bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical issues in corporate real estate
Authors: Musil Thomas A.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Community impacts resulting from corporate facility new development, expansion, renovation, merger, consolidation, closure and disposition activities are under greater scrutiny by public officials, citizen, and special interest groups. The paper reports public sector views on municipal structure, most desired industries, community advantages, use of cost benefit studies and the methods used to evaluate development impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

The research presented is based on a national survey of US economic development officials and their methods for measuring project impacts and determining public costs and benefits associated with economic development projects.

Findings

The research found that the public sector emphasized community advantages that were abstract and hard to measure in response to the corporate need for hard data on facility and development costs. About 30 percent of the public administrators surveyed never or rarely used any measures to determine community impacts associated with facility development. The most common impact measures used were individual experience, public meetings, tax impacts, amount of private investment, and local planning goals. Infrastructure costs, environmental quality issues, traffic and public services were the most important cost areas.

Research limitations/implications

Every corporate real estate project has unique characteristics and accordingly, community impacts vary. This research presents an overview of the analysis methods used or not used by public development officials. The corporate decision maker must learn to recognize needs and opportunities for additional data collection that will make a case for facility project support.

Practical implications

Understanding the public sector impact analysis perspective is important because it enables corporate real estate decision makers to understand key issues, frame and present projects to citizens, identify research gaps and negotiate greater subsidies, and fair terms in development and performance agreements.

Originality/value

Surprisingly, very little research exists in this area. The survey data indicate limited use of impact measures and methods. Future research into this area should investigate why impact analysis measures are not extensively used and how standard measures could be used to evaluate social, environmental and economic impacts.
Understanding factors for benchmarking adoption
Authors: Pin Lee Yean , Zailani Suhaiza , Lin Soh Keng
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To explain the factors of benchmarking adoption as experienced by companies in Malaysia in which benchmarking is one of the way to create a sense of urgency by telling them where they are, how good they have to be, and what they have to do to get there.

Design/methodology/approach

Discriminant analysis was used to determine whether statistically significant differences exist between the average score profile on a set of variables for two a priori defined groups and so enabled them to be classified. Besides, it could help to determine which of the independent variables account the most for the differences in the average score profiles of the two groups. In this study, discriminant analysis was the main instrument to classify the benchmarking adopter and non‐adopter. It was also utilized to determine which of the independent variables would contribute to benchmarking adoption.

Findings

The finding from discriminant analysis revealed that employee participation was the most influential factors on benchmarking adoption, followed by top management commitment and role of quality department, whereas benchmarking limitation and customer orientation did not contribute significant impact on the adoptions.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of this study is that the conclusion drawn from the data is principally due to the variety of interpretations of what the term “benchmarking” actually means.

Practical implications

From an organization point of view, attention should be given to improve employee participation and quality department should play a proactive role in adopting benchmarking as a strategic tool.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified information/resources need and offers practical help to an organization to promote the acceptance and implementation of benchmarking. Government body can therefore focus on these factors for further development of benchmarking.
The benchmarking of information systems supporting the university administrative activities
Authors: Manzini Raffaella , Lazzarotti Valentina
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The issue investigated in this work is relative to the features of the information sub‐systems supporting specific university administrative processes (accountancy, personnel management, student services). This paper attempt: to develop a benchmarking model; and apply the suggested model to a group of Italian universities.

Design/methodology/approach

While the literature analysis has been useful to achieve the first goal, the empirical methodology of case studies has been employed for both the objectives. It means that there has been a full commitment of the involved universities also in the theoretical phase of the work.

Findings

Two types of specific results are expected through the application of the suggested benchmarking model. The first is the pertinent position of each university in respect with some observed features of the information sub‐systems. The second is the identification of possible trends that are widespread within the selected universities.

Research limitations/implications

Generalization of the benchmarking trends is not possible, because trends arise from a limited group of universities.

Practical implications

The universities involved in the project have discovered the importance of benchmarking as a means of improving their processes and systems.

