bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A problem‐solving approach to value‐adding decision making in construction design
Authors: Thomson D.S. , Austin S.A. , Root D.S. , Thorpe A. , Hammond J.W.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To illustrate the use of a Value Adding Toolbox by construction industry designers when addressing customer value expectations using problem solving.

Design/methodology/approach

Focused literature review establishes the need for construction industry design solutions to deliver customer value and a Value Adding Toolbox is proposed in response. Case studies validate Toolbox use and one illustrative example is provided. Interviews with prospective Toolbox users identify barriers to adoption and inform a recommended approach to organisational adoption.

Findings

The Toolbox is found to be effective at helping construction designers to solve technical design problems with regard to customer expectations of value. However, designers are found to be initially reluctant to adopt the new tool. Organisation learning is therefore required to establish the importance of customer value satisfaction as a prerequisite to Toolbox adoption by designers.

Originality/value

This paper provides a useful insight into the practical application of problem‐solving tools by construction designers to better understand customer needs.
Embedding good practice sharing within process improvement
Authors: Jeong Kwan S. , Kagioglou Michail , Haigh Richard , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Siriwardena Mohan L.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Construction firms need to improve the way in which they manage their processes. Focusing on good practice and knowledge sharing within and across organisational boundaries, the purpose of this paper is to discuss recent developments on a structured process improvement model developed for construction enterprises (SPICE).

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple holistic case study approach was taken to develop and test the presented process improvement model at a firm's level. To compare and synthesise different perspectives, respondents were selected from across a vertical cross‐section of the case study organisations. A combination of several research techniques employed for triangulation.

Findings

Provides a set of key processes to establish an essential managerial infrastructure for achieving organisation‐wide process improvement. The results highlight the need to implement the key processes in an integrated and holistic manner.

Research limitations/implications

Key limitations of the presented process improvement model are closely related to the concerns raised against “process thinking.” More case studies are required to confirm or refute generalisability of the findings.

Practical implications

Firms need to appreciate diverse perspectives and consider norms and values of people in order to understand and improve their process capabilities in a balanced manner. Continuous diagnosis and adaptation of organisational process capability to the changing environment are required to ensure achieving sustainable competitive advantage.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the process and knowledge management/organisational learning literature. It also highlights several important issues to address wider aspects of organisational process improvement, as well as future research direction.
Building competence to manage contractual claims in international construction environment
Authors: Sabitu Oyegoke Adekunle
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This study was motivated by a belief that existing knowledge on management of a contractual claim in international contracting practice is different from a standardised local practice. The paper is aimed at building competence for managing contractual claims in a standardised practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparative studies of British and Finnish contracting practices were used to determine the reason why claims are not pronounced in a standardised practice. Empirical study via direct interviews and questionnaires of a Finnish‐based contractor operating in the Russian markets was used. The players are three‐dimensional in nature where the client, consultants, and contractor come from different countries/practices and two of the projects studied were joint ventures.

Findings

The findings show the effects of: legal system, procurement methods, standardised practice and size of the market on the management of contractual claims. The remedial measures suggested include: operational management, i.e. learning through personal contacts, and management competence development of employees by learning through proper communication and education programmes in a form of continuing professional development.

Originality/value

Management of claims in the construction industry is vital to a successful implementation of the project. It brings about a fair dealing between the project owner and the contractor, improves contractor's cashflow and discourages abandonment of project and disputes. Lack of knowledge in managing claims constitutes a threat to successful implementation of project. The engagement of an expert and knowledge transfer through joint ventures/partnerships are suggested as solutions.
Autonomous trust for web services
Authors: Coetzee M. , Eloff J.H.P.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to show that information and evidence found in the XML‐based environment of web services can allow web services providers to gain a sense of the trustworthiness of web services requestors over time.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review on trust in web services environment is provided. Trust management models, and an existing trust specification for web services are discussed. Next, a conceptual framework for web services trust formation is presented.

Findings

The paper makes explicit types of information that can be used for trust formation. Web services providers are given the ability to trust requestors autonomously by making use of information that is published through web services standards, defined over and above a web services interface. The approach incorporates elements of social trust as it is concerned with more than cryptographic controls. It has mechanisms that allow a web services provider to manage trust autonomously, enabling different types of trust for different situations.

