bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of engaging leadership on performance, attitudes to work and wellbeing at work
Authors: Alimo‐Metcalfe Beverly , Alban‐Metcalfe John , Bradley Margaret , Mariathasan Jeevi , Samele Chiara
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between quality of leadership and attitudes to work and a sense of wellbeing at work, and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a longitudinal empirical investigation, using quantitative methods.

Findings

The findings were fourfold: the leadership instrument used was demonstrated to have convergent, discriminant and predictive validity; differential relationships were found between three aspects of quality of leadership and attitudes to work and a sense of wellbeing at work; one leadership quality – “engaging with others” – was shown to be a significant predictor of organizational performance; leadership quality as assessed by competencies or “capabilities” did not predict performance.

Originality/value

The paper presents evidence of: the validity of a new leadership instrument; the differential relationship between leadership quality and staff attitudes to work and their sense of wellbeing at work; and a predictive relationship between leadership quality and organizational performance.
Transformational, transactional and laissez‐faire leadership among physician executives
Authors: Xirasagar Sudha
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the empirical validity of transformational, transactional and laissez‐faire leadership and their sub‐scales among physician managers.

Design/methodology/approach

A nation‐wide, anonymous mail survey was carried out in the United States, requesting community health center executive directors to provide ratings of their medical director's leadership behaviors (34 items) and effectiveness (nine items), using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire 5X‐Short, on a five‐point Likert scale. The survey response rate was 40.9 percent, for a total 269 responses. Exploratory factor analysis was done, using principal factor extraction, followed by promax rotation).

Findings

The data yielded a three‐factor structure, generally aligned with Bass and Avolio's constructs of transformational, transactional and laissez‐faire leadership. Data do not support the factorial independence of their subscales (idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration, and intellectual stimulation under transformational leadership; contingent reward, management‐by‐exception active, and management‐by‐exception passive under transactional leadership). Two contingent reward items loaded on transformational leadership, and all items of management‐by‐exception passive loaded on laissez‐faire.

Research limitations/implications

A key limitation is that supervisors were surveyed for ratings of the medical directors' leadership style. Although past research in other fields has shown that supervisor ratings are strongly correlated with subordinate ratings, further research is needed to validate the findings by surveying physician and other clinical subordinates. Such research will also help to develop appropriate content of leadership training for clinical leaders.

Originality/value

This study represents an important step towards establishing the empirical evidence for the full range of leadership constructs among physician leaders.
Navy Nurse Corps manpower management model
Authors: Kinstler Daniel P. , Johnson Raymond W. , Richter Anke , Kocher Kathryn
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The Navy Nurse Corps is part of a team of professionals that provides high quality, economical health care to approximately 700,000 active duty Navy and Marine Corps members, as well as 2.6 million retired and family members. Navy Nurse Corps manpower management efficiency is critical to providing this care. This paper aims to focus on manpower planning in the Navy Nurse Corps.

Design/methodology/approach

The Nurse Corps manages personnel primarily through the recruitment process, drawing on multiple hiring sources. Promotion rates at the lowest two ranks are mandated, but not at the higher ranks. Retention rates vary across pay grades. Using these promotion and attrition rates, a Markov model was constructed to model the personnel flow of junior nurse corps officers.

Findings

Hiring sources were shown to have a statistically significant effect on promotion and retention rates. However, these effects were not found to be practically significant in the Markov model. Only small improvements in rank imbalances are possible given current recruiting guidelines. Allowing greater flexibility in recruiting practices, fewer recruits would generate a 25 percent reduction in rank imbalances, but result in understaffing. Recruiting different ranks at entry would generate a 65 percent reduction in rank imbalances without understaffing issues.

Practical implications

Policies adjusting promotion and retention rates are more powerful in controlling personnel flows than adjusting hiring sources. These policies are the only means for addressing the fundamental sources of rank imbalances in the Navy Nurse Corps arising from current manpower guidelines.

