bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macro stress tests and history‐based stressed PD: the case of Hong Kong
Authors: Chak‐sham Wong Michael , Lam Yat‐fai
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss issues relating to stress testing methods for credit risks in banks. Also, it suggests a solution to bank supervisors on evaluating stress test results.

Design/methodology/approach

Discussion is based on cases analysis on a stress period of the Hong Kong banking sector.

Findings

The paper finds that econometric modeling does not work well modeling stress scenarios. The stressed probability of default (PD) provided by Basel II would be much higher than stressed PD observed in the history.

Practical implications

Bank supervisors should develop cost‐effective methods to monitor the stress test results reported by banks.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the issues of stress testing and provides a practical solution for bank supervisors to monitor stress test results reported by banks.
Patterns of disclosure and volatility effects in speculative industries
Authors: O'Shea Phillip D. , Worthington Andrew C. , Griffiths David A. , Gerace Dionigi
Published: August 2008

Purpose

There is conjecture that small and mid‐cap companies in highly speculative industries use frequent and repetitive disclosure to promote price volatility and heighten market interest. Excessive disclosure could indicate instances of self‐promotion or poor disclosure practices, and these habits could mislead investors. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively investigate the impact of firm disclosure on price volatility in the Australian stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper considers the effect of information disclosure on the daily stock price volatility of 340 Metals & Mining industry entities listed on the Australian Securities Exchange over the period 2005‐2007 using regression analysis.

Findings

The results indicate the number of disclosures, the number of price and non‐price sensitive disclosures and the number of disclosures by category has a significant influence on daily price volatility. Moreover, the volatility impact of disclosure is greater for small and mid‐sized firms than large firms.

Research limitations/implications

Price volatility is calculated using daily data; intra‐day stock prices could provide measures that are more accurate. There is also no attempt to allow for asymmetry in disclosure; categorizing news as “good” or “bad” would allow better insights.

Practical implications

There is support for the conjecture that disclosure could serve as a self‐promotion tool through fabricated and repetitive announcements. Inadvertent poor disclosure practice could also result in excessive price volatility. Disclosure practice requires ongoing consideration by regulatory bodies.

Originality/value

This analysis complements basic work by the Australian regulator to establish a quantitative link between disclosure practice and price volatility.
High court rules negligence claim in relation to pension advice in relation to income draw down scheme is time barred
Authors: Gray Joanna
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report and comment on the High Court of Justice ruling on Shore v. Sedgwick Financial Services Ltd & Others.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines the facts surrounding the case and comments on the ruling.

Findings

The claim for breach of duty against the defendants was time barred.

Originality/value

An interesting feature of this judgment is that one theme that runs its entire course in terms of judicial finding of fact and of law is the degree to which the defendants did or did not adequately explain the risks associated with income drawdown and the degree to which the claimant either understood or failed to understand or indeed voluntary undertook the extra risk of taking maximum income under income drawdown pension schemes in his desire to for flexibility and retention of control over pension capital.
Financial services compensation scheme's claim for legal privilege upheld
Authors: Gray Joanna
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report and comment on Financial Services Compensation Scheme Ltd v. Abbey National Treasury Services plc.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines the facts surrounding the case and comments on the decision.

Findings

The Court agreed with the FSCS's view and upheld its claim to legal advice privilege for both the questions and answers and the relevant narrative commentaries that appeared on the investor claim checklists.

Originality/value

This decision represents an interesting consequence of the rationalisation and assignment to the FSCS of private investors' claims for redress in the wake of firms' default triggering regulatory compensation payments.
Do European procurement rules generate or prevent crime?
Authors: Dorn Nicholas , Levi Michael , White Simone
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether opportunities for fraud and corruption might be reduced or increased by rules governing public procurement. The focus is on specific European legislation – Procurement Directive 2004/18 on the coordination of procedures for the award of contracts for public works, public supply and public services by public bodies within all EU Member States – however similar issues would arise in other jurisdictions.

Design/methodology/approach

The procurement process is examined in relation to three stages of procedure: preparation of specifications, selection of tenderers, and execution of contracts, within each of which some specific risks (red flags) are identified.