Research limitations/implications

A conceptual framework for trust formation has been defined that identifies a proposal for trust calculation. The paper does not address the implementation of the framework, and calculation of trust over information categories.

Practical implications

The paper identifies a practical approach to autonomous web services trust by making use of web services standards such as WS‐Policy and WSMetadataExchange.

Originality/value

This paper identifies a taxonomy of trust information that can be used to make explicit the requirements for web services trust.
An exploratory investigation of the characteristics of consumer fanaticism
Authors: Thorne Scott , Bruner Gordon C.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose is to examine the behaviors of consumers engaged in fan activity and determine if there are attitudinal and behavioral characteristics common across the differing fan subcultures.

Design/methodology/approach

The characteristics affecting fan behavior are examined through the literature and a series of structured interviews with fans which are then evaluated for the presence or lack of the sought for characteristics of fanaticism.

Findings

The research indicates that there are certain common characteristics to be found in fans interested in different topics and that these characteristics influence the behaviors of those involved in fan behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Given the prevalence of fan influences in popular and consumptive culture, opportunity exists for research beyond the exploratory work done here including larger interview populations from a greater number of fan subcultures.

Practical implications

Marketing professionals may use the identified characteristics as a guide in marketing popular culture to those markets best attuned to accept and embrace it.

Originality/value

This paper provides exploratory research in an area of popular culture that has previously been examined as categories of fans, rather than as an inclusive subculture of fanaticism.
Entrepreneurial franchisees have hidden superior marketing systems
Authors: Merrilees Bill , Frazer Lorelle
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This research paper aims to understand the variability of performance among franchisees in a given system.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, case study approach was used to get a clearer and deeper picture of the main issues and parameters. Nine franchisees across three systems were interviewed, and the marketing and management practices of high and average performing franchisees were compared.

Findings

Major contrasts have been identified between high and average franchisee performers, suggesting that entrepreneurial franchisees may have superior marketing and management systems that are not readily identifiable.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to an eventual theory of effective marketing.

Practical implications

Both franchisors and franchisees could use these findings to improve their marketing performance.

Originality/value

Provides a case study to aid understanding of performance variability among franchisees.
Management and its history: the worthy endeavour of the scribe
Authors: Lamond David
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This paper introduces the Journal of Management History, relaunched as a stand‐alone journal and explores its raison d'être.

Design/methodology/approach

The articles that constitute this first issue of the relaunched journal form the launching pad for this discussion, with these ideas and those from previous research used to comment on the theme of “the worthy endeavour of the scribe”.

Findings

In The Life of Reason, Santayana said “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. Managers looking for the “next big thing”, without being able to effectively incorporate it into their experience, and the experience of those who are long gone, are condemned to repeat not just only the past but also the mistakes of the past. Accordingly, it is also critical for management scholars to both recognise and take advantage of earlier thinking and empirical work to inform their contemporary musings and research if they are to provide meaningful frameworks for practitioners.

Originality/value

Drawing on the themes presented in the articles of this issue, the paper demonstrates the value of knowing accurately the history of management thought to scholars and practitioners alike.
Attitudes to growth and experience of growth among Scottish SMEs
Authors: Mochrie Robbie , Galloway Laura , Donnelly Eleanor
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify factors associated with business success, measured through employment growth, in a sample of rural Scottish businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The use of telephone interviews was used to construct a dataset based on the outcome of 399 interviews. These covered the motivations for starting the business, and current ambitions for the business, as well as background information on the history of the business, personal characteristics of the owner and reasons for choosing a rural location for the business. Data are analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques.

Findings

It was found that the most important determinants of employment growth were the development of national and international markets and recent acquisition of control of the business. A pattern of ownership in which many businesses passed from one owner to another was also found. We did not find that owners who had moved to the area were able to generate more rapid growth.

Research limitations/implications

The pattern of acquisition of ownership was not expected, and warranted further investigation.

Practical implications

There may also be value in further research into effective mechanisms for providing public support for businesses that have a change of ownership, similar to that provided at start‐up.

