bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of functional gradient parts via RP methods
Authors: Shishkovsky Igor
Published: January 2003

Discusses the prospects of integration of functionally graded materials coating methods and computer modelling methods, which developed independently earlier. It is shown that combining these two approaches will result in the development of a powerful technology that can draw on the experience gained from MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS). A goal of this review paper is to emphasise the main problems and to discuss already known examples of functionally graded tool synthesis based on rapid prototyping methods.
The optimal zigzag direction for filling a two‐dimensional region
Authors: Rajan V.T. , Srinivasan Vijay , Tarabanis Konstantinos A.
Published: January 2003

Many engineering and scientific problems require the filling of a two‐dimensional region with scan lines of finite width. The number of contiguous scan line segments required for the filling depends on the direction used for scanning. When the cost of the filling operation increases with the number of scan line segments, as is the case in numerically controlled machining, layered fabrication and computer graphics applications, then it is desirable to select a direction that minimizes this number. In this paper we provide a method for efficiently computing such an optimal direction when the region to be filled is bounded by straight‐line segments and/or circular arcs.
Building around inserts: methods for fabricating complex devices in stereolithography
Authors: Kataria Alok , Rosen David W.
Published: January 2003

Stereolithography apparatus (SLA) is capable of in situ fabrication of complex parts, as well as mechanisms and complex devices with embedded components. In this paper, a series of example devices are presented to illustrate the power of building around embedded components (inserts). The problem formulation, solution approach, and specific rules and procedures are presented using these examples and experimental results. A case study approach is used for presentation. These procedures and results lend insight into promising new applications of SLA technology, as well as novel methods of implementing additional functionality into SLA and other rapid prototyping technologies.
Characterization of SLS parts for drug delivery devices
Authors: Low K.H. , Leong K.F. , Chua C.K. , Du Z.H. , Cheah C.M.
Published: January 2003

There are many applications for rapid prototyping systems and application in the biomedical field is an important domain. Uses selective laser sintering (SLS) in this study to build porous cylindrical disc matrices for use as drug delivery devices (DDD). Studies the part‐bed temperature to ascertain its influence over the porosity of the disc matrices. They are found to have an inverse linear relationship. Also investigates the dense walls, the inherent consequences of building porous structures with the SLS, in the disc matrix as they have a direct impact on the performance of the DDD. Discusses the size constraint of the disc matrix due to the limitations of the SLS process. Also investigates the possibility of creating disc matrices of varying porosity. Experimental results demonstrate that SLS is viable in producing DDDs that have variable porosity and micro‐features.
Management’s concerns about the issues faced by Turkish SMEs
Authors: Coskun Recai , Altunisk Remzi
Published: January 2003

Having noted the importance of small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey, studies a number of current management issues such as globalisation, European Union (EU) membership, Internet and telecommunication technologies, protectionism, foreign capital inflow, and increasing consumer awareness that are likely to play a crucial role in the SMEs’ future. After conducting in‐depth interviews with 31 SME owners/managers, found that there is a positive attitude towards these issues even though the respondents lack a clear and comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons. Hence, in light of the findings of this study, there is an obvious need for gaining insights about the business environment for Turkish SMEs and designing and employing a strategic perspective if they are to capitalise on emerging opportunities and avoid threats in the new business environment.
Management communication: the threat of groupthink
Authors: Eaton Jack
Published: January 2003

Reference is often made to the concept of groupthink in books on organizational behaviour intended primarily for students of management. Yet the few examples of its occurrence that are adduced are by now rather archaic or rely on the original case researched by Janis. This paper seeks to remedy this deficiency by considering two recent cases of possible groupthink in British corporate management at BA and Marks & Spencer. A notable feature of groupthink was that it tended to take place in conditions of concurrence‐seeking. In conditions that might induce such behaviour, senior management of both BA and Marks & Spencer announced globalization strategies in the early 1990s. Taking its cue from a previous study of groupthink by McCauley, the main body of the paper uses content analysis of press reports on management at BA and Marks & Spencer in the 1990s to suggest that groupthink was present, causing blocked management communications and leading to the fall in reputation and stock market valuation of these two companies.
Communication style in the information age
Authors: Ihator Augustine S.
Published: January 2003

Explicates how traditional PR and corporate communication theories, models and paradigms may not be successfully used in an era of advanced information technology and global audience. The Internet technology has altered corporate personae and the mode, channels and methods of corporate communication and feedback. It has minimized the power distance and ushered in a new type of relationship between corporations and their relevant publics. Strategic information packaging, gatekeeping, timing and controlled reactive communication become more difficult to manage in the information age.
The public relations evaluationists
Authors: Phillips David
Published: January 2003

