bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VolunteerMatch.org: balancing mission and earned‐revenue potential
Authors: Barad Seth , Maw Liz , Stone Nan
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This case investigates how a nonprofit can analyze its earned revenue potential. What changes would be required for the organization's current business units to start making a positive financial contribution? What other opportunities to expand its earned‐income efforts exist, and how should they be prioritized? What would it take to implement the new ventures, and how could the nonprofit guard against undertaking initiatives that would subtract more from the organization – in dollars and staff time – than they could possibly add?

Design/methodology/approach

A team of consultants from Bridgespan worked with VolunteerMatch, the largest web‐based volunteer‐matching service in the country, to study how to make its earned revenue ventures generate income for the organization and support its mission.

Findings

VolunteerMatch's work on earned income helped it to move forward with its financial goals, and also to strengthen its social mission.

Research limitations/implications

VolunteerMatch is a small, talent rich nonprofit with a staff that is comfortable innovating internet‐based products and services. Expanding the study to include a variety of nonprofits would provide a better indication of the viability of an earned income strategy in this sector.

Practical implications

VolunteerMatch now derives 38 percent of its revenue from its earned income activities, decreasing its reliance on contributions.

Originality/value

Few detailed studies exist of the development of earned income operations in nonprofits. This one serves as a guide to best practices for organizations considering this strategy.
The power of vision
Authors: Kilpatrick Andrea , Silverman Les
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Since nonprofits operate without the feedback provided by profits and losses, their need for a vision is acute.

Design/methodology/approach

McKinsey & Company consultants report on their experience facilitating vision development in nonprofits. They extrapolate best practices.

Findings

Most effective visions comprise a compelling, easy‐to‐understand description of how the nonprofit would like the world to change in the next three‐to‐five years, what role the organization will play in that change, and how the nonprofit will measure the success of its role.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of cases described is small. Surveying a larger sample of nonprofit leaders to ask whether their vision has had positive results would provide valuable insight.

Practical implications

Developing a vision can keep an organization focused, increase the ease of performance measurement, help track successes and identify early warning signs of ineffective programs. Clear visions also highlight gaps in talent, funds, or facilities. Finally, staff members operating with the help of a clear vision often are more efficient and happier.

Originality/value

The experience of one of the world's foremost consulting firms with developing nonprofit organizations’ vision is an example of best practice.
The strategic value of a shared understanding of costs
Authors: Colby Susan J. , Rubin Abigail
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To make resource‐related decisions in a way that maximizes an organization's effectiveness and promotes its mission, nonprofit leaders need to have a clear picture of the full costs of operating their programs and services.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors studied individual nonprofits and confirmed their findings by interviewing their executives.

Findings

While most nonprofits have a good understanding of the direct costs incurred by their programs, many don't account for indirect costs. Full cost data can provide invaluable input to decisions about how to allocate resources among programs, whether to expand into a new location, and what level of funding is required to sustain the organization's operations.

Research limitations/implications

Larger studies are needed to confirm whether nonprofit executives conclude that investing in more accurate cost accounting provides a substantial payoff.

Practical implications

Resource‐allocation decisions based on accurate cost data present nonprofit executives with their best opportunity to concentrate resources on activities that will effectively achieve their organizations’ goals.

Original/value

Corporate executives who volunteer to help nonprofits need to be aware that the financial data needed for strategic decision making often isn't available. Moreover the culture of the nonprofit sector resists adopting accounting systems that measure true costs.
Scenario analysis and a logic model of public education in Ohio
Authors: Millett Stephen M. , Tave Zelman Susan
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This case recounts how an expert scenario consultant and a team of managers at a government agency used proprietary technology to define a set of alternate futures; it describes how this scenario analysis provided a framework for understanding the existence of interlocking relationships – the logic model – among factors that determine desirable future outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

As a tool for forecasting and strategic planning, Battelle employs a method called interactive future simulations (IFS) that uses expert judgment, trend analysis, and cross‐impact analysis for generating probabilistic alternative futures (scenarios). The tool has been used both for Battelle's own business strategy analysis and for fee‐for‐service projects for some 55 clients in North America, Europe, and Japan.

Findings

The logic model showed that, higher achievement depends primarily on only two clusters of descriptors: students receiving high quality instruction aligned with academic content standards and students having the right conditions and motivation for learning.

