bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A visit to the “Great Ghaytez's palace”
Authors: Rippin Ann
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore corporate buildings as discursive entities. They are machines designed to tell the corporate story; they embody the aspirations of a culture. This is particularly the case with headquarters buildings, which are rhetorical artefacts proclaiming a narrative of identity, designed to legitimise past, present and future decisions and strategies. Buildings such as the Vatican, Windsor Castle, the Houses of Parliament and the old Prudential Insurance Building proclaim that the organisation is old and venerable, trustworthy, a model of probity, stable, and here to stay.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach employed in this paper uses literature as a way of representing organisations. This paper works with an archaic genre to present a traveller's tale. This has been used to attempt to open up a third space between literary techniques used to analyse organisations and literature as a management education strategy. By opening up this possibility of a third position, it is hoped that readers will be encouraged to make their own interpretations.

Findings

The paper posits that organisations attempt to affirm their “brand” consciously, or unconsciously, through their public buildings. They tell their “stories” materially. However, despite their best efforts at image control, counter‐narratives leach out from these structures as their use of space is experienced by human subjects.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to open up a third space for readers to co‐create meaning with the author and for themselves. There is a clear political purpose here: to expose the oppressive practices of organisations which legitimate their existence in part at least through their corporate buildings, but the paper also signals the aesthetic delight, the pleasure that we can take in allowing ourselves to be enchanted by these buildings.
Senses of “shipscapes”: an artful navigation of ship architecture and aesthetics
Authors: Griffiths John , Mack Kathy
Published: October 2011

Purpose

In the context of organizational aesthetics, “built environments” remain under‐explored. The purpose of this paper is to enter the maritime world of ship architectures to navigate sensory‐aesthetic knowledge of a sailor's place‐based memories.

Design/methodology/approach

Challenges have been issued to explore the potential for artistic‐sensual methodologies to both study and represent organizational aesthetics. The authors accept these challenges in the context of “shipscapes”.

Findings

A sailor's “artworks” become artefacts through which are evoked rich, multi‐sensory descriptions of deep‐sea tug vessels. The sailor's sensible knowledge is related to seafaring practice, the aesthetic taste for ships and the aesthetic bond with them. Sensory‐aesthetic architectural memories are further connected to functional and symbolic aspects of ships as built environments.

Research limitations/implications

Certain place/space shipboard knowledge remains constrained by the boundaries of an “arts‐based” sensory‐aesthetic method.

Originality/value

The multi‐sensed, remembered and co‐constructed nature of “shipscapes”, as celebrated through a seafarer's already created art, keeps aesthetic knowledge close to the source of both embodied experience and aesthetic meaning.
Objects in exile: the intimate structures of resistance and consolation
Authors: Yuk‐kwan Ng Ricky , Höpfl Heather
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper looks at small spaces. In particular, it aims to focus on small gestures of resistance and the objects which accompany them. It takes its inspiration from Goffman's “secondary adjustments”, in other words, from reactions to organizational socialization, but draws most of its theoretical support from the literature of exile and architectural concepts of structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is located in the interpretative paradigm and draws on Goffman's observations, photographic approaches, and artistic and literary works on exile. It does not work with psycho‐analytic approaches to object‐relations and has merely an affinity with science and technology studies.

Findings

The primary findings concern the relationship between work and its other. At a time when work has extended to define all areas of life, the paper considers the relationship between exile and homeland, between memories andaides memoires. The paper examines the intimate relationship between the prevailing conditions of exile and the miniscule gestures which might help to give consolation, offer compensation and serve as resistance to the relentless demands of work.

Practical implications

The paper outlines some of the conceptual concerns. An empirically based study will follow. Its practical relevance lies in its questioning the blurring of boundaries between home and work and raises issues about the importance of personal belongings in the workspace.

Originality/value

The paper's originality lies in the emphasis it gives to the small spaces of resistance which it characterises.
A healthcare case study of team learner style and change management
Authors: Lee Velma , Ridzi Frank , Lo Amber W. , Coskun Erman
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the learner styles of a healthcare institution transition team and its respective members within a change management context. In particular we focus on the role of learner style in the success of change efforts within a team setting.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a case study that employs a questionnaire survey, non‐participant observation, and semi‐structured interviews as part of a larger study of healthcare change management.

