bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of web site information by Spanish city councils
Authors: Gandía Juan L. , Archidona Maria C.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to analyse the web sites of large Spanish city councils with the objective of assessing the extent of information disseminated on the internet and determining what factors are affecting the observed levels of information disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

The study takes as its reference point the existing literature on the examination of the quality of web sites, in particular the provisions of the Web Quality Model (WQM) and the importance of content as a key variable in determining web site quality. In order to quantify the information on city council web sites, a Disclosure Index has been designed which takes into account the content, navigability and presentation of the web sites. In order to contrast which variables determine the information provided on the web sites, our investigation bases itself on the studies about voluntary disclosure in the public sector, and six lineal regressions models have been performed.

Findings

The empirical evidence obtained reveals low disclosure levels among Spanish city council web sites. In spite of this, almost 50 per cent of the city councils have reached the “approved” level and of these, around a quarter obtained good marks. Our results show that disclosure levels depend on political competition, public media visibility and the access to technology and educational levels of the citizens.

Practical implications

The strategy of communication on the internet by local Spanish authorities is limited in general to an ornamental web presence but one that does not respond efficiently to the requirements of the digital society. During the coming years, local Spanish politicians will have to strive to take advantage of the opportunities that the internet offers to increase both the relational and informational capacity of municipal web sites as well as the digital information transparency of their public management.

Originality/value

The internet is a potent channel of communication that is modifying the way in which people access and relate to information and each other. The public sector is not unaware of these changes and is incorporating itself gradually into the new network society. This study systematises the analysis of local administration web sites, showing the lack of digital transparency, and orients politicians in the direction to follow in order to introduce improvements in their electronic relationships with the public.
Wikipedia and academic peer review
Authors: Black Erik W.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to engage in a thought experiment, exploring the use of Wikipedia or similar content‐malleable systems for the review and dissemination of academic knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

By looking at other sources, the paper considers the current state of the academic peer‐review process, discusses Wikipedia and reflects on dynamic content creation and management applications currently in use in academia.

Findings

The traditional peer review process must be updated to match the rapid creation and diffusion of knowledge that characterises the 21st century. The Wikipedia concept is a potential model for more rapid and reliable dissemination of scholarly knowledge. The implications of such a concept would have a dramatic effect on the academic community.

Originality/value

This paper promotes a radical idea for changing the methods by which academic knowledge is both constructed and disseminated.
General patterns of tag usage among university groups in Flickr
Authors: Angus Emma , Thelwall Mike , Stuart David
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate general patterns of tag usage and determines the usefulness of the tags used within university image groups to the wider Flickr community. There has been a significant rise in the use of Web 2.0 social network web sites and online applications in recent years. One of the most popular is Flickr, an online image management application.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a webometric data collection, classification and informetric analysis.

Findings

The results show that members of university image groups tend to tag in a manner that is of use to users of the system as a whole rather than merely for the tag creator.

Originality/value

This paper gives a valuable insight into the tagging practices of image groups in Flickr.
Google Scholar revisited
Authors: Jacsó Péter
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit Google Scholar.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Google Scholar.

Findings

The Google Books project has given a massive and valuable boost to the already rich and diverse content of Google Scholar. The downside of the growth is that significant gaps remain for top ranking journals and serials, and the number of duplicate, triplicate and quadruplicate records for the same source documents (which Google Scholar cannot detect reliably) has increased.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Google Scholar.
Knowledge management practices in facilities organisations: a case study
Authors: Pathirage Chaminda , Haigh Richard , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Baldry David
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The paper's purpose is to identify the key knowledge variables within a facilities management (FM) environment and to develop an understanding of how FM knowledge is generated and utilised within FM organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes a review of literature on, underlying trends in FM, knowledge management (KM) in general, and current status of KM in FM and outcomes of three expert interviews with two academics and a practitioner who had extensive knowledge and experience with FM organisations. A case study approach was followed in order to apply the intellectual capital framework to map the knowledge variables within the FM context.

Findings

This paper highlights the main findings of the literature, expert interviews and the case study. The research recognised the intellectual capital framework as the means of identifying KM variables within the FM context. It reported the current practices of the case study organisation, strengths and weaknesses in relation to management of facilities knowledge. Literature, expert interviews and case study findings provided the basis in developing the KM maturity stages: recognition of importance, formulation of strategy, implementation of techniques, and evaluation of performance; relating to three components of the intellectual capital.

