bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employing penetration testing as an audit methodology for the security review of VoIP
Authors: Tryfonas Theodore , Sutherland Iain , Pompogiatzis Ioannis
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss and amalgamate information security principles, and legal and ethical concerns that surround security testing and components of generic security testing methodologies that can be applied to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), in order to form an audit methodology that specifically addresses the needs of this technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Information security principles, legal and ethical concerns are amalgamated that surround security testing and components of generic security testing methodologies that can be applied to VoIP. A simple model is created of a business infrastructure (core network) for the delivery of enterprise VoIP services and the selected tests are applied through a methodically structured action plan.

Findings

The main output of this paper is a, documented in detail, testing plan (audit programme) for the security review of a core VoIP enterprise network infrastructure. Also, a list of recommendations for good testing practice based on the testing experience and derived through the phase of the methodology evaluation stage.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology in the paper does not extend at the moment to the testing of the business operation issues of VoIP telephony, such as revenue assurance or toll fraud detection.

Practical implications

This approach facilitates the conduct or security reviews and auditing in a VoIP infrastructure.

Originality/value

VoIP requires appropriate security testing before its deployment in a commercial environment. A key factor is the security of the underlying data network. If the business value of adopting VoIP is considered then the potential impact of a related security incident becomes clear. This highlights the need for a coherent security framework that includes means for security reviews, risk assessments, and influencing design and deployment. In this respect, this approach can meet this requirement.
High tech's double edge: creating organizationally appropriate responses to emerging technologies
Authors: Barwick Daniel , Back Karla
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The recent literature advising higher education leaders is deficient in its discussion of the challenges and opportunities presented by new technologies. This article seek to describe one such technology, the blog, and suggest ways for approaching its use.

Design/methodology/approach

A case at Alfred State College is outlined, in which an employee started an anonymous blog as a vehicle for criticism of the administration. This incident is then used as a device for examining issues of communication and trust‐building in electronic venues.

Findings

The challenges and opportunities presented by openly critical academic blogs are in many cases unique to academia. The mistakes an administration may make include conceptual mistakes that academic leaders can make about the academic environment, technical mistakes that amateurs can make when attempting to manipulate a technical medium and, most importantly, process mistakes that leaders can make which deeply affect the trust levels in an organization. Although the blog medium is often portrayed as a “problem” for administrators, it is the philosophical orientation and communication principles of leaders that determine whether blogs truly present a problem for an administration.

Originality/value

There are a number of new technologies appearing in higher education and, although a great deal of attention is paid to how these new technologies are used to educate, little attention is paid to the leadership opportunities these technologies create. In contrast to the way they are presented in the educational media, blogs are an enabling technology that actually serve as magnifiers of communication, increasing the speed, distance, and intensity of the information transmitted.
Corporate social responsibility
Authors: Kampf Constance
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to analyze strategies used to communicate CSR to public audiences via the internet in Maersk and WalMart in order to examine the influence of national culture from the headquarters of each of these global corporations. The purpose of the paper is to further understanding about how CSR is framed and developed within the cultural bounds of a given nation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper extends Donaldson and Preston's model of interaction between the corporation and its stakeholders through a cultural systems approach. The notion of cultural systems is combined with three of Roome's CSR agendas – diversity, sustainable environment, and community involvement/corporate philanthropy – to examine presentations of corporate social responsibility on Maersk and Walmart corporate web sites.

Findings

The consequences in corporate web site discourse about CSR in Maersk and WalMart are strikingly different. With respect to all three CSR agendas, the WalMart site includes a more detailed explanation of its efforts, rooted in local communities in the USA. In contrast, the Maersk site CSR section includes less detail, and a focus on efforts mainly in communities outside of Denmark. These differences in discourse imply different expectations from the public emerging from cultural system differences in the USA and Denmark. Thus, even though WalMart is not necessarily more involved with CSR efforts than Maersk, it has a greater need to express its CSR activities in detail due to the differences in expectations rooted in the US and Danish cultural systems.