Originality/value

The paper provides further evidence of the importance of external orientation for rural businesses. It also confirms that recent acquisition is associated with rapid employment growth.
Sex appeal advertising: gender differences in Chinese consumers’ responses
Authors: Liu Fang , Li Jianyao , Cheng Hong
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This research was designed in order to explore the gender differences in Chinese consumers’ responses to sex appeal advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

Experiments were conducted at a university in South China with a total of 157 commerce students. Four advertisements, designed for the same fictional brand but featuring different genders and different levels of sex appeal, were tested in the experiments. Data analyses were conducted using t‐tests and ANOVA tests.

Findings

When comparing the male and female differences in the responses to the ads, it was found that males and females only differed significantly when they were exposed to the ad featuring a male model with the low level of sex appeal. No significant differences were found between male and female consumers regarding the other three ads featuring the male model with the high level of sex appeal or featuring the female model with the low or high level of sex appeal. Further analyses on male or female consumers’ responses to the four ads found that females had significantly different attitudes towards the ads, whereas males did not.

Research limitations/implications

Using a convenient sample and testing only one product category were two major limitations of this study. Future research should adopt a more representative sample and test different product categories.

Practical implications

The findings of this study suggest that international advertisers need to take careful consideration if they are going to use sex appeal in their advertising to the Chinese consumers. Particularly, they must first take into account whether an ad targets a male or female audience.

Originality/value

This article is the first empirical study on mainland Chinese consumers’ responses to sex appeal advertising. It provides significant insight into gender differences among Chinese consumers regarding different sex appeal advertising strategies.
Different kinds of consumer response to the reward recycling technique: similarities at the desired routine level
Authors: Díaz Meneses Gonzalo , Beerli Palacio Asunción
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The objective of this research is not only to provide a new theoretical framework to overcome doctrinal inconsistencies related to the reward recycling technique but also to empirically contrast the proposed explanations.

Design/methodology/approach

This research follows a quasi‐experimental design. This type of treatment comprises the application of a draw‐based prize technique. A questionnaire was issued to gather the information from a sample with 123 individuals. The approach is quantitative.

Findings

It was found that recycling behaviour has become a routine or habit with recognized awareness of ecology and recycling, but without a high level of involvement, since today's adoption process does not require such effort. This implies that the efficacy of the reward technique has been transformed and consequently its effects must be understood differently. To be specific, responders and non‐responders are similar, in terms of their levels of beliefs about recycling, ecological concern and involvement with recycling, and both show the same model of adoption with a low hierarchy of effect and with a few minor differences. Nevertheless there is only one difference between sustainers and non‐sustainers, namely, the sustainers’ greater ecological concern before the promotion application.

Research limitations/implications

The non‐existence of a control group is a limitation with the result that the validity of the experiment is not being totally checked.

Originality/value

This research provides some empirical evidence challenging some old presumptions concerning the understanding of recycling.
Understanding relationship fading in cultural sponsorships
Authors: Olkkonen Rami , Tuominen Pekka
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To describe, analyse, and understand relationship fading between a business sponsor and a sponsored museum in the context of cultural sponsorships.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study uses a longitudinal and a dyadic approach to analyse the temporal development of a three‐year cultural‐sponsorship relationship.

Findings

This study tackles the phenomenon of relationship fading in cultural sponsorships. The triggers of relationship fading are first elaborated into structural and situational triggers. These triggers are further categorised into structural predisposing triggers, situational precipitating triggers, situational attenuating, and structural attenuating triggers.

Research limitations/implications

Most of the triggers of relationship fading are passive and indirect. Consequently, the triggers of fading affect the development of the relationship by gradually reducing the sponsor's motivations to invest and develop the cultural‐sponsorship relationship.

Practical implications

Successful management of cultural sponsorship requires the interacting actors to be aware of the structural and situational triggers of fading that can lead to the fading and potential ultimate ending of such a relationship. Using culture‐oriented marketing professionals with good communication skills between the business and the arts community is vital in managing cultural sponsorships and in avoiding fading in cultural‐sponsorship relationships.

Originality/value

A central feature of the fresh theoretical framework on relationship fading is the link between relatively permanent structures and the situational processes. A dyadic and longitudinal approach is adopted to reveal the past, present, and future dynamics of fading in the cultural‐sponsorship relationship.
Low voltage high performance CCII for analog signal processing applications
Authors: Rajput S.S. , Jamuar S.S.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To provide new structures and applications of CCII for analog signal processing.

Design/methodology/approach

New structure and new applications suitable for low voltage analog signal processing.