The public relations industry is aware of the need for research and evaluation. It has not kept up with the relevant research and technologies which can provide a wide range of powerful R&E solutions. A number of other disciplines are becoming expert at evaluating PR. The history of development of R&E solutions for the PR industry is one of excellent opportunities largely misunderstood and little used even by a number of evaluation vendors. Reviews some current practices and offers the application of new technologies to aid the development of effective corporate communication. The proposed technology can be drawn from content and semantic analysis research and search engine development, neural networks and data‐mining software. This combines to offer powerful and effective planning research and evaluation solutions in a period of transition from print to Internet public relations practice.
Analysing the career concerns of spiritually oriented people: lessons for contemporary organizations
Authors: Lips‐Wiersma Marjolein
Published: January 2003

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to our understanding of the meaning of work. The study is concerned with eliciting work meanings of spiritually oriented individuals with a view of establishing whether there is a common agenda identifiable and whether spirituality influences work behavior. It was found that in spite of their diversity, all research participants desired to express spiritual life purposes of “developing and becoming self”, “unity with others”, “expressing self” and “serving others” in the workplace. A second finding is that they seek to balance these over time. Furthermore it was found that spirituality clearly influences work behavior as research participants make career transitions if they cannot express their spirituality. Lessons are explored for contemporary organizations interested in retaining spiritually oriented employees.
Nonsalaried US employees’ careers: an exploratory study
Authors: McDonald Kimberly S. , Hite Linda M. , Gilbreath Brad
Published: January 2003

This qualitative exploratory study investigated the career development experiences, concerns, and interests of hourly employees. The study, conducted in the USA, focused on satisfaction with work and careers and the potential role of career development activities in enhancing work life. Results revealed a range of needs and perspectives regarding career development and reinforced the importance of conducting further studies with this key population. While workplace research typically has highlighted managers and executives, hourly employees are essential to organizational output. Therefore organizations are urged to devote more attention to the career development of these often‐overlooked employees.
Counselling remaining employees in redundancy situations
Authors: Vinten Gerald , Lane David A.
Published: January 2003

Redundancy is a risk to all employees, and needs careful handling and counselling. Less recognised are the needs of those left behind. On the analogy of major disasters, they too demand meticulous attention to avoid deleterious effects both to themselves and to their organisations. The mishandling of a redundancy situation is presented as a case study. Drawing on survivors to disasters who overcome the trio of trauma, life crisis and loss, a study was undertaken of 50 senior and middle managers in private and public sector organisations which had recently undertaken major restructuring resulting in substantial loss of posts. The management of restructuring, redeployment or redundancy is important, not simply to be humanitarian, or for good public relations, but also because the effectiveness, vision and mission of the organisation that survives is at stake. Survival tips for both the individual and the organisation are indicated.
Gender and police stress
Authors: He Ni , Zhao Jihong , Archbold Carol A.
Published: January 2003

This study explores the impact of work environment, work‐family conflict, and coping mechanisms on physical and psychological stresses of police officers. Using survey data from a large police department located in the New England area, we pay specific attention to analyzing similar and dissimilar results while comparing across gender groups. Our research indicates that for both gender groups, work‐family conflict (spillover) and destructive coping mechanisms are among the strongest and most consistent stressors, regardless of the measures of dependent variable employed (i.e. somatization, anxiety and depression). On the other hand, we also find divergent impact of exposures to negative work environment, camaraderie, and constructive coping mechanisms on different measures of work related stresses across the two gender groups. Implications of these convergent and divergent effects are discussed.
Community policing: training, definitions and policy implications
Authors: Cheurprakobkit Sutham
Published: January 2003

This study surveyed 198 police officers of a single police department in Texas regarding their attitudes about the practice of community‐oriented policing (COP) and its characteristics. Training on COP, rather than training duration, was found to affect officers’ attitudes toward accepting COP programs. Using Cordner’s four definitive dimensions of community policing (i.e. philosophical, strategic, tactical, and organizational) as a model, findings indicate that officers have familiarized themselves with the tactical dimension the most, especially the police‐citizen partnership and problem‐solving elements, while giving lowest priority to the information element of the organizational dimension. Others including the broader police function, personal service, and positive interaction elements are also less emphasized. The study reveals several problems the officers see as setbacks in implementing community policing and concludes that all of the COP characteristics must be looked at in the context of a whole system rather than as separate individual elements.
Leadership in uncharted territory: developing the role of professional practice leader
Authors: Beth Bezzina Mary , Fischer Linda B. , Harden Leslie , Perkin Karen , Walker Danya
Published: January 2003

