance, to restrain the actions and behaviors of major shareholders, directors and the executives, to strengthen their concerned responsibilities, to put greater attention and more protection on the promotion of minor shareholders' confidence on capital markets, and to maintain the steady and sustainable development of capital markets in the long run.

Originality/value

This study and findings should be of interest to those seeking to assess the adequacy of minority protection in China.
Minority shareholders and corporate governance
Authors: Kirkbride James , Letza Steve , Smallman Clive
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the response in the UK, the USA and China to the need to provide effective protection in law to disgruntled minority shareholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws upon official comment and case law across the three jurisdictions in order to assess the scope and availability of minority actions.

Findings

The importance of shareholder rights through alternative actions is an important aspect of controlling the behaviour and actions of the Board of Directors and an important part of corporate governance. This paper seeks to compare the development and scope of derivative rights in the UK, the USA and in China and provides an assessment and insight into the differences in approach and in the political and legal structures with the consequent likely impact on the role and contribution of derivative claims in the control and governance of Boards in the different jurisdictions.

Originality/value

The study should prove of interest to scholars of comparative corporate law.
The characteristics and enlightenment of legislation on financial privacy protection in the USA
Authors: Jianping Chen , Zhongwei Yang
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which financial privacy is present and necessary in dealings between banks and clients in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a comparative study drawing, in particular, on developments in the USA.

Findings

It is a trend in legislation in the western developed countries that the right to privacy is taken seriously and private information in the financial activities is protected by law. The legislation in the USA is typically systematic and complete. The fact that financial privacy protection is sparsely stipulated in finance or administrative laws but the protection of privacy has yet not been systematically written into law in China so far, which is inconsistent with the current situations of the financial industry. China should deal with the relationship between banks and clients, administrative power and personal rights, judicial interpretation and legislation from the aspect of financial practice, so as to set up the legal system to protect financial privacy by learning from the legislation in the USA based on the national conditions.

Originality/value

The paper provides a systematic view of the value of financial privacy in the modern world, with recommendations for reform in China.
A comparative study on capital system across the Taiwan straits
Authors: Cailong Ni , Wenzhu Ni
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the capital system and governance of Mainland Chain with that of Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

This a comparative study drawing upon the main principles of the legal systems of China and Taiwan.

Findings

Due to historical, institutional social factors, the capital system of the Mainland China differs greatly from that of Taiwan. There is room for both sides across the Taiwan Straits to learn from each other by taking into consideration the respective features and deficiencies of their regulations.

Originality/value

The comparison and contrast study of the two capital systems helps them to improve respectively and boost economic development as well as legal construction.
The research on the problems of CEOs’ legal status and legal liability
Authors: Zhi Li
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The importance of CEOs (chief executive officers) is not to be underestimated and this paper seeks to identify the problems in law of definition and thus liability of CEOs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws upon the legislative and judicial experiences of China and compares them to those of the USA.

Findings

Since an owner and a manager become “the principal‐agent relationship” in the enterprise, the manager's “moral venture question” is inevitable. With the development of corporate governance structure, CEOs appear, thus people begin to take care of CEOs’ legal status and legal liability. A CEO has not only a manager's authority of office, but also some part of authorities of board of directors and president, so a CEO's legal position is higher than that of a manager. Because the questions caused by CEOs are increasing, it is necessary for us to draw lessons from American Corporate Law Reform, to revise our Corporate Law, to make definite CEOs’ legal status and to strengthen CEOs’ legal liability.

Originality/value

The findings will hopefully influence reform and development in this area in China.
A brief analysis of the defects and countermeasures of the independent director system in China
Authors: Yuan Niu
Published: January 2010

Purpose

China adopted an independent director system in 1997 in order to perfect company management structure in the country. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of that system.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper starts from the current status of the independent director system in the country and gives comments on the independent nature and designation procedure of the independent directors, rationalization of the incentive system and completion of responsibility mechanism.

Findings

The unique function of the independent director system plays a decisive role in preventing control by people within a public company, minimizing power abuse by shareholders and best maintaining the interests of medium and small shareholders. But there still exists certain shortcomings in independent director system in China such as unclear of the independence nature, irrationality of designation method, incomplete incentive system and short of relative responsibility mechanism which restrict independent director system to be brought into full play.