Originality/value

FM knowledge is at a primitive stage of development and its terrain is largely unexplored. While the relevancy and potential value of KM is recognised, its application to the specifics of facilities operations is poorly developed. This study explores the management of knowledge within FM considering the strategic importance of facilities operations within the core organisational setting.
A performance management framework for healthcare facilities management
Authors: Liyanage Champika , Egbu Charles
Published: March 2008

Purpose

To propose a framework for performance management in facilities management (FM) services in hospitals. Herein, particular attention has been given to domestic services under the area of FM.

Design/methodology/approach

The discussions of the paper are based on findings of a mixed methodology approach, i.e. combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The data sets obtained from mixed methods were subjected to rigorous qualitative and statistical analyses.

Findings

A comprehensive performance management framework (PMF) is presented in this paper. The developed PMF is clear, cohesive and can be well understood by all levels of managers and staff. It is well supported by the overall goals of control of healthcare associated infections in domestic services and uses a balanced set of key performance indicators and measures to benchmark the results with one another. The PMF developed gives due cognisance to FM (specifically to domestic services). The successful implementation of this PMF, however, needs careful consideration of a host of challenges, which can impinge on staff and process performances.

Originality/value

The findings and the developed PMF presented in this paper highlight some of the significant issues relating to the FM services in hospitals, making the paper an original and valuable one.
Maintenance risk reduction for effective facilities management
Authors: Chandrashekaran Anand , Gopalakrishnan Bhaskaran
Published: March 2008

Purpose

Insufficient investment in facilities management organizations lead to postponement of major repairs and replacements of facilities. Lack of centralized information within an organization on the assessment of deficiencies and conditions in the facilities causes these projects to be carried out at the cost of critical replacements and repairs. This paper aims to describe a facilities condition assessment methodology and a tool.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the physical condition and maintenance deficiencies of heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) type of equipment are assessed at its component level using failure checkpoints. The existing conditions of six cooling towers located at West Virginia University were assessed at the component level and an overall condition score was generated by the tool.

Findings

The tool helped to assess checkpoints on the components and identify the potential risk component and its impact.

Research limitations/implications

When facilities managers initiate this structured assessment methodology based on a periodic frequency, the facilities availability and life is maximized apart from reducing overall risk.

Practical implications

The contributions of this paper include the use of a common and comprehensive methodology for HVAC physical condition assessments and risk assessment of component failure impact.

Originality/value

This paper eliminates the most evident scoring limitations in the literature such as “equal numbers or ties,” “summation of lower priority scores exceeding the higher priority score,” and the need for a “cost estimator.” A unique formula was determined for the scoring technique.
Healthy investments in HVAC systems
Authors: 't Hooft Egbert , Roelofsen C.P.G.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate that it is completely rational to invest in climate installations for offices designed on the highest comfort category.

Design/methodology/approach

By means of a study on a building model it is proved that the benefits of a higher comfort category outweigh the costs of the additional investment, with marginally higher energy costs for cooling.

Findings

Depending on the type of climate installation and the comfort class, the additional investment costs can be recovered within six month to two years, due to a higher level of comfort and raised productivity.

Originality/value

The relationship between the thermal environment and productivity makes it possible to design on the basis of productivity improvement, resulting in a comfortable working environment and a consistent financial advantage for the organisation. If the indoor environment is henceforth assessed in the context of comfort and productivity, the participants in the housing process who are generally less interested in the aspects mentioned above will eventually incorporate investments in the quality of the workplace in their objects (in connection with the ability to sell and lease real‐estate).
Meeting the challenges of global resourcing
Authors: Wilson Frances
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide human resources (HR) practitioners with a guide to international resourcing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses research from The Future of HR in Europe: Key Challenges through 2015 report and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's annual Recruitment, Retention and Turnover Survey 2007. It also uses case studies from the NHS and Standard Chartered Bank to demonstrate this research. This paper explores international resourcing, demographics and the role of HR in tackling skills shortages in Europe.