Originality/value

Introducing an approach for understanding corporation‐stakeholder interactions and the expression of corporate social responsibility to the public via corporate web sites as situated in cultural systems.
Investigations of mechanical strength and electrical resistance of adhesives and adhesive joints in liquid nitrogen
Authors: Bober B. , Bochenek A. , Olszewska‐Mateja B. , Żaluk Z.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to present the original and easy for application methods of mechanical strength and electrical properties examination of conductive adhesives and adhesive joints at room as well as at liquid nitrogen temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

The Epoxy Technology EPO‐TEK E4110 and EPO‐TEK H20E adhesives were investigated both in the form of the loose rod and as the printed layers on alumina substrates. Additionally, the mechanical and electrical properties of adhesive joints in low temperatures were investigated, where their characteristics depended on the physical properties of joined elements.

Findings

The results indicate the substantial influence of the substrate material on the adhesive resistivity. The joints samples were exposed to multiple thermal shocks in the range from room down to liquid nitrogen temperatures and it was observed that the joints strength and resistance stability could be reached in determined curing conditions of the adhesive.

Practical implications

It is generally stated that tested adhesives can be fully suitable for work in low temperatures. However, it should be underlined that these adhesives' properties change after cooling them down to the liquid nitrogen temperature – the strength growths and the resistance diminishes (about few times).

Originality/value

The paper examines mechanical strength and electrical properties of conductive adhesives and adhesive joints at various temperatures.
MiFID impact on investment managers
Authors: Janin Stéphane
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) on investment managers but also on funds' units as financial instruments.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from the innovative legislative structure and scope of the MiFID, the paper assesses the way investment managers and funds'units are impacted, knowing that investment managers and funds'units are already largely tackled by another Directive, the UCITS Directive.

Findings

In spite of increasing many organizational and process requirements within investment management companies, the MiFID will probably not create dramatic changes in the daily functioning of those companies. However, the linkage between the provisions of the MiFID and the UCITS Directive has not been clearly made by European legislative institutions, which leaves uncertainties in the way the national legislators and regulators will transpose the MiFID in order to get the best consistence between this Directive and the UCITS one.

Research limitations/implications

Final assessment should be made once Member States have transposed the MiFID Directive and have enforced it in practice.

Originality/value

The value of the paper is to set a bridge between two different directives (the MiFID on the one hand, the UCITS Directive on the other hand) which both impact investment managers and funds' units.
Financial services and markets tribunal clarifies both its own jurisdiction and the scope of market abuse
Authors: Gray Joanna
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To report and comment on the tribunal case Phillippe Jabre v. FSA

Design/methodology/approach

Outlines the facts and explains the decision reached.

Findings

Had the tribunal resolved the market abuse issue otherwise it would have flown in the face of the realities of globally integrated financial markets and trading activity.

Originality/value

The case sounds a reminder of the width of the rationale for legislating against market abuse and insider trading.
The impact of operational quality: a supply chain view
Authors: Kannan Vijay R. , Choon Tan Keah
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to examine the impact of operational quality management practices within the supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression analysis is used to identify relationships between a firm's internal and external (customer and supplier focused) operational quality practices and measures of product quality and customer service.

Findings

Not only do both internally and externally focused quality management practices impact performance, but externally focused efforts have a greater impact on performance and are perceived by managers to be of greater importance.

Research limitations/implications

The study does not suggest how specifically quality management practices impact performance, how the efforts of individual supply chain members contribute to overall success, or how performance gains should be shared by the various chain members.

Practical implications

The study provides managers with guidance on how to leverage relationships with suppliers and customers to improve product quality and customer service.

Originality/value

The study provides a supply chain as opposed to a firm‐level perspective on managing a firm's quality.
Can the SME survive the supply chain challenges?
Authors: Vaaland Terje I. , Heide Morten
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the extent to which they are prepared to meet SCM challenges through the use of modern planning and control methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a cross‐sectional survey of 200 Norwegian companies with informants mainly related to the SCM function and from top management.

Findings

The findings clearly indicate that SMEs give less attention to planning and control methods than LEs. SMEs are less satisfied with the methods applied; less concerned with methods supporting SCM on product quality, rationalisation of operations and capital cost rationalisation; less focused on system integration with other actors in the supply chain; and less focused on EDI and e‐based solutions.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses primarily on managerial components and excluded logistics structures and business processes that are more or less inter‐related.