Shows how a new role, professional practice leader (PPL), developed as a health care organization shifted from department‐based hierarchical management to team‐based management. The work of PPLs in this organization is to provide leadership within a shared decision making, outcome‐focused environment. PPLs play an integral role in developing and supporting clinical decision‐making structures. They provide corporate leadership in setting guidelines for professional practice and in promoting quality practice in budget and strategic planning. In an evolving organization, they maintain focus on clarifying and understanding professional and organizational accountability. PPLs support and facilitate professional development and clinical education. They provide external links with other health care organizations, educational institutions and community partners. This role is relationship‐oriented and involves both doing and teaching the skills of facilitating, mentoring and coaching. Developing a new role involves establishing new values and forging collaborative mutually rewarding relationships.
Researchers are learners too: collaboration in research on workplace learning
Authors: Solomon Nicky , Boud David , Leontios Maria , Staron Maret
Published: January 2003

Research in workplace learning needs to take into account the reflexive nature of researchers’ learning. Explores how members of a research team examined their own learning and collaboration through a study of transcripts of interactions between them during planning meetings and reflections upon them. Identifies implications for collaboration and learning about workplace learning. A key finding was that experienced researchers and adult educators had difficulty legitimising a focus on their own workplace learning. This points to the problems likely to arise in getting others, who do not have a discourse of learning readily available to them, to take informal workplace learning seriously.
Gender‐based learning dilemmas in organizations
Authors: Abrahamsson Lena
Published: January 2003

Raises questions about the links between gender and organizational changes, and between gender and learning at work. The empirical base is a qualitative study of organizational changes in the pulp and paper industry, electronics industry, food industry, and laundry industry in Sweden during the late 1990s. In the studied companies, restoration responses in the work organizations brought the organization back its original form and function. Shows that gender exerts an influence on the existing work organization and on the organizational change. The learning organization, with its focus on integration and decentralization, challenges gender order, which is a strong system, built on segregation and hierarchy. Concludes that gender segregating and stereotypic gender‐coding of workplaces and work tasks were strong restoring mechanisms and obstacles to strategic organizational changes, and to individual and to organizational learning.
Modernised learning: an emerging lifelong agenda by British trade unions?
Authors: Forrester Keith P.
Published: January 2003

Argues that trade union education has tended to mirror the wider fortunes and complexities both within the particular union (or unions) and within the wider socio‐economic environment. The present period is, arguably, one such “moment” where the conceptions and practices informing trade union education are strongly informed by wider societal considerations. This paper examines this “moment”.
Organisational learning barriers in distributed product development: observations from a multinational corporation
Authors: Gieskes José F.B. , Hyland Paul W. , Magnusson Mats G.
Published: January 2003

An increasing share of manufacturing, logistics and R&D activities takes place today in a number of geographically dispersed organisational units. The units involved can be different autonomous companies or a number of focused subsidiaries. Using the CIMA‐methodology and its computerised questionnaire as an analysis and action research tool, organisational learning in distributed product development projects at a multinational company in the telecom industry has been investigated. Organisational units with different operational focuses displayed differences in the types of learning to which attention was primarily given. Based on the findings, the role of communities of practice in distributed product development is investigated.
Tools for the improvement of organizational learning processes in innovation
Authors: de Weerd‐Nederhof Petra C. , Pacitti Bernice J. , da Silva Gomes Jorge F. , Pearson Alan W.
Published: January 2003

Learning is an essential part of innovation, including the need to internalize and disseminate information and to reduce the duplication of research activities, both technological and organizational. Using a theoretically based framework that places emphasis on the interpretative dimension of organizational learning and centers on learning processes, descriptive accounts of organizational learning in the context of R&D‐intensive companies were produced. From these case studies, specific learning tools or mechanisms were identified: job rotation, innovation process planning (activities, responsibilities, networks, sharing assumptions) and (product innovation) project review. Overall findings point to an organizational learning process which involves a high degree of parallelism and depends on the knowledge base of the organization.
Just‐in‐time training: techne meets phronesis
Authors: Beckett David , Agashae Zoë , Oliver Valerie
Published: January 2003

Assisted by new software and driven by internal budgets, managers’ “just‐in‐time training” is emerging as an interesting aspect of workplace learning, not least because it provokes re‐consideration of adult learning principles, and perhaps of educative understanding itself.
Knowledge‐management issues for smaller businesses
Authors: Wickert Anja , Herschel Richard
Published: January 2003