Originality/value

Management of a company is always a hot topic in the company law and an independent director system is a very important aspect. On the basis of learning from advanced experience from the western world, China imported the independent director system to improve the management system of its companies. This paper analyses defects of the current independent director system in China and puts forward improvement measures.
Recent changes in the evidential requirements in indirect sex and race discrimination cases
Authors: Middlemiss Sam , Downie Margaret
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically analyse the impact of recent case law on the various evidential requirements in the area of indirect sex and indirect race discrimination in employment. It is intended to distil from the case law a comprehensive summary of the evidential requirements which an applicant in such a case must meet in order to succeed.

Design/methodology/approach

The evidential issues and the requirements to be fulfilled by an applicant in such cases will be identified and analysed by means of a review of the case law in this area.

Findings

Despite attempts of the courts to clarify the evidential requirements in this type of case, the law in this area remains complicated and confusing. Close analysis of the case law results in the identification and clarification of particular evidential “hurdles” which an applicant must clear in order to succeed.

Originality/value

The effect of these requirements results in a burden on an applicant in a case of indirect discrimination which is difficult to meet and the identification and clarification of the main issues will allow an applicant to focus on these requirements and increase the chances of a successful outcome. In this way the protection afforded by the law on indirect discrimination will become more effective. The findings are also useful in explaining to managers the nature and impact of the case law in this area.
Protecting whistleblowers in Norway and the UK: a case of mix and match?
Authors: Lewis David , Trygstad Sissel
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to compare and contrast the approaches taken by the UK and Norway in providing employment protection for whistleblowers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the legislative provisions contained in the Employment Rights Act 1996 (UK) and the Work Environment Act 2005 (Norway) together with relevant case law and preparatory papers.

Findings

Unlike the UK, Norway affords employees a statutory right to notify wrongdoing and requires employers to develop internal reporting procedures. The authors believe that the approaches taken to protecting whistleblowers reflect the different systems of industrial relations in these two countries.

Practical implications

In the light of this research it is suggested that a right to disclose wrongdoing should be introduced in the UK together with a duty on employers to show that it has not been infringed. It is also recommended that what can be reported should be more precisely defined in Norway either by law or collective bargaining.

Originality/value

The paper makes proposals for the reform of legislation in both countries.
Fisherian analysis, the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002, and the new Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence of 2000
Authors: Paulo S.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contend that Fisherian analysis that is used to resolve ranking conflicts of mutually exclusive projects is misspecified, invalid, and cannot do what it purports to do. Misspecified and invalid models cannot realistically be operationalised, and are likely to result in incorrect valuations and misallocations of capital. An implication of these deficiencies is that it cannot satisfy the criteria prescribed by Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence of the USA, and as a consequence significantly impacts upon the admissibility of its use as part of expert witness testimony and the role played by the trial court in the USA. These deficiencies also place Fisherian analysis at risk of conflict with the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002, in particular Section 807 §1348 that deals with the use of invalid and unreliable valuation criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

A secondary survey of Fisherian analysis, recent USA legislation and the literature of corporate financial management was undertaken. Fisherian analysis is part of the capital controversy debate, and the Cambridge‐UK school devoted much time and effort in discussing issues germane to the controversy. The approach of corporate and managerial finance as evidenced by the literature, has been to unquestioningly recommend and implement a valuation criterion that is wrong and with little exception is based on numerical examples of such extreme disproportions as to qualify as inelegant examples of sophistry.

Findings

This paper contends that Fisherian analysis does not do what it purports to do, namely provide valid and reliable valuations for allocating capital. It is misspecified and invalid, is unlikely to be acceptable as expert witness testimony in terms of Rule 703 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, and if used for valuations and allocations of capital by listed corporations, can result in a conflict with the fundamental purpose and specific provisions of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002. Application of Fisherian analysis effectively prostrates the definition and function of the cost of capital for it imposes the stricture of a constant cost of capital across all mutually exclusive projects with ranking conflicts irrespective of the differences in the characteristics of these projects.