Originality/value

The paper shows that modeling to improve manpower management may enable the Navy Nurse Corps to more efficiently fulfill its mandate for high‐quality healthcare.
Health care competition, strategic mission, and patient satisfaction: research model and propositions
Authors: Rivers Patrick A. , Glover Saundra H.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

In all industries, competition among businesses has long been encouraged as a mechanism to increase value for patients. In other words, competition ensures the provision of better products and services to satisfy the needs of customers This paper aims to develop a model that can be used to empirically investigate a number of complex issues and relationships associated with competition in the health care industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted. A total of 50 items of literature related to the subject were reviewed.. Various perspectives of competition, the nature of service quality, health system costs, and patient satisfaction in health care are examined

Findings

A model of the relationship among these variables is developed. The model depicts patient satisfaction as an outcome measure directly dependent on competition. Quality of care and health care systems costs, while also directly dependent on the strategic mission and goals, are considered as determinants of customer satisfaction as well. The model is discussed in the light of propositions for empirical research.

Practical implications

Empirical studies based on the model proposed in this paper should help identify areas with significant impact on patient satisfaction while maintaining high quality of service at lower costs in a competitive environment.

Originality/value

The authors develop a research model which included propositions to examine the complex issues of competition in the health care industry.
Healthcare governance and organizational barriers to learning from mistakes
Authors: Storey John , Buchanan David
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to advance critical debate in relation to a very critical issue in current healthcare management – namely “patient safety”. This is currently a very high profile issue. In its various guises such as clinical governance, integrated governance and healthcare governance the question of avoiding or at least minimising harm to patients is attracting a huge amount of attention. Considerable resources especially within the acute sector are allocated to the problem. But, despite the systematic attention, progress in healthcare compared with certain other sectors is slow and mistakes continue to occur. Hospital acquired infections and clinical errors have become a matter of acute public concern. Evaluations of the health service are critically influenced by adverse judgements on this dimension of care.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw primarily upon relevant literature in order to make sense of recent empirical research in eight acute hospital trusts in the UK. The analysis, however, is relevant to healthcare systems around the world.

Findings

The authors reveal how the massive investment in systems, service improvement mechanisms and clinical government regimes may not in themselves be enough. One reason why they may not be enough is that there can be a problem of gaining acceptance and legitimacy. Staff may see such managers as “policing” and “interfering”. There is then the danger of a vicious circle – more control but less effective control because of a feeling of alienation. The policing element is at best a final safety net not the prompt for improvement. They then identify six barriers and each is accompanied by a recommendation for its resolution.

Practical implications

There are a number of implications for practice and for systems reform, which stem from the analysis. Two main recommendations stand out: they need to be handled together. First, the traditional model of the autonomous professional needs to be challenged by subjecting clinical practice to shared clinical governance procedures. Second, and simultaneously, there is a need to attend to underlying values. There is a need to revisit the issue of underpinning values so that clinical values and system‐wide/managerial values are congruent rather than separate or even in conflict. At this point, governance and leadership should come together.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful information from the literature on current healthcare management.
Delays to operating encountered by plastic surgery trauma patients
Authors: Exton R. , Gillespie P. , Schreuder F.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

NCEPOD states that all emergency patients must have prompt access to theatres, critical care facilities, and appropriately trained staff 24 hours/day, every day of the year. The purpose of this paper is to determine waiting time for plastic surgery trauma patients and the financial implications to the NHS.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach was a prospective audit of emergency surgery (Lister Hospital, Stevenage) from July 2005‐January 2006. Delay times were calculated from booking time to time of operation. These were assessed on a standard of a day surgery unit, where the ideal maximum is a half day wait. Financial implications were calculated. The number of UK units without a dedicated list is highlighted.

Findings

A total of 615 operations were booked, 60 per cent of which were assessed as suitable for a DSU set up. With an ideal standard of half a day's wait, an average 22 per cent of patients achieved this, with 64 per cent of patients waiting one excess day. On average patients waited an excess of 1.3 days. An average of 24 excess bed days/week (bed cost £300/day) were used waiting for surgery. This equates to 1,400 bed days (£400,000/annum).

Originality/value

The paper shows how it is possible that 1,000 bed days/annum (£300,000) could be saved by a DSU type setup. With 61 plastic surgery units in the UK, 40 per cent reported no dedicated trauma list (93 per cent response rate). This is a potential saving of £8,400,000 per annum. From this audit a half day dedicated DSU list was created, and a re‐auditing process will occur.
Improving patient care and clinical governance through the utilisation of a clinical information system
Authors: Park John , McAlaney Catherine , Connolly Moira
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide an overview of how the involvement of clinicians in the design and implementation of an electronic clinical information system has contributed towards more effective clinical governance, while improving the care of patients with a diagnosis of psychosis.