Findings

These structures developed for CCII can be used in development for future low voltage applications.

Research limitations/implications

Structures cannot be realized due to unavailability of funding at place of research.

Practical implications

Can be useful information for future low voltage analog designs.

Originality/value

The paper presents new ideas for CCII applications.
Implanting the benefits of buyer‐supplier collaboration in the soft fruit sector
Authors: Fearne Andrew , Barrow Susan , Schulenberg Dominique
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The paper aims to show how a collaborative approach to demand management can improve customer service to the benefit of both supermarkets and suppliers in sectors characterised by volatile consumer demand.

Design/methodology/approach

This insight paper is based on face‐to‐face interviews conducted with key representatives from the two businesses involved, to gain insight into the nature of the problem, the approach adopted and the benefits achieved.

Findings

Supermarket buyers have neither the time nor the capability to manage demand effectively at store level, resulting in excessive waste and lost sales, which hurt both the supermarket and their suppliers. Giving access to internal demand management systems to trusted suppliers can have significant impacts on service levels and supply chain performance.

Research limitations/implications

The insights presented are specific to one supermarket supply chain but the lessons are generic.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates the impact which delegation of responsibility for demand management to those with product‐specific expertise can have in supermarket supply chains.

Originality/value

The paper provides insight for supermarket buyers and account managers in commodity sectors to improve the efficiency of their demand management processes through greater collaboration.
Supply chain controlling: summarizing recent developments in German literature
Authors: Seuring Stefan A.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The intention of the paper is to present recent developments in German‐based supply chain‐controlling literature (management accounting in supply chains) and place them in a context of recent lines of research on supply chain management.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken in the paper is a conceptually‐based review of related publications.

Findings

The study finds that supply chain controlling has picked up on controlling concepts, i.e. rationality, coordination and information, which are transferred to the meta‐level of a supply chain. This is linked to recent debates in supply chain management literature, which are captured as the performance frontier of a supply chain, the coordination and integration needs of a supply chain and the information needed to manage and control a supply chain.

Practical implications

Management accounting instruments need to be applied on a supply chain level more and more.

Originality/value

The paper summarizes research contributions on supply chain controlling published in German and puts them in an international context.
An analysis of the obligations of gambling entities under the FATF's 2003 anti‐money laundering recommendations
Authors: Johnson Jackie
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To highlight the compliance issues which face gambling entities with the implementation of the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) 2003 Forty Recommendations

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the gambling sector's attitudes towards the FATF's new anti‐money recommendations their responses to an earlier FATF consultation paper are analysed. Interested parties were asked to provide feedback on a number of options proposed by the FATF. Twenty six of the 145 respondents provided feedback on issues relating to the gambling sector. It is these responses that form the bases of the analysis in this paper.

Findings

The preferences of the gambling sector were not taken on board by the FATF. The increased customer due diligence (CDD), suspicious transaction reporting and the identification of politically exposed persons will be a burden on casino operators, the only gambling sector to be specifically identified in the new recommendations. Non‐compliance could be a serious issue.

Research limitations/implications

The small number of responses from the gambling sector does place limitations on the ability to generalise the outcomes to the global gambling industry, though five of the respondents were gambling organisations.

Practical implications

For regulators, the possibility of non‐compliance by the gambling sector should be addressed as should the likelihood of pressure for reduced CDD procedures.

Originality/value

The FATF's updated 2003 Forty Recommendations impose considerable compliance costs on the financial sector. A number of other business sectors are also caught within the scope of these new recommendations. This paper addresses anti‐money laundering compliance issues for the gambling sector, an area not previously explored.
Lawyers, notaries, accountants and money laundering
Authors: He Ping
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To call for the legislature to pay more attention to the professional laundering and to improve the capability to attack money laundering.

Design/methodology/approach

By describing the phenomena that money laundering crimes nowadays often involves lawyers, notaries and accounts, to analyze the necessity and rationale of bringing these professionals under the obligations of anti‐money laundering, and to present a reasonable solution to the contradiction between professional privilege and anti‐money laundering obligations.

Findings

In order to keep a balance between the fight against money laundering and the protection of professional privilege, we should make a difference among the professional activities: when professional activities are linked judicial proceedings or in the course of ascertaining the legal position of clients, they would be exempted from the obligation of anti‐money laundering; when they perform financial or company law activities, they should assume anti‐money laundering obligations.