Findings

Findings suggest that a mix of learning styles is ideal for successful healthcare change management. Specifically, this limited study suggests a learner ratio that favors convergers and assimilators over divergers and accommodators may be the most effective staffing strategy for change leadership teams in a healthcare environment.

Originality/value

Managing change in healthcare has been researched from a process perspective but few studies examine the individual team members' learner styles and the impact of these learning styles over time. Implications for human resources and change implementation are discussed.
Managerial challenges in South Africa
Authors: Mayer Claude‐Hélene , Louw Lynette
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate insights into cross‐cultural conflict, identity and values amongst selected managers within a South African management context. It aims to increase the understanding of these complexities from an academic managerial perspective, thereby providing in‐depth information which can lead to the development of managerial training tools for improving diversity and conflict management in the described context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors selected qualitative data from a case study that was conducted in the international South African automotive industry. The case study was based on the post‐modernist premise by considering phenomenological and interpretative paradigms most relevant.

Findings

Findings show conflicts in managerial communication and treatment, position and competition, organisation, race and gender and are often defined as “cross‐racial” conflict fuelled by the society's past.

Research limitations/implications

The generalisability is limited to this specific context and needs to be proven by follow‐up studies which expand the context and the methodological approach of the study.

Practical implications

Practical suggestions address the implementation of training tools, coaching and counselling in cross‐cultural conflict management. They are anticipated to create awareness on managing the present challenges and are aimed at managers and international organisations investing in South Africa.

Originality/value

The paper provides new insights into the discussion on human resource management in a specific South African management context by referring to the highly important topics of cross‐cultural conflict, values and identities.
A study of strategic intelligence as a strategic management tool in the long‐term insurance industry in South Africa
Authors: Pellissier René , Kruger J.‐P.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which strategic intelligence is utilised within the South African long‐term insurance industry and whether it could be used to identify opportunities or threats within the global environment to remain competitive, create greater innovation, and corporate advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach of this paper is to obtain the qualitative views and opinions of strategic decision makers, on an executive managerial level within the South African long‐term insurance industry, on their organizations' use of strategic intelligence.

Findings

There are marked differences in the conformity and usage of strategic intelligence and its components between the organizations surveyed, with a measurable difference between large and small organizations, however, it is generally viewed that the use of a strategic intelligence framework could greatly enhance decision making.

Research limitations/implications

Data collection was limited to the 82 long‐term insurance companies which were registered with the South African Financial Services Board, with a focus on the organizations listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange within the Life Assurance Sector, within which a final response rate of 36.1 per cent was achieved, including the 100 per cent response rate from the six listed organizations.

Practical implications

The paper identifies the extent to which strategic intelligence is utilised in the South African long‐term insurance industry, and identifies the benefits or problems that are experienced by implementing and using strategic intelligence as an input to the strategic management process and what value strategic intelligence adds in the decision‐making process.

Originality/value

The identification and utilisation of the most important factors of a strategic intelligence framework will greatly enhance global corporate decision making and result in competitive advantage and constant innovation within the South African business environment.
Discerning the unique in the universal: the notion of organisation identity
Authors: van Tonder Christian L.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of the organisation identity construct by briefly considering the intellectual development of the organisation identity research field since “emergence”, and introducing previously unreported empirical studies pursued from within the framework provided by organisation identity theory (OIT).

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative designs characterise the seven empirical (field) studies that explored the definitional parameters, existential nature and relevance of organisation identity. Observations are bolstered through conceptual and methodological triangulation across studies.

Findings

Organisation identity (OI) is usually articulated in fairly general terms and empirical research is scarce. In the seven studies reported here, OI is substantially reified and operationalised as the sense of organisational identity (SoI) and the fact of organisational identity (FoI). The studies consistently affirm the existential nature of OI as defined and demonstrate the relevance of OI for contemporary scholars and managers in the relationship of OI with organisational performance.

Practical implications

Apart from being a source of stability for organisations during transition and change, organisation identity will increasingly become a significant consideration in performance, competitive strategy, talent attraction and retention, and organisational sustainability. An identity‐centric managerial approach that suggests that management consciously address OI, is proposed.