Design/methodology/approach

A data collection form was designed by a consultant in public health and a group of consultant psychiatrists to facilitate and standardise the data to be collected and stored on the information system. Two research nurses conducted a retrospective case note audit to record specified data on all existing patients from an inclusive diagnosis list in contact with CMHTs.

Findings

The establishment of PsyCIS has increased the understanding of the nature and prevalence of psychosis in Greater Glasgow for patients aged 18‐65. As well as giving some insight into how the needs of this patient group are being addressed, it has also provided clinicians with the ability to benefit from their collective experience on the treatment and support of this patient group.

Practical implications

To ensure excellent data quality and information management systems, it is essential to involve clinicians in their design and validation. The primary goal of information should be to aid clinical practice and patient care. Well designed datasets will also provide information that can inform clinical governance as well as the management of services and resources.

Originality/value

This paper supports the view that clinical audit and electronic clinical information systems are imperative for effective clinical governance.
Referrals between consultants. The wait to be seen in a specialist plastic surgery hand clinic
Authors: O'Neill Jennifer K. , Laina V. , Wilson S.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this article to study referrals to our hand service to find out how long they had been waiting and with what sort of clinical conditions. The Department of Health monitors outpatient's waiting time as the percentage of patients seen within a 13‐week target. This target does not include patients referred by consultants or other health professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

All the referral letters from other consultants or healthcare professionals still awaiting appointments were collected. The referrals were read and studied to ascertain the most likely diagnosis. This was recorded along with the source of the referral and the details to whom the referral was made. The date of the referral letter being received by the department (date stamped) was also noted.

Findings

A total of 157 referrals from consultants or healthcare professionals were waiting outpatient dates. The median waiting time was 448 days (range 20‐952 days). The most frequent source of referrals was from the orthopaedic department. Carpal tunnel syndrome was the most common problem awaiting an outpatient appointment.

Originality/value

The wait for a clinic appointment for these patients is long. This has come about as the result of the fact that the government targets for outpatient waiting times have been set for GP referrals alone and exclude referrals that have been made by other consultants or other healthcare professionals. This is a clinical governance issue for the Hospital Trust, the Primary Care Trust and for general practitioners.
Validity and reliability of the CARE Measure in secondary care
Authors: Mercer S.W. , Murphy D.J.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure is a validated tool for assessing the patients' perception of the doctors' communication in primary care. The present study aims to evaluate the potential usefulness of the CARE Measure in secondary care in a single Hospital Trust in Scotland.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,015 out‐patients attending 25 consultants across ten specialities anonymously completed the questionnaire immediately after their appointment. Overall satisfaction, estimated consultation length, satisfaction with consultation length, and demographic and socio‐economic variables were also recorded.

Findings

The number of missing values and “not applicable” responses to the ten CARE Measure items was extremely low (3.4 per cent). Almost 90 per cent of patients felt the CARE Measure items were of major importance. The measure had a high internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.94) and reduced to a single factor. Overall CARE Measure score correlated with overall satisfaction (r=0.7, p<0.0001), whether patients would recommend the doctor (r=0.6, p<0.0001), and satisfaction with consultation length (r=0.6, p<0.0001). Multi‐regression analysis showed that personal continuity of care, consultation length, and patient age positively influenced CARE Measure score, but the effect size was small. Patients' gender, marital status, general health, and socio‐economic factors did not influence scores. Reliability analysis indicated that 40 patients were required per doctor in order to achieve an overall reliability co‐efficient of above 0.7.

Practical implications

Secondary care patients across a range of specialities have endorsed the CARE Measure as a relevant tool. It has high face and concurrent validity, internal and structural reliability and is not subject to major influences by demographic or socio‐economic factors. These findings support the feasibility and reliability of the CARE Measure in secondary care.