Practical implications

Management of listed corporations that use invalid and unreliable valuation criteria not only endanger the financial wellbeing of the corporation by misallocating capital, but also expose themselves unnecessarily to the risk of not complying with legal requirements. The judiciary does not condone less than complete practice by those possessed of expert knowledge and skills, education, or seniority in corporate hierarchies, especially when the issues are clear cut.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on Fisherian analysis.
Quality, service‐dominant logic and many‐to‐many marketing
Authors: Gummesson Evert
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that there are many sources to quality, not just the supplier; that quality is a complex concept which must be balanced against productivity and profits; that quality has to be considered within a network of relationships and contributions; and that the service‐dominant logic and many‐to‐many marketing are useful concepts in approaching quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is a composite of case study research, action management research and network theory.

Findings

The case shows that to create value or service, the conventional goods/services divide cannot be upheld as they always appear in symbiosis; that even a simple case of buying and selling quickly enters into a network where the many‐to‐many eyeglasses are necessary to capture the complexity of the situation; and that quality cannot be properly treated without simultaneously addressing productivity and the financial outcome.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers should not shun the complexity of quality situations but attack them with creative methodology. A large series of cases using network theory and management action research will provide us with the multifarious variations that are possible before we make generalizations about the emergence of quality.

Practical implications

If companies better understand the customer's value chain and lean consumption process, they can improve their value propositions with positive effects on quality, productivity and profits.

Originality/value

The paper shows how companies can better integrate quality management with new approaches to the customer's role in the quality process, and it illustrates the importance of co‐creation of value.
Are you viewing, mapping or managing your processes?
Authors: Hellström Andreas , Eriksson Henrik
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate if different applications of process orientation exist and how these are characterised. Furthermore, the objective is to investigate how the applications of process orientation relate to the line organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical research was conducted within the Region of Västra Götaland, Sweden. A questionnaire with the purpose of capturing the respondents' attitude towards their process initiatives was sent to people with explicit knowledge of process orientation. A total of 180 individuals were questioned (response rate 68 per cent).

Findings

The study indicates that process orientation can be classified into three various applications – process view, process mapping, and process management. The study shows further that in most cases process approach is used as an improvement technique in traditional line organizations although all respondents answered that they desire more process orientation.

Originality/value

By viewing process orientation as a spectrum of applications, the study contributes to a more nuanced debate on process orientation.
Perspectives and the new trend of Kansei/affective engineering
Authors: Nagamachi Mitsuo
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss Kansei engineering (KE), which uses a unique ergonomic technology to produce a new product which fits to consumers' feelings and demands. It is a consumer‐oriented product development method based on the consumer mind. It has been applied to realize several new Kansei products so far.

Design/methodology/approach

KE is sometimes able to create an invention, but mostly it is powerful to create more comfortable and affective products or services to the customers. KE utilizes psychological methods to grasp the customer's feelings, and the data obtained by this method are analyzed using multivariate statistical analyses which are transferred to the design domain (design specifications).

Findings

It was found that a customer has a hierarchy of values of his/her life. All people, from children to the elderly, want to enhance their quality of life. Having qualified products and services, including service men's smiles and greetings is an important factor.

Originality/value

KE is spreading out in the world at present. The paper (witten by the pioneer and founder of KE) tells “a story” about the methods and procedures to create a new Kansei product and refers to the implications of Kansei/affective engineering.
An e‐commerce site for gift flower arrangements that fit kansei and social manners
Authors: Ishihara Keiko , Nakagawa Ryo , Ishihara Shigekazu , Nagamachi Mitsuo
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Gift flowers should be chosen to depict a message with the sender's kansei and are bound by nature of flowers and social manners, to maintain social relationship between the sender and the recipient. Few buyers, but most florists, have expert knowledge of the flowering time, scent, price, and nature of each flower, and are experts in arranging flowers that meet a given purpose. The purpose of this paper is to incorporate handling constraints into the inference process of a kansei engineering system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper collected the expert knowledge concerning nature of flowers, composing flower arrangements and social manners on gifts from specialists of flower arrangements including a florist and special books. At the same time, kansei evaluation experiments on the kinds of flowers and colors were conducted. The expertise and the results of kansei experiments were organized into a flower database and inference rules for choice of a main flower, arrangement shapes and combination flowers. The rules were implemented as server‐side programs. Users input information about the recipient, purpose of the arrangement and purchase information using a web browser. The system outputs a solution; a list of main flowers, combination flowers, greens and the shape of arrangement.

Findings

Traditional kansei engineering studies revealed the relationships between design elements and kansei with developing new analyzing methods. Different constraints come into the actual product design and manufacturing should be integrated with findings obtained from the kansei evaluation to successfully utilize kansei engineering for product development.