Originality/value

This paper represents a first attempt at developing a model to compare the condition of the administrative information systems in a selected group of Italian universities.
Factors influencing hotel investment decision making
Authors: Newell Graeme , Seabrook Ross
Published: September 2006

Purpose

Given the stature of international tourism, hotel properties are an important property investment sector. The purpose of this paper is to assess the importance of a range of financial, location, economic, diversification and relationship factors in influencing hotel investment decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports the findings of a survey of major hotel investors and hotel owners/operators in Australia regarding the factors influencing hotel investment decision‐making. The AHP multi‐criteria decision‐making methodology is used to assess the weights attached to each of the 30 factors influencing hotel investment decision‐making.

Findings

The main factors influencing hotel investment decision making were financial (weight of 37.0 per cent) and location (29.9 per cent) factors. These were followed by economic (14.5 per cent), diversification (12.0 per cent) and relationship (6.6 per cent) factors. This sees three levels of importance in the factors influencing hotel investment decision making. Differences were also found between the priorities for hotel investors and hotel owners/operators.

Originality/value

Only limited research is available concerning the hotel sector. This paper rigorously assesses the hotel investment process and assists hotel investors in prioritising the significance of 30 key factors and sub‐factors in hotel investment decision‐making.
The private finance initiative and value for money
Authors: Pitt Michael , Collins Norman , Walls Andrew
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The paper aims to define and measure value for money (VFM) within the concept of private finance initiative (PFI), and investigate the principal factors in which opinions are formed.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review of texts, published papers, and reports are used to identify relevant parameters to the research. The sources support the arguments of opinion within the paper.

Findings

PFI is still perceived by the government as the most cost effect means of procuring public infrastructure. The positive aspects of PFI are the competition generated by the concept, and improved risk management. Negative aspects include the lack of agreed formulae by all stakeholders by which to benchmark VFM, and an increasing sceptical electorate to the PFI concept of providing short and long term VFM.

Research limitations/implications

By virtue of PFI being a dynamic, changing, and complex means of procurement, this research will be valid in its own right. However more up to date government policies must be consulted to take the determination of VFM in any further research.

Practical implications

The research and conclusions will provide add to the current debate as to the viability of PFI, with VFM the main key point as to the ongoing success of the governments strategy this method of procurement.

Originality/value

The paper adds, to the “VFM” drivers that have been identified by identifying principle factors in creating VFM. This will be a sound basis for the justification of VFM in PFI.
Addressing risk and uncertainty in property valuations: a viewpoint from Germany
Authors: Lorenz David , Trück Stefan , Lützkendorf Thomas
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and discuss practical approaches on how to address risk and uncertainty within valuation reports, particularly when there is only insufficient comparable transaction evidence available.

Design/methodology/approach

A four stage approach to property valuation is proposed that can be particularly useful if there is insufficient comparable transaction evidence available: Identifying, measuring and expressing risk by making use of property rating approaches. Transforming risk into risk premia for calculating the yield on a risk free basis by partially making use of models of risk and return usually applied in finance. Simulating risk premia (since there is great deal of uncertainty involved in determining these premia) by making use of a statistical method commonly referred to as Monte Carlo Simulation. Using the derived yield's probability distribution in combination with further probability distributions for other valuation input variables (e.g. market rent) to calculate a range of possible outcomes of Market Value as well as a number of statistical measures that can be indicative of the valuer's perceived uncertainty regarding the valuation assignment.

Findings

The empirical part shows that due to data limitations determining idiosyncratic risk premia for property assets is not yet possible. This significantly hampers the development of robust yield pricing models and reinforces the need to create databases including information on both individual property returns and associated building characteristics.

Practical implications

The paper postulates that there are few (if any) rational reasons for valuers not to use rating and simulation approaches as an indispensable element of the valuation process.

Originality/value

A valuation approach that allows simultaneously addressing risk and uncertainty as well as sustainability issues within commercial property valuation practice is proposed.
An analysis of the UK development industry's role in brownfield regeneration
Authors: Dixon Tim , Pocock Yasmin , Waters Mike
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This study aims to provide a review of brownfield policy and the emerging sustainable development agenda in the UK, and to examine the development industry's (both commercial and residential) role and attitudes towards brownfield regeneration and contaminated land.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses results from a two‐stage survey of commercial and residential developers carried out in mid‐2004, underpinned by structured interviews with 11 developers.