Knowledge management efforts are often seen as being more prevalent in larger firms. However, smaller organizations also have critical needs to share and maintain employee expertise. This paper examines some of the unique issues facing knowledge‐management efforts in smaller firms and suggests techniques they can employ to retain and acquire knowledge.
Collaborative climate and effectiveness of knowledge work – an empirical study
Authors: Sveiby Karl‐Erik , Simons Roland
Published: January 2003

Suggests that collaborative climate is one of the major factors influencing effectiveness of knowledge work. Discusses the concept of collaborative climate and develops a survey instrument to measure it. Presents results based on data from 8,277 respondents in a wide variety of public and private sector organisations. Collaborative climate tends to improve with age, education level and managerial role. It is generally better in private firms, and seems to peak with mid‐size firm level. Employees tend to experience a U‐formed appreciation of the collaborative climate. Theories proposing that people reach a “professional plateau” (an S‐formed curve) have been supported to some degree. Finally, collaborative climate in the private sector is generally better than in the public sector. Uses the data to identify gaps and potentials for improving effectiveness. Further investigates two cases of good and bad practice and identifies strengths and weaknesses.
Managing human resources toward achieving knowledge management
Authors: Yahya Salleh , Goh Wee‐Keat
Published: January 2003

This research examines the linkages between human resource management and knowledge management. Specifically, the association between four areas of human resource management (training, decision‐making, performance appraisal, and compensation and reward) with the five areas of knowledge management (knowledge acquisition, knowledge documentation, knowledge transfer, knowledge creation, knowledge application) is explored. The statistical results suggest that a knowledge organisation requires a different management approach than the non‐knowledge organisation. Hence, the role of human resource management is also unique. In terms of employee development, the focus should be placed on achieving quality, creativity, leadership, and problem solving skill. The design of a compensation and reward system should be on promoting group performance, knowledge sharing, and innovative thinking. The performance appraisal must be the base of evaluation of employee’s knowledge management practices, and an input for directing knowledge management efforts.
A knowledge management reference model
Authors: Abou‐Zeid El‐Sayed
Published: January 2003

A three‐layer, cognitive domains, functional and resources, reference model for knowledge management systems is developed. This model aims at providing the basis for identifying the processes to be supported by any knowledge management support system (KMSS), for modeling the dynamics of these processes, for developing a framework of a business‐aware approach to KMSS development methodology, and for developing blueprints for information/communication technology (ICT)‐based KMSS. The first layer deals with the organizational knowledge and its characterization in terms of knowledge things. The concept of “K‐manipulating situation” is introduced and used as a conceptual construct for structuring the functional aspects of KMSS. While this construct combines knowledge and its manipulating processes, it also captures the social aspects of them by including the involved actors and their roles. Examples from Matsushita’s “Home Bakery” case study are used to illustrate the application of the reference model.
Eight questions for customer knowledge management in e‐business
Authors: Rowley Jennifer
Published: January 2003

Customer knowledge is an important asset for all businesses. The rhetoric of e‐business emphasises the opportunities for knowing customers in the digital economy. This article sets the context with a brief summary of the key characteristics of the knowledge management paradigm. This is used as a platform for the formulation of the questions that form the core of this article: What customer knowledge do businesses require? What customer data can be collected? What are the challenges for translating data into information and knowledge? Can knowledge cultures be created in online customer communities? Whose knowledge is it anyway? How can knowledge assets be identified and managed in virtual organisations? How can customer knowledge from e‐business be integrated with customer knowledge from other channels? Who needs customer knowledge anyway?
Strategic ambitions as drivers of improvement at DaimlerChrysler
Authors: Bossink Bart A.G. , Blauw Jan‐Nico
Published: January 2003

Strategic ambitions can function as drivers of improvement in organizations. Continuous improvement is driven by strategic ambitions to: design quality into the structure of the organization; plan and control improvements; assure improvements; set and realize improvement goals; position the organization in the market as a “high quality” organization; and create value in interaction with stakeholders. An analytical framework based on these drivers is described. A research project is carried out in the organization of DaimlerChrysler Netherlands. The improvement processes in this organization are analyzed with the framework. The research project indicates that the improvement processes are driven by the strategic ambitions of the organization.
Physical communication
Authors: Hartman Jackie L.
Published: January 2003