Findings

This paper finds that managing talent is the most challenging issue facing employers in Europe. As the world becomes increasingly joined up through globalization companies are looking to source and deploy talent on a global basis.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is not an exhaustive list of research and all of the publications apart from the research from the European Association for Personnel Management are from the UK, which perhaps limits its usefulness elsewhere.

Practical implications

The paper provides a useful resource for employers and HR departments who are using or are looking to use international resourcing.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates the value of HR in attracting, retaining, and rewarding employees on a global basis.
Line management competence: the key to preventing and reducing stress at work
Authors: Donaldson‐Feilder Emma , Yarker Jo , Lewis Rachel
Published: March 2008

Purpose

Work‐related stress is a major concern for employers, and the UK Health and Safety Executive has introduced Management Standards for employers to support them in managing stress in the workplace. Managers have a key role to play in minimizing stress‐related risks for their staff. Management behavior has a direct impact on staff well‐being – managers can prevent or cause stress in those they manage. Managers also act as “gatekeepers” to their employees' exposure to stressful working conditions and are vital to the identification and tackling of stress in the workplace. This means that managers need to understand what behaviors they should show in order to manage their employees in a way that minimizes work‐related stress. New research has identified management behavior/competencies that prevent and reduce stress at work and this paper aims to present this.

Design/methodology/approach

The first phase of this research involved interviews with nearly 400 employees and managers, and focus groups with over 50 human resources (HR) professionals. They were asked for their views on what manager behaviors are important, in terms of behaviors that are effective and behaviors that are ineffective for managing stress in staff.

Findings

The behaviors identified were grouped into themes to create a framework of 19 management “competencies” for preventing and reducing stress at work.

Originality/value

The resulting competency framework can be incorporated into managers' management approach, into HR practices such as training, selection and appraisal of managers and into other stress management activities in order to manage stress at work more effectively.
The business benefits of flexible working
Authors: Thomson Peter
Published: March 2008

Purpose

Flexible working is a key contributor to business success but is often categorised by the human resource (HR) function as a “family friendly” benefit. If it is introduced strategically it can make a major contribution to the bottom line and to the credibility of HR. this paper aims to look at flexible working and its business benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an overview of flexible working and its benefits, with the latter demonstrated through business and individual case studies, and puts forward a model for strategic implementation.

Findings

The East Riding of Yorkshire made substantial measurable improvements to the level of service through the introduction of flexible working and turned a department around from failure to award‐winning in a period of two years. Individuals at Vodafone are successfully finding a work/life balance using flexible working options.

Originality/value

A well‐managed project plan is required to ensure successful execution of a pilot and the implementation of new working practices across the organisation. The model for strategic implementation in this paper provides a best practice tool.
Outsourcing brings Interdean to the technology forefront
Authors: Kernohan Paul
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this case study feature is to demonstrate how technology outsourcing can bring efficiencies and benefits to human resources (HR), once the right solution and provider are selected.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows the selection and implementation path followed by an international organisation – Interdean International Relocation – moving from an inefficient outsourced payroll system to a technology‐based payroll and HR solution that has resulted in efficiency gains.

Findings

The case study feature highlights the implementation steps and resources that made the transfer from one system to another a success. It also shares the gains that can be made once these steps and resources are in place, and the right solution and provider are selected.

Research limitations/implications

The case is based on one organisation's experiences.

Originality/value

The paper shows how technology outsourcing can bring efficiencies and benefits to HR.
The fine line of absence management
Authors: Hayday Sue
Published: March 2008

Purpose

This article is based on the recently published report, Managing Sickness Absence in the Police Service: A Review of Current Practices, which was commissioned by the Home Office and the Health and Safety Executive. It aims to use this to inform approaches to reducing the number of days lost to ill health in the police forces in England and Wales.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved focus groups and interviews with over 300 police staff and officers in a representative sample of seven police forces. The report is based on an in‐depth analysis of absence management in the case study forces and presents the views of all levels of staff.

Findings

The findings identify the clear themes and issues that are vital for the effective management of absence in the police forces, but these insights are also clearly relevant to all organisations.