Findings

The results suggest that housebuilding on brownfield is no longer the preserve of specialists, and is now widespread throughout the industry in the UK. The redevelopment of contaminated sites for residential use could be threatened by the impact of the EU Landfill Directive. The findings also suggest that developers are not averse to developing on contaminated sites, although post‐remediation stigma remains an issue. The market for warranties and insurance continues to evolve.

Research limitations/implications

The survey is based on a sample which represents nearly 30 per cent of UK volume housebuilding. Although the response in the smaller developer groups was relatively under‐represented, non‐response bias was not found to be a significant issue. More research is needed to assess the way in which developers approach brownfield regeneration at a local level.

Practical implications

The research suggests that clearer Government guidance in the UK is needed on how to integrate concepts of sustainability in brownfield development and that EU policy, which has been introduced for laudable aims, is creating tensions within the development industry. There may be an emphasis towards greenfield development in the future, as the implications of the Barker review are felt.

Originality/value

This is a national survey of developers' attitudes towards brownfield development in the UK, following the Barker Review, and highlights key issues in UK and EU policy layers.
Technology foresight: creating the future of Thailand's industries
Authors: Wonglimpiyarat Jarunee
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The paper aims to deal with the application of foresight in devising strategic technology policies in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the foresight exercise carried out by the Thai government, through the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the APEC Center for Technology Foresight, to examine the potential of the Thai industry and to devise development policies necessary to make the Thai industry successful by the year 2020.

Findings

The results of the foresight process provide a comprehensive overview of the trends of the Thai industry. The study contributes towards the formulation of feasible technological and industrial policies, which would enhance the country's ability to improve the competitive position for tomorrow.

Originality/value

The paper provides an overview of Thailand's comprehensive national foresight program.
Eliminating future shock: the changing world of work and the organization
Authors: Inayatullah Sohail
Published: September 2006

Purpose

To explore the alternative futures of work and the changing nature of the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Along with a long‐term macrohistorical approach, two futures methods are used: emerging issues analysis and scenarios.

Findings

Four scenarios are developed: business as usual (pendulum of labour versus capital); social and innovative transformation (moving toward the triple bottom line and flatter organizations); gut‐wrenching globalization (outsourcing of everything and the end of the nation‐state); and the unknown world (dramatic changes in the nature of work and organization, particularly because of AI technologies).

Originality/value

Novel approach in linking macrohistory to emerging issues to scenarios. Challenges litany approaches to work and the organization and links with deeper worldviews.
Technological foresight and technological scanning for identifying priorities and opportunities: the biotechnology and health sector
Authors: Antunes Adelaide , Canongia Claudia
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to present a methodology for technological foresight and technological scanning based on S&T and knowledge indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

This proposal considers S&T and knowledge indicators, such as a patents indicator (technology), research and development indicator (science) and competencies indicator (human resources). International databases and a data‐and text‐mining tool are used to build up knowledge maps and reference tables to support decision making.

Findings

This study provides information about the use of technological foresight and technological scanning using the biotechnology in the health sector as a case study. In this paper, the trends observed in patents and articles worldwide clearly show the growth in biotechnology, which points to the need to prioritize this area, as well as opening up a variety of opportunities, especially when one considers the human competencies already consolidated in Brazilian universities and research institutes, which could be better harnessed by industry and could help ensure greater innovation and competitiveness.

Originality/value

The paper presents a methodology for the effective support of decision taking during the prioritization of strategic and/or technological areas by visualizing potential markets and partnership opportunities. Furthermore, it emphasizes the role of biotechnology as a catalyst for S&T and innovations in the world.
Foresight for the semiconductor industry in Taiwan
Authors: Yuan Benjamin J.C. , Chih‐Hung Hsieh John , Wang Champion
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper explores the possible future business environment, industrial structure, technological transformation, and market for the semiconductor industry in Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies the Delphi method to predict future trends in Taiwan's semiconductor industry in 2015.