Findings

Particular risks that may not have been sufficiently addressed, in terms of research or legislation, arise at the first of these stages; accordingly this paper focuses there. Generally, risks are summarised in terms of insider‐driven specifications, low visibility of procurement processes, and ample opportunities for renegotiation of terms. Risks may be increased by innovative procurement practices that have the effect of extending the manoeuvring between tenderers and public bodies, such as competitive dialogue.

Research limitations/implications

Fraud and corruption risk in public procurement is an area deserving detailed and comparative study, with special attention to the pre‐contracting stage. Research on this topic within EU Member States should go hand in hand with enquiry into international procurement, and into the EC's own rules as applied by its institutions and bodies.

Practical implications

Suggestions for risk‐reduction are put forward in relation to quality standards and pre‐award publicity.

Originality/value

After some time as the Cinderella of crime policies, large‐scale frauds attract greater interest. This paper gives grounds for asking whether, in relation to procurement fraud, a combination of traditional practices and modernisation may outpace anti‐fraud measures.
Measuring market integrity: a proposed Canadian approach
Authors: Fodor Bryan
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual viewpoint of the appropriate theoretical framework for measuring the integrity of capital markets from a regulatory/law‐enforcement perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the metrics involved with the abstract concept of measuring the integrity of capital markets. References include measurement tools and measurement principles issued by academic institutions and relevant international organizations. Primary research was conducted by way of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Market Integrity Index research project.

Findings

The paper finds that there is an interplay of forces that determine the relative integrity of a given market over time.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that critiques of the efficacy of systemic market structure can be evaluated on a quantitative basis.
The case of income tax evasion in Jordan: symptoms and solutions
Authors: Malkawi Bashar H. , Haloush Haitham A.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine income tax evasion in Jordan and set forth various cures for this problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the phenomenon of income tax evasion. In doing so, the paper reviews reports from academics and statistics from the Income Tax Department. The paper begins with an overview of the Income Tax Law, distinguishes between tax evasion and tax avoidance and provides empirical data on the size of income tax evasion in Jordan. A study of article 42 of the Income Tax Law, the anti‐tax evasion provision, is made. In the final analysis, the paper suggests several means that can be used to address income tax evasion.

Findings

The paper concludes that, in so far as the Jordanian Government is concerned with the issue of income tax evasion, several legal and non‐legal techniques can be experimented.

Originality/value

In reacting to huge non‐compliance by Jordanians, the paper tells the story of how to create an income tax compliance culture. The government can utilize various practices, techniques, and discourses to create such a culture.
Identity theft complaints: exploring the state‐level correlates
Authors: Higgins George E. , “Tad” Hughes Thomas , Ricketts Melissa L. , Wolfe Scott E.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Identity theft is an emerging form of criminal behavior, with complaints about the behavior rising. However, little research has explored the correlates of these complaints, especially state‐level correlates. The purpose of this paper is to examine the state‐level characteristics correlated with identity theft complaints.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses data collected from the 2000 US census and the Federal Trade Commission's 2002 through 2005 reports on identity theft. Regression is used to determine explain identity theft complaints through state‐level characteristics from social disorganization to routine activities theory.

Findings

The results indicate that states with more males, higher residential mobility, and more entertainment establishments are likely to have more identity theft complaints. States with more populations that are age 15 and below are less likely to have as many identity theft complaints.

Research limitations/implications

The present study only examines state‐level, macro data and does not take into account individual, micro‐level factors that are associated with identity‐theft. This study provides an important advance in understanding identity theft complaint reports. This will aid policy makers in implementing strategies to reduce incidences of identity theft.

Originality/value

This paper is valuable to sociologists, criminologists, politicians, policy makers, and the general public. It contributes to the current understanding of identity theft by examining state‐level correlates.
Ethical leadership and crime prevention in the organizational setting
Authors: Dion Michel
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the qualitative shift from a “traditional way”, to understand the conditioning factors of corporate crime to a “principled” approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes the conditioning factors elaborated by the traditional approach and the basic crime prevention strategies that followed from such an approach; also, the basic concepts of the “principled” approach are analyzed as they give a qualitatively new understanding of crime prevention strategies.