Originality/value

This pilot study indicates that the CARE Measure is considered by most patients to be of high relevance to everyday out‐patient consultations in secondary care.
Adverse incidents in gynaecology: anything for doctors?
Authors: Basu Abhijit , Theophilou Georgios , Howell Rosemary
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of incident reporting within the Department of Gynaecology at Trafford General Hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

A list of all reported clinical incidents in relation to gynaecology at the Trafford General Hospital over a period of two years (January 2005 to December 2006) was obtained. The complaints and claims related to gynaecology were also obtained for the same time period. All complaints and claims were correlated with the reported adverse incidents.

Findings

Of the reported 111 adverse incidents, none resulted in either complaint or claim. None of the complaints resulted in claims but there was no corresponding incident reporting. All the claims were directly related to surgical procedures but no incident reporting was done either. The nursing staff filled in all the 111 adverse incident forms.

Research limitations/implications

This study is only limited to adverse incidents in gynaecology over a short period of time (two years) at a District General Hospital.

Practical implications

This study demonstrates the need to stress the importance of incident reporting to the doctors. It is suggested that a session be dedicated to incident reporting as a part of in‐house training for medical staff of all grades.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the need to impress on the medical staff about the importance of adverse clinical incident reporting.
Overzealous oversight of healthcare quality improvement projects
Authors: Birnbaum David , Ratcliffe Rita L.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to describe a recent impasse resulting from failure of a federal oversight agency to distinguish between observational studies documenting the impact of quality improvement activities versus experimental clinical trials research.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a review of popular press accounts, regulations, and relevant correspondence; and interviews with project leaders.

Findings

A controversial federal decision in the USA quickly galvanized unusually harsh criticism from a very wide range of professional associations, healthcare researchers, and patient safety advocacy groups.

Originality/value

This incident, at a time when application of quality improvement methods and public reporting networks are becoming more widespread in healthcare, illustrates the urgent need for better distinction between clinical trials research versus quality improvement research projects. Institutional review boards are ill‐advised to apply familiar ethical safeguard reviews appropriate to the former to the latter.
Measuring compliance with surgical antibiotic protocols: an intervention
Authors: Kable Ashley , Gibberd Robert , Spigelman Allan
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to measure compliance with agreed protocols for prophylactic antibiotics for five elective procedures: transurethral resection of the prostate, cholecystectomy, hysterectomy, joint arthroplasty and herniorrhaphy in two teaching hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

Compliance was measured during the pre and post intervention periods by reviewing medical records.

Findings

Overall, compliance improved by 18 per cent (95 per cent CI: 12 per cent, 23 per cent) with greater improvements for transurethral resection of the prostate and hysterectomy, increasing by 27 per cent (95 per cent CI: 14 per cent, 40 per cent) and 24 per cent (95 per cent CI: 16 per cent, 32 per cent) respectively. Compliance remained low for cholecystectomy (17 per cent) and hysterectomy (25 per cent). Overall, the proportion of patients not receiving any prophylaxis where its use was indicated, declined by 6 per cent (95 per cent CI: 1 per cent, 11 per cent) from 23 per cent. The use of additional anti‐microbials that were not recommended in the protocol was high for joint arthroplasty 65 per cent and hysterectomy 71 per cent, but overall this practice declined by 8 per cent (95 per cent CI: 3 per cent, 14 per cent). Costs were reduced from $11.72 to $10.53 per patient between the pre and post intervention groups, while a complete adoption of the protocols could reduce costs by 70 per cent to $3.40. There were large variations in correct dosages and timing of antibiotics between procedural groups.

Practical implications

Although compliance improved there were large differences between the specialties. The adoption of preventive strategies is fundamental to providing safe patient care. The use of inappropriate antimicrobials is also an important patient safety issue that contributes to antibiotic resistance and is associated with increased costs. Introducing change in health organizations is difficult and the factors influencing successful change strategies require further study.

Originality/value

The paper measures and improves compliance with agreed protocols in health care intervention procedures.
It's good to talk
Authors: Cowan Jane , Haslam Jonathan
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The paper's aim is to consider the value of medicolegal telephone help‐lines for doctors.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a brief review as to how members of a medical protection organisation use a medicolegal telephone help‐line by analysing 100 random calls during a two week period in March 2008. The range of themes and concerns are compared with annual figures from 2007. Recommendations with regard to the need for national advice are considered.

Findings

The nature of the service provided gives doctors an additional opportunity to explore matters of concern. Doctors appear to need guidance to support decision making in a variety of ways where a clinical or professional situation needs resolving within an appropriate ethical and legal framework.