Originality/value

This paper presents a reasonable solution to the contradiction between professional privilege and anti‐money laundering obligations, which would be beneficial to the legislature.
SWOT analysis for Air China performance and its experience with quality
Authors: Ahmed A.M. , Zairi M. , Almarri K.S.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To report on the lessons learned during the implementation of TQM principles in Air China as a response to the dramatic changes in both international and domestic markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This research work is based on analysing secondary case studies in the airline industry to identify best practice and critical success factors of total quality management implementation. The use of SWOT analysis was selected in the case of Air China.

Findings

Air China is the largest air carrier in China in terms of traffic volume and company assets. It own most updated fleet and competent repairs and maintenances expertise. It owns good reputation in both international and domestic market, quality service and keeps the number of loyal frequent flyers rapidly increasing. Distracted by domestic operations in term of resources, organizational concentrations and management time, the international business get to be mediocre. China airline industry is growing faster than GDP increase, and the trend will continue in next five years. Air China faces imminent aggressive competition from world leading airlines and price wars triggered by domestic player, when Civil Aviation Administration of China has to deregulate under requirement of WTO agreements.

Originality/value

This paper is a case study reporting of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threat analysis technique. The paper provides empirical data to identify those factors that play key role in implementing TQM successfully within the Airlines Industry and in particular Air China.
Architecture for a real estate analysis information system using GIS techniques integrated with fuzzy theory
Authors: Pagourtzi Elli , Nikolopoulos Konstantinos , Assimakopoulos Vassilios
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Proposes a new real estate valuation methodology and presents the architecture for a decision support system for real estate analysis based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques integrated with fuzzy theory and spatial analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed information system architecture/problem‐solving methodology uses GIS technology integrated with two approaches: fuzzy logic and spatial analysis. The steps required in the proposed methodology are: database design and implementation; criteria and rules; system design; and implementation. The components/modules included in the proposed methodology are: requirement and definition analysis; data production; topology; integrated database; visualization; variables; quantification; valuation; and implementation.

Findings

The applicability of the system is evaluated via a case study in estimation of house sale prices. The proposed system/methodology was used in order to valuate property values in one municipality of Attica in Greece. The estimation, market analysis, forecasting and management of property values are of great importance and a prerequisite for real estate development.

Originality/value

The proposed methodology is innovative, easy to implement and has a vast theoretical background. Following the methodology/architecture, a prototype information system is presented in order to move from theory to practice. The value of the paper is the combination of new technology assessments and GIS tools, integrated with fuzzy theory and spatial analysis.
Market valuation of real estate finance mergers: a note
Authors: Kirchhoff Marc , Schiereck Dirk , Mentz Markus
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Real estate finance institutions as well as the mortgage banking landscape have undergone a profound restructuring since the late 1980s. This study seeks to examine the value implications of 69 domestic and cross‐border merger and acquisition (M&A) deals of exchange‐listed real estate finance institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify relevant M&A transactions between 1995 and 2002 the following data sources are used: Thomson Financial SDC (Securities Data Company – Mergers and Acquisitions Database), Bloomberg, and Computasoft M&A Data. To assess the value implications of M&A standard event study methodology is used, which relies on the market adjusted model and the market model. Cumulated abnormal returns stemming from the market model and the market adjusted model are calculated for four different event windows.

Findings

The results document that shareholders of targets earn, at least in the closest analyzed interval, significant positive abnormal returns. There are no significant abnormal returns accruing to the shareholders of the bidders in any of the analyzed intervals. CARs are slightly negative in two of the four event windows, and positive in the remaining two. Hence, M&A transactions cannot be considered a clear success. Nor, however, is any significant evidence found that they destroy value.

Originality/value

Since market valuations of mergers and acquisitions depend on industry‐specific circumstances, this paper explores value effects for a specific sector, namely the real estate finance sector. It shows that real estate finance transactions are beneficial for target shareholders. In addition, the results indicate that these transactions do not significantly destroy value for bidding companies. This result contradicts prior evidence for the related banking industry.
White spots and black holes: developing a conceptual model for broadband rollout
Authors: Bouwman Harry , Fijnvandraat Marieke , van de Wijngaert Lidwien
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to create insight into the way technological, economic or regulatory factors affect broadband rollout in the local loop with the objective of developing a conceptual model that will help us gain insight into critical relationships between these factors and the decision to broadband infrastructure investments, implementation and broadband rollout in the local loop.