Research limitations/implications

Having completed the first generation of the logic model through the exercise of cross‐impact analysis, the Ohio Department of Education project team will revisit the scenarios and give them increased attention. A revised logic model will be constructed in 2005.

Practical implications

This article introduces the logic model as a potentially valuable new strategic management tool.

Originality/value

Managers in for‐profit and nonprofit organization can get a rare inside look at the process and potential of scenario analysis and the development of a logic model.
The effects of framing vocational choices on young adults' sets of career options
Authors: Feldman Daniel C. , Whitcomb Kathleen M.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The present paper examines the effects of two decision‐framing inductions on young adults' set of career options: first, whether young adults use abilities or interests as the grounds for their vocational choices and, second, whether young adults approach the decision‐making task by including all career options to which they feel positively or by eliminating all career options to which they feel negatively.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 × 2 experimental design was used to collect data from a diverse group of college undergraduates.

Findings

The results suggest that individuals who choose careers on the basis of skills and who use the inclusion decision‐making procedure are significantly more likely to narrow down their sets of career options.

Research limitations/implications

The paper also suggests that Holland's model of vocational choice (RIASEC) may be differentially useful in guiding students to appropriate vocations for themselves. Students with a “social” profile, for example, have a much larger and more diffuse set of career options available to them than students with “realistic” or “investigative” profiles.

Practical implications

The findings here suggest that the prevalent practice of focusing students' attention on finding activities they like may be less successful in helping students identify appropriate careers than focusing students' attention on their skills and abilities.

Originality/value

The paper addresses a career decision‐making phenomenon that has received increasing attention in the press and among educators.
Socialization and organizational outcomes of information technology professionals
Authors: King Ruth C. , Xia Weidong , Campbell Quick James , Sethi Vikram
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This study examined how six institutionalized socialization tactics affect a particular occupation of knowledge workers – information technology (IT) professionals' role adjustment (role conflict and role ambiguity) and organizational attachment variables (job satisfaction, affective commitment, continuance commitment and intention to quit).

Design/methodology/approach

The research model and hypotheses were tested using path analysis techniques with survey data collected from 187 recently hired IT professionals.

Findings

The results showed that the six socialization tactics affected IT professionals differently. Socialization tactics that recognize employees' values and skills (investiture tactics) and that emphasize the interpersonal and mentoring aspects (serial tactics) had the most significant effects on employees' role adjustment and organizational attachment. The study also revealed complex mediating relationships among socialization tactics, role adjustment and organizational attachment variables.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights about the differential effects of the various socialization tactics on IT professionals' role adjustment and organizational attachment. It also sheds light on the complex mediating relationships among socialization tactics, role adjustment and organizational attachment variables. Without considering the logical relationships between the various variables, studies examining the direct effects of socialization on isolated organizational outcome variables may overlook important linkages that are critical for explaining the inconsistent results in past empirical studies.
Rites, right?
Authors: Mayrhofer Wolfgang , Iellatchitch Alexandre
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Modern careers have become increasingly non‐predictable, characterized by many occupational changes and transitions. Given this background, this paper analyses the potential contributions of the anthropological concept of rites of passage in scientific as well as practical terms. It is argued that, while this concept is not a fully developed theory, it qualifies as a useful model for specific aspects of career transitions.

Design/methodology/approach

After a general introduction of the concept of rites of passage, the paper examines how it has already been applied to career research, and proposes some fresh developments in order to interpret the role of transitions in modern careers.

Findings

Although the concept ofrites de passagehas mostly been applied to very traditional career paths, this paper argues for its validity for modern careers. In particular, the emphasis on a particularrite de passage, namely therite de marge, allows one to focus on the non‐stability of careers today and its consequences for individuals.

Practical implications

Even if the effects of their application are neither mechanical nor calculable, neverthelessrites de passagepresent interesting possibilities for management purposes.

Originality/value

Introducing the concept ofrites de passageshows that modern careers especially, because of their lack of stability, need transitional rites for occupational identity and the entering of new groups. To be aware of this is of great relevance for individuals and for career management.
The rites of passage of cross‐disciplinary concepts
Authors: Altman Yochanan , Holmes Len
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Mayrhofer and Iellatchitch's discussion of rites of passage in the context of contemporary careers raises some concerns as to the usefulness of the concept as well as to its transferability across disciplines. This rejoinder maintains that, while the employment of rites of passage should be welcomed, its use in career discourse should be made with caution and reserve.