Practical implications

The inference rules will be able to tell the reasons for choosing the main‐ and combination flowers and arrangement shapes to satisfy the customers.

Originality/value

The proposed system suggests the original arrangement of flowers unlike most online florists selling ready‐made arrangements. The paper shows a solution to incorporate different constraints underlying in a real production process into the inference process based on the result of kansei analysis.
Kansei engineering toolkit for the packaging industry
Authors: Barnes Cathy , Childs Tom , Henson Brian , Lillford Stephen
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the Kansei engineering toolkit that has been developed to provide a set of tools and techniques to support better packaging design.

Design/methodology/approach

The toolkit has its foundations in Kansei engineering but the work has extended the scope and increased reliability of results by: including structured linkages to designers; replacing “highest level Kansei” from Kansei type 1 with brand values; introducing a more structured process for the elicitation of type 2 selection of pack physical properties; reducing the complexity of the semantic differential survey used to elicit consumer perceptions; and structuring a process for selection of the Kansei words.

Findings

The work has shown that the proposed toolkit is able to support the design of packaging by illustrating the process with industrial case studies.

Research limitations/implications

Kansei engineering and the techniques presented in this toolkit are inevitably simplifications of the real situation, since many more variables affect the consumers purchase decision than is tested in this process. There is still a need to test the insights gained by the toolkit into a wider investigation.

Practical implications

This paper offers the packaging industry a robust and repeatable method to develop better packaging.

Originality/value

The paper presents an overall description of the Kansei engineering toolkit for packaging design and is a structured process that provides quantitative results for the relationship between branding, consumer perception and design variables.
Comparing the UBEM Vedic matrix and the TQM elements deployment model using principal component analysis
Authors: Koura Kozo , Talwar Balvir
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share the findings of a comparative study of the TQM elements deployment model and the universal business excellence model (UBEM) Vedic matrix. Comparative research of the essence of BEMs incorporated in the TQM elements deployment model and additional points identified in UBEM Vedic matrix will facilitate multi‐dimensional business growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The TQM elements deployment model unveils the reasons of enactment and social influence of BEM through review of four major quality awards namely Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, European Quality Award, Japan Quality Award, and Deming Prize. UBEM integrates the Vedic philosophy with synthesis of BEMs and emphasizes that the ultimate goal of business is Universal well‐being. The study involved inputs from the essence of Vedic hymns incorporated in the Vedic matrix of UBEM and the synthesis of major quality awards incorporated in the TQM elements deployment model using principal component analysis.

Findings

The UBEM Vedic matrix is constructed based on a broad understanding of the Vedic philosophy. The TQM elements deployment model is constructed based on TQM concepts, quality assurance aystem and quality management system. The former can be called a management concept thinking model and the latter can be called a management system thinking model. It is concluded that the sustenance and growth of an enterprise lies in harmonization with global society.

Research implications/limitations

Comparative research is an attempt to integrate the best practices of the West incorporated in the BEM with the Vedic philosophy of the East, which derives infinite creativity, actions and power from the universal laws of Nature. It is an example for researchers to explore several other areas to integrate the best of both worlds (East and West) and provide a new direction for the mankind.

Practical implications

The comparative research provides additional inputs, which may be used during review of the BEMs and national quality awards in the various regions of the world and hence are of relevance to all BEM custodians. The study is expected to help in a review of the national business excellence strategies worldwide.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first to focus on integration of BEMs and the Vedic philosophy. The UBEM Vedic matrix identifies practicing values and measuring multiple bottom‐lines as key to sustainable growth. Its integration with the TQM elements deployment matrix is useful to enhance the effectiveness of BEMs. Principal component analysis methodology used in this paper for comparative study is also useful for comparative studies of the quality award criteria.
The influence of soft factors on quality improvement and performance
Authors: Madi Bin Abdullah Muhammad , Uli Jegak , José Tarí Juan
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the influence of soft factors on quality improvement and performance and also to examine the link between quality improvement and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses data from perceptions from managers in 255 electrical and electronics (E&E) firms in Malaysia and it develops regression and correlation analysis to test the relationships between soft factors, quality improvement and organizational performance.