Design/methodology/approach

To develop a conceptual framework the study used three research methods. A meta‐analysis was conducted to collect and analyze relevant existing literature that discusses broadband rollout in the local loop. Content analysis was used to analyze hypothesis and propositions and network analysis was used to analyze the data extracted from the literature.

Findings

The network found provides a valid picture of the complexity involved in broadband rollout. The combination of research methods used has resulted in an approach that is both practical and robust when it comes to describing the state‐of‐the‐art in a coherent and clear way.

Research limitations/implications

One has to consider that broadband is a relative concept. The definition of broadband has changed during the period in which the papers were published (1992‐2004).

Practical implications

Networks, and thus network analysis, always reflect the choice made by the researcher with regard to the key concepts. If the study had started from other dependent variables (nodes in the network), it would have found a different network.

Originality/value

This paper presents a theoretical framework based on a meta‐analysis of existing research with regard to broadband roll out in the local loop. Until now, a coherent theory has been lacking. Most research is based on implicit assumptions or on economic/econometric models that are insufficiently explained.
E‐government: a strategic operations management framework for service delivery
Authors: Affisco John F. , Soliman Khalid S.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to present a conceptual framework for selecting and developing e‐government applications as part of an overall coherent strategy of e‐government service delivery (EGSD).

Design/methodology/approach

The framework proposed in this paper builds on and expands prior literature in the areas of e‐government and service delivery in organizations. Specifically, the framework extends Heskett's work in service delivery in organizations to the area of e‐government.

Findings

The strategic operations management framework for EGSD developed in this paper represents a response to the need for a more strategic point of view on the electronic delivery of government services. The framework consists of seven building‐blocks – four basic elements: market segmentation, service mode development, operations‐strategy redesign, and service delivery, in addition to three integrative elements: differentiation, leverage of value and alignment of strategy and system.

Research limitations/implications

The framework fills two important voids in the area of government transformation to provide electronic services. First, it provides a precise framework and steps to implement successful e‐government applications. Second, the framework provides a tool for researchers through which e‐government studies can be organized and developed.

Practical implications

The framework developed in this paper is flexible enough to be adopted by governments at different levels; federal, state, or local and by developed and developing countries around the world. Further, it realizes the importance of having an integrated plan for e‐government projects.

Originality/value

The framework developed in this paper guides delivering government services over the internet projects world‐wide. Also, it recognizes the ripple effect of fluctuating service levels before delving into an e‐government project.
Method, philosophy and empirics in KM and IC
Authors: Spender J.C.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

How does one speak of knowledge as an asset when it is non‐rivalrous and ephemeral? The purpose of this paper is to frame “knowledge management” (KM) as significantly more than asset management; instead of binding it to rational decision making, it is grounded in managers' creative responses to the typical deficiencies in their knowledge and to uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the method of distinctions a knowledge and intellectual capital (IC) management discourse is constructed that relates, first, to data, meaning, and practice, and second, to knowledge assets and knowledge absences.

Findings

The rationalist treatment of knowledge assets relates data and meaning to purposive practice. Under conditions of uncertainty this is balanced here with a radical constructivist approach that sees meaning as arising from managerial creativity and exploratory organizational practice.

Research limitations/implications

The practical or managerial implications of this theorizing are legion.The main point is not a theory that supplants managerial creativity; on the contrary, creativity drives both our theory and the organizations that managers manage.

Practical implications

Managing uncertainty forces practice and experience into the foreground. KM and ICM must cover situations in which analysis fails when knowledge is absent just as it covers the management of knowledge assets when they are present.

Originality/value

KM (or ICM) is reframed as an empirically grounded critical theory, a direct critique of rational decision‐making and, by implication, of mainstream managerial theorizing.
The project of intellectual capital disclosure: researching the research
Authors: Abeysekera Indra
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine a number of key issues relating to intellectual capital disclosure by addressing some of the strengths, weaknesses and gaps of the extant research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins by examining the definitions of intellectual capital and intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) currently in use. Methodological issues are examined in relation to the use of source documents, coding frameworks, and research methods. Both positivist and critical theoretical perspectives used to provide the theoretical underpinning of ICD analysis are reviewed.