Findings

The paper finds that a qualitative shift emerged from 1990 to 2006, insofar as the basic conditioning factors have substantially been modified (the “principled approach”). The most relevant concepts for crime prevention are now national culture, transformational leadership, moral courage and organizational transparency.

Originality/value

The paper presents a principled approach to crime prevention strategies as adding relevant ideas and concepts to the traditional approach.
The exploitation of pregnant workers in apparel production
Authors: Barnes Wendy D. , Kozar Joy M.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this commentary is to examine the prevalence in which pregnant women are exploited in the production of apparel goods.

Design/methodology/approach

The labor laws of four countries, including China, Mexico, Nicaragua and the Philippines, are assessed and discussed in relation to cases of documented abuse occurring against pregnant women working in the garment industry in these four countries.

Findings

An analysis and consensus of the literature reveals that although all four countries have established labor laws to protect workers, pregnant women continually face abuse and discrimination in the garment industry. Many forms of exploitation occur, including forced abortions, unpaid and/or required overtime, lack of adequate benefits, unfair hiring and promotion practices, and forced job assignments requiring intense physical labor which proves detrimental to the health and well‐being of the worker and unborn child.

Originality/value

Labor abuses in the production of apparel goods are often widely espoused as a result of media campaigns executed by human rights and labor organizations. The focus of such movements, however, is often on the disregard for child labor laws, workers' rights to join unions, and minimum wage violations. Less focus has centered on the treatment of pregnant women in the production of apparel goods. In an attempt to educate consumers, industry and academic professionals, this paper addresses the issue of discriminatory abuses occurring against pregnant women in the garment industry.
An analysis of factors affecting fashion opinion leadership and fashion opinion seeking
Authors: Goldsmith Ronald E. , Clark Ronald A.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to test hypothesized relationships of consumer need for uniqueness, attention to social comparison information, status consumption, and role‐relaxed consumption with opinion leadership and opinion seeking for new fashionable clothing.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed 598 consumers between the ages of 18 and 83 years using a self‐administered questionnaire. Correlation and linear regression analyses showed that all four independent variables were related to both dependent variables.

Findings

Consumer need for uniqueness was related positively to opinion leadership, but negatively with opinion seeking for younger consumers. Attention to social comparison information was positively related more highly to opinion seeking than to opinion leadership. Status consumption had the largest overall positive association, followed by role‐relaxed consumption, which was negatively related.

Research limitations/implications

Some findings confirm earlier studies and some break new ground. The findings are limited to US consumers and the convenience sample. Other limitations include the specific measures used and the cross‐section survey method precludes making causal statements. The effects of other, unmeasured variables could be assessed.

Practical implications

Apparel marketers seeking to encourage opinion leaders to promote their lines of new clothing might devise appeals emphasizing the social significance and status of the new fashions and how they bestow uniqueness on their wearers.

Originality/value

The study not only confirms previous findings regarding consumer need for uniqueness and attention to social comparison information, but expands the description of motivating factors with status and role‐relaxed consumption.
How are supply chains coordinated?
Authors: Cao Ning , Zhang Zhiming , Man To Kin , Po Ng Keng
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the empirical issues of the implementation of coordination for textile‐apparel supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing case study, the paper examines three different types of coordination practice in three different structures of textile‐apparel supply chains: vertical integration chain, efficiency oriented chain and 3P‐hub chain. The coordinators are three leading Hong Kong based international textiles and apparel companies in these cases. The case sources are published articles, company web sites and some open seminars offered by the case companies.

Findings

In textile and apparel industries, brand owners generally coordinate the supply chain. There are also other coordination practices in industries. Through the research observations and analyses in the cases it is found that the integrated company, powerful garment manufacturer and trade agent play the role of coordinators in vertical integration chain, efficiency oriented chain and 3P‐hub chain, respectively. No matter what type of coordination practice, information sharing and product flow coordination should be comprehensive. Coordinators are the information centers of the whole supply chain. They should have power to manage the supply chain. They should actively integrate the whole chain for maximum total profitability.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is just an overview of coordination practice in textile‐apparel supply chains. The case sources are published articles, company web sites and some open seminars made by the case companies. The methodology should be more systematic.