Practical implications

The key messages from the research are that absence management requires a mix of approaches to support the vast majority who are genuinely sick and to deter the small minority whose absence is not health‐related. A good clear absence policy is essential but not sufficient. It must be supported by reliable data that are presented in an understandable format. Wider issues also need to be considered, such as the actual causes of absence so that appropriate solutions are provided. The key player in all this is the line manager who must be confident in their role, well trained and capable of using their discretion in managing their staff who are absent.

Originality/value

The paper identifies the clear themes and issues that are vital for the effective management of absence in the police forces which can also be applied to other organisations.
Sarbanes‐Oxley compliance and violation: an empirical study
Authors: Webb Elizabeth
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the corporate governance and financial characteristics of firms under the new Sarbanes‐Oxley (SOX) accounting regime.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first compares a comprehensive set of characteristics across firms in two states of SOX Section 404 status–Compliance and Violation. It then tests for determinants of SOX compliance in a logistic regression setting.

Findings

Several differences between compliance groups in terms of equity ownership, board structure, and executive compensation schemes are reported. However, it appears that firms found to be in violation of SOX are not systematically worse when it comes to common measures of corporate governance. The financial structure and soundness of the groups of firms are very similar. The strongest determinant of Section 404 compliance is firm size.

Originality/value

This result supported anecdotal evidence that compliance with SOX is achieved primarily by firms that can afford it. Further, the paper highlights an important policy issue: Is SOX really differentiating firms in terms of corporate governance or in terms of size?
The value relevance of product diversification in commercial banks
Authors: Ebrahim Ahmed , Hasan Iftekar
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the value relevance of product diversification in US commercial banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines differences in the value relevance of commercial bank earnings components from interest and noninterest banking activities. Specifically, it studies market reaction to changes in bank earnings from noninterest sources resulting from expansion into new financial services other than the traditional intermediation activities. A sample of commercial banks between 1993 and 2002 is used.

Findings

Results show that annual abnormal returns have more significant positive relation with changes in the noninterest component of bank earnings compared with changes in the interest component of earnings. These results are more obvious for small banks and after 1999, the year in which the Gramm‐Leach‐Bliley Act allowed banks to expand into more noninterest banking activities.

Originality/value

This paper is an extension of the long and extensive accounting research strand in the value relevance of earnings applied to bank earning components. It may also contribute to banking and Finance literature regarding the effect of product diversification in the banking industry.
Discretionary behavior with respect to the adoption of SFAS no. 142 and the behavior of security prices
Authors: Zang Yoonseok
Published: March 2008

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether managers use discretion in determining transitional goodwill impairment loss (initial impairment loss or IIL) upon the adoption of SFAS no. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and whether and how the market reacts to the impairment loss and to the absence of goodwill amortization.

Design/methodology/approach

Various empirical models are applied to a sample of 870 firms that completed the IIL test.

Findings

It is found that more highly leveraged firms (firms that have undergone a recent management change) report lower (greater) goodwill impairment. Stock return is not associated with a boost in earnings caused by elimination of goodwill amortization, but it is negatively associated with an unexpected IIL, with the association being stronger for highly leveraged firms. Subsequently, analysts revise earnings forecasts for upcoming quarters downward in response to the unexpected IIL.

Research limitations/implications

Possibility of measurement errors in proxies is a caveat.

Practical implications

The findings are consistent with the strategic reduction of the goodwill impairment by management to avoid the violation of debt covenants and with the notion that new managers take a big bath so they can report higher earnings in the future. The market tests imply that unexpected IIL provides value‐relevant information about a negative view of the future profit‐making potential of the firm or an adverse impact on its debt contracts. No association with elimination of goodwill amortization can be interpreted as the market's anticipation or the lack of information content in goodwill amortization.

Originality/value

This research helps better understand the importance of managers' incentives in determining IIL as well as the stock market effect of the announcement of the IIL and the exclusion of goodwill amortization.
Income shifting and corporate taxation: the role of cross‐border intrafirm transfers
Authors: Olibe Kingsley O. , Rezaee Zabihollah
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the cross‐sectional relation between the value of cross‐border intrafirm transfers (CITs) and three dependent variables: return on investment (ROI), the US effective tax rate (ETRUS), and the global effective tax rate (ETRGL) to assess the existence or nonexistence of cross‐jurisdictional income shifting.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression analysis is used to test the relationship between CIT and accounting performance and effective tax rates.