Findings

The significant findings are as follows: the future business environment will focus on “industrial internationalization” and “strategic alliance”, and roughly half of Taiwan's production will move to China by 2015; the disintegrated model in Taiwan's semiconductor industry will still remain by 2015 and will require some adjustments, whereas the foundry service in Taiwan will retain its dominance globally; future core technologies in 2015 will comprise low voltage manufacturing (CMOS), High K, nanotechnology processes, and copper interconnection processes; the estimated value of IC industrial production for 2005 was US$32.1 billion, and will be US$61.0 billion in 2010 and US$108.8 billion in 2015.

Originality/value

This research can be utilized as a reference for government, academics, industry, and international investors.
Futures studies and public decision making in Sweden
Authors: Paillard Sandrine
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the interrelationships between futures studies and public decision making in Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a series of interviews conducted in Stockholm in December 2003, this paper presents the main players involved in futures studies in Sweden. It focuses especially on the activities of the Institute for Futures Studies, and that of the Lindbeck Commission on the Future of Sweden.

Findings

Futures studies are a decisive part of the public decision process in Sweden, where they appeared after the Second World War and gained momentum from the 1970s onwards. The paper gives a detailed account of the interplay between the various actors. There is a strong independence between the public decision‐making system and the producers of futures studies. Nevertheless, futures studies prove an important instrument for public policy in Sweden, as they raise awareness in the public debate, serve as a tool for consultation, and help define scientific and technological priorities.

Originality/value

Provides an insight into the state of futures research in Sweden.
The change to VoIP and the introduction of TVoIP via xDSL
Authors: Frederiksen John
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the necessary analyses to be made by incumbents and other players in the telecommunication sector regarding the change from PSTN voice services to voice over IP (VoIP). This change will in many circumstances be combined with the supply of TV via the broadband access connection (TVoIP). Thereby, triple play can be offered.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a description of trends for demand and supply for VoIP and TVoIP and analyses of consequences for market structure, prices and regulation.

Findings

Price issues as well as strengths and weaknesses for the different players are presented. The introduction of VoIP and of TVoIP will also change the regulatory regime. Two‐way access interconnection problems will increase and the choice between the peering or termination payment needs to be made.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework allowing different kinds of player to assess strategies of whether, how and when they might enter the VoiP market.
Assessing European national policies to support the competitiveness of information and communication technology producers
Authors: Friedewald Michael , Hawkins Richard W. , Kimpeler Simone
Published: September 2006

Purpose

In the context of fears that the European information and communication technology (ICT) sector may be facing a period of crisis, this paper seeks to examine the changing role of national‐level policy initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of European ICT producers.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is based upon a study of 176 national programs that are aimed specifically or in substantial part at ICT producer goods. This supply‐side focus provides a counterpoint to studies that concentrate on demand stimulation and aggregation measures, which generally make up a much larger share of national policy programs. A comparative analytical framework is used that takes account of the different composition and structure of the ICT industries in the EU member states.

Findings

The key findings are that technology development programs continue to dominate but that the emphasis is shifting from ICT producer goods as such to the application and coordination of ICT products and services across a wide range of industry contexts. This process takes different directions depending upon national political and administrative structures and historical national attitudes to industry policy.

Originality/value

The article gives evidence about sector specific strategies for supporting the competitiveness of the ICT sector and forms the basis for the identification of best practice examples.
The contribution of the mobile industry to economic development in Romania
Authors: Bonciu Florin , Williams Howard
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the ways in which the regulation of the telecommunications sector has contributed to the economic development of the Romanian economy (as an example of a transition economy).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes a case study approach, considering Romanias's transition to a market economy, a description of the telecommunications market, and demand characteristics of the mobile market.

Findings

The paper highlights the significant role that has been played by the mobile sector in terms of providing basic telephony services and in developing innovative services. The paper links the growth in the SME sector to the growth in the provision of mobile services. The paper also discusses the issue of a failed incumbent operator and how delays in embracing tariff reform in an increasing competitive environment have hindered the ability of the incumbent to compete and reform its activities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper highlights the advantages that liberalization can deliver in a transition economy. The paper also suggests that allowing the incumbent to adopt a reform agenda ultimately is beneficial to the economy and the firm itself.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that liberalization measures produce significant economic benefits in transition economies.