Originality/value

Coordination in textile‐apparel supply chains is still an unresolved question both from the theoretic and practical points of view. This paper fills in some of the gaps.
Fashion designers as business: London
Authors: Malem Wendy
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an insight into how fashion designer businesses work and survive in London, with an understanding of business techniques and the survival strategies of British fashion designers.

Design/methodology/ approach

The initial research demonstrated a need to define “innovation” as well as recognise the approach of “creative people” in business by exploring existing literature. This was followed by a series of structured interviews with nine British Fashion Designers in London, and three with intermediaries aimed at putting the designers' activities within a business context: a fashion PR; a lawyer specialising in fashion business and a creative director of a fashion distributor.

Findings

The research suggests ten survival strategies employed by fashion designers. The five fashion designers in a sustainable business all operated all of these principles. Those no longer in business operated between one and five of these principles. As designers gain experience and realise their “value“, there is evidence that they can get leverage for contractual agreements with licensors, which has led to financial growth of the designers' businesses. Strategies for diversification and consultancy, if managed without diluting design values, have also led to business growth and stability.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is required to consider innovation and entrepreneurship in the different creative and cultural industries, particularly concerning issues and challenges for the creative person.

Practical implications

The implications are that designers need to be quick to understand the business and wider environment in which they are operating. More published material needs to be widely available to them concerning role models and business models relevant to this unique and problematic industry.

Originality/value

The value of this original research is to share experience and inform designers and practitioners of current practices.
Modelling children's choice decisions of clothing
Authors: Cardoso Antonio , de Araujo Mario , Coquet Eduarda
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the key factors in children's choice of clothing from six to 11‐year‐olds.

Design/ methodology/ approach

This exploratory study was developed through a questionnaire answered by 313 children, between the ages of six and 11, from four different schools in Porto (Portugal), covering the private/ state and the rural/urban dimensions. The Logit and Probit binary choice models have been chosen to evaluate the factors that influence children's choice of clothing (proxy), based on a mix constituted by “brand name, functionality and fashion”.

Findings

The results showed that choice is positively related to age, sex, environment, parents' income, self‐esteem, susceptibility to interpersonal influence and utilitarian value (functional value). On the contrary, susceptibility to reference group influence, materialism (materialistic attitudes), ostentatious value and involvement are negatively related to choice.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the research are limited by the specific sample chosen for this purpose. It is very difficult to generalize the results taking into account all children. The translation and adaptation of the original scales to the case of children and to the Portuguese context may have caused some deviation. The determination of choice was not done directly, as it resulted from a proxy related to the choice of clothing.

Practical implications

Retailers and manufacturers of children's clothing can benefit from the findings of this study. The model developed was applied to the children's choice of clothing. However, it may be tested for a wider universe and applied to other product types.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by studying key factors that affect children's choice of clothing. Based on these results, indications for future research are pointed out: a change in the mix of clothing products available and a characterization of choice types through free, conditional, ordered and multinomial models.
Choosing a career in management: an interdisciplinary multicultural perspective
Authors: Malach‐Pines Ayala , Özbilgin Mustafa F. , Burke Ronald
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the papers in this special issue and some issues surrounding choosing management as a career. A jointly developed questionnaire is also presented.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is descriptive in nature.

Findings

It is crucial for researchers and practitioners to expand their perspectives to include other cultures and other theoretical perspectives beyond those offered by traditional vocational choice theories.

Originality/value

Understanding the antecedents, correlates and consequences of people's vocational choice to become managers will not only help researchers and practitioners and benefit managers, but will improve the understanding of career choice in general.
The process of choosing a management career
Authors: Tanova Cem , Karataş‐Özkan Mine , İnal Gözde
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The aim of this article is to identify the reasons MBA students have for their career choices, and to explore the contextual and gender‐related aspects of career choice and development, based on a comparative study carried out with participants in six countries, i.e. Hungary, Israel, North Cyprus, Turkey, the UK and the USA. The paper seeks to investigate how cultural values and beliefs and gender differentially influence the career choices of MBA students towards managerial or entrepreneurial careers.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research design was applied by using a survey instrument that draws on a cross‐national study.