Practical implications

Health care organizations should reflect on what if any additional ethical / medicolegal training is required for their employees to assist in difficult professional decisions. There appears to be a significant need for doctors to be able to access independent telephone advice and the use of such services may need to be encouraged.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the benefit for health professionals to have access to independent, objective advice and discussions to support ethical decision making.
Information sources available to visitors: a segmentation analysis
Authors: Kozak Nazmi , Kozak Metin
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the information search behavior of visitors according to various socio‐demographic and travel‐related variables regarded as a criterion for market segmentation.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were based on a survey carried out with the cooperation of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the State Institute of Statistics in 2001. The study findings were analyzed by employing two statistical techniques: χ2 and a correspondence analysis.

Findings

An overview of the study findings indicates that the individuals visiting Turkey are provided with information from a range of sources. The information sources accessed seem to vary according to the level of the respondents' education level and purpose of their visit.

Research limitations/implications

Through the research findings, it cannot be denied that the information sources have an impact on visitors' decision‐making process in choosing the specific place or facility to spend their limited time. This impact may vary from one person to another according to their different social groups.

Practical implications

Based on six groups of external information sources, the study provides marketing implications for the tourism authorities to segment their target markets.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that, in addition to other social and psychological factors, service providers can also segment their customers and tailor their marketing strategies based on visitors' intentions of using information sources prior to, or during, their vacations.
Does one culture all think the same? An investigation of destination image perceptions from several origins
Authors: McCartney Glenn
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is primarily to examine the impact of cultural background on image formation by looking at Macao's regional tourism destination image perceptions by its main tourist markets of China (PRC), Hong Kong and Taiwan. Other image formation components are explored within this context, such as the impact of travel behaviors, travel motives and sources of information on Macao's image.

Design/methodology/approach

A face‐to‐face survey (random sampling) was conducted in the departure areas of the international airports in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Taiwan (Kaohsiung). This uncovered perceptions of actual visitors and potential visitors to Macao, and allowed for only those with the ability to travel to be interviewed.

Findings

Multivariate analysis conducted on the data revealed significant differences between the Chinese travelers from the various cities on leading image perception attributes, travel behaviors, travel motives and influences of sources of information.

Research limitations/implications

Cultural background, while recognized in the image research as an important component in destination image formation, has been rarely examined in tourism destination image studies with research conducted on one nationality or group of people based on specific demographic indicators (such as student, leisure or business traveler). The research reveals important implications for the successful positioning and branding of a destination targeting at various markets even within one nation or culture, and questioning overall effectiveness of future image research that proposes national marketing and promotional strategy based on one source group.

Originality/value

As competition continues to intensify within cities and regions for domestic and international travel, the paper shows that there is a need to design tailored marketing, promotion and public relations programs in order to optimize influence on specific travel segments.
An empirical assessment of owner‐manager motives in the B&B and vacation home sector
Authors: Schuckert Markus , Peters Mike , Fessler Beate
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyse the motives and the socio‐economic profile of bed and breakfast (B&B) and vacation home owners in the tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The first part of the paper provides a literature review of types of entrepreneurship as described in tourism and leisure research. The second part presents a survey which was carried out in 2006 in the Austrian province of Vorarlberg to assess owner‐managers' perception of entrepreneurial activities (n=246).

Findings

The data do reveal the motives which drive these owners or entrepreneurs and highlight why vacation homes are going to be a growing field of accommodation in the tourism industry. The findings show that the B&B business model can be interpreted as a market entrance model, while owner‐managers change towards vacation homes after approximately five years of firm existence.

Research limitations/implications

It is argued that some stakeholder groups within an enterprise, such as young trainees or apprentices, might have deeper insights into entrepreneurial processes and leadership skills. However, more research is needed to analyse the supply side of vacation homes and B&Bs because the owner‐manager is still a neglected area of tourism research. The study is limited by its focus on one specific region, the province of Vorarlberg in Western Austria, a region of rural and Alpine nature.