Originality/value

The paper provides original material on the telecommunications reform process in Romania, as an example of a transition economy.
Have internet message boards changed market behavior?
Authors: Leah Jones Anne
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate the changes in stock market behavior between the pre and post internet/message board eras.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines the stock return behavior for a large subset of firms in the S&P 100 both before and after the implementation of the firms' message boards on Yahoo! Finance.

Findings

The data shows a significant increase in daily trading volume after a firm's message board was established which suggests that either new investors were drawn to the market or existing investors were induced to trade more frequently. The results also show that daily returns are significantly lower in the post‐message board era and that the market may have become riskier as the variance of these daily returns is significantly higher. These results hold after controlling for market and industry wide events and they are not unique to the stock market bubble of the late 1990s or the NBER‐dated recession of 2001.

Originality/value

This study builds on the work of Asthana and connects it to the message board studies conducted by Tumarkin and Whitelaw, and Antweiler and Frank by considering whether or not the internet in general, and message boards specifically, may have changed the underlying behavior of the stock market. It has important implications for those researchers studying market information efficiency and confirms the importance of studying internet information use by investors.
A knowledge centred framework for collaborative business process modelling
Authors: Adamides Emmanuel D. , Karacapilidis Nikos
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The paper aims to present the design rationale, the structure and the use of a web‐based information systems framework for collaborative business process modelling.

Design/methodology/approach

By viewing process modelling as a “problematic situation” that entails a considerable amount of social and knowledge activity in order to be resolved, a novel process modelling construct has been developed and a participative problem‐structuring methodology adapted to the specific domain. The framework presented is the result of an action research study for process improvement and has been introduced in a real organizational setting as a pilot application.

Findings

Experiences from the use of the framework presented indicate that it stimulates interaction and makes participants more accountable for their modelling contributions, as well as aiding them to define, understand, document, analyze and improve business processes in a holistic manner by interacting with one another and with the model under construction.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, the application of the framework is limited by and depends on the availability and the technical abilities of a technical facilitator, but work is under way towards automating the inter‐process communication between the system implementing the problem‐structuring methodology and the modelling environment.

Practical implications

The framework presented can be used in distributed organizational settings for business process management through a structured modelling process.

Originality/value

The paper presents an IS framework for business process management that integrates a problem‐structuring methodology, a Knowledge Management System and a modelling/simulation environment in a consistent way.
Addressing the challenges of mainstreaming education for sustainable development in higher education
Authors: Down Lorna
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address research on major challenges faced in attempting to mainstream education for sustainable development (ESD).

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a project for infusing ESD in a teachers' college programme in Jamaica.

Findings

Challenges include colleagues' scepticism, students' expectations of course, content vs the actuality of an “expanded” course with ESD input, an absence of policy, syllabus constraints, and ways in which these were addressed.

Originality/value

In analysing the ways in which these challenges were addressed, important principles are uncovered that can guide the introduction of ESD in higher education: how “threats” can become opportunities, how constraints can make for creativity.
Counting what counts: performance measurement and evidence‐based practice
Authors: Booth Andrew
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore conceptual and practical links between performance measurement and evidence‐based library and information practice (EBLIP) and to identify lessons to be learned from evidence‐based healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a selective review of key writings in EBLIP for reference to performance measurement.

Findings

The paper finds that performance measurement may variously be viewed as one small, but essential, stage of EBLIP or an overarching approach to utilisation of data of which research‐derived evidence is a single source

Research limitations/implications

Similarities and potential linkages between the two activities are currently underdeveloped and need to be explored through rigorous empirical research.

Practical implications

The stages of EBLIP are modelled in relation to a single case study of reference checking.

Originality/value

This is the first article to develop explicit links between these two areas of information practice, following in passim mentions at previous conferences.
Open access to scholarly indexing/abstracting information
Authors: Jacsó Peter
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to discuss open access to scholarly indexing/abstracting information.

Design/methodology/approach

Discusses open access to scholarly indexing/abstracting information.