Design/methodology/approach

Asks searching questions in pursuit of the above.

Findings

That some controversial points are raised in Mayrhofer and Iellatchitch's article.

Originality/value

This presents the other side of the subject of the original article.
Sector‐specific regulation in European electronic communications – meant to disappear?
Authors: Berhin Daniel , Godart Frédéric , Jollès Maya , Nihoul Paul
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to question the disappearance of sector‐specific regulation in European electronic communications markets.

Design/methodology/approach

To show that sector‐specific regulation will remain, five arguments are developed based on different disciplines: law, economics, political science and sociology.

Findings

It is found that sector‐specific regulation has already been in place for 15 years and there is no concrete indication that it will end soon. Competition law has intrinsic limitations, which, arguably, do not make it possible for authorities to resort only to that body of the law to ensure a smooth functioning of the electronic communications markets. The balance of power in the EU leads to sector‐specific regulation being maintained in the years ahead as the ideal way for European institutions to intervene in electronic communications markets. The electronic communications market requires regulation going beyond competition law in order to ensure the realization of non‐economic purposes. The implementation of sector‐specific regulation might contribute to concentrating the electronic communications markets.

Practical implications

Contrary to the claims of the European institutions that sector‐specific regulation in the electronic communication markets will lose its relevance, this paper argues that it is likely to remain for the foreseeable future.

Originality/value

The paper shows that deregulating a sector is not an easy task and that ex anteregulation is a key legal instrument for the proper functioning of a market.
Regulatory responses to convergence: experiences from four countries
Authors: García‐Murillo Martha
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to identify the factors that have moved some regulators around the world to restructure their regulatory agencies towards an integrated information and communication technology (ICT) regulator.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the theory of transaction costs as an analytical framework to analyze the regulatory convergence efforts of the UK, India, Malaysia, and South Africa. It relies on case study methodology to elucidate the obstacles towards a converged policy framework.

Findings

The cases show that these countries moved towards a converged regulator and laws to eliminate obsolete rules that were hampering investment and slowing competition in the ICT sector. The governments also wanted to eliminate some redundancies and simplify the rules used in regulating ICTs. For some countries the ICT regulator maintains traditional industry distinctions but others moved towards an issues‐organizing framework. The challenges included training, consultations with affected parties, changes in the law, and coping with rules that were still valid.

Practical implications

Given the rapid development of technology and the blurring boundaries of ICTs, regulators are advised to make changes to their regulatory bodies and adopt a more flexible regime of laws and regulators that are able to accommodate technological and industry changes.

Originality/value

The paper makes a unique contribution by linking the theories of collective action and transactions cost to explain why convergence of telecommunications regulation happens and the obstacles that regulatory agencies face in the process.
The telecommunications sector shows signs of revival
Authors: Curwen Peter
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This article is the fifth in a series that analyses the constantly changing structure of the TMT sector. It covers the period 28 March 2003 to 25 March 2004.

Design/methodology/approach

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

Findings

Prior to March 2002, the TMT sector spent two years in the doldrums, and the overall trend continued to be broadly negative during the ensuing year, partly driven by the implosions at the likes of WorldCom. However, there are signs that the worst is now over with most indicators turning positive during the year to March 2004.

Originality/value

Empirical research based on current data is very scarce in the public domain. This series of articles makes a major contribution to the analysis of how and why the structure of the TMT sector is evolving.
Enterprise information systems: technology first or process first?
Authors: Arif Mohammed , Kulonda Dennis , Jones Jim , Proctor Michael
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Enterprise resource planning (ERP), a technological approach for enterprise information systems, has many recorded case examples of lengthy and expensive implementations reported in literature. This research has uncovered an alternative process‐driven and document‐based approach that may offer a simpler and more flexible solution compared with technology‐driven ERP. This paper investigates the differences and similarities of the two approaches, and also answers a related question: Is the enterprise system implementation an information systems effort performed to support the business processes, or is it a process re‐engineering effort required to implement the pre‐packaged software system?

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches to an enterprise information system, this research developed a unified modeling language (UML) process model of a manufactured housing company and used it as a basis for a conceptual level UML model for both an ERP‐ and a document‐based system.

Findings

In a designed experiment with UML‐fluent analysts, the process‐driven document solution to an enterprise information system was shown to be smaller, less complex and more flexible than an ERP solution at the conceptual design level.