Findings

The paper concludes by arguing for the importance of addressing these issues in order to improve the credibility of ICD, and offers suggestions for doing so.

Practical implications

Numerous suggestions are provided for improving the credibility of future work on IC disclosure

Originality/value

This paper critically examines issues related to improving the credibility of ICD in future research.
Surface runoff hazard map distribution in Kuwait
Authors: Al‐Awadhi Jasem , Hersi Ahmed
Published: June 2006

Purpose

An attempt is made to produce a susceptibility surface runoff hazard map for Kuwait by integrating four maps: paleodrainage; topography; vegetation cover (extracted from a Landsat image of 2001); and soil.

Design/methodology/approach

Local expert knowledge, weighting methods like the Delphi method and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), and GIS techniques were used to evaluate the factors controlling surface runoff hazard in Kuwait.

Findings

The susceptibility surface runoff hazard map produced indicates that a moderate class of surface runoff hazard in Kuwait averages 45.5 percent, followed by a low class (21 percent). The very low, high and very high classes constitute about 8, 18.5 and 15 percent, respectively.

Practical implications

The surface hazard map obtained from this study may be presented to the authorities concerned to be used as basic data for designing runoff flood prevention and mitigation measures.

Originality/value

The approach adopted in this study is new to Kuwait.
Trust an analyst? An investigation of conflicts of interest in an Australian investment bank
Authors: Proimos Alex
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To show how conflicts of interest and disingenuous investment research at the end of the 1990s stock market bubble occurred in Australia as well as the USA and Western Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews the role of research analysts in major securities firms and conflicts of interest such as analyzing and evaluating a company for investment purposes, while seeking the investment banking business of the same company. Provides a case study of how an investment banking firm dealt with a provider of internet search services in both a research and an investment banking capacity. Investigates and evaluates the regulations and guidelines developed and introduced by the Australian regulatory bodies (Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)) and the Australian Government to deal with potential conflicts of interest that could affect the objectivity and independence of analyst research.

Findings

There were examples of conflicts of interest and fraudulent stock recommendations in Australia that rivaled the worst examples in the USA and Western Europe.

Originality/value

A reminder of fraudulent investment research practices during the stock market bubble and the potential for conflicts of interest between research and investment banking functions within the same firm.
Strengthening corporate governance regulations
Authors: Proimos Alex
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To discuss how to develop best practices and to enforce effective guidelines for corporate governance.

Design/methodology/approach

Investigates the ASX Corporate Governance Council's “framework” for improving corporate governance practices. Addresses the importance of effective corporate governance regulations for preventing corporate malfeasance and a loss of confidence by shareholders. Two key corporate governance principles outlined in the ASX's Corporate Governance Guidelines, “make timely and balanced disclosure” and “respect the rights of shareholders,” are examined. Provides a case study of how the CEO of Aristocrat, a poker machine manufacturer and operator, failed to offer timely and balanced disclosure and otherwise demonstrated incompetence and disrespect for shareholders, causing significant financial distress for the corporation and investors.

Findings

For essential corporate governance principles to be effective, they cannot merely serve as “guidelines” to public corporations, but instead must be requirements that are prudently monitored with stringent penalties attached if breached.

Originality/value

Highlights the importance of effective corporate governance regulation in the prevention of future corporate scandals and collapses.
Practice of information systems
Authors: Sharma Milind Kumar , Bhagwat Rajat
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To provide the outcome of information system (IS) related practice survey designed to identify current trends in Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

This research is exploratory in nature, a survey methodology is used for study and the focus of study is cross‐sectional. Two companies have been selected for detailed case studies. The objective of the study was to become more familiar through survey and information collected to one point in time. The methodology was based on a questionnaire survey and personal interviews.

Findings

The outcomes, based on a survey of 210 SMEs, reveal that though SMEs understand and acknowledge the importance of the IS in day‐to‐day operations management in the present dynamic and heterogeneous business environment but these are yet to implement, operate and exploit it fully in a formal and professional manner so as to enable them to derive maximum business gains out of it. SMEs are not found equipped adequately with the IS resources to suit their needs.

Research limitations/implications

The target of the study is the SMEs operational in the western part of India and hence it has the limitation in terms of the scope. However, the overall results are encouraging with 70 percent response rare in the survey and underline the need for more such studies. The results have implications for all managers responsible for IS, any SME in the era of globalization.