Findings

Open access versions of the traditional ready reference tools cannot always substitute for the commercial, subscription‐based indexing/abstracting databases, but they can complement them.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into scholarly indexing/abstracting.
No longer “out of sight, out of mind”
Authors: Burgman R.J. , Roos G. , Ballow J.J. , Thomas R.J.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the logic and processes for identifying, measuring and managing intellectual capital resources along side traditional economic resources to achieve sustainable outcomes valued by investors.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is founded on classical finance theory and draws on and multi‐attribute value theory, system dynamics and the strands of thought known as intellectual capital in order to produce a grounded framework that both produces reliable results as well as achieves acceptance in the financial community.

Findings

The findings from this approach, the FVMT Methodology, provide a comprehensive management framework that is agnostic as to the form of resources being utilized and the activities that are involved in the transformation of one resource form into another on the way to achieving sustainable outcomes valued by investors.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst the approach has proven to work well the limitations are that it requires both effort and access to market makers.

Practical implications

The implications is that for the first time an approach is now available that provides the same rigor for managing the future value component of a firm's share price as there already exist for managing the current value component of the firm's share price. This means that managers can both reduce the volatility surrounding their share price as well as predict the value outcomes of a given set of actions.

Originality/value

The authors believe that this is the first presentation of a methodology grounded in classical finance theory for the managing of the future value component of a firm's share price.
How to measure IC in clusters: empirical evidence
Authors: Luis Hervas Oliver Jose , Dalmau Porta Juan Ignacio
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a strategic framework and tool to measure and value intellectual capital (IC) in regional clusters.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical cluster strategic framework is presented and cluster fundamentals are discussed for proper model development. Design methodology was used to construct a model which achieves the aforementioned purpose.

Findings

The paper provides a comprehensive model to describe, map, measure and value IC on clusters and systematically control the IC evolution.

Research limitations

The system provided is not an exhaustive use of all the available measures. A more comprehensive practical application on several clusters would be necessary to validate and readapt the model.

Practical implications

A very useful tool of information and practical assessment for IC is provided to cluster agents and policymakers to establish proper strategic initiatives. New ideas about IC measurement in clusters are provided to academia.

Originality/value

So far, no IC cluster model has been designed. This paper fulfils an IC measurement model to help individuals involved in clusters, such as mangers, policymakers, etc.
Human capital in service organizations: identifying value drivers
Authors: Namasivayam Karthik , Denizci Basak
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to value‐creating processes and their impacts on human capital valuation in high‐contact service industries.

Design/methodology/approach

The main argument in this paper is developed from existing theoretical and empirical research in the fields of intellectual capital, organizational behavior, marketing, and economics. This paper is conceptual and the approach adopted is analytical. Extant research and concepts have been used to develop a human capital valuation model in high‐contact service industries and to discuss both research and managerial implications.

Findings

Provides conceptual description of a value matrix that can be employed to identify more accurately value drivers of human capital in various industries.

Research limitations/implications

The article provides a novel conceptualization of value drivers in industry. A limitation of the paper is that it is conceptual.

Practical implications

This paper provides a useful tool to identify human capital value drivers in various industries. The value matrix can help group industries based on these value characteristics making comparisons across and within industries more readily available.

Originality/value

The article proposes a novel way to analyze value addition and transfer in industries. It moves extant research further by outlining a mechanism to identify relevant drivers of human capital with increased precision.
Intangible resources: a categorial system of knowledge and other intangible assets
Authors: Diefenbach T.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

There are several strands that cope with particular intangible resources, such as intangible assets, intellectual, human, and organisational capital, data and information, knowledge and capabilities. However, until now there have been no attempts to define and identify all intangible resources systematically in one framework. The purpose of this paper is to show how an exhaustive and exclusive categorial system of all intangible resources can be generated.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the idea of comparative analyses by grounded theory, it will be referred to relevant approaches which can be defined in academic literature. It is investigated how types of intangible resources, that share common attributes, can be grouped together, which categories emerge, and how these categories can be defined. This gradually leads to the creation of the whole categorial system based on empirical inductionism. At the same time, the categorial system is created based on logical deductionism. Having defined intangible resources as the objects of reasoning and by which leading principles will be looked at, the class of intangible resources will be broken down into categories or sub‐classes with the help of precisely formulated attributes.