Findings

The results indicate that ROI and ETRUS increase whereas ETRGL decreases with the extent of CITs after we control for variables that impact earnings and taxes (e.g. size, industry classification, internationalization, tax shelter, and growth). This suggests that firms earn income, on average, in jurisdictions with tax rates greater than the USA, such that diverting income from overseas to the USA is a tax‐saving action. The tax results are consistent with Jacob and Mills and Newberry's findings that firms shifted income into the USA. The results also reveal that companies that engage in CITs are those that are large, relatively more profitable, and pay more US taxes.

Research limitations/implications

This study does not differentiate between transfer pricing schemes for tax minimization reasons from those done for earnings management purposes, which should be addressed by future research.

Practical implications

Results have public policy implications as an understanding of how CITs affect accounting performance and taxes is important for the craft of tax policy and transfer price regulation.

Originality/value

This study furthers our understanding of the impact of CITs on earnings and taxes, an important component of accounting research which has not been properly addressed by prior studies.
Adjustment of stock prices to earnings announcements: evidence from Euronext Paris
Authors: Louhichi Waël
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to study both the information content of accounting figures and the speed at which the new information is incorporated into stock prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample is composed of 117 overnight announcements published by Reuters during the period 2001‐2003. For every date, the event is classified into one of three categories: good news, bad news or no news. The paper uses intraday event study methodology to examine market reaction just before and just after the event.

Findings

The intraday analysis reveals several results. Firstly, investors react positively to good news and negatively to bad news. Secondly, abnormal returns dissipate within 15 min. Thirdly, prices converge to equilibrium more quickly for good news than for bad news. Fourthly, we present evidence of price reversal 30 min following bad news announcements. Finally, earnings releases are accompanied by a rise in volume which remains even after the equilibrium price is attained.

Research limitations/implications

Price discovery is analyzed only in the stock market. It is pertinent to verify if the option market and foreign markets can contribute to the incorporation of new information into stock prices.

Practical implications

This work can help investors to determine their trading strategies around earnings announcements. The paper shows that it is not possible to realize trading profits after 15 min following the time of the announcement.

Originality/value

The study contributes to both financial accounting and microstructure literature. First, it focuses on the information content of accounting figures using very short horizon (intraday analysis). Second, the paper sheds light on the role of the Euronext preopening period in the incorporation of the overnight information flow.
Thinking about thinking: learning at a different level
Authors: Cunningham Ian
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore an under‐recognized issue in learning in organizations. Managers/leaders are exhorted to think effectively but little work seems to be done on how to think about the right things.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is based on work done in a variety of organizations as well as published sources.

Findings

Managers/leaders appear to have problems often in thinking about the right things. For instance organizations fail because leaders do not think strategically. However little useful material is available to assist leaders to think effectively.

Practical implications

The article has real practical implications for leaders/managers and learning and development professionals, as it is unique in exposing a real problem that is glossed over in much management writing. The article suggests some directions for increasing the thinking capability of managers/leaders.

Originality/value

The article will be of value to managers and learning specialists as it raises important issues about the need to focus on this under‐explored problem.
Evaluating perceptions on effectiveness of e‐learning programs in Indian banks: identifying areas for improvement
Authors: Mittal Monika
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate e‐learners' positive and negative perceptions of the key aspects of e‐learning and to identify areas that need improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants were 194 employees of public and private banks. Data were collected on the perception of employees about e‐learning. The responses were measured on a Likert scale of 1 to 5.

Findings

Although e‐learning has not lived up to its promise in revolutionizing corporate training in India, there is little doubt that such a mode of learning will play as large a part in the future of human resource development in this part of the world as it has in the west.

Originality/value

This study provides a useful discussion on the perceptions on effectiveness of e‐learning programs in Indian banks.
In want of a needs analysis: getting to a management program's content and initial design
Authors: Haskins Mark E. , Shaffer George R.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

This paper provides a framework for thinking about the purposes and the conducting of a needs analysis task in preparation for crafting the design of a non‐degree management education program.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is the result of numerous years of conducting needs analysis on numerous management education program clients.

Findings

Not applicable (not a research paper).