A strategic communication system is the vehicle for creating, managing and disseminating an organization’s excellence in design, process, and human capital. We propose that organizational communication should be measured in an effort to influence the business outcomes and the behavior of shareholders, customers, and employees. An often overlooked asset is an organization’s physical environment and that which it communicates. This article presents the literature addressing the correlation between the physical environment and behaviors as well as an audit inventory that allows an organization to examine its environment from a strategic view in order to align its surroundings with its culture, image, desirable behaviors, and expected outcomes.
Key ingredients for the effective implementation of Six Sigma program
Authors: Antony Jiju , Banuelas Ricardo
Published: January 2003

Six Sigma is a business strategy and a systematic methodology, use of which leads to breakthrough in profitability through quantum gains in product/service quality, customer satisfaction and productivity. The concept of implementing Six Sigma processes was pioneered at Motorola in the 1980s and the objective was to reduce the number of defects to as low as 3.4 parts per million opportunities. For the effective implementation of Six Sigma projects in organisations, one must understand the critical success factors that will make the application successful. This paper presents the key ingredients, which are essential for Six Sigma implementation. These ingredients are generated from a pilot survey conducted in the UK manufacturing and service organisations.
Managing in the @ age
Authors: Zineldin Mosad
Published: January 2003

Banking has traditionally operated in a relatively stable environment for decades. However, today the industry is facing dramatically aggressive competition in a new deregulated environment. Positioning is an attempt to distinguish the bank from its competitors along real dimensions in order to be the most preferred bank for a certain market segment or prospect. A key way to build a strong competitive position is through @ management, IT and product/service quality and differentiation. Evaluation of the relationship between quality, and positioning requires an understanding and examination of the elements of service quality relative to the operations strategy. The main objectives of this study are to develop theoretically and empirically an understanding of the relationship between service quality and bank strategic positioning. The present research surveyed how Swedish commercial banks have been selected and perceived from the point of view of their customers in relation to their competitors in the marketplace.
The evolution of benchmarking in UK local authorities
Authors: Bowerman Mary , Francis Graham , Ball Amanda , Fry Jackie
Published: January 2003

Explores issues surrounding the recent evolution of benchmarking in the UK public sector with particular regard to local authorities. Argues that what is being done in the name of benchmarking in UK local authorities is fundamentally different to the current understanding of benchmarking practice in the private sector. Despite these differences, and somewhat ironically, the development of benchmarking in the public sector pre‐dates its popularity in the private sector. In the public sector, benchmarking is frequently in response to central government requirements, or is used for defensive reasons rather than striving for performance gains. These themes are captured in two new benchmarking typologies: compulsory and voluntary models of benchmarking. Concludes that: the reasons for benchmarking in the public sector are confused; pressures for accountability in the public sector may militate against real performance improvement; and an appropriate balance between the use of benchmarking for control and improvement purposes is yet to be achieved.
Supply chain/electronic hubs: a comparative analysis
Authors: Kathawala Yunus , Abdou Khaled , von Franck Catharina
Published: January 2003

As competition abounds, the efficient organization of a company's supply chain is a vital success factor for companies in today's business world. In recent years, electronic hubs have received great attention, providing buyers and suppliers alike with a means of structuring and streamlining their supply chains in order to create maximum efficiency. Concerning the future of the e‐hub environment, online marketplaces are expected to move rapidly toward becoming full service providers, letting e‐commerce swallow the entire supply chain. Moreover, distinctions between public and private hubs will likely blur, while only the strongest electronic hubs with the most profitable operations strategies will be able to succeed in the long run. Conducts analysis to the e‐hubs supply chain, followed by a comparative analysis of the current situation supported by examples of successful e‐hubs. As a consequence, provides a benchmarking basis for organizations wishing to incorporate the know‐how and experience of these successful hubs into their own business. Finally, a forecast to future trends in the e‐hub market space is conducted along with recommendations.
Leadership and HR focus in TQM research in Australia: an assessment and agenda
Authors: Rahman Shams‐ur
Published: January 2003

Aims to examine the state of leadership and HR focus in TQM research in Australia from published literature and to determine areas for future research. The literature search covered 31 reputable referred journals over the years 1985‐1999 and identified 90 articles which focused on aspects of TQM. However, it was not possible to identify the primary focus of 23 articles, hence these were not considered for further analysis. The rest of the articles (67) were classified using the seven criteria of the Australian Business Excellence Framework and it was found that about 40 per cent of the reviewed articles had leadership and HR as primary focus. The review shows that considerable attention has been devoted to research in strategic direction, organizational culture of the leadership category and, involvement and commitment, and effectiveness and development of the people category. Further research is necessary in areas such as top management's role in environmental issues and community contribution, health, safety and well‐being of employees, and dissemination of leadership throughout organizations.
Pricing commercial mortgage‐backed securities
Authors: Maxam Clark L. , Fisher Jeffrey
Published: January 2003