Practical implications

Horizontal cooperation or vertical integration can reduce the information technology gap by sharing planning and control systems. The suppliers of support systems should consider delivering complete “turn‐key” solutions for revitalising the supply chain functions, specifically targeted towards SMEs.

Originality/value

The strength of this study is that it has been able to identify systematic differences between LEs and SMEs across sectors with respect to how SCM challenges are met.
Clothing's big bang: the impact of the end of the ATC on developing country clothing suppliers
Authors: Curran Louise
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Prior to the liberalisation of the clothing and textiles sector under the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) fears had been expressed about the potential impact on developing country suppliers. This paper seeks to establish the actual impact of the liberalisation of the EU and US clothing markets.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparison of trade figures pre and post liberalisation.

Findings

The paper finds that, as forecast, significant changes occurred in sourcing patterns in the EU almost overnight. The big winners were India and China. Almost all other developing countries lost market share, although often not as much as had been feared. The impact of the liberalisation was mitigated somewhat by the new quantitative restrictions negotiated with China half way through the year, which resulted in a redistribution of market share to other developing countries. Comparisons with the USA indicate that trends are rather similar, although on that market more developing countries saw increases in their exports, partly cancelling out losses in the EU.

Originality/value

This is believed to be the first attempt to assess the real world impact of the liberalisation of the clothing sector.
Careers in cross‐cultural perspective
Authors: Inkson Kerr , Khapova Svetlana N. , Parker Polly
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a collection of papers about careers in cross‐cultural perspective, which contributes to the growing body of literature that addresses careers from different locations around the world.

Design/methodology/approach

Introduces the topic, providing some background and discussion of the main concepts.

Findings

Briefly introduces the papers and their main findings – differences and similarities among careers and career attributes in different cultural and national contexts.

Originality/value

Contextualizes the issue and extends the overall knowledge in the topic.
A typology of knowledge management: strategic groups and role behavior in organizations
Authors: Geisler Eliezer
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a typology of people and organizations who transact in knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on structural interviews with 37 managers in three large manufacturing companies a model is proposed which describes the processing of knowledge in organizations.

Findings

Four stages are identified: generation, transfer, implementation, and absorption. Similarly, three types of transactors in knowledge are also identified: generators, transformers, and users. The findings from the interviews are the different motives that animate the different transactors in knowledge, and the distinct behavioral roles that these transactors assume in their organizations.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by proposing a new way of classifying the roles of people and organizations in their transaction in knowledge.
Market entry using country‐of‐origin intelligence in an emerging market
Authors: Khan Hina , Bamber David
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore country of origin (COO) effects among Pakistani elite consumers and to use that knowledge as an intelligence base for SMEs considering entry into Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature concerning COO effects is presented and a principle component analysis is conducted with an elite Pakistani sample using a COO Likert type style scale that was previously used by Lascu and Babb in Uzbekistan and Poland.

Findings

Four components were identified that correspond with consumers perceptions of produce attributes. The elite segment of Pakistan perceives COO image, product quality and luxurious image of product and price as distinct attributes when making a purchasing decision. This study provides a basis for SMEs to gather further detailed intelligence with regards to consumer perceptions of products and potential demand in Pakistan.

Research limitations/implications

It is difficult to predict which other foreign market these results will be applicable to because of different market structures, buying power, cultures and attitudes toward the product and lifestyle.

Practical implications

The paper indicates a strategy that SMEs could adopt to enter the emerging market of Pakistan. Targeting the niche market of elite consumers who have strong buying power could prime the economy for future growth. Both SMEs within and outside Pakistan could take up strategies that use appropriate COO image, provided that appropriate marketing research is undertaken which produces intelligence both regarding COO image of the SMEs products and perceptions of those products' attributes in the target market.

Originality/value

The study explores components within a COO Likert type questionnaire with reference to an elite managerial and professional consumer group in the under researched market of Pakistan. It is argued that SMEs can use the knowledge gained as a basis for entry to new country markets.
Democracy in management – the new coming of MBO via organisational dialogue
Authors: Okkonen Jussi
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The main purpose of the paper is to analyse how a performance measurement system constitutes a dialogue to enable manageability in knowledge work organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an action research project aimed to study the use of performance measurement in a knowledge work context. The case study is applied. The results are derived in participative action research interventions that aimed to build an applicable performance measurement system in three individual organisations. The approach is constructive and normative.