Practical implications

Software specifications for the resulting document‐based system included only standard COTS software packages easily usable in companies of any size. Further, the potential for prototype as‐you‐go development offers opportunities for continuous refinement of the system in contrast with the episodic implementation of packaged ERP systems.

Originality/value

This alternative system highlights the desirability, for both academicians and practitioners, of concentrating on processes and then implementing the most suitable technology, rather than allowing the technology to impose constraints on processes.
Developing and evaluating a methodology for business process improvement
Authors: Adesola Sola , Baines Tim
Published: March 2005

Purpose

There appears to be an ever‐insatiable demand from markets for organisations to improve their products and services. To meet this, there is a need to provide business process improvement (BPI) methodologies that are holistic, structured and procedural. Therefore, this paper describes research that has formed and tested a generic and practical methodology termed model‐based and integrated process improvement (MIPI) to support the implementation of BPI; and to validate its effectiveness in organisations. This methodology has been created as an aid for practitioners within organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research objectives were achieved by: reviewing and analysing current methodologies, and selecting a few frameworks against key performance indicators. Using a refined Delphi approach and semi‐structured interview with the “experts” in the field. Intervention, case study and process research approach to evaluating a methodology.

Findings

The BPI methodology was successfully formed and applied by the researcher and directly by the companies involved against the criteria of feasibility, usability and usefulness.

Research limitations/implications

The paper has demonstrated a new knowledge on how to systematically assess a BPI methodology in practice.

Practical implications

Model‐based and integrated process improvement methodology (MIPI) methodology offers the practitioner (experienced and novice) a set of step‐by‐step aids necessary to make informed, consistent and efficient changes to business processes.

Originality/value

The novelty of this research work is the creation of a holistic workbook‐based methodology with relevant tools and techniques. It extends the capabilities of existing methodologies.
Assessing the learning experience in a business process re‐engineering (BPR) course at the University of Bahrain
Authors: Al‐Shammari Minwir
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The main purpose of the study was to assess students' perceptions of cognitive, affective, and interactive benefits in a business process re‐engineering (BPR) course using five adopted teaching tools: role‐playing, case studies, group assignments, electronic collaboration, and invited lecture.

Design/methodology/approach

A list of 18 closed‐ended questions and one open‐ended question was distributed to a sample of 46 undergraduate students at the University of Bahrain's College of Business Administration who participated in the study.

Findings

Descriptive statistics (mean scores) revealed that role‐playing was the most useful technique in the improvement of students' cognitive, affective, and interactive skills, followed by group assignments, case method, invited lecture, and electronic collaboration respectively (except for the improvement of cognitive skills where the invited lecture prevailed over the case method). ANOVA results revealed that there were no significant differences in perceptions of cognitive benefits between most teaching tools. The only significant variations detected were between the web‐based tool on the one side and the rest of tools on the other. Significant differences were also found in perceptions of affective and interactive benefits for almost all teaching tools.

Originality/value

The best practices resulting from the adopted teaching process are expected to form a blueprint for benchmarking design of a BPR course or a course in other business subject areas.
Building an enterprise process view using cognitive mapping
Authors: McCormack Kevin , Rauseo Nancy
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This article offers an approach to building a high‐level business process view of the enterprise, based on cognitive mapping techniques and the principles of modularity.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study illustrates how these maps can be used in action learning and executive leadership development programs as a means of aligning enterprise leadership by implementing a cross‐functional process view from the top down.

Findings

This enterprise map shows both the customers' and the business's processes and their interrelationships, which helps align business strategy to process strategy, design and ownership.

Research limitations/implications

The authors suggest that future case analysis research be conducted in other private sector industries using the same model.

Practical implications

Building the business process view is a critical first step in business process orientation, an organizational philosophy closely linked to “systems thinking”. It can link business strategy and customer needs to all the aspects of process design and management in a very powerful and visual way. This is the foundation for the success of corporations tomorrow by providing a clear view of the interrelationships inside and outside the company and by establishing a common language for change management.

Originality/value

This paper offers a unique approach for using cognitive mapping techniques and the principles of modularity to help align business strategy to process strategy, design and ownership.
Improving processes in a small health‐care network
Authors: Snyder Kimberlee D. , Paulson Patrick , McGrath Patrick
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This paper focuses on the process mapping of two medical clinics and the events presently under‐way to design, implement, and maintain an integrated information system with two other health‐care entities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is part of a larger research project which will be a four‐year study documenting the development, implementation, and measurement of an unprecedented effort to launch a comprehensive, community‐based e‐health initiative in a small community with limited resources.