Findings

Differences exist in influences on career choice and development between women and men in one of the research settings (Turkey). In all six countries, women have a more societal value orientation and tend to undertake more charity work. Men are more likely to believe that “competition is the law of nature” and men appear to opt more for an entrepreneurial career route in all six countries.

Originality/value

The study provides an understanding of the major gender‐related similarities and differences in the career development of MBA students in six countries, and paves the way for further research in the field.
The role of culture and gender in the choice of a career in management
Authors: Malach‐Pines Ayala , Kaspi‐Baruch Oshrit
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The paper addresses the influence of culture and gender on the choice of a management career among men and women MBA students in Israel, the USA, the UK, Turkey, Cyprus, Hungary and India. The culture by gender comparison enabled an examination of five theories: two that focused on culture (Hofstede's and an application of Schneider's ASA model) and three that focused on gender (evolutionary theory, social role theory and social construction theory). The five theories have contradictory predictions about the relative influence of culture and gender.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven hundred and forty‐seven MBA students (390 male and 357 female and approximately 100 in each country) responded to a self‐report measure that was assembled especially for the purpose of the study.

Findings

The findings showed large cross‐cultural differences and small gender differences in the influences and aspirations associated with a career choice in management.

Research limitations/implications

The findings support Hofstede's research and social construction theory, which predicted the cross‐cultural differences. They provide some support for social role theory, which predicted both gender and cross‐cultural differences, and very limited support for evolutionary theory, which predicted large and universal gender differences, and for the application of Schneider's ASA model, which predicted no cross‐cultural differences.

Originality/value

The findings are important in light of the small percentage of women in top management positions and the view of an MBA as means for breaking through the glass ceiling into top management. The findings can be translated to recommendations for encouraging women's entry into management.
Strategies for combating gendered perceptions of careers
Authors: Bourne Dorota , Özbilgin Mustafa F.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Earlier work on career choice has identified that career choice involves gendered processes which lead to differentiated career outcomes for women and men. However, this literature remained anaemic in offering career counselling strategies for addressing the negative impacts of these processes. The paper aims to explore the creativity cycle and other tools derived from personal construct psychology (PCP) and other feminist literature as potential means for dissolving gendered perceptions of various professions and organisational practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper.

Findings

The paper argues that PCP can provide a theoretical and methodological framework for discussing how dichotomous and gender identified the perceptions of professions can be and how such perceptions might be challenged.

Practical implications

This theory and its techniques allow us an exploration of the flexibility of one's constructions system, which determines a person's ability to construe alternative views and to develop new ways of understanding oneself and others.

Originality/value

The PCP's potential as a technique to combat gendered perceptions of a career is examined.
Values and career choice at the beginning of the MBA educational process
Authors: Vigoda‐Gadot Eran , Grimland Shmuel
Published: August 2008

Purpose

With the change in global and local markets and the emergence of new types of careers such as protean careers (which are values‐driven), individual values (i.e. citizenship behaviors, altruistic standards, and helping activities) seem to have a growing effect on decisions people make about significant choices in their lives such as the choice of a career. The authors apply a theory of protean career and citizenship/altruistic behavior to study career choices and career development amongst an international sample of MBA and MPA students. It is expected that values may lead to career choices in early stages of vocational search, but career choices and development may also affect one's values during the training process, especially during educational and professional schooling. This paper aims to focus on the issues surrounding career choice.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on the first stage of the process of career choice at the beginning of MBA/MPA studies. A quantitative research design was applied by using a survey instrument that draws on a cross‐national study.

Findings

A positive relationship is found between good citizenship of altruistic behavior and protean career. This relationship is solid and generic beyond the effect of gender, age, or culture/national setting.