Findings

The paper provides information about applications of performance measurement in knowledge work context. As a result there is discussion on applying performance measurement in the managerial system of knowledge worker organisations and description of using performance measurement in knowledge work context. The contribution consists of managerial norms for applying performance measurement in knowledge work context.

Research limitations/implications

The research, thus the results too, is delineated to small and medium size organisations.

Practical implications

In the paper there are several transferable results. As the aim was to have normative results, the degree of practicality is relatively high. Taking the restrictions of conceptuality of performance measurement into account, the paper provides useful information to practitioners.

Originality/value

The paper answers the research question set. Originality of the paper lies in the field applying performance measurement. It continues the discussion on the traditions of management and leadership.
IT‐enhanced order and delivery process of a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company
Authors: Chung Walter W.C. , Ko Candy C.Y. , Cheung Eric W.M. , Wong Thomas C.W.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to present an in‐depth case study on the adoption of IT by a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company. The objective is to describe an approach to benchmark the performance with and without IT use in its business process.

Design/methodology/approach

The unique approach ties together the concepts of generic business model, business process re‐engineering and gap analysis with IT as an enabler to improve order and delivery processes, overall cost‐effectiveness and efficiency.

Findings

The use of this approach is very important nowadays because more firms are working together as partners in strategic outsourcing using China as “factory of the world”. Without the necessary IT skills to operate the inter‐organizational information systems and to support running the business, it would be difficult to compete and survive in the global marketplace.

Research limitations/implications

The generic business model embodied in the approach serves as a map to guide practitioners and academicians to build similar enterprise systems in response to change requests from customers.

Practical implications

The benefit from the use of this change initiative is not limited to small and medium enterprises in this industry but applicable to other firms in related industries as well.

Originality/value

The paper fulfills an identified information/resources need and offers an example of the application of a theoretical model in business process renewal for executives starting out on a POM career.
The current state of scenario development: an overview of techniques
Authors: Bishop Peter , Hines Andy , Collins Terry
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to review all the techniques for developing scenarios that have appeared in the literature, along with comments on their utility, strengths and weaknesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out through an electronic search using internet search engines and online databases and indexes.

Findings

The paper finds eight categories of techniques that include a total of 23 variations used to develop scenarios. There are descriptions and evaluations for each.

Practical implications

Futurists can use this list to broaden their repertoire of scenario techniques.

Originality/value

Scenario development is the stock‐in‐trade of futures studies, but no catalog of the techniques used has yet been published. This list is the start at developing a consensus list of techniques that can be refined as the field matures.
Restructuring of the TMT sector gathers pace during 2005/06
Authors: Curwen Peter
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This article is the seventh in a series that aims to analyse the constantly changing structure of the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sector. It seeks to covers the period 25 March 2005 to 24 March 2006.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is designed so as to contain at its core the creation of a series of databases in tabular form that can be used to analyse structural trends over a period of many years.

Findings

Prior to March 2002, the TMT sector spent two years in the doldrums, and the overall trend continued to be broadly negative during the ensuing year, partly driven by the implosions at the likes of WorldCom. The following two years saw companies coming to terms with a radically different environment. The year commencing March 2005 witnessed a sharp upsurge in restructuring activity somewhat reminiscent of the late 1990s.

Originality/value

Empirical research based on current data is very scarce in the public domain. This series of articles makes a major contribution to the analysis of how and why the structure of the TMT sector is evolving.
The application of a benchmarking concept
Authors: Stoy Christian
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Today, the occupancy cost of owner‐operated property is the second or third largest cost factor for many companies. Benchmarking projects that focus on occupancy cost comparisons are, therefore, becoming increasingly important. Such projects must contrast comparable properties since the comparison otherwise cannot produce meaningful results. The paper aims to focus on the issues involved.

Design/methodology/approach

An occupancy cost benchmarking concept is explained using the example of a Swiss portfolio of office buildings used for own operations. The chosen approach works primarily with known cost drivers that are used in the selection of suitable benchmarking properties.

Findings

The benchmarking concept enables the benchmarking of comparable properties. In addition to a pure benchmarking, it also allows the reasons for cost differences between the properties under consideration and the specific benchmarks to be identified. Recommended actions can be derived from the comparison.