Practical implications

The field‐inspired needs analysis framework, along with the sample interview protocol provided, are immediately and broadly applicable to those charged with the design and delivery of non‐degree management education programs.

Originality/value

In a concise and comprehensive manner, readers are provided a framework for conceptualizing, planning, and executing a non‐degree management education program needs analysis task. In addition, an example of a needs analysis interview protocol is provided that is ready to use.
Perceptions becoming reality: bridging the market knowledge gap
Authors: Loon Hoe Siu
Published: March 2008

Purpose

Organizations constantly strive to learn about new market trends and ideas to stay ahead of the game. However, with an increased demand of market knowledge, how does the organization motivate employees to constantly acquire and disseminate market knowledge? The purpose of this paper is to highlight the perceived importance of market knowledge in promoting continuous employee acquisition and dissemination of customer and competitor knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

The perceived importance of market knowledge concept is highlighted and discussed.

Findings

The paper offers a view on how management could address the increased demand for market knowledge and how the development and learning team could provide further support to close this gap.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing organizational learning literature by suggesting simple yet effective ways in which management emphasis of market knowledge can bridge the market knowledge gap and promote organizational learning.
Articulating the value of training: linking training programs to organizational goals
Authors: Bird Hedda
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to discuss a process for demonstrating the value of training to help justify training budget spend to the board.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a discussion on the ROI Academy™ line of sight approach to valuing training. Explains the concept behind the approach, demonstrates how value if calculated and suggests ways of using this data within the organization.

Findings

Provides a method of linking training program outcomes to organizational goals, indicating how this process can be used at a number of levels within the organization.

Practical implications

A practical method that can be used in an learning and development environment.

Originality/value

This paper outlines a practical method of valuing training that can be used to justify learning and development activity.
Patterns of environmental management in the Chilean manufacturing industry
Authors: Ruiz‐Tagle María Teresa
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to allow environmental policy makers to identify the sort of problems and obstacles and the kind of influences that firms face from different economic actors, when trying to improve their environmental performance. It aims to identify the actions that are taken by firms to cope with more difficult environmental regulations. These will help the regulator in the design of strategies to foster environmental improvements by firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses some of the specific questions of an environmental management survey that was carried out in the manufacturing industry in Chile in 2001. A large number of variables from the survey were involved and they are hard to handle in such disaggregated terms. The factor analysis (FA) methodology is thus applied to reduce the information to a manageable number of variables.

Findings

The results of the FA methodology provide the regulator with fewer dimensions to concentrate on when designing environmental strategies, while they also provide an insight into each general area of concern. The indices of environmental performance that are developed in the paper contribute to the targeting of policy recommendations, as they allow comparisons of the levels of environmental performance between different sorts of manufacturing plants.

Practical implications

This paper helps to determine patterns of environmental performance in manufacturing firms, which are very helpful for environmental policy makers when designing strategies to foster environmental improvements by firms, particularly when countries are facing budget constraints. This case study could also be illustrative for other countries with similar characteristics.

Originality/value

The approach used in this paper allows environmental policy makers to count on certain indicators to efficiently target their environmental policies.
Combined geo‐electrical and hydro‐chemical methods to detect salt‐water intrusion
Authors: Al‐Bassam Abdulaziz M. , Tahir Hussein M.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

Salt‐water intrusion has always been a source of contamination in coastal aquifers that hinders sustainable groundwater development. Classical techniques to detect its occurrence are costly and time consuming. The application of combined geo‐electrical and hydro‐chemical methods is cheaper, executable in reasonable time, and successfully applied in mapping the interface between saline and fresh groundwater. The current study aims at detecting and delineating salt‐water intrusion in the downstream part of Wadi Gizan in southwest Saudi Arabia using geo‐electrical and hydro‐chemical methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study area is the downstream part of Wadi Gizan in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Geo‐electrical data were obtained from field measurements using both Shlumberger and Wenner procedures. A number of 65 groundwater samples were collected and analysed for its total dissolved solids and major ionic composition.

Findings

The results show variations in the resistivity of the water‐bearing strata in the study area. Resistivity values decrease towards the Red Sea, and, in separate pockets. The total dissolved solids (TDS) and chloride distributions show the same pattern. Overlapping the areal distributions of the resistivity, TDS, and chloride concentration yield a map showing the limits of salt‐water intrusion and up‐coning pockets of saline water.