Originality/value

Over the past two decades, conceptual contributions on OI proliferated while empirical studies were rare and generally lacked theoretical coherence. The paper reports on one of the few coherent and systematic approaches to researching OI. It offers a brief account of a series of purposeful, theory‐informed studies since 1999. Unlike previous research, these studies are all empirical in nature and pursued from within the same theory frame (OIT). The studies consistently reveal organisation identity as a significant multifunctional organisational construct.
Can the financialised atmosphere be effectively regulated and accounted for?
Authors: McNicholas Patty , Windsor Carolyn
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to carry out a critical analysis of the proposed Australian emissions trading scheme (ETS) as a complex market solution to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs). Specifically it seeks to examine the financial regulatory infrastructure that will more than likely oversee the Australian ETS, the same regulatory infrastructure which failed to prevent the global financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical examination of the financialisation of the atmosphere that follows the growth of the financialisation of capitalism when economic activity shifted from production and service sectors to finance. Financialisation of capitalism is supported by capitalist regulation influenced by neo‐liberal doctrines of free markets and small government.

Findings

Trillions of dollars of taxpayer funds bailed out large financial institutions that nearly collapsed after unregulated trading in complex financial products that were supposed to hedge future risk. Corporate emissions trading will involve similar financial products. The measurement and reporting of actual emissions to support the Australian ETS also creates challenges for the accountancy profession to provide a workable conceptual framework.

Practical implications

If the currently flawed financial infrastructure required for the GHG emissions trading scheme, no amount of taxpayer funded bailouts will reverse the extreme climate change associated with an environmental catastrophe.

Originality/value

The application of financialisation of monopoly capitalism and capitalist regulation theories to the critical analysis of commoditised GHGs traded as financial products in the proposed Australian ETS.
Informal communication styles benefit McDonald's and Ford
Authors: Khan Anas , Khan Riad
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The article's aim is to outline the importance of fluid communication patterns that develop certain employee attributes and improve organizational performance. It seeks to focus on the examples of McDonald's and Ford.

Design/methodology/approach

The article draws on work carried out by the authors, plus the HR literature.

Findings

It is argued that flexible, easy and team‐friendly communication styles, rather than the traditional system of bureaucratic communication, are the way forward. It reveals, through the examples of McDonald's and Ford, that informal communication protocols can mean better customer service and organizational performance.

Practical implications

The article draws attention to a couple of the disadvantages of more open, informal communication styles – in particular that employees can originate incorrect information which nevertheless is absorbed by people around the world, and that employees who move to another company can take sensitive information about their original employer with them. It highlights the effects of modern social networking on traditional, top‐down styles or organizational communication.

Originality/value

The article questions whether top‐down styles can survive in an era of instant social networking.
Transformational public leadership is collaborative
Authors: Maddock Su
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This article seeks to advance the view that collaborative leadership can generate the relationships necessary to resolve the tensions between rising expectations, smaller budgets and more innovative solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The article contends that, in the 1980s and 1990s, the public sector learned how to manage project and performance from the private sector, but more recently company executives have started to recognize that public‐sector leaders are more adept at managing complexity and broader governance than they are.

Findings

It is argued that many local public leaders are now more collaborative and much less insular and actively engaged in external partnerships as well as internal management.

Practical implications

The article claims that the transformative capacity of collaborative leaders could forge the foundations of a new public eco‐system at the local level and create a foundation for both a healthier economy and society if given endorsement by central government.

Social implications

Innovative leaders could radically improve services and new models for service provision and governance if they have more confidence in collaborative practice.

Originality/value

The article offers a place‐based model of leadership that reconnects elected politicians, communities and executive leaders, who through partnership and active collaboration reframe local and regional priorities and strategies.
Insurer and intermediary perceptions on the response of Thai local non‐life insurance companies to deregulation
Authors: Vongsuraphichet Oran , Johri Lalit
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine insurers’ and intermediaries’ perceptions of the response to Thailand's non‐life insurance industry to deregulation.

Design/methodology/approach

This research paper is based on existing literature and consultation with industry experts, resulting in the development of a 13‐variable questionnaire on perceptions of the local non‐life insurance industry's response to deregulation. A convenience sampling technique was used for the survey respondents, who comprised two groups (insurers and intermediaries), involved in the non‐life insurance industry in Thailand. Factor analysis was applied to the 246 responses to provide some exploratory analysis of underlying factors that account for the patterns among the variables.