Practical implications

In support of future benchmarking projects, it will be necessary to expand the existing database and to analyse it with the aim of identifying additional cost drivers.

Originality/value

The concept discussed in the paper can be translated to other areas of application (for instance area benchmarking).
The effect of new inclusion criteria on patient selection for reduction mammaplasty
Authors: Glass G.E. , Soldin M.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of rationing guidelines on the practice of reduction mammaplasty, with particular reference to patient selection.

Design/methodology/approach

A retrospective audit was performed. Patients who were accepted for surgery in the first nine months following the date of publication of new and explicit inclusion criteria were compared with patients who were accepted for surgery in the 15 months preceding publication.

Findings

Of 131 consecutive patients, 98 were accepted before publication of the inclusion criteria, with 33 after. A total of the 97 of 98 and 33 of 33 were symptomatic. Conformity to criteria for body mass index (BMI) increased from 65 of 98 (66 per cent) to 25 of 33 (76 per cent, p=0.143) Attendance at pre‐operative breast seminar increased from 72 of 98 (73 per cent) to 29 of 33 (88 per cent, p=0.099). Incidence of smoking increased from 18 of 98 (18 per cent) to 7 of 33 (21 per cent, p=0.799). Patients under the age of 30 accounted for this increase. The number of cases who failed on more than one criterion fell from 17 of 98 (7 per cent) to 2 of 33 (3 per cent, p=0.155).

Practical implications

Demonstrates a non‐significant reduction in the number of obese patients being accepted for surgery, and a non‐significant increase in uptake of pre‐operative nurse led seminars in the practice. Since publication of the inclusion criteria, all but one of the patients accepted for surgery with exclusion criteria failed on the basis one criterion only. Not successful in enforcing abstinence from smoking as a condition for surgery, particularly among younger patients. To help do this objective ways to assess smoking status need to be looked at. A re‐audit is required to complete the loop.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to present audit results for the new inclusion criteria for reduction mammaplasty.
Pseudoevidence‐based medicine: what it is, and what to do about it
Authors: Smith Wally R.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define, describe, and understand how to combat pseudoevidence‐based medicine (PBM).

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive essay and review.

Findings

PBM can be defined as the practice of medicine based on falsehoods that are disseminated as true evidence, then adopted by unwitting and well‐intentioned practitioners of evidence‐based medicine (EBM). PBM borders on being not only unethical, but also criminal. It may well result not only in inappropriate quality standards and processes of care, but also in harms to patients. Is there a motive to commit the crime of PBM? Is there an opportunity to commit the crime? And is there evidence of the crime beyond reasonable doubt? This article answers those questions.

Originality/value

PBM should be opposed. This article recommends individual and corporate ways to oppose it, including heightened individual skepticism when evaluating evidence, and improved professionalism in relationships with patients and scientific endeavor.
Mistakes – how can we learn from them?
Authors: Dawes Graham
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine how mistakes can help to assist learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents examples where mistakes are not necessarily mistakes, but simply opportunities to improve or amend the project. Also lists questions to help in the understanding of mistakes, why it occurred, how it was dealt with and feelings regarding the situation.

Findings

Blaming ourselves, or blaming others, does not encourage us. In fact, it is anti‐learning. If we, or our department, or our organization has made a mistake then we might as well get what we can out of it – the learning. Gaining learning from our mistakes takes us away from a culture of cover ups and denial.

Originality/value

Humans make mistakes all the time and the key lesson is how we can be more learning‐focused after discovering a mistake.
On the surplus prior to ruin in the perturbed classical risk process
Authors: Ren Jiandong
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to consider the classical risk model that is perturbed by a Brownian motion process. The article derives explicit formulas for the joint and marginal probability density functions of the surplus prior to ruin and the deficit at ruin.

Design/methodology/approach

This article first extends the dual argument to probabilistically explain the symmetry between the two random variables related to the so‐called modified ladder height. Then the paper uses renewal arguments to derive the joint distribution of the surplus prior to ruin and the deficit at ruin.