Originality/value

A decrease in B&B firms can be forecast for Western Austria. Owner‐managers should be aware of recent tourism developments and need to investigate how and to what extent value might be added to or subtracted from their businesses. For tourism policy is it of the utmost importance to learn more about owner‐managers' motivations to run their businesses and to maintain a certain quality of the vacation home supply.
Strategic positioning and performance of winter destinations
Authors: Sainaghi Ruggero
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to demonstrate the critical importance of the destination's decisions made in relation to market positioning in understanding the competitive performance achieved by local businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of the empirical research was to check the following hypotheses: clear positioning on longer‐stay customers makes it more likely that the conduct of ski corporations and hotel businesses will complement each other; clear positioning on longer‐stay customers improves the competitive performance of ski corporations; and clear positioning on longer‐stay customers improves the competitive performance of tourist hospitality businesses. The multiple case study methodology was adopted as a means of refuting or confirming these hypotheses, with the use of a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, although giving greater weight to the quantitative sources.

Findings

Two dimensions are of decisive importance: the commercial mix of customers attracted to the destination (distinguishing between day‐trippers and longer‐stay customers), and the structural mix of plant capacity and high turnover tourist accommodation facilities.

Originality/value

The case studies chosen have made it possible to test three hypotheses according to which a clear positioning on longer‐stay customers: increases the extent to which the behaviour of ski corporations and hotel structures complement each other; improves the competitive performance of the ski corporations; and improves the competitive performance of the businesses offering tourist accommodation.
Critical success factors in collaborative multi‐disciplinary design projects
Authors: Koutsikouri Dina , Austin Simon , Dainty Andrew
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore critical success factors (CSFs) in interdisciplinary building design projects from the view point of the project members themselves. While there is a plethora of research on CSFs, there is a paucity of studies that examine CSFs within this unique project context.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews, a survey and facilitated workshops were used to identify factors and their interrelationships within the project context.

Findings

Thirty‐one primary CSFs were distilled which were then further grouped into four interdependent group factors: management factors, design team factors, competencies and resources factors and project enablers. It would appear that there are factors that are particularly important in such project environments, which do not figure strongly in other project environments. These factors are related to the socio‐political dynamics of inter‐disciplinary team work such as passion and enthusiasm, shared values, creativity and innovation and represent so‐called “super soft factors” which reflect personal success and its importance in achieving positive project outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Although there has been significant research on CSFs in construction projects, little attention has been paid to those which are related to the collaborative design phase of such projects.

Practical implications

The results suggest that it is worthwhile for managers in construction related organisations and beyond to recognise the interdependencies which exist between the project context, processes and the project members' experience and affinity to the project and the team itself in project work to achieve desired outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper extends the CSF literature by identifying the nature of the primary factors and their interrelationships which influence project outcomes in collaborative design projects.
An investigation of construction wastes: an empirical study in Shenzhen
Authors: Wang Jia‐Yuan , Kang Xiang‐Ping , Wing‐Yan Tam Vivian
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze on‐site production and sources of construction wastes through data obtained from a detailed questionnaire survey and structured interviews conducted in Shenzhen.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey is conducted to investigate the compositions of these construction waste and their sources. One hundred and ten copies are sent to governmental officers, designers, engineers, and contractors, and 84 responses are received, in which the respondent rate is about 76.4 percent.

Findings

According to the survey results, concrete, cement, brick, timber, tile, steel, and aluminum wastes are the main waste sources produced on construction sites. The sources of these wastes are varied. Suggestions to improve the existing waste situation are also discussed.

Originality/value

Various types of construction wastes are generated during construction activities. Expansion of construction wastes not only represents an enormous dissipation of resources but also results in serious environmental pollution, thus creating negative effects to the sustainable development of environmental industry and society. With the developing of economy and industry, waste problems have become more serious in recent years; therefore, waste management is becoming a pressing issue.
Corporate social responsibility for solving the housing problem for the poor in South Africa
Authors: Othman A.A.E. , Mia B.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to integrate the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the South African quantity surveying firms (SAQSF) as an approach for solving the housing problem for the poor.

Design/methodology/approach

A research methodology consisted of a literature review and field study designed to accomplish four objectives. Firstly, the literature review studied the housing problem in South Africa, the quantity surveying profession and the CSR concept. Secondly, the field study investigated the perception and application of the CSR concept by SAQSF. Thirdly, an innovative business improvement framework integrating the concept of CSR within SAQSF is developed. Finally, research conclusions and recommendations are summarised.