Findings

The results of the factor analysis derived four factors that explain the perceptions of insurers and intermediaries to the response of local non‐life insurance industry to deregulation. The four factors include survival, alliance, local knowledge, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Furthermore, the findings indicate that whereas insurers perceived that survival would be the highest priority for local insurers, it was considered to be a secondary priority by the intermediaries. The latter group perceived that alliances and local knowledge were the most significant priorities for local insurance companies after deregulation.

Research limitations/implications

The data gathered for the study are limited to the perceptions of two respondent groups from one industry. Moreover, this paper did not consider the views of policy makers or the variables that relate to or are caused by deregulation factors. Therefore, future research may extend these findings to other industries, countries, and respondents to provide a more general application.

Practical implications

The research findings offer managerial implications for both insurers and intermediaries and also implications for researchers on refocusing their efforts in managing non‐life insurance companies. Local insurers should improve and generate factors such as financial strength, accurate pricing, innovative sale methods, an understanding of the local culture, and alliances with other industries.

Originality/value

The paper presents an original insight into an important element of insurers’ and intermediaries’ perspectives on response of local insurance companies after deregulation to the Thai non‐life insurance industry.
A case study on redesign of supply chain network of a manufacturing organization
Authors: Dev Navin K. , Caprihan Rahul , Swami Sanjeev
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the case of a manufacturing firm situated in an industrial city of India, focusing on supply chain management issues of the concerned organization from two operational perspectives: supply side (or the procurement side) and the distribution side of the system.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first considered the outsourcing decision‐making problem in a static environment using analytical expression by means of a variable fraction of demand. Next, the authors extended the scope of this problem by considering outsourcing decisions in a dynamic environment, using the sequential decision‐making approach with various operational and inventory factors. Finally, the authors carried out the study of the distribution side of the supply chain of industry using discrete event simulation.

Findings

It was observed that, in the case study organization, because of the rather unstructured approach in dealing with the outsourcing perspective, the authors suggested the adoption of a more scientific approach in computation of fraction of demand to be outsourced. Further, since the distribution network typically experienced high inventory levels throughout the supply chain, it was decided upfront to optimize this performance measure.

Originality/value

The primary objectives of this exercise are to: address the operational concerns of a real‐life manufacturing environment; apply the theoretical models in a realistic environment, and compare the results of theory with practice; and provide actionable managerial recommendations.
The perceived impact of JIT implementation on operations performance
Authors: Chen Zhi‐Xiang , Hua Tan Kim
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived impact of just‐in‐time (JIT) implementation on operations performance, identify the relationship between elements of JIT (integrated and individual) and performance metrics, and based on the results, present some helpful suggests for improving JIT implementation in manufacturing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Framework and hypotheses based on literature review were first constructed, then a questionnaire was developed to collect data from mainland China; in total, 224 information responses were obtained, then statistical analysis was carried out to test the hypotheses. Based on the data analysis results, conclusion and managerial insight were summarized.

Findings

Results show that, no matter what kind of industry or scale of sale of the firm, implementation of an aggregate bundle of JIT elements can improve production operations performance. However, for individual elements of JIT, their impacts are different; some basic elements of JIT like 5S, multiple‐skill employee and JIT purchasing can play a more remarkable role than other elements.

Practical implications

The conclusions of this paper can benefit firms in improving implementation of JIT in practice, especially for those firms in developing countries.

Originality/value

Although a number of studies on JIT implementation have been reported in developed countries, little attention has been paid to the status of Chinese firms; this paper has value for examining the practice of JIT in China and reference value for other developing countries’ firms.
Bio‐immune systems analogy for effective managerial decision making in conflicting environment
Authors: Padhi Sidhartha S. , Vrat Prem
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the analogy of the human immune system with the economic auction theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops an analogy of bio‐immune system with competitive bidding in auction, then develops a model of the situation and discusses its managerial implications.

Findings

The human immune system can be benchmarked to model decision making under competitive environment, such as biddings in auctions and obtains gainful insights.