Findings

The study derived an explicit formula for the undiscounted joint density in the perturbed risk model that is directly parallel to formula (3.2) for the classical risk model. The formula clearly shows that in a perturbed risk process, when ruin is caused by a claim, the p.d.f. of the surplus prior to ruin is continuous. In addition, shows that when the claim sizes follow a phase‐type distribution, all the relevant quantities can be conveniently computed.

Originality/value

The dual argument used in this article is novel. The formula first clearly shows that in the perturbed risk model, the p.d.f. of the surplus prior to ruin is continuous. When claim sizes are phase‐type, the formulas can be conveniently computed.
A simulated annealing approach for curve fitting in automated manufacturing systems
Authors: Tseng Hsien‐Yu , Lin Chang‐Ching
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This research aims to develop an effective and efficient algorithm for solving the curve fitting problem arising in automated manufacturing systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes curve fitting as an optimization problem of a set of data points. Expressing the data as a function will be very effective to the data analysis and application. This paper will develop the stochastic optimization method to apply to curve fitting. The proposed method is a combination optimization method based on pattern search (PS) and simulated annealing algorithm (SA).

Findings

The proposed method is used to solve a nonlinear optimization problem and then to implement it to solve three circular arc‐fitting problems of curve fitting. Based on the analysis performed in the experimental study, the proposed algorithm has been found to be suitable for curve fitting.

Practical implications

Curve fitting is one of the basic form errors encountered in circular features. The proposed algorithm is tested and implemented by using nonlinear problem and circular data to determine the circular parameters.

Originality/value

The developed machine vision‐based approach can be an online tool for measurement of circular components in automated manufacturing systems.
Design and development of a target‐costing system for turning operation
Authors: Gopalakrishnan B. , Kokatnur A. , Gupta D.P.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The main objective in writing this paper and conducting this research is to enhance the productivity in manufacturing operations by making them cost effective.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a target‐costing system and model developed for the turning operation and it has a user interface designed in Microsoft Visual Basic® with a database developed by using Microsoft Access®. An algorithm is developed to apply the concepts of target‐costing that selects the machining parameters and then determines the machining cost. A geometric programming model (Gopalakrishnan and Al‐Khayyal) was used in the development of this system.

Findings

The research determined that target‐costing models can be developed for the manufacturing industry and can be implemented in realistic manufacturing environment. The research also showcased the utility of the target‐costing model in terms of the underlying detailed system level parameters.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses on one manufacturing process but can be extended to other manufacturing processes and business cost and profit centers for providing overall and enhanced benefits at the corporate levels.

Practical implications

The research details the development of a model that has been validated using practical shop floor data, hence implying its application in a wide variety of situations.

Originality/value

The original value of the paper lies in identifying the critical parameters and modeling approach towards target‐costing.
Toward guiding the selection of a layout procedure
Authors: Mohsen
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assist facility designers decide when to use the graph‐theoretic (GTH) approach to develop a block layout and when to seek another alternative that requires a lesser effort. Difficulties encountered when a GTH block layout is developed from an adjacency graph could force designers to sacrifice or change some of the adjacencies of the adjacency graph in the GTH block layout. Consequently, the value of the objective function of a GTH block layout could become less than what would be expected from the GTH approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A computational study is performed to assess the value of the objective function of block layouts produced by the GTH approach when adjacencies of the adjacency graph are deleted or changed in the GTH block layout and two of the procedures in the literature.

Findings

The computational study reveals that the magnitude of the decline in the value of the objective function of the GTH block layout renders it comparable to values obtained by the two procedures selected from the literature.

Originality/value

The results of the study could motivate layout designers to resort to various approaches to develop a block layout rather than sacrifice some adjacencies of the adjacency graph in the GTH block layout, which would adversely affect its objective function value.
Back‐propagation artificial neural network approach for machining centre selection
Authors: Chowdary Boppana V.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Traditional machining centre selection methods may not guarantee a cost effective solution. Properly trained back‐propagation artificial neural network (BPANN) tend to select reasonable machining centres when presented with machining parameters that they have never seen before. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the applicability of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to machine centre selection problems.

Design/methodology/approach

A three‐layer feedforward back‐propagation supervised training approach is selected to address the machining centre selection problem and demonstrated its potential through an example. This is intended to help readers understand implications on manufacturing system design and future research.