Findings

Generation of a comprehensive, consistent, and complete categorial system of all possible types of intangible assets.

Research limitations/implications

Solely a theoretical paper. Although empirical examples are provided it might be interesting to demonstrate the application of this categorial system.

Practical implications

With such a categorial system we are in the position to identify and locate the uncountable number of “real world” types of intangible resources more precisely and efficiently.

Originality/value

With such an attempt it may become clearer how to cope with different types of intangible resources, how to gather, create, use, share and develop them more appropriately.
A facility manager's approach to standardized construction contracts
Authors: Thomas‐Mobley Linda , Khuncumchoo Non
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose is to investigate the usefulness of standardized construction contracts for facilities managers.

Design/methodology/approach

Research methodologies include comprehensive literature review, examination of standard contracts and online survey with professional facilities managers.

Findings

The study concludes that, with minor alterations and diligence, information necessary for successful management of a built facility can be obtained from the constructor.

Practical implications

This research will assist facilities managers in preparation and review of standard construction contracts, to ensure they are receiving adequate information to properly manage a facility.

Originality/value

The paper helps to guide facility owners in their preparation and review of standard construction contracts.
The relationships among broad scope MAS, managerial control, performance, and job relevant information
Authors: Sharma Rohit , Jones Stewart , Ratnatunga Janek
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the decision facilitation and decision influencing roles for management information are concomitant in organizations, and therefore must be analysed concurrently.

Design/methodology/approach

A two‐stage regression procedure for testing the moderating and intervening relationships among the variables of interest was adopted. First, the interaction of individual level controls (administrative and professional) on broad scope management accounting system (MAS) was tested, then the intervening relationship between broad scope MAS, job‐relevant information (JRI), and performance was analysed.

Findings

Tests of the moderating relationship between the control environment, broad scope MAS, JRI, and performance revealed a significant interaction term for JRI, but not for performance.

Research limitations/implications

The usual measurement and implementation errors associated with survey methodology attach to this study.  Furthermore, the sample was not randomly selected, which undermines the external validity of the findings.  External validity will be further compromised by the relatively small sample size.  Hence, caution is recommended in generalising the results to a wider population.

Practical implications

The study provides evidence on the relationship between broad scope MAS, individual level control mechanisms and the outcome variable of JRI.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to use a controlled setting, established measures, and methods of analysis to suggest that when existing theory explains the empirical relationship among the variables of interest in more than one way, it may be necessary to comprehensively examine the relationships theoretically and empirically at more than one level to enable a better explanation of the linkage between theory and the empirical tests.
Accounting information, value relevance, and investors’ behavior in the Egyptian equity market
Authors: Ragab Aiman A. , Omran Mohammad M.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examines empirically whether national and international investors in the Egyptian stock market perceive accounting information based on the Egyptian Accounting Standards to be useful in stock valuation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of all available listed firms in the emerging market data base from 1998 to 2002, evidence of the value relevance of accounting information in Egypt was obtained, based on both return and price models.

Findings

The results suggest that stock prices in Egypt are less information about the future value of the firm than is accounting information. It is perhaps unreasonable to conclude that accounting information has higher value relevance in Egypt because financial reporting is of higher quality. It might, however, imply that competing information sources such as earnings forecasts, firm research by financial analysts, management conference calls, etc. are far less relevant in Egypt.

Originality/value

This study is of value in that it highlights how the Egyptian stock market needs complementary information sources other than published accounting reports, to become more informationally efficient.
Trust in health care: theoretical perspectives and research needs
Authors: Gilson Lucy
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This paper presents some key theoretical issues about trust, and seeks to demonstrate their relevance to understanding of, and research on, health systems. Although drawing particularly on empirical evidence from low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), the paper aims to stimulate thinking across country settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing both on conceptual literature and relevant empirical research from LMICs, the paper presents an argument about the role of trust within key health system relationships and identifies future research needs.