Findings

The following soft factors were found to have significant influence on quality improvement: management commitment; customer focus; employee involvement; training and education; and reward and recognition. Organizational performance was significantly influenced by the following soft factors: management commitment; customer focus; and employee involvement. Finally, this paper empirically shows that firm performance will increase when the organizations implement more quality improvement practices.

Practical implications

The results of this paper can be used by managers to prioritize the implementation of the soft factors. For instance, those factors that are found to have a positive impact on quality improvement practice and performance can be recommended to managers so that they can allocate resources to improve these factors to achieve higher organizational performance.

Originality/value

This paper identifies the soft factors that can influence the quality improvement practice and organizational performance in E&E Malaysian firms.
Employee significance within stakeholder‐accountable performance management systems
Authors: Simmons John
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Research has not fully recognised the significance of employee stakeholders to the design and effective operation of performance management systems. The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the centrality of employees within the stakeholder systems model of performance management it proposes.

Design/methodology/approach

Stakeholder theory is utilised to critique current scorecard‐type performance management frameworks with a particular focus on the balanced scorecard as the most popular of these. Conceptual analysis is supported by case study evidence relating to the effectiveness of performance management systems in knowledge‐intensive organisations.

Findings

The paper identifies the concept of the responsible organisation as a means of assessing organisational maturity in performance management, and links it to dimensions of organisational justice. Linkage enables stakeholder perceptions of equitable treatment to be combined with effectiveness measures in the more holistic performance management framework proposed.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates the significance and application potential of the stakeholder systems development of scorecard‐type performance management frameworks. Conclusions confirm the “why” and the “how” of a more participatory role for organisation stakeholders, and why employee stakeholders merit a “first among equals” status within these.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the stakeholder systems approach represents a holistic approach to performance management through its incorporation of stakeholder perspectives at system design, operation and evaluation stages. The paper responds to the need for a new philosophy of performance management in an era of stakeholder accountable organisations.
Agile ITQFD and its financial viability: a pilot project approach
Authors: Vinodh S. , Sundararaj G. , Devadasan S.R. , Rajanayagam S. , Edinbarough Immanuel
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility of adopting a pilot project approach for foreseeing the working and financial viability of a technique, named as agile innovative total quality function deployment (agile ITQFD).

Design/methodology/approach

The agile ITQFD technique and its financial accounting system were designed. The implementation study of two pilot projects on agile ITQFD was conducted in an electronics switches manufacturing company. The statements of the financial accounting system were used to foresee the financial viability of agile ITQFD projects.

Findings

The research reported in this paper indicates the feasibility of adopting a pilot project approach and its financial accounting system for test implementing new techniques and models in the organisations aspiring to attain global competitiveness.

Research limitations/implications

Like many other modern organisations, the company in which the research work was carried out has been aspiring to compete globally. Hence, even though the implementation study involved only two pilot projects, the implications of this research would represent the global scenario as well.

Practical implications

Currently practitioners struggle to choose the best techniques for applying them in specific cases. The research reported in this paper would help practitioners in this regard to adopt the pilot project approach and its financial accounting system.

Originality/value

The pilot project approach reported in this paper helps a company save time and money while exploring the practical compatibility of the technique. The financial accounting system presented would be useful in foreseeing the viability of projects using monetary values.
How to sustain improvement at high level
Authors: Pillet Maurice , Maire Jean‐Luc
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Many companies can today attest to having obtained significant progress in their performance using some improvement processes (six sigma, 5S, business process reengineering, etc.). But they can also attest to experiencing difficulties in sustaining the use of these processes over time. The aim of this paper is to describe all the specific actions which can contribute to the sustaining of these processes.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical research methodology is used by carrying out a survey of 40 Swiss and French manufacturing companies regarding their approach to the sustaining of some of their improvement processes.

Findings

A model of sustainability for an improvement process is proposed. This model is founded on three axes: organic state, return on effort and facilitation. To sustain an improvement process over time consists in taking these three axes into account by managing their relative importance in space and over time. The paper details the generic actions associated with each of the three axes. These actions are then illustrated using the context of a sustained statistical process control project.

Originality/value

The survey detailed in this paper confirms the difficulty of companies have in sustaining their improvement processes over time, since the average sustainability ratio for all the different processes mentioned rarely exceeds 40 per cent. The paper gives all the specific actions which can contribute to sustain these processes better.