Findings

There is a severe housing problem for the poor in South Africa. Government initiatives for delivering housing for the poor have to be supported by quantity surveyors through utilising their practical knowledge and expertise in social context. SAQSF are aware of the CSR and welcome the developed framework. The CSRF is recommended to be used as an innovative tool to assist in alleviating the housing problem for the poor.

Research limitations/implications

This research focused only on the quantity surveying firms in South Africa.

Practical implications

This research presents a practical solution to the housing problem for the poor through activating the social role of SAQSF towards supporting government initiatives.

Originality/value

This paper presents an innovative business improvement framework integrating the CSR concept into SAQSF towards solving the housing problem for the poor. This ideology has received scant attention in construction literature. The developed framework represents a synthesis that is novel and creative in thought and adds value to the knowledge in a manner that has not previously occurred.
Does vocational training meet the construction industry needs in Malaysia?
Authors: Abdul‐Aziz A‐R. , Jaafar M. , Enshassi A. , Mohamed‐Salleh M‐N.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Malaysia has been facing a shortage of construction craftworkers since the late 1980s. This is despite the fact that various public vocational training institutes have been established by the government ever since independence. This study aims to determine whether ex‐trainees of National Youth Skills Institutes (NYSIs) in the One Phase Electrical Wiring course had joined the construction industry to determine whether the shortage is in any way contributed by them. The reasons why they took up the course and why they chose to work as electricians were among the specific matters that were looked into to help in understanding their industry choice.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through postal questionnaire survey.

Findings

The study found that half of the respondents joined the construction industry, the other half in other economic sectors.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was confined to those who had undertaken the One Phase Electrical Wiring course. It was also limited to one training institution. Other stakeholders were excluded from the study.

Practical implications

The paper makes recommendations as to what the NYSI administration might want to consider doing in terms of promoting the course.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the knowledge of electrical course ex‐trainees about what they thought about their course, in which economic sectors they chose to work and the reasons behind their selection.
Contribution of knowledge management activities to organisational business performance
Authors: Chen Le , Mohamed Sherif
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Within the construction industry there is a growing awareness of the need for linking knowledge management (KM) to business strategy, organisational objectives and existing performance measures. This study was undertaken within the context of construction organisations, and attempts to provide the empirical evidence about the relationships between KM activities and organisational business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of construction contractors operating in Hong Kong to investigate the opinions of construction professionals regarding the intensity of KM activities and business performance within their organisations. In parallel to the survey, semi‐structured interviews were undertaken to provide qualitative insights that helped to clarify and deepen understanding of the KM process within the context of the research target.

Findings

The investigation shows that knowledge utilisation is the strongest contributor to general business performance. In addition, the impact of KM activities on the lagging performance indicators of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), such as “financial performance”, is in an indirect manner, and through the leading indicators such as performance from “internal process” as well as “learning and growth” perspectives.

Originality/value

The study empirically establishes the linkage between intensity of KM activities and business performance, and demonstrates that KM strategies need to be explicitly formulated and measured according to organisational business objectives.
Information quality implications of planning process integration
Authors: Gustavsson Mattias
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of manufacturing planning and control (MPC) process integration on information quality (IQ).

Design/methodology/approach

Two case studies are conducted in the aerospace industry. The paper examines the influence of internal and external, and technical and organisational integration on the IQ perceived in the MPC processes.

Findings

The paper posits links between high‐integration levels and low IQ deficiency levels.

Research limitations/implications

The theoretical framework developed in this study is applicable to most industries. The case implications are based on the aerospace industry. For future research, a multi‐industry survey study supporting the theoretical framework is suggested, explaining the adaptations needed in different environments and testing the propositions derived in this paper.

Practical implications

Production, logistics and supply chain professionals' understanding of the relationships between integration and the level of IQ can be improved. Considerations about strategic development towards a required level and type of integration in order to support better IQ levels could be simplified by using the framework and results provided.

Originality/value

There has been little previous research on the links between integration level and the level of IQ. In this paper, structured frameworks of both integration and IQ are used to provide insights on and describe the relationships between integration and the quality of information.
Capacity upgrade criteria of large‐intensive material handling and storage systems: a case study
Authors: Caputo Antonio C. , Pelagagge Pacifico M.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss some relevant issues in the design and operation of material handling and storage systems (MH&SS) characterized by complex material flows and high‐traffic intensity. The paper seeks to provide solution examples and an analysis methodology to face large increases of materials flows through a redesign of the material handling and storage system.