Practical implications

Planners, decision makers and other interest groups can use these findings for a sustainable groundwater development in the study area, and, to safeguard the aquifer from further advancement of salt‐water intrusion.

Originality/value

The case study indicates the importance of applying combined geo‐electrical and hydro‐chemical methods for groundwater quality variations and especially in detecting and delineating the contact between saline and fresh groundwater in coastal aquifers.
Adaptation of enterprises to the requirements of sustainable development in the light of new institutional economics
Authors: Kudłak Robert
Published: March 2008

Purpose

This article seeks to explain the mechanism of adapting enterprises to the requirements of sustainable development. It aims to base this analysis on the concept of new institutional economics.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical basis of new institutional economics is used to understand and explain the behaviour of enterprises in relation to the natural environment.

Findings

The article finds that new institutional economics, compared to rather formalised and abstract mainstream economics, may be quite successfully used in answering why economic entities undertake actions for environmental protection.

Practical implications

New institutional economics may be used as a tool for understanding e.g. why some instruments aiming at environmental protection are more effective and efficient than other instruments. It may provide useful knowledge about the institutional environment while creating new environmental protection instruments. More empirical studies on a greater number of enterprises (not only individual case studies) are necessary to find out which institutions and mechanisms mentioned in the paper are crucial, and which should be supported in order to achieve environmental goals.

Originality/value

There are a great number of empirical papers containing case studies, but only few theoretical attempts to generate a synthesis. This paper fills this gap.
An institutional capital approach to sustainable development
Authors: Platje Joost
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The paper aims to outline and analyse some important elements of institutional capital and their potential effect on sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents four elements of institutional capital: public domain, institutional strength, good governance, and institutional equilibrium. The choice of these elements and the analysis of their economic, social and environmental impacts are based on literature study and interpretation and extension of existing analyses which rather focus on either economic or environmental issues.

Findings

The main argument of the paper is that institutional capital is a fundament of sustainable development, and that a lack of such capital is likely to cause unsustainable development.

Practical implications

The paper creates a general theoretical basis that may be a useful background for developing policy based on a system approach.

Originality/value

New institutional economics has often been used to analyse institutional determinants of economic growth and, to a lesser extent, to elaborate conditions for environmental protection and social development. The paper has tried to integrate and extend existing theory, focusing on economic activity, natural resource use and negative externalities, into a more general framework presenting the fundamental importance of social and economic order (institutional capital) for achieving sustainable development.
Talking about the future within an SME?
Authors: Will Markus
Published: March 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to try to link sustainable development, small business management and strategy setting with corporate foresight. Corporate foresight aims to transfer methodological sound instruments of future and technology analysis to (small) business contexts and can be described as an information‐based communication process aiming in vision‐building on future markets, changes in society and customer needs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a literature research and on the results of an interdisciplinary expert workshop and is part of an ongoing case study.

Findings

The paper finds that sustainable development is widely acknowledged as key concept for humanities future. Sustainability calls for balancing short‐term business interest and long‐term development of both the society and the company itself. Regardless of whether a business manager is committed to an ethical fundament of sustainable development (normative attempt), there is also a rational basis for taking (voluntary) actions for corporate sustainability. Notably, regarding the development of commodity prices in the last years (e.g. steel, copper, coal) or the long‐term preservation of value brands, there is a call for strategic response. Corporate foresight may support this strategy‐setting process.

Originality/value

Although foresight procedures are not new in management literature, there is a lack in implementation in small businesses. The paper presents a step‐by‐step approach on corporate foresight to be adopted in small businesses.
Urban development versus sustainable development in Poland
Authors: Strzelecka Elżbieta
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the evaluation of the degree of sustainable urban development in Poland in terms of spatial management and laws applying to the process.

Design/methodology/approach

The study provides an analysis of the key legal bases fundamental to sustainable development. Instruments that can be used to implement development guidelines (strategy, budget, “the study”, local zoning plan), revitalisation processes and to identify barriers to sustainable urban development.

Findings

The paper finds a recognition of the main spatial and legal barriers to urban development. The lack of zoning plans in many cities delays new investments. Revitalisation programmes are essential for maintaining a sustainable and stable polycentric structure of cities and towns within regions and across the country as a whole.