Originality/value

The findings point to some meaningful relationships amongst the studied variables and emphasize the need to direct MBA/MPA students to a value‐oriented educational program in their fields of expertise. The paper ends with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications for future studies in career development.
Factors influencing career choice of management students in India
Authors: Agarwala Tanuja
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the influence of a range of factors on the career choice of management students in India. The importance of different individuals in the family and at work in making career choices among these students is also to be explored. In addition, the study seeks to address the relationship of the cultural values of individualism‐collectivism and the protean/conventional career orientations of MBA students from India, with factors as well as people influencing the choice of a career.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants consisted of 93 students from India entering management, who were starting their first year of the two‐year full time MBA program. Self‐administered questionnaires were used to gather data on factors and types of relationships influencing career choice, individualism/collectivism, and protean/conventional career orientation.

Findings

“Skills, competencies, and abilities” was the most important factor and “father” was the most significant individual influencing the career choice of Indian management students. The predominant cultural value was collectivism, although the students demonstrated individualist tendencies in some contexts. A protean orientation guided the career orientation of these students.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected only from one management institute in India.

Originality/value

Empirical research on factors and types of relationships influencing career choice, and their correlates, has not been conducted among Indian students. The paper addresses this issue and the study has implications for career counseling.
Intraorganizational career advancement and voluntary turnover in a multinational bank in Taiwan
Authors: Zhao Wei , Zhou Xueguang
Published: August 2008

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how various aspects of intraorganizational career advancement – current career attainments, recent pace of upward mobility, and future prospect of career advancement – affect voluntary turnover, drawing empirical evidence from a multinational corporation (MNC) in Taiwan's cultural and labor market environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study was based on statistical analyses of personnel records of 303 employees in a multinational bank in Taiwan. A discrete‐time logistic model was used to analyse voluntary turnover events.

Findings

Results showed that salary increase and job status generally reduced voluntary turnover. A ceiling position on the job ladder induced turnover and also moderated the relationship between corporate title duration and turnover and that between age and turnover.

Research limitations/implications

Because the empirical evidence was based on data collected from one MNC in Taiwan's distinct research context, this may limit the generalizability of some findings in the study.

Originality/value

Whereas much of the literature on turnover has focused on psychological models, this study adopts an objective career perspective and highlights the significance of intraorganizational career advancement in affecting voluntary turnover. It also deepens one's understanding of career development and choices in a Chinese cultural environment.
Individual differences in outplacement success
Authors: Martin Harry J. , Lekan Dennis F.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Although outplacement consulting and career transition services have become a standard management practice and are almost universally provided when terminating executives, these services have not been carefully evaluated and their benefits are not clearly understood. The purpose of this paper is to consider the role of individual differences in determining outplacement success using the Big Five framework as measured by the occupational personality questionnaire (OPQ).

Design/methodology/approach

The behavior of a sample of 53 executives was examined during outplacement as well as their success following reemployment.

Findings

The study's hypotheses were largely supported with agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience making a significant contribution to the understanding of outplacement effectiveness both during and after the transition.

Practical implications

These results suggest that providers should assess individual differences as part of career transition counseling and question recent trends toward making outplacement a commodity service. They also suggest that the diagnostic and counseling skills of a trained professional help to secure a successful outplacement experience and that the process should recognize the unique needs and personality of individual clients.

Originality/value

This paper considers the behavior of actual executives in career transition. It also extends previous research on the Big Five typology to executive outplacement and provides evidence of the usefulness of the OPQ as a measure of these personality traits.
Subjective wellbeing, work‐school conflict and proactive coping among Nigerian non‐traditional students
Authors: Adebayo D.O. , Sunmola A.M. , Udegbe I.B.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of participating in two domains, work and school, on the subjective wellbeing (SWB) and work‐school conflict (WSC), as well as the moderating role of proactive coping between WSC and SWB among Nigerian nontraditional students.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a cross‐sectional survey, data are collected from a total of 141 non‐traditional Master's in Managerial Psychology students at a university located in the South West of Nigeria.

Findings

Results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis reveal that work status is inversely related to SWB and positively related to WSC. Results also confirm the moderating role of coping; such that, as perceived WSC increased, non‐traditional students with moderate to high levels of coping reported greater SWB than those with low coping skills.