Findings

The medical professionals will find, as they continue to grow with the system and supply the database with pertinent information about each individual patient, that they will truly benefit in unthinkable ways.

Originality/value

This paper documents the events presently under way at two independent clinics.
Enhancing reinsurance efficiency using index‐based instruments
Authors: Zeng Lixin
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Demonstrates the feasibility of, and introduces a practical approach to enhancing, reinsurance efficiency using index‐based instruments.

Design/methodology/approach

First reviews the general mathematical framework of reinsurance optimization. Next, illustrates how index‐based instruments can potentially enhance reinsurance efficiency through a simple yet self‐contained example. The simplicity allows the analytical examination of the cost and benefits of an index‐based contract. Finally, introduces a real‐world model that optimizes index‐based reinsurance instruments using the genetic algorithm.

Findings

Identifies the key factors that determine the efficiency of index‐based reinsurance contracts and demonstrates that, in the property catastrophe reinsurance market, the combined effect of these factors frequently allows the construction of an index‐based hedging program that is more efficient than a traditional excess‐of‐loss reinsurance contract. A robust optimization model based on the genetic algorithm is introduced and shown to be effective in optimizing index‐based reinsurance contracts.

Research limitations/implications

Most financial optimization procedures are subject to parameter risk, which can adversely affect the robustness of their solutions. The reinsurance optimization approach presented in this paper is not completely immune from this problem. It remains a challenging problem for actuarial researchers and practitioners.

Practical implications

The concept and method proposed in this paper can be applied to designing real‐world reinsurance programs.

Originality/value

This paper makes two contributions to the risk finance literature: a systematic approach for evaluating the costs and benefits of index‐based reinsurance instruments, and an innovative and practical model for optimizing reinsurance efficiency.
Betting on country alphas to hedge against Asian crisis risk
Authors: Miller Stephen
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Country alpha swaps are proposed to facilitate emerging market risk‐sharing, even during global financial crises. Country alphas measure risk‐adjusted performance by subtracting the product of average world index returns and the country's beta, measuring its contribution to global systematic risk, from average country index returns. It has been proposed that emerging market country betas rose during the Asian crisis, and that country beta call options pay out for large increases in risk. Swaps on the difference between country and world index returns have also been proposed. Country alpha swaps combine elements of Merton's and Miller's proposals.

Design/methodology/approach

Daily, rolling, synchronous country alphas are estimated from the subset of assets available to all investors in 13 emerging markets between 1995 and 2003, using Scholes and Williams' method.

Findings

Country alphas become increasingly negative during the Asian crisis, and typically rise thereafter, eventually becoming positive. Short swap positions compensate investors when alphas are negative, especially during the Asian crisis, while long positions compensate hedging suppliers when alphas are positive.

Research limitations

Although inspired by academic research, real world tests will ultimately verify the merits of this idea.

Originality/value

Country alpha swaps compensate hedging demanders (suppliers) whenever a country's alpha is negative (positive). Risk sharing might increase and global financial crisis risk in the future might be hedged.
Theory of portfolio and risk based on incremental entropy
Authors: Ou Jianshe
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To develop a new theory of portfolio and risk based on incremental entropy and Markowitz's theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Replacing arithmetic, the mean return adopted by M.H. Markowitz, with geometric mean return as a criterion for assessing a portfolio, one gets incremental entropy: one of the generalized entropies. It indicates that the incremental speed of capital is a more objective and testable criterion.

Findings

The difference between the new theory based on incremental entropy and Markowitz's theory is that the new theory emphasizes that there is an objectively optimal portfolio for given probability of returns.

Originality/value

This paper provides some formulas for optimizing portfolio allocations. Based on the new portfolio theory, this paper also presents a new measure of information value, analyzes the differences and similarities between this measure and K.J. Arrow's measure of information value, and discusses how to optimize forecasts with the new measure.
Developing and implementing a stochastic decision‐support model within an organizational context
Authors: Høyland Kjetil , Ranberg Erik , Wallace Stein W.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Discusses why it is necessary to align a mathematical model with the organization in order to achieve the desired results. The structure of a model's input must fit with the structure of data collection in the firm, and the output must be consistent with the decision structure. Otherwise, data collection will not be properly taken care of and the results of a model will not find their way to where decisions are made. Five years passed from the cooperation first started with the university until the model came on‐line.