Originality/value

The paper presents IS‐related practices going on in Indian SMEs. Findings reported in the paper provide SMEs operators the utility of IS in day‐to‐day business operations.
Optimizing fixed and variable compensation costs for employee productivity
Authors: Burke Lisa A. , Hsieh Chengho
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework to determine the optimal balance between fixed and variable compensation costs incurred by a firm.

Design/methodology/approach

In 2004 Burke and Terry used an economic framework to demonstrate how variable pay can reduce operating leverage and hence increase a firm's value. Their theme is extended to develop a conceptual framework for ascertaining the optimal balance between fixed and variable pay components.

Findings

As demonstrated with an example, the choice between fixed and variable pay affects the firm's employee productivity, operating leverage, market risk, cost of capital, and cash flows. The ultimate choice of the variable and fix compensation “mix” should meet the goal of management – maximizing the firm value, and hence the shareholders' wealth.

Practical implications

Evidence suggests there is a growing use of variable pay schemes in firms to increase employee motivation and productivity.

Originality/value

The framework allows a firm's cash flows to vary due to the changes in the variable pay component.
Business in society or an integrated vision of governance
Authors: Breton Gaétan , Pesqueux Yvon
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Corporate governance is more than disciplining managers to produce more value for the shareholders. It must include how the organization influences other social institutions in order to impose its view or legitimize its procedures. The purpose of this paper is to give the concept of governance its full meaning.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes some of the essential networks between the corporation, as an organization, and other social institutions. It also tries to separate the level at which these networks function, while proposing some categories to understand the specificity of the organization in regard to individuals or the society all included in a discussion of the managerialism.

Findings

The paper considers the other side of the institutional theory, showing that the enterprise is, at least, influencing the functioning of the society, as much as the society influences the enterprise. However, in this period still dominated by the agency theory, this kind of analysis had not been developed very much yet.

Originality/value

This paper situated itself in the scotoma of the theories customarily used in accounting or management. These theories are interested to present the enterprise as passively supporting the weight of social pressures. The paper's originality is to focus on what is habitually left in the blind spot of those theories using works that have a best audience in political sciences than in management.
Negotiating into China: the impact of individual perception on Chinese negotiation styles
Authors: Ma Zhenzhong
Published: June 2006

Purpose

As one of the most important emerging markets, China presents the greatest challenge to companies that are planning to enter its market. The purpose of this study is to examine a critical process required for any successful market entry – negotiation – and explore the impact of individual perception on negotiation process within Chinese culture.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, the paper explores how negotiators' perception of the negotiation structure and the alternatives to the negotiated agreement would affect negotiation behaviors and outcomes in a Chinese context.

Findings

The results showed that the perception of an integrative potential for the negotiation situation predicted more integrative behaviors and the perception of better alternatives predicted more competitive behaviors during a negotiation simulation.

Originality/value

Implications are discussed on how to negotiate into China.
The layered fold of the TSR domain of P. falciparum TRAP contains a heparin binding site
Authors: Tossavainen Helena , Pihlajamaa Tero , Huttunen Toni K. , Raulo Erkki , Rauvala Heikki , Permi Perttu , Kilpeläinen Ilkka
Published: June 2006

Thrombospondin‐related anonymous protein, TRAP, has a critical role in the hepatocyte invasion step of Plasmodium sporozoites, the transmissible form of the parasite causing malaria. The extracellular domains of this sporozoite surface protein interact with hepatocyte surface receptors whereas its intracellular domain acts as a link to the sporozoite actomyosin motor system. Liver heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been identified as potential ligands for TRAP. Proteoglycan binding has been associated with the A‐ and TSR domains of TRAP. We present the solution NMR structure of the TSR domain of TRAP and a chemical shift mapping study of its heparin binding epitope. The domain has an elongated structure stabilized by an array of tryptophan and arginine residues as well as disulfide bonds. The fold is very similar to those of thrombospondin type‐1 (TSP‐1) and F‐spondin TSRs. The heparin binding site of TRAP‐TSR is located in the N‐terminal half of the structure, the layered side chains forming an integral part of the site. The smallest heparin fragment capable of binding to TRAP‐TSR is a tetrasaccharide.