Practical implications

Various engineering, management, social science, and defense and security‐related applications of the model are suggested.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel and innovative model with tremendous potential for varied applications.
Developing the relevance of the accounting academy
Authors: Broadbent Jane , Unerman Jeffrey
Published: October 2011

Purpose

One of the most important considerations in any research project is a compelling research question, the addressing of which will produce socially and/or economically relevant and beneficial insights based on high‐quality evidence. The purpose of this paper is to explain that each possible research question requires use of the particular research methods that will produce the high‐quality evidence relevant to that question, with the nature of the evidence and the methods required varying from research question to research question.

Design/methodology/approach

This discussion paper explores and explains the role and function of interpretive accounting research advocates its adoption.

Findings

As the research method needs to be suited to the research question, any restriction imposed on the credible research methods that are considered acceptable severely limits the ability of the accounting academy to serve the needs of society and the economy by addressing the broadest possible range of research questions. From this perspective it is vital for academics to recognize that both positivist/quantitative and interpretive/qualitative methods produce high‐quality credible research evidence.

Research limitations/implications

Any preconceptions within a nation's accounting academy over the unacceptability of either positivist or interpretive research will damage the health and relevance of that academy in the longer term.

Originality/value

The paper argues that both positivist and interpretivist research are needed, drawing on notions of subjectivity, objectivity and inter‐subjectivity in the context of the social construction of both accounting information and research data, and in the context of the socially constructing nature of research evidence.
The association between South African listed companies' BEE scores and market performance
Authors: Ferreira Petri , de Villiers Charl
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether an association exists between a firm's black economic empowerment (BEE) score and its share returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses linear regression that controls for the factors explaining share returns identified by Fama and French. The study includes the Top 200 BEE companies according to the Financial Mail/Empowerdex Top Empowerment Companies survey for 2005‐2008.

Findings

The regression analysis shows a significant, negative association between a firm's BEE score and its share returns.

Research limitations/implications

The results suggest that managers may be over‐investing in activities to improve their firms' BEE scores. This result is surprising. The long‐term effect of BEE investment, the association between the different elements of the BEE score and share returns and the optimal BEE investment level are all fruitful avenues for future research.

Originality/value

One of the elements of the BEE score is the percentage of black ownership of the company. Various studies have found positive market reactions to BEE deal announcements, which relate to the percentage of black ownership of the company. By contrast, this study investigates the relationship between an entity's BEE score, as opposed to a BEE deal announcement, and this entity's market performance. The results would be of interest to government policy analysts, investors and managers.
Why some students choose to become chartered accountants (and others do not)
Authors: van Zyl Cilliers , de Villiers Charl
Published: October 2011

Purpose

South Africa, like many countries in the rest of the world, is currently facing a shortage of chartered accountants (CAs). The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing the career choice of accounting students in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was used to assist professional institutes of CAs, universities, audit practitioners and other interested parties to understand the factors that influence students' career choices. The respondents were first‐year business students at a leading South African university.

Findings

The results indicate that CA students' choice is driven mainly by job security, job satisfaction, aptitude for accounting and potential future earnings. Although a high percentage of non‐CA students have considered becoming a CA (61.6 per cent), they cite job satisfaction as one of the key reasons why they decided against a CA qualification. The two groups clearly have different views on job satisfaction. Another important reason the non‐CA group mentioned against CA studies, was the strenuous nature of this field, including the technical difficulty of the subjects and the lengthy period of study required. Significant differences between the CA and non‐CA group were evident when the means of the ratings of career choice factors were compared. All mean scores, for each of the 12 career choice factors, were higher for CA stream students, compared with the non‐CA stream students. A possible reason is that CA students are more career oriented than their non‐CA student counterparts.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature. It investigates and rates the career choice factors influencing accounting students to become a CA and the factors that influence business students not to pursue CA studies. These results could potentially be used to develop a strategy to influence students' career choice of the CA profession in an effort to increase the number of CAs in South Africa.
When children confront prices: an approach based on price presentation
Authors: Damay Coralie , Guichard Nathalie , Clauzel Amélie
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine how young consumers attribute and select product prices according to their presentation (i.e. format and ending).