Design/methodology/approach

Parts 1 and 2 of this series of papers discussed the stochastic programming model itself and the relationship between the model and the organization. The results are now reported.

Findings

Reports on both organizational and financial results.

Practical implications

Shows that, although a lot of work is needed to implement a complicated stochastic programming model within an organization, it can be done and can lead to good results. However, it takes time to adjust an organization to a new way of thinking, as a model like this can never work unless supported by upper management as well as those who use the model daily.

Originality/value

The main value is to demonstrate in rather large detail how a somewhat complicated model can be developed and used in an organization, which, originally, was not well aligned with the ideas of the modellers.
Determinant factors of leverage
Authors: García Padrón Yaiza , María Cáceres Apolinario Rosa , Maroto Santana Octavio , Concepción Verona Martel María , Jordán Sales Lourdes
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To contrast the different factors that can determine the level of debt of firms by means of panel data methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

The variables used in the study are: size, generated resources, level of warrants, debt cost, growth opportunities, and reputation. Six hypotheses are considered.

Findings

The results obtained suggest that the stated variables, other than reputation, can be considered to be explanatory variables of firm debt level. Using within‐groups estimation and generalized least squares, the results suggest that the behavior of the sample throughout the study period is consistent with the fixed effects approach, in which the specific characteristics of each firm remain constant throughout time. Moreover, with respect to the six considered hypotheses, the analysis shows the influence of all stated variables except reputation on the leverage.

Originality/value

Adds to the body of research that has focused on the analysis of the financial decisions of the firm, with the level of debt appearing as a relevant factor in explaining the relationship between investment and financing decisions.
Determining the impact of quality management practices and purchasing‐related information systems on purchasing performance
Authors: Hemsworth David , Sánchez‐Rodríguez Cristóbal , Bidgood Bruce
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Many studies claim that the implementation of quality management practices and specific information systems can help organizations to improve performance. The objective of this article is to provide insights into current quality management and information systems theory and practice in the purchasing function and their impact on purchasing performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses derived from the key features of quality management practices in purchasing (QMPP) and related information systems (IS) practices presented by previous authors are tested using Structural Equation Modelling through field research on a sample of 306 manufacturing companies in Spain.

Findings

Findings from this study indicate that there is significant evidence to support the hypothesized model in which QMPP has a direct impact on related IS practices and purchasing performance, as well as an indirect impact on purchasing performance mediated through IS.

Research limitations/implications

Use of a single key informant is a possible limitation as opposed to information directly obtained from actual suppliers and internal customers. Also a more stringent test of the relationship between QMPP, IS and purchasing performance requires a more protracted time‐span rather than a singlular point in time. Finally, future research could include SRM, ERP, MRP, etc. in the purchasing department

Practical implications

A survey of QMPP and IS practices in manufacturing suggests how firms and other organisations should focus their investments to improve purchasing performance.

Originality/value

While many researchers have studied information systems and total quality management operations strategies individually, the relationship between the adoption of quality management practices in purchasing and purchasing‐related information systems and QMPP's effect on purchasing performance has not yet been analyzed.
Assessing the benefits of using an enterprise system in accounting information and management
Authors: Spathis Charalambos , Ananiadis John
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This paper examines the impact of decisions stemming from the new ERP system on the accounting information and management implemented at a large public university in Greece, based on perceived benefits according to users’ expectations and perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

Structured questionnaires were used in two measurement points (pre‐ and post‐implementation) in the frame of longitudinal research. The statistical analysis methods employed factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha to evaluate the scale and t‐test to assess the significance of the means values between the two periods.

Findings

The results show that, one‐year post‐implementation, users’ perceptions are more positive compared with their expectations from the pre‐implementation period. The empirical data confirm a number of benefits derived from the new ERP system, particularly in relation to accounting information and management. The new ERP system significantly contributes towards increased flexibility in information provision, through effective monitoring and exploitation of the university's assets and revenue‐expenditure flow, and improved decision making.