This paper presents the first known non‐proprietary empirical examination of the relationship between Commercial Mortgage Backed Security (CMBS) pricing. CMBS prices are examined as a function of the “moneyness” of the default option, the age of the security, the interest rate, interest rate volatility, property price volatility, amortization features and yield curve slope utilizing a proprietary data set of monthly prices on 40 CMBS securities. We find that though the senior tranche CMBS in the sample are effectively immune from default loss per se, they are not immune from early return of principal and resulting duration shift implied by increasing default probabilities. Thus, they behave very much like residential mortgage backed securities in that discount security prices are positively related to explanatory variables associated with potential shifts in duration. As a result, senior tranche CMBS prices increase with explanatoryd factors that raise the likelihood of default such as property volatility and loan to value ratio whereas CMBS prices decrease with variables that lower default probability such as amortization. These empirical results fit well with existing theoretical models of multi‐tranche CMBS pricing and models of commercial mortgage default and suggest that senior tranche CMBS may embody elements of risk that justify their seemingly rich spreads to similar duration corporate securities.
Biotechnology overview
Authors: Rowley William R.
Published: January 2003

This paper describes the field of biotechnology and likely advances in health care, agricultural and other applications in industry, environmental science and energy over the next 15 years. The intent is to give those without a background in the life sciences a perspective of the broad scope of biotechnology. The forecasts at the end of each section illustrate some advances as well as some of the benefits and risks to society that might occur during the next 15 years.
Genomics and society: four scenarios for 2015
Authors: Justman Mark , Bezold Clement , Rowley William R.
Published: January 2003

This paper develops four alternative scenarios depicting possible futures for genomics applications within a broader social context. The scenarios integrate forecasts for future genomics applications with key drivers that are shaping genomics. Each scenario is a narrative depiction of an alternative path towards four very different futures for genomics. The scenarios are intended to give the user the a framework to explore and test their assumptions about the future of genomics, and help them explore the wider interactions between genomics applications and society. Scenario 1, “genomics, inc.”, is a “best guess extrapolation” of key drivers shaping genomics. Scenario 2, “broken promises”, explores hard times for genomics. Scenario 3, “out of our control”, explores the opportunities and challenges brought about by the globalisation of genomics. Scenario 4, “genomics for all”, explores the successful and visionary development of genomics.
Uncertainty and the new consumer
Authors: Shaw Frank
Published: January 2003

In the aftermath of 11 September, the future is more uncertain than ever. This article considers some of the factors contributing to this uncertainty which business planning for the future needs to take into account. These include the emergence of a new breed of consumer who are influencing a spectrum of business and economic decisions and transforming a variety of societal precepts. New consumers, more educated, affluent and well informed, are creating a more diverse and fragmented society in which traditional mass‐market communications strategies will be ineffective. Technological innovation, too, is adding to the uncertainty and forcing businesses to reinvent themselves. Those that are unable to adapt will become extinct.
Managing future expectations globally
Authors: Mercer David
Published: January 2003

In this paper, some of the most important results of the recent work of the author’s Futures Observatory, the culmination of a decade of global research involving several thousand managers and professionals from large organisations, are explored in the context of the long‐range planning undertaken by larger organisations, especially governments, which can positively influence their environments. A range of research techniques has been developed to allow them to identify possible futures and – where possible – to manipulate them. The paper also includes a summary of the fundamental concepts underpinning the work and of the evidence which validates this.
Assessing the meltdown in the telecommunications sector
Authors: Curwen Peter
Published: January 2003

The trading difficulties affecting the telecommunications sector have continued to deteriorate over the past year and a half. The purpose of this article is to update the outlook as presented in previous articles on the same general theme. What this latest version demonstrates is that there has been a widespread write‐down in the capital values of telecommunications companies of all kinds on a scale that has few, if any equals in other sectors. The article analyses the reasons for this phenomenon, concentrating upon the issue of indebtedness. Data are presented on a variety of indicators which suggest that the sector is mired in a spiral of debt, credit downgrades and bankruptcy. This has implications for the structure of the sector in the medium term, but consolidation must await signs of an upturn in the fortunes of companies in a position to act as predators rather than prey.
Structural development of Internet self‐regulation
Authors: Machill Marcel , Hart Thomas , Kaltenhäuser Bettina
Published: January 2003