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire, administered to a sample of children between six and 12 years of age, reveals that children's allocation of prices and children's choices depend on different price formats (i.e. non‐decimal versus decimal prices and varied price endings).

Findings

Children tend to prefer round prices and to choose a 0‐ending in the decimal portion of decimal prices. However, their preferences also depend on their position as either a salesperson or a buyer.

Originality/value

Research into the relationship between children and price is a relatively new field. This study uses recent works as a basis and extends the field with new insights.
Online price dispersion – more than imperfect information
Authors: Petrescu Maria
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The objective of this study is to analyze price dispersion in the context of internet based shopping malls and assess which of the main informational elements available online about sellers affect online price dispersion.

Design/methodology/approach

The author collected data for 100 models of watches from seven major brands and 100 models of cameras from nine major brands available for sale on Amazon. Statistical regression of price dispersion against average price, number of stores, shipping charge variation, average number of customer reviews, variation in the percentage of positive reviews and a dummy variable of product type were performed.

Findings

It is shown that price dispersion is present even in an online shopping mall. The conclusion significantly adds to the online pricing research, by showing that price dispersion is influenced by the average product price and product type and shipping charges. The number of stores does not affect price dispersion because there is no obstacle impeding the customer from finding the prices for all stores. A key finding is that the number of customer reviews significantly influences online price dispersion.

Research limitations/implications

The study only analyzes price dispersion for two products using secondary data. Future studies can analyze different types of goods and focus on which elements affect the buyers' store selection by using primary data.

Practical implications

Managers can see that there are numerous other elements of information besides price that influence buying decisions. Practitioners need to note the importance of customer reviews in online settings, including the significance of the number of reviews as signal of experience and reliability.

Originality/value

The paper shows that online price dispersion exists even in the context of practically inexistent search costs. Even though the buyers have instant access to all prices of a product, they use a combination of elements in order to decide the seller selection. A key contribution of the study shows that the amount of information available about the seller and the customer reviews significantly influence online price dispersion.
Corporate trainers' credibility and cultural values: evidence from Canada and Morocco
Authors: Hassi Abderrahman , Storti Giovanna , Azennoud Abderrahman
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Corporate trainers' credibility has been universally ignored by researchers and its significance has remained elusive across cultures. Thus, the purpose of this present paper is to examine variations of trainers' credibility determinants in Canada and Morocco.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative qualitative study with in‐depth interviews and the grounded theory approach were adopted to carry out the research. Participants in the study consisted of 60 civil servants employed in various governmental departments in Canada and Morocco.

Findings

A framework identifying distinct categories based on common determinants of trainers' credibility was constructed for each respective country. These categories were attributed the following designations: qualifications, perceived competence, perceived justice and perceived confidence for the Canadian sample; and qualifications, perceived competence, and personal attributes for the Moroccan sample. Similarities surfaced regarding some of the determinants in both cultures such as qualifications, and competence. However, Canadian respondents emphasized trainers' performance, fairness and confidence, while Moroccan trainees valued wisdom (hikma), honesty (sidk), trust (amanah) and the trainer as a role model.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that cultural values ought to be considered in trainers' credibility in efforts to enhance the level of comprehension regarding credibility determinants that could impact training success and effectiveness. It is also recommended that organizations consider taking into account the determinants of credibility during the selection process of trainers who will be primarily tasked with delivering corporate training to employees locally or in various cultural settings.

Originality/value

The paper provides groundbreaking insights as it is the first study to investigate trainers' credibility across cultures by resorting to an emic approach to provide a cross‐cultural perspective on the subject.
The potential in strategic maintenance development
Authors: Salonen Antti , Bengtsson Marcus
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to exemplify and discuss the potential in strategic maintenance development.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a three‐year industrial case study, conducted in three different companies within manufacturing industry.

Findings

All three companies have showed substantial improvements in the chosen maintenance related KPIs. Further, the management has increased the insight on maintenance as a contributor to company competitiveness.

Research limitations/implications

None of the companies has used any financial KPI for their strategic maintenance development. It would be of future interest to study the concept Cost of Poor Maintenance as an evaluation tool for strategic maintenance development.

Practical implications

This study exemplifies the potential of strategic maintenance development in manufacturing industry.