Findings

Theoretical perspectives on four questions are first discussed: what is trust and can it be constructed? Why does it matter to health systems? On what is it based? What are the dangers of trust? The relevance of these theoretical perspectives is then considered in relation to: understanding the nature of health systems; issues of equity and justice in health care; and policy and managerial priorities. The identified research needs are investigation of: the role of trusting workplace relationships as a source of non‐financial incentives; the influence of trust over the operation of different forms of citizen‐health system engagement; approaches to training trustworthy public managers; and the institutional developments required to sustain trustworthy behaviour within health systems.

Practical implications

The policy and management actions needed to strengthen health systems within LMICs, and elsewhere, include: recruitment of health workers that have the attitudes and capacity for moral understanding and motivation; training curriculae that develop such motivation; and developing the institutions (e.g. communication and decision‐making practices, payment mechanisms) that can sustain trusting relationships across a health system. It is also important to recognise that distrust in some relationships may act to guard against the abuse of power.

Originality/value

Although the notion of trust has become of increasing importance in health policy debates in high‐income countries, it has received less attention in the context of LMICs. The papers adds to the very limited literature on trust in LMIC health systems and also opens new lines of thinking for those working in high income countries – particularly around the role of health systems in generating wider social value.
Researching medical trust in the United States
Authors: Hall Mark A.
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This article reviews research in the USA bearing on trust in physicians and medical institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This article provides a conceptual analysis, and general review of the literature.

Findings

Empirical research of medical trust is burgeoning in the USA, and a fairly clear conceptual model of interpersonal physician trust has emerged. However, most studies focus on individual patients and their physicians, due to the highly individualistic attitudes that prevail in the USA. Lacking are studies of more social dimensions of trust in broader medical institutions. A conceptual model of trust is presented to help draw these relevant distinctions, and to review the US literature. Also presented are the full set of trust scales, developed at Wake Forest University, which follow this conceptual model. These conceptual categories may differ, however, in other languages and cultures.

Originality/value

The considerable body of research in the USA on patients' trust in individual physicians should help inform and focus international efforts to study social trust in medical institutions.
Delivery of psychological therapies: clinical governance implications for trusts
Authors: Barry Robina
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the clinical governance issues involved in the provision of psychological therapies within a context of massive demand and expansion underpinned by recent policy developments at the Department of Health. Raises awareness of the potential risks to Trusts involved in inadequate governance of therapy provision.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper shows an informed review of the recent policies and influences affecting the development of psychological therapies and the clinical governance issues arising from them.

Findings

The paper compares the realities of service provision with the ideal model of service delivery recommended by the Department of Health. Raises concerns for all those Trusts providing psychological therapies about their governance and risk management arrangements.

Originality/value

The paper shows the key summary and opinion for all Trusts responsible for provision of psychological therapies.
Sharing good practice: knowledge in action
Authors: Wall Debbie
Published: September 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to describe the development of the NHS Clinical Governance Support Team's (CGST) information products, with a focus on good practice “eurekas” and an integrated management system for storing knowledge and learning; an intranet‐based “action points” system.

Design/methodology/approach

The process behind development of a set of products and a system to capture and share good practice in health care.

Findings

To ensure that good practice in clinical governance was being disseminated effectively, and to celebrate success, the CGST developed “eurekas” as short, structured accounts of local improvements to health care. To enhance the number of “raw” eurekas turned into finished, online products, the process of production was streamlined through an online “action points” system. This is an effective knowledge management tool for storing, retrieving and monitoring the development of information into a range of products for sharing across the NHS (e.g. stories, case studies). The system was developed in parallel with the team's website and intranet.

Originality/value

The stages in development of CGST information products since 2000 are outlined, along with the principles behind an efficient system for capturing good practice and CGST learning. Tips on information product development and distribution are given.
Most organizations get evaluation all wrong
Authors: Cunningham Ian
Published: September 2006

Purpose

This article discusses the evaluation process in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a viewpoint based on experience.

Findings

Facing the hard facts and truths about what works and what does not, understanding the dangerous half‐truths that constitute so much conventional wisdom about management, and rejecting the total nonsense that too often passes for sound advice will help organizations perform better.

Originality/value

Provides a useful insight into the evaluation process.