Research limitations/implications

Statements on causality, with respect to the present findings, must be made with caution because of the self‐report nature of the study. Further, a global challenge of WSC was adopted in this study; nevertheless, one cannot underestimate the distinctive pattern of WSC that characterised Nigerian non‐traditional students. These could be explored in future studies to further enrich the literature on work‐school obligations and health outcomes.

Practical implications

Results of the present study suggest the need for employers' support as well as universities' flexibility to the needs of non‐traditional students.

Originality/value

The study fills a void in the literature, linking fulfillment of work‐school obligations to health‐related issues among adults (non‐traditional students) in an African setting.
Repatriation readjustment of international managers
Authors: Ahad M. Osman‐Gani A , Hyder Akmal S.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

With increasing interest in overseas business expansion, particularly in the Asia‐Pacific region, expatriate management, including repatriation readjustmenst, has become a critical international human resource development (HRD) issue for multinational enterprises (MNEs). This empirical study therefore aims to investigate the use of HRD interventions relating to training and development for effective readjustment of international managers on repatriation.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through a field survey conducted on repatriation experience of international managers from more than five countries, who are working in Singapore.

Findings

The study provides valuable insights about repatriation training programmes, training contents, programme duration, delivery modes, and providers of effective training programmes.

Research limitations/implications

HRD professionals and senior executives of MNEs will benefit from the findings of this study in making decisions on effective design and implementation of training and career development programmes.

Practical implications

The findings have significant implications for career development of managers involved in international business operations.

Originality/value

This paper discusses readjustment problems of the repatriating managers and suggests how realistic HRD programmes, mainly based on training, can be developed and implemented for retaining international managers. These findings from the dynamic region of Asia will also help in developing appropriate career development programmes.
A case study approach to issue and crisis management
Authors: Jaques Tony
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to encourage understanding of the practical value to managers and communication practitioners of the positive lessons from issue and crisis management cases.

Design/methodology/approach

Unlike many other areas of management writing, which focus on new approaches and best practice, issue and crisis management cases often highlight “PR disasters” where other managers may simply count themselves lucky that it happened to someone else. This paper uses well known examples to explore the reasons for this focus on failure and proposes ways for managers to move beyondschadenfreudeto secure genuine learning and competitive advantage from the adverse experiences of others.

Findings

Whereas many industry “award winning” cases are self‐serving and prone to wisdom after the event, there is a growing body of authoritative case‐books and other material which can provide useful evaluation and benchmarking for an organization's own activity, both internal and external.

Originality/value

While academics and their students are familiar with the use of communication case analysis, this paper explores the range of published case study resources for practitioners and other managers who may be less aware of what is currently available and how independent analysis and insight can help facilitate effective performance against accountability.
The significance of communicating in enacting decisions
Authors: Huebner Hartmut , Varey Richard , Wood Laurie
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Rational modes of decision‐making, followed by communication of the decision to stakeholders, leading to implementation of the decision is taken as a given in most management theories. The role of corporate communication managers in many cases is to support this process via standard communication tools. This study aims to challenge the efficacy of this model by drawing on discourse and strategy‐as‐practice perspectives in order to explain the link between managed communication and performance in terms of enacting decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an ethnographic case study approach, the research analyses communication discourse at Intech, a major international conglomerate based in Germany. Data was collected over a period of 15 months, structured and thematic analysis conducted, supported by ATLAS.ti computer‐aided qualitative data analysis software. Methods of discourse analysis were applied in order to explain concrete practices.

Findings

A key contribution is to provide a framework that enables researchers and practitioners to understand in‐depth the setting in which decision‐related communication takes place, as recently demanded by Suchan and Charles (2006). Three critical fields of action for effective communication and strategy implementation are identified: giving decisions voice; facilitating the legitimisation process for decisions; and developing alternatives to cascading as a mode of decision implementation.

Research implications/limitations

Researchers may adopt the alternative view of corporate communication proposed and test or apply it in further case studies or in more large‐scale, perhaps quantitatively oriented research projects across companies and cultural boundaries.