Design/methodology/approach

At first, possible strategies to improve system performances when facing strong increments of material flows are presented and discussed. A significant case study is then analyzed in order to present a practical application of the proposed methodology. Resorting to discrete‐events simulation, the alternatives are verified, correct design choices are identified, and the resources are properly sized to develop a streamlined layout.

Findings

The paper recognises that design and upgrade of intensive material handling systems is a complex task asking for a careful study of alternatives and detailed system analysis, otherwise capacity problems and bottleneck phenomena may not be effectively solved.

Research limitations/implications

This work focuses on a specific case study. The paper, therefore, will be of interest mainly to managers and designers of similar plants and large – intensive material handling systems.

Practical implications

The paper shows how the correct planning and analysis of design alternatives integrated with a detailed system simulation enable a drastic reduction of bottleneck phenomena, thus meeting the required capacity improvement goals when upgrading and redesigning complex and high‐volume material handling systems.

Originality/value

The paper, while providing insights to practitioners engaged in design and management of complex MH&SS, outlines a methodological approach which can be useful when facing major capacity improvement projects.
Using simulation to assess the introduction of technology in a continuous operations process
Authors: Greasley Andrew
Published: October 2008

Purpose

To investigate the role of simulation in the introduction of technology in a continuous operations process.

Design/methodology/approach

A case‐based research method was chosen with the aim to provide an exemplar of practice and test the proposition that the use of simulation can improve the implementation and running of conveyor systems in continuous process facilities.

Findings

The research determines the optimum rate of re‐introduction of inventory to a conveyor system generated during a breakdown event.

Research limitations/implications

More case studies are required demonstrating the operational and strategic benefits that can be gained by using simulation to assess technology in organisations.

Practical implications

A practical outcome of the study was the implementation of a policy for the manual re‐introduction of inventory on a conveyor line after a breakdown event had occurred.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel example of the use of simulation to estimate the re‐introduction rate of inventory after a breakdown event on a conveyor line. The paper highlights how by addressing this operational issue, ahead of implementation, the likelihood of the success of the strategic decision to acquire the technology can be improved.
A Petri net model for sequence optimization and performance analysis of flexible assembly systems
Authors: Ullah Hamid , Bohez Erik L.J.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new generic Petri net (PN) model based on assembly plan for assembly sequence optimization. The model aims to allow modeling the flexible assembly system (FAS) configuration, determining the optimal work in process, lead time, throughput, and utilization of each station. Moreover, it aims to show assembly features (AFs) as being useful in assembly sequence planning.

Design/methodology/approach

Sophisticated knowledge of AFs is used to get very few feasible assembly sequences (ASs) rather than all possible ASs for a product. A PN model is developed to find out the near optimal assembly sequence out of the sequences obtained from the AF knowledge. It is also used for design and performance evaluation of FAS. Multiple optimization criteria are used for assembly sequence optimization, keeping in view the line balancing. The PN is optimized using weighted‐WIP when the throughput is bounded by the utilization of the bottleneck machines.

Findings

The results achieved from the example show a considerable reduction in the number of feasible ASs for a product. The PN optimization gives minimum WIP corresponding to the maximum production rate. Moreover, the PN model pushes more inventories to the initial assembly phase.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed PN can be easily extended for inclusion of dualkanban, where the managers may adjust the number ofkanbancards as per the requirement.

Practical implications

Managers may use the concept of multiple AFs in order to design and operate robot assembly that will result in more efficient sequence planning. Using the PN model, the assembly manager may design, analyze, evaluate, and even optimize the layout of the FAS for minimum WIP, maximum throughput, and reduced lead time. The determination of total WIP, total number of stations in the assembly line, and the number of servers at each station may be helpful in the factory floor management. Line balancing may result in the highest efficiency and the shortest idling time along with ease of management and supervision.

Originality/value

This paper provides a clear insight into how a large reduction in the number of feasible ASs for a product can be obtained using the knowledge of AFs. It also presents a new PN model used for assembly sequence optimization and design and performance analysis of FAS.