Originality/value

This paper shows the results from three years of formulation, implementation, and evaluation of maintenance strategies.
Evaluating condition based maintenance effectiveness for two processes in series
Authors: Koochaki Javid , Bokhorst Jos , Wortmann Hans , Klingenberg Warse
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to study maintenance policies on a plant‐wide level. It focuses on the effectiveness of condition‐based maintenance (CBM). It highlights the role of the production context and the importance of using appropriate metrics to assess CBM.

Design/methodology/approach

A simulation model was developed to explore the effects of production context using traditional performance indicators (costs and availability of each piece of equipment) and a more comprehensive metric (line efficiency).

Findings

The results showed that CBM has the best performance among other PM policies in loosely coupled processes. By contrast, in tightly coupled processes, CBM has a negative effect on the production line efficiency because it increases equipments' blockage and starvation states.

Research limitations/implications

The simulation model was developed to reflect the reality. Nevertheless, some assumptions have been used to develop the conceptual and computerized model, which can be explored further in future research.

Practical implications

The idea of this paper originates from empirical findings of fellow researchers. The findings in this paper provide a better understanding of how CBM affects key performance indicators in different production contexts and therefore help managers to appropriately execute CBM programmes.

Originality/value

This study focuses on CBM from a new angle. The majority of the literatures on condition‐based maintenance either discusses pure technical issues, or focusses on single equipment only. In this research, the effectiveness of CBM for two processes is studied and CBM is compared with block and age‐based replacement policies using a comprehensive performance indicator.
Exploring the interplay between gender, organizational context and career
Authors: Dulini Anuvinda Fernando Weerahannadige , Cohen Laurie
Published: October 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how highly skilled women workers in Sri Lanka navigate organizational contexts via different modes of engagement in pursuit of hierarchical advancement. The purpose is to contribute new insights into existing understandings of women's careers in diverse socio‐cultural contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on one‐to‐one in‐depth interviews conducted with 24 Sri Lankan women in early, mid and late career.

Findings

The findings reveal how the women in this sample actively used eight modes of engagement to manage themselves in organizations and vertically advance in their careers. The implications of these modes for organizational contexts and women's careers are highlighted.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the limited literature on women's careers in South Asia and develops existing understandings of modes of engagement individuals use to develop their careers.
The positive wellbeing aspects of workaholism in cross cultural perspective
Authors: Baruch Yehuda
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a counter‐intuitive conceptual framework to the study and the management of workaholism. The paper proposes that the phenomenon can be constructive, generating welcoming outcomes for individuals, organizations and societies.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of propositions about workaholism and its management under various contexts is presented and discussed.

Findings

Workaholics should not be labeled as problematic addicts. Workaholism should not be automatically taken as negative and be suppressed. If the culture is positive towards workaholism, offer alternatives.

Research limitations/implications

The framework has a number of practical implications such as reconsidering the negative stigmatization of workaholic employees.

Practical implications

The framework should be useful for managers in dealing with workaholics at work.

Originality/value

The paper develops a framework that enables “out of the box” thinking of workaholism.
Research vitality as sustained excellence: what keeps the plates spinning?
Authors: Gilstrap J. Bruce , Harvey Jaron , Novicevic Milorad M. , Buckley M. Ronald
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Research vitality addresses the perseverance that faculty members in the organization sciences experience in maintaining their research quantity and quality over an extended period of time. The purpose of this paper is to offer a theoretical model of research vitality.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a model consisting of individual and situational factors which influence the motivation and commitment of a professor to continue to conduct quality research over an extended period of time. Additionally, the authors identify benefits that may accrue when faculty members possess research vitality and discuss human resource management implications for schools engaged in hiring, tenuring, promoting, and socializing faculty members. A set of propositions about research vitality and contextual factors that influence this construct are presented and discussed.

Findings

An individual‐level construct that represents a time related measure of the quality and quantity of individual contributions to the scholarly discipline of management is developed. Every individual in the organizational sciences field has the capability to contribute in a meaningful way.

Research limitations/implications

The model presented has a number of personal implications and departmental implications such as how to predict research vitality in junior faculty members.

Practical implications

The framework should be used for understanding one element of success in the organizational sciences.