Originality/value

The empirical evidence can help the university and other public organisations to establish the best way forward in fully exploiting the ERP system's potential as an innovative tool for management.
The relationship between system usage and user satisfaction: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Bokhari Rahat H.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

System usage and user satisfaction are widely accepted and used as surrogate measures of IS success. Past studies attempted to explore the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction but findings are mixed, inconclusive and misleading. The main objective of this research is to better understand and explain the nature and strength of the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction by resolving the existing inconsistencies in the IS research and to validate this relationship empirically as defined in Delone and McLean's IS success model.

Design/methodology/approach

“Meta‐analysis” as a research approach was adopted because of its suitability regarding the nature of the research and its capability of dealing with exploring relationships that may be obscured in other approaches to synthesize research findings. Meta‐analysis findings contributed towards better explaining the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction, the main objectives of this research.

Findings

This research examines critically the past findings and resolves the existing inconsistencies. The meta‐analysis findings explain that there exists a significant positive relationship between “system usage” and “user satisfaction” (i.e.r=0.2555) although not very strong. This research empirically validates this relationship that has already been proposed by Delone and McLean in their IS success model. Provides a guide for future research to explore the mediating variables that might affect the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction.

Originality/value

This research better explains the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction by resolving contradictory findings in the past research and contributes to the existing body of knowledge relating to IS success.
The importance of management practices in IS project performance
Authors: Art Gowan J. , Mathieu Richard G.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The literature on software project management is extended into the broader domain of large‐scale IS management by studying enterprise‐wide system upgrade projects. In particular; examines the role that the intervention of project management practices (formal project methodologies and outsourcing) play in large and/or complex IS projects, which result in good project performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was completed by 449 information systems managers about a specific upgrade project. The primary analytical approach used was structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

It was found that neither project complexity nor project size are good indicators of meeting a project's target date. Large projects that adopted formal project management practices were more probable to meet the project target date. Projects with a high degree of complexity which involved outsourcing and adopted formal project management practices, were more likely to meet the project target date.

Practical implications

Clearly, the message to managers of IS projects is to establish a project methodology, especially in large, enterprise‐wide projects, and when some degree of outsourcing is required.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should consider additional measures of performance such as cost, end‐user satisfaction and business value.

Originality/value

Much had been written in the literature about how large, complex IT projects have high failure rates. Our study provides conclusive evidence that, the greater the degree of methodology implementation, the greater the chance for meeting the project's target date. Prior to this research, this had not been explicitly shown in the research literature.
Promoting requirement identification quality
Authors: Al‐Karaghouli W. , Alshawi S. , Fitzgerald G.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Reflects on experiences when traditional IT approaches were used to design large IT systems and ended in failure.

Design/methodology/approach

The requirements‐gathering process is usually a very complex affair and can represent a major obstacle to successful system development. It is argued here that one reason for systems development projects' poor performance, or even failure, is the mismatch between the customer and the developer technical knowledge/understanding instigated by the differences in the cultural background of both sides. The main argument focuses on the reasons for system failure and how they relate to the diversity of knowledge and the understanding gaps that may exist between the business customers and the system developers.

Findings

The study reveals that the understanding gaps mainly result from lack of business operations knowledge on the developer side, matched by lack of technical appreciation and knowledge on the user side.

Originality/value

A practical approach using diagramming and Set mapping techniques is described, with an explanation of how it can be used to enhance human interaction in requirement identification and consequently help address the knowledge‐gap problem.
Delivering the English smoking treatment services
Authors: Bauld Linda , Coleman Tim , Adams Catherine , Pound Elspeth , Ferguson Janet
Published: March 2005

Background  This paper describes how smoking treatment services in England were delivered beyond the initial set‐up phase and explores key factors affecting their development. Services were expected to treat smokers in line with the evidence‐base and were issued with government guidance regarding the type of interventions that should be offered. One factor complicating this was the issue of service funding. Funding was initially issued for a 3‐year period and although this was extended on two occasions, these extensions were both announced close to the end of funding periods.

Objectives  To critically assess key elements in the delivery of the English cessation services, including the nature of treatments offered and the impact of short‐term funding on staffing.

Methods  A national postal survey of smoking cessation coordinators in April 2002. Semi‐structured interviews with 50 smoking cessation staff in two health regions in autumn 2001, followed by further interviews with 28 staff in the same areas in the autumn of 2002.