Practical implications

For practitioners, a key challenge lies in implementing modes of legitimisation into managed communication.

Originality/value

This paper makes the case for an alternative approach to enacting decisions via practices of managed communication, based on the insights gained from the Intech case.
Risk communication management: a case study on Brookhaven National Laboratory
Authors: Rhee Yunna
Published: August 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this case study was to analyze risk communication management practice of Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), using the relationship management theory in public relations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws upon interviews with key stakeholders of the laboratory, including top managers, communication practitioners, employees, and community members. Media reports, internal documents, and on‐site participant observations were concurrently analyzed.

Findings

The study identified leadership communication, organizational commitment to stakeholder relationships, integrated communication function, employee participation in community outreach, and symmetrical communication strategies as contributing factors of effective risk communication management. In particular, the study provided insights into the roles employees play in risk communication settings. It was found that employees' use of symmetrical communication strategies such as openness, access, and listening in risk communication programs contributed to external publics' development of positive perceptions regarding the organization.

Practical implications

The article concludes with four implications of the findings for the practice of risk communication.

Originality/value

This study closely followed the methods by which public relations practitioners, non‐public relations employees, and publics engaged in the relationship building process. The case study should, therefore, provide insights to students and scholars interested in discovering public relations theory at work in a real‐life setting.
Perceptions of Singapore construction contractors on construction risk identification
Authors: Hlaing N.N. , Singh D. , Tiong R.L.K. , Ehrlich M.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Recent changes in corporate environment coupled with emerging challenges as a result of turbulent economy have exposed participants in the construction industry to more and more surprises in project management. As a result, the construction industry has witnessed significant changes particularly in procurement methods with clients allocating greater risks to contractors, making risk management a necessity, with organizations needing to look across the whole life of a project from inception to occupancy. To minimize or optimize all these risks, formulating an effective risk management system is a crucial challenge faced by any construction contractor. This paper aims to investigate contractors' perceptions of risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The perception of risks at estimating and tendering stage was investigated through a survey among construction contractors operating in the Singapore construction industry. The preferences of risk identification procedures and techniques are observed. Factors which are dominating constraints for the implementation of risk management elements are assessed. The process of risk identification from the standpoints of contractors and their preference of various risk response strategies to reduce the likelihood of occurrence of the identified risks and their impact were evaluated.

Findings

The findings from the study highlight that risk factors having great impact on the financial aspect of the project, namely lack of financial resources of the contractor, financial stability of the client and cost overruns due to delay are considered most important by contractors and that risk response methods are favored in the order of risk reduction, risk transfer, risk avoidance and risk retention.

Originality/value

The findings may help construction contractors in reviewing decision factors they consider when making bidding decision at estimating and tendering stage, and also be useful for improving their risk management plan in line with important risk factors considered by the construction industry.
Protecting capital investment in plant and equipment: case study observations of post‐theft recovery
Authors: Edwards David J. , Holt Gary D.
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Plant and equipment theft (PET) is inherent throughout the construction sector. Its effect places direct financial burden on those who have invested in such assets, but additionally, induces “indirect” costs for many other stakeholders including project owners, plant hirers and construction managers. The paper's objective is to take and discuss a snapshot of PET, the overriding aim being to aid greater understanding of it and in particular, the application of (post‐theft) recovery technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive case study data are considered along with informal, anecdotal evidence provided by practitioners. These data are qualitatively considered; observations are discussed; a model representation of PET and recovery is developed; and conclusions are drawn.

Findings

Plant and equipment thieves are shown to be audacious and determined, but it is identified that in addressing these characteristics, recent advances in plant security and recovery technologies (PSRT) have been significant. Arguably, PSRT are not being adopted as broadly as they should be to offset the PET problem.

Research limitations/implications

The formal model of PET might help inform future academic endeavour in the subject of plant and equipment management generally and PET specifically.

Practical implications

The model suggests that more widespread use of PSRT may not only help defeat plant thieves, but additionally help recover stolen assets and identify organised criminal networks.

Originality/value

The work is novel in setting and will be of interest to both academics and practitioners in the field.