Originality/value

The paper develops a model of research vitality to explain why some faculty continue to be productive, even in the face of a challenging research process.
Collective learning: interaction and a shared action arena
Authors: Döös Marianne , Wilhelmson Lena
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The paper seeks to argue for a theoretical contribution that deals with the detection of collective learning. The aim is to examine and clarify the genesis processes of collective learning. The empirical basis is a telecoms context with task‐driven networking across both internal and external organisational borders.

Design/methodology/approach

The research draws upon an integration of organisational learning theory and a relational and contextual branch of experiential learning theory framed as organisational pedagogy. A case study of R&D work serves as the empirical foundation. Four teams were studied through interviews, focus groups, and observations. Data were analysed in interplay between empirical findings and theoretical concepts.

Findings

Collective learning does not only occur within the boundaries of well‐defined groups where previously identified. Characterised by distributed work processes and rapid changes in the telecom context, collective learning is associated with individual distribution of tasks, insufficiency as a foundation, a question‐and‐answer space, and the imprints of others in a shared action arena.

Research limitations/implications

Conclusions concern how collective learning can be comprehended. The paper points to the importance of interaction and a shared action arena. The way in which knowledge develops is, to some extent, context‐dependent. This indicates that the characteristics of the shared action arena vary.

Practical implications

Differentiating learning processes has a practical significance for organisations wanting to focus upon competence issues.

Originality/value

This study identified the importance for collective learning of the presence of a shared action arena. The theoretical contribution fills a gap in the understanding of how collective learning arises when moving from face‐to‐face learning within local teams, to networking across both internal and external organisational borders. This contributes to the understanding of how the learning of individuals links with the learning of an organisation.
Spare parts logistics for the Chinese market
Authors: Gebauer Heiko , Kucza Gunther , Wang Chunzhi
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Despite the proven benefits of high‐performing spare parts logistics, recommendations on how to organize spare parts logistics in China are rather rare. The absence of spare parts logistics concepts for China is surprising, since the spare part business is the profit pool of the capital goods industry: spare parts create about 17 percent of the industry's total revenue. The margins involved in this spare parts revenue are, on average, 25 percent compared to 2‐3 percent of the capital goods. This paper aims to offer recommendations to increase spare parts logistics performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an extensive benchmarking project with a variety of firms (focus group and single case study) in order to gain a better understanding of spare parts logistics in China. By reviewing the first benchmarking findings with a single company that struggled to achieve sufficient spare parts logistics performance, additional insight was gained into how spare parts logistics should be organized in China.

Findings

The paper attempts to provide a better understanding of the necessary changes for improving logistics performance in the Chinese market. It analyzes the necessary changes to achieve a cutting‐edge logistics solution, and shows how companies can implement the solution.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations come from the qualitative nature of the research.

Practical implications

Managers can use the results obtained in this study to challenge their current logistics practices and develop a project procedure on how to initiate logistics projects that lead to cutting‐edge logistics performance.

Originality/value

Rather than concentrating on performance benchmarks of the supply chain of spare parts or specific aspects of spare parts management, the paper develops the setting up of a cutting‐edge logistics solution for China and Asia. The cutting‐edge solution is based on two main pillars: companies should try to develop logistics solutions for Asia that consider existing Asian and Chinese constraints instead of taking the logistics practices used in mature markets and trying to adapt them to the Chinese market, and the development of the logistics solution should be in intensive collaboration with the logistics providers.
Supply network configuration benchmarking
Authors: Moser Roger , Kern Daniel , Wohlfarth Sina , Hartmann Evi
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a benchmarking framework for the analysis of the supply network configuration of companies and exemplify its applications in the Indian automotive sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors combine elements of relationship and network theories from different research streams to develop a three‐level supply network configuration benchmarking framework including a dyadic supply chain and network perspective. The analysis of two case companies exemplifies how different supply networks in emerging markets are depending on the specific strategies and institutional context.

Findings

The framework works well with the two case studies presented. A major player in the Indian automotive industry is benchmarked against a newcomer in this emerging country. The results can be used to improve each firm's supplier base management approach and create more efficiency in their further development.

Originality/value

This paper builds on current theories to develop a benchmarking framework for supply network configuration analysis combining the dyadic, chain, and network level into one framework. The case example exemplifies the developed framework.