Results  Treatment was delivered in a wide range of venues, ranging from primary care to local authority‐owned premises such as town halls and libraries. Most services offered both one‐to‐one and group support, although interviewees reported an increase in demand for one‐to‐one support from clients. Pharmacotherapies were used widely; by 2002, 99% of coordinators reported that their advisers recommended nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to clients, and 95% bupropion. However, prior to April 2001 bupropion was available on prescription, but NRT was not and this variable access to pharmacotherapies posed problems for services. Coordinators reported that the short‐term nature of funding made recruiting and retaining staff difficult and interviews revealed that they believed a longer period of protected funding was required for services to demonstrate their effectiveness.

Conclusions  As English smoking treatment services developed, lessons were learned that could inform the development of services in other health systems. First, early guidance from government can encourage services to adhere to evidence‐based treatment. Secondly, treatment needs to be accessible to smokers and thus there must be a flexible approach to implementation at local level. Thirdly, the availability of nicotine addiction and behavioural therapies should be coordinated to minimize barriers and maximize uptake. Finally, fixed‐term funding can exacerbate staff recruitment and retention difficulties and countries establishing treatment services need to consider carefully the initial funding period that is required for stable services to become established within their health systems.
The English smoking treatment services: short‐term outcomes
Authors: Judge Ken , Bauld Linda , Chesterman John , Ferguson Janet
Published: March 2005

Aims  To examine the impact of socio‐demographic factors, smoking‐related behaviour and service characteristics on CO‐validated quit rates at 4‐week follow‐up in English smoking treatment services, and to compare the results with those for self‐reported quitters.

Design  Observational study of administrative information linked with survey data for 6959 recipients of smoking treatment services who set a quit date between October 2001 and March 2003.

Setting  Two contrasting areas of England, Nottingham and North Cumbria, consisting of nine primary care trust (PCT) localities.

Measurements  Routine monitoring data specified by the Department of Health included information about basic demographic characteristics, postcode of residence from which a deprivation category was identified, nature of intervention and smoking status at 4‐week follow‐up. These data were supplemented with additional information about referral pathways, socio‐economic status and smoking‐related behaviours obtained from consenting service recipients by NHS advisers.

Findings  More than one‐half of clients (53%) were CO‐validated as quitters at 4 weeks, rising to 60.7% when self‐reported cases were included. Age (OR 1.026; CI 1.022–1.029) and being extremely determined to quit (OR  1.46;  CI 1.26–1.71) were associated positively with CO‐validated cessation, whereas women (OR 0.85; CI 0.77–0.94), users with lower socio‐economic status (OR 0.92; CI 0.88–0.95), those smoking 31 or more cigarettes daily (OR 0.75; CI   0.64–0.88)   and   those   with   relatively   poor   health   status   (OR   0.72; CI  0.63–0.82) were less likely to quit. Although the vast majority of users received one‐to‐one support, those who had group counselling were more likely to be successful in their quit attempt (OR 1.38; CI 1.09–1.76). Self‐report and CO‐validated quitters were similar in terms of their characteristics.

Conclusions  These results obtained from routine services support those obtained from clinical trials and confirm the effectiveness of counselling combined with pharmacotherapies to assist smokers to quit in the short term. However, the relative effectiveness of group interventions raises questions about why one‐to‐one counselling is used much more commonly. The importance of socio‐demographic and nicotine‐related dependency factors also suggests that local service targets for smoking cessation need to take account of the social distribution of these characteristics.
The disposition of oral amodiaquine in Papua New Guinean children with falciparum malaria
Authors: Hombhanje F.W. , Hwaihwanje I. , Tsukahara T. , Saruwatari J. , Nakagawa M. , Osawa H. , Paniu M.M. , Takahashi N. , Lum J.K. , Aumora B. , Masta A. , Sapuri M. , Kobayakawa T. , Kaneko A. , Ishizaki T.
Published: March 2005

Aims

We assessed the disposition of oral amodiaquine (AQ) and CYP2C8 polymorphism in 20 children with falciparum malaria.

Methods

AQ and DEAQ concentrations were determined with SPE‐HPLC method. CYP2C8 genotypes were assessed by PCR‐RFLP method.

Results

AQ was not detectable beyond day 3 postdose. Cmax for DEAQ was reached in 3.0 days. The mean values for t1/2, MRT, and AUCtotal were 10.1 days, 15.5 days and 4512.6 µg l−1 day, respectively. All the children were CYP2C8* homozygous.

Conclusion

Our data are consistent with those previously reported, and the AQ regimen seems pharmacokinetically adequate in the absence of CYP2C8 polymorphism.