Practical implications

Results of analysis describe the main barriers to urban development, while the lack of zoning plans and practical strategies mainly contribute to unsustainable development of cities. Long‐term planning requires more rigorous and coordinated measures on different levels of administration.

Originality/value

The paper provides specialists and students with a new look at sustainable urban development; the latter is assumed to not only be connected with economic, social and environmental spheres, but also with spatial spheres.
The nature of randomness
Authors: Powers Michael R.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of the paper, in this two‐part series, is to consider certain intriguing aspects of randomness, the basic mathematical concept used to model financial risk and other unknown quantities in the physical world.

Design/methodology/approach

In Part 2 of the paper, the author describes methods for simulating random variables, and explores whether it is possible in practice to distinguish between the knowable complexity of compressible random variables and the unknowable complexity of incompressible random variables.

Findings

In Part 2 of the paper, it is found that because of Chaitin's impossibility result (regarding incompressible sequences) and the possibility of constructing least‐surprising sequences, one is left with two cognitive constraints with serious implications for statistical hypothesis testing and the scientific method.

Originality/value

This two‐part paper explores the underlying nature of randomness in terms of both its physical/mathematical properties and its role in human cognition.
A practical approach to blend insurance in the banking network
Authors: Artikis Panayiotis G. , Mutenga Stanley , Staikouras Sotiris K.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at the main empirical findings related to the bank‐insurance model and to outline the market practices across the world. The market dynamics underpinning the bancassurance phenomenon are analyzed alongside discussions of the various bancassurance products and bank‐insurance modes of entry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a brief survey of the bank‐insurance trend and provides an insight into the underlying dynamics and corporate structures of financial conglomerates.

Findings

There is an uneven success of the bancassurance phenomenon across the world. It is not clear whether re‐regulation is the cause or response to globalization, and vice versa, which in turn both shape the bancassurance arena. A number of incentives for the formation of financial conglomerates are identified. Finally, three modes of entry have been documented to reflect market realities.

Originality/value

The paper will be of value to those interested in financial conglomerates, banking and insurance. It is suitable for academics and practitioners alike.
Reputation entrenchment or risk minimization?
Authors: Li Xun , Wu Zhenyu
Published: March 2008

Purpose

One of the agency conflicts between investors and managers in fund management is reflected by risk‐taking behaviors led by their different goals. The investors may stop their investments in risky assets before the end of the investment horizon to minimize risk, while the managers may do so to entrench their reputation so as to pursue better opportunities in the labor market. This study aims to consider a one principal‐one agent model to investigate this agency conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper derives optimal asset allocation strategies for both parties by extending the traditional dynamic mean‐variance model and considering possibilities of optimal early stopping. Doing so illustrates the principal‐agent conflict regarding risk‐taking behaviors and managerial investment myopia in fund management.

Practical implications

This paper not only paves the way for further studies along this line, but also presents results useful for practitioners in the money management industry.

Findings

According to the theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, the paper shows that potential early stop can make the agency conflict worsen, and it proposes a way to mitigate this agency problem.

Originality/value

As one of the exploratory studies in investigating agency conflict regarding risk‐taking behaviors in the literature, this study makes multiple contributions to the literature on fund management, asset allocation, portfolio optimization, and risk management.
Moments of the time of ruin in a renewal risk model with discounted penalty
Authors: Thampi K.K. , Jacob M.J.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

This paper considers a Sparre Andersen risk process for which the claims inter‐arrival distribution is Generalized Exponential. The purpose of this paper is to find explicit expressions for the moments of time to ruin when a penalty is imposed at ruin.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is focused on the function ϕδ(u), the expected discounted penalty, which is due at ruin and may depend on the deficit at the time of ruin and also on the surplus prior to ruin. It shows that ϕδ(u) satisfies an integro‐differential equation which is solved using Laplace transforms.

Findings

The authors have chosen a penalty function, which is independent of the surplus immediately before ruin, and a closed form expression is obtained for ϕδ(u), and then solved for the moments of time to ruin.

Originality/value

New results are derived, many of which have mathematical and probabilistic interpretations, and additional insight is gained for the results in the renewal risk model.