Self‐regulation is widely considered to be a necessary complement – sometimes substitute – for traditional media‐supervision legislation and practice, especially so when the regulatory object is the Internet, where national legislation meets global networks and content. An example of an internationally structured self‐regulation initiative is provided by the Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA). Its filter for blocking Internet content must be seen within the context of a more extensive bundle of measures based on the principle of self‐regulation. By choosing ICRA as a focal point, the authors set out to illustrate the new, user‐centered paradigm that could become the rule rather than exception for all kinds of media.
Diminishing the digital divide in India
Authors: Chowdary T.H.
Published: January 2003

India responded to the Maitland Report’s recommendations to solve the “missing link” by deciding to establish community telephones in all of India’s 650,000 villages, a task that is largely complete. The author argues that, similarly, the benefits of access to the Internet are so great that the government should employ a similar strategy. This should include improving affordability through a competitive environment, encouraging the use of radio technology and upgrading village public telephones to Public Tele Information Centers (PTICs). Obstacles such as illiteracy and lack of computer skills must also be tackled if India is to diminish the digital divide.
Market structure and innovation in the telecommunications sector
Authors: Cadman Richard , Carrier Helen
Published: January 2003

A debate continues on whether the structural separation of incumbent telecommunications operators would increase competition in telecommunications markets leading to a more dynamic industry. John Cubbin and David Currie, the future Chairman of OfCom, and the OECD have both contributed to this debate. More recently (in Issue 4 of this Volume) Professor Martin Cave asked the question “Is LoopCo the answer?”. In the light of the regulators’ objectives in the new EU framework to promote efficient investment, this article answers some of Professor Cave’s arguments against structural separation and sets out a framework for analysing the impact of separation on innovation in the sector and in other industries which use telecommunications as a key input. The article draws on work conducted by other academics, notably The Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis and Michael Porter.
Wireless R&D
Authors: Steinbock Dan
Published: January 2003

This article examines the dynamics of wireless R&D as a combined function of technology and market evolution, focusing on the management and organization of wireless R&D. From the postwar era to the late 1990s, the management and organization of wireless R&D capabilities has been effectively reversed. Industry thrust has shifted from closed specifications, central innovation and domestic market to open specifications, distributed innovation and global networking. The old era is reflected by the classic Bell Labs; the new era by Nokia. Due to the alternation of sustaining and disruptive change, no wireless company can survive without incessant innovation. In this rivalry, the winners are companies that best match their organizational capabilities with the changing industry opportunities.
Service quality, customer satisfaction and behavior intentions
Authors: Wang Yonggui , Lo Hing‐Po
Published: January 2003

It is well known that service quality, customer satisfaction and customer value are becoming the most important factors of business success for either manufacturers or service providers. However, many different conclusions have been reached and related studies are rather fragmented, especially with regard to customer value. Furthermore, there are few related studies with service quality, customer satisfaction and customer value and their influences on customers’ future behaviors in the telecommunication industry as the focus. In this paper, attention is paid to the measurement model of service quality in China’s mobile phone market based on the well‐known SERVQUAL model, but with modification on the basis of focus group discussions and expert opinions to reflect the specific industry attributes and the special culture of China. Emphasis is then paid to the study of the dynamic relationships among service quality, customer value, customer satisfaction and their influences on future behaviors after the key drivers of customer value and customer satisfaction are identified. All of them are based on the development of structural equation models by using PLS‐GRAPH Package.
Networked electronic services usage patterns at four academic health sciences libraries
Authors: Franklin Brinley , Plum Terry
Published: January 2003

An examination of the methodology and results from patron use surveys of networked electronic services at four geographically disparate academic health science libraries in the USA between 1999 and 2002. The principal fields of inquiry include demographic differences between in‐house library users as compared to remote library users by status of user; users’ purposes for accessing electronic services; how the purpose of use differs between traditional, in‐person, library services; and differences in usage of electronic resources based upon the location of users. The results of this study should help guide service decisions in academic health sciences libraries.
Managing and directing a digital project
Authors: Eden Brad
Published: January 2003

Presents a diary of the attempts to construct and launch a collaborative and interdepartmental digital project at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Looks at some of the problems that arose. Concludes with an analysis of the lessons learned and suggestions of how to deal with the conflicts that arise in the setting up of this kind of project.
The South Australian Public Libraries Network Web site (iNet): efficiencies through collaboration
Authors: Hildebrand Ian
Published: January 2003

iNet is a collaborative project of the South Australian Public Library Network in partnership with the Council of Library Administrators of South Australia (CLASA) and PLAIN Central Services (PCS). It is a customisable information Web site which consists of a core element of organised links to quality information resources available on the World Wide Web as well as information about each library service in the state. A variety of administrator libraries across South Australia are involved in maintaining, updating and adding links to the site. Maintenance is facilitated via a password protected content management tool which enables administrators to make changes to their allocated subject areas and library content without requiring HTML or other Web programming knowledge or skills.
Examining the link between knowledge management practices and types of innovation
Authors: Darroch Jenny , McNaughton Rod
Published: January 2003