Findings

Very limited studies attempted the machining centre selection problem. Feedforward ANN approach has been applied to a wide variety of manufacturing problems. Neural networks have training capability to solve problems that are difficult for conventional computers or human beings. The developed BPANN model has potential to solve the machine centre selection problem with notable consistency and reasonable accuracy.

Practical implications

The BPANN model is an innovative approach fundamentally based on artificial intelligence, which is not directly visible to the user, but is able to solve through a simpler and supervised feedforward back‐propagation training process. The model consists of an input layer, a hidden layer and an output layer. The 18 neurons fixed in the input layer are same as the set of machining centre parameters which are taken directly from the machine tool manufacturer's catalogues. Evidently the proposed three‐layer ANN model has the capability of solving the machine centre selection problem with three hidden neurons for threshold level of 0.9, noise level of 0.05 and tolerance of 0.01.

Originality/value

The work size, weight, travel range, spindle speed range, horse power, feed, accuracy, tool magazine and price are used as machining centre selection parameters. Machining centres' information in the form of 24 patterns along with the desired machining centres' were used to train and test the network.
The consequences and contradictions of child and teen consumption in contemporary practice
Authors: de La Ville Valérie‐Inés
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to conceptualize the field of child and teen consumption as a system of social practices at the cross roads of six strongly intermingled subsystems covering social, institutional, technological, narrative, economic, and political stakes. Children's and teens' consumption is shaped and transformed by a mix of managerial action, public policy, cycles of technological change, the evolution of related institutions like parenthood and schooling, changing cultural references, values, modes of socialization as well as by the actions of children and teens themselves.

Design/methodology/approach

Within such a framework, child and teen consumption appears as a complex arena of competing moral and ideological perspectives. In such a volatile context, forms of resistance to ideologies of unending consumption emerge, continuously calling into question the responsibility of business for unwanted long‐term effects.

Findings

The five papers included in this special issue shed light on the complexities of marketing to children by successively exploring the contradictions within the individual, managerial, professional, corporate, and institutional levels. As a direct consequence, the notions of “corporate social responsibility” and “corporate social responsiveness” towards childhood are also constantly evolving concepts which are quite difficult to grasp.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to design a transformative research agenda to promote socially responsible marketing practices and ethically embedded theoretical frameworks. It also stands as an invitation to deepen the indispensable dialogue – albeit often demanding for both sides – between marketing practitioners and social scientists aimed at constantly redefining the moving outline of corporate social responsibility in contemporary children‐oriented markets.
The adoption of high involvement work practices in Canadian nursing homes
Authors: Rondeau Kent V.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The objective of the research is to assess the degree of adoption of high‐involvement nursing work practices in long‐term care organizations. It seeks to determine the organizational and workplace factors that are associated with the uptake/adoption of ten selected human resource high‐involvement employee work practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire was sent to 300 long‐term care organizations (nursing homes) in western Canada. Results from 125 nursing home establishments (43 percent response rate) are reported herein.

Findings

Of the ten high‐involvement nursing work practices examined, employee suggestion and recognition systems are the most widely adopted by homes in the sample, while shared governance and incentive/merit‐base pay are used by a small minority of establishments.

Practical implications

The uptake of high‐involvement nursing work practices is not adopted in a haphazard fashion. Their uptake is variously associated with a number of establishment and workplace factors, including the presence of a supportive and enabling workplace culture.

Originality/value

The objective of this research is to examine the extent and degree of adoption of high involvement work practices in a sample of long‐term care establishments operating in the four provinces of western Canada.
Medical talent management: a model for physician deployment
Authors: Brightman Baird
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This article aims to provide a focused cost‐effective method for triaging physicians into appropriate non‐clinical roles to benefit both doctors and healthcare organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews a validated career‐planning process and customize it for medical talent management.

Findings

A structured career assessment can differentiate between different physician work styles and direct medical talent into best‐fit positions. This allows healthcare organizations to create a more finely tuned career ladder than the familiar “in or out” binary choice.

Practical implications

Healthcare organizations can invest in cost‐effective processes for the optimal utilization of their medical talent.

Originality/value

Provides a new use for a well‐validated career assessment and planning system. The actual value of this approach should be studied using best‐practices in ROI research.
Lean as a learning system in a hospital ward
Authors: Ballé Michael , Régnier Anne
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to discuss lean as a learning system in a hospital ward.