The management of knowledge is frequently identified as an important antecedent of innovation. However, very little empirical research has specifically addressed antecedents and consequences of effective knowledge management. Using data collected from 443 New Zealand firms, a knowledge management instrument, which comprises three components and 16 factors, is regressed against a three‐factor innovation scale that captures incremental innovation, innovation that changes consumers’ behaviour and innovation that destroys existing competencies. The results of this research show that knowledge acquisition and responsiveness to knowledge are more important for innovation than knowledge dissemination.
Managing intangible assets – a question of integration and delicate balance
Authors: Hussi Tomi , Ahonen Guy
Published: January 2003

The relevance of intangible assets for financial performance is getting more widely accepted. There is also some convergence about the conceptual structure of intangibles. What has not been underlined enough yet is the synergic nature of different types of intangibles. In this paper, it is argued, in the light of a case study of nine Finnish companies, that the intangibles form a value chain of generative and commercially exploitable intangibles. Furthermore, it is argued that each company at each time has an emphasis on a certain type of intangibles, sometimes even neglecting others. The paper seeks to propose that it is important to identify the primary intangibles and their current relationships with other forms of intangibles. The management of intangibles is hence a matter of integration and delicate balance.
Voluntary turnover: knowledge management – friend or foe?
Authors: Stovel Meaghan , Bontis Nick
Published: January 2003

The onset of the knowledge era has affected all industries. Without exception, the Canadian financial services industry has transformed itself due to the knowledge‐intensive structure it possesses. However, high competition and career‐minded professionals have created a situation in which leading financial services firms are losing key human capital each day – capital that can and will be used against them in the modern, fast‐paced labour market. In the fight for the brightest senior executives, portfolio managers and fund administrators, human resource professionals must pay attention to the investments they are making in their employees through training and development, while monitoring reward and recognition programs, so that loss of intellectual capital is kept to a minimum. This study examines 19 Canadian financial service firms and their current human capital practices. Results show that while human resource managers are effectively managing the people in their organizations through training and development, performance reviews, and the effective management of fluctuating workforce demands. However, this study highlights the need for greater attention to be paid to the leveraging of human capital that exists within their knowledge‐intensive workforce. Furthermore, research findings strongly suggest the need to increase knowledge management behaviours such as the valuation and codification of organizational knowledge assets.
FiMIAM: financial method of intangible assets measurement
Authors: Rodov Irena , Leliaert Philippe
Published: January 2003

Today’s measurement systems fail to adequately account for intellectual capital (IC) in a transparent yet comprehensive manner. In spite of many recent attempts to qualify and sometimes quantify intangibles, there exists as yet not one standardized system that is sufficiently developed and globally accepted. The aim of the present paper is to contribute towards the creation of such a system. The financial method of intangible assets measurement (FiMIAM) presented in this paper aims to overcome some of the weaknesses of recent methods of IC valuation, and contribute to the creation of complete balance‐sheets, reflecting both the tangible and intangible assets of a company.
The intangible/intellectual resource “curse”
Authors: Novicevic Milorad M. , Harvey Michael , Pati Niranjan , Kuffel Thomas , Hench Thomas
Published: January 2003

This paper examines the limits of pragmatism in strategy formulation in the new, knowledge‐rich economy. By tracing the history of pragmatism in social and management thought, and assessing the commonalties and complementarities between a firm’s vision and mission, we explore the possibility and consequences of an intangible resource curse for firms pursuing strategies of incessant pragmatic growth in the expanding Web‐based domain. Ultimately, we posit a combined influence of market‐based governance and strategy simplification as an effective antidote to the executive intangible resource binging, which is sustainable as long as confidence and trust continue to be shared among the firm stakeholders.
Successful competitive positioning: the key for entry into the European consumer market
Authors: Darling John R.
Published: January 2003

Focuses on the importance of successful competitive positioning in the European consumer market. Presents a model for establishing a competitive position in the minds of consumers. Proposes that the model presented will help marketing executives achieve a better competition position in the European market by the successful use of components and elements which it has identified.