Design/methodology/approach

Discusses lean as a learning system in a hospital ward.

Findings

The Toyota veterans are fond of saying, lean is about “making people before making parts” or, in the wards' context, developing nurses before delivering care.

Originality/value

This example in using lean to carefully build a learning environment for staff and management has implications for nursing practice, certainly, but also more generally for lean implementation at large.
Taguchi's experimental design method on improvement of medical image quality
Authors: Tolga Taner Mehmet , Sezen Bulent
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The aim of this article is to show how Taguchi methods can be applied to health care to improve the quality of medical images. Quality is often integrated with the performance and parameters of the design of medical applications. Many imaging methods can be designed by setting the correct combination of parameters and estimating the contribution of individual quality influencing factors by means of incorporating parameter design and orthogonal arrays. The performance of any imaging equipment can be measured by signal‐to‐noise ratio. This inherent index can give a sense of how close the performance is to the ideal.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a database of 82 diagnostic thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans. Signal‐to‐noise ratios (S/N) were calculated.

Findings

Given the S/N's, the best CT level was found to be level 4.

Originality/value

To reduce bias resulting from the observer's readings, robust equipments should be designed incorporating Taguchi's experimental design. Further work is needed to establish imaging protocols and new hardware design.
Efficient optimization of crystallization conditions by manipulation of drop volume ratio and temperature
Authors: Luft Joseph R. , Wolfley Jennifer R. , Said Meriem I. , Nagel Raymond M. , Lauricella Angela M. , Smith Jennifer L. , Thayer Max H. , Veatch Christina K. , Snell Edward H. , Malkowski Michael G. , DeTitta George T.
Published: February 2007

An efficient optimization method for the crystallization of biological macromolecules has been developed and tested. This builds on a successful high‐throughput technique for the determination of initial crystallization conditions. The optimization method takes an initial condition identified through screening and then varies the concentration of the macromolecule, precipitant, and the growth temperature in a systematic manner. The amount of sample and number of steps is minimized and no biochemical reformulation is required. In the current application a robotic liquid handling system enables high‐throughput use, but the technique can easily be adapted in a nonautomated setting. This method has been applied successfully for the rapid optimization of crystallization conditions in nine representative cases.
MIOR: an individual‐based model for simulating the spatial patterns of soil organic matter microbial decomposition
Authors: Masse D. , Cambier C. , Brauman A. , Sall S. , Assigbetse K. , Chotte J.‐L.
Published: February 2007

An individual‐based model, called MIOR, was designed to assess hypotheses on the effect of the spatial distribution of organic matter and microbial decomposers on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics. Two main types of object were defined to represent the decomposers and the soil organic substrates. All these objects were positioned in a 3D space. The exchange of carbon and nitrogen between these various entities was simulated. Two scenarios were tested according to the degrees of clustering of organic matter and of microorganisms. The results of simulations highlighted the effect of the ratio of accessible organic carbon to microbial carbon on the dynamics of microbial biomass and CO2 release. This ratio was determined by the number of contacts between one object representing the microbial decomposers and the surrounding objects representing the organic substrates.

MIOR: modèle individu‐centré de simulation de la distribution spatiale des processus microbiens de la décomposition des matières organiques dans les sols

Un modèle individu‐centré, appelé MIOR, a été conçu pour tester les hypothèses concernant les effets de la distribution spatiale des matières organiques et des microdécomposeurs dans les sols sur la dynamique du carbone et de l’azote minéral. Deux principaux types d’objets ont été définis représentant les microorganismes décomposeurs et les substrats organiques. Ces objets sont positionnés dans une espace à trois dimensions. Les échanges de carbone et d’azote entre ces deux entités sont simulés. Deux scénarios sont testés selon des niveaux d’agrégation des microorganismes et celui des matières organiques. Les résultats des simulations mettent en avant l’importance de la quantité de carbone organique accessible par unité de carbone microbien sur la dynamique de la biomasse microbienne et du CO2 dégagé. Cette quantité est déterminée par le nombre de contacts entre un objet représentant des microdécomposeurs et des objets qui l’entourent représentant les substrats organiques.